“Just then David’s men and Yo’av returned from a raid, bringing a lot of plunder with them. But Avner was not with David in Hevron, because he had sent him off under safe conduct.”-2 Samuel 3:22
When we last left off, Avner was rubbing shoulders with the leaders of the northern tribes and getting them to support David as their king.
Afterward, he met with the leaders of the tribe of the Benjamin.
But the Benjamites weren’t as excited about the idea of David becoming king because it meant giving up the throne to a person who did NOT hail from their tribe.
This would’ve been a bitter pill for them to swallow.
Yet everyone knew if Avner was for David becoming king, who could oppose him?
Next, we’re told Avner paid David a royal visit by bringing along with him 20 important leaders from the tribes.
A huge feast to mark the occasion was held and all the tribes agreed to pledge their allegiance to David.
The only remaining step was for the northern leaders to gather and officially confirm David as King.
David then sent Avner home, promising his safety.
Now, some interesting political things are going on here that we shouldn’t overlook.
It was no accident that Avner came to see David while Yo’av was away on a raid.
David was smart.
He knew if Yo’av were there, a treaty with Avner wouldn’t stand a chance, and Avner might not make it out alive.
Remember, Yo’av was now in a blood feud with Avner because Avner had killed Yo’av’s brother, Asahel.
So, David made sure Yo’av was away.
But when Yo’av returned and found out about Avner’s visit, he went into a RAGE.
Verse 22 points out that Joab arrived with RAV SHALAL or רָב שָׁלָל.
This means “great plunder” or “abundant spoils” in English.
Yo’av was feeling all proud of himself…
But then he found out a meeting with his sworn enemy had just taken place behind his back.
The true meaning of what he said to David can only be understood in the original Hebrew.
We’ll dig deeper into this tomorrow, but here’s what I want you to get for today.
The bold and angry way Yo’av expressed himself to David parallels the insulting manner Avner displayed toward Ishbosheth when he was called out for sleeping with Ishbosheth’s concubine.
Just as Avner was so furious that he openly went ballistic on Ishobosheth…
So too did the enraged Yo’av go ballistic on David.
Both men (Avner and Yo’av) spoke in a way one should never speak to a king.
We’ll pick this up the next time we meet.
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