Yesterday we talked about David’s failed attempt with brining the ark of God into the camp of Israel.
After David left the ark in the house of Obed-Edom for three months, he got news that God was blessing the home of Obed-Edomand so in our text today, we have the story of his attempt again to bring the ark inside the camp of Israel.
Let’s look at the text:
II Samuel 6: 12 Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. 17 They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. 18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.
As you can see from our text, it describes the ark of God as being carried.In David’s first attempt, he built a new cart and placed the ark on while oxen was transporting it.In this attempt, David did it according to the guidelines that God gave.
This was a joyous day in the life of David and the people of Israel.The presence of God had returned to the camp of Israel.For David this was major.He was such a worshipper and that to have the ark back among them meant the world to him.David was so excited that he danced hysterically before the Lord so much so that when his wife Michal saw him, she despised him.Some interpretations say that he danced so hard that he almost danced out of his clothes.
Tomorrow, we will actually see the encounter between David and his wife as she discusses David’s behavior before the people.
Today’s lesson deals with one of the most popular stories associated with the life of David.David is known for his heart of worship and praise towards God.Thus far in our studies, David has now been anointed king over “All Israel” and he has conquered the city of Zion as his stronghold and he has defeated the Philistines twice at this point.In our story today, David desires to bring the Ark of the Covenant which represents the presence of the Lord into the camp of Israel.If you recall, God instructed Moses to build this ark which was made of a wooden box completely covered with gold.It was 3 feet by 9 inches long and 2 feet by 3 inches wide and 2 feet by 3 inches high.In it contained the tables of stone known as the Ten Commandments that Moses brought down from Mount Sinai, a jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that miraculously budded as a sign of his leadership and the ark represented the presence of God.
The Ark of the Covenant had been in the house of Abinadab ever since the Philistines released it from their camp.Let’s just take a quick review.The ark was taken In the Philistine battle where Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli were killed.The Philistines brought the ark into their camp and sit it near their God, Dagon.The next two mornings the Philistines awoke to find their image of Dagon damaged and knew that it was because of the presence of the ark.The hand of God was heavy on the Philistines.God caused much devastation on the people and afflicted them with tumors.The Philistines eventually sent away the Ark of the Covenant with gifts back to the camp of the Israelites and it came into the coasts of Kiriath Jearim and remained there for almost seventy years until this event in our story.
Here is our text:
II Samuel 6:1 David again brought together out of Israel chosen men, thirty thousand in all. 2 He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark. 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart 4 with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. 5 David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.
6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God. 8 Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. 9 David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” 10 He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.
One of the early duties of David as king was to bring the ark back into the heart of the Israelite camp.It had been in obscurity for some 70 years and David wanted it to be among the people again.David attempts to get the ark but did not plan properly.There was a major celebration going on for its return when the ark stumbled because of the oxen and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark to keep if from falling.God was angry because of the irreverent act and killed Uzzah.
David was overwhelmed with grief and disbelief and was actually afraid of the Lord that day and was angry that the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah.
David refused to bring the ark of God into the city with him and took it instead to the house of Obed-Edom.The text teaches us that it stayed there for three months and God blessed the house of Obed-Edom while the ark was in their presence.
We may think that this event seems unfair but the ark was not designed to be put on oxen.Transporting the ark on a cart was against God’s specific command.The ark was designed to be carried (Exodus 25:12-15) 12 Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 13 Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it. 15 The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed.
The ark also only was to be carried by Levites of the family of Koath (Numbers 4:15) “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the Tent of Meeting.
David had great intentions.He selected 30,000 of his choice men and had a phenomenal praise and worship service and instead of seeing the glory, they encountered the wrath of God.
We all may have good intentions concerning the things of God but that is not sufficient, we must stay in his word and make sure we are lining up with what God wants and not what we want to do.There is an order and a plan and we can suffer major consequences for not learning what they are.As in the case of our story, sometimes we find out the hard way.
Last week we ended with the elders of Israel coming to anoint David king and one of David’s first missions as king of “all Israel”(whenever you see the phase “all Israel” in the bible it refers to both the kingdoms of Judah and Israel) was to capture the city of Zion (Jerusalem) and make it his capital city.He built it up and made it a grand city.
Let’s look at our text for today:
II Samuel 5: 11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 19 so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.” 20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. 22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
Hiram the king of Tyre sends materials and workmen to build David a palace.This becomes key because for those of you that know the story know that one day David will have the desire to build a house for the Lord.David later on in his life will feel bad because he has such a great house (referenced above) and the Ark of the Covenant did not have a permanent dwelling place so David longs to build a grand house for the Lord.
I always like to point things out so you will make the connection in the future.
Now……. David’s first battle as King of All Israel.As you know, David had befriended the Philistine king and they gave him Ziklag to be his dwelling place and the king of the Philistines trusted David and David betrayed their trust.When they found out that David had taken Saul’s place as king, they went up in “full force” to destroy him.
David inquires of the Lord and God defeats the Philistines twice in this battle.
I am sitting here thinking how amazing it was for David to have this relationship with God and just hear from him so quickly.Wow….. God, I long to hear from you like that.
Be Blessed.Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.
hello. on my cell…. internet is down again in my area and want be back up until tomorrow…… will continue our study on monday. bev in england . thank you so much….. have a great weekend
In our story today, we finally get to the account where David has become king over both Israel and
Judah.Wow!!!!!!!! What a journey.
Here is our text:
1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at
Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’” 3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
6 The king and his men marched to
Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David. 8 On that day, David said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.” 9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
Our text today reveals the interesting account of how David finally becomes king over all
Israel.If you have been following the study then you know that David was already king over
Judah.Now that Ishbosheth, Saul’s son has been killed the tribes of Israel come to David and anoint him King over
Israel.The elders come to David at Hebron and they remind David of the word that they remembered from the Lord of how David was suppose to shepherd them and they even admitted that while Saul was yet king, it was David who led Israel in their military campaigns.David makes a covenant with them and he is anointed.Finally,what a powerful, tearful, crazy, frustrating journey but he is finally king over all
Israel as the Lord had promised.Wow!!!!!!!!!!!Just got goose bumps…… as the Lord had promised so shall it be.The next part of our text teaches us how David captures the city Zion which we know will become his stronghold and is where he will establish his power center.The Jebusites were inhabitors of Jerusalem (Zion) at this time and they bragged that David would never take the city.David conquers the city and builds it up and grows stronger and mightier in the Lord his God.Yes…….. He’s in.I don’t know about you but this has been a powerful journey following David’s struggles, passions, fears, etc as he survived his enemies and stayed faithful to his God.Well, we will continue our journey on tomorrow.I can’t wait to see David’s second order of business now that he is king over all Israel.We know that his first order of business was to take over Jerusalem and establish it as the capital city.Jerusalem is the capital of Judah.Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.
In our story today, we get the account of how Ish-Bosheth, the son of Saul who is king of Israel will come to his death.When the news gets to David, you would think that David would be excited because now the kingship of Israel is open and David can finally walk into his total destiny concerning the ruling of both Judah and Israel and his enemies from the house of Saul are all dead now.The story has an interesting turn.
Here is the story:
II Samuel 4: 1 When Ish-Bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed. 2 Now Saul’s son had two men who were leaders of raiding bands. One was named Baanah and the other Recab; they were sons of Rimmon the Beerothite from the tribe of Benjamin–Beeroth is considered part of Benjamin, 3 because the people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim and have lived there as aliens to this day. 4 (Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.) 5 Now Recab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out for the house of Ish-Bosheth, and they arrived there in the heat of the day while he was taking his noonday rest. 6 They went into the inner part of the house as if to get some wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Recab and his brother Baanah slipped away. 7 They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah. 8 They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to take your life. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.”
9 David answered Recab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of all trouble, 10 when a man told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! 11 How much more–when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed–should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!” 12 So David gave an order to his men, and they killed them. They cut off their hands and feet and hung the bodies by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-Bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb at Hebron.
Our text today introduces us to the son of Jonathan (Saul’s son) Mephibosheth.Later on we see discover a story about David and this man.If you remember from our lessons that David and Jonathan were best friends.Mephibosheth becomes known as the crippled or handicapped son of Jonathan and we find in our text today, how he becomes crippled.On the day that the news of Jonathan and Saul’s death came to the camp, Mephibosheth was five years old and his nurse picked him up and ran but in her attempt to hurry in protecting him, thechild fell and became cripple in both legs.
Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul had two men that were leaders of raiding armies.The two men decide one today to shift loyalties and they sneak in during the noon-day nape ofIsh-Bosheth and they stab him in the stomach and cut off his head.
The men journey to David to bring him the head of Ish-Bosheth announcing to David that this day the Lord had avenged him of Saul and his offspring who tried to take his life.
David’s response was surprising.David informs them that when the man brought him the news of Saul’s death and thought he was bringing him good news, he rewarded him by killing him for his news and how much more would he do to wicked men that will kill an innocent man while he is asleep in his own bed.
David ordered that the men would be killed.I love these David stories.They just show how David was such a man of integrity.The people that were blocking David from accomplishing his dream and his life’s mission and purpose were destroyed but David wanted no part in their evil plot.David believed that God would avenge him of his enemies and that God would establish him in due season.He wanted no part in plots and plans that people engaged in to help him secure his kingdom.
Wow…. This is so powerful to me.David really had the right.These men were pursuing him for his life.David honored God’s authority so that he refused to put his hand against them or allow others including their offspring.
So many times, we try to manipulate situations to make our dreams come to pass because we feel that God is just taking too long.God’s timing is perfect.Doing things to make it happen because we can’t wait on God only leads to major problems and those problems or “skeletons in our closet” usually manifest when the dream comes into fruition.These can then be some very embarrassing moments.
If it is from God, it will come to pass and it doesn’t mean that we sit idly by and do nothing..There is nothing wrong with working towards the God given dream that you have in your heart but when the things that we do become unmoral and ungodly just to accomplish the dreams then it becomes a problem.
David is such an inspiration here.Yes, I know you know how the story ends and you may say well David will have his issues.Yes, he will.We all do.David was being shaped to still be a phenomenal man of God and his character and his relationship with God is one to be admired and respected.
Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.
Sorry, I missed you on yesterday, but we ended our study with the deal that Abner and David makes to secure the entire kingdom.Let’s look at what happens to Abner.
I Samuel 3: 22 Just then David’s men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace. 24 So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! 25 You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing.” 26 Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it. 27 Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway, as though to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died. 28 Later, when David heard about this, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29 May his blood fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house! May Joab’s house never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food.” 30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.) 31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also. 33 The king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner have died as the lawless die? 34 Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before wicked men.” And all the people wept over him again. 35 Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!” 36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. 37 So on that day all the people and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner. 38 Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? 39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”
Wow.As you can see Abner is killed from a revenge blot from Joab because of the battle at Gibeon where Abner killed Joah’s brother.David again laments for Abner and writes another song.
David is serious about his commitment and his word.Though Abner did have alterative motives, David is a man of his word.
So David still has not secured both kingdoms and his plan to implement has now been destroyed through the death of Abner.Wow….. How will David become king over all Israel.
Yesterday, we ended with the confrontation between Ishbosheth and Abner concerning Saul’s concubine Rizpah.Ishbosheth accused Abner of sleeping with his father’s concubine and Abner was insulted and threated to lead a revolt against him and turn the reign of Israel over to David.Ishbosheth was afraid of Abner and ended the conversation because of fear of what Abner would do.
Let’s continue from that point.
Here is our text:
II Samuel 3: 12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.” 13 ”Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.” 15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back. 17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’” 19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a compact with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
As you can see from our text, Abner made good of his threat and sent a message to David saying that if he made an agreement with him that he would lead all Israel to him.David agrees to the deal but with a condition that Abner brings Saul’s daughter Michal with him.David also sent messengers to Ishbosheth demanding the return of Michal to him.David was given Michal in marriage for bringing a hundred Philistine foreskins to Saul.Over the course of time when David was on the run, Michal marries someone else and David now wants his wife back.
Abner plots against Ishbosheth by conferring with the elders of Israel indicating that for some time they have wanted to make David their king.Abner reminds the elders that God promised David that by his hand he would deliver the Israelites from their enemies including the Philistines.Abner also spoke to the Benjaminites which is the house of Saul.If you remember from our studies that Saul was the son of Kish and from the tribe of Benjamin.
Abner meets with David and they agree to put a plan in place that David would reign over all Israel.Currently, David is reigning over Judah only.
One of the key factors in the elders of Israel turning towards David is not only Abner’s treachery but it is also the promise that God had on David’s life that God would use David to defend the enemies of Israel.They remembered the promise and wanted the blessing of God over their lives.
Have a wonderful weekend.We will continue our story about David’s rise to power on Monday.I was talking to someone today that follows my website and she told me that all this time (over 20 years) she always thought that after Saul died that David immediately reigned over all Israel. She was so excited to understand and see in the scriptures David’s rise to power and the many challenges he faced though it was destined to be his.
I think about mylife and so many others who are in a place right now where there desire is to just be full time in the things of God or we are in situations where we know certain things were promised to us but we just can’t seem to get to that place whatever the reason.David’s rise to power is actually very encouraging and uplifting to see that he will eventually get to where God wanted him to be no matter how difficult it may have been.
God’s plan will always prevail.
Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.
In our text today the war between the house of Saul and the house of David continues but the house of David gets stronger and stronger while the house of Saul grows weaker and weaker.In our study today, you will find that the house of Saul now has some internal conflicts and disloyalty.
Let’s look at the text:
II Samuel 3: 1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in
Hebron. 6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” 8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said and he answered, “Am I a dog’s head–on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him. Abner was the captain of Saul’s army and his right hand man.Abner is also the one that went and got Ish-Bosheth and made him king over
Israel.Abner was plotting against Saul’s son and strengthening his own position in the house of Saul.One of the ways that you gain power or strengthen your position is to take the wives or concubines of the current leader.Saul had a concubine by the name of Rizpah.This woman has a powerful story later about her defending the honor of her dead sons.If you are familiar with a powerful and anointed Pastor by the name of Jackie McCullough then you know that she named her tape ministry “daughters of Rizpah” and it was based on this woman.Evidently, there was a rumor out that Abner had slept with Rizpah.In our text to this point, we are not sure.It simply says that Is-bosheth accused Abner and evidently he must have believed it to be so for him to confront him.Abner was offended and claimed total loyalty to the house of Saul yet we do know that something was up because the text does say that Abner was trying to strengthen his position in the house of Saul.Abner threatened to turn Ish-bosheth over to David and Ish-bosheth was afraid and would not say another word to him.In the threat made by Abner to turn the kingdom over to David, it is fascinating how they know that the kingdom belongs to David.Abner says that he will turn the kingdom over to David according to the oath that God gave him that he was to be king over all Israel.It is amazing how sometimes we know what the will of God is and we still try to fight against it as if we can prevail against God.I have come across this so much in ministry.People are clear what the will of God is in certain areas of their lives but will try to doeverything but submit which ultimately they eventually end up submitting.God’s plan is sure…Tomorrow, we will continue our journey..Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.