Read 2 Samuel 2 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
2:1-4 {s} Judah anoints David king over the house of Judah at Hebron
2:5-7 {p} David invites Jabesh Gilead to receive him as king
2:8-9 {p} However Abner made Ishbosheth the son of Saul king over Israel
2:10-11 {s} The length of Ishbosheth’s reign/ the length of David’s reign over Judah
2:12-3:1 {s} War between the commanders, Abner of Israel and Joab of Judah
The Strong Theme:
2:1-7 {s+p} Judah anoints David king over Judah, Jabesh Gilead invited to receive him as king also
2 Samuel 2:1-32 Chiastic Structure:
I don’t believe David initiated the conflict between Abner and Joab; I believe these older men, used to commanding forces, took it upon themselves to hash out the kingship over Israel. And perhaps there was a little bit of the idea that we need to help our kings out, who have declined to go to war with each other.
The text even says that Abner took Ishbosheth and made him king, and who knows if it was something Ishbosheth even wanted? He may have been used as a pawn in a power play. And as for David, when he invited the men of Jabesh-Gilead to receive him as king, he did so with courtesy and grace. This is the same David who preferred to live as an outlaw on the run, rather than raise up his hand against Saul, and now he is going to start a civil war for the kingdom? No.
If there are questions, this is a good resource:
David: Mighty Warrior or Fairy-Tale Hero? – Associates for Biblical Research
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