The treachery of Joab… (4 things)

• 1^st – The many wives of David… vs. 1-5 Read: II Samuel 3:1-2
  • There was a long war between those loyal to Saul and those loyal to David… vs. 1-5
    • As time passed David became stronger and stronger – while Ishbosheth grew weak…
      • During the 7 years David ruled in Hebron – 6 sons were born to him…
      • David no longer had just two wives – all 6 sons had different mothers!
      • While David was running for his life – he did not have time to marry ‘wives’…
      • But now that he was settled – blessed – increasing in his political might…
      • A dangerous sin was creeping in – one that would almost destroy David – lust…
    • One of the most dangerous times in our life – is when things are going well…
      • When we are lacking – we run to the Lord and depend on Him for everything…
      • But when there is plenty of money / plenty of food – we are being blessed…
      • When life becomes easy – it is hard for us to depend on the Jesus!
      • And if we start to drift away from Jesus – it opens us to the attack of the enemy…
      • A crack in the door / compromise – that can destroy us if we are not careful!
  • One wife – Maccah – was the daughter of the King of Geshur (northern Jordan)
    • It seems it was a political marriage meant to give David an ally against Ishbosheth…
      • The decision to seek an alliance with a pagan king would come back to haunt David
      • Maccah was not a Jew – she did not know the God of Israel…
      • So her son Absalom was raised with a mixed set of values / morals…
      • It allowed for there to be someone close to David – who was not close to God…
      • And one day her Absalom would try to overthrow and kill King David!
    • To avoid compromise – choose wisely the friends you allow into your life…
      • II Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”
      • Two different kinds of animals cannot plow together – caribou / cat…
      • A powerful picture – you should have a TRUE friendship with an unbeliever…
      • They do not have the same values / morals – and they are going to pull you down!
• 2^nd – The help of Abner… vs. 6-21 Read: II Samuel 3:6-16
  • 1^st – Abner had become a powerful leader in Israel… vs. 6-11
    • In contrast Ishbosheth was a weak leader – and so was threatened by Abner…
      • So he accused Abner of having an affair with Rizpah – a concubine of Saul…
      • According to the traditions of the time – to marry the concubine of a dead king…
      • Was the same as saying you were taking the position of the King – I Kings 2:17
      • So Ishbosheth was accusing Abner of trying to replace him as King of Israel!
    • Ishbosheth had proven to be a VERY poor king – yet Abner had been loyal…
      • But Abner knew God had promised the Kingdom to David…
      • So insulted by the accusation – he was now ready to help David be the ONLY king!
      • It is uncertain if Ishbosheth’s accusation was true – or just his paranoia…
      • But judging by the quick and harsh reaction of Abner – he might have been right!
      • If you want to know which kid took the last candy (ignoring the sticky hands)…
      • All you have to do is ask – if they are innocent then they can look you in the eye…
      • If they are guilty – a child will look away and try and change the subject…
      • If you want to know if someone is quilts – look at how the react…
      • We can lie with our lips – but we our actions will almost always give us away!
  • 2^nd – Abner wrote to David – ‘Let us make an deal’… vs. 12-16
    • Abner agreed to hand over Israel to David – Ishbosheth was powerless to stop him…
      • David agreed – but he had one condition – Michal had to be returned to David…
      • Michal was the first wife of David – the daughter of King Saul – I Samuel 18:27…
      • He won the right to marry her by killing Goliath / 100 foreskins of the Philistines…
      • She even helped David escape Saul – putting a statue and wig in the bed of David!
      • After David fled Saul – Saul took her from David – and she married Phaltiel…
    • Ishbosheth had Michal taken from her home – and delivered to David…
      • Phaltiel loved Michal so went along with them – weeping behind her…
      • Until Abner threatened him so that he return home – and left his Love!
      • There are those who argue David demanded Michal because he loved her…
      • But the truth – she was a princess and helped David solidify his right to the throne…
      • It was a shrewd political ploy – it had nothing to do with love…
      • It was a crime – and as a result Michal hated David for what he had done!
    • It started off so well – they used to love each other – so what went wrong…
      • The simple answer is they spent too much time apart – allowing their love to fade!
      • There are MANY marriage couples today that fall into this same trap…
      • They fall in love and get married – but then they forget to keep the fire burning…
      • The husband gets busy with work – and comes home too tired to talk…
      • The wife runs all day watching kids – forgets her first ministry is her husband…
      • And what started off as LOVE – ends up at best a tolerable acquaintance!
    • Take the time / make the time – to keep spark alive…
      • Husbands do not have the right to go / do what they want – I Corinthians 7:3…
      • When your wife wants to hear how your day went – sit down and share…
      • When she wants to watch the sappy love story – sit down and watch…
      • A woman wants to be held – she wants her husband to listen to her…
      • She wants her husband to spend time with her – showing her he cares…
      • Wives complement your husbands – let them know they are the greatest…
      • Together you will find you have a LOVE that lasts a lifetime!
  • 3^rd – Abner gathered the leaders of Israel… vs. 17-21
    • For some time they had been looking to make David their king…
      • It was clear to everyone that Ishbosheth was not God’s choice to lead Israel…
      • David was obviously a much better leader – but they had hesitated to follow him…
      • Abner provoked them saying ‘Now is the time!’
      • Abner even got the tribe of Benjamin (Saul’s tribe) to agree to follow David…
      • When Abner arrived at Hebron – he was greeted with a feast…
      • Abner vowed to go and gather all of Israel – so David could reign over them…
      • So David sent Abner away in peace – confident he would help him become King…
    • If Abner and Israel knew David was to be the King – why did they hesitate…
      • Because knowing the right thing to do / and actually doing it are worlds apart!
      • Knowing what the Bible tells us to do – does not mean we actually do it…
      • James 1:22-25 – “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who sees his face in a mirror… goes away, and immediately forgets what he saw.”
      • Many who attend Bible studies – agree with everything that is said…
      • Then go home and inexplicably forget everything they just heard!
      • The Bible is not a textbook you must learn – it is an instruction manual to follow…
      • You can know all words – but if it does not change your actions – it means nothing!
        
• 3^rd – The revenge of Joab… vs. 22-27 Read: II Samuel 3:22-27
  • Joab and his men were returning from a raid… vs. 22-25
    • Joab heard that Abner had been there – and David had sent him away safety…
      • He immediately ran to David – why had Abner been allowed to leave!
      • Abner was a liar – he had only come to spy on David and the city…
      • Abner had no such plans – his motives were pure – but Joab had hated Abner…
    • There are two possibilities to explain his hate…
      • First – Joab was filled with bitterness towards Abner because he killed Asahel…
      • He was so blinded by his hatred – he could no longer see the truth!
      • Nothing good EVER comes from acting in anger – it leads us into sin…
      • Ecclesiastes 7:9 – “Do not be quick-tempered, for anger is the friend of fools.”
      • If someone upsets you – take the time to calm down – pray – before you act!
    • Second – Joab was fighting to keep his job…
      • Abner had the support of Israel – he could deliver the 11 tribes to David…
      • It meant David might make Abner the commander of HIS army…
      • A job that Joab had up to that point – and Joab did not want to loose his job!
      • Gossip is dangerous – because you only hear one side of the story…
      • Someone might have a personal vendetta – or an ulterior motive…
      • So they tell us what they want us to hear to mold our opinion
      • Proverbs 18:17 – “Any story sounds true until someone sets the record straight.”
      • A wise man does not just listen to one side of a story – he hears both sides!
  • Joab sent a message to Abner – but David did not know… vs. 26-27
    • He lied and told him David wanted him to come back to Hebron…
    • When Abner arrived Joab took him aside privately – as if to talk to him secretly…
    • But instead he drew out his dagger and murdered Abner in revenge for Asahel!
    • Because Joab did deal with the anger he had for Abner – it erupted into murder…
    • Leviticus 19:17 – “Do not nurse hatred in your heart for anyone. Confront your neighbors directly so you will not be held guilty…”
    • Too often we hesitate to confront others when we are upset with them…
    • But when hurt is like an open wound – if it is not mended – it becomes rancid…
    • And in time it can turn into something far worse…
    • Ephesians 4:26 – “Do not let the sun go down on your anger…”

So that they do not have to face the Lord one day for their wicked deeds!

4^th – The funeral of Abner… vs. 28-39 Read: II Samuel 3:

1^st – When David heard about the death of Abner he was furious… vs. 28-30

He was quick to clarify that he and Judah had NOTHING to do with it…

All the guilt was upon Joab and his family – who plotted the murder…

David cursed them – may each generation have a man with leprosy / or lame…

May one of their children die by the sword / or have to beg for food!

The harsh words were because David understood the potential consequences…

Abner had been the chief rival of David in the long war between the two kings…

If it appeared to the 11 tribes David had any part in his death…

They might very well rebel – and refuse to ever come under the authority of David!

David was in danger because of the actions of those who were close to him…

If we hand out in at the plaza where everyone is drinking…

We may not be – but everyone passing by might assume we are taking part!

If we hang out with unbelievers – even if we do nothing wrong…

We may well find that we get accused of doing the same things they are!

2^nd – David commanded Joab to dress in morning clothes… vs. 31-37

Joab had to lead the funeral procession – with David following behind…

Abner was buried with honor in the city of Hebron – and David wept for him…

And David refused to eat the whole day – in honor of Abner!

All of the people noticed – and it made the nation VERY happy…

Everyone in Israel and Judah knew David had nothing to do with Abner’s death…

We need to be different – let everyone know we are not of this world…

II Corinthians 6:17 – “Come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Do not touch their filthy things…”

We need to be interacting with those who do not know Jesus…

If we are not out in the world – we cannot show the world the hope of Jesus!

But though we are in the world – we should not be acting like the world!

3^rd – A great leader had been murdered in Israel… vs. 38-39

David was the anointed King – but Joab had almost undone his reign…

He had murdered the one man who was working to bring the kingdom together…

Likely David had hoped Abner would be the commander of his army…

But with his death – and the armies of Judah loyal to Joab…

David had to admit that Joab and Abishai were too much for him…

In fact this would not be the last time David had problem with Joab…

So let the Lord repay these wicked men from their wicked deeds!

Our job is not to condemn the world – God will judge one day…

Our responsibility is to make sure we are not blending into it – instead be a light…

So those who do not know Jesus – might receive him as their savior…