2 Samuel 4:1-3 – Ish-bosheth
Ish-bosheth was really just a pawn in the hands of Abner, Saul’s army commander. Back in chapter 2v8 we’re told that after Saul’s death, Abner took Ish-bosheth and made him king over all Israel. It doesn’t sound like he even has a say in the matter. Abner’s the one pulling the strings. Here in chapter 4, when Ish-bosheth hears that Abner has been killed, his courage fails. Even though Abner had switched sides, Ish-bosheth might still have thought of him as a barrier between himself and David. But now Abner’s dead, Ish-bosheth thinks that he’s next.
Ish-bosheth the puppet king is actually a good illustration of life in the kingdom of darkness. Because people around us believe that they’re free – when they’re actually slaves. They hold on to the illusion that they have free will, when they’re actually doing the work of the devil. They may think that they’re calling the shots in their lives. But actually there’s someone else pulling the strings and using them for his own wicked purposes. But even though Ish-bosheth was used, even though he was exploited, he was still in the kingdom of darkness. How different from his brother Jonathan. Jonathan was the true successor to Saul, humanly speaking. Yet he symbolically took off his royal robe and gave it to David in acknowledgement that God had chosen his friend instead.
The pathetic picture of Ish-bosheth painted here is meant to arouse our sympathy. Surely we should have a similar feeling towards the unbelievers around us, because at the end of the day the reason they stay in the kingdom of darkness is because the god of this world has blinded their minds to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. They’re not our enemies, as such. And yet they are the king’s enemies. They are without excuse. At the end of the day, they’re still suppressing the truth. They’re refusing to submit to what they know deep down to be true, just as Ish-bosheth was. If he hadn’t heard it before, Ish-bosheth heard from Abner how God had promised to give the kingdom to David. So Ish-bosheth knew the truth. But he refused to live in light of it.
Question
- How does Ish-bosheth react when Abner is killed?
Prayer Points
- Pray that those around us would see their need of Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.