Not surprisingly, my children do not like to do their chores. While they (usually) do them, they do so from necessity rather than joy. The same is true for many things in life. Paying taxes. Household tasks. All too often, working (bills won’t pay themselves). Hopefully, none of us attend Church solely out of a sense of obligation, of necessity!
After Saul’s death, Abner attempted to seize power through conquering King David’s kingdom by force. He failed. A period of Civil War followed, where David grew stronger and Abner became weaker. When finally Abner pushed his puppet-king too far, he decided to throw his lot in with David. But he was moved by necessity, not conviction. We should not miss the obvious lesson. People may operate in the Church, or in a broader culture influenced by Christian morality, out of necessity rather than delight.
Following the failure of Abner’s invasion of Judah, a period of civil war followed between King David’s kingdom based in the south of Israel, and Ish-bosheth’s kingdom (really ruled by Abner) in the north of Israel.
“And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker” (v.1). Not surprisingly, since God was clearly on David’s side in the matter of the next king of Israel.
The strengthening of David’s kingdom is described in verses 2 to 5 through the birth of six sons to David from as many wives. These verses are intended not just to introduce to us historical facts, but point out that God was securing the future of David’s line on the Israelite throne. There were many sons who could succeed David. All of these sons were born to David while he reigned from Hebron.
Abner was busy strengthening his position too. “While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul” (v.7). This implies that Abner was making himself the de facto ruler of Israel, even if the crown sat upon Ish-bosheth’s head.
The extent to which Abner was really in control up north is shown by an example of his actions. “Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah” and Abner claimed her as his own (v.7). Essentially, in that part of the world in those days, this was claiming to succeed Saul as ruler over his kingdom.
Ish-bosheth may have been a puppet and weakly reliant on Abner for his status, but he was no idiot. He knew what Abner was claiming when Abner claimed one of Saul’s concubines for himself. So Ish-bosheth confronted Abner about the situation (v.7).
Abner was frustrated by Ish-bosheth standing up to him. He claimed to Ish-bosheth that he had shown “steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends” and here was Ish-bosheth making a song and dance about a woman (v.8). Interpreted cynically – I put you on the throne and have kept you there, and you tell me what I can and cannot do?
Since Ish-bosheth was showing dangerous tendencies towards growing a spine, it was better to act on necessity and switch allegiances. “God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the Lord has sworn to him, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba” (vv.9-10).
And what could Ish-bosheth do in this situation? Nothing, because he feared Abner (v.11).
Abner was willing to hand the rest of Israel over to David, but not because of a sudden change of heart to serve God and his anointed king. No, Abner was acting in this way because of necessity. Sooner or later, someone would spot a chance to stick up for Ish-bosheth and stick a knife into Abner. Better for Abner to negotiate with David while there was a chance to negotiate a spot on David’s leadership team.
Abner’s motivation in these first chapters of 2 Samuel appears to be what is best for Abner. Not God. Not Israel. Not even Ish-bosheth. Abner’s attitude and approach is mercenary. He is happy to sell his services for the best offer, not the cause of God and his righteousness.
Sadly the Church is not immune to Abner’s among us. While there may not be a little Slim Shady in all of us, we must guard our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit’s help to stop a little Abner creeping into our lives. The Church is not a place for public claims of piety, and private clamours for power and self-glory. The Church is about Jesus, not us.
Likewise, perhaps the Lord will grant repentance and renewal in our land, that people turn once more to Christ and to Christian morality. But we cannot assume that all will follow because they see the rightness of Christian righteousness; instead, they may bow from necessity.
May we all bow and serve out of joy, not necessity.
