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trophy wives

2 Samuel 3:6-21 (JDV)

2 Samuel 3:6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner kept acquiring more power in the house of Saul.
2 Samuel 3:7 Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you come into my father’s concubine?”
2 Samuel 3:8 Abner was very angry about Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I a dog’s head who belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I’ve been loyal to the family of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and haven’t betrayed you to David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!
2 Samuel 3:9 May God punish Abner and do so severely if I don’t do for David what Yahveh swore to him:
2 Samuel 3:10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beer-sheba.”
2 Samuel 3:11 Ish-bosheth did not dare respond to Abner because he was afraid of him.
2 Samuel 3:12 Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to turn all Israel over to you.”
2 Samuel 3:13 David replied, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there’s one thing I require of you: You will not see my face unless you first bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.”
2 Samuel 3:14 Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal. I was engaged to her for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”
2 Samuel 3:15 So Ish-bosheth sent someone to take her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.
2 Samuel 3:16 Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he went back.
2 Samuel 3:17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel: “In the past you wanted David to be king over you.
2 Samuel 3:18 Now act, because Yahveh has spoken concerning David: ‘Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from the power of the Philistines and the power of all Israel’s enemies.'”
2 Samuel 3:19 Abner also informed the Benjaminites and went to Hebron to inform David about all that was agreed on by Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.
2 Samuel 3:20 When Abner and twenty men came to David at Hebron, David held a banquet for him and his men.
2 Samuel 3:21 Abner said to David, “Let me now go and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you, and you will reign over all you desire.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.

trophy wives

This story reveals two women who are pawns in a game of politics and revenge. They are victims of men behaving badly. The men are using them for their own selfish means. Ish-bosheth’s accusation and David’s request both reveal a character flaw in these men — and such actions should not be thought of as normal for believing men today. The Bible tells the truth, and sometimes it is an ugly truth. God gave Adam a gift to be appreciated, but too often we men abuse the gift.

LORD, give us the integrity we claim to have — especially with regard to our wives.