2 Samuel 3:12-18 - I will bring Israel over to you

3:12-14

Abner acts quickly and sends a message to David offering to help ”bring all Israel over to you”. The speed of his action lends credence to the view that Abner had planned the incident in the previous paragraph as a ploy to enable to change sides. David is amenable to Abner’s proposal, but he adds his own requirement. He had previously “won” Michal as his wife by getting one hundred Philistine foreskins (1 Sam 18:25-27). Saul had later given her to another man (1 Sam 25:44). Now David wants her back, considering her to be rightfully his. David sends a message to Ish-Bosheth demanding Michal back.

3:15-18

Ish-Bosheth offered no resistance and gave an order that Michal be taken away from her present “husband” Paltiel.  Paltiel was upset and went as far as Bahurim with Michal, then he was sent back home. Meanwhile Abner continues with his machinations. It seems that the elders of Israel had actually recognised the disaster that the House of Saul was for Israel, and actually wanted to be united with David. They were all aware of the promise that the Lord had made to David.

1 Corinthians 15:37,38 - God gives it a body

15:37

Moreover, the seed that is sown bears no resemblance to the plant that grows, though of course different seeds give rise to different plants. But the seed looks dead, it looks as if there is no life in it at all. Indeed if the seed is just left there nothing at all will happen, nothing will come from it. But if it is sown in the ground it will germinate and a plant will grow. Nature was all created by God and reflects something of the glory of God.

15:38

So from the seemingly dead seed a body comes. And the sort from which it comes is determined by God. Now consider this for a moment. This does not mean that God acts randomly, it does not mean that no one could guess what sort of plant would grow. Wheat seeds produce wheat, poppy seeds produce poppies. And so a believer who dies will be raised Christlike. Amazing transformations occur in nature.

2 Samuel 3:6-11 - Abner was very angry

3:6,7

In Israel Abner had been strengthening his position. Ish-Bosheth was the nominal king, but Abner was the power behind the throne. Ish-Bosheth was a rather weak king, but may have resented the power that Abner had and thought that he really should have more control himself, he was the king after all! So he confronts Abner, accusing him of sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines. The chapter does not explicitly make clear whether this was actually true or not.

3:8-11

Abner reacts very angrily. The term “dog’s head” is found nowhere else in Biblical or Near Eastern literature, but we can safely assume it is a derogatory term, possibly implying he is secretly working for the “enemy”. Abner then says how he has faithfully served the house of Saul, and had not handed the house of Saul over to David. In his fit of pique he declares that he will now work for David’s cause. He was evidently aware of the promises made about David. So he would now work to see the kingdom transferred to David. This reaction of Abner may be one based on pure resentment at the accusation. Alternatively, it may have been a politically inspired move. Abner may have seen the way the war was going, and looked for an opportunity to swap sides. 

1 Corinthians 15:35,36 - How are the dead raised?

15:35

Having “defended” the resurrection, i.e. given evidence for it having happened, and exposed the errors in the arguments against the resurrection, Paul now goes on the attack. It is worth noting that as someone who wholeheartedly believes in the resurrection I have no problem with the evidence. The evidence supports my belief. It is those who reject the resurrection who have problems with the evidence. It is they who have to posit explanations for which there is no supporting evidence. In the Graeco-Roman world the concept of resurrection was utterly rejected, even considered “dirty”. Paul demonstrates the vacuousness of their thought. 

15:36

“How foolish!”, or “fools”. Paul has no time for their ideas. We sometimes all too easily go on the defensive against the world’s attacks. It is worldly thought, not Biblical thought, that lacks coherence or rationality, And in the section 15:35-41 Paul argues the reasonableness of the resurrection from nature, from science if you like! He starts by saying “what you sow does not come to life unless it dies”. Perhaps Paul was aware of Jesus’ words in John 12:24.

2 Samuel 3:1,2 - David grew stronger

3:1

Even though we read of David assuming the kingdom of both Judah and Israel, this is really not a happy chapter. There is little mention of God, and lots of human intrigue. The chapter begins by telling us that “the war between the houses of Saul and David lasted a long time”, with the house of Saul growing progressively weaker. The writer refers to the “house of Saul” rather than Israel. The conflict is seen as one between Saul and David (even though Saul is now dead). Maybe we could see this as analogous to the war between the flesh and the spirit?

3:2-5

Next we get an update on the family of David. He now has six wives, and one child from each is named. It may be that some of the wives had more than one child, but only the firstborn is named. Whatever the case, David is acting in contravention to the Law, for Deut 17:14-20 specifically commanded that kings should not take many wives. Moreover, Maakah was not an Israelite. Some of these wives may have been taken for political wives. 

1 Corinthians 15:32-34 - Do not be misled

15:32

Paul refers to a time when he fought wild beasts. Paul is probably speaking metaphorically, as if he had actually fought wild beasts. This sort of thing did happen in the arena, but the man fighting the wild beasts would die. Moreover, Paul was a Roman citizen, so would not have had to undergo such an ordeal. He is talking about the opponents he faced who were out to kill him. Again, why would Paul submit himself to such dangers if his hopes were for this life only? He then quotes from Isaiah 22:13. If there is no resurrection, then the only rational course of action is to just enjoy this life as much as one can.

15:33,34

It seems that some of the Corinthians were keeping bad company, mixing with those who poured scorn on ideas of the resurrection. They would also be committing various sins. Keeping bad company leads to corruption of good character. They needed to recognise that some people are “ignorant of God”, and so what they say is worthless, and they should not be listened to.

2 Samuel 2:24-32 - This will end in bitterness

2:24-26

Joab and his other brother, Abishai, pursued Abner. They came to a hill, and the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. Abner calls out to Joab, wishing to avoid further bloodshed. He reminds Joab that they are all fellow Israelites, and that further fighting will only result in more bloodshed. Division and bitterness among Israelites is nothing new. (nor among any other people groups!). 

2:27-32

Joab seems to see sense and agree with Abner. Indeed he congratulates Abner on his call for peace. So Joab blows his trumpet and the pursuit stops. Abner and his men march through the night to Mahanaim. Meanwhile Joab assembles his men and finds that nineteen are missing, but they had killed three hundred and sixty of Abner’s men. Asahel is buried, and they return to Hebron. We will see later that Joab still harboured bitterness against Abner for killing his brother.