2:1 After mourning Saul and Israel's consequent fragmentation, David has a question for God. He wants to know if it is now an appropriate time to return to the land of Israel. David was pushed out of that land by Saul's hatred and pursuit of him. The threat is gone but it is still a precarious time to return: David has been falsely accused of pursuing the throne before. With Saul gone, the population of Israel might make those same conjectures.
We can remember that David was a keeper of his family's sheep, 1 Samuel 17:15. David did not ask or desire to be king, he was chosen by God to be king, Acts 13:22. Although it is an advantageous time to pursue the throne, and others will be, that is not David's intention. He wishes to return home but above that and all else, he wishes to follow God's will. If that means staying in Ziklag, David will stay. If that means returning to Israel, David will return. If that means becoming king, David will become king.
God gives David permission to return to the cities of Judah (David's family are of the tribe of Judah, his great-grandparents are Ruth and Boaz, Ruth 4:18-21). If he were to be accepted by any tribe, it would be Judah first.
What is extraordinary about David is not just that he consults God, it is that he consults God on the details. David asks: should I go and where in Judah? It is important to David to place himself precisely where God wants him to be. It is in David's character to want to defuse tension; he made multiple attempts to resolve the conflict between himself and Saul. David does not want his return to cause turmoil. God directs David to Hebron.
2:2-3 David gathers his wives and the men who follow him; they travel to Hebron to dwell.
2:4 The tribes of Israel are not king-less; they have God, the ultimate King. But because they insisted on a man king, God changed formula, 1 Samuel 8. Thus the tribes are now reliant on a king and currently without one. The tribe of Judah anoints David as king, but there are eleven other tribes who do not recognize his authority. When God anoints David, his position as king will be official and complete.
2:5-6 Judah explains to David that the men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones to bury Saul. Out of respect for Saul and the kingdom, David sends messengers to thank them for their service to Saul. David tells them that they are blessed by God for their kindness; when Saul used to speak of God it was in-genuine, for he did not follow God. But David speaks of God sincerely; he truly thankful for their kindness and believes that it is recognized and appreciated by God.
2:7 David prepares them to be ready for the immediate future; it is time for a new king. Their brave and honorable service is welcomed into the kingdom under David, which is currently being constructed.
2:8-10 Meanwhile, Abner, the commander of Saul's army plots his own future for the children of Israel. He chooses Ishbosheth, a previously unmentioned son of Saul as king over all of Israel. David blamed Abner for not protecting Saul in a previous chapter, 1 Samuel 26:15. Evidence supports that Abner is unconcerned by God's will; he does not protect it or pursue it. Abner's intentions are likely to establish power and position for himself. Ishbosheth only reigns for two years.
2:11 David rules the tribe of Judah from Hebron for two years; he will rule all of Israel from Hebron for five more years. He will continue to be king but from another location after that.
2:12-14 Abner and Ishbosheths men meet with Joab and the servants of David by the pool of Gibeon. Abner comes up with the idea that the two groups should compete against each other. Joab agrees. It would be king against king, but only of of them had been anointed by God.
2:15-17 Twenty four men compete, twelve from each side and they all die.
2:18-23 David's nephew Asahel, described as "as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle," is killed by Abner. Although Asahel was a quick fighter, he was not a wise man. He should not have confronted Abner so hastily. Moreover, Abner did not want to kill Joab's brother: it would cause further damage to an already precarious and lethal situation.
2:24-26 As the men on each side ready to begin another battle, Abner asks Joab if "the sword shall devour forever." The fighting and killing was not accomplishing anything.
2:27-29 Joab agrees to end the fighting but none of the issues are resolved. Israel is still fragmented and ruled by different kings. There are hostilities and casualties on both sides that a temporary cease-fire will not assuage or even reduce.
2:11 David rules the tribe of Judah from Hebron for two years; he will rule all of Israel from Hebron for five more years. He will continue to be king but from another location after that.
2:12-14 Abner and Ishbosheths men meet with Joab and the servants of David by the pool of Gibeon. Abner comes up with the idea that the two groups should compete against each other. Joab agrees. It would be king against king, but only of of them had been anointed by God.
2:15-17 Twenty four men compete, twelve from each side and they all die.
2:18-23 David's nephew Asahel, described as "as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle," is killed by Abner. Although Asahel was a quick fighter, he was not a wise man. He should not have confronted Abner so hastily. Moreover, Abner did not want to kill Joab's brother: it would cause further damage to an already precarious and lethal situation.
2:24-26 As the men on each side ready to begin another battle, Abner asks Joab if "the sword shall devour forever." The fighting and killing was not accomplishing anything.
2:27-29 Joab agrees to end the fighting but none of the issues are resolved. Israel is still fragmented and ruled by different kings. There are hostilities and casualties on both sides that a temporary cease-fire will not assuage or even reduce.
2:30-31 We can understand why Abner called for a break in the fighting: David lost nineteen men but Abner lost three hundred and sixty. Perhaps in that moment Abner realized he was facing more than a mortal army. God's protection and strength over His children is relentless and fierce. He tires out our enemies while He establishes our position.
2:32 Asahel is buried with his family in Bethlehem. Joab and his men return to Hebron, David's headquarters. The remnants of Saul's house and army continue to battle against David's authority. But God has already decided David's path, declared his purpose, and David's faith in God has already accepted it. Therefore, nothing could derail it. The same is true for each of God's children.
