King of Israel - The Books of 2 Samuel & 1 Chronicles - Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray and behold the servants of David and Joe.
Ab came from pursuing a troop and brought a great
spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron,
for he had sent him away, and he was gone
in peace Second Samuel three twenty two. Lord, when I

(00:21):
inherit opportunities that seemed to be in ruins and surrounded
with conflict, I thank you that, like David, I will
be wise and tactful when it comes to leading and
making decisions in the midst of chaos. I trust and
believe that your hand will continue to be with me

(00:42):
in spite of the circumstances around me, like you did
with David. I realize that on my journey to claim
what you've promised me, there may be people who are
occupying the seat you've called me to sit in. However,
I will not take it by force or by vengeful means,
because I know that, in your perfect timing, you will

(01:03):
deliver it into my hands. No matter the way. Time
I will calm my heart and soul with memories of
your goodness and faithfulness to me. I will stand in
the place of greatness. I will rule over and flourish
in what You've entrusted to me. The life you have
for me is coming to pass, and I thank you

(01:26):
in advance, knowing that my new chapter of victory is
being written even as I speak in Jesus name. Amen,
thank you for praying with us to day. Continue your
time with God by listening to to day's Bible story
brought to you by Bible in a year dot com.

Speaker 2 (01:58):
King of Israel. In our last story, we witnessed the
divided kingdom of Israel. Israel named ishbosheth king, while Judah
crowned David. The two nations were at odds with one another,
and Abner, general of Israel's army, killed Joab's brother Joab,
David's commander spared Israel's army. However, it was not the

(02:22):
end of the conflict. Now we witness the messy merging
of two kingdoms. Murder, betrayal, and sorrow follow the greatness
of a united kingdom. David Gods anointed will inherit a
kingdom riddled with imperfection and in desperate need of God's guidance.
Inspired by the Book of Second Samuel.

Speaker 3 (02:46):
Hello, I'm Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the
Bible in a Year podcast. Yesterday, we heard how David
ascended to the throne of Judah, but Ishbosheth was crowned
king of Israel. The nation was divided in fighting within itself.
It was a civil war. We heard the story of
Joeb and Abner as the armies of Israel and Judah

(03:06):
clashed and many died, but Joeb's mercy spared many more.
Today we'll hear how the conflict between the two sides
is far from over, as are the problems of Israel.
It is a story of jealousy, betrayal, shifting loyalties, and
ultimately a kingdom that is in desperate need of a
godly leader and desperately in need of God himself. So

(03:31):
let's listen to God's word today.

Speaker 2 (03:34):
The spite of King Saul lived on through Ishbosheth and
the armies of Israel. Day after day there was conflict
between the sibling nations, and heartache scarred the people for
over two years. King David grew stronger through the conflict.
His love for the whole nation of Israel and Judah
informed every tactical decision he made. David was wise tactful

(03:58):
and merciful as he planned, and yet he was ruthless
on the battlefield. His men followed him passionately, and Israel's
strength began to wane. Abner was also finding a place
for himself among the armies of Israel. Ishboshev was a
week leader and in need of Abner's guidance continually. Abner

(04:19):
loved Ishboschev as he loved Saul. Yet above all, he
loved Israel and wanted it to flourish. Between the battle
and hardship, Abner found comfort in the company of Sal's concubine, Rispah.
Together they made love ate and took walks among the city.
The two of them fell in love, and this was

(04:40):
truly disturbing to Ishbosheth. One day he stormed into Abner's
quarters and yelled, why would you mingle with my dead
father's concubine.

Speaker 3 (04:49):
I forbid it.

Speaker 2 (04:51):
Abner looked at Isboschef with rage. He did not try
and hide his anger. Abner flipped the table in between
them and pointed to Ishboshef. Do you treat me like
a dog? Abner yelled, I have shown you the house
of Saul and all of Israel nothing but love and faithfulness.
I show honor to you, your uncles, and all of

(05:13):
Saul's allies. Now you storm into my house and charge
me because of a woman. Abner stormed closer to Ishbosheth.
Ish Bosheth stood still, fearing Abner would do something to him.
Abner leaned in and whispered in his ear, saying, mark
my words, I will establish the kingdom of David here

(05:34):
in Israel. The nation will be united under him, and
you will dwindle into nothingness. And just like that, Abner
left the room. Ish Bosheth stood still, unable to answer Abner,
for he was a weak man and a coward. Abner
gathered a few of his men and sent them out
to David. They rode through the night, hoping to find

(05:57):
David before another battle began. Abner's message to David was,
who does this land belong? To make a covenant with me,
and my sword will be yours.

Speaker 3 (06:08):
Together we will.

Speaker 2 (06:09):
Unite Israel and Judah. As his men were riding, Abner
wasted no time. He gathered a few of the elders
of Israel and spoke to them plainly. He knew that
many of them doubted Ishboschef and would gladly welcome a
stronger king worthy of their loyalty. Together, they conspired to
leave Ishbouschev and bind themselves to King David for the

(06:30):
good of Israel. Already a nation was beginning to form
in the shadows. Abner ventured to Hebron to meet with David.
With twenty men behind him. They entered into the city
to find it bustling with activity. The smell of freshly
baked bread and cooked meat filled the air, and men
and women exchanged goods in the market place. They felt

(06:52):
safe and secure, with no worries of future raids or
ambushes from Israel or the Philistines. Abner could not help
but regret the months spent serving Ishbosheth, for David had
truly led Judah into a period of cultural and economic thriving.
David was standing at the entrance of his home to
greet Abner. They embraced as old friends. Abner was a

(07:16):
young man when David defeated Goliath and joined the armies
of Israel. The two had grown close in battle years ago.
Now they stood as friends, ready to make amends and
build alliances. David hosted a great feast for Abner and
his men, and all of them laughed into the night
and rejoiced in one another's company. After this, Abner was

(07:37):
sent away in peace. The two of them would reconvene
at another time. Shortly after, Joab returned with his men
from a raid. Spoils of war were carried in on carriages,
and all the people of Hebron marveled at Joab and
his men. David embraced Joab, happy to see him back
healthy and unharmed. Joab sat at David's hall to eat,

(08:00):
and one of the servants mentioned to him that Abner
had just left. Joab's eyes widened, and he stood up
from his chair and looked at David. Joab's eyes were foggy,
and it seemed like he was holding back tears. Abner
came to you, Joab asked David. David nodded, matter of factly.
That man killed my brother. He has come to deceive you.

(08:24):
He wants to know where you dwell and what your
weaknesses are. He does not care about you. David's resolve
to partner with Abner did not relent. He knew that
Abner was the key to uniting the kingdom's However, Joab
seeped with rage. Frantic, hurt and weary from battle, Joab
stormed out of David's presence. The night fell upon all

(08:45):
the land of Judah and Israel. Abner had just settled
into his home when a messenger came to him. The
message said that Abner needed to return to Hebron immediately
and meet David at the gates. Abner wasted no time
and took his horse to Hebron without his men. Abner
rode fast for the message seemed urgent. Is David in danger?

(09:07):
Am I in danger? Abner thought to himself. It did
not take long for Abner to arrive at the gates
of Hebron. He dismounted his horse and looked around for David.
He peeked his head over some shrubs and around some trees.
Still no sign of David. Abner looked behind him to
see a hooded figure ten yards away. Ah, my King,

(09:29):
Abner said. He came in close to speak with him.
Before Abner could make another sound, a blade was driven
into his ribs. Abner gasped as blood spat out of
his mouth. He fell to his knees, holding the blade
in his abdomen. He looked up to see a face
under the hood, illuminated by the moonlight. It was Johab

(09:50):
standing over him, watching the life slowly leave his eyes.
Abner fell to the floor and bled out in front
of Johab. Darn urged from the valley in the sun
shone on Abner's lifeless body. David stood over it. Knowing
exactly who was to blame, he had his men capture
Joeab and bring him. Joab knelt before David with spears

(10:13):
pointed towards him. This was David's first betrayal as King
how he handled Joab, which set a precedent for all
other acts of disobedience in the future. David closed his
eyes and prayed a silent prayer. He then opened his
eyes and looked at Joab. My hands and the hands
of Judah are clean from this blood. You and you

(10:36):
alone are to blame for Abner's death. I know when
my heart, God will deal with you more harshly than
I ever could. Your family will be cut off from
My favor and God's. There will be defeat in battle,
disease and misfortune to plague you and your children and
your children's children, And like that, David allowed Joab to

(10:58):
go his way. Wept over Abner, for he represented a
past bond to Saul and Jonathan. He would have to
find another way to unite the kingdoms. The next day,
Ishboschev was lying in his bed taking a nap. What
little courage he had vanished at the news of Abner's death.
Now he awaited his inevitable demise. Unbeknownst to ishboshef that

(11:21):
demise would come sooner than expect it. Ishboshev napped during
the day as the warm breeze trickled in through his window. Slowly,
three of Ishbosheth's men entered into his room. Raman, Rachab,
and Ban creeped near to his bed, doing their best
to remain quiet. Raman lifted his blade and drove it

(11:42):
into Ishboshev's side as his eyes opened at the pane,
Rachab swung his axe down and chopped off his head.
Later that day, the three men sauntered into Hebron with
their heads held high. They could not wait to show
David what they had done. They smiled cheek to cheek
aye beaming with the thought of possible reward and status.

(12:03):
They entered into David's throne room and laid their head
out on the table before David. Rashab grinned and presented
the head of Isbouchev. Behold, my king, the Lord has
avenged you today. Here is the head of Isbouchev, the
king that sought your life. David stood up from his
seat and observed the head. The men could not contain

(12:25):
their excitement. David walked around them and said, let me
tell you a story. The room grew tense for a
moment as David spoke. A man once came to me
and told me that he was the one who killed Saul. Behold,
Saul is dead, he shouted. He expected me to reward him.

(12:45):
He expected riches, favor, and a hug. He received no
such thing. I slaughtered him right where he stood. The
men began to sweat as they listened to David's voice
grow loud. Tell me how should I treat the men
who murder their innocent king in his bed. Before they

(13:06):
could answer the question, David and his men struck them
down and cut off their heads and feet. David desired
his kingdom to be united through mercy, diplomacy, and worship,
not assassination. Shortly After the elders of Israel came to David,
they crowned him king over all Israel, and the two

(13:27):
split nations were united once again. David was thirty years
old now and felt as though he had lived an
entire lifetime. After slaying giants, fighting the Philistines, fleeing from Saul,
and navigating a civil war, David had finally taken the
mantle as shepherd over God's sheep. Many acts of faith

(13:48):
and failure would follow David, yet one thing would remain
his desire to know God and unite himself to his
will forever.

Speaker 3 (14:02):
Today's story begins with Isbaschef still ruling over Israel. There
was constant conflict between the two kingdoms, a civil war.
David flourished along with Judah, while Israel floundered under a
weak and unwise king. Abner was still adviser to Ishbaschef,
seeking to help Israel grow strong. But when Isbaschef confronted

(14:23):
Abner for his romantic involvement with one of Saul's concubines,
Abner was deeply offended and angered. After all that he
had done for the king and for Israel, it seemed
so petty to him, and just like that, his loyalty turns.
This man wanted what was best for Israel, and he
realized Isbaschev wasn't the best for Israel. He vowed that

(14:47):
he would help to bring about a unified Israel under David,
as this was the will of God. So Abner sent
word to David that he would join forces with him
in order to unify Israel, to unify Israel under his rule,
the rule of David. And so then he gathered the
Israelite elders and reminded them of their desire to have

(15:07):
David as king. This is what he said to them
in Second Samuel. Now then bring it about, for the
Lord has promised David, saying, by the hand of my
servant David, I will save my people Israel, from the
hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all
their enemies. Abner knew the truth that David was the

(15:28):
chosen man to be king of Israel. It would be
through him, David, that God would deliver his people. Abner
knew that it was far better to be on the
side of God's will rather than resist or to fight
against it. When he reunites with David, it is like
a meeting of long lost friends, David embraced and accepted him.

(15:50):
David could have been bitter and angry about Abner's allegiance
to Ibasheth, but instead he threw a feast for Abner
and sent him away in peace, resolved to work with
Abne to unify Israel. When David's commander Joeeb found out
that the man who killed his brother had been received
with open arms, he was not as understanding. He told

(16:12):
David that Abner surely had evil motives and could not
be trusted, but David was unwavering. Joe Eb went away angry,
and the mercy he showed on the battlefield gave way
to hatred and murderous intent. When we are bitter and angry,
it always finds a way to express itself, and often
with disastrous consequences. So he tricked Abner into thinking David

(16:36):
had called for him, and under the cover of night,
he murdered Abner in cold blood. David, of course knew
who had committed this crime and had Joeb brought to him.
Once more, we see David's mercy on display. Rather than
killed Joeb, David sent him away, vowing that God would
deal with Joeeb himself. But although Abner was gone, Ishbashev

(16:59):
was still not safe on the throne, and one night,
three of his men snuck into his room and took
off his head, then traveled to Hebron to deliver it
to David. Surely they were expecting a reward, but what
they received was the same fate as Ishboshev. David was
not interested in a hostile, violent takeover. He knew that

(17:20):
peace and unity would not be achieved through the sword.
He himself was setting the example for his people, and
so when the elders of Israel finally came and crowned
David king over all of Israel, both Israel and Judah,
the stage was set for a different kind of rule,
one that was marked by the God of Israel and

(17:40):
those who sought after him. We'll hear more of this
story the next time, as the Shepherd of God's people,
David leads Israel. Dear God, we thank you for your
word today, always teaching us your truth. May we live
in obedience to your word every day in Jesus' name. Amen.

(18:01):
Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast.
I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download Theprey dot com
app and make prayer and Bible study a priority in
your life. If you enjoy this podcast, share it with
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And if you want more resources on how to tap

(18:23):
into God's power for Christian living, be sure to visit
Jack Graham dot org. God bless you.

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King of Israel - The Books of 2 Samuel & 1 Chronicles

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