Ep. 85. 2 Samuel 2-3 | David- King in Hebron

EPISODE 85

DAVID: KING IN HEBRON: 2 SAMUEL 2-3, 1 CHRON 12

After Saul's death, David did not immediately seek the throne in Jerusalem. This could be because Saul still had one son who was alive and eventually put in power by Abner. Whatever his motivation, David, at God's leading, moved to Hebron and was anointed king by the people of Judah there. David will rule over Judah in Hebron for 7.5 years.

The house of Saul was not yet finished being a thorn in David's side and Abner tried to raise the men of Israel up against David and his authority. However, David had long been the hero of Israel since he slew Goliath. In the absence of their king, it wasn't difficult for the people to see David as the true king.

The text in 1 Chronicles 12 gives us insight into David's growing group of followers. Many people came to David when he lived in Ziklag among the Philistines, but his numbers skyrocketed when he was king in Hebron. People from every tribe gathered to David after the death of Saul, and the house of David grew greater in strength and breadth while the house of Saul became weaker and frail.

I have always loved this account. We know, from a couple of days ago, that David, while in Ziklag, only had about 600 men alongside him. In Hebron, David's followers swelled to an impressive number. Eventually, David would take his rightful place on the throne in Jerusalem. I can't say the Bible means to do this; it may just be my imagination, but I think of how this seems to reflect Jesus's life and ministry. When Jesus was here, a small band of people followed him. Now, Jesus is revealed as King but has not yet taken his place on the throne in Jerusalem. Still, people from every tribe, tongue, and language are gathering to him. One day, and perhaps sooner than we expect, Jesus will take his rightful place in the New Jerusalem and sit on the throne as all the people gather around and proclaim, "Worthy is the lamb who sits upon the throne."

Of significance in this text is the fact that Joab murders Abner in cold blood. In a time of war, Abner had slain Asahel, the brother of Joab and Abishai. Joab slew Abner in a time of peace and when Abner sought to bring all of Israel into submission to David. David grieved the loss of Abner and made it clear that his hand was not covered in the blood of this innocent man. Joab and his brother, Abishai, were both hot-headed. His thirst for blood would ultimately lead to Joab's own death.

ADDITIONAL READING: 1 Samuel 26:6-9; 1 Chronicles 1:15-17