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THE MURDER OF ABNER WAS A SETBACK TO PEACE
THURSDAY, JULY 9
2 Samuel 3:21-39

Colossians 1:10-14

 

“That ye might walk worthy
of the Lord unto all pleasing,

being fruitful in every good work…”

 

THE MURDER OF ABNER WAS A SETBACK TO PEACE
 
Joab’s murder of Abner was a setback to diplomacy. David and Abner had everything in place for the union of Israel. Joab, captain of the host of David, was not present when Abner and his delegation came to see the king. When Joab returned, David’s servants informed him about the visit and that the king had welcomed them.
 
Joab had a grudge against Abner. Earlier in their war, Abner had killed Asahel, Joab’s brother. Joab told the king that Abner was not sincere, and that he had simply come to deceive the king. Joab sent messengers after Abner to bring him back to Hebron, after which Joab took him aside and killed him with a sword. This turn of events was a setback to the diplomacy that had been established between David and Abner. It was a sin that would haunt Joab later. However, this did not stop the efforts to unite the nation. David’s response sustained it. Ultimately, God is in sovereign control.
 
David mourned the death of Abner and expressed his disapproval of the murder. He cursed Joab for that crime of shedding blood in a time of peace. David commanded a period of mourning for Abner. He had his people organise a funeral and gave Abner a decent burial in Hebron. David wept for him and expressed his feelings for him in a written lamentation. He fasted and called him a prince of Israel. Though Joab was not punished immediately, David did not forget, and the day of vengeance for him would come in the future.
 
The events of the story led to the fulfilment of what God had said about David. David was a leader, and challengers to his throne would lose. God’s promises were behind that success. There are some spiritual shortcomings observed in the narrative, but these were all because of human depravity. With God ever on the throne, all these came to pass according to His sovereign will.
 
THOUGHT: Shedding blood is not for a child of God; the command “Thou shalt not kill” (Exod 20:13) stands.

PRAYER: Father, keep my hands clean from shedding innocent blood.

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