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NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!
DON’T DIE LIKE A FOOL!
2 SAMUEL 3:26-33
Introduction
In verse 1, it tells us that after king Saul died, there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David.
After the death of Saul, the people of Judah had made David King in Hebron. However, Abner, who was one of Saul’s generals, appointed one of Saul’s young sons, Ish-bosheth as King in Gibeon. But, Ish-bosheth was just a “puppet-king.” Abner was pulling the strings and was really the one who was in control of things. (Vs 6)
Now we all know that David made some bad mistakes in his life. We all make some bad mistakes at one time or another. One mistake was that he had TOO MANY WIVES. You will notice that there are six mentioned here in verses 2-5. There were at least two more later that we know about.
Understand that God’s plan for marriage was established in the Garden of Eden. One man and one woman!
Moses warned the children of Israel about the conduct of their kings in Deuteronomy 17:15-17
1. Kings weren’t to multiply horses to themselves , “. . .nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses.”
2. Kings weren’t to multiply wives to themselves, “. . .that their heart turn not away from God.”
3. Kings weren’t to greatly multiply to themselves silver and gold.
David may not have multiplied horses or silver and gold, but he did multiply wives.
Later, His son Solomon did all three and he did them all to excess! And we know that Solomon’s heart was not perfect toward the LORD but was turned away from Him!
There is a lesson for us in that. We need to watch what sin we allow to enter our lives. For that which we sow in a small way in our own lives we may reap in excess in our children’s lives!
I. THE COMPLAINT OF ISH-BOSHETH. (Vs. 7-11)
A. We see here that Ish-bosheth accuses Abner (rightly or wrongly we do not know) of improper relations with one of his father Saul’s concubines.
B. Whether it was true or not, we see that Abner responded wrongly.
He let wrath get a foothold in his life. (Ephesians 4:31-30 warns us of this)
C. We need to watch how we handle rebuke.
Sometimes rebuke is justified and sometimes it is unjustified.
We can’t control someone bringing a rebuke against us, but we can control our response to that rebuke.
We can let something like that make us bitter or we can use it to make us better! Its our choice! Our response is a choice we make.
D. So we see that Abner is offended and he turns away from Ish-bosheth.
Proverbs 18:19–“A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.”
THE COMPLAINT OF ISH-BOSHETH.
II. THE CONTRACT WITH DAVID. (Vs. 12-16)
A. We can see how that Abner is a bit of an opportunist.
He realizes it’s only a matter of time before David is going to be King over all Israel.
1. He Knows That David Is Getting Stronger. (Vs 1)
2. He Knows The Prophecy Of The Lord. (17-18).
B. So here we see that he strikes a deal with David to convince Israel to accept him.
The only way that David would make a covenant with Abner was if he delivered over Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s wife, who had been given to another man.
III. THE COMMUNICATION OF ABNER. (Vs. 17-21)
A. This is the first mention of the word “communication” in the Bible.
B. Abner here persuades the people of Israel to accept David as King.
C. We need to have the same kind of zeal that Abner had when we communicate the Gospel! We need to be fervent about getting people to accept Christ as King!
IV. THE CUNNING OF JOAB. (Vs. 22-30)
Abner made the mistake of killing Joab’s brother, Asahel. (2 Samuel 2:18-24)
Asahel was in hot pursuit of Abner. Abner had warned Asahel to turn aside. In fact he warned him twice. Asahel refused to turn, so Abner wound up killing Asahel.
We might call it self-defense or justifiable homicide in our day and time.
However, it was Jewish custom for the next of kin to avenge the death of a family member.
After Abner killed Asahel, then Asahel’s brothers, Joab, who was David’s general, and Abishai were out to avenge their brother’s death.
ILLUS: Have any of you ever played the board game: The “Game of Life.” On the board for that game there are spaces labeled “Revenge.” These are some of the most popular squares to land on because the player can “get back” at other players who have penalized him.
That’s generally true in the real game of life too isn’t it? There are many folks who have been wronged that look to get what they call “sweet revenge.” But revenge goes in circles doesn’t it. It never really ends until someone decides not to get revenge! (cf. 2 Samuel 2:26)
And what does the Bible say about the matter of vengeance and revenge?
Romans 12:19–“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
A. We see that Abner had returned to Hebron, which was one of the six cities of refuge. (Numbers 35:11-12; Joshua 20:1-7)
According to O.T. law, he could not be harmed by an avenger of blood as long as he remained inside the gates of the city.
B. But we see that Joab went to Hebron to speak with Abner.
Joab was a subtle man. The Bible says that Joab spoke “quietly” [i.e. privately] with Abner at the gate. (2 Samuel 3:27).
1. It appears that Joab got Abner to come just outside the gate.
When Abner was a few feet outside the gate, Joab and stabbed him under the fifth rib and avenged his brother’s death.
2. Joab is a good picture of temptation and the devil who seeks to lure a child of God outside of the cities of refuge.
Once outside the city, you are “fair-game” for the avenger!
V. THE CRYING OF DAVID. (Vs. 31-39)
In verse 33, David laments the death of Abner and says, “Died Abner as a fool dieth.”
Why did he say that? Because Abner did not have to die!
A. Abner Lived Under A Sentence Of Death!
He knew that he was being pursued for his life!
Did you know that we live under a sentence of death?
1. We are all going to die physically one day.
Hebrews 9:27–“. . .it is appointed unto men once to die. . .”
2. Those who don’t know Christ will die the second death.
Revelation 20:14-15–“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
John 3:18–“. . .He that believeth not is condemned already. . .”
Death is coming! It is pursuing you! Are you ready?
B. Abner Neglected A Divinely Ordered Refuge!
God gave the six cities of refuge for folks just like Abner.
If he would have just stayed inside the gate, he would not have been killed.
Inside the city of refuge, he would have been safe from the avenger.
Did you know that God has given us some divinely ordered places of refuge?
1. Christ Is The Only Refuge For Our Soul!
If you are lost you need to flee to Jesus Christ!
He alone is the refuge for the soul!
Psalm 9:9–“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”
Psalm 46:1–“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 62:7–“In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”
Proverbs 14:26–“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”
a. Some Will Never Get Saved In Spite Of The Grace And Love Of Almighty God!
1) The Bible Proves God’s Love For Man.
2) Jesus Christ Proves God’s Love For Man. (Romans 5:8)
3) The Holy Spirit Proves God’s Love For Man.
Abner died as a fool died because he failed to appropriate what God had provided.
(Exp.–Remember how God provided the Passover Lamb to Israel!)
b. Some Will Never Get Saved In Spite Of The Preaching Of The Gospel! (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Romans 1:16)
1) To Some The Gospel Is Foolishness!
2) To Some The Gospel Is A Stumblingblock!
3) To Us Who Are Saved The Gospel Is The Power Of God!
Abner died as a fool died because he neglected the preaching of the Word. (i.e. Regarding the cities of refuge)
You may say,“Somebody else may need that preacher, but not me!”
c. Some Will Never Get Saved In Spite Of The Simplicity Of The Gospel! (2 Corinthians 11:3–“. . .the simplicity that is in Christ.”)
d. Some Will Never Get Saved In Spite Of The Opportunities Available To Them!
Every time the Holy Spirit tugs at your heart there is a new opportunity! Think of how many opportunities to get saved are wasted!
Let me ask you this, are you ready to die with what you have in your heart? Do you have peace in your heart and life about dying?
2. The Church Is A Refuge For Those Who Are Saved!
If you are saved, you need to stick with the Church! Amen?!
Don’t leave the Church! Don’t abandon the Church! It is the divinely ordered refuge for the Christian life!
Some have left the Church and wreaked havoc in their lives and the lives of their family members!
3. The Bible Is A Refuge For Those Who Are Saved!
The Word of God provides refuge from the attacks of the enemy!
Stay with THE BOOK!!! Love THE BOOK!!!
Order your life after THE BOOK!!!
Abner Lived Under A Sentence Of Death!
Abner Neglected A Divinely Ordered Refuge!
C. Abner Was A Victim Of Cunning Deception!
Nobody dragged Abner outside the gates of the city. He went outside the city on his own.
He was a fool to listen to Joab’s proposals and be drawn aside from the gate of the city of refuge!
Did you know that Satan approaches the Christian from outside the gate and speaks quietly to us,“Why don’t you come over here for a minute and let’s talk.”
He’ll say, “It’s really not like you heard them say it was down at Bible Baptist Church. The world ain’t all that bad. After all, you’ve got plenty of time!”
Satan tries to talk us into getting close enough to the gate where he can put his arm around our shoulder and lead us just outside the gate so he can stab us in our spiritual gizzard and steal our precious spiritual life.
Don’t be found flirting with Satan near the gate!
Conclusion
Where is the safest place in the city of refuge? The farthest point from where you came in! It is dangerous to hang around the gate of the city! “Joab” is liable to come by and talk you into compromise and get you to step outside the gate and kill your testimony and walk with the Lord!
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!