2 Samuel 3:28

2 Samuel 3:28 says, And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:   When David heard of the death of Abner, he pronounced his kingdom and himself innocent of his death.  Since David and Abner had opposed each other in the past, people may have assumed that David had used their making peace as a ruse to have Abner killed while his guard was down, but David said neither he nor anyone acting under his orders was responsible for his death.  People still may at times use the name of Christian leaders to attempt to get their way, even if it is not God's way.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.  David said that the consequences of killing Abner should fall on not only Joab but his whole house as well.  Though Matthew Henry seems to say that this was a delayed justice which hurt even more, we know that no one else is punished for our sins nor are we punished for theirs.  Verse thirty adds, So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.  David said Joab and Abishai had slain Abner to avenge their brother's death, though we aren't really told that Abishai was involved.  As followers of Christ, we should never act out of revenge toward our fellow believers, and we certainly should never want them dead.  I believe this should apply not just to our fellow Christians, but to everyone.  We are called to share the gospel and love our neighbors.  Verse thirty-one states, And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.  David told Joab to sincerely mourn the death of Abner, even though he was the one who had killed him.  We should always mourn the death of a fellow Christian, and Abner and Joab were both a part of the nation of Israel, God's chosen people.  David joined in the mourning.  Verse thirty-two adds, And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. When Abner was buried, David lifted up his voice in mourning and wept, and the people joined him.  We need to mourn the death of our fellow believers today, especially those who have been great warriors in God's army.  Verse thirty-three says, And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?  As David lamented Abner, he asked if he had died as a fool.  Verse thirty-four adds, Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.  David said that Abner did not die as a fool nor as one deserving of death but as one who put his trust in someone who was supposed to be an ally.  Hopefully, we will never be betrayed by our fellow Christians, especially if it is done as revenge for some perceived harm wechave done to them.  Verse thirty-five states, And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.  The people tried to get David to eat, but he said let God strike him down as well if he ate anything before the sun went down.  His mourning of Abner was not just for show but was sincere.  We should always be sincere when we mourn for people and not just go through the motions for show.  Verse thirty-six adds, And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.  The people took notice of David's sincere mourning and were pleased by it.  Verse thirty-seven continues, For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.  Matthew Henry says this convinced them that David was in no way involved in Abner’s death, though that wasn't why he did it.  Verse thirty-eight states, And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?  David asked if the people didn't know that a great man of Israel had fallen that day.  Even though they had their differences in the past, David recognized the loss of a great warrior for Israel who had been killed by the betrayal of one of his supposed allies, if not friend.  No matter if we have been at odds with our fellow believers in Christ, we should be saddened by their passing, especially if they are unjustly slain.  This should apply to Christians everywhere who die unjustly and not just those who are closest to us. Verse thirty-nine adds, And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.  David said though he was anointed king, he was made weak by the treachery of Joab and Abishai and that God would deal with them.  We should never seek revenge on our but should leave any punishment for sin up to God. 

1 Samuel 3:22

1 Samuel 3:22 says, And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.  When Joab returned after a successful pursuit of some troops, Abner was not at Hebron, because David had sent him away in peace.  Joab was a leader in David’s army, and he hated Abner because he had killed his brother,  even though he did it reluctantly.  Sometimes, Christians can hold grudges against their fellow Christians for something that happened in the past or even because thay feel their position in the church is threatened by them.  Verse twenty-three adds, When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.  Those who were with Joab brought him news of Abner making peace with David.  This was not good news to Joab.  If we share the news that those we hate or dislike have made peace with a fellow Christian over past differences, we may tend to not think of this as good news, even though we should.  Verse twenty-four continues, Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?  Joab came to David questioning why he had sent Abner away.  He would have preferred that Davhad killed Abner instead of sending him away in peace.  We need to remember that in spite of the differences, they were all a part of God's Chosen people.  Abner had not been there when Samuel at God's direction anointed David as king, so he may have thought that Saul's son was the legitimate heir to the throne.  Christians can still have disagreements today with both believing they are right, but if so, we should rejoice and not be angry if they reach a state of peace with each other.  Verse twenty-five concludes, Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.  Joab basically accused David of not knowing what he was doing.  He accused Abner of coming there to spy on David.  He should have trusted David’s judgment instead, but that didn't agree with his desire that Abner be killed.  We cannot allow personal feelings about someone keep us from welcoming them into God's family or them mending relationships if they have been at odds with our fellow Christians and us.  We should also never believe that our opinion is always right.  Verse twenty-six states, And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.  After he left David, Joab sent messengers to Abner asking hiim to meet him and David knew nothing about this.  Matthew Henry says that Joab had the messengers say that David was the one who authorized the meeting.  Hopefully, if we are involved in something that is really only being done for our personal revenge, we will not use other Christians to achieve our purpose.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.  When Abner returned, Joab took him aside as if he wanted to talk to him, but ambushed and killed him instead to avenge the death of Asahel.  Of course, not only had Abner not ambushed Asahel, he had done his best not to fight him at all.  Instead of challenging Abner to a fight to settle their differences, which would still not have been in keeping with David’s making peace with him, Joab killed him without even giving him as chance to protect himself.  We certainly don't need to act underhandedly when we deal with our fellow Christians, even if we believe they have done us serious harm.

2 Samuel 3:13

2 Samuel 3:13 says, And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.  David agreed to make peace with Abner, but only if Abner brought Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s first wife to him.  Matthew Henry said David still loved her and that she was really his wife under God's plan for marriage.  We may have marriages end today, but this was never God's plan. Verse fourteen adds, And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. David then sent word to Ishbosheth telling him to send Michal to him, since she became his wife when he paid Saul’s dowry.  We know that she loved David then, but I have to wonder how she felt now, since he had allowed her to be married to someone else without attempting to rescue her.  She still had no say in the matter.  If we truly love someone, we should put their safety and happiness above our own, no matter what the situation may be.  Verse fifteen continues, And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.  Ishbosheth did as David asked, taking Michal from her husband.  Though Ishbosheth had been proclaimed king, he was still obeying David’s command.  He was not willing to defy David, and many so called rulers are really afraid of other powerful figures today.  Verse sixteen states, And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.  Phaltiel is the other one in the situation who could be overlooked.  He had his wife taken from him, and followed her while crying to Bahurim.  Still, he knew that she was David’s wife when he married her, so the problem was partly of his own making.  Unless we follow God's plan for marriage, which does give legitimate reasons for divorce, there will always be people who are hurt.  Verse seventeen adds, And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: Abner, I believe still looking out for his best interests, then talked to the elders of Israel, saying that they had sought David as king in the past.  He was making it their idea and not his.  People still do this today, making their getting what they want from us seem like it is our idea to start with.  Verse eighteen continues, Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.  Abner now told them to make David king because God had ordained it.  Of course, this was after he started losing the war with David after he had ordained Ishbosheth king.  If he knew this was God's plan, then he had been in defiance not only of David but of God as well.  It is bad enough if we oppose God's chosen leaders, but I believe it is even worse if we then profess to know that He had called them to start with. Verse nineteen says, And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.  Abner next spoke with the people of Benjamin, his own tribe.  If we are going to switch sides, which is what we do when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, it is always best to let our immediate family know this first.  Verse twenty adds, So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.  This time,  Abner came to David openly and with twenty of his men, and David made a feast to share with them.  Though they had been enemies, they were now on the same side.  We may be enemies of someone today who is not a Christian, but if they accept the salvation of Christ, we need to rejoice with them and welcome them openly.  Verse twenty-one continues, And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.  Abner then told David that he would go and gather all of Israel to serve under David as their king, and David sent him away in peace.  David would then be what God had ordained him to be long before now.  Sometimes,  we may have to wait to become what God has called us to be, but if so, it shouldn't be because of our reluctance to do so.

2 Samuel 3:1

2 Samuel 3:1 says, Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.  Those following David as king and those following Saul’s son Ishbosheth as king continued to fight, but David and his followers grew stronger while those following Saul's son grew weaker weaker.  The followers of Christ may not grow stronger in this lifetime as David did, and though they were all Israelites, he was the one ordained by God. but we will one day have the everlasting victory.  Verse two adds, And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;  We are now told of the birth of some of David's sons, all by different women, and we know this certainly wasn't in accordance with God's plan for marriage and the family.  Christians still make at times commit sins today in terms of marriage and family, but that doesn't mean that God gives up on them and casts them out of His family, but it also doesn't mean that it was ever acceptable to Him nor within His will.  The next few verses list more of David's children and names of their mothers.  Verse three states, And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;  Verse four adds, And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; Verse five continues,  And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.  Verse six states, And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.  The war continued between those following David and those following Saul’s son Ishbosheth, who was basically giving Abner the power.  Abner had anointed him king after all.  Abner had made himself even stronger in the house of Saul.  We do know that there is always someone who will assume the role of authority among those who fight against the followers of Christ today.  Verse seven adds, And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?  Evidently in making himself stronger with those following Ishbosheth, Abner began a relationship with one of Saul's concubines, and Ishbosheth asked him why he had done this.  Ishbosheth was after all the ordained king, even if he was not ordained by God, and therefore had the right to question Abner, but Abner resented it. There is often disagreement and power struggles with those who are not Christians today, but we don't need the same thing to happen among those who are.  Verse eight continues, Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?  Abner asked Ishbosheth if he thought Abner was like a dog with no rights, even though he had kept Ishbosheth from being delivered into David's hand.  Of course, we have no evidence that David ever had any ill intentions toward Ishbosheth, at least before Abner anointed him king and started fighting against David.  People of the world today still often believe that it is their right to do whatever they want to do, even if they aren't the official ruler.  Verse nine states, So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;  Abner basically said that he was the power behind Ishbosheth being king.  He had a strongly elevated opinion of himself, even to the point of defying both David and God to anoint Ishbosheth king.  There are still to many people who are fighting against God today who have an elevated opinion of themselves.  Verse ten adds, To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.  Abner continued to speak about how he had kept the entire kingdom from following David as king.  Verse eleven continues, And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.  Ishbosheth, though anointed king by Abner, but not by God, could not answer Abner, because he was afraid of him.  It would seem that Ishbosheth was more a figurehead than a real king.  Some supposed rulers today are still the same way, fearing those closest to them and being afraid to speak out against them.  Verse twelve concludes, And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.  Abner now sent a messenger to David proposing that he join forces with David and deliver all of Israel to David's rule.  Of course, Abner was still placing himself in a position of importance if not power. Switching sides is nothing unusual in the rulers of the world today.

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.

2 Samuel 2:1

2 Samuel 2:1 says, And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.  David did not immediately attack the Philistines occupying Israel, but he first consulted God about whether he should or not, and God told him to go.  We should always pray before we take any action, especially any that might be taken rashly out of anger.  David then asked God where he should go and God told him Hebron.  If God is telling us to go, we need to make sure we know where He is telling us to go. Verse two adds, So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite.  David, who was now indeed king whether the majority of the people of Israel knew it or not, took his two wives and went as God had told him to do.  There would really be no need to return, as there is no need for us to return to where we were before answering God's call, especially the call to salvation.  Verse three continues, And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.  David also brought his men and all their households with him and they lived in Hebron.  After we have responded to God's call, we need to bring as many people to Him to join us in the battle against evil as we can.  Verse four states, And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.  The people of Hebron anointed David as their king, but he had already been anointed as king of Israel by God through Samuel.  Once we are called to a particular role by God, it is nice to have people acknowledge it, but not necessary, and if God hasn't called us, then the appointment by people does not matter.  Verse five adds, And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.  David had been told of the fact that the men of Jabeshgilead had buried Saul, and he sent messengers to thank them for their kindness in doing this.  We should always be thankful for the good works of others and let them know that we are.  Verse six continues, And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.  David said that as they had shown kindness to Saul in buring his sons and him, that David was going to need them to show kindness to him.  He did not make demands on them.  We should go to people asking for their help if we need it and never attempt to demand it, even though David as king could have.  Verse seven concludes, Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.  David asked them to be valiant for their master Saul and said that the people of Hebron had anointed him as their king.  He didn't mention Samuel anointing him years before under God's authority, since Samuel was dead and this would have been harder to verify.  Though ultimately God's call is all that matters, it is always better if other people can verify the fact that they know this to be true also.  Verse eight adds, But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;  Abner, the captain of Saul's army took Ishbosheth, one of Saul's sons who had not been killed, and brought him to Mahanaim.  Abner evidently felt that he was the authority, even though Israel had been defeated and Saul killed while he was in charge of the army.  Some people today who have failed to do what they are called to do still want the authority to do it.  Verse nine adds, And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.  Abner anointed Ishbosheth as king over all of Israel, without consulting God.  There are still people who assume authority in God's kingdom that God has not given them.  Verse ten says, Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.  Ishbosheth reigned over Israel for two years starting when he was forty, except for Hebron, which acknowledged David as king.  Having many people acknowledge them as being the one to fill a particular position does not mean that God appointed them to it.  Verse eleven adds, And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.  David was king of Hebron for seven years and six months.  He still was not claiming his God anointed role as king over all of Israel and evidently the Philistines were not giving them too much trouble.  Once we know what God has called us to do, we shouldn't be content in doing any less.

2 Samuel 2:12

2 Samuel 2:12 says, And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.  Verse thirteen adds, And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.  Abner and the servants of Saul's son that he had anointed king and Joab and the servants of David ended up on different sides of a pool one morning.  Evidently, there was very little interaction between the two groups.  We may have two groups of people today who both claim to be God's people, but one may be basing this on man-made laws instead of God's laws.  Verse fourteen continues, And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.  Abner, who had basically assumed authority of Israel even though he had ordained Saul's son Ishbosheth as king, proposed a contest between his men and Joab's or David’s men,and Joab agreed.  Though it says let them play, we will see that this was a deadly contest.  We need to be careful that we don't get into contests with the people of the world today just to prove who is better, and especially without first consulting God about the matter.  Verse fifteen states, Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.  Twelve men from each side went out to face each other.  Verse sixteen adds, And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.  The twelve men from each side killed each other, so this was hardly playing or a game.  If we begin to play games with people of the world, it may become deadly,  particularly if we are just attempting to show off.  Verse seventeen continues, And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. This resulted in a great battle, which Abner's forces lost.  Even though God was not consulted before the original contest and maybe not afterward, those who were serving His anointed king were victorious.  As Christians we may act without consulting God today, but we are still ultimately going to be the victors in the battle with those who are not.  Verse eighteen says, And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.  The three sons of Zeruiah, Joab, Abishai and Asahel were there, and Asahel was a fast runner.   Verse nineteen adds, And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.  After being defeated, Abner had evidently fled, and Asahel chased him, not turning aside at all.  He was only focused on catching Abner without giving a lot of thought about what he would do if he caught him.  We can't get so focused on what we have decided to do that we forget to ask for God's guidance in the situation and also without knowing what we are going to do if we achieve our goal.  Verse twenty states, Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.  Abner saw Asahel pursuing him, and he had caught up enough for Abner to identify him and know who he was.  Verse twenty-one adds,  And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.  Abner asked Asahel to turn aside and take as a prisoner or kill one of his young troops and take his armor. Asahel was still determined to capture or kill Abner, and nothing less was going to satisfy him, even though he had placed himself in a dangerous situation.  We should never just doggedly follow our own plan without thinking about all the consequences.  Verse twenty-two continues, And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?  Abner wasn't asking Asahel to turn aside because he was afraid of him, but because he was afraid of Joab if he did kill him.  Non Christians may not be afraid of us today, but they certainly should be afraid of our God Whom we represent.  That is not to compare Joab to God, but to say that he was a representative of God since he served David, who was anointed by God.  Verse twenty-three concludes, Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.  Abner killed Asahel, and everyone who passed the point where this happened would pause to note his death.  Abner had used a sneaky move we might say to kill Asahel, and all of his swiftness did Asahel no good.  The skills that we are most proud of may be of no use to us in the battle against evil in the world today, and our pride in them may lead us to do rash things.