Second Samuel 2:24

The Bible says in Second Samuel 2:24-32, “Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.[25] And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.[26] Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?[27] And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.[28] So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.[29] And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.[30] And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.[31] But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.[32] And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.” Notice what Abner said to Joab in verse twenty-six: “Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?” In other words, Abner realized that all this fighting and killing was not a good thing. Only in situations of self-defense is anything like that justified. Everyone who is alive has been given life from God, and therefore only God should take it. Life is a precious gift. Do not take that gift from anyone. God said it this way, “Thou shalt not kill.” Too bad that Abner and Joab had not sought peace sooner. It says in verse thirty-one that 360 of his men were killed.

The Bible says in Second Samuel 3:1, “Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.” The war between these two groups lasted for years. Sad, because like most wars, it was needless. If people would be at peace with God by surrendering to His will, they would be at peace with each other too. God’s will was for David to be king. God made sure that His will came to pass. That is why “David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.”

The Bible says in Second Samuel 3:2-5, “Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.[2] And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;[3] And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;[4] And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;[5] And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.” We are told about the first six children that David had: each by a different woman. And so we already see what David’s weakness was: women. Many people know about the story of David and Bathsheba, but David was having problems with women long before his adultery with Bathsheba. One lesson from this is that we need to get a victory over our weaknesses before they destroy us. Another lesson from this is that it shows how merciful and kind the Lord is to us. Even though we fail over and over, the Lord knows we are weak, and He takes that into consideration. The blood of Christ is powerful.

The Bible says in Second Samuel 3:6-11, “And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.[7] And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?[8] Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?[9] So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;[10] To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.[11] And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.” Abner was trying to set himself up to be king, or at least to set up his descendants. That is why Abner took one of Saul’s concubines to himself. Ishbosheth was the only surviving son of Saul. Ishbosheth knew that Abner had now set himself up to be a rival for power, and so Ishbosheth goes to Abner and complains to Abner about it. Abner frightens Ishbosheth by saying that he will turn Ishbosheth over to David if he decides to. As well as the warring going on, this palace intrigue is also taking place. Probably the Lord was letting this happen to further weaken David’s competitors.

The Bible says in Second Samuel 3:12-16, “And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.[13] And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.[14] And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.[15] And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.[16] And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.” Abner wants to make a deal with David because he realizes that David is going to be king not just of Judah but of all Israel. It is interesting to note that the first thing David asks for is his first wife: Michal. No doubt that David loved her. Also, it was a terrible wrong done to David when Saul took his wife from him and gave her to another man. Perhaps that was the source of David’s problems with women. At this point David had already taken six more wives.

The Bible says in Second Samuel 3:17-20, “And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:[18] Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.[19] And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.[20] So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.” Abner is faithful to the agreement that he made with David. Abner starts telling all the other leaders of Israel that it is time to make David king over all of them. Abner quotes the Lord in verse eighteen, “for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.” Abner is reminding the people that this is God’s will. So we see that it is going very well between David and Abner at this point.

The Bible says in Second Samuel 3:21-25, “And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.[22] And, Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.[23] When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.[24] Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?[25] Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.” So now everything is great between David and Abner, but the devil uses jealousy and anger wherever he can. Joab wanted to be second in command as David’s general. Joab sees Abner as a competitor for the king’s favor. Things like that happen in many organizations: maybe not with the same violent outcome, but with the same types of sins. Christians should trust that the Lord is leading and touching hearts. If the Lord wants to give you a promotion, He will touch the heart of your manager to give you one. If the Lord wants someone else to get a promotion, He will touch the heart of your manager to give it to someone else. Live by faith. Trust in the Lord. Believe that the Lord is at work. Congratulate others on their good fortune, knowing the Lord has chosen to bless them in that way. The Lord will also bless you in another way and at another time.

The Bible says in Second Samuel 3:26-30, “And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.[27] And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.[28] And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:[29] Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.[30] So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.” Even though Joab’s brother was killed in a fair fight in battle, Joab wanted revenge. What Joab did was murder. Joab pretended that he wanted to speak to Abner “quietly” so that he could get close to Abner, but Joab used that deceit to stab and kill Abner. Vengeance is a terrible thing and leads people to do terrible deeds. That is one of the reasons that it is best to leave things in God’s hands. “Vengeance is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord.”

___________________________________________________