Useful Bible Studies > 2 Samuel Commentary > chapter 3
In anger, people often say things that they would not have said under normal circumstances. Until this conversation, Abner had given an impression about his own beliefs that was not true. He had always pretended that, in his opinion, Saul’s family should be Israel’s kings. He had even started a war against David’s men to prove it.
Now, suddenly, Abner declared that David should be Israel’s king. Abner even knew about the promises that God had given to David (1 Samuel 16:1-13 and 24:20). David would certainly be Israel’s king. He would not merely rule Judah, the region in the south of Israel that he already ruled as king. David would rule the whole country from Dan to Beersheba, including all the land that Ish-Bosheth ruled. Dan was a town in the far north of Israel; Beersheba was in the far south.
Abner argued that Ish-Bosheth should be grateful to him. Until now, Abner had fought hard to defend Ish-Bosheth from David’s men. It was Abner who appointed Ish-Bosheth to be king. Without Abner, Ish-Bosheth would have no power or wealth whatever.
However now, Abner was extremely angry. He suddenly made a serious promise in front of God that made Ish-Bosheth very afraid. Abner declared in that promise that he would now support David. Abner would use his great power to make David king over all Israel.
David had done nothing to arrange this. Clearly, God was using these circumstances, and this argument, to carry out the promises that he had made to David.
Next part: David demands the return of Michal, his first wife (2 Samuel 3:12-16)
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