Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Samuel 3 and Psalm 80

This was an age of polygamy, violent bloodshed, intrigues and power-mongering. Often people’s behaviour demonstrated what displeases God more than what pleases Him. The main characters in today’s chapter are mostly no different. There was a weak ‘puppet king’ of Israel, Ish-bosheth from the house of Saul. He was propped up by the powerful and feared military general, Abner. David was the influential and honoured king of Judah. He was an anointed leader. His star was rising, and he had proven himself in battle. But David also greatly depended on his experienced general, Joab.

In this chapter, David successfully negotiated peace with Abner. But immediately Joab went against David and executed vengeance for his brother Asahel, who had died at Abner’s hand in battle (as recorded in 2 Sam. 2). Joab murdered Abner in an elaborate trap just outside Hebron – a city of refuge where Abner would have been protected from such vengeance (See Joshua 20:7 and Numbers 35).

What on earth shall we take from all this for our discipleship? I suggest this is a clear illustration of the way violence simply begets more violence, and of why the LORD calls us to allow “mercy to triumph over judgment” (James 2:13). David wanted to extend mercy to Abner, the house of Saul and the followers of Ish-bosheth. He wanted to make peace. Joab’s vengeance derailed this peace and also led to the brutal, cold-blooded murder of Ish-bosheth and the humiliation of the “house of Saul” which he represented (2 Samuel 4).

Although mercy and peace-making are by far the more difficult paths for us to walk, they are clearly the better way, and they are the way of Jesus. They mirror the undeserved compassion and grace which God has extended to us in Jesus, and they allow for the Spirit of peace to display God’s glory through us.

God of love, Whose mercy triumphs over judgment, grant us the power of Your Spirit of grace, so that we may love mercy and make peace, wherever we go and with all whom we encounter today. In the name of Jesus the Prince of Peace we pray. Amen.