The Death Of Abner

The Death of Abner 2 Samuel 3:17-39 1. DAVID'S POWER (3:1-5) (ESTABLISHING HIS KINGDOM IN HEBRON) 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 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. DAVID'S PROTAGONIST ABNER (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 Power Abner Was :- (a) An Able man v. 6 Strong - 1. Socially - King's cousin 2. Physically 3. Militarily ch 2 v. 8 "captain of Saul's host" 4. Politically ch 2 v. 8 king maker - "set Ishbosheth on throne" 5. Intellectually - astute enough to reject Ishbosheth as leader ch 3 v. 9 & 10 Abner’s Pride (3:7-8); Abner Was :- (b) An Ambitious man v. 8 "Am I a dogs head?" set up Ishbosheth for his own ends ch 3 v. 7 went in to Rizpah Saul's concubine (c) & An Arrogant man v. 10 after being rebuked He threathened to sway the kingdom Abner’s Plan Abner Was :- (d) An Astute man v. 10 he recognised the anointed of God David He would 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

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 Abner’s Present Abner Was :- (e) An Active man (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) 3. DAVID'S PEACE (WITH ABNER) (3:17-21) (a) His Aim v. 9 - to enthrone David - king of all Israel (b) His Action 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) (c) His Appeal v. 18 "now then do it" 1. Do What? - enthrone the king (Jesus) 2. Do Why? "for the Lord hath spoken of him" i.e. he is God's anointed & God's appointed (son) 3. Do When? now "behold now is the accepted time" (d) His Association v. 20 "so Abner came to David to Hebron" He came to:- The right Person(David), the right Place (Hebron - city of refuge), with the right Purpose (to unite the kingdom- v. 21 (e) His Assassination 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. 4. DAVID'S PLEA (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. He died in spite of His :- (a) Place Hebron was a city of Refuge (b) Provision v. 27 died in the gate of the city of refuge (c) Privilege - i.e. he could have been saved (saved a step) (d) Purpose - i.e. intended to be on David's side - too late v. 34 "Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters" nothing to stop you from being saved. (e) Peril - He Was Aware Of Joab's Hostility How serious his danger, How spurious his defence, How silly his delay, How sudden his death