David Called to the Throne
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an elegy which was a cutting rebuke of the murderers. “The king
lamented over Abner, and said:
“Died Abner as a fool dieth?
Thy hands were not bound,
Nor thy feet put into fetters:
As a man falleth before wicked men,
So fellest thou.”
David’s magnanimous recognition of one who had been his bitter
enemy won the confidence and admiration of all Israel. “All the people
took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did
pleased all the people. For all the people and all Israel understood that
day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.” In the
private circle of his trusted counselors and attendants the king spoke of
the crime, and recognizing his own inability to punish the murderers as
he desired, he left them to the justice of God: “Know ye not that there
is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? And I am this day
weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too
hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his
wickedness.”
Abner had been sincere in his offers and representations to David,
yet his motives were base and selfish. He had persistently opposed
the king of God’s appointment, in the expectation of securing honor
to himself. It was resentment, wounded pride, and passion that led
him to forsake the cause he had so long served; and in deserting to
David he hoped to receive the highest position of honor in his service.
Had he succeeded in his purpose, his talents and ambition, his great
influence and want of godliness, would have endangered the throne of
David and the peace and prosperity of the nation.
“When Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands
were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.” It was evident that the
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kingdom could not long be maintained. Soon another act of treachery
completed the downfall of the waning power. Ishbosheth was foully
murdered by two of his captains, who, cutting off his head, hastened
with it to the king of Judah, hoping thus to ingratiate themselves in his
favor.