RTW 2023

Abner shouted down to Joab, “Must we always be killing each other? Don’t you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?”

2 Samuel 2:26

Uriah the Hittite was one of David’s “Thirty,” one of David’s mighty men from the beginning of his kingship. David knew him well and Uriah was faithful to David from the beginning. So heartbreaking!

Other members of the Thirty included…Uriah the Hittite.
2 Samuel 23:24,39

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Main ideas:

We can get caught up in our own “Gibeon;” more concerned about being on the “right” side than about the well-being of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Other thoughts:

• David’s grief over Saul’s death was probably complicated.
• Saul and his commander Abner were related; David and his commander Joab were related.
• Abner did not want to kill Asahel!
• Hebron was an important geographic location: Abraham’s home for a time, Cave of the Patriarchs, Caleb’s reward, City of Refuge, Levitical City, temporary capital of Judah for 7.5 years during David’s initial reign, Absalom’s headquarters during his plot to steal the throne from David. https://www.gotquestions.org/Hebron-in-the-Bible.html
• Abner tried twice to call off fighting (2 Samuel 2:22,26).
• Unfortunately, “The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time” (2 Samuel 3:1 (NIV)).

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We can focus on bandaging the wounded without causing further wounds. We are called to be a part of the healing of the Body of Christ.

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted… Isaiah 61:1b