“Rizpah”

June 2, 2018

“Rizpah”

Blessings folk!

The political intrigue continues.
Between the house of Saul and the house of David.
Within the house of Saul.
Within the house of David.

2Sa 3:6-11

It came about while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David that Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.

Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah;
and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hands of David; and yet today you charge me with a guilt concerning the woman.

“May God do so to Abner, and more also, if as the LORD has sworn to David,
I do not accomplish this for him,

to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”

And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.

Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul.
Remember, Abner was not King.
Ish-bosheth was.

What did Abner do?

He “went in” (the Bible is nothing if not graphic) to the late Saul’s concubine.

So, what is the big deal?

This was a sign of power.
This was a proclamation of position.
This was a usurping of the king.

Ish-bosheth confronted Abner.

Abner’s heart was revealed.
He was angry.
He obviously considered himself greater than the king…without the position.
He proclaimed that it was by his kindness that Ish-bosheth was on the throne.
He declared he had the power to deliver Ish-bosheth into the hands of David.
He was offended that his deed had been questioned.

Abner then played his final card.
He would transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul.
He would establish the throne of David over Israel.
All the land.

Was this just bull and bluster?
Could he do it?
Would he do it?

What was Ish-bosheth’s response?
He said nothing.
He feared Abner.

Well, there you go.
Fear will get you no where…

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