MPV Commentary

Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul by taking control of his wives and concubines, which was a significant move in the East, as it implied an advance on the throne (1Ki 2:17). It's unclear whether Abner's accusation against David was justified or not. However, he took offense to the charge and, driven by revenge, decided to switch his allegiance to David.

Abner sent messengers to David with a secret message, acknowledging that he had been working against God's plan for David to become king. Despite this admission, Abner's actions were still questionable, as he was trying to undermine Ish-bosheth while pretending to support him. David's decision to entertain Abner's overtures can be justified only by considering the divine promise of the kingdom and his belief that Abner's defection was part of God's plan.

David's demand for the return of his wife Michal was reasonable, but insisting on it as a condition for any treaty with Abner seems to have been motivated more by a desire to gain support from Saul's followers than by a lingering attachment to her.

Abner spoke truthfully when he told the elders of Israel about David's divine appointment to the kingdom. However, his actions were hypocritical and driven by malice towards Ish-bosheth. Abner's appeal to the Benjamites was a strategic move, as they were proud of their royal heritage and would be reluctant to lose it. He also knew that enlisting their support would make it easier for him to win over other tribes.

Abner used his influence to gain the Benjamites' backing while escorting Michal to David with great fanfare. This allowed him to distract attention from his treacherous plans against Ish-bosheth and present himself as a champion of peace by advocating for David's appointment as king. In this role, he was welcomed by David, who accepted Abner's offer without realizing the full extent of his deceit.