Prayer Challenges
Current Challenge from Doug Knox.
June
Man Builders, Part 45
2 Samuel 3:26-39
David—Forged Masterpiece, Part 27
TREACHERY IN THE GREAT HOUSE
Clash of the Titan Generals
Sometimes historical events unfold in irony, leaving us with a sense of loss. This passage will stand as an example of this. As 2 Samuel opens, David and Abner’s mutual sense of respect transforms them from foes to allies. Both men respect trustworthiness. They understand each other’s sense of honor. They thread the complex web of contingencies that await the reuniting of the two kingdoms. In chapter 3, the two kingdoms seal the breach that has severed them from each other. Israel’s future appears to be secure. When we reach the middle of chapter 3, however, Joab returns from a raid (2 Samuel 3:22) and reacts violently to the news. “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone? You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing” (2 Samuel 3:24-25). Joab pursues his personal vendetta as an opposing Titan to Abner.
When Joab came out from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!”
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.
--2 Samuel 3:28-30
Joab’s act threatens to disintegrate all the negotiations that have taken place. Simultaneously, he stands peerless among strategists, and David needs his counsel. David’s curse, “May [Abner’s blood] fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” is a severe one.
Eating Crow
In the meantime, David recognizes the depth of Abner’s loss. In what probably came as an unexpected move, he commands his officials to mourn. Worse, the narrator mentions Joab by name.
Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier.
They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.
And the king lamented for Abner, saying,
“Should Abner die as a fool dies?
Your hands were not bound;
your feet were not fettered;
as one falls before the wicked
you have fallen.
--2 Samuel 3:34a
David’s lament accomplishes two aims. The more obvious point is that David accords the fallen general equivalent honors to those that he gave to Saul. In a doubtlessly charged atmosphere, David’s sincere praise gives him the moral high ground. More subtly, he places Joab on notice for his deliberate assassination. Abner’s shameful death, “as one falls before the wicked,” lies at Joab’s feet. The narrator acknowledges David’s innocence in the matter in his commentary;
And all the people wept again over him. Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day.
But David swore, saying, “God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!”
And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people. So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's will to put to death Abner the son of Ner.
--2 Samuel 3:34b-37
The level of self-control that David brings to the table is remarkable. In the previous segment we saw that he had the ability to cunning decisions when his image before the nation lay at stake (2 Samuel 3:14-16). Here we see that his cunning is far from amoral. He has matured into a man with genuine heart.
Matters of State
The event concludes with David’s defense of his actions:
And the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!”
--2 Samuel 3:38-39
How does a king respond to a crime committed by one of his highest ranking officials? As the case often is, justice is put on hold while matters of state continue. David knows that Joab has committed a major injustice, but he also appears to understand that he needs his general right now. Joab is the only man who is fully qualified to care for the nations’ logistical matters. The narrator threads a tight needle. David’s words carry the weight in this concluding section. Joab will continue to serve David as his chief commander throughout the king’s life. Meanwhile, his crime continues to hang over his head. It never reaches a statute of limitations, either by implication or craft. Ultimately, David will call his son Solomon to bring justice for Abner, “whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in time of war…” (1 Kings 2:5). Solomon completes the task in 1 Kings 2:28-35.
Doug Knox