Series: Israel’s 2nd King- David [#16]
TROUBLE FROM WITHIN
2 Samuel 3:24-27
Introduction:
The greatest victories for the enemy usually come from within the family of God. We do things and say things that help the enemy divide us against each other. Look at the Churches in the U.S., Christians are fighting over following the world or following God. That is what happened here in our text.
2 Samuel 3:24-27
When Joab learned about David’s agreement with Abner, he went to the King in anger and try to make him understand this was a bad idea. David did not listen to him, so Joab took matters into his own hands and killed Abner. When David found out, he was very angry with Joab and placed a curse on him and his family. Then David mourned the death of Abner.
Our text shows us the different ways the enemy uses situations for evil- These still exist today. We must stop making things so easy for the Devil.
Don’t help the enemy…
1. Politically.
Joab put David and the Tribe of Judah in a bad political position. The murder of Abner could have endangered the support from the Northern Tribes. David helped the people understand that he knew nothing about this, and he put a curse on Joab and his family. With David mourning Abner’s death, the people realized that David did not have anything with this murder.
Anyone that believes you can keep politics out of your life is mistaken. Politics effect our lives on a daily basis; and we need to fall on the side of God and His Word. Your politics effect many people’s lives.
Don’t help the enemy…
2. Personally.
David could not believe that his top military leader could murder Abner. For David, it made him question his own life and leadership. Was he being a poor leader? Why did he not know what Joab was doing? Didn’t Joab know that he violated God’s Laws? Joab’s desire for vengeance was leading him to do the wrong thing. Joab did not care what David or God thought about his actions; he just wanted revenge.
Your personal decisions can affect many people. Christians must stop thinking about themselves and think about how things affect other people. You cannot be focused on revenge and following God at the same time. We are living in a time, when Christians are going to have to pick who they are going to follow.
Don’t help the enemy…
3. Professionally.
Joab’s revenge did not just upset King David; but it also tainted his reputation as the top military leader. He was blinded to the truth by his desire to get even with Abner for killing his brother. Joab also broke another Law- Hebron was a City of refuge. That means that Abner should have been protected from the revenge of Joab until there was a decision made on what Abner had done.
What decision have you made that hurt your professional image? You can tell everybody that you are a Christian; but does your actions prove that? For me, the comment I hear is, “I thought you were an ordained minister”. Meaning- Pastors cannot say or do those types of things.
Conclusion:
2 Samuel 4 tells us about Ishbosheth’s death. When Ishbosheth found out about Abner’s death he and the people of Israel became very afraid. There were 2 men from the Tribe of Benjamin that went into Abner’s room where he was taking a nap and killed him. They took Abner’s head to David thinking that they would be rewarded; but instead, David had them killed.
There are 2 parallels between this passage and a Christian’s life. David endured danger and persecution before he could reign as King of Israel; just as Jesus endured danger and persecution before He could reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Just as the people of Israel suffered pain and death while the old, sinful regime was being torn apart in order to make way for a new, godly King to be placed on their throne; Christians suffer pain and death as their old, sinful nature is destroyed in order for Jesus to take His place as King of their hearts.
We cannot allow the trouble from within to help the enemy have victory. It is not about you, it is about Jesus.
