Notwithstanding the poor character of the Abner of this world, you still have a privilege few truly enjoy. You have the privilege of choosing in every circumstance with everyone God allows into your life, to trust in God. Should David be wise? Absolutely. But wisdom is always better than reaction. And it’s always better than personal retaliation. David could have retaliated against Saul; against Ishbosheth, against Abner. But he chose to not do so. And, the end of the story is still being written as this occurs, isn’t it?
1. A deceiver undermines those who trust him.
2. Those who are taken in by deceivers are often the good people.
3. With the deceiver the priority is usually himself or herself. What other reason could there be for a deceiver than this? He’s simply looking out for number one.
Now consider Abner here. He’s chosen to go contrary to God’s will in the matter of the kingdom by placing a crown on Ishbosheth head. He’s taken a concubine that once belonged to King Saul. He uses threats against his own king, King Ishbosheth. And now he’s offering bring the entire ten tribes of Israel over to King David to completely undermine King Ishbosheth. My question to Abner, at this point, would be “Why?” Why in the sense of what benefit will it be to you to do this?
And, I didn’t have to look very far for an answer. He knows if things don’t work out well with Ishbosheth and Israel that he needs to be inside of David’s good graces. So, again, deceivers take care of number one. Our modern word is “self-centered.”
But when people take care of number one and their priority is themselves, they are also very likely to forsake anyone thus far they might be connected to. And that is exactly what happens with this man.
In a word, Abner is “selfish.” He’s wiling and ready to forget Ishbosheth. He’s someone who will use those around him for his own purposes; to get what he wants. He thinks that he just doesn’t need you. And, as can be seen here with Abner, they manipulate wherever they can. Behind every selfish individual you will find this one characteristic. There fear a loss of control. Now that Ishbosheth has brought up the subject of his concubine, he knows he needs to go elsewhere. He goes over to King David and makes a deal.
One wise man describes this matter of selfishness like this. “The selfishness must be discovered and understood before it can be removed. It is powerless to remove itself, neither will it pass away of itself. Darkness ceases only when light is introduced; So ignorance can only be dispersed by Knowledge; Selfishness by Love.” (James Allen) [Found on www.mysticmadnesss.com].
1. A deceiver undermines those who trust him.
2. Those who are taken in by deceivers are often the good people.
3. They are usually selfish individuals.
4. They often use the power of surprise to deal with things and people.
Check out the life of Abner and see if he didn’t surprise people by what he did.
1. A deceiver undermines those who trust him.
2. Those who are taken in by deceivers are often the good people.
3. They are usually selfish individuals.
4. They often use the power of surprise to deal with things and people.
1. A deceiver undermines those who trust him.
2. Those who are taken in by deceivers are often the good people.
3. With the deceiver the priority is usually himself or herself. What other reason could there be for a deceiver than this? He’s simply looking out for number one.
Now consider Abner here. He’s chosen to go contrary to God’s will in the matter of the kingdom by placing a crown on Ishbosheth head. He’s taken a concubine that once belonged to King Saul. He uses threats against his own king, King Ishbosheth. And now he’s offering bring the entire ten tribes of Israel over to King David to completely undermine King Ishbosheth. My question to Abner, at this point, would be “Why?” Why in the sense of what benefit will it be to you to do this?
And, I didn’t have to look very far for an answer. He knows if things don’t work out well with Ishbosheth and Israel that he needs to be inside of David’s good graces. So, again, deceivers take care of number one. Our modern word is “self-centered.”
But when people take care of number one and their priority is themselves, they are also very likely to forsake anyone thus far they might be connected to. And that is exactly what happens with this man.
In a word, Abner is “selfish.” He’s wiling and ready to forget Ishbosheth. He’s someone who will use those around him for his own purposes; to get what he wants. He thinks that he just doesn’t need you. And, as can be seen here with Abner, they manipulate wherever they can. Behind every selfish individual you will find this one characteristic. There fear a loss of control. Now that Ishbosheth has brought up the subject of his concubine, he knows he needs to go elsewhere. He goes over to King David and makes a deal.
One wise man describes this matter of selfishness like this. “The selfishness must be discovered and understood before it can be removed. It is powerless to remove itself, neither will it pass away of itself. Darkness ceases only when light is introduced; So ignorance can only be dispersed by Knowledge; Selfishness by Love.” (James Allen) [Found on www.mysticmadnesss.com].
1. A deceiver undermines those who trust him.
2. Those who are taken in by deceivers are often the good people.
3. They are usually selfish individuals.
4. They often use the power of surprise to deal with things and people.
Check out the life of Abner and see if he didn’t surprise people by what he did.
- Sets up Ishbosheth as king over Israel
- Take Ripe as his concubine.
- Make a deal with David to bring Israel under David’s control.
1. A deceiver undermines those who trust him.
2. Those who are taken in by deceivers are often the good people.
3. They are usually selfish individuals.
4. They often use the power of surprise to deal with things and people.