1) We want peace? Abner
The Bible in some places reports history without any Divine commentary – 'this is what happened'. Let us consider what happened when Saul died. This shows us why there will be no peace in this age.
It was known even in the reign of Saul that David was to be king. Firstly we know Saul admits that David was to be king. Saul is told directly by Samuel he is to be replaced by one better than he was. Saul tells all in his court this is the case!
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, 'Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.' (1Sam 20:30-31)
Later Saul says to David,
“behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.” (1Sam 24:20-21)
Jonathan, who was most affected says to David,
“But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.” (1Samuel 20:15)
Secondly all the people heard the prophecy. And they also know, including Abner.
Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.” (2 Samuel 3:17-18)
So when Saul dies, do the people peacefully resolve the matter? No. This is politics- we must be glad we have elections. It is remarkable in all of history that people don't die at every change of power. It is not normal, as in all of history – it is remarkable in this short era in a small portion of the nations to have peaceful transitions of power.
Abner takes Saul's son Ishbosheth and makes him king. Abner must have the support of many. Nothing is said of David, but David's powerbroker Joab takes a force and goes out to meet Abner's force at the pool of Gibeon. A select 12 from each side mutually 'play' and slay each other. This clearly didn't resolve matters as the remainder start a pitched battle.
Asahel, Joab's brother tails Abner, but clearly can't kill him. Abner tells him to go home, revealing in the discussion that he knows Joab well, but Asahel won't so Abner kills Asahel.
They fight for a whole day – and the whole tribe of Benjamin gathers behind Abner – yet it was not until sunset he first calls for peace to Joab–
“Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?” (2 Samuel 2:26-27)
Joab agrees. But we can't help thinking – what were you thinking?
That day 360 men of Abner and those of Benjamin who came to help Abner died. Not including Asahel, 19 of David's men. Clearly notwithstanding the 12 at the Pool of Gibeon, clearly David's men were helped by God and given the victory. We can see why even with all of Benjamin gathered Abner called to Joab to end the battle for the sake of brother-hood.
But with such self awareness why did Abner keep up the battle, at least until Isbosheth insults him seven years later?
Abner reveals in speaking to Ishbosheth that he well and truly knew Yahweh Elohim had given the kingdom to David,
“So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; (2 Samuel 3:9)
Then Joab disguised in reconcilition murders Abner for the sake of Asahel. What were they all thinking?!
This was in an era when Yahweh Elohim himself spoke openly to Israel. There was only one tabernacle. We have Brethren killing each other for the sake of who leads – when they ought to have known that Yahweh Elohim was their king!
It's surely within living memory that Yahweh destroyed their crops for asking for a king. Have the Levites given up teaching? Where were the Priests and the Levites? In any case nobody rebukes them, not even Yahweh Elohim. The end was already bitterness.
We might ask silly questions as to why didn't Yahweh Elohim show more clearly that David was his choice? Then we might ask why Saul didn't die from Yahweh Elohim's hand directly, rather than the sword? Foolish surmising. David prevails. Many psalms are written, of the pattern of the great suffering servant Y'shua, whose world chose Caesar as king – only for Y'shua to prevail.
If this is the best it gets 'under-the-sun' in this era, as it was for David the Beloved of God– why would we expect personal peace now, let along national or international peace? Even a doubter has no reason to doubt the record of what happened. It's so normal! All of history is bitterness of brotherly bloodshed !
They have healed the hurt slightly saying 'Peace peace' when there is no peace. (Jeremiah 8:11)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
For more Peace & Taking the Sword
