August 12 – 2 Samuel 2:18-23
August 12 – 2 Samuel 2:18-23
18 And
the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now
Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle. 19 And
Asahel pursued Abner, and as he went, he turned neither to the right hand nor
to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner
looked behind him and said, “Is it you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is
I.” 21 Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right
hand or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his spoil.” But
Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 22 And
Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike
you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother
Joab?” 23 But he refused to turn aside. Therefore
Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the
spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died where he was. And all
who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.
Zeruiah was the sister of
David so these young men were David’s nephews. Asahel seemed single-minded in
his determination to kill Abner and crush the armies opposing David, his uncle.
Abner asked this young man to turn aside as he did not want to be responsible
for the death of the brother of Joab. Joab served as one of David’s chief
generals in addition to being the nephew of David.
This situation is fraught
with difficulties. There wasn’t an easy way out for either character. The
actions of Abner would have far-reaching consequences. As we live our life, may
we pray before we act. We, too, have the potential to create consequences that
cause suffering in our lives. Prayer allows the Holy Spirit to guide us and
make choice that honor God.
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