Week 80, Day 3: Abner Killed
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 3:1-39
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Things are starting to work out for the kingdom to be completely under David. A conflict arises between Ish-bosheth and the captain of his forces, Abner. Abner makes an agreement to join forces with David and bring all of Israel over to him. But before everything is completely a done deal Joab comes in to mess things up.
Joab is apparently still angry with Abner over killing his younger brother. He wants revenge. The way Joab gets his revenge is without any sense of honor. He waylays Abner under the pretense of wanting to tell him something in secret. No warning, no sign of being agreesive. Joab just strikes. Joab also knows that David sent Abner away in peace and pays no heed to the wishes of his king. You can imagine how upset this must have made David.
Question: Would Joab have been justified in seeking his revenge in some other fashion (ex: a challenge to hand to hand combat)? What did Joab’s actions indicate about himself?
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Week 80, Day 2: Divided kingdom
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 2:1-32
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
David asks God what he should do and the Lord directs him to go up to Hebron. There Judah makes him king over them. There are quick references such as these that emphasize how David sought after God’s council. On the other hand you have Abner and Ish-bosheth. They continue after Saul’s example and will not accept that God has chosen to replace Saul as the king.
When the fighting begins it is clear that David’s men are superior. Whether this is because God strengthens them or because they are better men of war, David begins to gain the upper hand by his military victories. It is sad to see how many men died because some would not accept what God planned for His people. This is what happens though when men do not seek out God’s guidance. Had Abner and Ish-bosheth been willing to ask God like David did, then many men would not have lost their lives. But you have to be seeking to please God to inquire of him. These men were clearly not seeking to do God’s will but to do their own.
Question: How do we prevent ourselves from just following our own pursuits and instead pursuing God’s ways?
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