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2 Samuel 3:33 - Another day another mourning - Day 252

A few short thoughts about the challenges David had to address following becoming king of Judah but not of all Israel.

The other day, David was mourning Saul and Jonathan.  Today, he is morning Abner, Saul's leading general.  

Contrasts

Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle.  Abner was murdered by Joab and his brother Abishai to avenge the death of their other brother Asahel.

The Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul was executed by David.  The brothers are cursed by David but not executed immediately.  However, David tells Solomon to have Joab executed when he become king.

Mourning for Saul and Jonathan was purely personal.  Mourning for Abner has a political aspect.  David was in no way responsible for Saul's death.  However, Joab and his brothers are David's nephews.  Zeruiah is David's sister.  Typically "son of" implies the named person is the father.  However, here it is the mother.  David is interesting in uniting the kingdom and showing that he was guiltless in the murder is very important.


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