As the stars flickered in the black night, David looked out over Hebron from the foothills and reflected on the history of his capital city. Abraham, the progenitor of Israel, lived and was buried in this place. Looking toward the Cave of Machpelah David let go a faint sigh as he thought, How difficult Abraham’s journey to this place; how difficult my own journey here.
Anointed King of the Jews, David felt deeply connected to the patriarch of Israel. In the stillness of the night, he reflected on Abraham’s history.
God had commanded Abraham to get out of his country. Abraham obeyed immediately—no questions. He turned his back on friends, extended family and the comforts of home and walked away from Haran never looking back (Genesis 12:1-4). David well understood such a move. Haran was a thriving, wealthy place. However, what God wanted was far more important to Abraham than what Haran had to offer.
At 75, Abraham, Sarah—his wife, the household servants and Abraham’s nephew, Lot, began to follow God into the unknown. They walked into a dangerous wilderness. But theirs became a journey by revelation. They faithfully followed God not knowing exactly where they were going (Hebrews 11:8). But Abraham knew that the living God led the way. David recognized, “What incredible faith!”
The Eternal had led Abraham and his tribe into the land of Canaan. This corrupt and pagan land was destined to give birth to something totally new. While stopping first at Sichem, God spoke directly to Abraham, “Unto thy seed will I give this land” (Genesis 12:6-7). The spiritually corrupt land was to be given to Abraham’s family. Why? This family knew how to obey God. The Eternal revealed the land was to be cleansed and become His own land. How awesome! A pagan land newly built on a divine foundation.
Abraham at Hebron
David mused on the fact that as soon as Abraham entered into Canaan, he began the work God had given him to do. God planned to make Abraham His prophet and guardian of His only true religion (Genesis 20:7). “[T]here builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him” (Genesis 12:7). This first altar was at Sichem in the plain of Moreh. Abraham understood that establishing God’s altar was vital to the success of the seminal nation. David knew this fact well.
With God’s altar comes preaching and instruction. Abraham did speak what God showed him. The future for Abraham’s family was to be astounding. Abraham and his son and grandson would father great nations that would cover the Earth and eventually the universe! Moses, the man of God, recorded the amazing details of God’s revelation to Abraham (also Isaac and Jacob) in the book of Genesis. “And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee,” God told Abraham at his conversion (Genesis 17:6). Thinking on this promise, David’s spirit stirred within him. His anointing was a part of the fulfillment of this promise. As king, David walked onto the stage of the nation’s history. He thought about what the future would bring his way.
The stars this night seemed especially sharp and clear. David continued meditating on Abraham’s early history. From Sichem, Abraham moved and built an altar at Bethel—a significant place (Genesis 12:8). Bethel means “house of God.” Abraham and his family were the house of God on Earth at that time.
After that, famine forced Abraham into Egypt. God tested the couple’s faith in that land. Sarah was stunningly beautiful. Fearing that he would be killed so that Pharaoh could add her to his harem, Abraham had Sarah lie to Pharaoh that she was a sister—not his wife. Pharaoh did take Sarah into his own house intending to make her his wife. However, God stepped in to preserve her. He punished the pagan king and the nation severely to stop Pharaoh’s plans. Discovering Abraham’s falsehood and because of God’s plagues on Egypt, Pharaoh thrust Abraham and Sarah out of Egypt (verses 10-20). However, Abraham and his band of immigrants left Egypt with great wealth (Genesis 13:2). This foreshadowed future events.
The Promise of Extensive Land
David knew Abraham’s history well. While living in Canaan, Abraham and Lot grew into two large tribes. Tension from cramped space between the two groups demanded that a separation occur. Lot moved his servants and flocks into the plain of Jordan near Sodom. Abraham, his wife and servants moved to the plain of Mamre—into Hebron. Abraham built a third altar “unto the Lord” there (Genesis 13:18). Even more exciting, God’s revelation continued to be given to Abraham at Hebron—David’s capital city.
Abraham continually grew in loyalty and obedience to God and the tiny nation growing around him. After separating from Lot, Abraham had to rescue his nephew from four Assyrian kings who attacked and pillaged the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This required great courage on Abraham’s part. With 318 personally trained men—his army—Abraham slaughtered those four kings, and in the process significantly altered history ensuring that the future nation of Israel would have the freedom to grow strong. Abraham returned from the battle with all the stolen goods from Sodom and Gomorrah. After returning the plundered goods to the two cities, he then paid his tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God (Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:1-4). Abraham set a strong example that we should follow.
God wanted to reveal more to the man who was becoming His friend. “Fear not Abram: I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward,” said God to Abraham in a vision just after he defeated the Assyrian kings (Genesis 15:1). Very comfortable in his relationship with God, Abraham asked, “What will thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? … Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir” (verses 2-3). God assured Abraham that Eliezer would not be his heir. “[H]e that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir,” God firmly promised Abraham (verse 4). Then God did an amazing thing.
God took Abraham outside into the wildness of Hebron and had him look up to the stars: “Count the stars if you can—that is how many descendants you will have” (paraphrase, verse 5). “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (verse 6). Abraham knew that God would not lie to him—he fully believed what God said because he had the faith that God had the power to bring it all about. Looking up at those same stars, David thought, God must have been intensely pleased with Abraham’s faith.
Immediately, God renewed His promise to Abraham that he would inherit the land he was walking on (verse 7; see also Genesis 12:7). Abraham then politely asked his Friend, “Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?” (verse 8). God answered Abraham in an unusual way. Study verses 9 through 21. Here are some of the most intense and wonderful scriptures in the entire history of Abraham. Using a sacrifice, a vision and prophecy, God bound Himself to a covenant to give Abraham’s descendants the land this elderly man wandered on (verse 18). In addition, God gave him specific geographic details—it was not some tiny chunk of land. “Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” The land David assumed from Saul was not near the north and south boundaries God promised.
David looked up into the heavens and felt the majesty of the promises made to Abraham. Yet, he knew that there was a lot of work to do to clear the land of invaders and squatters.
The history of Hebron was overwhelming. So many giants of Israel had walked on the place. David’s thoughts flooded together. Abraham and Sarah lived a full life and were buried here. Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Leah were given a place in the cave. These spiritual pillars of Israel fulfilled their purpose—faced their tests and trials with courage—then died and decayed into dust. Yet the lessons of their short lives remained captured forever in the scrolls of Moses.
David looked toward the revered tomb in the distance. He gained a sense of hope. God had ordered him to move to Hebron (2 Samuel 2:1). Why Hebron? Surely it was to remember Abraham’s success. His faithfulness and obedience still spoke loudly from the dust of the distant past. Abraham’s competent leadership stood as firm as any monument. David had to be just like Abraham. David sat in the obscurity of night amazed at it all. Truly, it was his time to walk on the land of his fathers. He sighed. He would live and he would die. For the time left him, he had a job to do. He must restore a national legacy of faith, obedience and loyalty to the great God.
Lament for Saul and Jonathan
In the distance, David could see candle lights extinguished one by one. He still mused. So much had changed since Abraham’s day. Israel’s bright accomplishments were often overshadowed by times of failure and darkness. God’s nation often strayed from His laws, His ways. Many times the nation had to start over. Now David held a new beginning—a bloody beginning. Saul and Jonathan were dead. David felt his stomach wrench. He felt deep sorrow at their loss. Mentally, David recounted a song he wrote as their eulogy:
O Judah to your crying!
Israel, to your grief and woe!
On your battlefields the slain are lying,
and heroes, alas! fallen low.
Tell it not in Gath,
proclaim it not in Ashkelon’s streets,
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
Dew never fall on you, hills of Gilboa,
rain never reach you, O death’s own field!
For there a hero dropped his shield,
Saul’s shield, the armour of the anointed.
From the blood of the slain,
from the flesh of the mighty,
never did Jonathan’s bow turn back,
nor the sword of Saul unsated.
Saul and Jonathan, loved and lovely,
never divided in life or in death!—
swifter than eagles, stronger than lions!
Daughters of Israel, wail for Saul,
who decked you in scarlet and jewels,
who adorned you with robes of gold!
Alas for heroes fallen low
in the thick of fray!
Jonathan slain in the field of battle,
my heart is sore for you,
O Jonathan, my brother!
You were my dear delight,
your love for me was a wonder, far
beyond a woman’s love.
Alas for heroes fallen low,
for weapons that once felled the foe!
—2 Samuel 1:19-27 (Moffatt)
David had received the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death from a young Amalakite while still in Ziklag (2 Samuel 1:1-16). Grieved with the news, he rent his clothes. David and his men immediately fasted because of the seriousness of the situation. It was grim for Saul and Jonathan. It was sobering for the people of God. It was grave for Israel.
The young Amalakite had delivered Saul’s diadem and armband to David. The soldier explained how he had helped end Saul’s life. David was simply shocked at his story, which was false. He had the man executed for slaying Saul. The young man had hoped for some reward. He boasted that he had slain David’s enemy. How could David reward such evil? The image of the dying soldier and his own words replayed vividly in his mind, “Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord’s anointed” (2 Samuel 1:16).
David wanted to be sure all understood that God’s government must be upheld!
Alone in the blackness, David greatly wished for Jonathan’s friendship. How he desired his good counsel. It could never be. Yet, David intended to move forward. He firmly believed God would show him the way! Israel needed to be restored to glory. This would happen only when Israel was reunited.
David stood up in the darkness. He resolved to do whatever it takes to bring the nation back together. David was sure that more blood would be spilled. He detested the thought of brother slaying brother, but he fully understood that a fear of conflict would only bring greater disaster. Blood spilled now would water the fruits of future peace. David moved quickly to his new estate—he needed sleep. Judah was with him. Israel needed him. Tomorrow, planning for a united Israel would begin!
Ishbosheth Made King
Abner, Saul’s first cousin, commander, confidant and bodyguard, went to work quickly. Learning of Saul’s death in battle, he reorganized the troops and fled eastward across the Jordan River. He set up a camp at Mahanaim. Still showing loyalty to his dead king, he engineered the crowning of Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, as monarch over Israel. Ishbosheth, Saul’s fourth son, proved to be a weak puppet. His name in the Hebrew means “man of Baal,” or “man of shame.” Being crowned king of Israel in opposition to David was certainly no great honor. With this act, Abner declared civil war! The nation was ripped in two. North was now adversary to South. But Ishbosheth would only rule two years. Like his father before him, his life would come to a tragic end.
Intense fighting soon broke out between Judah and Israel. The Bible does not give many details about the two years of fighting that took place. Only one battle is mentioned. The story of this battle is very interesting history.
Joab, David’s nephew, and commander of the Jewish army, along with Abner, devised a plan where handpicked men, 12 from each side, were to decide the outcome of the war (2 Samuel 2:12-15). This was a contest of championship not unlike David’s struggle with Goliath. The vigorous would rule the vanquished. Obviously the plan was designed to spare lives. It appears this contest was held at the start of the war.
The fight was to take place near the pool at Gibeon in Benjamin. The opposing sides gathered. The 24 expert soldiers—12 for David, 12 for Ishbosheth—assembled on the field. In an instant, all were slaughtered! What a catastrophic conclusion. The plan failed—no easy decision had been reached. David’s servants rushed against the rival king’s troops. Both sides clashed. Arrows flew. Swords cut. Spears pierced. David’s men wreaked major damage to Ishbosheth’s forces. Abner was beaten. He fled the field drenched in blood.
Asahel Pursues Abner
David’s valiant nephew, Asahel, tracked Abner down. Brother of Joab and Abishai, he was a talented warrior (2 Samuel 2:18)—strong and swift. His name in Hebrew even means “God has made.” Asahel was a special young man destined for military greatness. He recognized Abner as the source of disunity. It was time to eliminate him.
Asahel quickly caught up to Abner. Abner turned to see who was chasing him. He called out, “Art thou Asahel?” The young noble cried back, “I am” (verse 20). Abner, fatigued from the battle and chase, was trapped. He recognized, however, that he was a much more seasoned fighter than the young man. He did not want to kill the boy. He noticed Asahel wasn’t wearing much armor. He thought: youthful strength—youthful foolishness. He cried back, “Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour” (verse 21). Enemy armor was a treasured spoil of war. The older soldier tried to entice him to grab some armor off a dead soldier, thinking this would give him time to get further away. But Asahel would not be distracted from his goal. He wasn’t interested in spoils. Asahel wanted to ruin David’s rival. He pursed even more intently.
Abner warned him again, “Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?” (verse 22). Abner pleaded with Asahel to back off—he would kill him. Abner told Asahel that he would not be able to face Joab (or the rest of the family) if he was forced to kill their youngest brother. Asahel pressed on.
The two men met face-to-face, breath-to-breath, sweat-to-sweat. It ended quickly. Asahel lay dead. Abner’s spear cut through the young man like a razor (verse 23). What a tragedy! His life was cut short—his future destroyed. The nation was suffering loss upon loss. Abner escaped into the wilderness.
Abner’s Truce
The rival commander met up with the overthrown troops on the hill of Ammah not far from Gibeon. Israel’s loss was huge. Three hundred and sixty men were dead (2 Samuel 2:31). David, king of Judah, lost only 20 (verse 30). Joab and Abishai still pursued after Abner. They found him at Ammah. Joab and Abishai wanted to finish the job.
Abner’s situation was serious. Israel was being massacred. Abner recognized his troops would be slaughtered. It was time to strike a truce. He reasoned with Joab, “Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?” (verse 26). He based his appeal on the fact that families were fighting families. He asked, Wasn’t it time to stop all the killing?
Joab and Abishai had intended to destroy every last one of them. Joab answered Abner, “As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother” (verse 27). This verse is a little unclear because of the translation, but it means that the Jewish soldiers had planned to pursue them all night if necessary. It was good that Abner asked for a truce. All were in agreement that the fighting should end. “So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more” (verse 28). For that day, the fighting ceased. Abner and his men returned to Mahanaim. After burying Asahel in Bethlehem, Joab and his men returned to Hebron.
The war was not over. “Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker” (2 Samuel 3:1). Because of David’s anointing, it was hopeless for the house of Saul. Theirs was truly a losing battle.
During the war, David continued to grow in wealth and influence. He grew strong militarily and politically. His rule was being established. David’s family also grew while in Hebron. “And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron” (verses 2-5). David added both wives and sons. Although acquiring wives and adding sons was a sign of growing strength, David’s sinful weakness for women and his lack of attention for his sons would hurt him severely in the future.
A United Nation
As David’s house grew mighty, Saul’s house grew ever more feeble. Abner was the only real strength in Ishbosheth’s court. He had maneuvered himself into a key role (2 Samuel 3:6). He was really at the apex of power. Then he took one of Saul’s concubines, Rizpah, to himself. Ishbosheth didn’t like Abner’s growing power. The incident with Rizpah was proof Abner wanted even more. Ishbosheth chided him about the woman. Abner didn’t like it. Things began to unravel when the two men had this falling out.
Abner would not accept his puppet king’s correction. He told Saul’s son, “Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?” (verse 8). Abner was incensed. After all he had done for Saul and Ishbosheth, and now he was being corrected like a dog! He was not going to tolerate such behavior.
In a rage, Abner decided to make a league with David. We can clearly see who was in charge of the nation. Ishbosheth just backed down. “And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him” (verse 11). How confusing for the nation. Israel had gone from Saul to this!
Realizing he was getting nowhere with Ishbosheth, Abner sent messengers to Judah to begin negotiating David’s takeover of Israel. Abner’s message to David was, “Whose is the land? … Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee” (verse 12). Of course, Abner wanted to preserve his life. He would persuade Israel to accept David’s rule. Then, hopefully, David would spare his life.
David’s messengers returned to Abner and Ishbosheth. David agreed to Abner’s plan on the condition that Michal, his first wife and Saul’s daughter, be returned to him. Remember, he had killed 200 Philistines to win the right to marry her. Ishbosheth returned Michal, much to her new husband’s hurt (verses 15-16). Phaltiel, Michal’s husband by Saul’s order, followed her return to David with a lot of weeping and crying. Abner ordered him to go home.
Saul’s cousin went to work quickly on David’s behalf. He met with the elders of Israel. “And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies” (verses 17-18). Abner became the most unlikely emissary for reunification. Yet, he got the job done. The elders of Israel and Benjamin agreed to unite under David (verse 19).
Abner’s Murder
It was time to meet with David face to face with the news. Abner held a meeting with David in Hebron. David was so happy with the meeting he held a feast. “So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace” (2 Samuel 3:20-21). Abner and David struck a great peace pact that day. Abner was sent back to make final preparations for the uniting of Israel. However a dark cloud rose over the horizon.
Joab and Abishai were not in Hebron when Abner met with David. They were off fighting against the Philistines. When they heard the news of Abner’s peace pact with David, they became indignant. Joab was the most vocal. He was older and thought he knew more than his uncle. He told David, “What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest” (verses 24-25). Joab was disgusted that David would even consider working with Abner. Joab decided to take matters into his own hands. He and Abishai plotted to kill Abner (verse 30). Both were still very bitter over the death of their brother, Asahel.
Not telling King David, Joab sent messengers to Abner asking him to return to Hebron. When he returned, Joab met him secretly at one of Hebron’s town gates. Drawing him close with a hushed voice, Joab murdered him (verses 26-27). Asahel’s blood was now pettily avenged. But this single act severely threatened reunification. David could not believe how naive, stupid and selfish Joab had been.
When he heard the news of Joab’s treasonous act, David realized it could look like he planned it with Joab. Public statements had to be made quickly that the king of Judah had nothing to do with the murder. David let it be known, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner” (verse 28). He publicly cursed Joab and Abishai and their entire family for their folly. David proclaimed, “Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread” (verse 29). David stated Joab’s family would suffer physically and economically. He said some very strong words here, but Joab and his family had to shoulder the responsibility for this crime.
David also made sure that Abner was given a state funeral. He made sure Joab, Abishai and their men publicly mourned before Abner’s bier (verse 31). David personally marched behind Abner’s body on the way to the burial ground.
David left a clear message with the nation of Judah and Israel. “For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?” (verses 37-38). All the people understood that David viewed Abner as a great man in Israel. All also knew that David was not a party to the crime.