Not alone in the lives of men of God, as recorded in the Scriptures, are there important lessons "written for our admonition" ; but in the annals of those whose ways were often far from pleasing to the Lord there are searching messages for us today.
Some time since, we sought to point out how Joab might warn us of the danger of an unbroken and in-subject spirit. In Abner's history, likewise, there is much to instruct and help. Little is related of him during the lifetime of his master Saul. Unlike Joab, who, with his brother, drew forth the complaint from David, "Ye sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me," Abner seems to have been a pliable instrument in the hands of the king whose captain he was.
The first mention of him is in i Sam. 14:50, where we learn that he was a near relative of Saul, his father being Ner, uncle to the newly-anointed king. This doubtless explains his allegiance to the house of Saul, both during that monarch's checkered life and after his death. The tie that bound him to the king was a natural one. Links like this are often great snares. Many a one who would have no difficulty in discerning the mind of God in the case of a person to whom he was not bound by fleshly links will be found to fail utterly when relationship is in question. This will come out clearly in Abner's case as we proceed with our study.
On the day of David's victory over the giant Goliath, – typical of the hour when the true "Beloved" (as "David " signifies) destroyed "him that had the power of death, that is, the devil,"-we find Abner standing by, and to him Saul addresses the question, " Whose son is this youth ?" but the stripling from Bethlehem was at that time unknown to him (i Sam. 17:55).
Energy of a marked character for either good or evil never seems to have characterized him to any great degree. When, years afterwards, that same David, now rejected and hated, came with Abishai into the camp of Saul by night, and carried away his spear and cruse of water, Abner was sound asleep. In the morning he had to endure David's taunt, '' Art not thou a valiant man, and who is like to thee in Israel ? Wherefore, then, hast thou not kept thy lord the king ? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord." But it is Saul, not Abner, who replies. The chief captain was evidently bewildered and ashamed (i Sam. 26:7-17).
These are the only instances in Saul's lifetime that Abner is mentioned. He was in no sense a true leader. Had he been so, we should have heard more of his exploits; but there is really nothing recorded to his credit, and only one incident to his discredit. He was supine and easy-going during his master's reign, though he comes to the front in an unhappy way after Saul passes off the scene, as we find when we turn to the opening chapters of the second book of Samuel.
The previous book closes with the melancholy record of the defeat of Israel upon mount Gilboa, where Saul and his sons met a dishonored death. Jonathan, the lover of David, who yet failed to identify himself fully with the rejected one, fell "slain in [his] high places" (2 Sam. i :25). His body, together with those of the fallen king and his other two sons, was found by the victorious Philistines; and apparently all four were nailed to the wall of Beth-shan, though it is only specifically stated that the body of Saul was beheaded (i Sam. 31 :7-10). The action of the men of Jabesh-gilead is the only praiseworthy thing recorded in this sorrowful history. They "went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there;" afterwards burying their bones under a tree, and fasting seven days (vers. 11-13).
To David the news was carried by a wandering Amalekite adventurer, who gloatingly related his discovery of the transfixed king and princes, and (whether truthfully or not) added the information that his own hand had struck the final blow that took the life of the wretched monarch. True type of the hateful lusts of the flesh, he rejoiced in iniquity, and knowing not the spirit of the son of Jesse, counted on his approbation. Judgment unsparing was dealt out to him instead; thus expressing the horror of David's righteous soul when he heard the dreadful tale of blood and strife.
Unspeakably touching is the psalmist's dirge as he took up his lamentation over Saul and Jonathan, closing with the expressive stanzas:
" Distressed am I for thee, my brother Jonathan:
Very pleasant hast thou been unto me;
Thy love to me was wonderful,
Passing the love of women.
How are the mighty fallen,
And the weapons of war perished!"
There was on his part no disposition to feel elated over the misfortunes of others-no disposition to build his fortunes on the ruins of theirs. He was a humble, broken man-one to whom all Israel was dear; whatever his failings in the days when, discouraged, he was found with the host of the Philistines.
The first seven verses of 2 Sam., chap. 2, relate the account of his elevation to the throne. He made no move until he had the mind of the Lord. At His direction, he went up to Hebron, the city that speaks of fellowship, or communion. There he was anointed as king over the house of Judah. His first manifesto was one of grace to the men of Jabesh-gilead, wishing them the blessing of Jehovah, and assuring them of his approval of their action, and declaring his accession to the vacant throne.
The first jarring note is struck in ver. 8. Abner, ambitious for the honor of Saul's house, disregarding the word of the Lord given long since through Samuel the prophet, took Ish-bosheth, a son of Saul, and crowned him king over eleven of the tribes ; for, though all are not distinctly specified, we are told that only "the house of Judah followed David" (ver. 10).
Civil war-always to be dreaded-was the outcome. Abner himself was the aggressor. Joab and David's servants went out to meet him. " The field of the sharp knives," which the revisers give as the meaning of Helkath-hazzurim, was the awful result! How dreadful to contemplate when we remember that not against a common foe, but against each other, had those sharp knives been drawn! Surely the parallel has often been seen since. And, as is generally the case in times of strife between brethren, there may have been grievous faults on both sides. Joab was a hard, unbroken man; Abner, an independent, proud spirit, despite his easy-going disposition. They have had many successors, and these among all parties of Christians.
To go into the details of the conflict would require more space than we can use here-suffice it to say that it was altogether a shameful chapter in Israel's history. A truce is finally agreed upon between the two master-spirits, though only for a time, as the next chapter shows; for Abner, though beaten, was not disposed to own himself conquered.
To some questions found in ver. 26 we would direct the reader's attention. "Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour forever ? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end ? how long shall it be, then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?"
Solemn and serious questions are these, and well worthy of consideration. But who was the asker of them ? One is almost astonished to realize that they actually came from the lips of the very man who had himself been the chief fomenter of strife and division, and was still bent upon maintaining his independent course! Imagine the effrontery displayed in the question. "Shall the sword devour forever ?" when asked by the one who first drew the sword, and who at that very moment was bent upon the overthrow of David-and, with David, the testimony of God!
Unquestionably Abner was a man in whom there were some pleasing traits. He displayed a kindliness and moderation at times most commendable. But he could be cold as his own steel at others, as when, upon Asahel's persistence in pursuing him, he turned about and with all his strength smote him under the fifth rib with the hinder end of his spear, so that the spear came out behind him. It was but shortly after this deed of blood that in professed regard for the unity of Israel he calmly asked, " Shall the sword devour forever ?" and pointed out the unhappy consequences of further strife. Joab, though in the full flush of victory, felt the force of the words, and, doubtless counting on Abner's submission to David, blew the trumpet of peace. It was a manifestation of grace on his part seldom seen.
But what was the result ? Did Abner own in contrition of heart the sin of the part he had taken in setting up Ish-bosheth, "the man of shame," in the place of David, "the beloved"? Not at all. His question savored of real love and concern for all Israel. His actions before and after evidenced his chief concern was to maintain a place for himself, and afterwards for the house of Saul.
Such is the deceitfulness of the human heart. Abner's words sounded well. His ways belied them. How soon would the strife have ceased had he owned the evil of his course and judged his unholy ways! If, instead of seeking to get the people to rally round the symbol of the kingdom rent from Saul, he had devoted his energies towards gathering them to David, type of God's beloved Son, how much happier might the outcome have been! Alas, when too late, he did indeed undertake this, but only then when he had quarreled with Ish-bosheth and his own character was touched (2 Sam. 3:6-21). Even then, gladly would David have forgiven him and received his allegiance; but the heart of Joab was filled with vengeance for the slaying of his brother. In the same spot that his spear had pierced Asahel, Joab's dagger found a sheath, and Abner died as a result of treachery. David ever regretted Joab's precipitate action, but after all Abner was reaping as he had sown.
Sad and solemn are the lessons his last days teach. It is so easy to begin strife ; so hard to end it. " The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water." What the result will be none can say. The danger is in departing in the slightest degree from God's revealed truth. He would gather His saints to the peerless name of Jesus. He would have every heart subject to Him. This leaves no room for the working of the human will and the independency of the human heart. "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool." To walk softly, in subjection to God, is the suited path for each saint. Thus shall we be kept from ought that savors of man's pride and folly.
Abner failed because led by natural feelings, in place of seeking the mind of God. Be it ours to learn thereby the importance of walking in the truth. H. A. I.