David receives the LORD’s instruction to go back to the city of Hebron in Judah. There, Judah anoints David as their king, but the son of Saul, Ish-bosheth, is set up as king over the rest of Israel in Mahanaim. Abner, the general of the house of Saul, and Joab, the general over David’s men, agree to a competition between the young men of their armies, but this competition soon turns deadly. During the melee, Abner kills one of Joab’s brothers. A full-blown battle is only avoided by the wisdom of Abner and Joab. Nonetheless, many more from the house of Saul die than from the house of David. Even with all the human sin in play, the LORD is still at work to bring about the kingdom of David.

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Samuel 2:1-32.

"A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like Samuel and Nathan. Even as princes like Saul and David sit on an earthly throne, the LORD remains King over His people, even as He does now and forever through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]