2 Samuel 3:1

ABNER DECIDED TO AID DAVID;

ABNER WAS MURDERED BY JOAB;

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE CIVIL WAR

"There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; and David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker."

This progressive shift of power from the house of Saul to that of David fulfilled Samuel's prophecy in 1 Samuel 15:28.

During this extended conflict, there was not a succession of many battles, but an atmosphere of constant hostility. At least part of Abner's attention had to be directed against the encroaching demands of the Philistines; and, having lost the most of his able soldiers in the battle that resulted in Saul's death, Abner doubtless became less and less successful in his forays against the Philistines. In all probability, that failure was the basic reason which lay behind Abner's decision to switch allegiance to David. Abner, of course wanted to be king, as indicated by his taking one of Saul's concubines, but when it became evident that he would be unable to deliver northern Israel from the dominant power of the Philistines, he perceived that his own personal interests would probably be best served by his changing sides in the conflict.