It’s so nice to only have to type and provide the link for one passage. It’s not going to happen for awhile!
There is a lot of history here. Ishbosheth displays his father’s jealousy, paranoia and fear. Abner is falsely accused and decides he’s had enough. He want’s to bring Israel under David’s control. David won’t talk to him unless his wife is returned (she was remarried by Saul when David was on the run – 1 Samuel 25:44). Joab claims that Abner is a spy, but Joab really wants revenge (2 Samuel 2:18-23). Asahel’s death is avenged, Joab is shamed, and David is recognized as blameless. Jonathan’s son is introduced. Ishbosheth is assassinated, and David avenges him. It’s a short reading, but it’s action packed!
In this passage we again see David’s unwillingness to take direct action on an enemy (whether that action is by himself or by a purported representative of his). Death in battle was okay, but assassination was not! Here we have a reminder that authority deserves respect, as well as a caution about what happens when we become obsessed with vengeance.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT) “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”
Ephesians 4:25-27 (NLT) “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
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