Summary: David wonders what to do from here. He is probably lacking direction: The Philistines have conquered Israel, Saul is dead, and so is his best friend. Should he try to take back the throne himself? Is this the right timing?
David goes up to Hebron (v.2). The men of Judah anoint him king over Judah (v.4), and David blesses the men who buried Saul (v.5).
At the same time, Ish-Bosheth was made king over Israel, because he was Saul’s son (v.8). This only lasted for 2 years. It eventually led to a civil war. It took 5 years for Abner to fight off the Philistines and gather the tribes of Israel. While 2:10 says that Ish-Bosheth reigned for two years, it took 5 years for him to actually be made king. Compare with 5:5.
The men of David and the men of Ish-Bosheth met in Gibeon, and Abner suggested that the young men engage in a “battle royale” in front of them (v.14). Twelve pairs of men stabbed each other at the same time (v.16). This was probably some sort of street fight that spread into a battle between Ish-Bosheth (Saul’s son) and David’s men. Who should take over the throne? This battle would answer it. David’s men won. This entire event led to war between David’s clan and Ish-Bosheth’s clan (2 Sam. 3:1).
(2:1) David is still standing very close to God, seeking direction. God leads him to Hebron. David is probably wondering if there is still hostility against him—even though Saul is dead. Should he go claim the kingdom now? Is this the right timing? God say, “Go.”
(2:2-3) David takes his entire crew of people: his wives, his men, their families, etc.
(2:4) The men of Hebron anoint David. This is an outward service that shows what God had already done.
(2:5) The men of Jabesh-gilead were the ones who had been rescued by Saul. Remember, Nahash the Ammonite had wanted to pluck out an eye of every man, woman, boy, and girl in their town. But Saul had come to their rescue (1 Sam. 11). This could be why they were so brave in burying Saul. This is also why David meets with them first: (1) to pay his respects for their service and (2) to win them over to loyalty to his kingship.
Note that David refers to Saul as “your lord” twice in this conversation (v.5, 7). David is paying respect to their loyalty to Saul.
(2:6-7) David promises to show this same loyalty to these men if they follow him.
Regarding this section, Youngblood writes, “Saul may be dead, but Saulide interests are very much alive.”[]
(2:8-9) Abner grabs the sole surviving son of Saul to become the next king. David had already been anointed king in Judah (the northern kingdom), but Abner props up Ish-Bosheth as the king in Israel (the southern kingdom). However, the use of the words “all Israel” implies that Abner was trying to take over the entire nation.
Ish-Bosheth is most likely the full name of “Ishvi,” who was mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:49. Ish-Bosheth may have been cowardly, because he didn’t fight and die alongside his father and brother (1 Sam. 31). Abner seems to be using Ish-Bosheth as a “puppet king,” because Abner is really pulling the strings in this account.[]
David had already spoken with the men of Jabesh-Gilead (v.5), but Abner makes a power play and names Ish-Bosheth as the king of Gilead (v.9).
(2:10) This led to a civil war in Israel. The people were divided in their loyalties between David and Ish-Bosheth.
(2:11) Some considerable time has passed.
(2:12) Abner is Saul’s cousin.
(2:13) Joab is David’s nephew (1 Sam. 26:6).
The “pool of Gibeon” was discovered by archaeologist James B. Pritchard in 1956. It is thirty-seven feet in diameter and thirty-five feet deep.[]
(2:14-15) Abner suggests a fighting contest (similar in principle to David’s contest with Goliath). The fact that there are twelve men is symbolic that they are fighting for the twelve tribes of Israel.
The counted off randomly, rather than picking their best men.
(2:16) The contest ended in draw. The name “Helkath Hazzurim” means “Field of Daggers.”[]
(2:17) This must have led to more fighting, because David’s men beat the men of Abner. Note that the parallel is between David and Abner, rather than David and Ish-Bosheth. Abner was the puppet master behind Ish-Bosheth.
(2:18-19) With the battle spreading, Abner decides to run away. But Asahel (Joab’s brother) runs after him.
(2:20-22) Abner tries to talk Asahel out of fighting him. But Asahel is determined to kill Abner.
(2:23) Asahel’s momentum must have been the reason for why the spear thrust through him so completely. Abner used the “butt end” of the spear, but it still pierced completely through him.
The other soldiers who saw this happen “stood still.” They must have been thinking, “Oh no… Now things have become serious… Joab is not going to like this!”
(2:24) Joab and Abishai pursue Abner to Gibeon.
(2:25) Abner gets the men of Benjamin to fight with him, and from a military standpoint, they have the upper hand (“they stood on the top of a certain hill”).
(2:26) Abner pleads with Joab to stopping the revenge-killing.
(2:27) Joab could be referring to Abner’s initial words at the pool of Gibeon (2:14), or it could refer to his recent words (v.26). In the first instance, Joab could be telling Abner that the reason for the violence was Abner’s idea in the first place (2:14), In the second instance, he could be saying that Abner has talked him out of killing him.
(2:28) Joab ends the conflict and walks away with his men.
(2:29) Abner’s men and Joab’s men both walk back to their respective home bases.
(2:30-31) David’s men won on an 18:1 ratio. Abner’s arrogance was decidedly shown to be fatal.
(2:32) The men give Asahel a proper burial in the tomb of his father in Bethlehem.
We might’ve thought that the story would be over for David once Saul dies. But he has a whole nation to reform.
Notice that Ish-Bosheth was cited as the leader, but they didn’t follow him (v.10). They followed David. Leaders are recognized—not created.
Abner is the real villain of this chapter. He uses Ish-Bosheth as a puppet king, but he is really pulling the strings behind the scenes.
This chapter shows how severe blood feuds could become (“You kill one of mine… I’ll kill one of yours!”).
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 822.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 823.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 825.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 825.
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
