After David and Abner met, David let him go in peace. Joab was angry when he heard this and told David that Abner was deceiving him. But the deceiver was Joab. Joab deceived Abner into meeting with him in a private room, where he killed him. Abner had killed Joab’s brother. Joab wasn’t thinking about God or the needs of God’s people. He held onto his grudge against Abner, and when he got the chance, he murdered him.

When David heard what happened, he was furious with Joab. David was truly sorry about Abner’s death. He walked behind Abner’s funeral bier and openly wept in public for him. He also wrote a lament for Abner and sang it at the funeral. Through this, David showed he had no part in Abner’s murder, and the people were pleased. What concerned David was the nation of Israel and its fragility.
Application: Father, help us resist our feelings of grudges over those who hurt us and look to you for our guidance, and source of peace and comfort.
One Word: Seek God instead of revenge.