
2 Samuel 2:1-3:1
2:1 | The moment for which David had prepared for 15 years had finally come. Nevertheless, he did not rush off to claim the promised throne, but he requested clear counsel from the Lord. David had learned at least one thing in his wilderness experience: he would be taking a great risk if he moved forward on his own. It was better to wait on the Lord’s timing (1 Sam. 30:31).
2:4 | Samuel had already anointed David privately (1 Sam. 16:13), but the public ceremony would allow others to recognize his calling. This anointing was done in southern Israel (Judah). In 5:3, northern Israel would also anoint him as king, thus bringing the two kingdoms under one reign.
2:8-11 | Abner had been the commander of Saul’s army and was thus loyal to Saul and his descendants. Ishbosheth was originally named Esh-Baal (1 Chron. 8:33), but the biblical writer changed his name to Ishbosheth, which means “Man of the Shameful Thing.” Such name changes probably occurred when Baal worship rose in popularity. Abner seemed to be the one pulling the strings in this grab for power, and Ishbosheth was a willing pawn.
2:9 | At this point, David controlled Judah and Simeon and the Philistines retained control over large sections in the north, so Ishbosheth’s kingdom was actually quite small. There is no evidence that he had widespread support among the Israelites.
2:12-14 | Abner’s aim was to prevent David from gaining more influence north of Judah. Gibeon was part of the area of the Benjamites, the tribe to which Saul belonged (Josh. 10:2-12).
2:17 | Because the attempt to avoid full-scale war by sending forward 12 men from each side failed, a fierce battle ensued. David won a resounding victory, losing only 19 men but killing 360 of Abner’s troops (2:31).
2:18 | Joab became a prominent figure in David’s reign. He, along with Abishai and Asahel, was David’s nephew, the son of David’s older sister Zeruiah (1 Chron. 2:16).
2:28 | The blowing of the trumpet – a ram’s horn or shofar – signified a truce between the two sides.
3:1 | Even after David was anointed king, he did not pursue conflict with his opponents; he fought only when confronted, willing to wait on God to make this kingdom – which was his in precept – become his in practicality (1 Chron. 3:1-4).