2 Samuel 2:1 – 32 “Sometime later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?”
“Go up,” the LORD answered.
Then David asked, “Where should I go?”
“To Hebron,” replied the LORD.
So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David also took the men who were with him, each with his household, and they settled in the towns near Hebron.
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”
So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, “The LORD bless you, because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him. Now may the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness, and I will also show you the same favor because you have done this. Now then, be strong and courageous, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me as their king.” (“Loving devotion” is represented by the Hebrew term “chesed,” which can be variously translated as goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant.” David is asking God to show all these things to the men of Jabesh – gilead and also promising that he will do the same as well.)
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin—over all Israel. Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. And the length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. So Joab son of Zeruiah, along with the servants of David, marched out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. And the two camps took up positions on opposite sides of the pool.
Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.”
“Let them get up,” Joab replied.
So they got up and were counted off—twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim (the Field of Swords.)
The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David. The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle, and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit. And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?”
“It is,” Asahel replied.
So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.”
But Asahel would not stop chasing him.
Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?”
But Asahel refused to turn away; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died. But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.
The Benjamites rallied to Abner, formed a single unit, and took their stand atop a hill. Then Abner called out to Joab: “Must the sword devour forever? Do you not realize that this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell the troops to stop pursuing their brothers?”
“As surely as God lives,” Joab replied, “if you had not spoken up, the troops would have continued pursuing their brothers until morning.”
So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight. And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops.
In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing, but they had struck down 360 men of Benjamin and Abner. Later, they took Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.”
This story has a basis in tribalism. David is of the tribe of Judah. Saul and his family, including Abner, are Benjamites. While Saul and his sons die in the battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, Abner and most of Saul’s army evidently beat a hasty retreat. Perhaps Abner has no choice; perhaps the Philistines swoop in and cut Abner and his men off, making it impossible for them to defend Saul and his sons. At any rate, Abner and most of Saul’s army are very much alive, and Abner is now the power behind the throne in Israel. Abner crowns Ish – bosheth, Saul’s son, as king over Israel, an area that includes Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin – the area indicated in green on the map. (Incidentally, the name Ish – bosheth means “man of shame.”)
Under divine guidance, David moves his men with their families into Hebron and its surrounding villages, assuming the mantle of kingship for the tribe of Judah. David also sends a message of gratitude to the men of Jabesh – gilead for their care of the bodies of Saul and his sons. Now there are two kingdoms, Judah and Israel. Joab commands David’s army while Abner commands the army of Israel.
A battle takes place, starting with pairs of armed warriors from each side facing off and killing each other simultaneously. Perhaps if a set of warriors from one side were to defeat the warriors from the other side, that might end things, but the score remains even. After that first skirmish, Joab and his two brothers Asahel and Abishai take the forces of Judah and pursue Abner and the army of Israel. Asahel runs so swiftly that he outruns the soldiers of Judah and catches up with Abner. (What does Asahel think he’s going to do by himself?) Abner tries to warn Asahel to collect some armor or to protect himself in some other fashion, but when Asahel keeps coming, Abner kills him. Finally, Abner is able to confront Joab and convince him to stop chasing Abner and his men, their Israelite brothers. Abner and his men march 30 or more miles, crossing the Jordan to arrive at Mahanaim the next morning. Joab and his men travel 25 – 30 miles back to Hebron that night.
APPLICATION: Tribalism can be a terrible curse for any country! In this story, it’s the tribe of Judah against everybody else in Israel. But there’s one small thing: God has already anointed David as king. Surely, Abner is aware of this anointing; however, Abner is Saul’s cousin and controls Ish – bosheth in hopes of keeping the tribe of Benjamin in power. (How much influence did Abner have when Saul was alive? Was Abner one of the people inciting Saul to pursue David into the wilderness? Notice that Abner only reminds the Judeans that the Benjamites are their brothers when it appears that his side might lose.)
This chapter demonstrates the difference between allowing God to lead you and trying to do it yourself. David has moved to Hebron as an answer to prayer. Remember that Hebron is the city Caleb took from the giants. Hebron is a special place bathed in prayer. Abner is floundering around, struggling for power, even moving Ish – bosheth to Mahanaim on the east side of the Jordan without any advice from God. Why does Abner kill Asahel? Evidently, Asahel has no armor and no weapons. Abner could easily take Asahel prisoner; instead, he runs this unarmed man through with the butt of his spear. Perhaps Abner fears that Asahel might become a competitor for heading an army.
How do we make decisions? Are we making Godly decisions based on God’s Word and prayer, or are we driven by a lust for power as was Abner? Are we blinded by familial or tribal connections, or do we ask God to give us His mind about people? Knee jerk reactions and jumping to conclusion can only lead to disaster.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to see those around us as You do, and not to be swayed by prejudices, by tribal or familial concerns, or by any other influences that are not of You. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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