Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?" – 2 Samuel 2v26
Sometimes situations need a man like Abner. Things were a mess in Israel after the death of Saul and it looked like civil war might wreck the nation. David was king over Judah, but the other tribes, now united under the name Israel, were not going to accept him. Abner was leading the armies of Israel and Joab led the armies of Judah.
The fight was was hot and heavy. It was going to be a long war, but suddenly, for a brief moment, there was a voice of reason. Abner stepped to the fore and said, ‘Shall the sword devour forever?’ He knew that if this kept up the entire nation would develop into a bloody civil war. He saw that nothing would be gained through more bloodshed. It is obvious that Abner was not in favour of splitting the nation. Later on he defects to David’s.
The battles would continue, but all out civil war was averted by the wisdom and courage of one man. Abner shows us what one man can do. We don’t think about him very much. He is not a Bible All Star, but I admire him and his voice of reason.
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