After Abner died, Ish-Bosheth became afraid and shrank back. No longer would he be any kind of threat to King David or the nation of Judah. Ish-Bosheth happened to have two men working for him who were leaders of raiding bands. They had been loyal to Ish-Bosheth when it suited them. But as he weakened, they decided to throw their lot in with King David. They treacherously murdered their former boss in his own house, in his sleep. They cut off Ish-Bosheth’s head and brought it to King David, thinking they would be rewarded.

They were wrong about what they would get! David trusted in the Lord to deliver him from his enemies. He didn’t need the help of lawless regicides. Just as David had the man who claimed to have killed Saul executed, he also had these two men, who had killed Saul’s son executed. He had their hands and feet cut off and hung the bodies in a public place as a warning to others. Then he took Ish-Bosheth’s head and gave it an honorable burial in Abner’s tomb. David was a true shepherd-king who sought the Lord in all situations.
Application: Father, give us wisdom that we may seek your righteousness and your justice amid a sinful world.
One Word: The Lord will deliver us out of every trouble.