“Avner the son of Ner and the servants of Ish-Boshet the son of Sha’ul went out from Machanayim to Giv‘on; while Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah and David’s servants also went out; and they met together by the pool at Giv‘on. One group sat down on one side of the pool and the other on the other side.”-2 Samuel 2:12-13
From verse 12, the scene shifts.
A group of men loyal to Ishoboshesh bump into a group of men loyal to David.
This was like Godzilla bumping into King Kong.
In other words, war was about to ensue.
Avner had some business to take care of in Gibeon, his family’s hometown in Benjamin territory.
So he and his men had decided to stop at a watering hole called the Pool of Gibeon.
Because Judah’s territory bordered the area, Yo’av, David’s nephew and army leader, arrived at the pool with his brothers and other men at the same time for the same reason.
Imagine how shocked they must’ve been.
What should they do?
Start fighting each other right away?
Should one side leave?
Sensing the tense situation, Avner proposed that each side pick 12 men to duke it out with each other gladiator-style.
Instead of both armies fighting, each side would send one champion to battle.
Whoever lost would take it as a loss for their whole army and leave, thus saving many lives.
This reminds us of the battle between David and Goliath.
David represented all of Israel…
And Goliath represented the Philistines.
Once David slew Goliath, all of Philistia admitted defeat and fled to the hills.
This brings to mind an important Scriptural principle:
The idea of agency…
Or one party mediating on behalf of another.
God has always chosen certain individuals to represent him.
He used Moses to represent Him when He ordered Pharaoh to let His people go.
In the Book of Judges, He chose special deliverers to rescue His People from their gentile enemies.
Finally…
And I think you know where I’m going with this…
“In these last days…
He has spoken to us by his Son…
Whom he appointed heir of all things…
And through whom also he made the universe.”
Ya feel me?
See ya all next time.
This was a great read, very informative!
Glad you liked this. Be blessed!