The Death of Abner 2 Samuel 3:1-39 1. DAVID'S POWER (ESTABLISHES HIS KINGDOM IN HEBRON) (3:1-5) His Fighting (3:1) Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. His Family (Wives & Children) 2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: His Foe 6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. 2. ABNER'S PLAN (3:6-11) Abner’s Power 6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. Abner’s Pride (3:7-8); Abner’s Plan to Deliver the Kingdom (3:9-10) 10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.(Good Intentions) NOTE: The word translate is only used in three verses in the Bible 2 Samuel 3:10 – where Abner threatens to translate the kingdom from the house of Saul to the house of David Colossians 1:13 – where God has translated us into the kingdom of His Son Hebrews 11:5 – where Enoch is translated from heaven to earth Its biblical meaning To transfer from one place or condition to another intact; in Enoch’s case, he went to heaven without the normal means of death 3. ABNER'S PRESENT (HE SENDS MICHAL TO DAVID) (3:12-16) Abner Opens Negotiations With David (3:12) And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee. David Requires Michal as a Pre-condition (3:13;) And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face. Ishbosheth Sends Michal to David (3:14-15) Abner Sends Michal’s Husband Home (3:16) 4. DAVID'S PEACE (WITH ABNER) (3:17-21) Abner Negotiates With the Elders of Israel (3:17-18) Abner Negotiates With the House of Benjamin (3:19) Abner Negotiates With King David (3:20-21) 5. ABNER'S PENALTY (JOAB SLAYS ABNER IN REVENGE) (3:22-27) Joab Returns and Hears of Abner’s Visit (3:22-23) Joab Accuses Abner Before David (3:24-25) Joab Calls Abner Back to Hebron (3:26) And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. Joab Kills Abner in the Gate (3:27) And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. NOTE: Abner died as a fool because he was in the gate of Hebron, one of the cities of refuge when Joab killed him for the killing of Joab’s brother Asahel. THE CITIES OF REFUGE I. THE PURPOSE OF THESE CITIES II. THE PROVISION OF THESE CITIES A. They Were Provided By God - B. They Were Provided By Grace - III. THE POWER OF THESE CITIES A. They Had Power To Save - B. They Had Power To Secure - C. They Had Power To Suffice - The cities of refuge would work for all those who fled to them. They were sufficient for the need! IV. THE POSITION OF THESE CITIES A. They Were Available To All - B. They Were Accessible To All - 1. They Were Prominent - 2. They Were Prepared - A. The Roads Were Never Clogged - B. The Gates Were Never Closed - C. The Direction Was Never Confused - V. THE PICTURE IN THESE CITIES A. There Is A Picture In Their Names - 1. Kadesh - Righteousness - (Ill. A refuge for the unclean!) 2. Shechem - Shoulder A refuge for that one lost in the wilderness of sin. 3. Hebron - Fellowship - (Il. A refuge for the lonely sinner!) 4. Bezer - Fortress - (Ill. A refuge for the helpless sinner.) 5. Ramoth - Heights - (Ill. A refuge for the wretched sinner!) 6. Golan - Joy - 1 Peter 1:8 (Ill. A refuge for the downcast.) B. There Is A Picture In Their Necessity - C. There Is A Picture In Their Nature - They were there because God cares! 6. DAVID'S PLEA (HE MOURNS THE DEATH OF ABNER) (3:31-39) David Mourns Abner’s Death (3:33-34) And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
