Tragedy and triumph

And when Joab had gone from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it. Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother. 2 Samuel 3v26-27

This is a sad story. Abner was trying to get everything sorted for the nation. He had worked out a ceasefire and then tried to get the two sides of the nation to unite. He was on a peacekeeping mission to try and negotiate with Israel to see about reunifying the divided nation when Joab, one of David’s own men called him aside. Joab’s brother had been killed in a battle while Abner still fought for Israel. Joab could not forgive him and killed him.

Doing the right thing is not always going end up right. Sometimes those who do right suffer despite their actions. Abner was a great national hero who literally gave his life in an effort to unify his nation.

But it is not all tragedy. Abner’s death set in motion events that would lead to Israel accepting David as their king.

Tragedy is not always the end. Tragedy can result in triumph.

This reminds me on some ways of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Surely His death on the cross seemed to be a tragedy, but it resulted in reconciling lost men to a Holy God.

Praise God for Abner’s example. May we realise that tragedy is not always what it seems.