630
Patriarchs and Prophets
representative of departed royalty to advance his own selfish ambitions
and purposes. He knew that the people loved Jonathan. His memory
was cherished, and Saul’s first successful campaigns had not been
forgotten by the army. With determination worthy a better cause, this
rebellious leader went forward to carry out his plans.
Mahanaim, on the farther side of Jordan, was chosen as the royal
residence, since it offered the greatest security against attack, either
from David or from the Philistines. Here the coronation of Ishbosheth
took place. His reign was first accepted by the tribes east of Jordan,
and was finally extended over all Israel except Judah. For two years
the son of Saul enjoyed his honors in his secluded capital. But Abner,
intent upon extending his power over all Israel, prepared for aggressive
warfare. And “there was long war between the house of Saul and the
house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house
of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.”
At last treachery overthrew the throne that malice and ambition
had established. Abner, becoming incensed against the weak and
incompetent Ishbosheth, deserted to David, with the offer to bring
over to him all the tribes of Israel. His proposals were accepted by the
king, and he was dismissed with honor to accomplish his purpose. But
the favorable reception of so valiant and famed a warrior excited the
jealousy of Joab, the commander-in-chief of David’s army. There was
a blood feud between Abner and Joab, the former having slain Asahel,
Joab’s brother, during the war between Israel and Judah. Now Joab,
seeing an opportunity to avenge his brother’s death and rid himself of
a prospective rival, basely took occasion to waylay and murder Abner.
David, upon hearing of this treacherous assault, exclaimed, “I and
my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord forever from the blood of
Abner the son of Ner. Let it rest on the head of Joab; and on all his
father’s house.” In view of the unsettled state of the kingdom, and
the power and position of the murderers—for Joab’s brother Abishai
had been united with him—David could not visit the crime with just
retribution, yet he publicly manifested his abhorrence of the bloody
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deed. The burial of Abner was attended with public honors. The army,
with Joab at their head, were required to take part in the services of
mourning, with rent garments and clothed in sackcloth. The king
manifested his grief by keeping a fast upon the day of burial; he
followed the bier as chief mourner; and at the grave he pronounced