2 Samuel 3:22-39 The trap of unforgiveness and vengeance

2 Samuel 3:22-39

22 But just after David had sent Abner away in safety, Joab and some of David’s troops returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them. 23 When Joab arrived, he was told that Abner had just been there visiting the king and had been sent away in safety. 24 Joab rushed to the king and demanded, “What have you done? What do you mean by letting Abner get away? 25 You know perfectly well that he came to spy on you and find out everything you’re doing!”

26 Joab then left David and sent messengers to catch up with Abner, asking him to return. They found him at the well of Sirah and brought him back, though David knew nothing about it. 27 When Abner arrived back at Hebron, Joab took him aside at the gateway as if to speak with him privately. But then he stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him in revenge for killing his brother Asahel.

28 When David heard about it, he declared, “I vow by the LORD that I and my kingdom are forever innocent of this crime against Abner son of Ner. 29 Joab and his family are the guilty ones. May the family of Joab be cursed in every generation with a man who has open sores or leprosy or who walks on crutches or dies by the sword or begs for food!” 30 So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.

31 Then David said to Joab and all those who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on burlap. Mourn for Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the procession to the grave. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king and all the people wept at his graveside. 33 Then the king sang this funeral song for Abner:

“Should Abner have died as fools die? Your hands were not bound; your feet were not chained. No, you were murdered- the victim of a wicked plot.”

All the people wept again for Abner. 35 David had refused to eat anything on the day of the funeral, and now everyone begged him to eat. But David had made a vow, saying, “May God strike me and even kill me if I eat anything before sundown.” 36 This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them! 37 So everyone in Judah and all Israel understood that David was not responsible for Abner’s murder.

38 Then King David said to his officials, “Don’t you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel? 39 And even though I am the anointed king, these two sons of Zeruiah- Joab and Abishai are too strong for me to control. So may the LORD repay these evil men for their evil deeds.

Background

Abner did not live long enough to see the fruits of his reunification efforts, thanks to the vicious and vengeful Joab. It was near disaster for the new united Israel as the northern tribes may turn against him if the death of Abner is interpretated as the work of his design. Hence, David goes to great length displaying his grief and to expose the perpetrators of this tragedy. Today’s passage teaches us never to underestimate the potential damage people with grudges and bitterness may cause. And how unforgiveness and vengeance can distort our reason and detract us from our calling. Perhaps, we must take steps to release our pain and grievances to God and depend on Him to restore us.

Observation

What have you done? What do you mean by letting Abner get away? – Things have changed little from the days of Ziklag as Joab returns with much plunder from a raid. Having heard of the recent state of affairs concerning Abner’s capitulation to David, he voices suspicion concerning Abner’s true intentions; his convictions biased by his vendetta against Abner, his brother’s killer. Uninhibited by the covenantal arrangement between David and Abner, he sets off to pursue Abner by cunning. Joab showed himself as dangerously deceptive by pretending to speak to Abner in private and viciously assassinates him.

I vow by the LORD that I and my kingdom are forever innocent – David is devastated by Joab’s insubordination and vicious act against an innocent man. He denies complicity with Joab and because of the severity of the act, he summarily invokes a punitive curse on him and his family. The terms of the curse: disease, unfortunate events and death by hunger or violence are to stalk the family forever. David declares court mourning and gives Abner an honorable burial. David, through the funeral song depicts not for Abner a glorious death at the battlefield, but a victim of a low despicable trick. By David’s public expression of grief, he ensures that the rapport between Judah and Israel do not suffer. In doing so, he distances himself from the perpetrators of Abner’s murder and the sympathizers of the house of Saul are assured that David has not plotted against Abner: So everyone in Judah and all Israel understood that David was not responsible for Abner’s murder.

So may the LORD repay these evil men for their evil deeds – This tragic incident if of any value reveals the potential of the Zeruiah brothers for disaster: these two sons of Zeruiah- Joab and Abishai are too strong for me to control. Unless Joab and Abishai are reined in, it would be difficult for David to cast off the old ways of an outlaw and protocols that befit raiders. David is now king of a legitimate kingdom that will in the near future hold sway over the surrounding nations. Thus, he must now enforce a stately culture based on truth and dignity. Joab and Abishai are not brought to justice immediately because they are too powerful to be punished as they deserved. Although Joab is a relative of David, in the end, his sins did catch up with him (see 1 King 2:5).

Truth

1. Changing times require changing protocols and culture. Many people because of their inability to adapt to the new world that requires a new way of doing things are phased out before their time. They are so accustomed to the old world mentality, they tend to trivialize new additions and modifications to their world. They make decisions without respecting the new structure with new lines of authority that requires additional accountability; they dismiss new trends and lifestyles of the young. In this modern day and age, CHANGE is recognized as the new CONSTANT. Hence, individuals, families, churches and institutions must respect the new world order and acclimatize. Joab and Abishai could not accept that their brother (through no fault of Abner) died in the middle of a battle. They could not accept Abner into the fold as a new addition to the family. They could not cast off the mentality of an outlaw where they could take down a person without trial. They could not accept that David is no longer a tribal leader, but a king of the court of the united Israel. Hence, the Zeruiah brothers pose a clear and present threat to the Davidic administration. Therefore, if experience is any asset to a person, it could also pose a hindrance when he could not cast off the tried and tested wisdom of old to embrace the new. Jesus says concerning the refusal of the Jews to acknowledge Jesus, the Savior, and chose to continue fasting without purpose,

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” Matthew 9:17.

The new wine represents the new age of the kingdom where Christ is in their midst, and new wine skin represents a new and intimate way of communication with Him. God, in the old covenant was distant, but is now brought near to the people through Christ in the new covenant. Fasting in the context of Jewish tradition is a prayer for the salvation of Israel from their enemies (Saul fasted in order to overcome the enemy, see 1 Samuel 14). Christ did not abolish fasting per se but rather the purpose of Jewish fasting. The coming of Christ should release them from the obselete mentality of fasting for the Messiah’s arrival, into the celebration of the kingdom realized.

2. Do not let a grudge stick on you, for it will rear its ugly head at the opportune time and rob you of your calling. Also do not put someone who is bitter or who cannot be constrained by the truth into a prominent position. No matter how gifted a person may be, but if he habors bitterness, or a personal grudge, he would be more of a liability than an asset. Such a person will project his selfish desire for vindication or vengeance onto his current endeavors; he will constantly battle with biases and lose the sense of objectivity and reason. Joab harbors a personal vendetta, his crave for vengeance overwrites the interest of the nation. He cannot be depended upon to put the interest of the nation first, neither does he respect the rule of law. As a result, he lost his calling, brought a curse upon his own family and destroyed an innocent man. Thus, we must remind ourselves never to fall into such a trap.

On the other hand, one who is able to release his pain and depend on God to restore will be a gem to his community. Jesus went on to accomplish His calling at the cross despite the injustice and betrayal committed against him. Therefore, God resurrected  Christ and appointed Him as the Lord of all creation. Likewise God will sanctify you and raise you to a position of influence for the salvation of your community.

Applications

1. Are you a person that dislike and resist change or one who embraces change? Changes can be turned into opportunities that you could use to further God’s kingdom if you know how to.
2. Do you have a personal grudge from the past and you are looking for vindication through your present endeavor? A grudge cannot be resolved through vindication, it must necessarily be dealt with through the power of the cross. The cross effectively frees one from hatred and nullifies the curse that imprisons us. The cross frees us to live life, and to accomplish the calling that God has purposed for our existence.

Dear Lord, give me the courage to embrace change and the wisdom to identify opportunities in the midst of the changes. Help me become an effective employee that furthers my company’s vision and endeavors. Help me put my personal issues aside so that I can be objective and single-minded in my daily responsibilities. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.