The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. II Samuel 3:1 (Chapters 2:8-3)
After the death of Saul, only Judah followed David. The commander of Saul’s army, Abner challenged David’s right to the throne, promoting Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth as the rightful king. A civil war ensues.
For two years the battles were bloody and brutal. It would be seven more years before the nation was united under David. Hebron, the burial place of Abraham, was David’s headquarters. His strength and family grew and Abner decided to give his allegiance to David. He arrived in Hebron to propose an agreement. David sent Abner away in peace, but Joab, David’s commander and nephew, held an implacable hatred for him, felt he was deceiving David and devised and carried out a plan to murder him.
David again, led his people in grieving a lawless death and prayed for justice to be served on the wicked. David’s faith in God’s sovereign authority was the foundation of his life’s work. He knew God would deal in truth and righteousness and he could rest in peace and assurance.
As the story plays out before men in 2018 A.D., God’s order is obvious, but as David lived it in real time it was a primitive era with years of tainted social order. David depended on a strong ethical and moral standard as his guide and God honored him.
A straight plum line of consciousness is a very good helpmeet. When you do what’s right, God has a lot of room to do His good….for you and others.
Love,
Gretchen