2 Samuel 2 Explained – A 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Samuel 2 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

• David became king over Judah the same year. He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all of Israel.  

CHARACTERS:

• David – He would eventually become the 2nd king over all Israel. In 2 Samuel 2, he became the king of the people of Judah.

• Ish-bosheth – The son of Saul who ruled over Israel for 2 years while David was king in Judah.

• Joab – A leader in David’s army. He was the brother of Abishai and Asahel.

• Asahel – The brother of Joab and Abishai. He was a man “swift of foot as a wild gazelle” (2:18).

WHERE:

• David and his family lived in Ziklag before God told him to return to Judah.

• David, his men, and their families lived in the towns of Hebron.

• Ish-bosheth was made king in Mahanaim.

• The people of Israel fought the people of Judah at Gibeon.

OUTLINE:

• DAVID IS MADE KING IN JUDAH (2:1-7):

  • David asked God if he should leave Ziklag, in the land of the Philistines, and go back to Judah.

  • God told him to go to Hebron.

  • David, his family, and his men, and their families, moved to Hebron and lived in the surrounding towns.

  • The men of Judah anointed David king over them.

  • When David learned that the men of Jabesh-gilead had honored Saul by burying his body, he sent messengers to them and commended them.

•  ISH-BOSHETH IS MADE KING IN ISRAEL (2:8-11):

  • The nation of Israel divided under the leadership of 2 kings. The men of Judah gave their loyalty to David, but Israel selected Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul to be their king.

  • Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, supported Ish-bosheth.

• JUDAH AND ISRAEL BATTLE AT GIBEON (2:12-32):

  • Joab, the commander of David’s army, and Abner, the commander of Ish-bosheth’s army, met in Gibeon to settle the dispute for the throne of Israel.

  • Each side selected 12 men and had them fight. This was common in the ancient world. Opposing armies would select champion/s to fight one another. This was a way of avoiding the massive casualties of an all-out battle. Goliath proposed a similar challenge to Saul’s army (1 Sam 17:8-9).

  • But the contest between the 24 men was indecisive, so the two armies fought.

  • Joab and David’s men won the battle and sent Abner and Ish-bosheth’s army into retreat.

  • Asahel pursued the retreating Abner.

  • Abner warned him twice to give up the chase.

  • Asahel eventually caught up to Abner, but he underestimated Abner’s skills as a warrior. Abner killed him by stabbing him with the butt of his spear.

  • The men from Judah continued pursuing their enemies until evening, then Joab called off the fight.

  • David’s army lost only 19 men. Ish-bosheth’s army lost 360 men.

APPLICATION:

• Asahel had the ability to run Abner down, but he lacked the wisdom to understand that his feet were carrying him into a situation he wasn’t prepared to handle.

• Just because a door opens to you, doesn’t mean you are equipped to step though it.

• Satan does some of his best work by elevating people to positions of responsibility and authority before they’re ready, and then watching them collapse because they were never spiritually mature enough for the role.

• Unfortunately, when these people collapse, their downfall often negatively impacts those around them.

• We need to be honest with ourselves and seek God’s guidance before we walk through any open door.