DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A FAMILY FEUD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A FAMILY FEUD

"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."

(II Samuel 2:12-13)

Abner was the general of the army of the northern tribes of Israel under the kingship of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul.  Joab was the general of the army of King David and the tribe of Judah under King David.  

Joab was the son of Zeruiah, a sister of King David.  So Joab and David were cousins. Joab had two brothers, Asahel and Abishai.  As descendants of Israel, they were a part of the family.

In our text, Abner and his army, and Joab and his army had met for war.  In the ensuing battle, Abner killed Asahel.  In the end, a cease-fire was declared between Abner and Joab.  But as the story progressed, Abner came to King David to make peace and submit the army of Israel to King David.  

When Joab heard that King David had made peace with Abner, he could not let go of his anger and his desire for revenge.  "So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle" (3:30).  

Carrying a grudge can never end well.  The need for revenge eats at a person until they get their pound of flesh.  

As Christians, we need to fully commit to the instructions of God through the Apostle Paul.  "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord '" (Romans 12:18-19).  Leaving our desire for revenge with God is the only way to find peace.  

Love, Dad