God’s will through twists and turns (2 Sam 3:6-39)

When my husband and I were considering moving to New Zealand, we put out feelers about possible job openings for me in theological education, since those opportunities were likely to be scarcer. The initial inquiry led us to believe that there was a good chance of finding something in Christchurch, so that we started mapping out tentative plans about finding a house and so on. However, when we flew over to explore things further, the original option and others like it turned out to be closed. Yet just as we decided to shelve the move and revisit it in a few years’ time, a chance email delayed over several months because it was repeatedly sent to the wrong email address, eventually found me with a potential job. We were still on our visit to New Zealand, and I ended up having an interview in Auckland that proved successful. I am reminded of this series of events as we read the next set of incidents leading up to David becoming king over all Israel.

A quarrel and a turning point

When God is at work, things can change quickly and what seemed a no-go becomes a real possibility. Thus, a chance quarrel between Saul’s son and his general, Abner, leads to a complete turnaround. Ish-bosheth seems a weak and impassive man whose insecurity must have increased with Abner’s growing power (2 Sam 3:6-7). Sleeping with Saul’s concubine is tantamount to claiming the throne, though we never find out if Abner has done this or if it is merely the king’s suspicion. The general’s outrage is either the anger of the innocent or is dismissive of the incident as making a great fuss over nothing (2 Sam 3:8). In any case, the point is that Abner is so furious that he decides to change sides and take Israel with him (2 Sam 3:9-10). While his language appeals to God’s will and choice of David (v.9; 2 Sam 3:18), the trigger for him was his personal grievance against Ish-bosheth. Nevertheless, it seems that God is at work and the kingdom will finally be delivered to David.[1]

A murder and a new twist

Once again, there is a sudden twist in the plot when Joab murders Abner to take revenge for his brother’s death (2 Sam 3:30). This could plunge the country into further civil war if the tribes believe that the king authorised the killing. The narrator makes it clear that David is innocent (note that Abner went away ‘in peace’ repeated three times; 2 Sam 3:21-23). The king again acts with generosity to a former enemy turned partner by grieving publicly for him, honouring him with a heartfelt lament and praise as a great leader and putting on a state funeral which Joab must also attend mourning the man he murdered (2 Sam 3:31-35, 38). God once again helps David, and the people recognise his innocence (2 Sam 3:36-37). Yet we are left with some disquiet at the king’s relationship with Joab. David’s army commander gives the king a dressing down as if he were David’s equal (2 Sam 3:24) and David himself admits his weakness in the face of Joab and his brothers’ aggression (2 Sam 3:39). He appeals to God and curses Joab (2 Sam 3:29, v.39) a more serious and weighty issue than we recognise today.[2] Nevertheless, even though he is king, he cannot bring his general to book and Joab’s thuggery will haunt the king throughout his reign.

In weakness and in trust

Getting a glimpse of David’s weakness, which will have major implications for his reign, should give us encouragement and hope. We do not have to be perfect for the Lord to help us. He understands our frailty even though He does not miraculously take away all the consequences that flow from these. David will live with his weakness and will suffer at times as a result, but the Lord also understands his heart, his immense capacity for generosity and his dependence on God as he appeals to Him in his limitations. That is what makes this flawed man so appealing and such a relatable example. May we, too, trust the Lord in the twists and turns of life, depending on His support in the things we cannot control.

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[1] David’s insistence on reclaiming his wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter is possibly because it may add support to his claims to be a successor to Saul in some Israelites’ eyes. We know nothing of what Michal may have felt but it gives us a brief glimpse into the human tragedies that Saul’s actions have led to. Michal was David’s wife, so it was illegal for Saul to marry her off to Paltiel, yet we cannot help feel pity for this ‘husband’ as he tearfully follows his wife who is now torn from him (2 Sam 3:15-16). We also get an insight into the hard fate of this woman, Michal, shuttled between men for political purposes.

[2] We think of cursing like swearing as just words and an expression of frustration. However, in the ancient world, a curse (as well as a blessing) was performative, i.e. once pronounced they were meant to happen and could not be undone (note Esau’s dismay when Isaac had given all his blessings to Jacob; Gen 27:37-38)

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