David rules over the whole of Israel, though not without trial or disappointment.
2 Samuel 3: Abner Joins David
1 There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
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.
6 While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.
7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?"
8 Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, "Am I a dog's head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David. And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman.
9 God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the LORD has sworn to him,
10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba."
11 And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you."
13 And he said, "Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face."
14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid the bridal price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines."
15 And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish.
16 But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go, return." And he returned.
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.
20 When Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron, David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.
21 And Abner said to David, "I will arise and go and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
22 Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
23 When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace."
24 Then Joab went to the king and said, "What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone?
25 You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing."
Joab Murders Abner
26 When Joab came out from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it.
27 And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, "I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!"
30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.
David Mourns Abner
31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner." And King David followed the bier.
32 They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.
33 And the king lamented for Abner, saying, "Should Abner die as a fool dies?
34 Your hands were not bound; your feet were not fettered; as one falls before the wicked you have fallen." And all the people wept again over him.
35 Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, "God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!"
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people.
37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's will to put to death Abner the son of Ner.
38 And the king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!"
Things to think about…
1. Let’s never fight against God. David’s house grew stronger and Saul’s house grew weaker, 2Sam 3:1. Of course they did, David was chosen by God to be king. But it is never glorifying to the Lord when members of the house of faith fight among themselves. We see the affects it has in the church or when Christians of different churches argue. Everyone suffers in the end. Even those who are right in the sight of the Lord. The Lord has called David’s greater Son Jesus to rule and reign over this world, John the Baptist says ‘I must decrease, but He must increase’. May this be true in our lives, lest we be found fighting against God.
2. Abner confirms the word that all Israel already knew that David would rule from Dan to Beersheba – from the top to the bottom of God’s land, Israel, 2Sam 3:10, 18. Abner should have been obedient to the word of God long before now rather than choosing Ish-bosheth to be the king of Israel instead of David. Once we know the Lord’s will for our lives let’s be determined to live it out.
3. Saul’s daughter Michal had married David after he defeated 200 philistines, 1 Sam 18:27. Saul gave her to someone else after David fled, a man named Paltiel. This poor man obviously loved Michal by chasing after her when she was taken away from him, 2Sam 3:16. But she wasn’t his to have in the first place. He is also at fault by taking a woman who was already married. God honours the marriage covenant and so should we. Let’s endeavour to do all we can to keep marriages together even when it seems impossible.
4. There was always going to be a showdown between Abner and Joab. Abner was the commander of Israel’s army; Joab was the commander of Judah’s army. Joab also wanted revenge for his brother Asahel whom Abner had killed. Abner had left Hebron which was also ‘a city of refuge’ for the manslayer, which makes Joab’s murder of Abner a horrible irony. Joab deceives him by calling him back and murdering him outside the gate of Hebron, 2Sam 3:27. Joab displays everything about worldly revenge. He was an amazing warrior and used mightily by the Lord to establish the kingdom in David’s hands, but he was a harsh man. Joab would eventually be judged for his cruelty.
5. Joab was loyal to the kingdom of David, but this was for his own self-interest. It gave him an opportunity to exalt himself. Joab, and his brothers AbishaiandAsahel were sons of David’s sister Zeruiah, hence they were David’s cousins. When David laments the death of Abner, 2Sam 3:31-39 he says these men, ‘the son’s of Zeruiah, are more severe than I’. He asks the Lord to repay according to Joab’s wickedness. This happens early in Solomon’s reign after David tells Solomon to remember Joab’s sin, 1Kings 2:5, 6; 29-34. Be sure your sin will find you out.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. 6:30pm every Wednesday. 5:30pm prayer.
Prayer Points centre
1. Pray for healing, a number of people have not been well
2. Pray for the work we have going on with site development and TMR and the development of a project team.
3. Keep praying for PlayPatch on Fridays, pray for more families to be reached.
4. Pray for Chaplaincy and Kids Hope at Karalee State School.
5. Pray for peace over the US elections
6. The ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
7. Church finances to continue to grow and expenses to be more than met.
8. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
9. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Wednesday afternoons, 5:30pm at church. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
10. Pray about the possibility and planning of a Farmers Market at Chuwar Baptist Church once a month on Saturdays. Anastasia taking the lead on this. Pray for us as we plan
11. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. People responded well to Sunday’s message.
2. New people at church
3. Praise God for our worship team. Well done Zac and Estefany
4. Tad’s health continues to improve.
5. Sally continues to amaze us with her interaction with everyone.
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Men’s event. Conquering the Mount. Men’s racing. Fri 11th Oct@Church from 5:30pm. 16+. $10 each. Dress in team colours Red – Holden, Blue – Ford, Gold – Chevrolet. See Tim Freeman for more details.
2. Prayer meeting 5:30pm and Life Group Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for September...
Q. 24. What was the sin of our first parents? A. Eating the forbidden fruit.
Bible References – Gen.2:16&17; Gen3:6.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
