The Meaning Of Life

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/2_samuel/3.htm

Joab was the commander of David’s army, Abner the commander of Saul’s. And if you remember, Abner divided the country by appointing Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, as King of Israel, despite the fact that God had anointed David to fill this roll. So as it turned out, the tribe and territory of Judah installed God’s anointed, David, as king, but because of the actions of Abner, David was only the King of Judah and the country was split and began fighting each other.

Obviously, Abner’s actions showed loyalty to Saul and his family. But that loyalty was questioned when Abner had sex with one of Saul’s concubines, which offended Ishbosheth, and Ishbosheth called him out on it. And so, Abner became angry with Ishbosheth, and decided to make a covenant with David.

I know many men in those days took concubines, but scripture doesn’t say if God looked upon this as sin In my mind, it fits the very definition of adultery, and if that is the case, many were guilty of it. And if I’m right, we have Saul, David, and now Abner committing adultery.

And if you remember correctly, Saul became angry with his daughter Michal because she had aided David, her husband, in escaping from Saul. So Saul took her away from David and gave her to another man.

I’m not totally sure, but I don’t think God meant for women to be traded like cattle or property. Scripture doesn’t say if David and Michal had a religious ceremony; if they did, then Michal was committing adultery with her new husband, if not, her and David were committing adultery. So, there’s that to chew on.

Then Abner committed adultery with Saul’s concubine that Saul was committing adultery with, yet we think it was the sexual revolution of the 60’s that made us focus so much on sex.

Sorry, just pointing out passages in the Bible designed to instruct us on how not to live.

So Abner went to David and made a covenant with him in exchange for Michal back As Abner was leaving, he crossed paths with Joab, the commander of David’s army. Abner had killed Joab’s brother. So when Joab returned to David, he inquired about Abner, and when David told him of the covenant, Joab became angry, accusing Abner of basically spying on David.

So Joab sent messengers asking Abner to return, which he didn, and Joab killed him as justice for killing his brother.

And everyone mourned for Abner. Remember, For a long time, Saul was the King, David was Saul’s servant, and Abner was the commander of Saul’s army. Israel was one united country, despite being ruled by a mentally ill person.

So we have one big mess of adultery, and betrayal, and adultery, and covetousness, and who knows what else.

And David was the most righteous of them all, yet he still had multiple wives.

If something like this happened today, and it likely does, there would be media coverage, investigative reports, police shows, court shows, documentaries, and made for TV movies. I always wondered why people watched television and movies when they can get all of the excitement they need right here in the pages of the Good Book. And these stories are real-life.