“The Changing Tide”

 Changing tides are generally predictable in coastal areas. Depending on where you are they are also not easily visible. In other areas you can easily see it. This applies to life. Changes in our life are often not easily perceived, sometimes it is readily seen and felt.

For King David, the changing tides of his life have been a roller coaster of changing circumstances. He learned the lessons slowly and quickly. Now we see him going from an inconsequential little boy, to a much more important figure in Israel.

The Struggle

“Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.” (2 Samuel 3:1)

If we think about the house of David we can see that they are not just growing in population of kin, but in families that are willing and happy to follow David. They trust David because he is trusting God. His faith is becoming infectious among Israel.

The house of Saul has gone in the opposite direction. The leadership, Saul, Jonathan, and Saul’s other son’s had been killed in the war with the Philistines. The only remaining leadership was Ishbosheth and Abner. Breaking it down further, Ishbosheth was a puppet in Saul’s house, the real leader was Abner.

The Division in Saul’s House.

Leadership

In every organization there are two types of leaders, the Formal Leader, and the Informal Leader. The Formal Leader, whether it is a CEO, Church Pastor, or the owner of a Hot Dog Stand; their authority may come from the Board of Directors, Elders, or from the ownership of their business. Their is a hierarchy of power and control within the Formal Leadership.

The Informal Leader is a completely different creature. They achieve their authority through personal relationships, by achieving trust, and exemplifying capability. People, including Formal Leaders will follow an Informal Leader.

Ishbosheth is the Formal Leader in the house of Saul and Israel. Ishbosheth’s authority is from the succession from his father Saul. Abner is both a Formal and Informal Leader. Abner’s authority comes from Ishbosheth, but Abner uses his Informal Leadership role to take control of Saul’s house.

The Accusation

Ishbosheth is afraid of Abner. Abner is physically stronger, in the eyes of Saul’s followers he has demonstrated his leadership, and maintains political control. Ishbosheth assumes he can not physically take control from Abner, but he has a plan to politically damage Abner’s control.

“And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?” (2 Samuel 3:7)

There is the accusation, Abner, according to Ishbosheth has slept with Saul’s concubine. Ishbosheth assumes that this is Abner’s violation of a moral law. We have to define the relationship between Rizpah and Saul to understand the connection to Ishbosheth and Abner.

The idea of a concubine is not uncommon. The best explanation can be found HERE. The thought here is that Rizpah is the property of Saul and by inheritance is now the property of Ishbosheth. The accusation is Abner has violated Ishbosheth’s property.

Abner, neither affirms, nor denies any involvement. What we don’t have is any statement from Rizpah.

Abner does respond to Ishbosheth. “Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?” (1 Samuel 3:8)

Whether the accusation is true or not, does not matter in this case. Ishbosheth and Abner are both prisoners of their own ambition. Abner, clings to his ambition and looks for another route.

Stay Tuned…