1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time.David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
It is a shame that people could not quickly realize that David was the anointed king and receive him. However, for David in many ways this was better. People got a contrast, so instead of second guessing everything David did they could see the house of Saul getting weaker and weaker compared to David.
2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.
Look at all these wives? It reminds me of all the different Christian denominations.
6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”
8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog’s head—on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
I think this gives us a little more information on what they meant by Ish-Bosheth reigned for 2 years even though the total time was seven years. No longer are they talking about the reign of Ish-Bosheth but rather of “the house of Saul” and Abner strengthening his own position. Also we are seeing the same thing with the Democrats. If they aren’t attacking Trump they are turning on each other and attacking themselves. It also tells you the state of Ish-Bosheth’s administration, focused on concubines, rumors and gossip. We know that Ish-Bosheth ceased to “reign” after two years while Abner continued to strengthen his position so I doubt the issue was over this one argument. Instead it suggests the reasons why he stopped reigning and the things that Abner saw that convinced him to hand the kingdom over to David. It is perfectly reasonable that Abner’s support for Saul was due to the Lord’s leading initially. It can take time for people to fully accept that what God spoke to you years ago is no longer relevant today.
12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.” 13 “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.” 15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltielson of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back.
17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistinesand from the hand of all their enemies.’”
As you can see Abner has been considering all the words that God spoke, not just concerning Saul but also concerning David. It is very easy to get into an echo chamber where you only hear what you want to hear. I suspect the fact checkers at facebook would have had a big problem with this word “By my servant David I will rescue…” They would have called that fake news just as much as they say “election fraud” is fake news. But year after year it became undeniable that this was in fact God’s word.
19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole tribe of Benjamin wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
This is what you need to get a peaceful transfer of power. You need an Abner, a high placed person in the Deep State who cares more about the good of Israel than he does about his own prosperity.
It is a shame that people could not quickly realize that David was the anointed king and receive him. However, for David in many ways this was better. People got a contrast, so instead of second guessing everything David did they could see the house of Saul getting weaker and weaker compared to David.
2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.
Look at all these wives? It reminds me of all the different Christian denominations.
6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”
8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog’s head—on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
I think this gives us a little more information on what they meant by Ish-Bosheth reigned for 2 years even though the total time was seven years. No longer are they talking about the reign of Ish-Bosheth but rather of “the house of Saul” and Abner strengthening his own position. Also we are seeing the same thing with the Democrats. If they aren’t attacking Trump they are turning on each other and attacking themselves. It also tells you the state of Ish-Bosheth’s administration, focused on concubines, rumors and gossip. We know that Ish-Bosheth ceased to “reign” after two years while Abner continued to strengthen his position so I doubt the issue was over this one argument. Instead it suggests the reasons why he stopped reigning and the things that Abner saw that convinced him to hand the kingdom over to David. It is perfectly reasonable that Abner’s support for Saul was due to the Lord’s leading initially. It can take time for people to fully accept that what God spoke to you years ago is no longer relevant today.
12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.” 13 “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.” 15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltielson of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back.
17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistinesand from the hand of all their enemies.’”
As you can see Abner has been considering all the words that God spoke, not just concerning Saul but also concerning David. It is very easy to get into an echo chamber where you only hear what you want to hear. I suspect the fact checkers at facebook would have had a big problem with this word “By my servant David I will rescue…” They would have called that fake news just as much as they say “election fraud” is fake news. But year after year it became undeniable that this was in fact God’s word.
19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole tribe of Benjamin wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
This is what you need to get a peaceful transfer of power. You need an Abner, a high placed person in the Deep State who cares more about the good of Israel than he does about his own prosperity.