Today I read 2 Samuel 2, in which David is anointed king of Judah, Ishbosheth was made king over Israel, and there was war between Israel and Judah. Today I considered that sometimes you only get part of your blessing until you are ready to handle the full blessing. I also considered that you need to know who you are dealing with if you propose to fight someone.
Part of the Kingdom
God said David would be king over his people but David only received part of the kingdom for the first seven years (2 Samuel 2:1-11). David asked God if he should go to Judah and where. God told David to go to Hebron. David and his men with their families went to Hebron. David was anointed king. He let the men of Jabesh-gilead know he was pleased about them burying Saul and he was now king. Abner took Saul’s son Ishbosheth to Mahanaim and made him king over Israel. David reigned in Hebron seven years and six months.
War Between Israel and Judah Begins
When meeting and deciding to fight, know who you are fighting and be prepared if you lose (2 Samuel 2:12-32). After seven and a half years of David in Hebron, Abner with Ishbosheth’s servants met Joab with David’s servants in Gibeon. Abner asked that they fight and Joab agreed, with 12 men from each side chosen to fight then killing each other. Then the sides battled. Abner’s side was beaten and Abner was fleeing. Joab’s younger brother Asahel was a fast runner, was chasing him, and refused to stop when Abner said to stop chasing him. Abner thrust a spear through Asahel. People stopped at the sight of Asahel dead on the ground. Joab and his brother Abishai continued to pursue Abner with others following. Abner gathered together his people and stood on a hill to say something about this was brothers/family fighting each other. Joab blew a horn to stop the fighting and left. David lost 19 men and Asahel. Ishbosheth lost 360 men. Joab buried his brother and then went to Hebron the next day.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Sometimes we want things to happen quickly, but God only gives us part of what is coming. God could be allowing you to learn to manage and adjust to what he already gave you before he gives you more.
Do you know anyone who was glad they had time to adjust to a smaller blessing or being over a few people before the person obtained a larger blessing or had to be over even more people?
David’s men had endured hardship and became warriors to survive. They lived in caves, traveled from place to place, fought in wars, raided nearby people, and even lived in enemy territory to survive. Abner and Ishbosheth’s men were able to stay in Israel and the promised land during that time. Abner asked for the fight but did not think about who he was fighting. Abner lost 360 men while David lost 20 men.
Have you checked the complete background of the person you are dealing with, fighting, or having a conflict with?