ABNER LEAVES THE HOUSE OF SAUL TO HELP DAVID

PROCLAMATION

“So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as The Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do so to him;  To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul to set up the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan even to Beer-Sheba.”  2 Samuel 3:9-10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  After David was made king over the southern kingdom and Ish-Bosheth was made king over the northern kingdom, there was a long and bitter war between the house of David and the house of Saul. (2 Samuel 3:1)  During this time David had six sons, one by each of his six wives. (2 Samuel 3:2-5)  Meanwhile, Ish-Bosheth and Abner, commander of Saul’s army, fell out because Abner slept with one of Saul’s concubines. (2 Samuel 3:6-11)  Abner then sent messengers to David saying that he would help him to become king over all of Israel.  David’s reply was that was fine but he must bring to him Michal the daughter of Saul who was betrothed to him for the price of one hundred Philistine foreskins. (2 Samuel 3:12-16)  Abner spoke with the elders of Israel and also the Benjamites regarding making David king over all of Israel.  Then Abner went to David and told him all that he had done on his behalf.  Then Abner left David in peace to go and make arrangements for the covenant to make David king of Israel. (2 Samuel 3:17-21)  Joab, commander of David’s army, was upset when he returned from a raid and learned that Abner had met with David and that he had sent him away in peace.  Then without telling David, Joab sent for Abner.  When Abner was brought to him, he took him to an inner chamber, as if to speak to him in private, and there he killed him to avenge the death his brother Asahel. (2 Samuel 3:22-27)  When David learned of this, he cursed Joab and his family.  David then had a public lament for Abner and wept for him. (2 Samuel 3:28-39)

 

APPLICATION

We need to be very careful how we treat and speak to our friends and supporters.  A loyal supporter can be pushed to the point that they will turn on you and then work against you.  We should treat people as we would like to be treated. (Matthew 7:12)  We should also speak to people in the same way which we would like to be spoken to. (Colossians 4:6 and Proverbs 15:1)  Our words are powerful, and they can be helpful, but our tongue can also cut people like a sword. (Proverbs 12:18)  We should think before we speak.