2 Samuel 3

Abner joins forces with David in this chapter. It is here that we see who the true leader of Israel is. It was not Saul's son who sat on the throne, but it was Abner. When Ishbosheth offends Abner, Abner quickly turns against him. This shows us the motives behind Abner's heart.

Abner was in it for nobody else but himself. He says in verse 9-10, "May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the LORD has sworn to him—to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba." (2Sa 3:9-10) This tells us a few things. This tells us that Abner always realized that David was to be king over all of Israel. Despite knowing this, Abner tried to set up the kingdom under Ishbosheth. Now that things were not going his way, he decides to follow God. This is an extremely dangerous place to be.

Gang, follow Jesus and His will for your life always! Do not be like Abner. Do not be a Christian when it is convenient. David and Abner are such polar opposites. David was a man after God's own heart, who at times struggled with sin. Though he fell into sin a few times, he always sought to draw closer to God. Abner was a man whose heart was always seeking after the things of the world. When convenient, he would follow after the Lord, though he never really sought to grow closer to Him.

The end result of Abner is in verse 27. Joab gets his revenge on him for when Abner stabbed Asahel (2 Sam 2:23). Abner is murdered and Israel weeps because Abner was always a fan favorite. He was the cousin of Saul and general of Israel for many years now. He would be the one who brought home the victories for Saul. Now he was dead, and it was due to his own deceit.