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13 June 2007
2 Samuel 3 v 7-16
Saul once had a slave woman named Rizpah, who was the daughter of Aiah. Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you have sexual relations with my father's slave woman?"
Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said, and he replied, "I have been loyal to Saul and his family and friends! I didn't hand you over to David. I am not a traitor working for Judah! But now you are saying I did something wrong with this woman! May God help me if I don't join David! I will make sure that what the Lord promised does happen! I will take the kingdom from the family of Saul and make David king of Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba!"
Ish-Bosheth couldn't say anything to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
Then Abner sent messengers to ask David, "Who is going to rule the land? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you unite all Israel."
David answered, "Good! I will make an agreement with you, but I ask you one thing. I will not meet with you unless you bring Saul's daughter Michal to me." Then David sent messengers to Saul's son Ish-Bosheth, saying, "Give me my wife Michal. She was promised to me, and I killed a hundred Philistines to get her."
So Ish-Bosheth sent men to take Michal from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. Michal's husband went with her, crying as he followed her to Bahurim. But Abner said to Paltiel, "Go back home." So he went home.
Rizpah was one of Saul's concubines and Ish-Bosheth accusations towards Abner could have had serious consequences for all parties concerned. Abner did not deny it nor is there any Scriptural reference to this. But where did the information come from? It could have been a ruse devised by Abner so that he could quarrel with Ish-Bosheth and so legitimately leave Saul's family for that of David's, as seen by his words in verse 9.
He knew he was on the losing side, Ish-Bosheth was weak and David was growing more powerful. He was also upset by Ish-Bosheth comments about his loyalty but actually Ish-Bosheth was probably right. So he offers his services to David to help unite Judah and Israel, so it could be argued he was a peacemaker. But was that a true reflection of his motives? I think he was an ambitious man who was also out for personal gain; probably his alliance with David would bring some significant reward; perhaps a high position in commanding the army. Does God use people who may not have the purest of motives to further God's plans? I think He probably does. God always gives us a choice for good or bad.
David accepted Abner's proposal but with one condition, that David's wife, Michal (Saul's daughter) should be brought back from Israel to him. Saul had earlier stolen her from David and gave her to Paltiel (1 Samuel 25:44) to be cruel and to humiliate David. There could also be another reason for David's request, he would have a legitimate case for taking the throne from Ish-Bosheth. Also I think David really loved Michal and it is very hard for all of us to be away from the ones we love especially in an enforced separation which we have no control over.
Heavenly Father, Help us not to get angry and also help us not to misuse our positions given to us. Help us also to cherish the people we love but also help us to love those people we may not like or get on with. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Written by Stephen Fox
2 Samuel 3 v 7-16
Saul once had a slave woman named Rizpah, who was the daughter of Aiah. Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you have sexual relations with my father's slave woman?"
Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said, and he replied, "I have been loyal to Saul and his family and friends! I didn't hand you over to David. I am not a traitor working for Judah! But now you are saying I did something wrong with this woman! May God help me if I don't join David! I will make sure that what the Lord promised does happen! I will take the kingdom from the family of Saul and make David king of Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba!"
Ish-Bosheth couldn't say anything to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
Then Abner sent messengers to ask David, "Who is going to rule the land? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you unite all Israel."
David answered, "Good! I will make an agreement with you, but I ask you one thing. I will not meet with you unless you bring Saul's daughter Michal to me." Then David sent messengers to Saul's son Ish-Bosheth, saying, "Give me my wife Michal. She was promised to me, and I killed a hundred Philistines to get her."
So Ish-Bosheth sent men to take Michal from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. Michal's husband went with her, crying as he followed her to Bahurim. But Abner said to Paltiel, "Go back home." So he went home.
Rizpah was one of Saul's concubines and Ish-Bosheth accusations towards Abner could have had serious consequences for all parties concerned. Abner did not deny it nor is there any Scriptural reference to this. But where did the information come from? It could have been a ruse devised by Abner so that he could quarrel with Ish-Bosheth and so legitimately leave Saul's family for that of David's, as seen by his words in verse 9.
He knew he was on the losing side, Ish-Bosheth was weak and David was growing more powerful. He was also upset by Ish-Bosheth comments about his loyalty but actually Ish-Bosheth was probably right. So he offers his services to David to help unite Judah and Israel, so it could be argued he was a peacemaker. But was that a true reflection of his motives? I think he was an ambitious man who was also out for personal gain; probably his alliance with David would bring some significant reward; perhaps a high position in commanding the army. Does God use people who may not have the purest of motives to further God's plans? I think He probably does. God always gives us a choice for good or bad.
David accepted Abner's proposal but with one condition, that David's wife, Michal (Saul's daughter) should be brought back from Israel to him. Saul had earlier stolen her from David and gave her to Paltiel (1 Samuel 25:44) to be cruel and to humiliate David. There could also be another reason for David's request, he would have a legitimate case for taking the throne from Ish-Bosheth. Also I think David really loved Michal and it is very hard for all of us to be away from the ones we love especially in an enforced separation which we have no control over.
Heavenly Father, Help us not to get angry and also help us not to misuse our positions given to us. Help us also to cherish the people we love but also help us to love those people we may not like or get on with. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Written by Stephen Fox
