2 Samuel 2:24

2 Samuel 2:24 says, Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.  Joab and Abishai chased after Abner.  They had not been disheartened by the death of their brother but were angry instead and caught up with Abner.  We cannot be disheartened by the death of our brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they are unjustly killed, but must be even more determined to continue in the battle against evil.  Of course, I don't think we should act out of anger and we should have all the facts before we act, and everything should be done under the guidance of God.  Verse twenty-five adds, And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.  All of the men of Benjamin, who were noted as being men of valor, stood with Abner.  We should not become disheartened if great forces stand against us today, but should rely on our faith in God even more.  Verse twenty-six continues, Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? 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?  Abner appealed to Joab for peace, so that those who were called to be God's people would not continue killing each other and become bitter towards one another.  As Matthew Henry points out, Abner was responsible for the battle to start with, and now that he had been basically defeated, he wanted peace.  He also points out that had Abner had the upper hand, he might not have been so inclined to desire peace.  We need to be careful that we as Christians do not begin to battle one another and become bitter.  Verse twenty-seven states, And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.  Joab said as surely as God lives, which is an absolute certainty, that had Abner not spoken up, there certainly would have been war come morning.  We sometimes may need to simply talk to one another to avoid hostility toward one another, especially our Christian brothers and sisters.  Verse twenty-eight adds, So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.  Joab sounded the trumpet, and the war against Abner and his troops ended.  Matthew Henry also points out that Joab knew that David wouldn't approve of them killing any of God's chosen people.  God will still never approve of Christians battling one another.  One day, God is going to sound the trumpet and all war is going to end, but until He does, we need to make sure that our fighting is not with our fellow Christians.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.  Abner and his troops went on an all night march to put distance between Joab and them.  There is coming a day when all of God's enemies are going to retreat, but it will do them no good.  Verse thirty says, And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.  When Joab gathered his troops, they had lost nineteen men, plus Asahel, which would have included the initial twelve I assume. Though their loss wasn't that great, they had lost men to their fellow Israelites.  Even if our losses aren't great, I don't believe that God will ever approve of Christians fighting each other, much less killing each other.  This will never bring honor and glory to God.  Verse thirty-one adds, But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.  Abner’s forces weren't so fortunate.   They had lost three- hundred and sixty men.  Of course, they were the ones who were not following God's plan, because God had anointed David king.  Still, they were a part of God's Chosen People, and they should have never been at war with others of God's people.  Whether we are on the winning or losing side in a fight amongst God's people, God will never approve of the battle.  The Philistines and other enemies of Israel were probably enjoying the fact that they were fighting amongst themselves, just as people of the world enjoy seeing followers of Christ fighting against one another today.  Verse thirty-two continues, And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.  Joab and his men took Asahel and buried him with his father in Bethlehem, and then they traveled all night to get back to Hedron.  They had ceased in their battle against Abner and his troops and returned to where David was.  We need to cease in our battle with other Christians if we are having one and return to where God is.