Division Over the Next King

Text: II Samuel 1:1-3:5

An Amalekite tells David of Saul’s death - II Samuel 1:1-16

At the time of Saul’s death, David had returned to Ziklag after destroying the Amalekites who had raided his city. On the third day, a young man arrives dirty from travel and in torn clothes. When David asks him where he is from, the young man says he escaped from the Israelite camp. David asks him for news of the war, and the man tells David that Israel lost with many casualties, including Saul and Jonathan. When David asks how he knew that Saul and Jonathan were dead, the young man says he saw Saul on Mount Gilboa, leaning on his spear (perhaps catching his breath after running), and the Philistines were rapidly approaching in chariots. Saul looked behind him, saw the young man, and asked who he was. The man said that he was an Amalekite. Saul then told the young man to kill him because he still lives after being wounded. He then kills Saul because he sees that Saul will not live much longer anyway. He took Saul’s crown and armband as evidence and brought them to David.

The young man’s story clearly conflicts with the details recorded in I Samuel 31. Some try to make the stories mesh, but the simpler answer is that the young Amalekite’s story was made up. Recall that Saul committed suicide so that he would not be tortured by the uncircumcised Philistines (I Samuel 31:4). It would not make sense that if he failed to kill himself, he would ask an enemy of Israel to kill him. Most likely, the young man was scavenging the battlefield after the battle was over, came across Saul’s body, took his crown and armband, and decided that David would handsomely reward him if he brought them to David. After all, it was well-known that David and Saul were enemies.

David and his men tore their clothes in grief and fasted until evening. The young man was brought back, and David asked where he was from. He admitted that he was an Amalekite. David asked him why he wasn’t afraid to kill the king God had anointed. He then ordered the young man to be killed because he claimed to have killed the king.

For discussion:

1. The law requires two or more witnesses for the death penalty (Deuteronomy 17:6). Where were the witnesses in this case?
2. Was death too harsh of a punishment in this case?

David’s eulogy for Saul and Jonathan - II Samuel 1:17-27

David composed a lament for Saul and Jonathan and commanded the sons of Judah to be taught the song. The song was also recorded in the Book of Jashar.

The song starts out with a cry that Israel’s beauty and strength have fallen with Saul's death. It should not be proclaimed in Philistia, where the Philistines would rejoice in their victory. Rather, life should die on Mount Gilboa from a lack of rain where Saul died.

Saul and Jonathan did not retreat, and they inflicted damage on Israel’s enemies. They loved each other in life and died together. They were swift and strong. Therefore, all of Israel should weep for the loss of Saul, who greatly benefitted the people.

David then focused on the death of his best friend. A mighty man fell during battle, and David was in distress. Jonathan was good to David, and David treasured his love more than any woman.

The mighty have fallen, and Israel’s weapons of war are gone.

This song shows David’s respect and love for Saul and Jonathan. It makes clear that David did not wish for their deaths, even though Saul spent years trying to kill David.

Side Topic: The Book of Jashar (or Jasher)

The Book of Jashar is only mentioned in Joshua 10:13 and II Samuel 1:18. The word “Jashar” means “righteous” or “upright.” Most likely, the Book of Jashar was a collection of special stories from the Bible, perhaps a book of children’s stories. The fact that writers of the Bible mention the book does not necessarily mean it was an inspired book, just as a children’s Bible storybook is not inspired, though it tells stories found in the Bible.

There are three sources for the various books of Jashar that exist.

1. A treatise on Jewish ritual, written by Rabbi Tham before he died in 1171. It was printed in Italy in 1544 and has been titled the Book of Jasher
2. An unknown Spanish Jew wrote a book that was used as the introduction to the Hexateuch in the 13th Century. It was published in Venice in 1625.
3. Rabbi Shabbatai Carmuz Levita wrote a book that was called the Book of Jasher in 1391. It has been preserved in a Vatican manuscript.

None of the three versions of the Book of Jasher are ancient writings. Each is relatively modern and became the focus of various hoaxes. Just because an old manuscript is given the title “The Book of Jashar,” it doesn’t mean it is the book mentioned in the Bible.

David is anointed as king over Judah - II Samuel 2:1-7

With the death of Saul, David asks God if it is time for him to return to the cities of Judah. This is his tribe and where he is most likely to be accepted. When he asks which city, God tells him to go to Hebron, just north of where David was hiding.

Hebron wasn’t large enough to hold all of David’s men and their families, so they settled in the towns surrounding Hebron.

The leaders of Judah came and anointed David to be their king

When David learns that the men of Jabesh-Gilead buried Saul, he sends them a kind note, telling them to be strong and brave. Saul had died, so it was time to move on. Judah was leading the way by anointing David to be their king. According to II Samuel 5:4-5, David was thirty years old when he became king.

Abner places Ish-bosheth as king over Israel - II Samuel 2:8-11

Saul’s general and cousin, Abner, decided to place Saul’s only surviving son, Ish-bosheth, as king at the age of 40 years old. Ish-bosheth’s original name was Eshbaal (“fire of the Lord”) (I Chronicles 8:33), but it was changed to “man of shame,” likely to avoid a reference to a false god. In the same way, Jonathan’s son, Meribbaal name (“the Lord’s strife”) was changed to Meshibosheth (II Samuel 4:4; I Chronicles 8:34) (“from the face of shame”). “Baal” originally meant “lord” or “master” in a general way. But over time, it became associated with an idol named Baal. You can see the change with Gideon’s name, Jerubbaal (“let the Lord plead”) (I Samuel 12:11), being changed to Jerubbosheth (“let the shame plead”) (II Samuel 11:21).

The Philistines had conquered central Israel west of the Jordan, so Abner set up Ish-bosheth’s capital on the eastern side of the Jordan at Mahanaim. Ironically, Mahanaim (“two hosts”) is where Jacob had divided his family into two groups (Genesis 32:2,10). Starting with Gilead, Abner pulled in the rest of Israel’s tribes to accept Ish-bosheth as their king. Notice that all of this was done without consulting God.

David ruled from Hebron for seven and a half years, while Ish-bosheth only ruled for two years. Whether Ish-bosheth ruled near the beginning, middle, or end of David’s reign in Hebron, we don’t know. Because of Ish-bosheth’s age, many commentators assume that the two years started when Abner got all of Israel (minus Judah) to accept Ish-bosheth as king; thus, his two-year reign was near the end of David’s reign in Hebron. This matches Abner’s later statement that the elders had been considering making David their king in the past (II Samuel 3:17), which implies there was a period of time when Israel was without a ruler. II Samuel 5:1 leaves the impression that Israel’s elders approached David shortly after Ish-bosheth died.

A contest between Judah and Israel’s armies - II Samuel 2:12-17

Abner went to Gibeon in Benjamin’s territory, near Gibeah, Saul’s old capital. Joab brought up a group from Judah. The reason for the meeting is not stated, but the two sides were clearly hostile as each camped on opposite sides of a pool. The fact that they met in Benjamin’s territory hints that Abner had made progress in driving back the Philistines. Abner could have wanted to move the capital back to Benjamin’s territory.

Abner proposed to Joab that they should have a contest, to which Joab agreed. The purpose of the contest is not stated. From later statements, we know that Abner did not want a civil war (II Samuel 2:26), and nothing in Abner’s proposal indicates that it would be a contest to the death. Twelve men were selected from each side. Oddly, each grabbed his opponent’s head and thrust his sword into his opponent simultaneously. In other words, though these were battle-hardened men, they all decided to try for an impressive quick kill, leaving their side exposed to their opponent. As a result, all 24 men died. The place was given the name “Field of Sword-Edges.”

A severe battle erupted. Soon Abner and his men were losing.

Abner kills Asahel while fleeing for his life - II Samuel 2:18-32

Joab’s brother, Asahel, was a swift runner, and he focused on capturing Abner. As he came close to catching Abner, Abner tried to warn him off by suggesting that he pick up some of the spoils from the battle, but Asahel would not. Abner again warned him to stop pursuing him. Abner did not want to kill him and did not want to face Joab if he was forced to do so. Finally, Abner struck him with the blunt end of his spear, probably in an attempt to wound but not kill Asahel. However, the spear hit Asahel in the belly and went through him, killing him. It appears that Asahel was not wearing protective gear in order to run faster. Those who came upon Asahel’s body stopped in shock.

Joab and his brother, Abishai, took up the pursuit of Abner. By sunset, they were near Gibeon and a group of Benjaminites gathered to protect Abner. They gathered at the top of a hill, which gave them an advantage over their pursuers.

Abner called to Joab and warned him that the warfare between Judah and Israel would never end if this continued. Brethren should not be killing each other. Joab needed to call back his men.
Joab agreed and called his men to stop their attack. Meanwhile, Abner and his men walked all night to reach the Jordan and cross back to the eastern side.

In the battle, Joab lost twenty men, but Abner lost 360. Asahel was buried in his family’s tomb. Joab and his men then walked all night to return to Hebron.

David’s realm grows stronger - II Samuel 3:1-5

The war did not stop that day. It continued with David's side progressively getting stronger and Ish-bosheth’s side weakening.
David’s family also grew. His sons born in Hebron were (in order of birth):

1. Amnon (Ahinoam was his mother)
2. Chileab (Abigail was his mother)
3. Absalom (Maacah was his mother)
4. Adonijah (Haggith was his mother)
5. Shephatiah (Abital was his mother)
6. Ithream (Eglah was his mother)

For discussion:

1. Joab, Abishai, and Asahel are always called the sons of Zeruiah. Zeruiah is David’s sister (I Chronicles 2:16), but their father’s name is never mentioned. Is there any significance to this?
2. What is the importance of Abner asking if his pursuer was Asahel (II Samuel 2:20)?