Text: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:1
Theme: The Lord has established one king over His people, and He will give victory and strength to that king while defeating and weakening those of His people who reject His word to submit to that king.
Structure/points: Civil war erupted in Israel because two men, David and Ish-bosheth, both claimed to be the rightful king. There could be no peace until only one man ruled the people of God. And the Lord was not indifferent to this war; He was deeply invested in the outcome. He had made a decision for His people as to who their king would be. He would make His choice indisputably clear and ensure the defeat of the illegitimate king and his followers. We see this through…
- The battle at Gibeon
- Asahel’s pursuit of Abner
- The continuing civil war