How well do you deal with your extended family?
Perceive: David was a key figure at Abner’s funeral. Besides walking behind the bier to the burial site, he wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, composed a lament over his life, and vilified those who were wicked men. His actions were so notable that all the people wept for Abner as well. On the day of his funeral, David refused to eat bread or anything else before sunset. By the end of this service, everything the king did pleased the people. Consequently, they concluded that the king had no part in Abner's murder. Abner was considered a great man in life and death. The anointed king’s leadership was notably different than his relatives Joab and Abishai. The nation mourned.
Practice: David had a difficult time controlling Joab and Abishai. Joab appears to be very loyal but strong willed and prefers to do things his way. In exchange for his loyalty, David is a bit too permissive and overlooks good order and discipline. That is something essential to maintaining a ready and competent fighting force. Joab’s murder of Abner is an example of his total disregard for the law, his pride, and his fierce independence. While David publicly disapproves of the murder, he does not take action to enact a proper punishment. Getting rid of Joab would have caused David a lot of internal problems, something his new nation could not afford.
Pray: O Lord, show me where I am weak in dealing with obvious issues and wrongs in the people I know and love.
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com
Practice: David had a difficult time controlling Joab and Abishai. Joab appears to be very loyal but strong willed and prefers to do things his way. In exchange for his loyalty, David is a bit too permissive and overlooks good order and discipline. That is something essential to maintaining a ready and competent fighting force. Joab’s murder of Abner is an example of his total disregard for the law, his pride, and his fierce independence. While David publicly disapproves of the murder, he does not take action to enact a proper punishment. Getting rid of Joab would have caused David a lot of internal problems, something his new nation could not afford.
Pray: O Lord, show me where I am weak in dealing with obvious issues and wrongs in the people I know and love.
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com
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