2 SAMUEL 3

ABNER SIDES WITH DAVID, BUT JOAB CONTESTS

As time goes on, David grows stronger and has many children with his now six wives. Abner is also gaining strength and popularity among the eleven tribes, but then things take a turn for the worse. Ish-bosheth, the king of Israel, claims that Abner has been sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines. Although Saul is dead, this accusation greatly offends Abner, and Abner felt betrayed by Ish-bosheth.

Because Abner is so offended by the allegation, he turns to follow David instead of Ish-bosheth, wanting David to serve as king over all twelve tribes. David tells Abner that he can join him, as long as he brings Michal back to David. Michal was David’s first wife who Saul had taken away from him.

Abner agrees to this deal and sets out to convince the eleven tribes to accept David as king over all Israel. This plan sounds great to Abner and David, but not to Joab. Because Abner is a recent enemy, Joab did not trust Abner’s intentions. Abner was also the one who killed Joab’s brother, Asahel. Joab had enough of Abner and murders him, which grieves David greatly.