II Samuel Chapter 2
Please read: II Samuel 2 –
Knowing that Saul was dead, David knew he had been anointed by God to be the next king of Israel, but he did not just assume he should take the throne. David asked God for His leading and His direction. God directed David to go to Judah and there his men made him king of Judah. But there were still a great many people loyal to Saul, one especially, and that was Abner Saul’s cousin who had served as the general of Saul’s armies. Abner quickly positioned Ishbosheth, the only surviving son of Saul, and set him up as a king of Israel. Abner was making a power move to continue overseeing the armies of Israel. David was the rightful king, but loyalties throughout Israel were still mostly with the line of Saul. David did not force his kingdom on the people. So, for the first 2 years of David’s reign there was also a puppet king, Ishbosheth, that had loyalties from most of Israel, minus the small region of Judah.
As you can imagine there would be hostilities when there were two kings in power. Abner, the general of Saul’s army (now Ishbosheth’s general), suggested a wrestling match between his young men and the young men of David’s army. David’s army was led by Joab. To help us keep these names straight – let’s remember that David was the king of Judah which starts with a “J”, and David is the predecessor of the real king – King Jesus. David’s general of his army was Joab who had two brothers Abishai, and Asahel. These 3 brothers were David’s nephews of his sister Zeruiah. So, when we read about this wrestling match that became a blood bath, this was David’s relatives fighting on his behalf to defend his kingdom against Abner. When we sort through the names, we learn that David’s men won the skirmish. To finish with a complete victory, the youngest nephew of David, Asahel, chased after Abner to take his life as well. Sadly, Asahel lost his life.
Let's Reflect
1. To what city did God instruct David to go and become king of Judah?
2. What did David do for the men who had buried the bones of Saul and his three sons who were all killed in battle the same day?
3. According to verse 7, how long did David reign over Judah from the city of Hebron? David’s total reign was about 40 years.
4. With the two army generals deciding to hold a skirmish between their two sides, Abner had 12 men to fight against Joab’s men. How many men did Joab have?
5. David’s or Joab’s men were victorious that day. As soon as Abner realized he was defeated he took off running. One of the three nephews of David pursued after Abner. Which brother was it?
6. How was it that Abner took the life of David’s nephew?
7. When Joab and Abishai discovered that Abner had killed their brother, they and others pursued after Abner. Some other Israelites joined with Abner at the top of a hill, and Abner called out to Joab for a peace treaty. Did Joab comply?
8. Both sides had casualties in this first war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But the house of David prevailed. Where did they bury Ashael, the nephew of David?
