Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of 2 Samuel 3
by Max Frazier, Jr.

As we turn to the Word, we see the continued struggle between David and Saul's family for the right to reign over Israel. In our study of chapter 3 of Second Samuel, the focus will be upon two brilliant army commanders, Abner and Joab. A study of their lives is a study in contrasts. So, let's hear what the Word has to say.

I. David's family (vs. 1-5)

II. Abner defects to David's camp (vs. 6-21)

III. Joab murders Abner (vs. 22-39)

It is often heard that revenge is sweet. But if that be so, then salt tastes as wonderful as a chocolate candy. If revenge is so sweet, then why are so many families and lives destroyed by it? In American history and folklore is the story of the continual feud between two families - the McCoys and the Hatfields. The cycle of revenge, once initiated, is hard to break. Abner, the captain of Saul's army who had remained loyal to Saul's family even after his death, became the victim of Joab's revenge for the death of his brother. Oh the cruel treachery of Joab versus the kindness of David. Joab saw Abner as an enemy. David saw him as a friend. The motive for revenge had eaten away the kindness in the heart of Joab. How destructive hatred can be! Paul was so correct when he wrote to the Romans that revenge should be left in the hands of God. Our task is to forgive and to let God settle the accounts.

One may wonder what the problem was in Abner's taking one of Saul's concubines. It sounds like such a silly thing to get bent-out-of-shape about. Yet, the custom of the time dictated that everything belonging to the former king now belonged to the present king, and that would include his harem. When Abner slept with one of Saul's concubines, Ish-bosheth, Saul's son and the present king, took that as a direct assault upon his throne. Now the throne of Israel was tenuous at best. Abner, being the commander of the army, had much more power than did the king. Once again, in this chapter, we observe Abner seeing the big picture. He understood that God had given the kingdom to David, and being the man of vision he was, he worked toward that end. His plans were thwarted by the narrow-minded, revenge-seeking attitude of Joab. One died a hero in the eyes of the people, the other lived as a pretender-hero.

2Samuel 2 Return to the Table of Contents 2Samuel 4