2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2

Meyer - Our Daily Homily - 2 Samuel 2:4 The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king. Thus was David anointed a second time. Hitherto he had been the leader of a troop; now he became king of his own tribe: and his kingdom clustered around the ancient city of Hebron. Typically, we learn that our blessed Lord will be acknowledged King of His own people, the Jews, before He is accepted by the world at large. Now, His kingdom is in mystery-it is in the Adullam stage. Men are gathering to Him from all quarters; but as yet the world does not recognize it in their political calculations. But ere long the Jews will recognize Him as King, and then we may begin to expect His enthronement over the populations of the globe. When they repent and are converted, times of repenting will come to all the world. Experimentally we are taught, that as each new department of our life unfolds, we should give Christ a fresh coronation. The attitude which we took up years ago, of complete consecration, must be applied perpetually to each fresh development of experience. Each new step should be characterized by a definite waiting on God, that there may be a fresh enduement of power, a recharging of the spirit with His might. Was He King in the cave, then be sure to acknowledge Him as such, now that you are called from obscurity into the glare of noon. Whenever God says, by the circumstances of your life, Go up; always kneel at the feet of Jesus, saying, “Lord, in the very little I found my joy and strength in serving Thee only; and now, amid the greater responsibility and publicity of my life, I desire to be Thy earnest, simple-minded, whole-hearted follower.” Have you anointed Jesus as your King? Do not fail. Remember how near of kin He is. 2 Samuel 2:5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, "May you be blessed of the LORD because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord, and have buried him. Blessed: Ru 1:8 2:20 3:10 1Sa 23:21 24:19 25:32,33 Ps 115:15 DAVID'S GENEROSITY SIGN OF RESPECT FOR SAUL David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, "May you be blessed of the LORD because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord, and have buried him - This seems to be David's first official act as King over Judah. What is interesting is Jabesh-Gilead on the west side of the Jordan would be in territory over which Ish-bosheth would rule. But that makes no difference to King David, for his heart is to bless them for their valor, courage and kindness in showing honor to King Saul's headless body. Obviously Jabesh-gilead supported Saul but Saul is dead and David wants them to support him, not Saul's son. It is notable that some 25 years later David would rebury the remains of Saul and sons in the land of their native tribe of Benjamin (2Sa 21:12–14) TSK Note - This was a generous and noble act, highly indicative of the grandeur of David's mind. He respected Saul, though he had been greatly injured by him, as the anointed king of Israel, and once his legitimate sovereign; and he loved Jonathan as his most intimate friend. 2 Samuel 2:6 "Now may the LORD show lovingkindness and truth to you; and I also will show this goodness to you, because you have done this thing. BGT 2 Samuel 2:6 καὶ νῦν ποιήσαι κύριος μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν ἔλεος καὶ ἀλήθειαν καί γε ἐγὼ ποιήσω μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν τὰ ἀγαθὰ ταῦτα ὅτι ἐποιήσατε τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο LXE 2 Samuel 2:6 And now may the Lord deal in mercy and truth towards you: and I also will requite towards you this good deed, because ye have done this. KJV 2 Samuel 2:6 And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. NET 2 Samuel 2:6 Now may the LORD show you true kindness! I also will reward you, because you have done this deed. CSB 2 Samuel 2:6 Now, may the LORD show kindness and faithfulness to you, and I will also show the same goodness to you because you have done this deed. ESV 2 Samuel 2:6 Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing. NIV 2 Samuel 2:6 May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. NLT 2 Samuel 2:6 May the LORD be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done. Now may the LORD: 2Sa 15:20 Ps 57:3 Pr 14:22 Mt 5:7 2Ti 1:16-18 I also: 2Sa 9:3,7 10:2 Mt 5:44 10:16 Philemon 1:18,19 DAVID'S PRAYER FOR JABESH-GILEAD Now may the LORD show lovingkindness (NLT = "unfailing love") and truth to you - ESV = "steadfast love and faithfulness" First David beseeches Yahweh to bless the men of Jabesh-Gilead with His incomparable gifts of His lovingkindness and truth. And I also will show this goodness to you, because you have done this thing - NET - "I also will reward you, because you have done this deed." 2 Samuel 2:7 "Now therefore, let your hands be strong and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." let your: 2Sa 10:12 Ge 15:1 1Sa 4:9 31:7,12 1Co 16:13 Eph 6:10 DAVID'S INVITATION TO MEN OF JABESH-GILEAD Now therefore, let your hands be strong and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them - What is David doing? Clearly this exhortation is a tacit invitation to Jabesh-gilead to ally with the house of Judah. David's appeal for their support was ignored. As Ryrie says this was "a shrewd play by David, since the people lived to the N of Ish-bosheth's capital, Mahanaim (2Sa 2:8; cf. Ge 32:1-2)." Gehrke points out, “David, however, has much more extensive ambitions. That is clear from the message he sends to the men of Jabesh Gilead, a message that not only congratulates them on their respectful burial of the late king, but also most diplomatically adds a postscript about his own having been anointed king over Judah. This rather broad hint means ‘I’m available also for you, if you wish.’” Walton - The town of Jabesh Gilead in Transjordan would have still been free of Philistine control. It represented one of the strategic constituencies of Saul because of the deliverance that he had provided them (1 Sam 11). If the leaders of this pro-Saul enclave could be persuaded to acknowledge David, they would serve as bellwether for many of the other Transjordan cities and perhaps others from the northern regions. David suggests to them that they have repaid Saul in providing him proper burial—he is gone and there is no loyalty still due him or his family. David is just as willing to provide for their defense as Saul had been.(see page 324 IVP Background Commentary-OT) 2 Samuel 2:8 But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. Abner: 1Sa 14:50 17:55 26:14 Ishbosheth: 2Sa 3:7,8 4:5,6 1Ch 8:33 9:39, Esh-baal Mahanaim: 2Sa 17:26,27 Ge 32:2 ABNER REFUSES TO CROWN DAVID KING! But - This is a strategic term of contrast, which would mark a refusal to accept David's leadership and lead to civil war, a war that could have been avoided if Abner had acquiesced to the LORD'S will that David be the king. While it is somewhat conjectural, Abner may have held a grudge (