Day 98 – 2 Samuel 3:19-25

Scripture Review

2 Samuel 3:19-25

"And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin."

(2 Samuel 3:19)

Abner speaks to Benjamin. Benjamin was Saul's tribe. If Benjamin comes along, the strife between Saul's house and David's house can begin to close.

"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."

(2 Samuel 3:20)

Abner comes to Hebron with twenty men, and David makes them a feast. David receives the Abner with hospitality. He does not say, "Where were you seven years ago?" He does not humiliate Abner at the door. He feeds him.

"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 3:21)

Abner calls David "my lord the king." The captain of Saul's host now speaks submission to David. He promises to gather all Israel so David may reign. The Holy Ghost wants us to feel "he went in peace." Abner left David alive, accepted, and unthreatened.

"And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace."

(2 Samuel 3:22)

Joab arrives too late to see Abner. He comes from pursuing a troop and brings great spoil. He has been out fighting while David has been making peace. Again, the verse says Abner was "gone in peace." David had not detained him. David had not plotted against him. David had released him peaceably.

"When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace."

(2 Samuel 3:23)

They tell Joab what happened. Abner came. David sent him away. He is gone in peace. To Joab, this likely sounds like madness. Abner killed his brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon. Abner upheld Ishbosheth. Abner has been the strong man of the opposing house. Joab cannot understand why David would let him walk away.

"Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?"

(2 Samuel 3:24)

Joab confronts David, "What hast thou done?" That is bold language for a servant speaking to a king. Joab is not merely asking a question. He can't believe David let Abner go. To Joab, peace looks like weakness. Mercy looks like foolishness. Trust looks like danger.

"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."

(2 Samuel 3:25)

Joab accuses Abner of deception. He says Abner only came as a spy to learn David's movements. Joab presents suspicion as certainty, "Thou knowest." But David did not know that, and scripture does not say Joab was right.