This verse from 2 Samuel 3:6 is a key piece of information in understanding the power dynamics after Saul's death. It tells us a few things:
"While there was war between Saul's house and David's house...": This highlights that the transition of power wasn't smooth or immediate. After Saul and his sons were killed in battle, David was anointed king over Judah (the southern kingdom), but Saul's surviving son, Ish-bosheth, was set up as king over the rest of Israel (the northern kingdom) by Abner. This created a civil war.
"Abner made himself strong in Saul's house.": This is the crux of the verse. Abner, who was Saul's uncle and the commander of his army, used Ish-bosheth's weak claim to the throne to consolidate his own power. Ish-bosheth was likely a puppet king, and Abner was the real power behind the throne. Abner was essentially increasing his influence and control over the remnants of Saul's kingdom.
In essence, this verse means that during the ongoing conflict between the supporters of Saul's lineage and the supporters of David, Abner was taking advantage of the instability to bolster his own position and authority within the kingdom nominally ruled by Ish-bosheth. He was acting in his own self-interest, using the situation to his advantage.
This sets the stage for the events that follow in 2 Samuel. Abner's actions, driven by his desire for power, will ultimately lead to significant shifts in the political landscape and eventually pave the way for David to become king over all of Israel. He makes a move later in the chapter and ultimately is assasinated by Joab.
This verse from 2 Samuel 3:6 is a key piece of information in understanding the power dynamics after Saul's death. It tells us a few things:
"While there was war between Saul's house and David's house...": This highlights that the transition of power wasn't smooth or immediate. After Saul and his sons were killed in battle, David was anointed king over Judah (the southern kingdom), but Saul's surviving son, Ish-bosheth, was set up as king over the rest of Israel (the northern kingdom) by Abner. This created a civil war.
"Abner made himself strong in Saul's house.": This is the crux of the verse. Abner, who was Saul's uncle and the commander of his army, used Ish-bosheth's weak claim to the throne to consolidate his own power. Ish-bosheth was likely a puppet king, and Abner was the real power behind the throne. Abner was essentially increasing his influence and control over the remnants of Saul's kingdom.
In essence, this verse means that during the ongoing conflict between the supporters of Saul's lineage and the supporters of David, Abner was taking advantage of the instability to bolster his own position and authority within the kingdom nominally ruled by Ish-bosheth. He was acting in his own self-interest, using the situation to his advantage.
This sets the stage for the events that follow in 2 Samuel. Abner's actions, driven by his desire for power, will ultimately lead to significant shifts in the political landscape and eventually pave the way for David to become king over all of Israel. He makes a move later in the chapter and ultimately is assasinated by Joab.
