Battles continue
2 Samuel 2:8 – Chapter 3
Saul might be out of the picture, but his son Ish-Bosheth continues to claim the throne with the support of Abner, the commander of Saul’s army.
At this time the Jewish people are divided, with those in the north collectively referred to as Israel, and those in the south as Judah.
When David was proclaimed king, it was over Judah, but not over Israel, which still remained in the control of Saul’s family and his army. There will be 7 1/2 years that David rules Judah from Hebron before he is able to unite the kingdom and rule over both Judah and Israel.
While Abner leads the Israel army under Ish-Bosheth, David’s army from Judah is let by Joab.
The first battle is not a full-scale battle, but consists of a small number of selected fighters from each army. David’s men carry the day.
Joab’s brother, Asahel, continues to pursue Abner, who kills him. Abner then asks Joab for peace and the fighting stops for the moment.
The war, however, continues, with David gaining in strength.
Ultimately Abner breaks away from Saul’s son, Ish-Bosheth, and offers to transfer his loyalty and influence to David. As a condition, David asks for the return of his first wife, Michal. Abner takes her away from her new husband and returns her to David.
David sends Abner away in peace, but Joab, still angry over the death of his brother, kills Abner. David mourns for Abner and is able to convince the people of Israel that he was innocent in Abner’s death, and they anoint him as their king, uniting Israel and Judah.
[See map for battle locations and for the territory controlled by Ish-Bosheth and by David before unification.]