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David was to be king after Saul's
death. God had said this many years before; and David had been long
waiting quietly till the time came, for he was not impatient to be
king. But now that Saul and Jonathan were both dead, David asked God
if he should go up to Judah. God told David to go to Hebron in
Judah; and he obeyed and went, and all his family and his soldiers with
him. Then the men of Judah came, and anointed David king. Was
David glad that Saul was dead, and that he could now reign in peace?
No, he still remembered, and mourned for Saul; and honored him very
much. The first thing David did, was to call the good people of
Jabesh-gilead, and to thank and bless them, because they had been kind to
Saul, and buried him. David said to the men of Jabesh-gilead,
"I will requite you this kindness, because you have done this
thing." David was not revengeful to his enemies. God had
punished Saul, but David did not wish to feel angry and unkind towards his
poor fallen enemy: he pitied and honored Saul still. Was
David now king of all Israel? No; seven years he reigned only over
Judah; Saul had left a son, named Ish-bosheth; and Abner, the captain,
took Ish-bosheth, and made him king over Israel. There was a long
war between the party of Ish-bosheth, and the party of David. Abner
was captain of Ish-bosheth's soldiers, and Joab was captain of David's
soldiers. David wanted
peace in his kingdom; but he knew that all his enemies must first be
conquered, because God had told him this, and promised to fight for him,
and give him the victory. David grew stronger and stronger every
day: and Ish-bosheth grew weaker and weaker. Abner knew that
David was God's chosen king; and he sent to him, and promised to help him
to reign over the whole kingdom, Israel as well as Judah. So David
and Abner made peace, and feasted together at Hebron. But Joab,
David's captain, hated Abner, and did not like David to make peace with
him. Why? Because Abner had killed Asahel, Joab's brother, in
a quarrel, some time before; and Joab had not forgiven Abner. So
when Abner went away, Joab followed, and called him, and pretended to
speak kindly to him; but Joab had a sword, and he drew it out, and thrust
it into Abner's side. Abner fell down dead directly; and the people
came and told David. David was angry with Joab, and sorry for
Abner. All the people mourned; and, when Abner was buried, David
himself followed the dead body to the grave. Did David punish Joab
for the murder? No, he was afraid: he thought he had not
enough power to do so; but he never forgot Joab's wickedness; he said, God
would punish him, though he could not. God
always punishes the wicked at last: He spares them, perhaps a long
time; but, if they do not repent, they must, in the end, perish for ever!
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