2Samuel 3: 1-11…..Politicians’ Behaviour on view.

There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I a dog’s head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David. And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman. God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the LORD has sworn to him, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.” And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

Comment: We know from both Biblical and World history that David became king of the Jews. The Bible says that Samuel the Prophet anointed David to become the king of Israel while Saul still held the position. David served, but often with much trouble under Saul, until Saul died. Immediately he became King of the tribe of Judah. But the remainder of Israel had a weak son of Saul as king but with a powerful ‘Prime Minister’ Abner. While David was currying favour with multiple marriages and possibly with delegations to various groups and towns we are told that ‘David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.‘ A concubine in modern days is called a mistress. She is not a wife but more than a whore – she is a personalized whore kept for a man’s personal sex favours. Important kings (etc) had a stable full of them. We can see here the situation in Ish-bosheth’s kingdom breaking down. Dogs were not house pets in those days in Israel but considered scavengers. Abner used Ish-bosheth’s mistress; Abner when challenged by the king considered that he had been called called a dog, a very nasty insult. We will follow with interest where this leads in the politics of the day!

Prayer: You graciously forgive sins if there is real repentance, forgive us that we see this as an excuse to act against Your Holy ways.