Abner made Ish-bosheth king in an attempt to maintain his position as military leader.1 In contrast to David, Ish-bosheth was not recognized by the people but installed over them. Abner did this even though he knew that the Lord had promised the kingdom to David (see 2 Samuel 3:9–10, 2 Samuel 3:18). He knew God’s will but still went against it (see Psalm 2:2–3; Acts 4:27–28; Luke 19:14),2 choosing instead to continue the hostility of Saul against David.
9 and he made him king over Gilead and the Ashurites and Jezreel and Ephraim and Benjamin and all Israel.