“Mahanaim was where he put Ish-bosheth and where their headquarters was.”
Pastor Daniel Batarseh uses 2 Samuel 2 (the Battle of Gibeon) to teach that wisdom is essential for Christian life and leadership. He draws four practical lessons—be constantly on guard, foresee consequences of present compromises, be teachable and take advice, and reject hypocrisy—applying them to church life, personal holiness, and spiritual warfare.
“But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanim. And he made him king over Gilead, and the Ashrites, and Jezreel, and Ephraim, and Benjamin, and all Israel.”
Pastor Daniel Batarseh studies 2 Samuel 2, focusing on David’s prudent waiting, seeking God’s guidance, humble reception of public anointing by Judah, and the opposition that follows (Abner crowning Ish-bosheth). The sermon draws practical applications about praying for direction, staying where God has placed you, serving while you wait, humility in leadership, and expecting resistance to God’s work.
“But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim and made him king over Gilead and Asherah and Jezreel and Ephraim and Benjamin and all Israel.”
Verse-by-verse study of 1 Samuel 31 that recounts Saul’s death and draws spiritual lessons about God’s sovereignty, the danger of seeking human honor, the value of a holy fear of God, the mystery of righteous suffering, and the hope of God’s faithful remnant and Christ’s deliverance.
