Promise

What is the most significant promise you have ever made and then kept? Conversely, what is the most important promise you have ever made and then broken? How do you feel when someone makes a promise to you? What do you expect from them? 

A promise is a vow to follow through on something. Promises are meant to be kept, and breaking them has consequences. We expect others to keep their promises, and our view of them changes if they fail. God made many promises in the Bible, and how He kept His promises revealed His character and secured glorious consequences for His children. 

Consider Galatians 3:15-18 - "Brothers and sisters, I'm using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say "and to seeds," as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed,, who is Christ. 17 My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God and thus cancels the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise."

Transitioning from the topic of promises in our personal lives to the grand promises made by God in Scripture, we find a remarkable parallel in the story of David's anointing as the King of Judah in 2 Samuel 2. In the following exploration of 2 Samuel 2, we'll witness how God's divine promises played a pivotal role in shaping the course of history for the nation of Israel and the establishment of David as their king.

After Saul's death, Israel experienced a period of political instability and conflict. Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, was crowned king over the larger and more powerful northern tribes of Israel. In contrast, David had already been anointed as king by the prophet Samuel earlier in his life, and he had strong support, particularly among the tribe of Judah.

So, the title "King of Judah" was initially given to David to acknowledge his authority in that region. Over time, through various political and military maneuvers, David consolidated his rule. Eventually, he became the king of all Israel by uniting the northern tribes with Judah to establish a unified kingdom.

David's compassion and concern for his people, seen in 2 Samuel 24:17, led him to inquire about the honorable burial of Saul and his sons. The leaders of Judah recounted how the brave men of Jabesh Gilead risked their lives to retrieve the bodies of the fallen royal family. This act of bravery was rooted in gratitude for Saul's earlier deliverance of their city. David expressed deep appreciation for their loyalty, recognizing their "kindness." He prophesied that the Lord would reward their faithfulness.

Jabesh Gilead, situated across the Jordan River in the tribe of Gad, required these courageous men to embark on a challenging journey to retrieve the bodies. David thanked them for their unwavering loyalty to Saul and the kingdom of Israel, recognizing their act of "kindness." He prophesied that the Lord would reward their faithfulness. Indeed, twenty-five years later, David would relocate the remains of Saul and his sons to their native tribe of Benjamin.

During this encounter, David also saw an opportunity to invite the brave men of Jabesh Gilead to align themselves with him. Despite their courageous act for Saul, they followed Abner and Saul's son, Ish-Bosheth. Their decision, motivated by affection for Saul, hindered them from obeying God's intended plan. This serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing loyalty to God's anointed King, Jesus Christ, over human leaders, preventing division and challenges within the body of believers.

In this unfolding drama, Abner, Saul's cousin and army commander, played a pivotal role. Abner had a complex history with David, having presented him to Saul after David's victory over Goliath. He later pursued him relentlessly for ten years. However, their relationship was marked by tension and humiliation, as when David reproached Abner for failing to protect King Saul.

During these seven and a half years, Abner's actions seemed driven primarily by self-interest rather than a commitment to God's glory or Israel's strength. He appeared to be looking out for his own interests.

While the people of Judah obeyed God's will and anointed David as their king, Abner defied the Lord's plan by making Saul's surviving son, Ish-Bosheth, king over "all Israel." Despite knowing that David was God's chosen leader, Abner deliberately rebelled against God's choice. Ish-Bosheth, a weak and easily manipulated ruler, became a mere puppet under Abner's influence.

Abner led Ish-Bosheth to Mahanaim, a Levitical city of refuge on the east side of the Jordan, establishing it as a capital for "all Israel." It likely took several years for Abner to secure the loyalty of the tribes (excluding Judah) for their new king. However, Ish-Bosheth's reign was short-lived, and Abner remained the de facto ruler.

This narrative reflects contemporary dynamics in both political and religious spheres, where individuals with varying motivations ascend to positions of influence. Some, like Ish-Bosheth, gain prominence through connections rather than strength. Others, like Abner, are strong and self-serving, manipulating others for personal gain. Lastly, individuals like David, chosen and anointed by God, must often await God's timing to fulfill their calling.

Abner may have achieved his initial goals, but within a few years, he would lose everything.

When Abner made Ish-Bosheth king, he effectively declared war on David, aware of the consequences. Abner was confident in his ability to defeat David in battle, given his control over most tribes except Judah. This challenge mirrored Goliath's call for single combat in its audacity. However, Abner's rebellion against God placed him in direct opposition to David, who was God's chosen leader.

The introduction of Joab, David's nephew and army commander, marked a turning point. The two armies clashed at a reservoir, resulting in the death of all twenty-four combatants. This brutal confrontation earned the battlefield a new name—"the field of sharp edges" or "the field of daggers." Abner's defeat foreshadowed the challenges that lay ahead.

Joab, Abishai, and Asahel were David's nephews, born to his sister Zeruiah (as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:13–16). It remains uncertain whether Asahel's pursuit of Abner was his own initiative or if he acted on his brother Joab's instructions. Asahel likely recognized that defeating the enemy's general, Abner could lead to the confusion and dispersal of the entire enemy army. If Joab commanded Asahel to chase Abner, it might have been driven by Joab's concern for his own future, fearing that Abner could threaten his position as the head of the army.

The historical account shows that Abner had no intention of harming or killing Asahel. However, Asahel persisted in his pursuit. Initially, Abner urged him to stop and offered him an opportunity to take possessions from a fallen enemy soldier. Abner warned Asahel that killing him would spark a long-standing "blood feud" that could trouble their families for years. Abner was well aware of Joab and had no desire to initiate a lifelong family conflict. The rivalry between Joab and Abner, both commanding generals, was already challenging enough.

Despite the warnings, Asahel refused to abandon the chase. In a tactical maneuver typical of the battlefield, the crafty Abner abruptly halted, causing Asahel to impale himself on the sharpened end of a spear. The rear end of a spear was often sharpened for use in the ground (as seen in 1 Samuel 26:7). Tragically, Asahel fell to the ground and succumbed to his injuries. Asahel's death occurred during battle, even though Abner had no deliberate intention or desire to kill him.

Asahel's two brothers, Joab and Abishai, must have been closely trailing him because they immediately joined the pursuit of Abner, determined to avenge their brother's death. However, Abner's troops intervened, rescuing him and retreating with the Benjamites to the hill of Ammah. Abner realized he was at a disadvantage (as seen in verses 30–31) and proposed a truce. Perhaps he anticipated that Asahel's death would prompt Joab and Abishai to cease hostilities and attend their brother's burial. After all, Judah and Benjamin were brothers descending from Jacob, and it seemed senseless for brothers to be pitted against each other. Nevertheless, it was Abner who had initiated the conflict, and he bore the responsibility for the consequences. As a dishonest individual, he likely planned to gain control of both armies without further bloodshed.

Knowing David's desire for unity and peace rather than division and war, Joab wisely blew the trumpet to halt his troops from pursuing the enemy. Joab told Abner, "Only God knows what might have happened if you hadn't called for this truce. We would have pursued you throughout the night if necessary" (2 Samuel 2:27, NLT). Abner and his men traveled through the night to return to Mahanaim. At the same time, Joab and his army headed back to Hebron, stopping in Bethlehem to provide Asahel with a proper burial. During their all-night march, Joab and Abishai began to devise a plan for avenging their brother's death.

In closing, the intertwining of Paul's reminder in Galatians 3:15-18 and the fulfillment of God's promise in 2 Samuel 2 paints a powerful portrait of the unchanging faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. Just as God's promise to Abraham was unwavering and fulfilled through the lineage of David, we are reminded that God's promises to His children stand firm, anchored in His unchanging character.

The lesson we can glean from these passages today is that God's promises are not merely empty words but solid foundations upon which we can build our lives. Just as David patiently endured and trusted in God's timing, we, too, must wait with patience and faith, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises in His perfect timing. Regardless of our complex circumstances and challenges, God's promises are our assurance of His unfailing love and providence.

As we reflect on the promises made and kept in our lives, let us be inspired by the ultimate Promise-Keeper, our Heavenly Father. May we find comfort and strength in His promises, knowing they are our refuge and hope in every season of life.