“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 to get them […]

Last week, we learned that Avner, the military leader who held the real power behind King Ishbosheth, created a situation to remove Ishbosheth from the throne and hand the northern kingdom to David. How did he do this? By sleeping with Rizpah, a woman from Ishibosheth’s harem of wives he had inherited from his father. […]

“Avner also spoke with the people of Binyamin.  Then Avner went to Hevron and reported to David everything that had been agreed to by Isra’el and the house of Binyamin.”-2 Samuel 3:19 One of the biggest hurdles Avner had to overcome in getting his political ducks in a row was the Tribe of Benjamin. Why? […]

“Then Avner conferred with the leaders of Israel. He said, ‘In the past, you wanted David to be king over you.  So now, do it. For Adonai has said of David, ‘Through my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the power of the P’lishtim and from the power of all their enemies.’”-2 […]

One interesting question arises concerning Michal being returned to David. This was also something the rabbis debated vigorously. Was David breaking the Torah by marrying a woman who was already married? Michal officially married Phaltiel, but afterward, a divorce never occurred. She was returned to David in her current unchanged status. Plus, as a married […]