January12, 2016
2 Samuel 3-Part 2
...you wanted to make David your king. Now is the time! 2 Samuel 3:17b-18a NTL
LET IT GLOW
Now is the time. What is it that God has been waiting for you to do, and you have been putting it off? I can think of some things in my own life.
Do you recall who Abner was? He was the chief captain in King Saul's army. Then after Saul's death, Abner raised up Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, to be the next king over Israel. Also, David became king over Judah, the southern portion of God's nation. Keep in mind that this nation was divided into two sections. Some time must have gone by since the names of David's 6 wives and 6 sons in Hebron are listed here.
Well, back to Abner who is our main character today. Abner is accused of having relations with the concubine that to belong to the former Saul, which now belonged to King Ishbosheth. Abner became very angry for the rebuke. Although it was a minor incident, to help us better understand this controversy, we need to know how it was back then-you didn't take the king's woman, any of them.
"Taking a king's concubine was considered a power move for the throne. Abner usurped Ishbosheth's authority so the king made a false accusation against Abner," David Jeremiah explains.
Whether Abner actually took the concubine into his harem, it is debatable. The important thing is Isbosheth felt it was so and Abner was going to attempt to take over his kingdom. If he got caught or was accused, we don't know for sure. Being an older man of high position for quite some time, Abner was not going to listen to the whippersnapper, young king.
We see Abner's reaction, anger that got the better of him and he said some things in verses 7-8:
- Abner asked if he was a dog head. This word can mean to yelp, to attack, or a male prostitute in Hebrew.
- In the NLT, he asked shouting, "Am I some Judean dog to be kicked around like this?"
- After all I have done for your father, Saul, and his family and friends by not handing you over to David, is this my reward-that you find fault with me about this woman?
- Whether it was said in a moment of anger or was on Abner's mind for some time, we can't read between the lines, but Abner promised to do everything he could to help David get what the LORD promised him. Seems that everyone knew God intended David to be king of His nation.
- Abner intended to establish the throne of David over Israel (northern section) and Judah (southern section) of God's nation.
- Ishbosheth didn't dare say another word because he was afraid of what Abner might do.
LET IT GROW
Then Abner sent messengers to David saying, "Doesn't the entire land belong to your? Make a solemn pact with me, and I will help turn over all of Israel to you."
How did David react? He agreed, with one condition-return Michal, David's first wife and Saul's daughter, whom David purchased with the lives of 100 Philistines. (verses 13-14) Abner did so.
Abner consulted the elders of Israel and Benjamin saying, Now is the time! God chose David to save His people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and from all their enemies.
So Abner took 20 men with him to Hebron and David through a great party and feast. Abner offered to call a great assembly in Israel to support David as their king and offered a covenant with David making it so. "You will rule over everything your heart desires, David," Abner offered.
Now is the time. What is it that the Lord has for you to do, for now is the time? Are you listening to His instructions? All things are possible with God.
LET IT GO
... the past, and look to the future.
... of my wants and choose God's desires for me.
... of my will to do His will.
... and trust Jesus to do whatever.
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