TALKING PEACE
II Samuel 2:12-13
"Now Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool."
Here's the story: Abner, the general of the army of Israel, came to attack Judah, and he met with Joab, the general of the army of Judah. They met for a parlay at the pool of Gibeon, and Abner suggested that they let a select group of soldiers from each army have a contest to determine the winner, as was a custom of the day (re: David and Goliah). But neither side won because all of the soldiers in this contest killed each other. So the armies attacked each other and Judah prevailed. As Abner was retreating, Asahel, the brother of Joab, pursued Abner to kill him. Abner pleaded with Asahel to back off, but Asahel would not relent, so Abner killed him. This caused even more bad blood between Abner and Joab. Even though Joab was David's nephew (II Chronicles 2:16), it seems that Abner was more honorable than Joab (as is evident in the next chapter), and Joab was a thorn in David's side throughout his reign. Abner was more inclined to settle their differences by talking than by fighting. If there is a take-away from this story, I think the lesson is that it is better to talk than to make war. The Apostle Paul admonished us, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). It is not always possible because some people would rather fight. But I need to do all I can to live in peace, even if it means retreating from my own position. War, whether in the family, the church, or between nations, should be the last resort, and only when righteousness is at stake.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Talking is a better way to resolved differences than physical combat.
[end]
Have a peaceful day. Love you.
II Samuel 2:12-13
"Now Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool."
Here's the story: Abner, the general of the army of Israel, came to attack Judah, and he met with Joab, the general of the army of Judah. They met for a parlay at the pool of Gibeon, and Abner suggested that they let a select group of soldiers from each army have a contest to determine the winner, as was a custom of the day (re: David and Goliah). But neither side won because all of the soldiers in this contest killed each other. So the armies attacked each other and Judah prevailed. As Abner was retreating, Asahel, the brother of Joab, pursued Abner to kill him. Abner pleaded with Asahel to back off, but Asahel would not relent, so Abner killed him. This caused even more bad blood between Abner and Joab. Even though Joab was David's nephew (II Chronicles 2:16), it seems that Abner was more honorable than Joab (as is evident in the next chapter), and Joab was a thorn in David's side throughout his reign. Abner was more inclined to settle their differences by talking than by fighting. If there is a take-away from this story, I think the lesson is that it is better to talk than to make war. The Apostle Paul admonished us, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). It is not always possible because some people would rather fight. But I need to do all I can to live in peace, even if it means retreating from my own position. War, whether in the family, the church, or between nations, should be the last resort, and only when righteousness is at stake.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Talking is a better way to resolved differences than physical combat.
[end]
Have a peaceful day. Love you.
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