2 Samuel 2

David had been brought low by the death of Saul and Jonathan. But David was still alive on this earth and he had a job to do. He sought the Lord for wisdom. He asked and he received. Should he go up to his tribe, the tribe of Judah? Yes, and to the city of Hebron within that tribal territory. There the men of Judah gathered to anoint David king over the house of Judah.

But what about the rest of Israel? David sought first to bless the men of Jabesh-gilead who at risk to their own lives had captured the body of Saul from the Philistines in order to give his remains a respectful burial. He invited them to come under his protection and to receive him as king as had the leaders of Judah.

For two years, only Judah followed David. The remainder of Israel gathered behind Ish-bosheth, one of the sons of Saul who had been anointed by Abner, Saul's cousin and the commander of his army.

David's nephew, Joab, the son of his sister, Zeruiah, had a military engagement with Abner's forces at Gibeon. In a deadly battle, Abner and the forces of Israel were defeated.

Asahel, Joab's brother, was among the slain of Judah. He had sought to kill Abner. Though Abner had urged him to turn aside from him lest he be forced to take his life, the younger Asahel would not listen to his entreaties.

Abner again urged peace, now to Joab, with these heartfelt words, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?”

Joab listened that day, but as we will see in the next chapter, he was not able to live in peace with Abner. But, at least for that day, Joab blew the trumpet, and the fight was over.

Abner went to one city and Joab to another, but Asahel was laid to rest in the tomb of his father in Bethlehem. As Joab and David's men arrived in Hebron, the sun rose again upon this world of sin, death, and mourning.

Would the sword devour forever? Would there ever come a day when death itself would be put to death? Only in the cross of Christ and in His resurrection could the light of life finally shine upon this place of destruction.

When brothers in the Lord rise up against one another, we are perplexed and distressed. But the love of God has come to us with a power that is stronger than death. We believe in Jesus and the resurrection.