2 Samuel 2:1-11

Relax, Read and Reflect

Prayer- Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen

2 Samuel 2

David Anointed King Over Judah

¹ In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked.
The LORD said, "Go up."
David asked, "Where shall I go?"
"To Hebron," the LORD answered.

² So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. ³ David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. ⁴ Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.
When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, ⁵ he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. ⁶ May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. ⁷ Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."

War Between the Houses of David and Saul

⁸ Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. ⁹ He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri ^a]'>[a] and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.

¹⁰ Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. ¹¹ The length of time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Saul and his oldest sons are killed in a battle with the Philistines, (the one David had been excluded from.) We skipped the battle and the mourning of David over his king Saul and his very close friend Jonathan. Now is the time for David to fulfill his anointing and be king.

Small problem! Abner, the commander of Saul's army, has taken one of Saul's sons away so that he can be king. Samuel is dead and can not tell the people that he anointed David. David is king of Judah, Ish-Bosheth (Saul's boy) was made king of Israel. This sets the stage for civil war.

Questions:

1. Did David realize that his succession to the throne be this difficult?

2. Why didn't God get more active in this struggle? The prophets knew about David, shouldn't they have campaigned for him?

3. Did Abner really believe Ish-Bosheth should be king? Was he just scared?