Read 2 Samuel 3:6-21
refresh your memory by identifying Ish-Bosheth and Abner.
The Bible offers no evidence to support Ish-Bosheth's accusation of Abner. Consider verses 6 and 7. Why do you think he might have made such an accusation?
Time and conflict forced a change once again. Ish-Bosheth provides an interesting contrast to David in his approach to long term battle. He was fighting a losing battle for at least two reasons:
He was fighting for a position God did not give him
He did not call on the name of the Lord.
Ish-bosheth was also one of God's chosen people. The accusations Ish-bosheth made against Abner resulted in a complete transfer of loyalties. Abner defected and marched to the other side.
God does not tell us David's motive for wanting Michal to return to him. Maybe he was indignant because he won her fair and square. Maybe to demonstrate political and military power, maybe he loved her.
Whatever David's motives might have been, these events mark a crucial change in Israel, and in David's career.
Read 2 Samuel 3:22-39
Joab made an accusation against Abner behind his back. What do you think Joab was trying to accomplish?
Consider David's words in verse 39...maybe he may have been trying to say that in comparison they had a far greater appetite for violence and insatiable delight for blood than he did. Why did David keep Joab aboard?
Read 1 Chronicles 2:13-17
what was David's relationship to Joab?
Read 2 Sam 4:1-12. How did Mephibosheth become lame?
What insights about David's heart can you draw from these verses?
Violence breeds violence. No matter the country or the corporation, when there is a power struggle the most important question seems to become, "Whose side are you on?" Every person seems to look out for their own neck and pitch a tent in the camp of the one who can do him the most good.
God never comes to take sides. He comes to take over. Joab and Abner were both Israelites, so were Ish-bosheth and his murderers..what a shame.
We're not likely to draw actual swords and thrust them into the bellies of our brothers and sisters in Christ, but how God must be grieved when we use the Sword of the Spirit to wound our brothers and sisters. The Word is to be used as a sword against the evil one.
When Peter wrongly used his sword, Christ quickly rebuked him (Matt 26:52) We are to love one another, speak the truth in love, restore and forgive...(John 13:34; Eph 4:15; Gal 6:1)
Oh, God of heaven and earth, help us to "put your sword back in its place."
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