Read 2 Samuel 3 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
2:12-3:1 {s} War between the commanders, Abner of Israel and Joab of Judah
3:2-5 {p} The sons of David born in Hebron
3:6-8 {s} Abner offended when Ishbosheth confronts him concerning his sin re: Rizpah
3:9-11 {s} Abner threatens to transfer the kingdom to David
3:2-13 {s} Abner offers his service to David, but David requires his wife Michal first
3:14-30 {s} The treaty between Abner and David, but Joab murders Abner
3:31-32 {s] King David commands the mourning for Abner
3:33-37 {s} King David’s lament and fasting for Abner, as it had not been his intent to kill him
3:38-39 {p} The sons of Zeruiah too harsh for David/ YHVH repay their wickedness
The Strong Theme:
2:10-3:5 {s+s+p} Reigns of Ishbosheth and David, and the war between them, but David waxed stronger and stronger
3:6-39 {sx6+p} Abner defects to David, but Joab killed him without David’s knowledge
2 Samuel 3:1-39 Chiastic Structure:
I have worked out the substructure for 2 Sam 3:6-39, and the smaller substructures within it, to be sure that the main chapter structure falls out as it does. It does.
Now why would the list of David’s sons be the central axis of the structure? I ponder why the central axes of structures, as the highlighted part of the passage, which the Spirit zeros in on with neon flashing lights, fall out as they often do. I often find that the central axes of structures emphasize some aspect of Messiah, His life, or ministry, or coming. And it is the case here as well, for Yeshua is Son of David as well as the Son of God.
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