KING OF JUDAH: 2 SAMUEL 2

David Inquires of the Lord

2:1-3

Since Saul had died, David would believe it was his time to become king. Before he acted, however, he asked God what to do. David was of the tribe of Judah, so he asked God if he should go into Judah and, if so, where. God told him to go to Hebron.

Hebron was a city located about 20 miles south of Jerusalem. It had a long history of connection to the Hebrews. Abraham moved close to it after separating from Lot. (Genesis 13:18) It was a sizable city for the time. It was fortified with walls. Abraham settled at the Oaks of Mamre nearby.

Abraham’s wife died there. Abraham bought a field and buried Sarah in a cave there. Abraham was buried there later (Genesis 25:10), as were Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob (Genesis 47:29–30), and Leah (Genesis 49:30–32).

Joshua allotted the area to the tribe of Judah and allotted Hebron to Caleb for his service to Israel. So, there was much symbolic importance to the city and was a good choice for David as the future king.

So David moved there with his wife’s and possessions. His men also moved to the area with their families and possessions. So David and his army basically took over the area. 

David Made King of Judah

2:4

After David moved to Hebron, the men of Judah came and made him king. This and subsequent events show that Israel was not really united under Saul. The text does not tell us whether the people of Judah all knew David was anointed by God to be king, but it was not far from Bethlehem, so it is possible. Plus, David had sent gifts to people in the area from the spoils of his defeat of the Amalekite raiders and he already had an army. 

God’s word to David is beginning to come true. David is king, but only of one of the 12 tribes. He starts small. It reminds us of the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:31-32. 

David Honors The Men of Jabesh-gilead

2:4-8

When the Philistines found Saul’s body after the battle, they cut of his head, stripped him of his armor, and fastened his body to the wall around the city of Beth-Shan. They also fasted the bodies of Saul’s sons to the walls. The Philistines occupied this city at the time. 

This act was a desecration of Saul’s body and a humiliation to Israel. When they heard about this, some men in Jabesh-gilead went there at night and took the bodies away to their town and buried them. They may have done this at least partly because Saul had previously rescued the town from the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11) 

When David heard what the men of Jabesh-gilead had done for Saul, David sent them a message blessing them for their loyalty and their brave actions. He promised to doo good for them and let them know he had become king of Judah. 

A New King In Israel

2:8-11

The other tribes of Israel did not join Judah in recognizing David as king. Abner, who was the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, and had him crowned as king over Israel. Abner probably saw David as a threat and enemy after David taunted him at the cave. and told him he deserved to die for not protecting Saul. (1 Samuel 26:13-16)

So we see two kingdoms established. One was established under divine guidance. The other, an opposition kingdom, was established by human ambition. 

Ish-bosheth stayed in Mahanaim, east of the Jordan. Israel was divided into three parts: the area ruled by Ish-bosheth, the area ruled by David, and the area occupied by the Philistines. There were also cities, such as Jerusalem, still occupied by other Canaanite tribes. 

The First Battle Between Judah And Israel

2:12-17

The armies of Israel and Judah confronted each other at Gibeon. The commander of the army of Ish-bosheth (Abner) and the commander of the army of David (Joab) arranged a combat of champions. Each side put forth 12 fighters. There is no indication that either commander consulted his king before doing this.

Joab’s fighters defeated Abner’s fighters. 

The Death of Asahel

2:18-23

After his fighters were killed, Abner fled. Asahel pursued him. Asahel was one of three brothers. Joab, Abishai, and Asahel were all the sons of David’s sister, Zeruiah. So, they were David’s nephews. 

Asahel was a fast runner and caught up with Abner. Abner tried to get Asahel to turn back, confident that he could kill him. But Asahel would not turn back. In the confrontation, Abner struck Asahel a great blow with his spear and killed him. This will turn out to start a great enmity between Joab and Abner. 

The End Of The Pursuit

2:24-28

Asahel’s brothers, Joab and Abishai, went after Abner to avenge the killing of Asahel. They caught up to him at sundown at the hill of Ammah. However, Abner’s army (people of Benjamin) had regrouped and they joined Abner on top of the hill. That gave them the advantage of higher ground.

Abner again tried to stop the fight, telling Joab he was pursuing this fellow Hebrews (brothers) and also it would not turn out well. He got through to Joab, who then called off the pursuit. 

Everyone Goes Home

2:29-32

Abner did not waste any time getting back to his home base. His men marched all night and the next morning to return to Mahanaim where his king resided. He had suffered suffered heavy losses in the battles, 360 men.

Joab also took his men to Bethlehem. They brought the body of Asahel with them. They buried him in his father’s tomb. Then they marched all night to get back home to Hebron.

Takeaways 

God is always working to accomplish his purposes.

Sometimes the results seem small, especially at the beginning. But God is at work nonetheless.

Often, our job is faithful waiting. Psalm 27:14 says “Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!