Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

2 Samuel 3 Devotional

Weak Though Anointed

“And I am weak this day, though anointed as king, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too fierce for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil!””2 Samuel 3:39 (BSB)

The long war between the two royal houses has one direction: David grows stronger and stronger, while Saul's house grows weaker (3:1). Even Abner, the power behind Saul's son, admits that the LORD has sworn to give David the kingdom (3:9-10), though he only changes sides after a quarrel over Saul's concubine. God's promise moves forward through people with mixed and selfish motives.

Then Joab, avenging his brother Asahel, draws Abner aside in the city gate and stabs him (3:27). David refuses to cover it up. He declares himself guiltless, orders Joab to mourn, walks behind the bier, and fasts until sunset. At the end he says something honest: though anointed king, he is weak this day, and the sons of Zeruiah are too fierce for him, so he leaves repayment to the LORD (3:38-39). Paul gives believers the same counsel (Romans 12:19). Being weak does not mean being without recourse. What is too hard for you can be placed in the hands of the God who judges rightly.

To think about: What wrong feels too big for you to fix, and what would it look like to leave its repayment with God?

About 2 Samuel 3: Abner Joins David and Is Murdered

As David grows stronger, Abner quarrels with Ish-bosheth and agrees to bring Israel over to David, who first demands the return of his wife Michal. Joab, avenging his brother Asahel, kills Abner by treachery, and David publicly mourns him and declares himself innocent of the murder.

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