2 Samuel 2

In 2 Samuel 2, David is anointed king over Judah, while Saul’s son, Ishbosheth, is made king over Israel. The chapter marks the beginning of a civil conflict between the two kingdoms, leading to tension between the house of David and the house of Saul. It highlights political divisions and sets the stage for David’s eventual rule over all Israel.

2 Samuel 2:1-5 (NKJV)
1 It happened after this that David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”
2 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.
3 And David brought up the men who were with him, every man with his household. So they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
4 Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul.”
5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, “You are blessed of the Lord, for you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried him.

David seeks God’s guidance before acting, a sign of his dependence on the Lord. He is directed to Hebron, where he is publicly recognized as king over Judah. The men of Jabesh Gilead, known for their loyalty to Saul, receive David’s gratitude for burying the fallen king. David’s actions display both humility and diplomacy as he begins his reign by honoring those who honored Saul, which may help to bridge the gap between his followers and Saul’s supporters.

2 Samuel 2:6-7 (NKJV)
6 And now may the Lord show kindness and truth to you. I also will repay you this kindness, because you have done this thing.
7 Now therefore, let your hands be strengthened, and be valiant; for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

David blesses the men of Jabesh Gilead, acknowledging their loyalty to Saul and encouraging them to be courageous in this time of transition. He subtly hints at his own authority, reminding them that he has been anointed king by Judah, yet he does so without force, seeking to win them over through kindness rather than confrontation.

2 Samuel 2:8-11 (NKJV)
8 But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim;
9 and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10 Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David.
11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

While David is anointed king of Judah, Saul’s military commander, Abner, establishes Saul’s son Ishbosheth as king over Israel. This sets up a political divide, with David reigning over Judah while Ishbosheth controls the rest of Israel. Abner’s decision shows loyalty to Saul’s house, but it also sparks a prolonged civil war between the two factions. David’s reign in Hebron lasts seven and a half years, emphasizing the division between the northern tribes and Judah.

2 Samuel 2:12-17 (NKJV)
12 Now Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.
14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now arise and compete before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.”
15 So they arose and went over by number, twelve from Benjamin, followers of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David.
16 And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Swords, which is in Gibeon.
17 So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

This passage depicts a violent confrontation between the two factions. Abner and Joab, representing Ishbosheth and David respectively, allow their men to engage in a deadly contest. The result is a brutal and equal slaughter, symbolizing the senselessness of this civil conflict. The fierce battle that follows leads to a decisive victory for David’s forces, hinting at the eventual downfall of Ishbosheth’s claim to the throne.

2 Samuel 2:18-23 (NKJV)
18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle.
19 So Asahel pursued Abner, and in going he did not turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.
20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Are you Asahel?” He answered, “I am.”
21 And Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men and take his armor for yourself.” But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.
22 So Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I face your brother Joab?”
23 However, he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the blunt end of the spear, so that the spear came out of his back; and he fell down there and died on the spot. So it was that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.

Asahel, known for his speed, relentlessly pursues Abner, seeking to capture or kill him. Despite Abner’s warnings, Asahel refuses to turn back. Abner, forced to defend himself, kills Asahel, which leads to further tension between Abner and Joab, Asahel’s brother. The death of Asahel marks a tragic escalation in the civil conflict and foreshadows future bloodshed between the two sides.

2 Samuel 2:24-28 (NKJV)
24 Joab and Abishai also pursued Abner. And the sun was going down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is before Giah by the road to the Wilderness of Gibeon.
25 Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became a unit, and took their stand on top of a hill.
26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?”
27 And Joab said, “As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.”
28 So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore.

After the death of Asahel, the pursuit of Abner continues until Abner, seeing the futility of the conflict, appeals to Joab to end the bloodshed. Joab acknowledges that the fighting would have continued without Abner’s intervention, and he orders his men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites. The scene highlights the senselessness of the civil war and the desire for peace, even in the midst of intense conflict.

2 Samuel 2:29-32 (NKJV)
29 Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plain, crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron; and they came to Mahanaim.
30 So Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.
31 But the servants of David had struck down, of Benjamin and Abner’s men, three hundred and sixty men who died.
32 Then they took up Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak.

Abner retreats with his men across the Jordan, and Joab counts his losses. Though David’s forces suffer relatively few casualties, Asahel’s death is particularly significant, as it creates a personal vendetta between Joab and Abner. The chapter ends with Asahel’s burial, while Joab and his men return to Hebron, preparing for further conflict in the ongoing civil war between the house of David and the house of Saul.