Read: 2 Samuel 1-3
Marked: 2 Samuel 3:27, Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.
David had been made king over Judah, but was not yet king over Israel. While there were skirmishes, David did not actively pursue war with Israel.
David had written a beautiful song lamenting Saul and his son Jonathan even though Saul had tried numerous times to kill David (C1:17-27). David had also commended the men of Jabesh Gilead for what they had done for Saul (C2:5-6). David sought peace rather than war and set an example for others to follow.
But Joab, his general, didn’t listen and sought ways to battle against Israel. And when David made a pact with Abner, the general of the opposing forces it was too much for him because Abner had killed Joab’s brother. Through subterfuge he murdered Abner even though David had made peace with him.
Our King has made peace with the whole world and we should listen to our king and not seek to continue to battle the world. Our King is the Prince of Peace, and so should His people be people of peace so others may be brought into His kingdom and know true peace.
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