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12 June 2007
2 Samuel 3 v 1-6
There was a long war between the people who supported Saul's family and those who supported David's family. The supporters of David's family became stronger and stronger, but the supporters of Saul's family became weaker and weaker.
Sons were born to David at Hebron. The first was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel. The second son was Kileab, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. The third son was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur. The fourth son was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth son was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. The sixth son was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David's wife. These sons were born to David at Hebron.
During the war between the supporters of Saul's family and the supporters of David's family, Abner made himself a main leader among the supporters of Saul.
Family life may not always run as smoothly as we would like. It seems that Saul's and David's families had serious issues between themselves. They always seemed to be at war, fighting going on within, and fighting between both parties. It's sad to experience or to hear about families who are having difficulties. It seems that some of the worst quarrels I have ever had have been with family members. These types of quarrels can hurt the deepest and also can take the longest time to mend.
David's family was getting stronger (v 1) and Ish-Bosheth's family was getting weaker. It has been implied that Ish-Bosheth had no immediate family of his own, unlike David. We see a list of six sons born from David by six different women. It was important to have a son to carry on the family line and David, it seems, has been greatly blessed. Amnon and Absalom were to become main characters in this story later on (chapters 13-18). Also David's most prominent son, Solomon is not mentioned until much later (12v24). The purpose of this list of sons could be to show how secure David was and that the shift of power is moving greatly in his favour.
Abner was a man of power who supported Ish-Bosheth and maybe he had more power than Ish-Bosheth himself? His loyalty seemed to lie with Ish-Bosheth but he also seemed an ambitious man. I think we may see where his true loyalty lies in the next part of the story.
So where does our loyalties lie? With God? With something else? Do we turn to God when times get hard, especially with our own families or to something else? Maybe we could spend a few moments in quiet thinking about that question.
Dear Lord, Thank you Jesus for my family even when things might have been really difficult. When times get hard help me to seek You for guidance and strength. May I feel the depth of love You have for me now whilst I pray. Amen
Written by Stephen Fox
2 Samuel 3 v 1-6
There was a long war between the people who supported Saul's family and those who supported David's family. The supporters of David's family became stronger and stronger, but the supporters of Saul's family became weaker and weaker.
Sons were born to David at Hebron. The first was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel. The second son was Kileab, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. The third son was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur. The fourth son was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth son was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. The sixth son was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David's wife. These sons were born to David at Hebron.
During the war between the supporters of Saul's family and the supporters of David's family, Abner made himself a main leader among the supporters of Saul.
Family life may not always run as smoothly as we would like. It seems that Saul's and David's families had serious issues between themselves. They always seemed to be at war, fighting going on within, and fighting between both parties. It's sad to experience or to hear about families who are having difficulties. It seems that some of the worst quarrels I have ever had have been with family members. These types of quarrels can hurt the deepest and also can take the longest time to mend.
David's family was getting stronger (v 1) and Ish-Bosheth's family was getting weaker. It has been implied that Ish-Bosheth had no immediate family of his own, unlike David. We see a list of six sons born from David by six different women. It was important to have a son to carry on the family line and David, it seems, has been greatly blessed. Amnon and Absalom were to become main characters in this story later on (chapters 13-18). Also David's most prominent son, Solomon is not mentioned until much later (12v24). The purpose of this list of sons could be to show how secure David was and that the shift of power is moving greatly in his favour.
Abner was a man of power who supported Ish-Bosheth and maybe he had more power than Ish-Bosheth himself? His loyalty seemed to lie with Ish-Bosheth but he also seemed an ambitious man. I think we may see where his true loyalty lies in the next part of the story.
So where does our loyalties lie? With God? With something else? Do we turn to God when times get hard, especially with our own families or to something else? Maybe we could spend a few moments in quiet thinking about that question.
Dear Lord, Thank you Jesus for my family even when things might have been really difficult. When times get hard help me to seek You for guidance and strength. May I feel the depth of love You have for me now whilst I pray. Amen
Written by Stephen Fox
