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2nd Samuel Chapter Three

(Outline continues from yesterday)

2. The House of Saul, under Ish-Bosheth was getting weaker, as Abner increased his personal influence (2nd Sam. 3:1,6-11).
   1. During the war between the House of David & House of Saul, Abner’s position in the house of Saul greatly improved (2nd Sam. 3:6).
   2. Abner claimed Saul’s concubine for himself (2nd Sam. 3:7).
   3. This could be seen as a claim for the throne (2nd Sam. 12:8; 16:21).
   4. When Ish-Bosheth challenged Abner’s right to Rizpah, Abner voiced his intention to give the Kingdom of Israel to David (2nd Sam. 3:8-11).
3. The divided kingdom is nearly united when Abner defects to David (2nd Sam. 3:12-21).
   1. David agrees to Abner’s offer, conditional upon his return of Michal to David (2nd Sam. 3:12-16).
   2. Abner engaged in political campaigning on behalf of David, with the elders of Israel, & the tribe of Benjamin, and then reported favorably back to David (2nd Sam. 3:17-19).
   3. David gives a feast for Abner and his twenty men, and commissions him to finish the work of unification (2nd Sam. 3:20-21).
4. The sons of Zeruiah murder Abner (2nd Sam. 3:22-39).
5. David laments the news of Abner’s death (2nd Sam. 3:28-29,31-39; cf. 1st Kgs. 2:5-6).

2nd Samuel Chapter Four

1. The death of Abner was a terrifying event for Ish-Bosheth, and the Kingdom of Israel (2nd Sam. 4:1).
2. Ish-Bosheth is assassinated by his (Beerothite/Gibeonite) military commanders (2nd Sam. 4:2-3,5-6), probably as revenge for Saul’s abuse of the Gibeonites (2nd Sam. 21:1-6).
3. The two assassins go to David, anticipating a reward (2nd Sam. 4:8).
4. The two assassins receive the same reward the Amalekite received (2nd Sam. 4:9-12; cp. 2nd Sam. 1:14-16).