How often do you feel yourself becoming filled with anger, fear, pride, hate, or discontent? What is the motivation behind your actions when you are like this? Do you label your feelings as righteous to justify your actions? Can we label any action by man as righteous? During the time of conflict between Israel and Judah in 2 Samuel 3 and 4 men make accusations, decisions, and assumptions that illustrate the need for true forgiveness and humility.

Abner is accused by Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul and king of Israel, of sleeping with a concubine of Saul’s in 2 Samuel 3. Did Abner truly sleep with the concubine? Was Ish-bosheth afraid of losing his authority as king making him not trust Abner? Was it so easy for Ish-bosheth to forget that it was Abner who established him as king over Israel after Saul’s death? Why did Abner seek to establish Ish-bosheth as king? What motivated thes men? Why do people so quickly turn upon the ones who truly care for them when their personal security feels threatened? After these accusations were made Abner chooses to no longer support the lineage of Saul as king and he seeks out David to make a covenant to serve him and help establish his rule as king. What motivated Abner to make peace with David? Was it spite of Ish-bosheth or a desire for renown that prompted Abner t? Continue Reading…