Page 494 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_05_MacArthur_Bible_May.qxd 8/8/03 15:41 Page 475

MAY 15
Who put ornaments of gold on your over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin,
10
apparel. and over all Israel. Ishbosheth, Saul’s son,
was forty years old when he began to reign
25 “How the mighty have fallen in the
midst of the battle! over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only
11
Jonathan was slain in your high places. the house of Judah followed David. And the
26 I am distressed for you, my brother time that David was king in Hebron over the
Jonathan; house of Judah was seven years and six
You have been very pleasant to me; months.
Now Abner the son of Ner, and the ser-
12
Your love to me was wonderful, vants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out
Surpassing the love of women.
13
from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Joab the son
27 “How the mighty have fallen, of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went
And the weapons of war perished!” out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So
they sat down, one on one side of the pool and
It happened after this that David inquired 14
2 of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any the other on the other side of the pool. Then
Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now
of the cities of Judah?” arise and compete before us.”
And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.”
David said, “Where shall I go up?” 15 So they arose and went over by number,
And He said, “To Hebron.”
2 So David went up there, and his two wives twelve from Benjamin, followers of Ishbosheth
also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants
16
of David. And each one grasped his opponent
widow of Nabal the Carmelite. And David by the head and thrust his sword in his oppo-
3
brought up the men who were with him, every nent’s side; so they fell down together.
man with his household. So they dwelt in the Therefore that place was called the Field of
cities of Hebron. 17
4 Then the men of Judah came, and there Sharp Swords, which is in Gibeon. So there
they anointed David king over the house of Ju- was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner
and the men of Israel were beaten before the
dah. And they told David, saying, “The men of servants of David.
Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul.” 18
5 So David sent messengers to the men of Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there:
Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, “You are Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as
fleet of foot as a wild gazelle. So Asahel pur-
19
blessed of the LORD, for you have shown this sued Abner, and in going he did not turn to the
kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried right hand or to the left from following Abner.
him. And now may the LORD show kindness 20 Then Abner looked behind him and said,
6
and truth to you. I also will repay you this “Are you Asahel?”
kindness, because you have done this thing.
7 Now therefore, let your hands be strength- He answered, “I am.”
21
And Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your
ened, and be valiant; for your master Saul is right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one
dead, and also the house of Judah has anoint- of the young men and take his armor for your-
ed me king over them.”
8 But Abner the son of Ner, commander of self.” But Asahel would not turn aside from
22
Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul following him. So Abner said again to Asahel,
“Turn aside from following me. Why should I
and brought him over to Mahanaim; and he strike you to the ground? How then could I
9
made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites,
face your brother Joab?” 23 However, he
refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck
him in the stomach with the blunt end of the
spear, so that the spear came out of his back;
2:4 anointed David king. David had already and he fell down there and died on the spot.
been privately anointed king by Samuel So it was that as many as came to the place
(1 Sam. 16:3). This anointing recognized his where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.
rule in the southern area of Judah. Later he 24 Joab and Abishai also pursued Abner. And
would be anointed as king over all Israel (2 the sun was going down when they came to
Sam.5:3).men of Jabesh Gilead.Jabesh,a city the hill of Ammah, which is before Giah by the
of Israel east of the Jordan, demonstrated its road to the Wilderness of Gibeon. Now the
25
loyalty to Saul by giving him a proper burial (1
Sam. 31:11–13). children of Benjamin gathered together
behind Abner and became a unit, and took
their stand on top of a hill. Then Abner called
26
475