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The Beginning of the End
Abner was ambitious and unethical. Saul had influenced him
to detest the man whom God had chosen to reign over Israel. His
hatred had been increased by the cutting rebuke that David had given
him when the king’s jug of water and spear had been taken from the
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side of Saul as he slept.
Determined to create division in Israel by which he himself might
be exalted, he used Ishbosheth, the representative of the previous
king, to push forward his own selfish ambitions. He knew that
the army had not forgotten Saul’s first successful campaigns. With
determination, this rebellious leader went forward to carry out his
plans.
First, he chose Mahanaim, on the farther side of Jordan, as the
royal residence. Ishbosheth’s coronation took place there. His reign
extended over all Israel except Judah. For two years this son of Saul
enjoyed his honors in his secluded capital. But Abner, intent on
extending his power over all Israel, prepared for aggressive warfare.
And “there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house
of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of
Saul grew weaker and weaker.”
At last Abner, becoming angry with the incompetent Ishbosheth,
deserted to David, offering to bring over to him all the tribes of
Israel. David accepted his proposals, but David’s favorable recep-
tion of such a famous warrior as Abner stirred up the jealousy of
Joab, commander-in-chief of David’s army. There was a blood feud
between the two men, Abner having killed Asahel, Joab’s brother,
during the war between Israel and Judah. Now Joab dishonorably
ambushed and murdered Abner.
When David heard of this treacherous assault, he exclaimed,
“My kingdom and I are guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood
of Abner the son of Ner. Let it rest on the head of Joab.” In view of
the unsettled state of the kingdom and the power of the murderers,
David could not punish the crime properly, but he publicly showed
his shock and disapproval. The king followed Abner’s coffin as chief
mourner, and at the grave he pronounced an elegy that was a cutting
rebuke of the murderers.
Should Abner die as a fool dies? ...
As a man falls before wicked men, so you fell.