For years, David had lived with the Philistines being alienated from his own people. With the death of Saul, David prayed for direction from God. The LORD instructed that it was time to go home. Once in the southern part of the land, the people of Judah made David their king. However, Saul did have one son still alive. The northern part of the country anointed Ishbosheth as their king. It was predictable that such a division would lead to conflict.
David's leadership and influence grew in power, while his opposition waned. Indeed, even Abner, the general of the northern army, joined forces with David. Abner then began working on David's behalf to unite the nation. But David's general, Joab, only looked upon Abner as an enemy whose only goal was to spy on them. Joab avenged his brother’s death by murdering Abner.
At every turn in David's life his character was on public display. When he heard the news of Abner's death, he took decisive action for all to see and hear. He pronounced a curse on Joab and his descendants to be diseased and poor. He gave Abner a royal funeral and even walked behind the casket to the burial. He openly mourned and fasted. David wanted everyone to know of his innocence.
There is no question regarding David's cunning and ability as a warrior. But the exercise of those skills was always under control by his character. In this section, several elements of his true self are demonstrated for us.
1. Kindness and appreciation.
When he discovered what Saul's home town people had done in recovering and burying Saul, he sent them a thank note and blessed them. In this case, underneath this kindness was a huge amount of forgiveness of the past.
Ephesians 4:32-"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
2. Loyalty
David thanked the people of Jabesh-gilead for their loyalty. He treated his promises to others as a serious commitment of loyalty, as with Abner. He counted Joab's actions as disloyal and an embarrassment. David learned about loyalty by putting his life on the line in order to protect his sheep from wild animals. He experienced the loyalty of a friend with Jonathan. His word was his bond.
3. Unity
David could have distrusted Abner as an enemy and killed him himself. But he took the high road in the relationship in order to unite the nation and live in peace. Unity and peace always requires us to consider the needs and interests of others above our own.
Philippians 2:4-"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
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