2 Samuel 1-3 Battle of the Kings

Thoughts

Samuel 1

David returns to Ziklag after the battle with Amalekites. An Amalekite messenger reports Israel’s defeat, Saul and Jonathan’s death.

Claims he killed Saul at Saul’s request and brings Saul’s crown and armlet to David (which contradicts what the previous chapter told us about Saul’s death)

David and his men mourn, weep, and fast until evening.

David has Amalekite executed for daring to strike God’s anointed.

David composes The Song of the Bow and has it taught in Judah. (Book of Jashar) 

• He mourns Saul and Jonathan:
  • Calls them “mighty” and “beloved.”
  • Declares their bravery and unity in life and death.
  • Says their fall not be celebrated by enemies.
• Concludes with the refrain: “How the mighty have fallen!”

” I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me;
    your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.”

Samuel 2

I get confused in this chapter with all the names.

• David (King of Judah)
• Abner (Commander of Saul’s army)
• Ish-bosheth (Saul’s son, King of Israel)
• Joab (David’s nephew and commander)
• Asahel (Joab’s brother)
• Abishai (Joab’s other brother)

David asks God if he should go up to Judah and God directs him to Hebron. David goes with his men, and the people of Judah anoint him king over the house of Judah.

David praises the men of Jabesh-gilead for honoring Saul with burial, and encourages them with blessing.

Abner, commander of Saul’s army, takes Saul’s son Ish-bosheth and makes him king over Israel. He rules from Mahanaim over Gilead, Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.

Ish-bosheth reigns 2 years, but David reigns over Judah in Hebron 7 years and 6 months.

Abner (with Ish-bosheth’s men) and Joab (with David’s men) meet at pool of Gibeon (see pic below).They face off on opposite sides of the pool.Twelve men from each side fight, and all die together.

A battle is started and David’s men defeat Abner’s men.

Asahel (Joab’s brother) pursues Abner with great speed (as swift of foot as a wild gazelle!) Abner strikes him with the butt of his spear, killing him.

Joab and Abishai continue pursuing Abner until sunset.Abner pleads with Joab to end the fighting.Joab agrees and blows the trumpet to stop the pursuit.

Abner and his men march back to Mahanaim while Joab and his men return to Hebron.

David’s side lost 20 men plus Asahel; Abner’s side lost 360 men.

Samuel 3

A long war existed between the house of Saul and the house of David. David grew stronger, while Saul’s house grew weaker.

David’s family expanded in Hebron and six sons were born to him there

• Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel
• Chileab/Daniel by Abigail,
• Absalom by Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur
• Adonijah by Haggith
• Shephatiah by Abital
• Ithream by Eglah (called “David’s wife”)

Deuteronomy 17:17 says about Kings: Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself

Abner grew powerful but quarreled with Ish-bosheth after being accused of sleeping with Saul’s concubine, Rizpah.

Abner is angry and vows to transfer the kingdom to David. David agreed on the condition that Michal (Saul’s daughter, his wife) be returned to him. Michal was taken from her second husband, Paltiel.

Abner came to David in Hebron, feasted with him, and promised to gather all Israel for David’s reign.

Joab returned from battle and learned Abner had been with David. Now Joab is angry and suspicious (and seeking revenge for Asahel’s death). Joab secretly lured Abner back and killed him in Hebron.

David cursed Joab’s house with ongoing trouble (disease, lameness, death).

He weeps aloud at Abner’s tomb and composed a lament: “Should Abner have died as a fool dies?”

All the people saw David’s grief and were pleased, realizing David had no part in Abner’s death.

Questions

Was David’s relationship with Jonathan unhealthy as he was married and valued this relationship over his marriage?

Is Abigail annoyed that she is consistently called the widow even though she is remarried?

Didn’t Samuel say Saul’s sons would die in battle?

Why doesn’t the Bible condemn David’s polygamy? Obviously his sons cause a lot of drama.

Application
These chapters show how humans handle power. We see David who rises to power and consults with God, which is great. But we also see his flaws with multiple wives and his inability to control his commanders. Abner grows powerful and takes Saul’s concubine, and Joab takes matters into his own hands through violence. Power can be a dangerous thing, and we see that everywhere today, from politics to people with wealth. But power can be small too, showing up in how we lead in the church, how we act in our families, or how we treat others at work. These chapters remind us that the only safe way to handle power is to place it under God’s will, so that it is used for His purposes and not our own.

from https://leonmauldin.blog/2025/04/25/pool-of-gibeon-el-jib-west-bank/