Posted in A Father's Love, Devotions, Holiness, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

2 Samuel 3 Part 2–Sad End to A Sad War

 David came to terms with Abner, general from the house of Saul. He made peace and looked to end the conflict.   Sadly, as he sent Abner on his way, Joab, David’s general, found out that the guy that killed his brother was just set free.  So Joab chased Abner down and killed him.  It was such a sad day for David and for Israel.  Joab and his family would be cursed. David and his army would not be done and Abner, the one to bring peace, was murdered. David commanded all mourn for Abner’s death.  He mourned and fasted the entire day.  They honored the general, even though Abner was in Saul’s house.
 
In truth, war just stinks.  The costs are high, the unintended damages are often great and senseless.  That is why we do not go to war thoughtlessly or at a whim.  It is critical that while we ready ourselves for battle, that we become men of peace and reason.  David was clearly a great warrior.  But, he knew the value of peace.  His deal with Abner was a deal for the peace of Israel, not simply for himself. We have to live our lives the same.  We must always be ready for the spiritual battles we face, but, we need to be peaceful people.  Joab was cursed because he could not do that. David was great because he could. Let’s choose to be peaceful people ready for battle.
 
God Bless You

Just then David’s men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace.

24 So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! 25 You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing.”

26 Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern at Sirah. But David did not know it. 27 Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died.

28 Later, when David heard about this, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29 May his blood fall on the head of Joab and on his whole family! May Joab’s family never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy[a] or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food.”

30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also

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This is an amazing Journey. I hope you will hear from the Lord, as you seek Him with your heart. Matthew 6:33

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