2 Samuel 3:6-4:3; 2 Samuel 4:5-12
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In our 2 Samuel chapter 3 readings today, it is interesting to see how David got so mad at Joab for killing Abner. Understandable for many reasons – murder being the main one – but also Abner was working to bring David’s kingship to all of Israel. Joab’s murder of Abner threatened the civil war between Judah and the rest of Israel to start up again. To the right below is a wonderful image from an illuminated Bible from the year 1250 of David dining with Abner before the murder. In the smaller left hand frames you can see David sending Abner back to Israel, and then in the lowest left hand frame you can see Abner stabbing Joab.
And below is an image of David mourning at Abner’s graveside as we read in 2 Samuel 3 verse 32 today: “They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king and all the people wept at his graveside.”
Bible.org’s commentary on our Second Samuel readings today titled “Two Bald Men, Fighting over a Comb” is at this link.
Second Samuel chapter 4 verse 11 stood out as David said this to the 2 murderers of Ishbosheth: “Now what reward should I give the wicked men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Should I not also demand your very lives?” Similar to the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul and reported this news to David, David was not happy with the news. This all reminds me of the old adage that you cannot fight evil with evil – you’ll get corrupted in the process. These 2 guys murdered an innocent man, thinking they were doing a greater good for David. David disagreed. Are there times in our lives where we do something wrong / bad / lie / evil for what we think might be a greater good? Aren’t we then corrupted in the process? Do we go from left to right in this photo below? 🙂 (sorry, couldn’t resist this silly image! On the website where I found this image, they labeled this photo, “The Dog I bought versus the Dog I got”… 🙂
Worship Video: Today’s readings in 2 Samuel reminded me of Francesca Battistelli’s song “I’m Letting Go:”
Have you let go? Click here and let it go!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “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!” 2 Samuel 3:39 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that when you are weak, Jesus is strong. Pray that you will allow the LORD to repay evildoers, and not take this repayment into your own hands.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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