March 17, 2024

There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. During that same time, while David and his wives were in Hebron, he had six sons by six different wives. Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, was accused by Ishbosheth, king of Israel and son of Saul, of having relations with his father’s concubine. After being a good commander, Abner was incensed that Ishbosheth concerned himself with such a matter, so he sent a message to David to make peace with him. David agreed as long as Abner brought him his first wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter; he agreed as long as he ran the issue past Ishbosheth. He did, and Abner brought her with him. Her new husband wept after her, but Ishbosheth sent him back home. I don’t know why David wanted her; she turned out to be a little snit, but I guess he still loved her. Abner met with David to discuss the details of bringing Israel under his kingship. During the time the two sides made peace, Joab was off at war; when he got home and found out about the peace deal, he got angry with David because Abner was the one who killed his brother; remember the runner from yesterday’s blog? In a treacherous act, Joab called for Abner to meet him at the gate of Hebron, which was a city of refuge. He should have been safe, but Joab assassinated him in a fit of revenge. David and all of Judah and Israel mourned for him. David cursed Joab with words that God would avenge Abner’s death with calamity on him and his family.

Joab didn’t know all the details of the peace deal between Abner and David. The idea was to bring the two kingdoms together under David. If he had known, would he have assassinated Abner? Maybe, but it’s a lesson for us not to seek revenge and let God handle our situation against our enemy. We don’t want God’s plan delayed because of our vengeance. God will win sooner if we don’t sin while waiting for his intervention.

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. 2 Samuel 3:27