2 Samuel 2-3
Daily Devotional from 2 Samuel 3—
Verses 26-27
Then Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the well of Sirah, but David was unaware of it. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside to the middle of the city gate, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died in revenge for the death of Asahel, Joab’s brother.
Acting on what we *think* we know can get us into trouble. Joab killed Abner because he thought he was 1. Avenging his brother and 2. Protecting the honor of his king. BUT what he *didn’t* know was that Abner had every intention of relinquishing control of Israel to David. Joab took matters into his own hands and killed Abner, leading to his own shame. Joab should have trusted David’s judgement and followed suit.
We, too, have a tendency to act out when we only have one part of the story—believing we’re in the right (sometimes we are). God sees the bigger picture and he offers grace and mercy to those we feel are undeserving. We sometimes jump in – even under the pretense of honoring God – and try to take His place as judge.
If there is someone you are frustrated or angry with, ask God to help you see the bigger picture, walk humbly, and offer grace and mercy instead of revenge or judgment.
Robin Miller
Verses 26-27
Then Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the well of Sirah, but David was unaware of it. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside to the middle of the city gate, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died in revenge for the death of Asahel, Joab’s brother.
Acting on what we *think* we know can get us into trouble. Joab killed Abner because he thought he was 1. Avenging his brother and 2. Protecting the honor of his king. BUT what he *didn’t* know was that Abner had every intention of relinquishing control of Israel to David. Joab took matters into his own hands and killed Abner, leading to his own shame. Joab should have trusted David’s judgement and followed suit.
We, too, have a tendency to act out when we only have one part of the story—believing we’re in the right (sometimes we are). God sees the bigger picture and he offers grace and mercy to those we feel are undeserving. We sometimes jump in – even under the pretense of honoring God – and try to take His place as judge.
If there is someone you are frustrated or angry with, ask God to help you see the bigger picture, walk humbly, and offer grace and mercy instead of revenge or judgment.
Robin Miller
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