The Tanakh Podcast

Avner argues with the King, Ish-Boshet, and as he realizes that the northern faction led by Sauls' son, is weakening, he decides to capitalize on the moment and create a coalition with King David.
However Yoav, David's general, has a vendetta with Avner (Avner had killed Yoav's brother) and he murders Avner.
Now the peace deal is severely jeopardized. Will David manage to salvage the peace and reunite the kingdom under his rule?

David is crowned in Yehuda. But Avner crowns Saul's son, Ish-Boshet, over the Northern Tribes. 
For seven years the generals - Yoav and Avner - are engaged in conflict. We witness one particularly bloody day of fighting.

Today we address two questions: 
1. Why do we receive two accounts of Saul's death?
2. Was Saul a success? Was he set up for failure?

Saul and his three sons die in battle on Mount Gilboa.
But whereas Saul's son's are killed by the enemy, Saul takes his own life. Was Shaul permitted to end his own life? What were the alternatives?

David and his men return to Ziklag. Amalek have attacked. The town has been burnt and the women and children taken captive.
David goes on the chase.
In this chapter we can understand more deeply what is problematic about Amalek, and we learn some important war ethics.