2 Samuel 3:1

2 Samuel 3:1 says, Now 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.  Those following David as king and those following Saul’s son Ishbosheth as king continued to fight, but David and his followers grew stronger while those following Saul's son grew weaker weaker.  The followers of Christ may not grow stronger in this lifetime as David did, and though they were all Israelites, he was the one ordained by God. but we will one day have the everlasting victory.  Verse two adds, And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;  We are now told of the birth of some of David's sons, all by different women, and we know this certainly wasn't in accordance with God's plan for marriage and the family.  Christians still make at times commit sins today in terms of marriage and family, but that doesn't mean that God gives up on them and casts them out of His family, but it also doesn't mean that it was ever acceptable to Him nor within His will.  The next few verses list more of David's children and names of their mothers.  Verse three states, And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;  Verse four adds, And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; Verse five continues,  And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.  Verse six states, And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.  The war continued between those following David and those following Saul’s son Ishbosheth, who was basically giving Abner the power.  Abner had anointed him king after all.  Abner had made himself even stronger in the house of Saul.  We do know that there is always someone who will assume the role of authority among those who fight against the followers of Christ today.  Verse seven adds, And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?  Evidently in making himself stronger with those following Ishbosheth, Abner began a relationship with one of Saul's concubines, and Ishbosheth asked him why he had done this.  Ishbosheth was after all the ordained king, even if he was not ordained by God, and therefore had the right to question Abner, but Abner resented it. There is often disagreement and power struggles with those who are not Christians today, but we don't need the same thing to happen among those who are.  Verse eight continues, Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?  Abner asked Ishbosheth if he thought Abner was like a dog with no rights, even though he had kept Ishbosheth from being delivered into David's hand.  Of course, we have no evidence that David ever had any ill intentions toward Ishbosheth, at least before Abner anointed him king and started fighting against David.  People of the world today still often believe that it is their right to do whatever they want to do, even if they aren't the official ruler.  Verse nine states, So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;  Abner basically said that he was the power behind Ishbosheth being king.  He had a strongly elevated opinion of himself, even to the point of defying both David and God to anoint Ishbosheth king.  There are still to many people who are fighting against God today who have an elevated opinion of themselves.  Verse ten adds, To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.  Abner continued to speak about how he had kept the entire kingdom from following David as king.  Verse eleven continues, And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.  Ishbosheth, though anointed king by Abner, but not by God, could not answer Abner, because he was afraid of him.  It would seem that Ishbosheth was more a figurehead than a real king.  Some supposed rulers today are still the same way, fearing those closest to them and being afraid to speak out against them.  Verse twelve concludes, And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.  Abner now sent a messenger to David proposing that he join forces with David and deliver all of Israel to David's rule.  Of course, Abner was still placing himself in a position of importance if not power. Switching sides is nothing unusual in the rulers of the world today.