The Decision-Maker

Josiah Ott

A Heart of Worship • Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

2 Samuel 3:22–39

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Notes

Transcript

***Turn--2 Samuel

Chapter 3…Verse 22***

Intro:

Consider: peace = fleeting/ seemingly impossible… esp. world peace

(Q) Anyone else ever thought we were beyond nations conquering nations at this point in world history?

Major problems w/ peace begin w/ individuals.

Not @ peace w/ God

Not @ peace w/ self/life

Work demands

Family troubles

Recap “The Bumpy Road of Promise”

Recap:

Divided kingdom (Israel & Judah)

David = King over Judah (south)

Ish-bosheth & Abner in Israel (north)

God is slowly but steadily fulfilling His promises to David.

Last week:

Huge change!! Abner (commander) leaves north & goes to serve David.

David & Abner make covenant together & they depart in peace.

We learned:

God works through unusual means to fulfill His promises.

God’s promise = sure

God’s methods = surprising.

Impossible isn’t in God’s dictionary—He can work His purpose through any obstacle!

(T) And so now that there seems to be peace between these two armies,

turn & look w/ me @ chapter 3,,, vs. 22…the text says

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Text: 2 Samuel 3:22-39 ESV

Setting (v22)

2 Samuel 3:22–39 (ESV)

22 Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.

Notice:

emphasis on peace between David & Abner

(V21) “He went in peace”

Again, (V22) says,, "He had gone in peace”

Peace here shows that there is a state of intactness between them.[1]

They aren’t at odds with one another. Pieces aren’t missing.

No questions that this encounter went well.

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But Joab wasn’t there.

Out making raids

Remember: Judah has enemies on all sides

Joab = doing what military guys would have done…going out & fighting their enemies.

>>> He doesn’t know about peace between David & Abner (& by implication north & south) <<<

(T) And we can imagine this is pretty big news to miss when you’re the commander of the army.

So, we wonder, how will Joab respond?

Look w/ me @ vs. 23… the text says

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Inciting Incident/Rising Action (v23-25)

23 When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace.”

24 Then Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone?

25 You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”

Joab & men get news...

Not told of covenant

Not told Abner deserted north for David

All Joab knows,, is that David let Abner go

Scandalous! David how could you????

Remember who Abner was:

Commander of north

Started the war

Consistent problem

You let this guy go??

This isn’t the kind of peace Joab was used to…

Joab was used to peace through conquering, not covenant

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So, Joab confronts David & rebukes him

Richard Philipps: Joab’s insubordination = habit & a problem in future

Joab doesn’t trust Abner—After years of war,, a sudden turn = hard to believe.

Joab concludes: Abner came as a spy!

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We have to consider too,, there are more issues involved here:

Abner killed Joab’s brother

2. Dale Davis points out: Abner would be a threat to Joab’s position...

Abner = big deal commander…lots of experience, etc..

>>> For a number of reasons,, Abner & Joab coming together peacefully & fighting side by side seems unlikely <<<

(T) So, how will this difficult situation and the disagreement between the king and his commander, Joab, resolve itself?

Look w/ me @ vs. 26, the text says

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Climax (v26-30)

26 When Joab came out from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it.

27 And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the Lord for the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!”

30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

Joab takes matters into his own hands,, “resolving” the issue....

Joab didn’t believe it (or claimed not to)

Joab likely felt threatened

& Joab desired revenge...

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Joab leaves David’s presence

Sends messengers to Abner

Abner walks into trap (after leaving in peace)

Joab takes Abner aside privately & kills him.

Great irony: Richard Philipps notes: Joab kills Abner in a city of refuge...

6 different cities = cities of refuge

places for someone to flee after killing someone accidentally

**If it wasn’t premeditated,, they could go there so they wouldn’t be killed in vengeance

Murderers would be killed

Other types of deaths would send the killer to these cities for them to be safe.

**Can’t find info on deaths in battle/ civil war, etc.

Abner didn’t kill Joab’s brother cold-blooded, but in self-defense...

Instead,, we see Joab killing Abner, cold-blooded, premeditated,, in a city of refuge where Abner should have been safe.

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David = completely shocked.

not his plan or wishes

Remember: text told us 3x in 3 verses that Abner departed in peace.

Abner was going to get rest of Israel to follow David

Gets summoned back to Hebron

& is killed by Joab.

What began with peace,, ended with death.

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Consider: great potential problems here.

Israel has been @ war internally

Peace comes

& Now Joab kills this commander in cold-blooded revenge.

It appears now, that their peace would be threatened.

Consider: Joab’s selfish motivation.

Claims he doesn’t trust Abner: fine.

Probably jealous/feeling threatened

Text makes plain: This was revenge on Asahel, Joab’s brother

Joab acts out:

Doing what is best for him,, instead of what is best for the whole.

Risking peace of Israel,, over personal issues.

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I want us to consider this morning,, what it means to pursue peace as believers.

For one: we should focus on the good of the whole, over and above our own interests

Philippians 2:3–4 (ESV)

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

>>> Countless problems in the church, in families, would be solved,, if people actually did this. <<<

To be people of peace:

we must consider the good of the whole

we must lay aside selfish ambition

we must lay aside desires to “get even” with those we don’t like.

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In response: David pronounces curse on Joab & descendants

issues keeping them from worship

issues keeping them crippled/hungry

death in battle.

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Notice: Joab was completely out of line.

Remember: Abner killed Joab’s brother in self-defense…after trying to talk him out of a fight! He didn’t want to kill him!

Self-defense isn’t outlawed in Scripture! In that moment, Abner didn’t do anything wrong.

>>> Turning the other cheek doesn’t mean laying down our lives needlessly. <<<

Jesus told his followers at one point to acquire swords!…Same one who said turn the other cheek!

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Abner wasn’t in the wrong when defending his life,, especially after he tried to talk Asahel off of him.

But here, we see a cold-blooded, premeditated action,, by Joab.

The anger of man,, doesn’t work the righteousness of God.

**Only God is completely just.

Remember: vengeance isn’t our responsibility.

Joab wasn’t fighting for peace,, but instead was fighting against it!

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Christian, look over your own life,, and see where you fit into this story.

Are you one who will fight fire with fire,, giving someone a taste of their own medicine,, and make matters worse?

Or will you be a person of peace?

Do you fight for peace,, or against it?

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Remember, we’re called to be gracious and forgiving to others.

We’re called to be peacemakers

and as Christians our peace should always come through covenant and not through conquering...

If vengeance is necessary,, remember, God will repay. It’s not our responsibility.

(T) And we can imagine that after this move by Joab there’s going to be some backlash from somewhere. Right?

Abner = commander = big deal guy....

Joab acts out in personal revenge...

What happens next?

Look w/ me @ vs. 31… the text says,,

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Resolution (v31-37)

31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier.

32 They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.

33 And the king lamented for Abner, saying, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

34 Your hands were not bound; your feet were not fettered; as one falls before the wicked you have fallen.” And all the people wept again over him.

35 Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, “God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!”

36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people.

37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s will to put to death Abner the son of Ner.

David responds w/ grief...

Specifically, mandating that all grieve...

Mandates that people rend their clothes & put on sackcloth (signs of mourning)

**This presumably includes Joab & Abishai...

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They go through funeral procession

David’s men in front of the bed

David behind

David publishes another written lament

David points out how Abner died as a fool...

Consider: great military commander,

survived countless battles...

survived the battle that killed Saul & sons

Abner’s life was spared countless times…and his death comes in such an anticlimactic way...

We again see,, David = professional mourner

David’s experienced the deaths of many

Here,, David shows great sorrow over the loss of a great enemy (turned friend?)

David’s approval ratings continue to shoot through the roof.

(T) And now our text is going to close today in verses 38 through 39. The text says,

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Conclusion (v38-39)

38 And the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?

39 And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!”

Note:

David (as king) deals gently (probably too gently!)

Sons of Zeruiah— more severe than David

Remember:

God has entrusted authority to governing bodies....including at times capital punishment

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we’ve seen David execute people for their wrongdoing...

Amalekite servant (claiming to kill Saul)

Just judgment

not personal vendetta

Contrast: Joab

unjust

entirely motivated by personal revenge.

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David’s conclusion: let the Lord repay the evildoer (Joab)

**This should have been the demeanor of Joab & Abishai!!

Let God be the judge.

Remember David’s history:

Plagued by Saul

Given opportunity to kill Saul, doesn’t take it.

Mocked by Nabal

Is stopped from killing him by Abigail (wife)

God brings judgment upon Nabal

David given 2nd opportunity to kill Saul:

Concludes: God can handle Saul…I don’t have to.

***If God wants to punish Saul,, He will.

God = just... I can trust His judgment

Conclusion: Saul dies in battle, David ascends throne without any violence on his part!

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This should have been Joab & Abishai’s approach

& It should be ours.

Let God be God,, He alone is just!!

I’ll work to be at peace with others & leave vengeance in God’s hands...

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Now we see:

story began w/ peace between north & south,, between Abner & David.

story ends w/ strife & conflict between David & his own general & nephew...

David lets this slide,, and it will bring problems in the future.

(T)And so we should learn from this passage today, the idea that,

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Homiletical Idea:

· The people of God should always pursue peace over personal interest or vendetta.

David = willing to let bygones be bygones

He’s willing to come to peace w/ Abner

Joab risks all of this with his selfish actions...

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David = willing to let God be God

Joab = takes matters into his own hands...

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Gospel: “Peace with God”

And as I said, peace is something we should strive for.

Peace = fruit of the Spirit

But before we talk about peace with people,, we must first consider an even greater peace…peace with your Creator.

Countless times in Scripture we see:

those outside of Christ are enemies of God

Jesus Christ = the way… the only name...

Must have the Son to have the Father...

All have sinned

All are far from God

All stand condemned

>>> No one apart from Christ has peace with God. <<<

But the good news is that you don’t have to stay there.

Jesus died for us,,

so we can have peace with our Creator,,

forgiveness for all our sin.

We can be forgiven,, declared righteous instead of guilty,, by grace,, through faith in Christ.

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Jesus Christ,, Son of God,,

lived a perfect life,,

but then suffered a horrific death.

He lived the life we should have lived,, and then suffered the death we should have died...

through faith in Christ,, you can receive the credit for His perfect life as a free gift,, by grace.

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Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ & you can be saved.

Acknowledge your need today,, realize that you’re far from God.

Turn to Christ in repentant-faith,, trusting in Christ alone for right-standing w/ God,, not on your own righteousness...

Profess Christ to be Lord,, believe that he died & rose again

you can be saved.

trust Him w/ right-standing w/ God.

To those who have been justified by faith: Apostle Paul writes, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

>>> Most wonderful thing you can possess…peace with your Creator. <<<

While you were afar off,, still a sinner, Christ paid the price for you...

He opened the door of salvation for you...

You can find peace with God, today.

**If you don’t know where you stand w/ the Lord,, or have questions regarding matters of faith,, talk to us after the service...

(T) And now, in closing, I’d like to share a few takeaways with you all this morning,

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Takeaways:

Learn about God?

God = just

David’s conclusion: “The Lord will repay”

We can trust that God will bring vengeance upon the ungodly

As sinful human beings,, we should leave justice in the hands of a just God.

He’ll handle it better than we ever would!

Learn for us?

App: “The Fruit of the Spirit is…Peace”

Reminder: peace = fruit of the Spirit

>>> All begins with our peace w/ God. <<<

Then the Spirit of God makes us people of peace.

Because of this,, we should be able to live at peace with others.

Scripture reading: Colossians 3:15,, says to, “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”

Rule here means not to reign,, but that it is the deciding factor,, It’s the decision-maker...

it’s the judge,, it’s the referee that calls right vs. wrong...

**Most everyone agrees about how horrible refs are,,

Probably the most hated job on the planet...

but peace will always be the best referee you can have.

Peace should be our decision-making paradigm.

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Not advocating for a false peace...

not merely “peace-keeping”

not sweeping things under the rug.

But letting peace keep you from revenge

Letting peace keep you from wishing evil on others...

Letting peace keep you from fighting fire w/ fire,, giving someone a taste of their own medicine...

Remember,, God is a just God,, and if someone needs judgment, God can handle it.

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So pursue peace.

Pursue peace in the relationships God has given to you.

Maybe that means holding your tongue when you have something mean to say.

Maybe that means giving someone grace because they’re having a bad day,, instead of firing back at them.

Maybe that means forgiving someone close to you that doesn’t deserve it because Jesus has forgiven you.

Consider that the peace with God that we have,, should impact all of our relationships

>>> we shouldn’t be people of conflict,, but people of peace <<<

Consider this morning,, do you add peace to the equation in your life,, or are you someone who brings strife?

I know I personally struggle with having the gift of showing up to a fire with gasoline....

This is something I need to work on too.

*** I know that it won’t be perfect this side of glory,,

*** I know our personalities play a role,

but peace is what God desires for us to possess..

Quote from Richard Philipps:

“And it is through born-again Joabs, looking on the Abners of their lives, their hearts melted with the peace of Christ, no longer burning with the fires of resentment and hatred, that Jesus extends, promotes, and offers his peace to a dying, divided, and sin-afflicted world.”[1]