INTRODUCTION: God begins to fulfill His prophecy concerning David. But even now, David’s right to the entire kingdom is contested. We see why David is called a “man of war” in Scripture. He fights for years before he becomes king and for most of his reign. Of course, much of our life is spent in warfare too. We need to be sure that we are fighting the Lord’s battles in His strength.

1. DAVID GOES UP TO HEBRON (2 Samuel 2:1-4 [1] And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. [2] So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. [3] And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. [4] And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
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1. David Enquires of the Lord (2 Samuel 2:1And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
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1. David asks the Lord about going into Judah.
2. The Lord tells David to go into Hebron.
1. He had sent a gift to Hebron (1 Samuel 30:31And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.
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2. Hebron was his capital until the kingdom was united (2 Samuel 2:11And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
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3. Absalom is one of six sons born to David in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:2-5 [2] And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; [3] And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; [4] And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; [5] And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
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4. Absalom rebels against David from Hebron (2 Samuel 15:7-10 [7] And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. [8] For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. [9] And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. [10] But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
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2. David Establishes His Capital (2 Samuel 2:2-4 [2] So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. [3] And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. [4] And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
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1. He takes his two wives (2 Samuel 2:2So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
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2. He takes his men and their families (2 Samuel 2:3And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
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3. The men of Judah anoint David as king of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
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2. DAVID BLESSES THE MEN OF JABESH-GILEAD (2 Samuel 2:4And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
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1. David Hears of the Kindness of Jabesh-gilead (2 Samuel 2:4And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
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1. The men of Judah tell of the good deed of the men of Jabesh-gilead.
2. They were the ones that buried King Saul (1 Samuel 31:11-13 [11] And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; [12] All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. [13] And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
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2. David Sends Them a Blessing (2 Samuel 2:5-7 [5] And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. [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. [7] Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
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1. He acknowledges their kindness (2 Samuel 2:5And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.
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2. He desires the Lord to bless them (2 Samuel 2:6And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
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3. He promises to repay them himself (2 Samuel 2:6And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
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4. He encourages them to be strengthened (2 Samuel 2:7Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
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5. He informs them of his anointing by Judah (2 Samuel 2:7Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
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3. ABNER CONTROLS ISRAEL THROUGH ISH-BOSHETH (2 Samuel 2:8-11 [8] But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; [9] And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. [10] Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. [11] And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
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1. Abner Inserts a New King (2 Samuel 2:8But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
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1. Abner was the captain of Saul’s host (1 Samuel 15:50
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1. He was an uncle to Saul and a brother to Saul’s father, Kish (1 Samuel 14:51And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 8:33And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
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2. He is the real power in Israel at this time.
2. He takes Ish-bosheth to Mahanaim to establish him as king.
3. Note: Ish-bosheth is also called Eshbaal (1 Chronicles 9:39And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
   See All...). He was the youngest of Saul’s sons and the only one not killed in battle by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:2And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul's sons.
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4. NOTE: Two details in this passage show the great weakness of this kingdom:
1. Abner was not able to establish a capital in the heart of Israel, but had to go to the eastern bank of the Jordan River.
2. Ish-bosheth only reigned for two years (2 Samuel 2:10Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
   See All...) before the kingdom was turned over to David. Yet, David reigned over seven years in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:11And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
   See All...) before the fall of Ish-bosheth. Evidently, the northern tribes were so broken up by their defeat at the hands of the Philistines that it took five years for Abner to get enough power to set up a kingdom.
2. Ish-bosheth Rules over Israel (2 Samuel 2:9-10 [9] And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. [10] Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
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1. King over all Israel (2 Samuel 2:9And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
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2. Begins to reign at the age of forty (2 Samuel 2:10Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
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3. Reigns for two years over Israel (2 Samuel 2:10Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
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3. David Reigns over the House of Judah (2 Samuel 2:11And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
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1. From the city of Hebron for 7 ½ years
2. Note: This shows the beginning of a difference between Judah and the rest of Israel.
4. THE MEN OF ABNER AND JOAB FIGHT (2 Samuel 2:12-17 [12] And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. [13] And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. [14] And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. [15] Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. [16] And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon. [17] And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
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1. An Encounter at the Pool of Gibeon (2 Samuel 2:12-13 [12] And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. [13] And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
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1. Abner and his men go out from Mahanaim to Gibeon (2 Samuel 2:12And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
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2. Joab and his men come to the other side of the pool of Gibeon (2 Samuel 2:13And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
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2. A Contest between Chosen Men (2 Samuel 2:14-16 [14] And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. [15] Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. [16] And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
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1. Abner suggests the contest (2 Samuel 2:14And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
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2. Both sides choose twelve men (2 Samuel 2:15Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
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3. All the men on both sides are killed (2 Samuel 2:16And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
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3. A Conflict between the Armies (2 Samuel 2:17And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
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1. Called “a very sore battle”
2. Abner and his men beaten
5. ABNER KILLS PURSUING ASAHEL (2 Samuel 2:18-23 [18] And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. [19] And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. [20] Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. [21] And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. [22] And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? [23] Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
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1. The Sons of Zeruiah (2 Samuel 2:18And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
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1. Joab
2. Abishai
3. Asahel – He was as light of foot as a wild roe.
2. Abner Kills Asahel (2 Samuel 2:19-23 [19] And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. [20] Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. [21] And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. [22] And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? [23] Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
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1. Asahel pursues Abner (2 Samuel 2:19And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
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2. Abner asks Asahel to pursue elsewhere (2 Samuel 2:20-22 [20] Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. [21] And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. [22] And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
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3. Abner kills Asahel (2 Samuel 2:23Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
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6. JOAB CALLS OFF THE PURSUIT OF ISRAEL (2 Samuel 2:24-32 [24] Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. [25] And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. [26] Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? [27] And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. [28] So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. [29] And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. [30] And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. [31] But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died. [32] And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
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1. The Pursuit Continues (2 Samuel 2:24-26 [24] Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. [25] And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. [26] Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
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1. Joab and Abishai continue to lead the pursuit (2 Samuel 2:24Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
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2. The Benjamites make a stand (2 Samuel 2:25-26 [25] And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. [26] Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
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2. The Battle Ceases (2 Samuel 2:27-29 [27] And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. [28] So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. [29] And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
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1. Joab calls the pursuit off (2 Samuel 2:27-28 [27] And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. [28] So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
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2. Abner and his men return home (2 Samuel 2:29And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
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3. The Casualties Counted (2 Samuel 2:30-31 [30] And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. [31] But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
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1. Twenty men of Judah killed (2 Samuel 2:30And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.
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2. 360 men of Israel killed (2 Samuel 2:31But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
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4. Asahel Is Buried (2 Samuel 2:32And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
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1. They bury him in Bethlehem.
2. Joab travels by night to arrive at Hebron at break of day.

CONCLUSION: Though Saul is dead, the path to the throne is not an easy road for David. Abner chooses his own king and fights to keep the kingdom in the lineage of Saul.