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 3:17-19

17 And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you.
18 Now then bring it about, for the LORD has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’”
19 Abner also spoke to Benjamin. And then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin thought good to do.

Abner is a busy bee in this little passage! Can you imagine the appointments, the scheduling, the conference calls and the backroom discussions?

Of course I am being a bit sarcastic, but it goes without saying that Abner, the chief of staff and lead general for Ish-bosheth, the king of the northern tribes, is focusing on the dissolution of his masters authority over the northern kingdom in this passage.

To think of Abner as a traitor, as a Benedict Arnold, seems fitting in my thinking. He was a man who sought his own desires first and foremost, and this activity only reinforces what we know of him.

He realizes he was on a loosing team, and now that his feelings have been hurt because Ish-bosheth tried to put his foot down in relation to Saul’s concubine Rizpah, he convinces himself he has a reason to turn on his master. To be honest about this whole scene, it appears he simply was using the interaction with Ish-bosheth concerning Rizpah as a smokescreen to betray his master.

He saw the writing on the wall, and was looking for a reason to figuratively stab ol Ish-bosheth in the back. And what is even worse, if this scenario can become worse, is that Abner set Ish-bosheth on the throne. Now he is going to abandon him.

Kind of a scummy guy if you ask me.

I have a disdain for this man, even though he was used by God to bring the nation together under the anointed king David.

In the end, Abner presented himself in front of David to provide the kingdom to him. Abner took it upon himself to be in charge of David’s team of negotiators, while he was taking a paycheck from Ish-bosheth.

It really astounds me that this man was trusted by anyone in the land.

Beyond the scummy aspect already described, one additional layer of despicableness that seems to top of this man’s character is in verse 18, where he seems to associate himself with the Lord’s plans for David and all of Israel.

Now then bring it about, for the LORD has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’”

He refers to the promise of the LORD to David as a reason to bring about his own plans to present before David. It is one thing to waver from one position to another for convenience sake, or for self advantage, or even for his own survival. But now he is all righteous and holy, bringing about God’s plan for the nation.

I can just imagine that as he lays his head down at night, he has dreams of his victory parade, with him in the most prominent spot, all the people cheering him and thanking him for being so instrumental in delivering Israel from it’s enemies. By golly, he may even allow David in the parade, just to show how magnanimous of a fellow that he is.

As you can tell, I am struggling to find a positive thing to say about this man.

Nevertheless, in the end, David is one step closer to reigning over the nation, and the nation is on the brink of entering a golden age.

And Abner will be taken care of.

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