Old Testament 2 Lesson 6

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan
turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they
were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other
delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast
slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very
pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love
of women.
How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
— II Samuel 1:19-27
DAVID IS MADE KING
After lamenting for Saul and Jonathan, David took his family, and all the
men that were with him, and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron in Judah.
The men of Judah came, and there anointed David to be king over the
house of Judah. They also told David how the men of Jabesh-gilead had
buried the bones of Saul and his sons. David sent a message unto these
men, thanking them for their kindness, and promising that they would
be rewarded for this act. He also told them that the men of Judah had
anointed him king in the stead of Saul.
Abner, Saul’s captain, was not ready to submit unto David. He took Ishbosheth,
another one of Saul’s sons, and made him king over all of Israel
- except the tribe of Judah (II Samuel 2:1-11).
One day, Abner and the servants of Ishbosheth came to Gibeon. Joab, the
son of David’s half-sister Zeruiah, and other of David’s servants also came
to Gibeon. Each group sat on one side of a pool, opposite each other. After
awhile, Joab suggested that they have a contest between twelve of his men,
and twelve of David’s men. Abner agreed. All twelve men were armed with
their swords. “And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust
his sword in his fellow’s side: so they fell down together” (II Samuel 2:16). In
other words, all twenty-four men died!
This resulted in a battle between David’s servants, and those under Abner’s
command. Abner and his men were severely beaten, and Abner began to
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