2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15:1

Joab Kills Abner

It is not inconceivable that Abner planned his visit to David at a moment that it could take place during the absence of Joab. When Joab hears of it, he is very displeased. He blames David for having let Abner leave unhindered. He does not hesitate to make false accusations. What he says to David is a reminder of Abner’s attitude toward Ish-bosheth.

David has paid too much attention to this bad man. The language and tone of Joab are inappropriate for a cousin who speaks to his uncle and are certainly inappropriate for a commander who speaks to his king. But David accepts it, without any resistance.

We may wonder how it is possible that a powerful king is so weak against a man like Joab. Why is it that David could not free himself from this man? It is not clear from history. Perhaps family relationships have played a role. As the history continues, David does not seem to possess the spiritual power in his family that he possesses as king. His performance as a father is downright weak and in some respects even wrong and culpable.

The fact that God is going to use Joab to prevent David’s foolish intention to make a covenant with Abner does not mean that Joab is acting well. It is more often the case that God uses the sinful actions of people to achieve His goal. This is the wisdom of God. God does not encourage Joab, but uses his jealousy to kill Abner and thus prevent the covenant. We can suppose Joab’s jealousy, because in Abner he saw a formidable competitor for his position as a general in David’s army. If Abner would go over to David, it could mean that Abner would be placed above him.

After his collision with David Joab follows his own course. He does not care about David and the agreements made, but acts as judge himself. Completely apart from David he has Abner brought back with an excuse. He pretends to discuss something personal with Abner and lures him into a trap (cf. Psalms 55:21). Abner falls into the trap. When Joab is alone with Abner, he kills him.

What Joab does is a mean, cunning action. In this way, he brings upon himself the curse of the law: “‘Cursed is he who strikes his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen’” (Deuteronomy 27:24). Abner had killed Joab’s brother in battle and also after two warnings (2 Samuel 2:18-23). Joab kills Abner in peacetime. Later David gives this to his son Solomon as a reason to let Joab be killed (1 Kings 2:5-6).

2 Samuel 15:2

David Condemns the Deed of Joab

When David hears of Joab’s deed, he clearly distances himself from it. He judges Joab’s performance. His reaction makes it clear that he really regrets this event. This is, after all, the reason why the other tribes accept him as their king.

David’s grief over Abner is real. Israel needs to see that there is no intention on David’s part. It is also an indication for us to take away the appearance of partiality wherever we can. We do not take away that appearance by defending ourselves, but by showing the right attitude.

David curses Joab and his whole family. In doing so, he shows his disgust for Joab’s crime. His curse, however, is without much strength. He should have punished as well. 2 Samuel 3:30 shows that Joab also involved his brother Abishai in the complot against and murder of Abner. It is a reprehensible revenge action, which they organized because Abner killed their brother Asahel. The Holy Spirit adds that Abner has put “Asahel to death in the battle”. This shows superfluously that the retaliatory action by Joab and Abishai is unjustified.

2 Samuel 15:3

David Condemns the Deed of Joab

When David hears of Joab’s deed, he clearly distances himself from it. He judges Joab’s performance. His reaction makes it clear that he really regrets this event. This is, after all, the reason why the other tribes accept him as their king.

David’s grief over Abner is real. Israel needs to see that there is no intention on David’s part. It is also an indication for us to take away the appearance of partiality wherever we can. We do not take away that appearance by defending ourselves, but by showing the right attitude.

David curses Joab and his whole family. In doing so, he shows his disgust for Joab’s crime. His curse, however, is without much strength. He should have punished as well. 2 Samuel 3:30 shows that Joab also involved his brother Abishai in the complot against and murder of Abner. It is a reprehensible revenge action, which they organized because Abner killed their brother Asahel. The Holy Spirit adds that Abner has put “Asahel to death in the battle”. This shows superfluously that the retaliatory action by Joab and Abishai is unjustified.

2 Samuel 15:4

David Condemns the Deed of Joab

When David hears of Joab’s deed, he clearly distances himself from it. He judges Joab’s performance. His reaction makes it clear that he really regrets this event. This is, after all, the reason why the other tribes accept him as their king.

David’s grief over Abner is real. Israel needs to see that there is no intention on David’s part. It is also an indication for us to take away the appearance of partiality wherever we can. We do not take away that appearance by defending ourselves, but by showing the right attitude.

David curses Joab and his whole family. In doing so, he shows his disgust for Joab’s crime. His curse, however, is without much strength. He should have punished as well. 2 Samuel 3:30 shows that Joab also involved his brother Abishai in the complot against and murder of Abner. It is a reprehensible revenge action, which they organized because Abner killed their brother Asahel. The Holy Spirit adds that Abner has put “Asahel to death in the battle”. This shows superfluously that the retaliatory action by Joab and Abishai is unjustified.

2 Samuel 15:5

David Mourns the Death of Abner

David says to Joab and all the people to lament. If Joab has lamented, it will not have gone warmly. David himself goes after the bier. He is close to the dead, as if Abner was his best friend. Also at the grave of Abner the grief of David is great. He cries loudly and the people share in the grief with him. Of Joab we read nothing.

We see with David the same attitude he showed after the news of Saul’s death. Just as he did over Saul and Jonathan, David also chants a lament over Abner. Through his attitude and reaction to the murder of Abner, the people are won over to the king. David calls here Joab and Abishai “the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). He praises Abner and calls him “a prince and a great man”.

David acknowledges his weakness. He has just become king and faces an enormous task. On the other hand are “these men the sons of Zeruiah”, who are Joab and Abishai, whom he calls “too difficult for me“ or “harder than me”. That David feels weak and is not as hard as “these men” shows a good mind. It is important that the people are governed with care and tenderness and not with a hard hand. We see the effect of a hard government when the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, comes to power. It results in the division of the empire (1 Kings 12:1-19).

God’s king is someone who in the first place shepherds God’s people and then also is prince over that people (1 Chronicles 11:2). Caring for God’s people comes first.

Anyone who has been given a place by the Lord as pastor among His people may pray that the Lord will teach him a lot from Himself as the good Shepherd. When he restored Peter after his denial of Him, He said to Peter in the first place: “Tend My lambs.” Only then did he speak of the shepherding of the sheep (John 21:15-17).

2 Samuel 15:6

David Mourns the Death of Abner

David says to Joab and all the people to lament. If Joab has lamented, it will not have gone warmly. David himself goes after the bier. He is close to the dead, as if Abner was his best friend. Also at the grave of Abner the grief of David is great. He cries loudly and the people share in the grief with him. Of Joab we read nothing.

We see with David the same attitude he showed after the news of Saul’s death. Just as he did over Saul and Jonathan, David also chants a lament over Abner. Through his attitude and reaction to the murder of Abner, the people are won over to the king. David calls here Joab and Abishai “the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). He praises Abner and calls him “a prince and a great man”.

David acknowledges his weakness. He has just become king and faces an enormous task. On the other hand are “these men the sons of Zeruiah”, who are Joab and Abishai, whom he calls “too difficult for me“ or “harder than me”. That David feels weak and is not as hard as “these men” shows a good mind. It is important that the people are governed with care and tenderness and not with a hard hand. We see the effect of a hard government when the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, comes to power. It results in the division of the empire (1 Kings 12:1-19).

God’s king is someone who in the first place shepherds God’s people and then also is prince over that people (1 Chronicles 11:2). Caring for God’s people comes first.

Anyone who has been given a place by the Lord as pastor among His people may pray that the Lord will teach him a lot from Himself as the good Shepherd. When he restored Peter after his denial of Him, He said to Peter in the first place: “Tend My lambs.” Only then did he speak of the shepherding of the sheep (John 21:15-17).

2 Samuel 15:7

David Mourns the Death of Abner

David says to Joab and all the people to lament. If Joab has lamented, it will not have gone warmly. David himself goes after the bier. He is close to the dead, as if Abner was his best friend. Also at the grave of Abner the grief of David is great. He cries loudly and the people share in the grief with him. Of Joab we read nothing.

We see with David the same attitude he showed after the news of Saul’s death. Just as he did over Saul and Jonathan, David also chants a lament over Abner. Through his attitude and reaction to the murder of Abner, the people are won over to the king. David calls here Joab and Abishai “the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). He praises Abner and calls him “a prince and a great man”.

David acknowledges his weakness. He has just become king and faces an enormous task. On the other hand are “these men the sons of Zeruiah”, who are Joab and Abishai, whom he calls “too difficult for me“ or “harder than me”. That David feels weak and is not as hard as “these men” shows a good mind. It is important that the people are governed with care and tenderness and not with a hard hand. We see the effect of a hard government when the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, comes to power. It results in the division of the empire (1 Kings 12:1-19).

God’s king is someone who in the first place shepherds God’s people and then also is prince over that people (1 Chronicles 11:2). Caring for God’s people comes first.

Anyone who has been given a place by the Lord as pastor among His people may pray that the Lord will teach him a lot from Himself as the good Shepherd. When he restored Peter after his denial of Him, He said to Peter in the first place: “Tend My lambs.” Only then did he speak of the shepherding of the sheep (John 21:15-17).

2 Samuel 15:8

David Mourns the Death of Abner

David says to Joab and all the people to lament. If Joab has lamented, it will not have gone warmly. David himself goes after the bier. He is close to the dead, as if Abner was his best friend. Also at the grave of Abner the grief of David is great. He cries loudly and the people share in the grief with him. Of Joab we read nothing.

We see with David the same attitude he showed after the news of Saul’s death. Just as he did over Saul and Jonathan, David also chants a lament over Abner. Through his attitude and reaction to the murder of Abner, the people are won over to the king. David calls here Joab and Abishai “the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). He praises Abner and calls him “a prince and a great man”.

David acknowledges his weakness. He has just become king and faces an enormous task. On the other hand are “these men the sons of Zeruiah”, who are Joab and Abishai, whom he calls “too difficult for me“ or “harder than me”. That David feels weak and is not as hard as “these men” shows a good mind. It is important that the people are governed with care and tenderness and not with a hard hand. We see the effect of a hard government when the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, comes to power. It results in the division of the empire (1 Kings 12:1-19).

God’s king is someone who in the first place shepherds God’s people and then also is prince over that people (1 Chronicles 11:2). Caring for God’s people comes first.

Anyone who has been given a place by the Lord as pastor among His people may pray that the Lord will teach him a lot from Himself as the good Shepherd. When he restored Peter after his denial of Him, He said to Peter in the first place: “Tend My lambs.” Only then did he speak of the shepherding of the sheep (John 21:15-17).

2 Samuel 15:9

David Mourns the Death of Abner

David says to Joab and all the people to lament. If Joab has lamented, it will not have gone warmly. David himself goes after the bier. He is close to the dead, as if Abner was his best friend. Also at the grave of Abner the grief of David is great. He cries loudly and the people share in the grief with him. Of Joab we read nothing.

We see with David the same attitude he showed after the news of Saul’s death. Just as he did over Saul and Jonathan, David also chants a lament over Abner. Through his attitude and reaction to the murder of Abner, the people are won over to the king. David calls here Joab and Abishai “the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). He praises Abner and calls him “a prince and a great man”.

David acknowledges his weakness. He has just become king and faces an enormous task. On the other hand are “these men the sons of Zeruiah”, who are Joab and Abishai, whom he calls “too difficult for me“ or “harder than me”. That David feels weak and is not as hard as “these men” shows a good mind. It is important that the people are governed with care and tenderness and not with a hard hand. We see the effect of a hard government when the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, comes to power. It results in the division of the empire (1 Kings 12:1-19).

God’s king is someone who in the first place shepherds God’s people and then also is prince over that people (1 Chronicles 11:2). Caring for God’s people comes first.

Anyone who has been given a place by the Lord as pastor among His people may pray that the Lord will teach him a lot from Himself as the good Shepherd. When he restored Peter after his denial of Him, He said to Peter in the first place: “Tend My lambs.” Only then did he speak of the shepherding of the sheep (John 21:15-17).

2 Samuel 15:10

David Mourns the Death of Abner

David says to Joab and all the people to lament. If Joab has lamented, it will not have gone warmly. David himself goes after the bier. He is close to the dead, as if Abner was his best friend. Also at the grave of Abner the grief of David is great. He cries loudly and the people share in the grief with him. Of Joab we read nothing.

We see with David the same attitude he showed after the news of Saul’s death. Just as he did over Saul and Jonathan, David also chants a lament over Abner. Through his attitude and reaction to the murder of Abner, the people are won over to the king. David calls here Joab and Abishai “the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). He praises Abner and calls him “a prince and a great man”.

David acknowledges his weakness. He has just become king and faces an enormous task. On the other hand are “these men the sons of Zeruiah”, who are Joab and Abishai, whom he calls “too difficult for me“ or “harder than me”. That David feels weak and is not as hard as “these men” shows a good mind. It is important that the people are governed with care and tenderness and not with a hard hand. We see the effect of a hard government when the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, comes to power. It results in the division of the empire (1 Kings 12:1-19).

God’s king is someone who in the first place shepherds God’s people and then also is prince over that people (1 Chronicles 11:2). Caring for God’s people comes first.

Anyone who has been given a place by the Lord as pastor among His people may pray that the Lord will teach him a lot from Himself as the good Shepherd. When he restored Peter after his denial of Him, He said to Peter in the first place: “Tend My lambs.” Only then did he speak of the shepherding of the sheep (John 21:15-17).

2 Samuel 15:11

David Mourns the Death of Abner

David says to Joab and all the people to lament. If Joab has lamented, it will not have gone warmly. David himself goes after the bier. He is close to the dead, as if Abner was his best friend. Also at the grave of Abner the grief of David is great. He cries loudly and the people share in the grief with him. Of Joab we read nothing.

We see with David the same attitude he showed after the news of Saul’s death. Just as he did over Saul and Jonathan, David also chants a lament over Abner. Through his attitude and reaction to the murder of Abner, the people are won over to the king. David calls here Joab and Abishai “the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). He praises Abner and calls him “a prince and a great man”.

David acknowledges his weakness. He has just become king and faces an enormous task. On the other hand are “these men the sons of Zeruiah”, who are Joab and Abishai, whom he calls “too difficult for me“ or “harder than me”. That David feels weak and is not as hard as “these men” shows a good mind. It is important that the people are governed with care and tenderness and not with a hard hand. We see the effect of a hard government when the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, comes to power. It results in the division of the empire (1 Kings 12:1-19).

God’s king is someone who in the first place shepherds God’s people and then also is prince over that people (1 Chronicles 11:2). Caring for God’s people comes first.

Anyone who has been given a place by the Lord as pastor among His people may pray that the Lord will teach him a lot from Himself as the good Shepherd. When he restored Peter after his denial of Him, He said to Peter in the first place: “Tend My lambs.” Only then did he speak of the shepherding of the sheep (John 21:15-17).

2 Samuel 15:12

David Mourns the Death of Abner

David says to Joab and all the people to lament. If Joab has lamented, it will not have gone warmly. David himself goes after the bier. He is close to the dead, as if Abner was his best friend. Also at the grave of Abner the grief of David is great. He cries loudly and the people share in the grief with him. Of Joab we read nothing.

We see with David the same attitude he showed after the news of Saul’s death. Just as he did over Saul and Jonathan, David also chants a lament over Abner. Through his attitude and reaction to the murder of Abner, the people are won over to the king. David calls here Joab and Abishai “the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). He praises Abner and calls him “a prince and a great man”.

David acknowledges his weakness. He has just become king and faces an enormous task. On the other hand are “these men the sons of Zeruiah”, who are Joab and Abishai, whom he calls “too difficult for me“ or “harder than me”. That David feels weak and is not as hard as “these men” shows a good mind. It is important that the people are governed with care and tenderness and not with a hard hand. We see the effect of a hard government when the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, comes to power. It results in the division of the empire (1 Kings 12:1-19).

God’s king is someone who in the first place shepherds God’s people and then also is prince over that people (1 Chronicles 11:2). Caring for God’s people comes first.

Anyone who has been given a place by the Lord as pastor among His people may pray that the Lord will teach him a lot from Himself as the good Shepherd. When he restored Peter after his denial of Him, He said to Peter in the first place: “Tend My lambs.” Only then did he speak of the shepherding of the sheep (John 21:15-17).

2 Samuel 15:13

David Mourns the Death of Abner

David says to Joab and all the people to lament. If Joab has lamented, it will not have gone warmly. David himself goes after the bier. He is close to the dead, as if Abner was his best friend. Also at the grave of Abner the grief of David is great. He cries loudly and the people share in the grief with him. Of Joab we read nothing.

We see with David the same attitude he showed after the news of Saul’s death. Just as he did over Saul and Jonathan, David also chants a lament over Abner. Through his attitude and reaction to the murder of Abner, the people are won over to the king. David calls here Joab and Abishai “the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). He praises Abner and calls him “a prince and a great man”.

David acknowledges his weakness. He has just become king and faces an enormous task. On the other hand are “these men the sons of Zeruiah”, who are Joab and Abishai, whom he calls “too difficult for me“ or “harder than me”. That David feels weak and is not as hard as “these men” shows a good mind. It is important that the people are governed with care and tenderness and not with a hard hand. We see the effect of a hard government when the son of Solomon, Rehoboam, comes to power. It results in the division of the empire (1 Kings 12:1-19).

God’s king is someone who in the first place shepherds God’s people and then also is prince over that people (1 Chronicles 11:2). Caring for God’s people comes first.

Anyone who has been given a place by the Lord as pastor among His people may pray that the Lord will teach him a lot from Himself as the good Shepherd. When he restored Peter after his denial of Him, He said to Peter in the first place: “Tend My lambs.” Only then did he speak of the shepherding of the sheep (John 21:15-17).

2 Samuel 15:15

Two Servants of Saul

Without Abner, Ish-bosheth is without power. After Abner is murdered, the leader is gone on whom Ish-bosheth and the people trusted. If a support point falls away, fear arises. Now that Ish-bosheth is powerless and the people are confused, two men see that as the ideal opportunity to kill Ish-bosheth. Through them David is tempted for the third time to take the kingdom not from the hand of the LORD, but from the hand of men.

2 Samuel 15:16

Two Servants of Saul

Without Abner, Ish-bosheth is without power. After Abner is murdered, the leader is gone on whom Ish-bosheth and the people trusted. If a support point falls away, fear arises. Now that Ish-bosheth is powerless and the people are confused, two men see that as the ideal opportunity to kill Ish-bosheth. Through them David is tempted for the third time to take the kingdom not from the hand of the LORD, but from the hand of men.

2 Samuel 15:17

Two Servants of Saul

Without Abner, Ish-bosheth is without power. After Abner is murdered, the leader is gone on whom Ish-bosheth and the people trusted. If a support point falls away, fear arises. Now that Ish-bosheth is powerless and the people are confused, two men see that as the ideal opportunity to kill Ish-bosheth. Through them David is tempted for the third time to take the kingdom not from the hand of the LORD, but from the hand of men.

2 Samuel 15:18

Mephibosheth

Before the cowardly murder by both men is described, the Holy Spirit interrupts history to focus on Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. In this one verse much is told about him. We read about his disability, how old he was when his father died, that he was cared for by a nurse and the cause of his disability. His nurse had fled, possibly for fear of David. As a result, the boy entrusted to her care can no longer walk.

For pastoral care there are several applications to be derived from this. You may have been entrusted to someone for whom parenting is a profession. A love bond like the one with a mother doesn’t exist with that person. What you are missing then is already a lot. You will then lose your father at the age of five. And if, immediately after that, because your educator makes a stupid move, you also lose your health, the drama seems complete.

None of these things you can do anything about. They happen to you. There’s nothing you can do about your education being outsourced. The loss of your father is also a matter that is beyond you. The same goes for the loss of your health. In addition, you belong to a family that has been put aside because of unfaithfulness toward God. You are stuck on all sides. Then you don’t have a future anymore, do you? All that remains for you is grace. This is what Mephibosheth later gets from David and that is what anyone in such circumstances can get from the Lord Jesus.

Mephibosheth has never been a danger to David with regard to his reign. Neither he nor his nurse had anything to fear. The run is the result of not knowing the heart of David. Otherwise she would not have fled and would have counted on his grace and mercy. Today many see the Lord Jesus in this way. Many hold Him for a hard and severe Man. He will surely be so for those who remain His enemies, when they stand before the great white throne. However, whoever appeals to His grace will experience that He is merciful. Mephibosheth will experience that David takes care of him.

2 Samuel 15:19

Ish-bosheth Is Murdered

While Ish-bosheth rests, Rechab and Baanah his brother enter the palace under a pretense. They pretend to come to get wheat (2 Samuel 4:6) and appeal to the mercy of Ish-bosheth. This gives them access to him. They cut off his head and take it with them to David. They sacrifice their night’s rest to bring David the tidings that his competitor is dead. They make it seem as if they are the executors of the will of the LORD to help him in this way to become king (2 Samuel 4:8b).

By the use of the word “thus” they indicate that, by killing Ish-bosheth, they have carried out the will of the LORD. They boast that they exercised the LORD’s revenge on Saul and his descendants. After the Amalekite and Abner, these two murderers now come to offer David the kingdom.

2 Samuel 15:20

Ish-bosheth Is Murdered

While Ish-bosheth rests, Rechab and Baanah his brother enter the palace under a pretense. They pretend to come to get wheat (2 Samuel 4:6) and appeal to the mercy of Ish-bosheth. This gives them access to him. They cut off his head and take it with them to David. They sacrifice their night’s rest to bring David the tidings that his competitor is dead. They make it seem as if they are the executors of the will of the LORD to help him in this way to become king (2 Samuel 4:8b).

By the use of the word “thus” they indicate that, by killing Ish-bosheth, they have carried out the will of the LORD. They boast that they exercised the LORD’s revenge on Saul and his descendants. After the Amalekite and Abner, these two murderers now come to offer David the kingdom.

2 Samuel 15:21

Ish-bosheth Is Murdered

While Ish-bosheth rests, Rechab and Baanah his brother enter the palace under a pretense. They pretend to come to get wheat (2 Samuel 4:6) and appeal to the mercy of Ish-bosheth. This gives them access to him. They cut off his head and take it with them to David. They sacrifice their night’s rest to bring David the tidings that his competitor is dead. They make it seem as if they are the executors of the will of the LORD to help him in this way to become king (2 Samuel 4:8b).

By the use of the word “thus” they indicate that, by killing Ish-bosheth, they have carried out the will of the LORD. They boast that they exercised the LORD’s revenge on Saul and his descendants. After the Amalekite and Abner, these two murderers now come to offer David the kingdom.

2 Samuel 15:22

Ish-bosheth Is Murdered

While Ish-bosheth rests, Rechab and Baanah his brother enter the palace under a pretense. They pretend to come to get wheat (2 Samuel 4:6) and appeal to the mercy of Ish-bosheth. This gives them access to him. They cut off his head and take it with them to David. They sacrifice their night’s rest to bring David the tidings that his competitor is dead. They make it seem as if they are the executors of the will of the LORD to help him in this way to become king (2 Samuel 4:8b).

By the use of the word “thus” they indicate that, by killing Ish-bosheth, they have carried out the will of the LORD. They boast that they exercised the LORD’s revenge on Saul and his descendants. After the Amalekite and Abner, these two murderers now come to offer David the kingdom.

2 Samuel 15:23

David’s Answer

Fleeing from David, not submitting to his authority, has paralysis as a consequence. Going to David with false motives leads to death. The latter is experienced by the murderers of Ish-bosheth. They’re grossly mistaken about David because they don’t know him. David does not fall into this new trap. He learned the lesson of the previous chapter, where he was about to make a covenant with Abner (2 Samuel 3:12-13). He also refers to a previous event that someone thought he was bringing him good news (2 Samuel 4:10; 2 Samuel 1:11-16).

Now he says that the LORD has redeemed him from all distress (2 Samuel 4:9). He brings the matter into its true perspective. Only the LORD has helped him against Saul, and not these two murderers. He expresses his confidence that the LORD will arrange it for him further. He does not have to take anything in his own hand or accept from others.

We may learn from David’s attitude to the murderers of Ish-bosheth that we can leave everything to the Lord. We need not take anything into our own hands or be dependent on others when it comes to what the Lord asks of us and wants us to do. He has helped so many times in the past. He will accomplish it for us (Psalms 138:8; Psalms 57:2; cf. Rth 3:18).

David calls Ish-bosheth righteous in comparison with these two murderers. Ish-bosheth has never been a murderer. The Amalekite has been killed, Abner has been killed, and both these men are also killed. The hands with which they committed the murder and the feet with which they went a violent and corrupt way are cut off.

2 Samuel 15:24

David’s Answer

Fleeing from David, not submitting to his authority, has paralysis as a consequence. Going to David with false motives leads to death. The latter is experienced by the murderers of Ish-bosheth. They’re grossly mistaken about David because they don’t know him. David does not fall into this new trap. He learned the lesson of the previous chapter, where he was about to make a covenant with Abner (2 Samuel 3:12-13). He also refers to a previous event that someone thought he was bringing him good news (2 Samuel 4:10; 2 Samuel 1:11-16).

Now he says that the LORD has redeemed him from all distress (2 Samuel 4:9). He brings the matter into its true perspective. Only the LORD has helped him against Saul, and not these two murderers. He expresses his confidence that the LORD will arrange it for him further. He does not have to take anything in his own hand or accept from others.

We may learn from David’s attitude to the murderers of Ish-bosheth that we can leave everything to the Lord. We need not take anything into our own hands or be dependent on others when it comes to what the Lord asks of us and wants us to do. He has helped so many times in the past. He will accomplish it for us (Psalms 138:8; Psalms 57:2; cf. Rth 3:18).

David calls Ish-bosheth righteous in comparison with these two murderers. Ish-bosheth has never been a murderer. The Amalekite has been killed, Abner has been killed, and both these men are also killed. The hands with which they committed the murder and the feet with which they went a violent and corrupt way are cut off.

2 Samuel 15:25

David’s Answer

Fleeing from David, not submitting to his authority, has paralysis as a consequence. Going to David with false motives leads to death. The latter is experienced by the murderers of Ish-bosheth. They’re grossly mistaken about David because they don’t know him. David does not fall into this new trap. He learned the lesson of the previous chapter, where he was about to make a covenant with Abner (2 Samuel 3:12-13). He also refers to a previous event that someone thought he was bringing him good news (2 Samuel 4:10; 2 Samuel 1:11-16).

Now he says that the LORD has redeemed him from all distress (2 Samuel 4:9). He brings the matter into its true perspective. Only the LORD has helped him against Saul, and not these two murderers. He expresses his confidence that the LORD will arrange it for him further. He does not have to take anything in his own hand or accept from others.

We may learn from David’s attitude to the murderers of Ish-bosheth that we can leave everything to the Lord. We need not take anything into our own hands or be dependent on others when it comes to what the Lord asks of us and wants us to do. He has helped so many times in the past. He will accomplish it for us (Psalms 138:8; Psalms 57:2; cf. Rth 3:18).

David calls Ish-bosheth righteous in comparison with these two murderers. Ish-bosheth has never been a murderer. The Amalekite has been killed, Abner has been killed, and both these men are also killed. The hands with which they committed the murder and the feet with which they went a violent and corrupt way are cut off.

2 Samuel 15:26

David’s Answer

Fleeing from David, not submitting to his authority, has paralysis as a consequence. Going to David with false motives leads to death. The latter is experienced by the murderers of Ish-bosheth. They’re grossly mistaken about David because they don’t know him. David does not fall into this new trap. He learned the lesson of the previous chapter, where he was about to make a covenant with Abner (2 Samuel 3:12-13). He also refers to a previous event that someone thought he was bringing him good news (2 Samuel 4:10; 2 Samuel 1:11-16).

Now he says that the LORD has redeemed him from all distress (2 Samuel 4:9). He brings the matter into its true perspective. Only the LORD has helped him against Saul, and not these two murderers. He expresses his confidence that the LORD will arrange it for him further. He does not have to take anything in his own hand or accept from others.

We may learn from David’s attitude to the murderers of Ish-bosheth that we can leave everything to the Lord. We need not take anything into our own hands or be dependent on others when it comes to what the Lord asks of us and wants us to do. He has helped so many times in the past. He will accomplish it for us (Psalms 138:8; Psalms 57:2; cf. Rth 3:18).

David calls Ish-bosheth righteous in comparison with these two murderers. Ish-bosheth has never been a murderer. The Amalekite has been killed, Abner has been killed, and both these men are also killed. The hands with which they committed the murder and the feet with which they went a violent and corrupt way are cut off.

2 Samuel 15:28

David King over Israel

After seven and a half years David becomes king of all the people. It has taken that long. All the time Saul ruled over them, all the tribes knew who really led Israel. Although they knew it, they never openly chose David’s side. There can be knowledge, but when faith is lacking, one does nothing with it.

The chapter begins with the word “then”, i.e. after the events described in the previous chapter. The ten tribes have seen that David is innocent of Ish-bosheth’s death and that he has punished the murderers. Then the time has come for all the tribes of Israel to declare openly that they are his family. They can say this because they all descend from Jacob (cf. Judges 9:2).

At the end of 2 Samuel 5:2 we see a remarkable sequence. First there is talk about “will shepherd” and then about “will be a ruler”. This means that the first task is to care for God’s people and then the government comes. Be shepherd first, then become king. We also see this with the Lord Jesus. He is already the good Shepherd and will soon openly accept His kingship.

For our personal lives, it is clear from this that we will submit to His dominion over our lives, precisely because He takes care of us every day. There is also a lot to learn here for the attitude of the husband toward his wife and for the attitude of parents toward their children. It is also important for the authority in the church of God.

If God has given persons a place of authority, whether in the church or in the family, that authority can only be properly exercised by those who know what it is to serve, to be the least and to care for fellow believers. Such persons show the picture of the Lord Jesus. Subservience is much easier to put into practice toward someone who cares about you, who cares for you with love, than toward someone who only wants to control you and abuses his position of authority in this way. With God, authority is never separated from care and love, and this has become perfectly visible in and through the Lord Jesus.

Then David is anointed king for the third time, now over all Israel. The first time he was anointed by Samuel in the midst of his brothers (1 Samuel 16:13a). The second time he was anointed by the men of Judah over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4a). Here the third anointing of David takes place. This third anointing speaks of the coming of the Lord Jesus on earth, when He is accepted as Messiah by all the people, who are all twelve tribes returned to the land.

2 Samuel 15:29

David King over Israel

After seven and a half years David becomes king of all the people. It has taken that long. All the time Saul ruled over them, all the tribes knew who really led Israel. Although they knew it, they never openly chose David’s side. There can be knowledge, but when faith is lacking, one does nothing with it.

The chapter begins with the word “then”, i.e. after the events described in the previous chapter. The ten tribes have seen that David is innocent of Ish-bosheth’s death and that he has punished the murderers. Then the time has come for all the tribes of Israel to declare openly that they are his family. They can say this because they all descend from Jacob (cf. Judges 9:2).

At the end of 2 Samuel 5:2 we see a remarkable sequence. First there is talk about “will shepherd” and then about “will be a ruler”. This means that the first task is to care for God’s people and then the government comes. Be shepherd first, then become king. We also see this with the Lord Jesus. He is already the good Shepherd and will soon openly accept His kingship.

For our personal lives, it is clear from this that we will submit to His dominion over our lives, precisely because He takes care of us every day. There is also a lot to learn here for the attitude of the husband toward his wife and for the attitude of parents toward their children. It is also important for the authority in the church of God.

If God has given persons a place of authority, whether in the church or in the family, that authority can only be properly exercised by those who know what it is to serve, to be the least and to care for fellow believers. Such persons show the picture of the Lord Jesus. Subservience is much easier to put into practice toward someone who cares about you, who cares for you with love, than toward someone who only wants to control you and abuses his position of authority in this way. With God, authority is never separated from care and love, and this has become perfectly visible in and through the Lord Jesus.

Then David is anointed king for the third time, now over all Israel. The first time he was anointed by Samuel in the midst of his brothers (1 Samuel 16:13a). The second time he was anointed by the men of Judah over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4a). Here the third anointing of David takes place. This third anointing speaks of the coming of the Lord Jesus on earth, when He is accepted as Messiah by all the people, who are all twelve tribes returned to the land.

2 Samuel 15:30

David King over Israel

After seven and a half years David becomes king of all the people. It has taken that long. All the time Saul ruled over them, all the tribes knew who really led Israel. Although they knew it, they never openly chose David’s side. There can be knowledge, but when faith is lacking, one does nothing with it.

The chapter begins with the word “then”, i.e. after the events described in the previous chapter. The ten tribes have seen that David is innocent of Ish-bosheth’s death and that he has punished the murderers. Then the time has come for all the tribes of Israel to declare openly that they are his family. They can say this because they all descend from Jacob (cf. Judges 9:2).

At the end of 2 Samuel 5:2 we see a remarkable sequence. First there is talk about “will shepherd” and then about “will be a ruler”. This means that the first task is to care for God’s people and then the government comes. Be shepherd first, then become king. We also see this with the Lord Jesus. He is already the good Shepherd and will soon openly accept His kingship.

For our personal lives, it is clear from this that we will submit to His dominion over our lives, precisely because He takes care of us every day. There is also a lot to learn here for the attitude of the husband toward his wife and for the attitude of parents toward their children. It is also important for the authority in the church of God.

If God has given persons a place of authority, whether in the church or in the family, that authority can only be properly exercised by those who know what it is to serve, to be the least and to care for fellow believers. Such persons show the picture of the Lord Jesus. Subservience is much easier to put into practice toward someone who cares about you, who cares for you with love, than toward someone who only wants to control you and abuses his position of authority in this way. With God, authority is never separated from care and love, and this has become perfectly visible in and through the Lord Jesus.

Then David is anointed king for the third time, now over all Israel. The first time he was anointed by Samuel in the midst of his brothers (1 Samuel 16:13a). The second time he was anointed by the men of Judah over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4a). Here the third anointing of David takes place. This third anointing speaks of the coming of the Lord Jesus on earth, when He is accepted as Messiah by all the people, who are all twelve tribes returned to the land.

2 Samuel 15:31

David King over Israel

After seven and a half years David becomes king of all the people. It has taken that long. All the time Saul ruled over them, all the tribes knew who really led Israel. Although they knew it, they never openly chose David’s side. There can be knowledge, but when faith is lacking, one does nothing with it.

The chapter begins with the word “then”, i.e. after the events described in the previous chapter. The ten tribes have seen that David is innocent of Ish-bosheth’s death and that he has punished the murderers. Then the time has come for all the tribes of Israel to declare openly that they are his family. They can say this because they all descend from Jacob (cf. Judges 9:2).

At the end of 2 Samuel 5:2 we see a remarkable sequence. First there is talk about “will shepherd” and then about “will be a ruler”. This means that the first task is to care for God’s people and then the government comes. Be shepherd first, then become king. We also see this with the Lord Jesus. He is already the good Shepherd and will soon openly accept His kingship.

For our personal lives, it is clear from this that we will submit to His dominion over our lives, precisely because He takes care of us every day. There is also a lot to learn here for the attitude of the husband toward his wife and for the attitude of parents toward their children. It is also important for the authority in the church of God.

If God has given persons a place of authority, whether in the church or in the family, that authority can only be properly exercised by those who know what it is to serve, to be the least and to care for fellow believers. Such persons show the picture of the Lord Jesus. Subservience is much easier to put into practice toward someone who cares about you, who cares for you with love, than toward someone who only wants to control you and abuses his position of authority in this way. With God, authority is never separated from care and love, and this has become perfectly visible in and through the Lord Jesus.

Then David is anointed king for the third time, now over all Israel. The first time he was anointed by Samuel in the midst of his brothers (1 Samuel 16:13a). The second time he was anointed by the men of Judah over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4a). Here the third anointing of David takes place. This third anointing speaks of the coming of the Lord Jesus on earth, when He is accepted as Messiah by all the people, who are all twelve tribes returned to the land.

2 Samuel 15:32

David King over Israel

After seven and a half years David becomes king of all the people. It has taken that long. All the time Saul ruled over them, all the tribes knew who really led Israel. Although they knew it, they never openly chose David’s side. There can be knowledge, but when faith is lacking, one does nothing with it.

The chapter begins with the word “then”, i.e. after the events described in the previous chapter. The ten tribes have seen that David is innocent of Ish-bosheth’s death and that he has punished the murderers. Then the time has come for all the tribes of Israel to declare openly that they are his family. They can say this because they all descend from Jacob (cf. Judges 9:2).

At the end of 2 Samuel 5:2 we see a remarkable sequence. First there is talk about “will shepherd” and then about “will be a ruler”. This means that the first task is to care for God’s people and then the government comes. Be shepherd first, then become king. We also see this with the Lord Jesus. He is already the good Shepherd and will soon openly accept His kingship.

For our personal lives, it is clear from this that we will submit to His dominion over our lives, precisely because He takes care of us every day. There is also a lot to learn here for the attitude of the husband toward his wife and for the attitude of parents toward their children. It is also important for the authority in the church of God.

If God has given persons a place of authority, whether in the church or in the family, that authority can only be properly exercised by those who know what it is to serve, to be the least and to care for fellow believers. Such persons show the picture of the Lord Jesus. Subservience is much easier to put into practice toward someone who cares about you, who cares for you with love, than toward someone who only wants to control you and abuses his position of authority in this way. With God, authority is never separated from care and love, and this has become perfectly visible in and through the Lord Jesus.

Then David is anointed king for the third time, now over all Israel. The first time he was anointed by Samuel in the midst of his brothers (1 Samuel 16:13a). The second time he was anointed by the men of Judah over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4a). Here the third anointing of David takes place. This third anointing speaks of the coming of the Lord Jesus on earth, when He is accepted as Messiah by all the people, who are all twelve tribes returned to the land.

2 Samuel 15:33

David in Jerusalem

David goes to Jerusalem. This is an important step. Hebron is not a suitable capital city. Jerusalem is centrally located for all the tribes of the kingdom. Politically speaking, it is therefore wise to go there. It is also a good choice from a military point of view. Jerusalem is high and is an excellent fortress.

Besides a good military reason there is also a more important one, more a spiritual one. The place where he goes is the place where Abraham sacrificed his son, Mount Moria. Right next to it is Sion.

Jerusalem has been mentioned before in history as the city taken by Judah, but they have not been able to drive out all the Jebusites (Judges 1:8; Joshua 15:63). The sons of Benjamin also failed to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem (Judges 1:21). So there is still a camp of enemies in Jebus. David is going to drive them out.

Jerusalem is the religious name. Therein is the word Salem, the name of the city where Melchizedek was king (Genesis 14:18). Salem means ‘peace’ (Hebrews 7:1-2). Yet the city is also called Jebus, which means ‘trample’. It is still a trampled city. In the future, the city will once again be “trampled under foot by the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). Then the Lord Jesus comes to earth to make Jerusalem the city of peace. He will judge the people for this and deliver the city from enemies. Then the Prince of peace will reign. Prophetically, we see David doing this here.

The enemy in Jebus doesn’t just surrender. The Jebusites are convinced of their own strength. In his reaction David is not a picture of the Lord Jesus. He is obviously offended, he is the hurt leader. When the Lord Jesus is later in this city, it becomes clear how much He loves, for example, the blind. The lame and the blind are excluded by David, but the Lord Jesus says that they should be invited into the house (Luke 14:13).

For us, the lesson is how we feel about the poor in the church. When we think of the ‘lame’ we can think of people who have no strength for a good walk and when we think of the ‘blind’ we can think of those who have no insight in certain truths.

David’s aversion to this group is not according to God’s mind. Luckily, he acts differently with Mephibosheth later (2 Samuel 9:3; 6-7; 13).

It is also possible that here in David we can see a type of the Lord Jesus. Then it is not so that David has an abhorrence of lame and blind people in general, but of these lame and blind people because they resist him in his right to Jerusalem. The lame and blind are those who, as the Jebusites say, will turn David away. In their view, David’s weakness is that great that even people with disabilities are strong enough to chase him away. If such people manifest themselves as enemies of the rightful owner of Jerusalem, the city of David, it is right that he should abhor them. The Lord Jesus also hates all those who commit iniquity.

Once David is king, we see in him less and less the man of faith he was when he was chased by Saul. Then he was in circumstances that made him walk in dependence on God. Yet we can say that David is generally guided by God.

2 Samuel 15:34

David in Jerusalem

David goes to Jerusalem. This is an important step. Hebron is not a suitable capital city. Jerusalem is centrally located for all the tribes of the kingdom. Politically speaking, it is therefore wise to go there. It is also a good choice from a military point of view. Jerusalem is high and is an excellent fortress.

Besides a good military reason there is also a more important one, more a spiritual one. The place where he goes is the place where Abraham sacrificed his son, Mount Moria. Right next to it is Sion.

Jerusalem has been mentioned before in history as the city taken by Judah, but they have not been able to drive out all the Jebusites (Judges 1:8; Joshua 15:63). The sons of Benjamin also failed to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem (Judges 1:21). So there is still a camp of enemies in Jebus. David is going to drive them out.

Jerusalem is the religious name. Therein is the word Salem, the name of the city where Melchizedek was king (Genesis 14:18). Salem means ‘peace’ (Hebrews 7:1-2). Yet the city is also called Jebus, which means ‘trample’. It is still a trampled city. In the future, the city will once again be “trampled under foot by the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). Then the Lord Jesus comes to earth to make Jerusalem the city of peace. He will judge the people for this and deliver the city from enemies. Then the Prince of peace will reign. Prophetically, we see David doing this here.

The enemy in Jebus doesn’t just surrender. The Jebusites are convinced of their own strength. In his reaction David is not a picture of the Lord Jesus. He is obviously offended, he is the hurt leader. When the Lord Jesus is later in this city, it becomes clear how much He loves, for example, the blind. The lame and the blind are excluded by David, but the Lord Jesus says that they should be invited into the house (Luke 14:13).

For us, the lesson is how we feel about the poor in the church. When we think of the ‘lame’ we can think of people who have no strength for a good walk and when we think of the ‘blind’ we can think of those who have no insight in certain truths.

David’s aversion to this group is not according to God’s mind. Luckily, he acts differently with Mephibosheth later (2 Samuel 9:3; 6-7; 13).

It is also possible that here in David we can see a type of the Lord Jesus. Then it is not so that David has an abhorrence of lame and blind people in general, but of these lame and blind people because they resist him in his right to Jerusalem. The lame and blind are those who, as the Jebusites say, will turn David away. In their view, David’s weakness is that great that even people with disabilities are strong enough to chase him away. If such people manifest themselves as enemies of the rightful owner of Jerusalem, the city of David, it is right that he should abhor them. The Lord Jesus also hates all those who commit iniquity.

Once David is king, we see in him less and less the man of faith he was when he was chased by Saul. Then he was in circumstances that made him walk in dependence on God. Yet we can say that David is generally guided by God.

2 Samuel 15:35

David in Jerusalem

David goes to Jerusalem. This is an important step. Hebron is not a suitable capital city. Jerusalem is centrally located for all the tribes of the kingdom. Politically speaking, it is therefore wise to go there. It is also a good choice from a military point of view. Jerusalem is high and is an excellent fortress.

Besides a good military reason there is also a more important one, more a spiritual one. The place where he goes is the place where Abraham sacrificed his son, Mount Moria. Right next to it is Sion.

Jerusalem has been mentioned before in history as the city taken by Judah, but they have not been able to drive out all the Jebusites (Judges 1:8; Joshua 15:63). The sons of Benjamin also failed to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem (Judges 1:21). So there is still a camp of enemies in Jebus. David is going to drive them out.

Jerusalem is the religious name. Therein is the word Salem, the name of the city where Melchizedek was king (Genesis 14:18). Salem means ‘peace’ (Hebrews 7:1-2). Yet the city is also called Jebus, which means ‘trample’. It is still a trampled city. In the future, the city will once again be “trampled under foot by the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). Then the Lord Jesus comes to earth to make Jerusalem the city of peace. He will judge the people for this and deliver the city from enemies. Then the Prince of peace will reign. Prophetically, we see David doing this here.

The enemy in Jebus doesn’t just surrender. The Jebusites are convinced of their own strength. In his reaction David is not a picture of the Lord Jesus. He is obviously offended, he is the hurt leader. When the Lord Jesus is later in this city, it becomes clear how much He loves, for example, the blind. The lame and the blind are excluded by David, but the Lord Jesus says that they should be invited into the house (Luke 14:13).

For us, the lesson is how we feel about the poor in the church. When we think of the ‘lame’ we can think of people who have no strength for a good walk and when we think of the ‘blind’ we can think of those who have no insight in certain truths.

David’s aversion to this group is not according to God’s mind. Luckily, he acts differently with Mephibosheth later (2 Samuel 9:3; 6-7; 13).

It is also possible that here in David we can see a type of the Lord Jesus. Then it is not so that David has an abhorrence of lame and blind people in general, but of these lame and blind people because they resist him in his right to Jerusalem. The lame and blind are those who, as the Jebusites say, will turn David away. In their view, David’s weakness is that great that even people with disabilities are strong enough to chase him away. If such people manifest themselves as enemies of the rightful owner of Jerusalem, the city of David, it is right that he should abhor them. The Lord Jesus also hates all those who commit iniquity.

Once David is king, we see in him less and less the man of faith he was when he was chased by Saul. Then he was in circumstances that made him walk in dependence on God. Yet we can say that David is generally guided by God.

2 Samuel 15:36

David in Jerusalem

David goes to Jerusalem. This is an important step. Hebron is not a suitable capital city. Jerusalem is centrally located for all the tribes of the kingdom. Politically speaking, it is therefore wise to go there. It is also a good choice from a military point of view. Jerusalem is high and is an excellent fortress.

Besides a good military reason there is also a more important one, more a spiritual one. The place where he goes is the place where Abraham sacrificed his son, Mount Moria. Right next to it is Sion.

Jerusalem has been mentioned before in history as the city taken by Judah, but they have not been able to drive out all the Jebusites (Judges 1:8; Joshua 15:63). The sons of Benjamin also failed to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem (Judges 1:21). So there is still a camp of enemies in Jebus. David is going to drive them out.

Jerusalem is the religious name. Therein is the word Salem, the name of the city where Melchizedek was king (Genesis 14:18). Salem means ‘peace’ (Hebrews 7:1-2). Yet the city is also called Jebus, which means ‘trample’. It is still a trampled city. In the future, the city will once again be “trampled under foot by the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). Then the Lord Jesus comes to earth to make Jerusalem the city of peace. He will judge the people for this and deliver the city from enemies. Then the Prince of peace will reign. Prophetically, we see David doing this here.

The enemy in Jebus doesn’t just surrender. The Jebusites are convinced of their own strength. In his reaction David is not a picture of the Lord Jesus. He is obviously offended, he is the hurt leader. When the Lord Jesus is later in this city, it becomes clear how much He loves, for example, the blind. The lame and the blind are excluded by David, but the Lord Jesus says that they should be invited into the house (Luke 14:13).

For us, the lesson is how we feel about the poor in the church. When we think of the ‘lame’ we can think of people who have no strength for a good walk and when we think of the ‘blind’ we can think of those who have no insight in certain truths.

David’s aversion to this group is not according to God’s mind. Luckily, he acts differently with Mephibosheth later (2 Samuel 9:3; 6-7; 13).

It is also possible that here in David we can see a type of the Lord Jesus. Then it is not so that David has an abhorrence of lame and blind people in general, but of these lame and blind people because they resist him in his right to Jerusalem. The lame and blind are those who, as the Jebusites say, will turn David away. In their view, David’s weakness is that great that even people with disabilities are strong enough to chase him away. If such people manifest themselves as enemies of the rightful owner of Jerusalem, the city of David, it is right that he should abhor them. The Lord Jesus also hates all those who commit iniquity.

Once David is king, we see in him less and less the man of faith he was when he was chased by Saul. Then he was in circumstances that made him walk in dependence on God. Yet we can say that David is generally guided by God.

2 Samuel 15:37

David Becomes Greater and Greater

Not only does the city become more powerful, but David also becomes more powerful. Because God is with him, he grows in power. Here He is a picture of the Lord Jesus. We also see this in the nations that come and acknowledge his kingship.

David is not proud of his greatness, but realizes that everything comes from the LORD. He also realizes that it is not primarily about him, but about God’s people. It shows the love of the LORD for His people. God so loves His people that He gives them such a king. This also applies to us now. God loves us so much that He has given us the Lord Jesus as Lord. God also wants the dominion of the Lord Jesus to increase in our lives.