2nd Samuel 3 A LONG WAR Seven and a half years of murder and mayhem is a long time for blood lust and sexual lust to run unchecked in an unstable society. Even though David and the men of Judah were gradually gaining in power and winning in battles, those who still followed the leadership of Abner and Ish-bosheth did not stop fighting. In those times the problem of uncontrolled lust seems to be greater than at other times when people are living normal lives. David took four more wives by whom he had children. Abner didn't hesitate apparently to claim the house of Saul for himself including Rizpah, Saul's concubine. Uncontrolled lust does not always bring trouble at first but David's lack of good judgment, even though polygamy was accepted in that society, led to murder, rebellion, greed, rape and national disgrace. The wrongful desire of a moment, can bring a snowball effect that creates mayhem in a family and in a society.
Lack of moral strength in leaders plagued Israel for four hundred years following. There were only four "good" kings out of all who followed David and Solomon. When something is wrong, it is our responsibility to reject that behavior and stand up against it. When something is right, we must promote it and uphold it even when popular opinion goes the opposite direction. Moral weakness often goes from one generation to another because of the failure of the original model. Courage and convictions go together when we are facing opposition because of that which is morally wrong.
Abner, even though he was the commander of those who followed the house of Saul, could see the way things were going. When Ish-bosheth who was weak morally, spiritually and emotionally challenged an action of Abner, he had his opportunity to stop the war and at the same time gain a position of authority under David's leadership. They had probably served together in Saul's army in past years and each knew the other and their strengths. When we know each other well, it is wisdom on our part to not seek to take advantage of another's weaknesses but to use their strengths to reach a goal that will be for the common good.
Overcoming jealousies and uniting the country and the tribes under David's rule was helped by the influence of Abner. He knew the leadership qualities of David and how Israel had gained victory over the Philistines by the power of God through David. He also knew he was on the losing side of the long civil war. David, on the other hand, knew that if Michal, the daughter of Saul, was given back to him, those who followed Saul's family would see evidence of David's position being strengthened because he had no longstanding animosity toward the family of Saul. However, we know that even when a wrong is corrected there will be a negative effect that we will have to live with. Sin does have wages no matter who is involved.
Joab, David's nephew and the commander of his troops, was an aggressive, hard-hearted military leader who did not hesitate to act independently when he felt it was justified. This fierce leader had his own agenda and goals and would have considered the coming of Abner who had killed his brother, a threat to his leadership position. Deception was not considered to be wrong nor beyond his use to obtain his ends. The use of deception even in a small way, undermines the character of a man or woman and leaves them with a question-mark over their head from then on. A person who has been deceived once will find it hard to be trusted by those who have been deceived.
There is not question that Joab was a skilled military leader. Because he was from David's tribe and David's family, he was secure in the role he filled. Abner may not have been as aware of Joab's character as he could have been, but perhaps he was overconfident after having met with David. We have enemies seen and unseen of which we should be aware. The world, the flesh and the devil are unseen enemies who are always near waiting to deceive us with apparently innocent attractions that appeal to us but can ruin our life and testimony in a very short time. Those we see may be people who want to take advantage of our self- confidence or our weaknesses by subtle suggestions and appeal to our exalted opinion of our intellectual abilities. It is of extreme importance that we keep in fellowship with our Lord so that humility is not affected but is real. "He that is down need fear no fall, He that is low no pride. He that is humble shall ever have, God to be his guide."