What Does 2 Samuel 2:8-9 Mean?
2 Samuel 2:8-9 describes how Abner, Saul's military commander, took Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, and made him king over Gilead, Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel. While David was anointed king over Judah in Hebron, this move created a divided kingdom, with Ish-bosheth ruling the northern tribes. This moment marks the beginning of a tense power struggle between two rival kings, showing how human ambition can delay God’s plan. Yet God remains faithful to His promise to make David king over all Israel.
2 Samuel 2:8-9
But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. And he made him king over Gilead, and the Ashurites, and Jezreel, and Ephraim, and Benjamin, and all Israel.
Key Facts
Book
Author
Samuel, with additions by Nathan and Gad
Genre
Narrative
Date
circa 1000 BC
Key People
Key Takeaways
- God's chosen leader waits patiently while others seize power.
- Human loyalty without God's direction leads to conflict and division.
- God fulfills His promises in His time, not ours.
The Division of Israel After Saul's Death
Right after David is anointed king over Judah in Hebron, a power struggle begins as Saul's former commander sets up a rival king.
Abner, Saul's military leader, takes Ish-bosheth, Saul's surviving son, and crowns him king over the northern tribes - even though God had already chosen David to lead all Israel. This move wasn't about faithfulness to God's plan but about holding onto power and influence through human effort. The result is a divided nation, with David ruling Judah in the south and Ish-bosheth reigning over the rest of Israel in the north.
This split sets the stage for conflict, showing how people's decisions can delay God's promises - but not stop them.
Abner's Loyalty and the Politics of Honor in Ancient Israel
While David trusted God’s timing, Abner acted according to the cultural rules of honor, loyalty, and power, setting up Ish-bosheth as king to preserve Saul’s royal line.
As commander of Saul’s army (ṣābā’), Abner had a duty to protect the honor of his king’s house - a strong value in ancient Near Eastern societies where a leader’s legacy reflected on his family and followers. By installing Ish-bosheth in Mahanaim, a Transjordanian stronghold mentioned later as a safe base during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 17:24-27), Abner secured a place of safety and authority for Saul’s remaining heir.
When leaders act on ambition instead of God's will, the result is division and conflict.
This move was personal, not political. It was rooted in the patronage system where loyalty to one’s leader brought status and obligation. The tribal list - Gilead, Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin - shows where Saul’s family still held influence, especially in the north. Yet this human effort to maintain power delayed God’s clear plan for David, showing how even well-intentioned loyalty can go wrong when it doesn’t align with God’s will. The next clash between these two kingdoms will reveal how deeply this division runs.
Human Ambition vs. God's Anointed King
While Abner tries to build a kingdom through political power, God is quietly building His true one through David, His chosen leader.
This story illustrates how people often attempt to seize control rather than trusting God's plan. Saul's disobedience and attempt to retain the throne led to his downfall (1 Samuel 13:13-14).
God’s promise to David will stand, not because of human strength, but because God keeps His word - pointing forward to Jesus, the ultimate anointed King who rules not by force, but by faithfulness to God.
From Divided Kingdom to God's Eternal Dynasty
This short episode of division sets the stage for David’s eventual rise as king over a united Israel, a moment that foreshadows the coming of Jesus, the ultimate unifier and ruler of God’s people.
When David finally becomes king over all Israel in 2 Samuel 5:1-5, it fulfills God’s promise and shows how He brings unity out of chaos - not through human power, but through faithful leadership shaped by God’s hand. Later, in 2 Samuel 7, God makes a covenant with David, promising that his throne will last forever - a promise that isn’t ultimately fulfilled in David’s earthly line, but in Jesus Christ, who reigns as King of kings and establishes an eternal kingdom.
God’s kingdom isn’t built by human schemes, but by His promise - and it points to the King who will reign forever.
This story reminds us that while human leaders fail and kingdoms divide, God’s plan moves forward to bring one true King who will rule with justice, mercy, and peace.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
Imagine trying to fix something important - like a broken relationship or a tough decision - by doing what *you* think is best, not waiting to hear from God. That’s what Abner did. He saw a power vacuum after Saul’s death and rushed to put Ish-bosheth on the throne, thinking he was being loyal. But instead of bringing peace, it sparked years of conflict. We do this too - trying to control our careers, families, or futures through our own strength, only to end up stressed, divided, or disappointed. But David’s quiet trust in God’s timing, even when it didn’t make sense, shows us a better way. When we stop forcing outcomes and start trusting God’s plan, we find peace, purpose, and real progress - even if it takes longer.
Personal Reflection
- Where am I trying to 'build my own kingdom' instead of waiting on God’s timing?
- When have I valued loyalty to a person or tradition over obedience to God’s clear direction?
- How can I show faithfulness to God’s promises even when others are choosing their own path?
A Challenge For You
This week, identify one area where you’ve been trying to control the outcome. Pause, pray, and take one step of trust - letting go of your plan and asking God to lead. Then, do something small that reflects patient faith, like encouraging someone else without expecting anything in return.
A Prayer of Response
God, I admit I often try to fix things on my own, as Abner did. Forgive me for relying on my plans instead of trusting Yours. Thank You that You are faithful, even when I’m not. Help me to wait on You, to follow Your timing, and to build my life on Your promises, not my own efforts. Amen.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
2 Samuel 2:7
David urges the men of Jabesh-gilead to be strong, setting the stage for Abner’s opposing move to crown Ish-bosheth.
2 Samuel 2:10
Reveals Ish-bosheth’s age and two-year reign, highlighting the brevity and instability of his rule compared to David’s.
Connections Across Scripture
1 Kings 12:16-17
Echoes the theme of national division, as Israel splits again after Solomon, showing how human leadership often fails to maintain unity.
John 18:36
Jesus declares His kingdom is not of this world, contrasting earthly power grabs like Abner’s with God’s spiritual reign.
Acts 13:22
God affirms David as a man after His own heart, confirming divine approval of David’s kingship over human political schemes.