2 Samuel 3:22-27 – Don’t let anger can disrupt God’s work

The kingdom of Israel and Judah were finally moving toward unification. Abner had done the right thing. Having secured the agreement of the elders of Israel and the people of Benjamin, he brokered the deal which David accepted. The king then sent him away peacefully. Joab was away and was not aware of the negotiation. He was out on an expedition. When he returned and learned of Abner’s visit and what had transpired, he reprimanded David for sending him away peacefully.

We can understand why Joab had such a grudge. His younger brother Asahel was killed by Abner while pursuing him. We cannot say that it was entirely Abner’s fault. For he had warned Asahel him not to go after him but he won’t listen. To prevent him he actually hit him with the butt of his spear, probably not intending to kill him.  Asahel was riding too fast and could not stop in time. It was the momentum that caused the butt of the spear to pierce through and come out of his back.

Joab was deeply unhappy on learning the news. He went straight to David and reproached him. Then he started insinuating that Abner only came under the pretext of returning the kingdom but his real intention was to spy the movement of David. We can imagine him furiously leaving the presence of David in a hurry to go after Abner. He sent messengers after Abner and brought him back without the knowledge of David. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside to speak with him in private. When he was unguarded, Joab struck him in the stomach and assassinated him. He finally avenged his brother Asahel.   

Once more the plan of God for David was almost stalled. Joab was impetuous and out of control. Such a person always finds it hard to be rational. He should have looked at the bigger picture for the sake of the kingdom and not allow his difference to come in the way for the future of Israel. Matters are seldom solved by anger. Instead of building something, anger destroys everything. The worst in us will come out when we are angry. So James' counsel to us is: be quick to hear slow to speak and slow to anger. An angry man, according to James 1:20, does not produce the righteousness of God. Learn to think rationally and act calmly so that we will not interfere with the work God wants to do in our life. We can thwart it or destroy it altogether!