II Samuel Chapter 3

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Overview of II Samuel 3: In this next chapter of II Samuel, there is record of the lingering war between the house of David and the house of Saul. Record is made of David’s immediate family at Hebron. Also, the incident of Abner defecting to David is recorded. This is followed by the sordid account of Joab’s murder of Abner.

I. War Between House of David and House of Saul

2 Sam 3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

As time passed, David’s political and military fortunes strengthened whilst those of the remnants of Saul’s forces diminished. The sacred writer notes briefly, “Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.”

II. David’s Family in Hebron (Detailed in I Chronicles 3:1-4)

2 Sam 3:2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

2 Sam 3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

2 Sam 3:4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

2 Sam 3:5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

2 Sam 3:6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.

While David lived in Hebron, he evidently took additional wives and began to raise a large family. Six different sons are mentioned by his six separate wives. David already had married Ahinoam and Abigail. After settling in Hebron he also married Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah.

David’s first-born son Amnon would later become infamous in his crime against his sister. It is of interest that his fourth born son was Adonijah who would later seek to succeed his father’s throne. Absalom later would attempt to take the throne by going against his father. The rest of his wives and sons mentioned remained in relative obscurity.

In verse 3, the mention of “Talmai king of Geshur” likely refers to a region of Syria according to II Samuel 15:8.

2 Sam 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

2 Sam 15:9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

It may be that David married Maacah not only for his personal interest in her, but to strengthen political and military alliances in that direction. The kingdoms of David and Solomon had its greatest influence to the northeast which is toward Syria.

The focus now returns to the lingering war between the house of David and that of Saul. Though Ishbosheth was the supposed king of the eleven tribes of Israel, the real power behind his tenuous throne was Abner. Though additional battles between David and Abner are not recorded, a period of a ‘cold war’ certainly existed.

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