Violence rears its ugly, bloody head (pun intended) in this short chapter. When word gets out that Abner, the real power behind Ish-bosheth's throne is dead, Ish-bosheth knows his days are numbered. Two of his military captains who are brothers, Baanah and Rechab, devised a plot to kill Ish-bosheth in his bed.
It is a bloody scene where the two brothers walk straight into the kings room, stab him in the stomach, and cut off his head. They escape and run straight to David in hopes of finding favor with the king of Judah. These two evil men have the audacity to then claim before David that "The Lord has avenged my lord the king..." v. 8. How dare they represent themselves as agents of God? When their true motive was self-preservation now that they could see the writing on the wall. David would soon be king over all of Israel. And Saul's house, whom they served against David, would finally crumble.
David clearly saw this counterfeit claim for what it was....evil. The ends do not always justify the means. Certainly, it was clear that God had anointed David to be king over all of Israel. And one could argue that the killing of Ish-bosheth brought David one step closer to him unifying the kingdom. But David's handing down of a quick death sentence on these two brothers demonstrated once again that David would never condone such cavalier action. David was still confident God would deliver in His good time.
Is there a righteous cause you support? For example, all christians agree that abortion is sin. (Or they should) But should we go around bombing abortion clinics? Absolutely not! We deceive ourselves when we think that such violence is of God. We should recognize, as David did, that vengance is God's. He will repay.
And while most of us aren't going around bombing abortion clinics, there are other righteous causes we may pursue. Personally, my righteoous cause is doctrinal accuracy in our churches. But sometimes, in trying to promote that goal, my pride and arrogance gets in the way. I justify my biting attacks on other christians because I'm just "trying to get them to see God's truth". Who am I to make that happen? Is God, through His Holy Spirit, not able to bring church leaders into the knowledge of truth? Of course He is! How ridiculous of me to use a sinful attitude to try and accomplish something that only God can do!! David had learned that lesson. And chapter 4 shows how we should respond as well - put to death all of our own devices. Stay out of God's way!
Always remember that sin is never justified, even for a righteous cause.
Prayer: Father, I keep coming back to the same problem. I do not trust You enough. I rely on my own sinful flesh so often. Forgive me. I put my trust in You and you alone.
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