II Samuel 2:1-17
“And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?
And the LORD said unto him, Go up.
And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.” (II Samuel 2:1-3)
Saul was dead and Israel was in disarray. Most people would think it was a no-brainer for David to go back to take over, but he prayed and asked God what he should do. Proverbs 3:5-6 promises, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” By asking God, David went to the right place, to Hebron.
“And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the LORD show kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.” (II Samuel 2:4-7)
In Hebron, the nation of Judah declared David king. It would be a base on which he could build and people could begin to accept him as king. Learning what the people of Jabesh Gilead had done to prevent the Philistines degradation of Saul, David thanked them and encouraged them on behalf of the nation, letting them know they could call on him like they had Saul.
“But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years.
But the house of Judah followed David. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. ” (II Samuel 2:8-11)
Though many people had not liked Saul as king, and believed David should be, when he died they would act on what they thought he wanted in their grief. We have seen the same thing when Senator Ted Kennedy died and several unpopular bills that he supported were passed because others said it was what he wanted. When Abner proposed Ishbosheth, all the tribes but Judah accepted him without question. For about two years, there was little conflict, although kingdom remained divided, with david as king of Judah for seven and a half years.
"And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us.
And Joab said, Let them arise.” (II Samuel 2:12-14)
Tensions built between the two kingdoms, and finally the two armies met by the pool of Gibeon. In a small rural country where everyone has been their for their entire lives people know everyone for miles around, and Joab and Abner were acquainted, if not friends, having served together in the army. Abner proposed that a team be selected from each side and thye see who was the best, and Joab agreed.
“Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 2sa 2:16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.” (II Samuel 2:15-17)
Both teams were out to win, rushing to grab the other and stab him before he was ready, result ing in the deaths of all the contestants. Both sides were upset at the outcome, and the rivalry quickly turned into a fight, just as friendly sports competitions sometimes do today.
It resulted in the first major battle of what would be a five year war between Judah dn the rest of Israel. David’s army was the clear victor in this first battle, driving Abner’s forces from the field.
Many people believe competition builds cooperation and excitement in different groups. While it sometimes does, it usually results in rivalry between the spectators, and sometimes cheating and fights among the participants. This contest resulted in war between the two parts of Israel. Competition often splits neighborhoods, churches, and families as well.
“And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?
And the LORD said unto him, Go up.
And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.” (II Samuel 2:1-3)
Saul was dead and Israel was in disarray. Most people would think it was a no-brainer for David to go back to take over, but he prayed and asked God what he should do. Proverbs 3:5-6 promises, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” By asking God, David went to the right place, to Hebron.
“And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the LORD show kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.” (II Samuel 2:4-7)
In Hebron, the nation of Judah declared David king. It would be a base on which he could build and people could begin to accept him as king. Learning what the people of Jabesh Gilead had done to prevent the Philistines degradation of Saul, David thanked them and encouraged them on behalf of the nation, letting them know they could call on him like they had Saul.
“But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years.
But the house of Judah followed David. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. ” (II Samuel 2:8-11)
Though many people had not liked Saul as king, and believed David should be, when he died they would act on what they thought he wanted in their grief. We have seen the same thing when Senator Ted Kennedy died and several unpopular bills that he supported were passed because others said it was what he wanted. When Abner proposed Ishbosheth, all the tribes but Judah accepted him without question. For about two years, there was little conflict, although kingdom remained divided, with david as king of Judah for seven and a half years.
"And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us.
And Joab said, Let them arise.” (II Samuel 2:12-14)
Tensions built between the two kingdoms, and finally the two armies met by the pool of Gibeon. In a small rural country where everyone has been their for their entire lives people know everyone for miles around, and Joab and Abner were acquainted, if not friends, having served together in the army. Abner proposed that a team be selected from each side and thye see who was the best, and Joab agreed.
“Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 2sa 2:16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.” (II Samuel 2:15-17)
Both teams were out to win, rushing to grab the other and stab him before he was ready, result ing in the deaths of all the contestants. Both sides were upset at the outcome, and the rivalry quickly turned into a fight, just as friendly sports competitions sometimes do today.
It resulted in the first major battle of what would be a five year war between Judah dn the rest of Israel. David’s army was the clear victor in this first battle, driving Abner’s forces from the field.
Many people believe competition builds cooperation and excitement in different groups. While it sometimes does, it usually results in rivalry between the spectators, and sometimes cheating and fights among the participants. This contest resulted in war between the two parts of Israel. Competition often splits neighborhoods, churches, and families as well.
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