Abner Joins David

As many who have followed me for a bit, I have fallen into the Psalms, and I can’t get up! (As if I would want to.) The Psalms are a majestic collection of poetry, of heart felt human experiences that constantly challenge me in my own frail attempt to follow the true King. As many of the Psalms are written by David, my study on the Psalms has spurred me on to looking at the life of David, is the main contributor to this book, and to follow the victories and tragedies of the shepherd King of Israel.

Many times in the narrative, we will see the Lord Jesus, imperfectly, yet a reflection of His spirit in a man with weaknesses.

2 Samuel 3:2-5

2 And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel;
3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

It is of note that this short, seemingly insignificant passage has in it a listing of some of David’s greatest challenges, battles that many may feel he was unsuccessful in. A listing a future sons, some that cost him much pain!

Let’s take a few moments to consider each of these men.

Amnon

Amon was David’s firstborn, and as such was destined for the throne. He was born while David was King of Judah, and was always living in an environment of privilege and entitlement.

The attitude David had towards Amnon is somewhat disturbing, for though he had an emotional love towards the young man, it seems he was reluctant to discipline him. His actions belied him, and in support of this general attitude towards Amnon, a variant reading in the dead sea scrolls provides a commentary to David’s anger towards Amnon raping his daughter.

2 Samuel 13:21 When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.

Dead Sea Scrolls add –  But he did not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, for he was his firstborn.

Remember what is going on here! Amnon raped David’s daughter, and then rejected her, dumping even greater shame on Tamar after the crime. She was an Israelite princess! David’s daughter. What was going on in his head?

This was the beginning of the fruits of rebellion that took over David’s household. Soon, it would spread, and the devastation would be greater than he could have expected!

Chileab

Chileab, an unknown character to myself is relatively quiet in relation to the family of David. Born of Abigail, the former wife of Nabal, Chileab’s name means “like his father” and may reflect the emphasis David intended, to distance his child from Abigail’s former husband. Hebrew mythology and tradition speak of Chileab highly, even suggesting he was a righteous and holy man. Otherwise, the Scriptures are relatively quiet concerning him other than he also went by the name Daniel.

1 Chronicles 3:1 These are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelite; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelite,

Absalom

Absalom will be the subject of many studies in future posts covering chapters 14 through 17. Suffice to say, Absalom was a man would exercises revenge on Amnon, and exercised a treachery on his own father, seeking to take the kingdom.

And he had hair!

Adonijah

Earlier we spoke of David’s attitude to discipline in relation to Amnon. Again, the Word describes David’s attitude towards his son Adonijah in relation to discipline.

1 Kings 1:6 His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, “Why have you done thus and so?” He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom.

This general truth speaks volumes to the permissive parenting so prevalent in todays world. Please understand I am not advocating any type of parental abuse for that also is a reaction that is ungodly. But discipline is a requirement in parenting, especially in the very young years. We are to parent the child, not be his friend!

Nevertheless, Adonijah also was a son who rejected his father’s rule, though in this case, it was in relation to his fathers wishes for Solomon to be on the throne.

He was cunning and gathered an army to frustrate his fathers wishes and steal the kingdom away. Even after his defeat, he sought to scheme away the kingdom by requesting David’s nurse as a wife. Solomon saw this as a continuing threat and dealt with his half brother!

Shephatiah

Shephatiah is another son of David that does not show up in the Biblical narrative other than in the genealogies of David. What is interesting, at least in my mind, is that another man was called Shephatiah, a Haruphite that joined David in Ziklag, while he was on the run. He became one of David’s mighty men. Coincidence or was there a relationship in David’s mind between this mighty man and David’s wishes for his fifth son?

1 Chronicles 12:5 Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite;

Ithream

Ithream is Davids sixth son, and again is mentioned only in two genealogies within the Old Testament. He was of the offspring of the great king David, and his name speaks of “profit of the people” or “excellence of the people” This may reflect the coming abundance of the nation that was becoming evident as David’s rule grew in influence and power.

Ithream otherwise was a man that does not appear to be influential in the kingdom.

In many of these son’s of David, there appears to be a general disregard for discipline and a fallout of rebellion by the young men. Much, if not all of these difficult situations may be the result of David’s preoccupation with kingdom affairs, with his own understanding of the duties of a father, or simply his having no flesh and blood example to live by.

Remember Samuel as a father figure? He also struggled with his own sons, seeing them rebel and be consumed by the anger of the Lord due to rebellion. Of course, we could say the same for Samuel, as his example Eli also had rebellious sons.

How critical for today’s men of God to have godly examples to follow in fathering the next generation! May those who are in the position of fathering children take heart, for the calling is high, and it’s success or failure is consequential.

May God have mercy on us fathers, and give us strength to relate to those who look to us as examples to live by!

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