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Speaker 1: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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Speaker 1: Philippians four thirteen. Lord, I thank you that there is

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Speaker 1: no limit to what I can accomplish, no limit to

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Speaker 1: what I can achieve. I can be successful in every

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Speaker 1: area of my life, in every assignment that you've given

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Speaker 1: to me. I can seize every opportunity, and I can

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Speaker 1: rise to meet every challenge. I can overcome every obstacle.

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Speaker 1: I can defeat every enemy. Then I can flourish and

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Speaker 1: thrive and prosper. I can do all things through Christ

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Speaker 1: who strengthens me. Failure is not going to be a

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Speaker 1: part of my vocabulary. I will do what can't be done.

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Speaker 1: I will take you at your word. Nothing is impossible

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Speaker 1: for me.

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Speaker 2: To day.

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Speaker 1: I will break down walls and barriers and take new

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Speaker 1: territory for your kingdom and for your glory. I will

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Speaker 1: live a life of love and joy and peace. I

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Speaker 1: will receive everything you have for me, every blessing you

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Speaker 1: want to give me. More and more of your greatness,

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Speaker 1: your power will be revealed to me. I declare that

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Speaker 1: my life will be an example an inspiration to every

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Speaker 1: one around me, a testimony the others will see and

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Speaker 1: hear and give glory. I thank you and I praise

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Speaker 1: you for all these things in Jesus name.

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Speaker 2: Amen.

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Speaker 1: Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever

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Speaker 1: told from Pray dot COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible.

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Speaker 3: Hello. My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Prey

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Speaker 3: dot Com, and before we start today's episode of Heroes

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Speaker 3: in the Bible, I wanted to ask do you know

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Speaker 3: what your bank does with your money? At America's Christian

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Speaker 3: Credit Union, your everyday banking helps grow churches, expand the

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Speaker 3: reach of missions agencies, and supports fellow believers across the country.

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Speaker 3: nationwide banking capabilities at America's Christian su dot Com Forward

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Speaker 3: credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

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Speaker 4: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your hosts for Heroes in

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Speaker 4: the Bible. If you've been enjoying this series, please write

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Speaker 4: a review and let me know how this podcast has

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Speaker 4: impacted your life. Welcome to the epic Adventure of David,

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Speaker 4: a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal

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Speaker 4: and murder. Well, most people know of David myth, few

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Speaker 4: know about David the man. In this episode, we realize

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Speaker 4: just how far we have come since the story of

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Speaker 4: David and Goliath. The simpler stories of good versus evil

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Speaker 4: are no more, and now it's time to weigh deeper

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Speaker 4: into the waters of political unrest, revenge, and scandal. The

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Speaker 4: plot of David's story is about to thicken, and what

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Speaker 4: was once black and white will begin to seem more gray.

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Speaker 4: King David is a pure soul, but he has entered

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Speaker 4: into an arena wrought with wickedness and contempt. If he

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Speaker 4: isn't careful, it will corrupt him and it will certainly

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Speaker 4: take more than good intentions and motivational speeches to unite

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Speaker 4: this divided kingdom. This episode will give us a glimmer

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Speaker 4: of hope that peace is possible and David will have

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Speaker 4: victory in his grasp. But peace has an enemy, and

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Speaker 4: its name is revenge. The spirit of revenge is the

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Speaker 4: new foe David has yet to fight, and in this

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Speaker 4: episode David seems to be outmatched. Will he be able

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Speaker 4: to win darken hearts back to the light? Is David

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Speaker 4: up to the challenge of being king, or should he

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Speaker 4: have remain in Ziglag with his farm and family. We

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Speaker 4: will begin this episode with a prelude going back to

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Speaker 4: the most ancient of times, when revenge first slithered its

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Speaker 4: way into the heart of man. Hatred, jealousy, and vengeance

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Speaker 4: have existed since the first Family, so it is no

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Speaker 4: wonder that it seems like a formidable foe. How will

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Speaker 4: the giant sleigh affair against this new titan We will

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Speaker 4: find out in episode twenty The Blood of Abner.

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Speaker 2: Prelude to chapter twenty. Kin gripped the dirt below him

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Speaker 2: in anger. On his knees. He cursed God and lamented.

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Speaker 5: Why have you rejected my offering?

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Speaker 2: He yelled?

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Speaker 6: Was I not diligent?

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Speaker 7: Did I not labor for you?

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Speaker 2: Kane's anger was palpable, his body trembled with unhinged rage.

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Speaker 2: Why are you angry, Kane? God said, if your heart

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Speaker 2: does well, will you not be accepted. Cain burst to

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Speaker 2: his feet and shook his fist on high. He yelled

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Speaker 2: in agony and raged that his sacrifice was rejected and

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Speaker 2: his brother's was accepted. God's gentle voice spoke through the wind, saying.

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Speaker 7: A trap is laid out before you. Vengeance and hatred

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Speaker 7: are seeking to take you.

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Speaker 8: Cain.

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Speaker 7: Sin knocks at your door, resists.

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Speaker 2: Do not let it rule over you. However, Cain would

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Speaker 2: not listen. He stormed away in a fury. As knight

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Speaker 2: draped over the new Earth and stars scattered across the firmament.

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Speaker 2: Cain approached his brother Abel, who was tending to his

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Speaker 2: sheep in the field. Galaxies painted the night in a

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Speaker 2: thousand different colors, and the light shine down on Kane's

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Speaker 2: face a vengeance and hat He picked up a stone

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Speaker 2: from the ground and walked towards his brother Abel, Cain said. Startled,

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Speaker 2: Abel turned around to see his brother running at him

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Speaker 2: with a stone.

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Speaker 1: In his feet.

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Speaker 2: The sheep scattered in fear as Cain unleashed his contempt

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Speaker 2: for God unto his brother. Blow after blow, Cain spited

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Speaker 2: his creator by murdering his image bearer. The crime against

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Speaker 2: his brother Abel was really an act against God. Blood

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Speaker 2: soaked the ground underneath Abel's dead and mangled body. Cain

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Speaker 2: screamed into the night sky, raging like a madman. The

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Speaker 2: murder of Abel was the first of many crimes against life.

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Speaker 2: Cain destroyed the chance for peace between him and his

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Speaker 2: brother by spilling his blood. In doing so, he started

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Speaker 2: a pattern, a pattern of vengeance instead of forgiveness, a

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Speaker 2: pattern of hatred instead of love, a pattern of wool

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Speaker 2: instead of peace. Chapter twenty. The blood of Abner, the

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Speaker 2: blood of slain brothers, cried out from the ground. The

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Speaker 2: clanging of swords and the firing of arrows rang in

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Speaker 2: the ears of God's people. With every battle, their hearts

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Speaker 2: became more grieved. The civil war between Ishbosheth and David

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Speaker 2: had waged for two years. The armies of joab raged

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Speaker 2: against the armies of Abner, and there was great bitterness

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Speaker 2: between them. The moral strength of Israel was waning under

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Speaker 2: the leadership of King Ishbosheth. His weakness of character and

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Speaker 2: fragile ego left Abner with no choice but to take

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Speaker 2: hold of the kingdom and rule it himself. Ishboshat was

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Speaker 2: king in name only, sitting upon his throne in fine robes,

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Speaker 2: with decadent feasts sprawled out before him. Yet for all

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Speaker 2: his pomp and adornment, he had no strength of heart

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Speaker 2: to lead. The foundation of the Kingdom of Israel was

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Speaker 2: on shaking grid, only moments from collapsing. Meanwhile, David had

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Speaker 2: become fruitful in Judah. He had amassed an army of

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Speaker 2: well trained men fighting in the name of honor and

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Speaker 2: devotion to their king. He opened up trade with the

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Speaker 2: non hostile nations, importing key goods that they had been

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Speaker 2: lacking since the division of Israel. King David built treaties

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Speaker 2: with households through marriage, gaining the loyalty of kings and

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Speaker 2: rich nobles who could help fund the rebuilding of the kingdom.

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Speaker 2: Through his six wives, David sired six sons, Amnon, Chilead, Absalom, ad, Anija, Sephataiah,

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Speaker 2: and Ishrael. David's fruitfulness became renown among the land. Along

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Speaker 2: with his military exploits and political plout, David had successfully

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Speaker 2: won the heart of his people. His favor, power, and

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Speaker 2: affection became famous, thus reaching the ears of King Ishboshet.

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Speaker 2: Not only had David bested him in war, but he

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Speaker 2: had become a better king than he could ever hope

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Speaker 2: to be. Ishbosheth sank low on his throne, sulking in

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Speaker 2: his kingdom built on sinking sand. Abner awoke to the

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Speaker 2: morning sun peeking in through an open window. The morning

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Speaker 2: spring breeze flew in from outside, brushing up against his

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Speaker 2: bare chest. He pulled the sheets closer and looked. Next

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Speaker 2: to him, a woman lay beside him, naked under the covers.

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Speaker 2: Her warm and soft skin rubbed up against him. The

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Speaker 2: sheets laid over her curves, causing Abner to blush. He

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Speaker 2: enjoyed this moment of peace, gently stroking her hair. Before

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Speaker 2: she awoke, her eyes fluttered open, and she gave him

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Speaker 2: a smile as sweet as honey.

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Speaker 1: Good morning, she whispered.

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Speaker 2: Her gentle voice made his heart leap with affectionate joy.

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Speaker 2: He gazed into her hazel eyes, reflecting the sunlight dancing

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Speaker 2: through the window, and kissed her. The two of them smiled, yawned,

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Speaker 2: and stretched. Rispa wrapped the sheets around her body and

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Speaker 2: walked over to Abner's window. She turned her cheeks to

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Speaker 2: the morning sun and soaked it in. With her eyes closed,

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Speaker 2: she smiled and.

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Speaker 9: Said, Ah, these are the mornings I never want to forget.

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Speaker 2: Abner walked over and held her close.

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Speaker 6: Moments like these are all we have small pauses from

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Speaker 6: the madness of life.

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Speaker 2: Abner and Risba had grown very fond of each other

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Speaker 2: in the past two years. She was one of the

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Speaker 2: concubines in Saul's harem, considered a piece of royal property

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Speaker 2: passed down to Ishboshet. However, Abner saw her as much

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Speaker 2: more than that. She was beautiful, kind, and undoubtedly strong.

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Speaker 2: The two were drawn to each other despite their circumstances.

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Speaker 2: Abner knew that she was a part of the king's harem,

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Speaker 2: and that sleeping with her was considered the same as

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Speaker 2: stealing property. However, Abner felt that he was entitled to

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Speaker 2: some joy in his life considering the sacrifice he had

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Speaker 2: made for King ishboshef he had successfully put him on

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Speaker 2: the throne and now led the nation on his behalf.

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Speaker 2: It was he who marched into battle and into danger.

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Speaker 2: It was he who convened with the elders and strategized

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Speaker 2: with generals. Rispa was surely a fair price for his loyalty.

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Speaker 2: He had dozens of concubines, after all. Abner held Rispa

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Speaker 2: tightly in his arms and kissed her neck. The two

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Speaker 2: of them stared at the window, admiring the colors of spring. However,

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Speaker 2: their sweet moment of bliss was interrupted by one of

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Speaker 2: the king's servants entering with a message. The young man

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Speaker 2: quickly realized he should have not and immediately bound his

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Speaker 2: head apologetically. The boy awkwardly looked up, saw Rispa and

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Speaker 2: then left in a hurry. Rispa quickly gathered her clothing anxiously,

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Speaker 2: Her and Abner knew that this was not good for them.

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Speaker 2: The servant would undoubtedly report this to the King.

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Speaker 9: I I have to go back to the palace before

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Speaker 9: the King sends for me.

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Speaker 2: Rispa said in a nervous voice. Abner was vexed by

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Speaker 2: the situation. He shouldn't have to hide anything from the King.

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Speaker 2: He was entitled to whatever he desired. Don't leave.

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Speaker 6: If the King desires to make an argument about our dealings,

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Speaker 6: I will be sure to put his mind at.

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Speaker 2: Ease, Abner said. Rispa held Abner's face and kissed him.

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Speaker 9: Oh, I cannot risk it.

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Speaker 2: She said, while shaking her head.

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Speaker 9: I am bound to the King by law and fear

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Speaker 9: the worst for us both if I do not comply

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Speaker 9: with his demands. I will pray you can sway him,

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Speaker 9: for I know he holds you with great respect.

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Speaker 2: With those words, Rispa departed out the door back to

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Speaker 2: the King's harem. Abner sat in silence for a long while,

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Speaker 2: then got dressed and made his way to the palace.

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Speaker 2: As he entered into the halls where King Saul once reigned.

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Speaker 2: He could not help but feel sorrow for what had

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Speaker 2: become of the kingdom. The empty halls echoed past failures

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Speaker 2: and shattered dreams. King Eshbosheth was hunched over in his throne, pouting,

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Speaker 2: with a cup of wine in his hand. Abner bowed

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Speaker 2: his head and looked at the king. You send for

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Speaker 2: me my life, lord, he asked innocently. Ishbochef tilted his

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Speaker 2: head to the side and glared at Abner. His rosy

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Speaker 2: cheeks and dilated eyes revealed that he had been drinking

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Speaker 2: all morning. His lack of self control disgusted Abner. The

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Speaker 2: only job Ishbochef had was to act like a king

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Speaker 2: and leave the ruling to him. Instead, he insisted on

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Speaker 2: acting like a child. The boy king leaned back in

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Speaker 2: his throne and murmured, I.

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Speaker 8: Had originally beckoned you so we might debrief from yesterday's

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Speaker 8: court of elders. However, more pressing issues have come to

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Speaker 8: my attention.

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Speaker 2: Ishbochef lingered for a moment, hoping to make Abner stir.

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Speaker 8: Is it bad enough that I have half my kingdom

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Speaker 8: following another man unworthy of the throne. Now I have

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Speaker 8: another man sleeping with my concubine. Who do you think

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Speaker 8: you are taking while my father passed down to me?

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Speaker 8: Have you no respect for the throne? You shame yourself

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Speaker 8: for stupid.

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Speaker 2: So low Abner's eyes met Ishboschef's. The king expected a

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Speaker 2: look of shame and contrition. Instead, he only saw anger.

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Speaker 2: Abner gritted his teeth and took a step forward.

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Speaker 6: No respect for the.

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Speaker 2: Throne, Abner said, seething with anger.

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Speaker 6: Am I a dog's head of Judah.

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Speaker 2: Abner continued to step even closer to the throne. Now

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Speaker 2: it was Isboschef who grew uncomfortable. The commander continued his questioning.

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Speaker 6: Tell me, my king, who among the two of us

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Speaker 6: fought side by side with your father, his brothers, his friends,

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Speaker 6: and his sons.

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Speaker 10: Who among us marched against David and the armies of Judah,

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Speaker 10: Who out of the two of us, has bled for

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Speaker 10: the cause of Israel and marched into Harm's way? Have

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Speaker 10: I not protected you, elevated you, and served you despite

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Speaker 10: your impotent leadership and childish widing.

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Speaker 2: Isboschef opened up his mouth to speak, but Abner took

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Speaker 2: out his sword and extended it towards the king. Walking

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Speaker 2: closer to the Abner continued his raving.

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Speaker 10: You dare treat me as if I have given you

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Speaker 10: over to the enemy. After all I have done, You

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Speaker 10: charge me today with a fault concerning a woman.

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Speaker 6: You have no interest in. You have the call to

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Speaker 6: scold me.

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Speaker 10: Sitting atop a throne, eye won for you with my

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Speaker 10: own blood and.

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Speaker 2: Sweat, Abner swung his sword into the table in front

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Speaker 2: of this rocha. Angered ripped from him like molten hot metal.

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Speaker 2: The king coward in his throne, paralyzed with fear. Abner

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Speaker 2: leaned in close to the king, lowered his voice and

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Speaker 2: spoke clearly, saying, hear me.

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Speaker 6: Now, boy, may God strike me down. If I do

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Speaker 6: not elevate David to take hold of what has been

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Speaker 6: sworn to him by the Lord from the land of

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Speaker 6: Dan to Beersheba, the throne of David will reign over

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Speaker 6: this land.

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Speaker 7: You have lost my loyalty.

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Speaker 2: Abner waited for a response from the king, but there

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Speaker 2: was none. He scoffed and stepped away from the throne.

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Speaker 4: Coward, he said.

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Speaker 2: Abner spat on the ground, removed his sword from the table,

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Speaker 2: and stormed off Esposheth said nothing. He was white faced

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Speaker 2: and shocked at what had taken place, and began lamenting

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Speaker 2: the fall of his kingdom. King David sat with Beniah,

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Speaker 2: who had been promoted to captain of the guard. Together

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Speaker 2: they discussed the enforcement of the law and relationships to

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Speaker 2: local judges. With their new found success, they needed to

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Speaker 2: steward their resources well and keep the people accountable to God.

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Speaker 2: David took great care into not just being a man

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Speaker 2: of military success. He had dreams of being a king

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Speaker 2: of peace, not just war. As the two were in discussion,

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Speaker 2: a messenger came in from Israel. The young man refused

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Speaker 2: water at the door, for his message was urgent and

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Speaker 2: needed to reach David as soon as possible. The boy

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Speaker 2: cleared his throat and.

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Speaker 5: Spoke, Thus says, my master, Abner, to whom does this

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Speaker 5: land belong? It has been my most recent conviction that

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Speaker 5: the Lord has anointed you to steward his land and

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Speaker 5: his people. Make a covenant with me, and behold, my

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Speaker 5: hand shall be with you to bring Israel back to you.

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Speaker 2: David and Beniah exchanged looks of confusion.

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Speaker 11: What has prompted this change of heart from Abner?

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Speaker 2: What is he to gain from this, Beniyah asked. David pondered, he.

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Speaker 7: Would not have sent a message as a trap. It

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Speaker 7: would be dishonorable. If he has extended this message, it

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Speaker 7: must be because something has happened between him and Ishbosheth.

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Speaker 11: I would still like assurances that this is not a trap,

295
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Speaker 11: Beniah said. Perhaps there is a symbol of good will

296
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Speaker 11: we can require of him. If he truly desires to

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Speaker 11: move the loyalty of an entire kingdom in your favor,

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Speaker 11: surely you would be willing to extend an effort of clarity.

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Speaker 2: David nodded in agreement. I know jest the thing. David

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Speaker 2: stepped forward and said to the messenger, tell.

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Speaker 7: Your master that I will accept his request to meet. However,

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Speaker 7: I have a condition. He shall not see my face

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Speaker 7: until he brings me my first wife, Macal Saul's cruelty

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Speaker 7: turned her away from me, and she was given to

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Speaker 7: another man. I slaid a hundred philistines for the right

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Speaker 7: to marry her, and I.

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Speaker 11: Desire her back another wife, and I am mumbled, be careful,

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Speaker 11: my friend.

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Speaker 2: David ignored his friend's jab and continued to the messenger.

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Speaker 7: I want my wife back. Being married to her gives

311
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Speaker 7: me more claim as Saul's successor his son in law.

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Speaker 7: Hopefully this will Garner more confidence in the elders.

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Speaker 2: The messenger bowed his head and sent word to Abner.

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Speaker 2: Only days after receiving David's message, may call was taken

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Speaker 2: away from her husband and sent to him. Abner had

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Speaker 2: followed through on his word. Now with the full trust

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Speaker 2: of King David, Abner began to lobby for the kingdoms

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Speaker 2: to be united once again. Gathered in his own home,

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Speaker 2: the elders of Israel conferred and deliberated, My.

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Speaker 6: Lords, Israel is on shaky ground. Ishboshev lacks the stability and.

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Speaker 2: Strength to lead us, Abner said.

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Speaker 6: For some time, I know many of you have been

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Speaker 6: pining after David to be king over you. We have

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Speaker 6: all witnessed the military and economic success of Judah. It

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Speaker 6: has now become clear to me that we have made

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Speaker 6: a mistake in anointing ish Boshev. I humble myself before

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Speaker 6: you and declare that I was wrong.

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Speaker 2: The elders stirred in their seats and murmured to one another.

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Speaker 7: What has caused this change in conviction?

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Speaker 2: Abner?

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Speaker 7: Are we to trust the words of a man so

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Speaker 7: easily swayed.

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Speaker 2: Abner nodded handsided.

334
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Speaker 6: When the winds of the Lord blow, we must bend.

335
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Speaker 2: It is not a weakness to repent, he replied.

336
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Speaker 6: The Lord has made his choice. He himself spoke, saying,

337
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Speaker 6: by the hand of my servant David, I will save

338
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Speaker 6: my people Israel, from the hand of the Philistines and

339
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Speaker 6: from the hand of all their enemies.

340
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Speaker 2: Abner, a military man, now spoke with the conviction of

341
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Speaker 2: a prophet. His change of heart was clear in his words,

342
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Speaker 2: and the elders of Israel agreed. It was now time

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Speaker 2: for the two divided kingdoms to come together under the

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Speaker 2: Lord's chosen hero. David looked out his window towards the

345
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Speaker 2: gates Abner and a small band of his most loyal

346
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Speaker 2: men had entered to deliberate and celebrate the new union

347
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Speaker 2: of kingdoms. There was still much to be done, and

348
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Speaker 2: Abner would be crucial to the plan. Wearing the royal

349
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Speaker 2: robes gifted to him by Jonathan, David entered the dining

350
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Speaker 2: hall to greet Abner. The two men sat and ate together.

351
00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:51,720
Speaker 2: They reminisced of their military exploits and time serving under Saul.

352
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Speaker 2: Both of them were warriors at heart and men of honor.

353
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Speaker 2: David was surprised to discover just how much the two

354
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Speaker 2: of them had in common. Abner then began to speak

355
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Speaker 2: of the business regarding the two kingdoms.

356
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Speaker 6: I will arise from here and gather Israel under your rule.

357
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Speaker 6: I have already deliberated with the elders. Now it is

358
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Speaker 6: a matter of securing the governors and military generals. It

359
00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:17,359
Speaker 6: will not be easy, but if the Lord wills, we

360
00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:19,480
Speaker 6: shall see a united kingdom under you.

361
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Speaker 2: David could sense the earnest desire for peace in Abner's voice.

362
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Speaker 2: He nodded and said, thank you, Abner. The future of

363
00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:32,840
Speaker 2: God's Kingdom looks brighter than ever. But those parting words,

364
00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:36,399
Speaker 2: Abner bowed and left with his men. Both David and

365
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Speaker 2: Abner were eager for the struggle between kingdoms to end.

366
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Speaker 2: Their shared vision for the future of Israel left them

367
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Speaker 2: feeling at peace and hopeful. As the sun set, Abner

368
00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:49,080
Speaker 2: rode back home with fire in his belly for a

369
00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:54,520
Speaker 2: new kingdom under David. Moments after Abner's departure, Joe ab

370
00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:57,600
Speaker 2: returned from a raid, bringing riches from the enemies of Israel.

371
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Speaker 2: He came laughing with his men, excited to lay the

372
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Speaker 2: bounty out before his king.

373
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Speaker 11: My lord, see what your army has done for your kingdom.

374
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Speaker 7: We have gold, silver.

375
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Speaker 11: And livestock to secure a powerful attack against Abner and

376
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Speaker 11: his armies.

377
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Speaker 2: The rest of the men cheered behind Joe Abb, beaming

378
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Speaker 2: with excitement. David smiled and said.

379
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Speaker 7: We may have no need to spend any of this

380
00:22:20,720 --> 00:22:23,960
Speaker 7: on an attack against Israel. I have met with Abner

381
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Speaker 7: and he is lobbying with the elders and governors to

382
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Speaker 7: secure me as king over Israel.

383
00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:34,560
Speaker 2: Joeab smiled disappeared immediately, his brow furrowed and his jaw clenched.

384
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Speaker 2: He was visibly angry at David's words. You did what,

385
00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:39,840
Speaker 2: job asked coarsely.

386
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Speaker 7: Abner sent word to me not so long ago, regarding

387
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Speaker 7: a peace agreement. He is now our ally and removing

388
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Speaker 7: ishbushat as king. He has opened up a way for

389
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Speaker 7: us to peacefully unite the kingdoms instead of shedding any

390
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Speaker 7: more blood.

391
00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:59,159
Speaker 2: Joab turned to his men and yelled get out. The

392
00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:01,440
Speaker 2: men quickly left the king's halls and shut the door.

393
00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:05,480
Speaker 2: It was only David and Joab now. Joeab drew a

394
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Speaker 2: deep breath and spoke, saying, my king, what have you done.

395
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Speaker 7: I have done the will of the Lord Joeab. You

396
00:23:15,480 --> 00:23:18,480
Speaker 7: should rejoice that we no longer have to kill our

397
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Speaker 7: brothers in Israel. Peace is upon us.

398
00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:27,600
Speaker 2: David replied sternly. Joab's blood rose in temperature. He was

399
00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:31,199
Speaker 2: indignant and blind with rage. The heart of Cain was

400
00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:31,960
Speaker 2: taking hold.

401
00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:37,640
Speaker 11: You allowed that treacherous snake to leave here alive. If

402
00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:39,959
Speaker 11: you truly desired peace, you would have killed him when

403
00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:40,840
Speaker 11: he entered these gates.

404
00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:43,159
Speaker 7: Abner clearly came to deceive you.

405
00:23:43,440 --> 00:23:45,160
Speaker 10: I have no doubt that he and his men took

406
00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:47,960
Speaker 10: note of every part of Hebron, finding its weak points

407
00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:48,959
Speaker 10: and vulnerabilities.

408
00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:51,960
Speaker 2: Can't you see it was all a trap. David stood

409
00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:53,760
Speaker 2: to his feet and scold at his commander.

410
00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:58,280
Speaker 7: The true trap is laid out by vengeance and hatred. Joeab,

411
00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:04,440
Speaker 7: send knocks at your door. Resist it. We have here

412
00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:09,360
Speaker 7: a chance for peace. Turn from the darkness boiling inside

413
00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:14,720
Speaker 7: you and choose to embrace Abner as a brother. Joab

414
00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:18,200
Speaker 7: looked up with pain in his eyes. He killed my brother,

415
00:24:18,359 --> 00:24:22,320
Speaker 7: he whispered. I vowed to never forget what he has done.

416
00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:28,359
Speaker 2: Joab stormed off into the night, bent on finding his revenge.

417
00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:31,600
Speaker 2: It was late, and the clouds blocked out the full moon.

418
00:24:32,359 --> 00:24:35,520
Speaker 2: A warm breeze flew through the sky, signaling the coming

419
00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:40,280
Speaker 2: of summer. Joab left the presence of David in unhinged fury.

420
00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:43,879
Speaker 2: His hands were shaking and sweat beat down from his brow.

421
00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:48,000
Speaker 2: He grabbed the arm of his servant violently and said, go.

422
00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:50,400
Speaker 11: And find Abner on his way back to Israel. Tell

423
00:24:50,480 --> 00:24:53,159
Speaker 11: him King David has further negotiations to make before he

424
00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:56,159
Speaker 11: goes back home. Have him meet at the cistern of Sirah.

425
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Speaker 8: Go.

426
00:24:56,720 --> 00:24:59,639
Speaker 2: The servant did as he was told and intercepted Abner

427
00:24:59,680 --> 00:25:02,600
Speaker 2: on his turned to Israel. He gave him the message,

428
00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:07,640
Speaker 2: and immediately Abner set course back to Hebron. The Cistern

429
00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:10,480
Speaker 2: of Sarah remained in the shadows near the gates of Hebron.

430
00:25:11,359 --> 00:25:14,600
Speaker 2: Abner approached alone with his torch, Stumbling through the narrow

431
00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:18,080
Speaker 2: passageway to the cistern, A small crack in the clouds

432
00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:22,520
Speaker 2: above illuminated the moonlight. Streaks of silver light danced down

433
00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:26,040
Speaker 2: into the alleyway, revealing a hooded figure leaning against the wall.

434
00:25:26,520 --> 00:25:29,560
Speaker 2: My King, Abner asked, suspiciously.

435
00:25:29,160 --> 00:25:31,720
Speaker 6: Why have you asked me to come here? Of all places?

436
00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:34,560
Speaker 6: Is there something secret I am not aware of.

437
00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:36,800
Speaker 2: The hooded figure took a step closer.

438
00:25:37,240 --> 00:25:39,919
Speaker 11: I have come to speak of peace, he said, and

439
00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:41,880
Speaker 11: the difficult things that must be done.

440
00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:44,840
Speaker 2: To achieve it. Abner grew more wary of the situation

441
00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:48,760
Speaker 2: and reached back for his sword. However, before he could,

442
00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:52,000
Speaker 2: the hooded figure leaped forward and stuck a dagger into

443
00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:56,080
Speaker 2: Abner's stomach. Abner coughed up blood and looked up. The

444
00:25:56,119 --> 00:25:59,240
Speaker 2: moonlight revealed the face behind the hood, the face of

445
00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:00,639
Speaker 2: vengeance and hate.

446
00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:04,720
Speaker 11: Joe Ab, I told you the day would come when

447
00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:06,119
Speaker 11: my brother's blood would be.

448
00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:11,080
Speaker 2: Obtaged, Joe Ab said. Abner held Joab's hands helplessly as

449
00:26:11,119 --> 00:26:14,640
Speaker 2: the dagger was driven further into him. Joab leaned over

450
00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:15,960
Speaker 2: to whisper in Abner's ear.

451
00:26:16,359 --> 00:26:19,280
Speaker 11: Made the war die along with you.

452
00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:25,040
Speaker 2: With those words, Abner breathed his last. Blood soaked the

453
00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:28,600
Speaker 2: stone floor beside the cistern, and the clouds covered the moon,

454
00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:33,960
Speaker 2: once again blocking out the light. After these things, it

455
00:26:34,040 --> 00:26:37,400
Speaker 2: did not take long for word to reach David. Joe

456
00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:39,720
Speaker 2: Ab did not hide what he did, nor did he

457
00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:43,639
Speaker 2: feel shame. David leaned over the table beside his throne

458
00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:47,119
Speaker 2: and banged on the wood. He was angry that job

459
00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:50,840
Speaker 2: had ruined the kingdom's chance to peacefully unite. He screamed

460
00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:54,560
Speaker 2: and flipped over the table. The Niat was present with him,

461
00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:57,520
Speaker 2: also feeling the pain of a lost opportunity for peace.

462
00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:03,199
Speaker 7: I and my kingdom are guiltless. Before the Lord, David said,

463
00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:07,000
Speaker 7: the blood of Abner is on Joab's hands. May he

464
00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:12,160
Speaker 7: reap the consequences. May punishment fall upon him, his children,

465
00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:15,600
Speaker 7: and his children's children. May there not be a generation

466
00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,879
Speaker 7: after him that does not fall by illness, by the sword,

467
00:27:19,160 --> 00:27:20,080
Speaker 7: or by starvation.

468
00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:23,840
Speaker 2: The king fell to his knees and wept. He lament

469
00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:26,920
Speaker 2: to the death of Abner and even more the death

470
00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:30,800
Speaker 2: of his first attempt at peaceful unity. He gathered Joab

471
00:27:30,880 --> 00:27:33,359
Speaker 2: and the rest of his men and said, today is

472
00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:36,840
Speaker 2: a day of mourning. For two years we have fought

473
00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:42,680
Speaker 2: for reunited Israel. We have lost men and brothers. Now,

474
00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:46,880
Speaker 2: on the eve of a new agreement with Israel, Abner

475
00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:51,720
Speaker 2: has been slain. Along with his death comes a harder

476
00:27:52,040 --> 00:27:57,080
Speaker 2: path to peace. Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth

477
00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:01,600
Speaker 2: in mourning for Abner. So the entire nation of Judah

478
00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:05,320
Speaker 2: mourned over Abner. They buried him in Hebron and lamented

479
00:28:05,359 --> 00:28:08,880
Speaker 2: his death. David made sure to show the entire nation

480
00:28:09,119 --> 00:28:12,240
Speaker 2: that he did not desire Abner to be killed. He

481
00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:14,919
Speaker 2: needed Israel to know that he was not responsible for

482
00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:18,680
Speaker 2: his death. If the elder saw him mourning, they would

483
00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:22,159
Speaker 2: be more willing to continue in peace talks. King David

484
00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:25,960
Speaker 2: was acutely aware of how delicate the situation was. He

485
00:28:26,040 --> 00:28:28,560
Speaker 2: needed them to believe him for the sake of the country.

486
00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:32,520
Speaker 2: A song was written by David and passed around across

487
00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:36,119
Speaker 2: the nations of Judah and Israel. A song of lament

488
00:28:36,359 --> 00:28:37,840
Speaker 2: for a mighty man of valor.

489
00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:43,200
Speaker 7: Should Abner die as a fool dies, his hands were

490
00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:48,120
Speaker 7: not bound nor his feet fettered. As one falls before

491
00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:50,240
Speaker 7: the wicked he has fallen.

492
00:28:50,840 --> 00:28:54,080
Speaker 2: Not all hope was lost for a united kingdom. The

493
00:28:54,160 --> 00:28:56,600
Speaker 2: work Abner had done among the elders had laid a

494
00:28:56,600 --> 00:29:00,440
Speaker 2: stable foundation for David to build upon. He was beloved

495
00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:03,479
Speaker 2: among his people, and even the nation of Israel had

496
00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:06,280
Speaker 2: heard of David's tender heart and gentle spirit towards a

497
00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:11,400
Speaker 2: perceived enemy. Even in chaos, God's chosen hero was renowned

498
00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:15,000
Speaker 2: for his heart. The murder of Abner revealed a deep

499
00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:19,240
Speaker 2: and dark reality of the human condition. Mankind would always

500
00:29:19,240 --> 00:29:22,400
Speaker 2: seek to shed blood to right the wrongs done to them,

501
00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:26,760
Speaker 2: Yet all vengeance accomplished was of further descent into darkness.

502
00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:29,360
Speaker 2: It would take another shedding of blood to put an

503
00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:32,160
Speaker 2: end to the darkness. It would take an act of

504
00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:35,360
Speaker 2: mercy to triumph over the contempt. It would take an

505
00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:38,600
Speaker 2: act of love to triumph over the hatred.

506
00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:43,880
Speaker 4: We have a new villain in David's story, and it

507
00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:47,000
Speaker 4: is in Joe ab No. As angry as we are

508
00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:50,120
Speaker 4: with him, he is merely another victim to the ancient

509
00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:52,480
Speaker 4: evil that has dwelt in the hearts of men since

510
00:29:52,560 --> 00:29:57,160
Speaker 4: gain revenge. Our story began with the prelude, which is

511
00:29:57,240 --> 00:30:00,719
Speaker 4: also a foreshattering of things to come. We have spoken

512
00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:03,440
Speaker 4: briefly about the story of Cain and Abel, but it

513
00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:06,000
Speaker 4: is worth revisiting as it is one of the most

514
00:30:06,080 --> 00:30:10,320
Speaker 4: fundamental stories ever told. The slaughter of Abel was our

515
00:30:10,360 --> 00:30:13,680
Speaker 4: first real encounter with the corruption of sin. Cain was

516
00:30:13,720 --> 00:30:17,360
Speaker 4: angry with God and took revenge on him by murdering Abel,

517
00:30:17,400 --> 00:30:21,480
Speaker 4: an innocent man. God won Cain beforehand. A trap is

518
00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:24,920
Speaker 4: laid out before you. Vengeance and hatred are seeking to

519
00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:28,560
Speaker 4: take you Cain, Sin knocks at your door. Resist it,

520
00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:32,440
Speaker 4: do not let it rule over you. Sin has depicted

521
00:30:32,560 --> 00:30:35,320
Speaker 4: not as an act, but as a person, someone who

522
00:30:35,360 --> 00:30:38,360
Speaker 4: is hunting Cain and wanting to rule over him. Sin

523
00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:41,560
Speaker 4: is indeed a foe to be conquered, but Cain was

524
00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:45,120
Speaker 4: not the hero to overcome it. That hero would come

525
00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:49,360
Speaker 4: much later to vanquish Sin, revenge and death once and

526
00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:53,000
Speaker 4: for all. When Cain took revenge on God by killing Abel,

527
00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:56,640
Speaker 4: he began a terrible cycle that couldn't be stopped. Cain

528
00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:59,640
Speaker 4: destroyed the chance for peace between him and his brother

529
00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:03,719
Speaker 4: by spilling his blood. In doing so, he started a pattern,

530
00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:07,239
Speaker 4: a pattern of vengeance instead of forgiveness, a pattern of

531
00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:10,760
Speaker 4: hatred instead of love, a pattern of war instead of peace.

532
00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:14,760
Speaker 4: The pattern of hatred repeats itself in episode twenty, but

533
00:31:14,880 --> 00:31:17,320
Speaker 4: it didn't begin with Joe abb There was a more

534
00:31:17,360 --> 00:31:21,160
Speaker 4: subtle revenge before Joeab's acts in the Alley. The first

535
00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:23,600
Speaker 4: act of revenge we see in the story is Abner

536
00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:27,680
Speaker 4: taking the King's concubine for himself and concealing it from him.

537
00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:30,720
Speaker 4: You may be thinking that doesn't seem like revenge to me,

538
00:31:31,400 --> 00:31:34,400
Speaker 4: but it is the narrator gives us a glimpse into

539
00:31:34,480 --> 00:31:38,440
Speaker 4: Abner's mind. During this episode, Abner feels like he is

540
00:31:38,560 --> 00:31:41,640
Speaker 4: owed the pleasure of the king's concubine. After all, he

541
00:31:41,720 --> 00:31:44,240
Speaker 4: has done so much for the king and receive very

542
00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:48,680
Speaker 4: little thanks. Then, when Abner's confronted, he lashes out and

543
00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:53,560
Speaker 4: takes revenge on ibashef by allying himself with David. It's

544
00:31:53,600 --> 00:31:56,320
Speaker 4: a messy way to start an alliance, and it turns

545
00:31:56,360 --> 00:31:59,520
Speaker 4: out to get even more messy. Revenge can be more

546
00:31:59,520 --> 00:32:02,440
Speaker 4: subtle than and repaying evil for evil. It can begin

547
00:32:02,520 --> 00:32:06,880
Speaker 4: with quiet contempt for another person. How is contempt conceived?

548
00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:12,000
Speaker 4: It can begin by feeling unappreciated and undervalued. When someone

549
00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:16,600
Speaker 4: feels unappreciated, they can make excuses for bad behavior I deserve.

550
00:32:16,680 --> 00:32:20,840
Speaker 4: This can be a mantra that justifies indulgence. This is

551
00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:24,280
Speaker 4: often on someone who works in a stressful job justifies

552
00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:28,240
Speaker 4: too many drinks, or a spouse who feels unappreciated justifies

553
00:32:28,240 --> 00:32:31,800
Speaker 4: an affair. People do these things to punish the people

554
00:32:31,880 --> 00:32:35,400
Speaker 4: they have contempt for, but they are actually punishing themselves.

555
00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:39,600
Speaker 4: Abner seems genuinely in love, and perhaps he is, but

556
00:32:39,640 --> 00:32:42,360
Speaker 4: that isn't the point. The point is that he is

557
00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:46,080
Speaker 4: clearly regretting who he's aligned with and has a growing

558
00:32:46,120 --> 00:32:50,480
Speaker 4: contempt for Saul's sun that boils over into revenge. Abner

559
00:32:50,520 --> 00:32:54,800
Speaker 4: has a heated and one sided argument with Isbaschev, then

560
00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:59,160
Speaker 4: leaves in a rage to make peace with David. David,

561
00:32:59,200 --> 00:33:03,160
Speaker 4: in contrast to Ishbachef, is thriving in Judah. He has

562
00:33:03,160 --> 00:33:07,040
Speaker 4: brought stability and security to the small nation through trade

563
00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:10,920
Speaker 4: agreements and peace treaties. However, there's an elephant in the

564
00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:14,680
Speaker 4: room we need to address. David has collected six wives

565
00:33:14,720 --> 00:33:18,479
Speaker 4: in seven years and sired many children with them. Remember

566
00:33:18,480 --> 00:33:22,280
Speaker 4: when we talked about the difference between prescriptive and descriptive

567
00:33:22,360 --> 00:33:25,280
Speaker 4: events in the Bible. This is a good example of

568
00:33:25,280 --> 00:33:29,520
Speaker 4: something that is descriptive, not prescriptive. Just because David had

569
00:33:29,560 --> 00:33:32,880
Speaker 4: six wives does not mean God says it's okay. In

570
00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:36,440
Speaker 4: the ancient world, many packs between nations and tribes were

571
00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:39,440
Speaker 4: sealed through marriage, so that is a possible reason for

572
00:33:39,520 --> 00:33:42,920
Speaker 4: David's growing family. There's also the reality that the more

573
00:33:43,000 --> 00:33:46,760
Speaker 4: children you had, the more secure your legacy was. As king,

574
00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:50,640
Speaker 4: David's responsibility was to have as many children as possible.

575
00:33:50,960 --> 00:33:54,200
Speaker 4: And having several wives made that easier. This is not

576
00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:59,320
Speaker 4: a justification, just a reality we have to accept. Benaiah,

577
00:33:59,760 --> 00:34:03,280
Speaker 4: a voice of reason in David's life, briefly warned him

578
00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:06,959
Speaker 4: about marrying too many women. This was a foreshadowing of

579
00:34:07,080 --> 00:34:10,520
Speaker 4: difficult things to come. I can't think of one example

580
00:34:10,520 --> 00:34:14,200
Speaker 4: in scripture where marrying several people turned out well for someone.

581
00:34:14,680 --> 00:34:17,520
Speaker 4: This should tell us enough about God's opinion on the matter.

582
00:34:18,360 --> 00:34:21,920
Speaker 4: Abner realizes that he's made a mistake by hitching his

583
00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:25,520
Speaker 4: wagon to the wrong horse. This is a common theme

584
00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:29,120
Speaker 4: in scripture. Sometimes you need to get what you want

585
00:34:29,239 --> 00:34:32,120
Speaker 4: in order to realize you shouldn't have wanted it to

586
00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:35,600
Speaker 4: begin with. We can all relate to this on some level.

587
00:34:35,680 --> 00:34:40,680
Speaker 4: Right Sometimes we pine after something, sacrifice everything in pursuit

588
00:34:40,719 --> 00:34:43,920
Speaker 4: of it, then realize it was the wrong thing to pursue.

589
00:34:44,760 --> 00:34:47,680
Speaker 4: Jesus said it best by asking what good is it

590
00:34:47,760 --> 00:34:50,840
Speaker 4: if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul.

591
00:34:51,480 --> 00:34:54,799
Speaker 4: Abner has that moment and wants to correct it. He

592
00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:57,960
Speaker 4: shows a great deal of humility in this chapter. He

593
00:34:58,000 --> 00:35:00,760
Speaker 4: makes an alliance with David, and we get a taste

594
00:35:00,800 --> 00:35:04,840
Speaker 4: of peace. David is excited to finally negotiate peace instead

595
00:35:04,840 --> 00:35:07,759
Speaker 4: of fighting for it. There is an important line in

596
00:35:07,800 --> 00:35:09,880
Speaker 4: this story that I want us to focus on for

597
00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:13,960
Speaker 4: a moment. The narrator says David he had dreams of

598
00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:17,279
Speaker 4: being a king of peace, not just war. This is

599
00:35:17,320 --> 00:35:21,000
Speaker 4: a sad line because, unfortunately for David, he will be

600
00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:23,719
Speaker 4: a man of war his whole life. It is the

601
00:35:23,880 --> 00:35:26,400
Speaker 4: role he has been given to set the kingdom up

602
00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:30,120
Speaker 4: for success. We will revisit this theme later in the series.

603
00:35:30,960 --> 00:35:35,200
Speaker 4: David is so close to peace, so close. However, revenge

604
00:35:35,280 --> 00:35:39,360
Speaker 4: has its teeth sunk deeply into Joe AB's heart. David

605
00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:42,600
Speaker 4: warns him the same way God warned Kan. The true

606
00:35:42,600 --> 00:35:45,879
Speaker 4: trap is laid out by vengeance and hatred. Joe ab

607
00:35:46,640 --> 00:35:50,680
Speaker 4: Sin knocks at your door. Resist it. You have here

608
00:35:50,760 --> 00:35:55,040
Speaker 4: a chance for peace, turned from the darkness boiling inside you,

609
00:35:55,840 --> 00:35:59,279
Speaker 4: and choose to embrace Abner as a brother. Just as

610
00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:02,920
Speaker 4: Cain refuse to hear God, Joab refuse to hear David.

611
00:36:03,400 --> 00:36:07,040
Speaker 4: He goes against the King's wishes and kills Abner. David

612
00:36:07,120 --> 00:36:11,480
Speaker 4: is livid, Joab is ruined the chance at peace. Bloodshed

613
00:36:11,600 --> 00:36:15,160
Speaker 4: always begets more bloodshed, and the blood of Abner means

614
00:36:15,200 --> 00:36:18,480
Speaker 4: more Israelite men will have to fall in battle. David

615
00:36:18,520 --> 00:36:21,440
Speaker 4: tries to undo what joeab has done, but it is

616
00:36:21,480 --> 00:36:25,759
Speaker 4: an uphill battle. David's character and good witness is going

617
00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:28,120
Speaker 4: to be put to the test. Will the elders of

618
00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:30,760
Speaker 4: Israel take David at his word that he had nothing

619
00:36:30,760 --> 00:36:33,680
Speaker 4: to do with Abner's death. The end of this episode

620
00:36:33,719 --> 00:36:37,160
Speaker 4: suggests that David's reputation as a man of honor may

621
00:36:37,239 --> 00:36:40,319
Speaker 4: keep them from further war. Another important theme in this

622
00:36:40,440 --> 00:36:44,000
Speaker 4: episode is the power of a good name. King Solomon,

623
00:36:44,120 --> 00:36:47,200
Speaker 4: David's son, who we will meet eventually in this series,

624
00:36:47,600 --> 00:36:51,320
Speaker 4: he said this, a good name is better than precious ointment.

625
00:36:51,960 --> 00:36:55,359
Speaker 4: David's reputation may be the only thing that saves them

626
00:36:55,360 --> 00:36:59,279
Speaker 4: from catastrophe. This is a good lesson for us. Does

627
00:36:59,320 --> 00:37:03,120
Speaker 4: our reputation earn us the benefit of the doubt? If

628
00:37:03,160 --> 00:37:06,520
Speaker 4: we aren't careful, Dishonesty and gossip can ruin our witness

629
00:37:06,520 --> 00:37:10,200
Speaker 4: to others, and when we need people to give us grace,

630
00:37:10,640 --> 00:37:14,239
Speaker 4: we may not receive it. At the end of the episode,

631
00:37:14,280 --> 00:37:17,840
Speaker 4: we are told not all hope was lost for United Kingdom.

632
00:37:18,280 --> 00:37:21,080
Speaker 4: The work Abna had done among the eldest had laid

633
00:37:21,080 --> 00:37:24,239
Speaker 4: a stable foundation for David to build upon. He was

634
00:37:24,360 --> 00:37:27,360
Speaker 4: beloved among his people, and even the nation of Israel

635
00:37:27,400 --> 00:37:31,000
Speaker 4: had heard of David's tender heart and gentle spirit toward

636
00:37:31,040 --> 00:37:35,360
Speaker 4: a perceived enemy. Even in chaos, God's chosen hero was

637
00:37:35,440 --> 00:37:39,000
Speaker 4: renowned for his heart. Well David's good character clean up

638
00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:41,719
Speaker 4: the mess Jo have made. We will find out in

639
00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:46,680
Speaker 4: our next episode, United and Prepared. Thanks again for listening.

640
00:37:47,160 --> 00:37:51,040
Speaker 4: For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last

641
00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:54,840
Speaker 4: a lifetime, go to pray dot com, and to expand

642
00:37:54,920 --> 00:37:58,160
Speaker 4: your heroes in the Bible journey, download the Heroes of

643
00:37:58,200 --> 00:38:03,040
Speaker 4: the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org. Forward Slash Heroes,

644
00:38:03,520 --> 00:38:06,560
Speaker 4: write a review and let us know how this podcast

645
00:38:06,600 --> 00:38:08,960
Speaker 4: has impacted your life. God bless