2 Samuel

2 Samuel 3: The LORD’s promise to David

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the long war between David and Saul’s house, let us come to the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that His promises stand, and that David leaves the evildoer to Him.

I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

Psalm 138:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You promised to save Your people by David, and that David left the evildoer to You. Help us to trust Your word more than our own plans. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The war between Saul’s house and David’s house goes on for a long time, and David grows stronger. Six sons are born to David at Hebron. Abner, Saul’s army commander, quarrels with Ish-bosheth, and then he makes a covenant with David. Abner tells the elders of Israel that the LORD has promised to save His people by David’s hand. Joab kills Abner in the gate of Hebron to avenge his brother Asahel. David declares that he is guiltless, and he mourns Abner with fasting and tears.

As you read 2 Samuel 3, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD promised to save His people by David, and David leaves the evildoer to the LORD.

The war between Saul’s house and David’s house goes on, and David grows stronger while Saul’s house grows weaker (verse 1). Abner, who holds Saul’s house together, quarrels with Ish-bosheth and turns to David (verses 7 to 12). Abner tells the elders that the LORD has promised this (verse 18). The same promise is written in 2 Samuel 5 verse 2. Joab distrusts Abner, and he kills him in the gate of Hebron to avenge his brother Asahel (verses 25 to 27). David declares that he and his kingdom are guiltless before the LORD (verse 28). The chapter does not say the LORD caused the murder, but the promise still stands, because the LORD spoke it. David mourns openly, and he leaves the evildoer to the LORD (verses 31 and 39). The promise in verse 18 was rescue from Israel’s enemies, and Jesus saves His people from their sins (Matthew 1 verse 21).

How does 2 Samuel 3 show us that the LORD promised to save His people by David, and that David leaves the evildoer to the LORD?

The LORD promised to save by David, and Jesus saves His people from sin.

Abner tells the elders the LORD said David would save Israel from the Philistines and all their enemies (verse 18). He also swears to bring all Israel to David (verses 9 and 10). The LORD’s word was older than Abner’s plans. Mary’s Son was named Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1 verse 21).

Joab kills Abner for revenge, and David calls the blood guiltless.

Joab takes Abner aside in the gate and strikes him there (verse 27). He acts for the blood of his brother Asahel, whom Abner killed in battle (verses 27 and 30). David places the guilt on Joab and his father’s house (verses 28 and 29). The people see that David did not want it done (verse 37).

David mourns Abner and leaves the evildoer to the LORD.

David tells Joab and the people to tear their clothes and mourn in front of Abner (verse 31). He weeps at the grave, and he refuses food until the sun goes down (verses 32 and 35). He calls Abner a prince and a great man (verse 38). He admits he is weak, and he asks the LORD to reward the evildoer (verse 39).

Memorise

By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

2 Samuel 3:18

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, whose promise can I trust when people let me down?

Abner told the elders, “By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel.” Then Joab killed Abner in the gate, and David wept at his grave and left the evildoer to the LORD. The promise stood, and it leads us to Jesus, the Son of David.

The LORD promised to save His people by David. In Jesus, the Son of David, He saves them from their sins (Matthew 1 verse 21). Jesus was handed over to death, and He carried the sin of His people to the cross. His sacrifice was made once for all. On the first day of the week He rose, and the tomb was empty.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. The LORD keeps His word to everyone who comes, and the Son of David gives them forgiveness.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD promised to save His people by David, and that David left the evildoer to the LORD. Parents, you may want to explain Abner’s death in verse 27 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He promised to save His people by David, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation.

Psalm 13:5

Lord God, thank You that You promised to save Your people by David, and that Jesus, the Son of David, saves His people from their sins. Show each person here how to turn from sin and trust Jesus. Help us to leave wrongs with You this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.