2 Samuel 3:35-39 – Acting appropriately

David was genuinely distressed by the death of Abner and refused to eat. So the people came to persuade him to eat something. But David insisted on fasting. He refused to eat any food until sunset. His action showed how authentic a person he was. David was obviously not putting up a show for the people. His genuineness was so obvious that it convinced the people he had no part in Abner’s death. It pleased them to know that he did not plot the death of Abner.

In verse 38, David continued to speak glowingly of Abner. He valued him though the latter was not able to complete what he had set out to do. David openly showed how much he esteemed Abner by referring to him as a prince and a great man. He saw the death of Abner as a great loss for Israel. That day, he also would not take judgment into his own hand. Though as the anointed king he could deal with Joab and Abishai harshly, he preferred to be gentle. He was leaving the judgment into the hand of God. In saying, “The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!”, he was leaving the judgment of Joab to God for his wickedness in killing Abner heartlessly.  

David could have dealt with Joab, the way the latter had dealt with Abner. Had David killed Joab, he would have created more questions than provide answers. People could conclude that he had ordered Abner’s killing and then silent Joab whom he had sent to do the job. Leaving Joab alive was a wise move so that the people could at least find out from the murderer directly why he committed the murder. He also wisely left Joab in the hand of God. In so doing, David showed that He trusted in God's judgment.    

One wise thing David did was to show that he had no part in the death of Abner. He mourned for him showing how he too was affected by his death. Not only that, but he also gave him a dignified send-off. David did not act rashly. So like him, we should never do anything in haste. Instead, we should take time to appraise situations, and consider the best option before doing anything. Learn to appraise everything rightly and then we will be able to act appropriately.