Changing Loyalties

2 Samuel 3:1-21

    1 Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.  2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.
    6 Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul.
    7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?”  8 Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, “Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman? 9 May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the LORD has sworn to him— 10 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.” 11 And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
    12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, “Whose is the land?” saying also, “Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you.”  13 And David said, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.” 14 So David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 Then her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, “Go, return!” And he returned.
    17 Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18 Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’ ” 19 And Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin. Then Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.
    20 So Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 21 Then Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

The long war between God’s anointed and the descendants of Saul the rejected king was drawn out, but gradually David and his forces gained the upper hand of strength.  Here we see how Abner the old commander under Saul began to grab more power from Saul’s son who was appointed king over Israel.  But when that son accused Abner of sleeping with a concubine of Saul, Abner set his heart on changing loyalties and supporting David for king as the LORD had chosen him.  His anger moved him to support God’s man instead of loyalty to the former king’s line.  He therefore sent word to David to make a covenant to support him to take the kingdom from Ishbosheth the son of Saul.  David agreed, as long as he got his wife Michal back whom Saul had taken away and given to another.  She was sent back by Saul’s son.  Then Abner talked with the elder leaders of Israel to sway them to support David and then to the Benjamites in David’s presence to show his sincerity of purpose.  Abner and some of his followers dined with David in a feast and left in peace to gather Israel together to make a covenant with David as king over them as over Judah, wishing David a good rule over all God’s people.  We see here that loyalties may change due to external circumstances which reveal a deeper existing desire to do what is right before the Lord.  Abner knew David was chosen by God to be king, but his loyalty to the former king who rejected the LORD and was rejected by the same was now put where it should be.  We may likewise find ourselves on the wrong side of God due to misplaced loyalty, but can be influenced to see clearly where we should be and who we must follow.  Let it be according to God’s word and will and way.