Obeying out of Pride
II Sam. 3
Abner was the real source of the trouble between Saul's house and David's. Ishbosheth, "man of shame," was just a pawn, and a weak one at that. He knew he had no chance of being king without Abner's help. However, the two had a falling-out over Abner's relationship to Rizpah, Saul's concubine. Ishbosheth was outraged that (true or not) Abner was having a fling with Saul's former wife. This probably implied an attempt to gain more power. Maybe Ishbosheth was already annoyed with Abner's high-handedness and this was the final straw.
When Abner is accused, he indignantly turns to David's side. He's had enough of Ishbosheth's weak, mealy ways. The only problem was, Joab did not trust his "conversion." Perhaps he was justified in this, as he knew Abner quite well. Joab, ever a pragmatic man of action, assassinated Abner. The general who once had been so "chummy" with Abner had a personal reason for the assasination as well: Abner had killed Joab's brother Asahel.
Abner ought never to have attempted to raise up a king of one of Saul's sons, since he knew God had anointed David, and he had personally seen the ruin of Saul. His pride and hope of power leads him to attempt it. And his pride leads him to change sides and sympathize with David. He thinks he has the power to act out a prophecy (and take the credit): "As the Lord hath sworn to David, even so shall I do to him." As God showed, He could give the kingdom to David without Abner's help. It is dangerous to act against what you know is the will of God, and presumptuous to think you can "help" God.
Abner's downfall was his pride (as it is for all of us!). He disobeys God in pride, and then turns to Him in pride. If he was going to go along with God's plans, he was going to do it on his own terms. This type of "obedience" is just sinful pride.
To be honest, many times I do right things because I want to do them. It is my plan and I either want to feel very important...like a key player, one God really needs to get the job done...or I want to appear like a "super nice person" to others. I've got to remember that motives are key! Just because I'm doing the right things doesn't mean my heart is right.
Abner was the real source of the trouble between Saul's house and David's. Ishbosheth, "man of shame," was just a pawn, and a weak one at that. He knew he had no chance of being king without Abner's help. However, the two had a falling-out over Abner's relationship to Rizpah, Saul's concubine. Ishbosheth was outraged that (true or not) Abner was having a fling with Saul's former wife. This probably implied an attempt to gain more power. Maybe Ishbosheth was already annoyed with Abner's high-handedness and this was the final straw.
When Abner is accused, he indignantly turns to David's side. He's had enough of Ishbosheth's weak, mealy ways. The only problem was, Joab did not trust his "conversion." Perhaps he was justified in this, as he knew Abner quite well. Joab, ever a pragmatic man of action, assassinated Abner. The general who once had been so "chummy" with Abner had a personal reason for the assasination as well: Abner had killed Joab's brother Asahel.
Abner ought never to have attempted to raise up a king of one of Saul's sons, since he knew God had anointed David, and he had personally seen the ruin of Saul. His pride and hope of power leads him to attempt it. And his pride leads him to change sides and sympathize with David. He thinks he has the power to act out a prophecy (and take the credit): "As the Lord hath sworn to David, even so shall I do to him." As God showed, He could give the kingdom to David without Abner's help. It is dangerous to act against what you know is the will of God, and presumptuous to think you can "help" God.
Abner's downfall was his pride (as it is for all of us!). He disobeys God in pride, and then turns to Him in pride. If he was going to go along with God's plans, he was going to do it on his own terms. This type of "obedience" is just sinful pride.
To be honest, many times I do right things because I want to do them. It is my plan and I either want to feel very important...like a key player, one God really needs to get the job done...or I want to appear like a "super nice person" to others. I've got to remember that motives are key! Just because I'm doing the right things doesn't mean my heart is right.
posted by Emily at 5:46 AM
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