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Commentary on "Rizpah: The Influence of Faithfulness"

MARTIN L. CAREY

 

Day 3: Monday, November 22, 2010 - The Mention of Her Name

 

Overview

Monday’s discussion turns our attention to the house of David increasing in number and power, while Saul’s son Ishbosheth is losing his hold as the new king. Ishbosheth accuses Abner, his general, of sleeping with Saul’s concubine, Rizpah. Outraged, Abner defects to David, the anointed king. The Lesson points out how Rizpah seems to be a pawn in the power plays between the two royal houses. Ishbosheth’s power is broken after Abner abandons him for David. “It is really the mention of Rizpah’s name that has effected this change.” And if Ishbosheth had not accused Abner, the struggle for the throne between the two houses would “most likely have lasted much longer.”

 

Observations

 The story of Ishtosheth’s accusation of Abner, and Abner’s defection to David is a striking demonstration of how God’s purposes can be met even through the worst vices and passions of men. Ishbosheth’s jealousy and fear for his own shaky position drove him to suspect treason of his most able and trusted aide. This was a rash thing for Ishbosheth to do, and we remember some of the volatile actions of his father Saul, who often turned on his friends to spite them.

Abner resents the accusation greatly, and turns his offended feelings into swift action. He quits the house of Ishbosheth and joins David’s cause, promising to support David’s title to the throne. Abner’s motives are anything but noble here, wanting to better his prospects, and get revenge against Saul’s son. Yet his ignoble support for David becomes a major event in bringing him into the throne, for which he was anointed years before. God can use the enemies of His kingdom, even when driven by base desires, to serve His plans. As Matthew Henry points out, “Enemies are sometimes made a footstool, not only to be trodden upon, but to ascend by (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Hendrickson Publishing, 1998).”

One could say that the mention of Rizpah’s name is what changed David’s fortunes for the better, and that without her, the conflict between the two houses would “likely” have been prolonged. But this was not some game of chance between men with God as a passive bystander. The Keeper of Israel does not slumber. Rizpah only appears to be a pawn in this royal contest, and when we see how the God of Israel was acting through all the characters, both small and great, to carry out His purposes for His people, all the powers of men appear as they are, insignificant. God remains Israel’s true King.

 

Summary

  1. The rash actions and bad motives of the players in this story serve God’s purposes for His people, just as their finest moments serve Him.
  2. Rizpah is not a mere pawn in this story, but one of many players in the hands of God, Israel’s true king.

 

GO TO DAY 4

 

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The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

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