Justice Served

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

JUSTICE SERVED

2 Sam 4

4:1 When Ish-Bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed. 2 Now Saul's son had two men who were leaders of raiding bands. One was named Baanah and the other Recab; they were sons of Rimmon the Beerothite from the tribe of Benjamin-Beeroth is considered part of Benjamin, 3 because the people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim and have lived there as aliens to this day. 4(Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.) 5 Now Recab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out for the house of Ish-Bosheth, and they arrived there in the heat of the day while he was taking his noonday rest. 6 They went into the inner part of the house as if to get some wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Recab and his brother Baanah slipped away. 7 They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah. 8 They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, "Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to take your life. This day the LORD has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring." 9 David answered Recab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of all trouble, 10 when a man told me, 'Saul is dead,' and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! 11 How much more — when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed — should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!" 12 So David gave an order to his men, and they killed them. They cut off their hands and feet and hung the bodies by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-Bosheth and buried it in Abner's tomb at Hebron.

NIV

This is a horrible story about two men who thought their evil deed was a good deed. How can it be alright to slip into a man’s bedroom and kill him in his sleep and then disfigure him? How did they think it would bring them honor and a reward from King David for killing Saul’s son? Did they not hear that King David had the men who killed Abner put to death, for Abner was a trusted man of Saul? King David served up the same justice to these two men for their act of evil against Ish-Bosheth. What can we learn here other than it is never right to commit any unrighteous act, and that would include thoughts, against other persons. It is our thinking that can get us into that unrighteous state, even if no visible act has been committed. Of course, that was a different time and culture, and killing or murder was more common then in our time and culture. Some acts of violence were just a part of war, just as they are in our time. We may also see that in some of our larger metropolitan cities, there are large acts of murder and other violence that should not be, according to the law of our land. Evil will always exist until Jesus returns and puts an end to the influencer of all evil thoughts and acts. We should be aware of our attitudes, feelings, thoughts, and even our possible negativity. Anything that disturbs our relationship with our Lord and with others is not appropriate for any believer. Yet, how do we still struggle with our attitudes and feelings? Is it because we are held captive in this flesh that is perishable and corruptible? However, we are not supposed to make any provisions for the flesh or excuses that we are only human. If we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus, then we should be more like him in our attitudes and feelings, which are the driving force of our actions, or at a minimum, our words. Jesus made that clear that it is what comes out of our mouth that defiles our bodies because what we say comes from within our heart, attitude, or feelings. Can we put forth an effort, or do we need to submit more to the Lord, to have the right or righteous attitudes and feelings in our relationship with others? David showed us that justice will be served against any evil act. God will serve justice, and thank you, Lord Jesus, for serving justice for us, freeing us from the penalty of death. Yet, we still should be aware of our transformation as a result of the Spirit who dwells within. Let us live in submission and live in peace and harmony with each other, especially in our attitudes and feelings, or our thoughts, for we live in Jesus, as justice was served on that cross. 

Innocence and Love

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

INNOCENCE AND LOVE

2 Sam 3:28-39

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 upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house! May Joab's house never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy 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. 33 The king sang this lament for Abner:

"Should Abner have died as the lawless die?   34 Your hands were not bound; your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before wicked men."

And all the people wept over him again. 35 Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, "May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!" 36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. 37 So on that day all the people and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner. 38 Then the king said to his men, "Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? 39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!"

NIV

We can see the heart of King David, a man who is after God’s own heart. He is filled with grief over the death of Abner, a man with whom he had made an agreement and sent on his way in peace. But Joab would have nothing to do with Abner being alive after he killed his brother. David declared his innocence but also put this curse on the house of Joab. This is a difficult passage to deal with because of the harsh treatment of Joab and his household, although murder should not go unpunished. Perhaps that is one of the lessons we could learn because Jesus made that parallel about hatred being the same as murder. The truth is that we are supposed to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. The question then could be asked, “Who is my neighbor?” and we know that answer, for we are all God’s creation, all the same, all neighbors on this earth, sharing the same space and time. The fact remains we can only be divided in two ways: those who have responded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and those who have yet been convicted or have refused to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. In essence, the saved and the unsaved are all still creations of God in their image. Then are assignment from the Lord is to be a person who loves everyone. That may be easier said than done. We think we fail at times when we have those feelings of unforgiveness because someone hurt our feelings. We may fail when we are not sensitive to someone and say or do or don’t say or do the right words or deeds, and thus cause them to become angry or upset. Then what about when we become impatient with someone we are supposed to love? It all comes down to that definition given in Corinthians thirteen about what love is. However, evil does get repaid for evil, but that is not up to us, for the Lord will judge all people, and he alone will repay evil for its deeds. On the other hand, we are supposed to live a life of love, being innocent of evil or wicked thoughts and deeds. At the same time, maybe we should lament over the effects of evil deeds or the wicked people do against their fellow man. This, too, would be the effects of living a life of innocence and love. 

Peace

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

PEACE NOT WAR

2 Sam 3:17-27

17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the LORD promised David, 'By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.'" 19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, "Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a compact with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. 22 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 well of Sirah. But David did not know it. 27 Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway, as though to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died.

NIV

Here we have the character of three men, David, Abner, and Joab. Of course, David is no innocent regarding the slaying of men by his sword, for he is a great warrior and fought in Saul’s army against enemies of Israel. However, now he has become king of Judah, and his headquarters are in Hebron. David knew Abner was a servant of Saul, but now we see that David gave Abner a feast and made an agreement with him, and sent him away in peace. When we look at the character of Abner, we still see this self-centered man, for he knows Saul’s reign is coming to an end and sees David as the rising star, so it was time to switch sides, throwing his allegiance to David. Joab would have nothing to do with Abner being anywhere around the kingdom David ruled over, because Abner had killed his brother. We can see into the life of Joab, who lives with a heart filled with anger, unforgiveness, and revenge. Although David sent Abner away in peace, Joab had him brought back so he could avenge the death of his brother, and he killed Abner. What we learn here in this narrative is the truth about forgiveness and keeping our heart pure from anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and wanting to seek a way to get even or get back at someone who we think has wronged us in some way. It is far better to live in peace with everything. We are told through the author of Hebrews, which is ultimately the Spirit, that we are to make every effort to live in peace with all men, and to be holy, for without holiness no one will see the Lord. In the letter to the Corinthians, we are told to be of one mind and live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with us. David gives us that example in this narrative, being at peace with Abner, even giving him a feast. This should be the goal of our hearts, to truly live in peace, being of one mind, being in harmony with everyone, even giving, metaphorically, a feast, or maybe even a feast in reality, to someone we may once have been against, holding a grudge, or harboring ill feelings toward. We certainly do not want to take any lesson from Joab, for not only did he kill Abner, but he also acted without the knowledge of David, who had sent Abner away in peace. Let us simply live in peace. 

Hand of God

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

HAND OF GOD

2 Sam 3:6-16

6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?" 8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said and he answered, "Am I a dog's head — on Judah's side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven't handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba." 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him. 12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, "Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you." 13 "Good," said David. "I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me." 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins." 15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he went back.

NIV

Once again, we see Abner strengthen his own position in the house of Saul, yet he made an agreement with David to hand over the kingdom to him. The way he responded to Ish-Bosheth so that he was afraid of Abner gives us more insight into the overpowering nature of  Abner, as a mean, self-centered man. However, it appears this is because of the hand of God at work so that David will ascend to the throne over all of Israel. We know that later Abner will get what is due him, for he did kill one of the sons of Zeruiah, and his two brothers, Joab and Abishai, are out to avenge the death of their brother. But for now, we see Abner making an agreement with David, although David wants his first betrothed wife, Michal, whom Saul gave to another man. This was a strange culture where men betrayed each other for advancement of their own positions, as we see with Abner. But we also see that in our own culture today, many people strive to advance their positions in life. We believe there is a difference between what we would call the pagan world and the community of faith, the church. The pagan world chases after all the things, forcing their way forward to advance themselves and work for their own advantage. The people of God should be different, as we put our trust in the Almighty hand of God. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us so that we can see the light on our path and follow in accordance with where that light shines. We have been told to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He would add all the things to us that the pagans chase after. We are not to worry about what we will eat or drink, which means the substance of life, for he has given us life, but also gives us our daily needs. He will supply us, one way or another; the point is that we should not be chasing after self-advancement or the pursuit of money. Jesus told us we cannot serve both God and money. He will provide a way for us to have all we need, even enough money to live in this world. Let us not get so invested in the temporary way of this world. We have seen how God rejected Saul as king and made David king, taking David from being a shepherd of sheep to the king of all Israel. David did partner with God and did many things that caused him to become well-known in Israel. Yet, for the believer, for the people of God, we must always give all the glory to God, for it is by his hand we live and are advanced to where he would have us be, serving his kingdom.

 

Stronger

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

STRONGER

2 Sam 3:1-11

3:1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream the son of David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron. 6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?" 8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said and he answered, "Am I a dog's head — on Judah's side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven't handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba." 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.

NIV

We know this is the hand of God making David’s house stronger, while at the same time weakening the strength of the house of Saul. Although we are given the names of the sons of David, one in particular stands out, Adonijah, for he declared himself to be king. However, there is also a lot said about Absalom, such as that he set up a statue in his own honor. Our story could be about Abner, who serves the house of Saul, yet he serves himself even more than Saul. That could be interesting to make a comparison between Abner and us. We say that we serve the Lord, submitting to his authority in our lives, yet how much do we serve our own interests? The reason the house of Saul became weaker and weaker is that God rejected Saul as king because he was disobedient, offering a sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel, and instead God found a king after his own heart. We could see a lesson for us in the house of David as he became stronger and stronger while the house of Saul weakened. As long as we are seeking after God, wanting his reign in our lives, our house will become stronger and stronger. The Hebrew word translated as house, can be a physical dwelling, but it refers to the whole of his household, all that he resides over as king of Judah. It is also used for a temple, and there we could use it metaphorically as we are a temple of the Holy Spirit. This could then be seen as long as we seek after the heart of God, our temple or bodies will grow stronger and stronger. But if we live a little more like Abner, serving a king, but serving himself more, then we do not think we could expect to grow stronger, maybe even grow weaker. Abner was supposed to be a supporter of Saul, but said he would serve David now and make sure all the kingdom would be his. Abner is a traitor in that sense, but all the while serving his own interests. Let us be careful about who we serve. Sure, we have wants or desires and we spent time on our own pleasures, whatever they are, and we need to do those things to maintain our lives, work, buy food, clothes, housing, transportation, etc. but the trouble might be when we put forth our effort to advance our place in the world, or even in the church, or ministry, doing everything in the flesh rather than seeking the will of God, and only doing or following his direction for our lives, both in the world and in the church. In other words, we go when He says go, and we wait when he says wait, or even stop when he says stop. We cannot drive our own lives; we must sit in the passenger side and allow God to drive us wherever he desires, then we will grow stronger. 

The Truce

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

THE TRUCE

2 Sam 2:18-32

18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle. 19 He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. 20 Abner looked behind him and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?" "It is," he answered. 21 Then Abner said to him, "Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel would not stop chasing him. 22 Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?" 23 But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.

24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon. 25 Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill. 26 Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Don't you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?" 27 Joab answered, "As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued the pursuit of their brothers until morning." 28 So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore. 29 All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the whole Bithron and came to Mahanaim. 30 Then Joab returned from pursuing Abner and assembled all his men. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David's men were found missing. 31 But David's men had killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner. 32 They took Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and arrived at Hebron by daybreak.

NIV

Is this story about the death of Asahel or about a truce between the house of Saul and the house of David? We would expect that during war, men are struck down, and this war between the two houses has brought about the death of men. Nineteen of David's men were missing in action, and three hundred and sixty Benjamites are dead, who were with Abner, representing the house of Saul. A truce between them now puts an end to death by the sword, at least for a moment. Once again, we are faced with war being destructive to life, and that brings us to the war that might be waged within us. If we say we have no war waging within, then are we saying we have no humanity at all and have achieved the divine state of perfection? When we consider the spirituality of the apostle Paul and how he confessed to the war that waged within him, we have to come to terms with our own war that we battle. How do we overcome that war? Can we have a truce between our sinful nature and the Divine nature of God? The fact is that God has indeed declared that truce through Jesus, and we are no longer enemies of God and subjects of his wrath, but we are at peace with God. This means we should also be at peace within ourselves, as Jesus gave us His peace. However, what about our nature, it is still not divine, and thus we have thoughts and even behaviors that we know we should not, but simply cannot stop, for as long as we are captive to this flesh, sin will creep in. Then we will not have a truce, but war within, doing what we do not want to do, and not doing what we want to do. We don’t understand that completely, but we know that as long as we are captive to this flesh, as much as we hate it, sin is going to be a part of our lives. At least, God has declared a truce between himself and us, and that means he will not strike us down, but lift us up to life; then that should mean somehow we must declare that truce within us. We are not sure how that works, but if we have the peace of Christ within, then we should not be at war, which can destroy our lives, but have this truce within as we have this truce with God. 

Taking Sides

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

TAKING SIDES

2 Sam 2:8-17

8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. 9 He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel. 10 Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. 11 The length of time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 12 Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. 13 Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side. 14 Then Abner said to Joab, "Let's have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us." "All right, let them do it," Joab said. 15 So they stood up and were counted off — twelve men for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. 16 Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.   17 The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men.

NIV

We have a divided house at this point, although we know eventually, David will unite all of Israel and make Jerusalem the capital city. However, in this narrative, there is still this hostility between those who follow David and those who follow Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth. Strangely, twelve men of each side did not fight, but simply grabbed each other’s heads and pierced each other with their spears, and died. What kind of battle is that? But our lesson is not about the battles of men, but about the battle of our hearts. It seems right to us that as long as we address our problems like men, there will be a division within our hearts. We know it is not right to live with a divided heart, to have this war that wages within us. Paul, inspired by the Spirit, addressed that war within and saw it from the human perspective. What we want to do, we do not, and what we do not want to do, we do. That is the conundrum of a divided heart, with one part yearning for what our humanity desires, while the other part yearns for what God desires. We know that Israel will be made whole under the reign of David and then his son Solomon, but that, too, will be disturbed. Why can’t we reign in our humanity and have this unity in our hearts that is completely submitted to the reign of Christ? Why must there always be this war, this battle? Certainly, we do not want to thrust our spear into each side of our heart, killing our human side and our spiritual side, as those twelve men did from each side of the two camps. How long must we endure this battle? Are we not supposed to be overcomers? Perhaps being the overcomer is indeed knowing the battle is not ours, but it is the Lord’s. As long as we pursue Him, chasing after the Lord, seeking Him and his righteousness, even with the war within, and endure to the end, we will be that overcomer, who does not give in to our humanity. If we did give in to our humanity, we would be rejecting the side that followed Jesus, which would mean rejecting Jesus to follow our human side, or our “self.” No, we will take our stand, standing our ground, till we breathe our last, even with the war that wages within, we will not give up fighting or give in to self, but we will give in to Jesus.