Day4
Week3
2 Samuel
”Abner the son of Ner, with the servants of Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim toward Gibeon. And Joab the son of Zeruiah, with the servants of David, went out in order to meet together at the pool of Gibeon. They sat down, one group on one side of the pool and the other group on the side of the pool opposite them. Abner suggested to Joab, “Let the young men come forward and compete before us.” And Joab replied, “Let them come.” So they stepped forward and were counted, twelve from Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth and twelve from the servants of David. Each one grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath Hazzurim, which is at Gibeon. The fighting was very fierce that day, but Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.“
2 Samuel 2:12-17 MEV
Cross references
Joshua 18:25; 10:12;
2 Samuel 8:16;
1 Chronicles 2:16;
2 Samuel3:1
For King and Country
Are you familiar with the declaration,”For King and Country”?
This declaration made it clear that you were willing to lay down your life for your king and your country.
Abner and Joab seem, at first glance to be sold out for king and country.
As our story unfolds, it becomes clear that both generals are looking out for their own agenda and making decisions without consulting their king.
Abner the son of Ner:
Abner was Saul’s cousin (1 Samuel 14:50) and the commander of Saul’s armies for many years. He first met David when David was a young man (1 Samuel 17:55-57). David once challenged Abner when David had the opportunity to kill Saul but did not. David pointed out that Abner failed to protect his king.
Joab the son of Zeruiah:
Joab was apparently one of the 400 men who joined David at Adullam Cave (1 Samuel 22:1-2), or he joined with David during this general period.
· Joab had two notable brothers: Abishai and Asahel.
· Joab, Abishai, and Asahel were David’s nephews, the sons of David’s sister Zeruiah (1 Chronicles 2:16).
· Joab had a long and checkered career as David’s chief general.
Each man seemed preoccupied with their own lust for power and control. Neither king David nor king Ishbosheth ordered this meeting.
Have you ever stepped out under the orders of king-self without consulting King Jesus?
We all have and I can say fairly confidently that it probably didn’t go well, right?
Some 15 to 20 years before this, David was anointed king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:12-13). As the promise seemed almost fulfilled, David didn’t rush in blindly and seize it. Instead, he carefully sought the LORD.
David knew the promise was from God, so he knew God could fulfill it without any manipulation from him, but apparently Joab didn’t get the memo and took matters into his own hands. Abner did the same and instigated a bloody competition.
Pride is an abomination to God and both Abner’s and Joab’s pride caused a lot of good men to die that day.
Has anyone been caught in the crossfire of king-self’s decisions in your life?
Action Step
Ask Holy Spirit to show you anyone who may have been affected by your ambition.
Ask for forgiveness and then
go to them and make it right.
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