Daily Manna: Beware Of A Vengeful Spirit

"Thursday 29, August 2013"

*TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 3:31-39*

*"KEY VERSE: “And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner... but David knew it not. And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there...” (2 Samuel 3:26,27)."*

Having served king Saul faithfully as a valiant army general, Abner came to David on terms of peace and reconciliation. Unknown to him and David, Joab, David’s general would have none of Abner’s influence in the rising kingdom of David. Apart from the hatred and animosity he harboured against him for killing Asahel, his younger brother, Joab was envious of the possibility of Abner taking over his position as David’s military chief. For clearly, Abner was more experienced. 
After David had sent Abner away in peace, Joab sent messengers after him and brought him back without the knowledge of David. He spoke to him as a friend and pretended to be seeking a private audience with him, but he killed him.
There is danger in harbouring vengeance and seeking opportunity to retaliate. Though Joab was close to David, a man described as being after God’s heart, he refused to imbibe the godly nature and divine attributes in the life of David. Clearly, salvation and righteousness cannot be transferred; it is a personal experience appropriated through faith in the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Again, Abner was very naïve; he was not discreet enough to have noticed the subtlety of Joab in wanting to get rid of him. How we need to pray before accepting any offer of friendship from people that may harbour other ulterior motives against us. Furthermore, David demonstrated a rare leadership quality by leading his people to mourn the death of this great man. 
Finally, Joab incurred a severe rebuke and retributive justice that haunted him to his grave. Beware of sowing the wind so that you do not, in the end, reap the whirlwind.
*THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Evil will always catch-up with the vengeful and the unforgiving.*
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