1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 1: Let us pray and behold the servants of David and Joe. 2 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 1: Ab came from pursuing a troop and brought a great 3 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:12,959 Speaker 1: spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, 4 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: for he had sent him away, and he was gone 5 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:21,760 Speaker 1: in peace Second Samuel three twenty two. Lord, when I 6 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 1: inherit opportunities that seemed to be in ruins and surrounded 7 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 1: with conflict, I thank you that, like David, I will 8 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:34,239 Speaker 1: be wise and tactful when it comes to leading and 9 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:38,559 Speaker 1: making decisions in the midst of chaos. I trust and 10 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: believe that your hand will continue to be with me 11 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:45,159 Speaker 1: in spite of the circumstances around me, like you did 12 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: with David. I realize that on my journey to claim 13 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: what you've promised me, there may be people who are 14 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: occupying the seat you've called me to sit in. However, 15 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 1: I will not take it by force or by vengeful means, 16 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 1: because I know that, in your perfect timing, you will 17 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:07,080 Speaker 1: deliver it into my hands. No matter the way. Time 18 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:10,840 Speaker 1: I will calm my heart and soul with memories of 19 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 1: your goodness and faithfulness to me. I will stand in 20 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 1: the place of greatness. I will rule over and flourish 21 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 1: in what You've entrusted to me. The life you have 22 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 1: for me is coming to pass, and I thank you 23 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: in advance, knowing that my new chapter of victory is 24 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: being written even as I speak in Jesus name. Amen, 25 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: thank you for praying with us to day. Continue your 26 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:45,399 Speaker 1: time with God by listening to to day's Bible story 27 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a year dot com. 28 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 2: King of Israel. In our last story, we witnessed the 29 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:09,240 Speaker 2: divided kingdom of Israel. Israel named ishbosheth king, while Judah 30 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 2: crowned David. The two nations were at odds with one another, 31 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 2: and Abner, general of Israel's army, killed Joab's brother Joab, 32 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:22,680 Speaker 2: David's commander spared Israel's army. However, it was not the 33 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 2: end of the conflict. Now we witness the messy merging 34 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 2: of two kingdoms. Murder, betrayal, and sorrow follow the greatness 35 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:36,000 Speaker 2: of a united kingdom. David Gods anointed will inherit a 36 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:40,519 Speaker 2: kingdom riddled with imperfection and in desperate need of God's guidance. 37 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,799 Speaker 2: Inspired by the Book of Second Samuel. 38 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,960 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 39 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. Yesterday, we heard how David 40 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 3: ascended to the throne of Judah, but Ishboshev was crowned 41 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 3: King of Israel. The nation was divided in fighting within itself. 42 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 3: It was a civil war. We heard the story of 43 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 3: Joeb and Abner as the armies of Israel and Judah 44 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 3: clashed and many died, but Joeb's mercy spared many more. 45 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 3: Today we'll hear how the conflict between the two sides 46 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 3: is far from over, as are the problems of Israel. 47 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:23,200 Speaker 3: It is a story of jealousy, betrayal, shifting loyalties, and 48 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 3: ultimately a kingdom that is in desperate need of a 49 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 3: godly leader and desperately in need of God himself. So 50 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 3: let's listen to God's word today. 51 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 2: The spite of King Saul lived on through Ishbosheth and 52 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 2: the armies of Israel. Day after day there was conflict 53 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 2: between the sibling nations, and heartache scarred the people for 54 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 2: over two years. King David grew stronger through the conflict. 55 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 2: His love for the whole nation of Israel and Judah 56 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 2: informed every tactical decision he made. David was wise tactful 57 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 2: and merciful as he planned, and yet he was ruthless 58 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 2: on the battlefield. His men followed him passionately, and Israel's 59 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 2: strength began to wane. Abner was also finding a place 60 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 2: for himself among the armies of Israel. Ishboshev was a 61 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:19,679 Speaker 2: week leader and in need of Abner's guidance continually. Abner 62 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 2: loved Ishbosheth as he loved Saul. Yet above all he 63 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 2: loved Israel and wanted it to flourish. Between the battle 64 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 2: and hardship, Abner found comfort in the company of Sal's concubine, Rispah. 65 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 2: Together they made love ate and took walks among the city. 66 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 2: The two of them fell in love, and this was 67 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:44,840 Speaker 2: truly disturbing to Ishbosheth. One day he stormed into Abner's 68 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 2: quarters and yelled, why would you mingle with my dead 69 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 2: father's concubine. 70 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 3: I forbid it. 71 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:54,720 Speaker 2: Abner looked at Isboschef with rage. He did not try 72 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 2: and hide his anger. Abner flipped the table in between 73 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 2: them and pointed to Ishbosheth. Do you treat me like 74 00:05:01,839 --> 00:05:05,719 Speaker 2: a dog? Abner yelled, I have shown you the house 75 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 2: of Saul and all of Israel nothing but love and faithfulness. 76 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:13,120 Speaker 2: I show honor to you, your uncles, and all of 77 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:17,280 Speaker 2: Saul's allies. Now you storm into my house and charge 78 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 2: me because of a woman. Abner stormed closer to Ishbosheth. 79 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 2: Ish Bosheth stood still, fearing Abner would do something to him. 80 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 2: Abner leaned in and whispered in his ear, saying, mark 81 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 2: my words, I will establish the kingdom of David here 82 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:38,280 Speaker 2: in Israel. The nation will be united under him, and 83 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 2: you will dwindle into nothingness. And just like that, Abner 84 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 2: left the room. Ish Bosheth stood still, unable to answer Abner, 85 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 2: for he was a weak man and a coward. Abner 86 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:54,320 Speaker 2: gathered a few of his men and sent them out 87 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 2: to David. They rode through the night, hoping to find 88 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 2: David before another battle began. Abner's message to David was, 89 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 2: who does this land belong? To make a covenant with me, 90 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 2: and my sword will be yours. Together we will unite 91 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 2: Israel and Judah. As his men were riding, Abner wasted 92 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,640 Speaker 2: no time. He gathered a few of the elders of 93 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 2: Israel and spoke to them plainly. He knew that many 94 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 2: of them doubted Ishbouschev and would gladly welcome a stronger 95 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 2: king worthy of their loyalty. Together, they conspired to leave 96 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:31,039 Speaker 2: Ishbauchev and bind themselves to King David for the good 97 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 2: of Israel. Already a nation was beginning to form in 98 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:38,800 Speaker 2: the shadows. Abner ventured to Hebron to meet with David. 99 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:42,159 Speaker 2: With twenty men behind him. They entered into the city 100 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 2: to find it bustling with activity. The smell of freshly 101 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 2: baked bread and cooked meat filled the air, and men 102 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:52,360 Speaker 2: and women exchanged goods in the market place. They felt 103 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 2: safe and secure, with no worries of future raids or 104 00:06:55,839 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 2: ambushes from Israel or the Philistines. Abner could not help 105 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:04,279 Speaker 2: but regret the months spent serving Ishbosheth, for David had 106 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:08,719 Speaker 2: truly led Judah into a period of cultural and economic thriving. 107 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 2: David was standing at the entrance of his home to 108 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 2: greet Abner. They embraced as old friends. Abner was a 109 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 2: young man when David defeated Goliath and joined the armies 110 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 2: of Israel. The two had grown close in battle years ago. 111 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 2: Now they stood as friends, ready to make amends and 112 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 2: build alliances. David hosted a great feast for Abner and 113 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:33,240 Speaker 2: his men, and all of them laughed into the night 114 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 2: and rejoiced in one another's company. After this, Abner was 115 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 2: sent away in peace. The two of them would reconvene 116 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 2: at another time. Shortly after, Joab returned with his men 117 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 2: from a raid. Spoils of war were carried in on carriages, 118 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 2: and all the people of Hebron marveled at Joab and 119 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 2: his men. David embraced Joab, happy to see him back 120 00:07:56,640 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 2: healthy and unharmed. Joab sat at David's hall to eat, 121 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 2: and one of the servants mentioned to him that Abner 122 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 2: had just left. Joab's eyes widened, and he stood up 123 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:11,239 Speaker 2: from his chair and looked at David. Joab's eyes were foggy, 124 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 2: and it seemed like he was holding back tears. Abner 125 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 2: came to you, Joab asked David. David nodded, matter of factly. 126 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 2: That man killed my brother. He has come to deceive you. 127 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 2: He wants to know where you dwell and what your 128 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 2: weaknesses are. He does not care about you. David's resolve 129 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 2: to partner with Abner did not relent. He knew that 130 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 2: Abner was the key to uniting the kingdom's However, Joab 131 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 2: seeped with rage. Frantic, hurt and weary from battle, Joab 132 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:45,559 Speaker 2: stormed out of David's presence. The night fell upon all 133 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,959 Speaker 2: the land of Judah and Israel. Abner had just settled 134 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 2: into his home when a messenger came to him. The 135 00:08:51,880 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 2: message said that Abner needed to return to Hebron immediately 136 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 2: and meet David at the gates. Abner wasted no time 137 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 2: and took his horse to Hebron without his men. Abner 138 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 2: rode fast for the message seemed urgent. Is David in danger? 139 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 2: Am I in danger? Abner thought to himself. It did 140 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 2: not take long for Abner to arrive at the gates 141 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 2: of Hebron. He dismounted his horse and looked around for David. 142 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 2: He peeked his head over some shrubs and around some trees. 143 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:25,240 Speaker 2: Still no sign of David. Abner looked behind him to 144 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 2: see a hooded figure ten yards away. Ah, my King, 145 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:33,000 Speaker 2: Abner said. He came in close to speak with him. 146 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 2: Before Abner could make another sound, a blade was driven 147 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 2: into his ribs. Abner gasped as blood spat out of 148 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 2: his mouth. He fell to his knees, holding the blade 149 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:46,480 Speaker 2: in his abdomen. He looked up to see a face 150 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:50,360 Speaker 2: under the hood, illuminated by the moonlight. It was Johab 151 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 2: standing over him, watching the life slowly leave his eyes. 152 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,640 Speaker 2: Abner fell to the floor and bled out in front 153 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 2: of Johab. Darn urged from the valley in the sun 154 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 2: shone on Abner's lifeless body. David stood over it. Knowing 155 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 2: exactly who was to blame, he had his men capture 156 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:13,600 Speaker 2: Joeab and bring him. Joab knelt before David with spears 157 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 2: pointed towards him. This was David's first betrayal as King 158 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:22,079 Speaker 2: how he handled Joab, which set a precedent for all 159 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 2: other acts of disobedience in the future. David closed his 160 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 2: eyes and prayed a silent prayer. He then opened his 161 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,439 Speaker 2: eyes and looked at Joab. My hands and the hands 162 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 2: of Judah are clean from this blood. You and you 163 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:40,079 Speaker 2: alone are to blame for Abner's death. I know in 164 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,760 Speaker 2: my heart God will deal with you more harshly than 165 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 2: I ever could. Your family will be cut off from 166 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:49,559 Speaker 2: My favor and God's. There will be defeat in battle, 167 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 2: disease and misfortune to plague you and your children and 168 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:58,080 Speaker 2: your children's children, And like that, David allowed Joab to 169 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 2: go his way. He wept over Abner, for he represented 170 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 2: a past bond to Saul and Jonathan. He would have 171 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:09,000 Speaker 2: to find another way to unite the kingdoms. The next day, 172 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:12,440 Speaker 2: Ishbochev was lying in his bed taking a nap. What 173 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 2: little courage he had vanished at the news of Abner's death. 174 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 2: Now he awaited his inevitable demise. Unbeknownst to Isbaschev that 175 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:25,680 Speaker 2: demise would come sooner than expect it. Ishboshev napped during 176 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 2: the day as the warm breeze trickled in through his window. Slowly, 177 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 2: three of Ishboshef's men entered into his room. Raman, Rachab, 178 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 2: and Bon creeped near to his bed, doing their best 179 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 2: to remain quiet. Raman lifted his blade and drove it 180 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 2: into Ishboshev's side as his eyes opened at the pane, 181 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:49,160 Speaker 2: Rachab swung his axe down and chopped off his head. 182 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 2: Later that day, the three men sauntered into Hebron with 183 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 2: their heads held high. They could not wait to show 184 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 2: David what they had done. They smiled cheek to cheek 185 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:03,199 Speaker 2: aye beaming with the thought of possible reward and status. 186 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 2: They entered into David's throne room and laid their head 187 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 2: out on the table before David. Ratchab grinned and presented 188 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 2: the head of Ishbochev. Behold, my king, the Lord has 189 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 2: avenged you today. Here is the head of Ishbouschev, the 190 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:22,320 Speaker 2: king that sought your life. David stood up from his 191 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:25,319 Speaker 2: seat and observed the head. The men could not contain 192 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 2: their excitement. David walked around them and said, let me 193 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 2: tell you a story. The room grew tense for a 194 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 2: moment as David spoke. A man once came to me 195 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 2: and told me that he was the one who killed Saul. Behold, 196 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 2: Saul is dead, he shouted. He expected me to reward him. 197 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 2: He expected riches, favor, and a hug. He received no 198 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:54,840 Speaker 2: such thing. I slaughtered him right where he stood. The 199 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:57,480 Speaker 2: men began to sweat as they listened to David's voice 200 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:02,440 Speaker 2: grow loud. Tell me how should I treat the men 201 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 2: who murder their innocent king in his bed. Before they 202 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 2: could answer the question, David and his men struck them 203 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 2: down and cut off their heads and feet. David desired 204 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:17,960 Speaker 2: his kingdom to be united through mercy, diplomacy, and worship, 205 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 2: not assassination. Shortly after the elders of Israel came to David. 206 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 2: They crowned him king over all Israel, and the two 207 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:31,959 Speaker 2: split nations were united once again. David was thirty years 208 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:34,200 Speaker 2: old now and felt as though he had lived an 209 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:40,079 Speaker 2: entire lifetime. After slaying giants, fighting the Philistines, fleeing from Saul, 210 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 2: and navigating a civil war, David had finally taken the 211 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:48,120 Speaker 2: mantle as shepherd over God's sheep. Many acts of faith 212 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 2: and failure would follow David, yet one thing would remain 213 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 2: his desire to know God and unite himself to his 214 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:57,439 Speaker 2: will forever. 215 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 3: Today's story begins with Ishbaschef still ruling over Israel. There 216 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,800 Speaker 3: was constant conflict between the two kingdoms, a civil war. 217 00:14:10,840 --> 00:14:14,440 Speaker 3: David flourished along with Judah, while Israel floundered under a 218 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 3: weak and unwise king. Abner was still adviser to Ishbaschef, 219 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:23,800 Speaker 3: seeking to help Israel grow strong. But when Isbaschef confronted 220 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:27,560 Speaker 3: Abner for his romantic involvement with one of Saul's concubines, 221 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 3: Abner was deeply offended and angered. After all that he 222 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 3: had done for the king and for Israel, it seemed 223 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 3: so petty to him. And just like that, his loyalty turns. 224 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 3: This man wanted what was best for Israel, and he 225 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 3: realized Isbaschev wasn't the best for Israel. He vowed that 226 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:50,320 Speaker 3: he would help to bring about a unified Israel under David, 227 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 3: as this was the will of God. So Abner sent 228 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 3: word to David that he would join forces with him 229 00:14:57,200 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 3: in order to unify Israel, unify Israel under his rule, 230 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 3: the rule of David. And so then he gathered the 231 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 3: Israelite elders and reminded them of their desire to have 232 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 3: David as king. This is what he said to them 233 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:14,480 Speaker 3: in Second Samuel. Now then bring it about, for the 234 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 3: Lord has promised David, saying, by the hand of my 235 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 3: servant David, I will save my people Israel, from the 236 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 3: hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all 237 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 3: their enemies. Abner knew the truth that David was the 238 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 3: chosen man to be king of Israel. It would be 239 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 3: through him, David, that God would deliver his people. Abner 240 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 3: knew that it was far better to be on the 241 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:41,200 Speaker 3: side of God's will rather than resist or to fight 242 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 3: against it. When he reunites with David, it is like 243 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 3: a meeting of long lost friends, David embraced and accepted him. 244 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:54,000 Speaker 3: David could have been bitter and angry about Abner's allegiance 245 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 3: to Ibasheth, but instead he threw a feast for Abner 246 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 3: and sent him away in peace, resolved to work with 247 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 3: Abonne to unify Israel. When David's commander Joeb found out 248 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 3: that the man who killed his brother had been received 249 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:11,960 Speaker 3: with open arms, he was not as understanding. He told 250 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 3: David that Abner surely had evil motives and could not 251 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 3: be trusted, but David was unwavering. Joe Eb went away angry, 252 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 3: and the mercy he showed on the battlefield gave way 253 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 3: to hatred and murderous intent. When we are bitter and angry, 254 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 3: it always finds a way to express itself, and often 255 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 3: with disastrous consequences. So he tricked Abner into thinking David 256 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:38,080 Speaker 3: he'd called for him, and under the cover of night, 257 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 3: he murdered Abner in cold blood. David, of course knew 258 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 3: who had committed this crime and had Joeeb brought to him. 259 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 3: Once more, we see David's mercy on display. Rather than 260 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:54,360 Speaker 3: kill Joeeb, David sent him away, vowing that God would 261 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 3: deal with Joeeb himself. But although Abner was gone, Ishbushev 262 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 3: was still not safe on the throne, and one night 263 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:04,160 Speaker 3: three of his men snuck into his room and took 264 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 3: off his head, then traveled to Hebron to deliver it 265 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:11,399 Speaker 3: to David. Surely they were expecting a reward, but what 266 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 3: they received was the same fate as Ishboshev. David was 267 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:20,480 Speaker 3: not interested in a hostile, violent takeover. He knew that 268 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 3: peace and unity would not be achieved through the sword. 269 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 3: He himself was setting the example for his people, and 270 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 3: so when the elders of Israel finally came and crowned 271 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:33,880 Speaker 3: David king over all of Israel, both Israel and Judah, 272 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 3: the stage was set for a different kind of rule, 273 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:40,640 Speaker 3: one that was marked by the God of Israel and 274 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:44,119 Speaker 3: those who sought after him. We'll hear more of this 275 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,960 Speaker 3: story the next time, as the Shepherd of God's people, 276 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 3: David leads Israel. Dear God, we thank you for your 277 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 3: word today, always teaching us your truth. May we live 278 00:17:56,119 --> 00:18:00,439 Speaker 3: in obedience to your word every day in Jesus's name. Amen. 279 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:04,359 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 280 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham. From Dallas, Texas. Download Theprey dot com app, 281 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:12,479 Speaker 3: and make prayer and Bible study a priority in your life. 282 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,439 Speaker 3: If you enjoy this podcast, share it with someone you 283 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:18,400 Speaker 3: love or know. And by sharing this podcast, we can 284 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 3: get the word of God to the world. And if 285 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 3: you want more resources on how to tap into God's 286 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 3: power for Christian living, be sure to visit Jack Graham 287 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:30,680 Speaker 3: dot org. God bless you.