The End of Ish-bosheth

Text: II Samuel 3:6-4:12

Abner has a falling out with Ish-bosheth - II Samuel 3:6-11

The war between Judah and Israel continued and Abner was seen as a leader. Perhaps out of fear of Abner’s growing political power, Ish-bosheth accused Abner of having sex with one of Saul’s concubines. This strongly upsets Abner. Despite all the good he has done for Ish-bosheth and his family, he is repaid with accusations of sin. In his anger, he swears to accomplish what God had sworn to David and deliver Israel to be ruled by David. Ish-bosheth said nothing in reply because of his fear of Abner.

David agrees to make a covenant with Abner if his first wife is returned - II Samuel 3:12-16

Abner sends a message to David stating that he will bring all of Israel under David. David agrees, but before making a covenant with Abner, he demands that his wife, Michal, be returned to him. Saul had broken the law by marrying David’s wife to another man. No divorce had taken place, so Michal was living in adultery. Restoring Michal not only corrects a sin but also legitimizes David’s claim to the throne as Saul’s son-in-law. David saw this as a way to test Abner's seriousness about repairing the rift between Israel and Judah.

Ish-bosheth sent for his sister, taking her from Paltiel, her husband. Paltiel followed Michal to the next town south, weeping all the way. At Baharim (also called Nob), Abner tells Paltiel to go home, and he leaves.

Abner talks Israel into accepting David as their king - II Samuel 3:17-19

Abner then calls a meeting of the elders of Israel. He reminded them that initially, they sought to make David their king, and he thinks they should do it now. He also pointed out that God said that it would be by David’s hand that Israel would be rescued from the Philistines and other enemies.
After getting agreement from most of Israel, Abner tackles the tribe of Benjamin. Saul was a member of Benjamin, so this tribe would be the least inclined to let go of the kingship. Yet, Abner managed to persuade them.
He then traveled to Hebron to present the result of his negotiations to David.

David meets with Abner and approves his plan - II Samuel 3:20-21

Abner traveled with twenty men to Hebron. There are enough men to provide security for Abner but not so many as to be seen as a threat by David. David gave a feast in Abner’s honor.

Abner asked for permission to bring the leaders of Israel to David so they could enter into a covenant with David. David agreed and sent Abner away in peace.

Joab learns of the deal and murders Abner - II Samuel 3:22-30

Joab, David’s cousin and general, had been gone on a raid while Abner was in Hebron. He brought a good deal of spoils, but his victory was outshone by Abner’s negotiations to bring all of Israel under David. He was specifically told that Abner had met with David and David had sent him on his way in peace.

In his anger, Joab confronted David. He accused Abner of merely spying on David’s operations before a battle. Without telling David, he sent messengers to catch up with Abner and ask him to return. When Abner arrived, Joab took him aside for a private conversation that there stabbed Abner in the belly (the same wound Asahel took when chasing Abner - II Samuel 2:18-23). Joab claimed the right as an avenger of blood for the death of his brother. However, we must note that Joab did this in the middle of the gate to Hebron, a city of refuge. Also, Asahel’s death was during a battle. It was not an accidental murder though Abner was trying to avoid harming Asahel.

When David found out, he declared that neither he nor his kingdom was involved and that all blame belonged to Joab and his father’s descendants because Abishai was also involved in this murder. He pronounces a curse on them that all will suffer ill fortune of some sort. These are the consequences God laid out for not following the Law (Deuteronomy 28:22,58-60; Leviticus 26:14-39). David, thus, publically declared that Joab’s excuse that he killed Abner as an avenger of blood was false. However, David doesn’t directly punish Joab.

For discussion:

1. Other than avenging the death of his brother, what other motivations might Joab have for wanting Abner dead?
2. Why do you think David didn’t punish his cousin for a flagrant violation of God’s Law and David’s desires?

David mourns the death of Abner - II Samuel 3:31-39

David told Joab and his supporters to tear their clothes and put on sackcloth. They were going to at least appear to be morning the man Joab killed. They were forced to condemn Joab’s deed in public. While they lead the funeral procession, David walked behind the bier as the chief mourner. When they reached the grave site in Hebron, David wept for Abner, and the people wept with him. Gibeon would have been Abner’s home, but it wasn’t in David’s territory, so David’s capital city was selected.

David’s lament was that Abner’s death was not a noble death, such as in battle. He died like a worthless fool – something Abner did not deserve. He wasn’t a prisoner or a criminal; thus, it wasn’t a legal matter that resulted in his death (despite Joab’s claim). Instead, Abner was killed by wicked men (i.e. Joab and his brother). David fasted that day despite being urged to eat. All of this showed to the common people that David had not ordered Abner’s death and had not wanted Abner to die.

David’s actions and his words impress the people of Judah and Israel. Those of the northern tribes would have had a right to be upset over losing one of their leading men. However, David showed them that he was upset by Abner’s death.

Privately, David told his servants that Abner was a great man and an asset to the kingdom. With his death, David became weaker. He placed places all the blame on his difficult-to-deal-with nephews. Here is a hint as to why David didn’t take stronger measures with Joab and Abishai. David is the anointed king, but Joab and Abishai are in strong positions as leaders of David’s military. David can’t get them to mind him, and he feels he can’t take action against them that won’t further weaken his newly established kingdom. Once again, he asks God to repay them in accordance with their evil.

Ish-bosheth is murdered and the men responsible are put to death - II Samuel 4:1-12

Abner’s death caused Ish-bosheth to fear and that fear was echoed in the people of Israel. Abner had negotiated a treaty, but what would happen?

Two of Ish-bosheth’s commanders, who were brothers, went into Ish-bosheth’s home during the heat of the day when he was taking a nap on the pretense of getting some wheat. They stabbed him, cut off his head, and made their escape with Ish-bosheth’s head. Traveling all night (a distance of about 80-90 miles), they appeared before David and offered him the head. They went so far as to claim that their act was done with the blessing of the Lord. It is mentioned that the two men were from the city of Beeroth, which was one of the four Gibeonite cities (Joshua 9:16-17). The Gibeonites had abandoned Beeroth to move to Gittaim. People from Benjamin took over the city. Thus, members of Ish-bosheth’s own tribe murdered him.

A side note mentions that there was one other member of Saul’s family left. His name was Mephibosheth. He was injured when he was five years old. His nurse accidentally dropped him when panic set in after learning about Saul and Jonathan’s deaths. His injuries never healed, leaving him unsuitable as a potential king. At this time, Mephibosheth would have been twelve years old.

Like others, the two brothers assumed that David hated Saul and his family. David started by saying that God delivered him from all adversity without his needing to take personal action against his adversary, Saul. David reminded them of what had happened to the Amalekite who thought he was bringing David good news by telling him that Saul was dead because he had killed him. David had him put to death. Now these two men are telling David that they had killed a righteous man in his own house. Of course, David would avenge Ish-bosheth’s death. They were immediately killed, and their bodies hung up (Deuteronomy 21:22). Their hands were cut off because they were used to commit murder, and their feet were cut off because they ran to David.

Ish-bosheth’s head was then buried with Abner’s body in Hebron.