Answering a Question

Years ago, as a young missionary, I was asked to explain why King David did not treat General Joab better. At one point, Joab accused David of loving his enemies (like Absalom his son) while hating his loyal servants (like Joab himself). [1]

I understood why David was angry at Joab for killing his son Absalom. Absalom had stirred up national rebellion and a military coup against his father. David wanted the coup stopped, but he gave specific orders for Absalom not to be harmed. Joab defied David’s orders. Despite protests from his soldiers, Joab killed Absalom. Joab’s lust for revenge on Absalom (Absalom set Joab’s crops on fire) exceeded his loyalty to his king. [2]

Absalom was the second important person to King David that Joab murdered. Joab also murdered Abner for killing his brother Asahel. Abner was the general of King Saul, and he became Saul’s son’s general after Saul died in battle. The northern tribes of Israel followed King Saul’s son Ishbosheth. So, a civil was ensuing, but then Abner, wisely, made peace with David. He agreed to unite all Israel under David. But then, short-sighted Joab, betrayed and murdered Abner. Once again, General Joab placed lust for revenge above what was best for the nation. [3]

The Lord recorded these stories in the Bible to help us understand that the world does not revolve one human being. God created and He sustains the universe. The hero of the Adam’s race is God. Only God can help us to see the big picture. Only God can help anyone do what is best for all involved: Jesus Christ.

The Lord gave David a word about those who serve selfish interests, saying, “Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.” [4]

The deceiver, the devil, has mastered the art of the bad deal. He gets people to exchange the eternal treasures of God for the fleeting glories and pleasures of the world.

God helped David to see beyond this life and to declare, “God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me.” [5]

The Lord advises us not to be like angry chickens who kill the chicken who got the worm.

“Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lives, he blesses himself (for men will praise you when you do well for yourself), He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish.” [6]

Joab’s life did not end well.

I feel for victims and perpetrators of killings. If only the perpetrators had known that someone already made a sacrifice for the injustices in this world. Jesus atoned for the wrong-doings of others and He fills those who believe in Him with His Spirit of love and forgiveness.

The Lord says, “A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; let no one help him.” [7] So true! So many mass killers kill themselves and go to the pit.

Did anyone ever reach out to them with the love of Christ? They needed to be corrected. Their trajectory was straying from a good path. The Lord says, “He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue.” [8]

At the Nuremburg trials, some doctors and lawyers were tried for following the laws of their government even though they hated to do so. Their advocate pointed out to the judges that the US incinerated an estimated 214,000 civilians within minutes with the H-bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Many have died since then from the after effects. Those deaths helped to speed the surrender of Japan and to end the war but were still a very sad loss of lives.

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” [9] How many wars are started and kept going as a backdoor method to pad the pockets of people who already have more than they need?

King David’s son, Solomon, wrote, “The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding searches him out.” [10]

I have been with poor people in China who really knew how to socialize and to care for one another. While others were talking about material things and self-glory, they living together as good neighbors. They thanked God for their blessings.

Some rulers are focused like a laser on accumulating wealth and adulation. The Lord says, “A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.” [11]

The Apostle Paul had the following message for his listeners, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” [12]

Jesus Christ had the same message for His listeners, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” [13]

God is merciful to those who repent. “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” [14]

God is able to cleanse and make anew the foulest heart of sinners, if they ask Him to do so as David did, with heartfelt repentance: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.” [15] David had an innocent man killed in a failed attempt to cover up his adulterous affairs with that man’s wife. He was guilty of bloodshed. He repented and the Lord forgave him.

David extolled the value of repentance when he wrote, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” [16]

Salvation and redemption is available to everyone in Christ Jesus. Jesus can save us from ending up like Joab. Let us ask the Lord to examine our hearts, to identify for us any wicked ways within us, and to graciously grant us the gift of repentance and renewal by His Spirit. The Lord will continue to enlarge heart of love toward Him and our neighbor.

The good news is: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” [17] The Lord wants you just as much as the other to be saved and to enjoy being with Him forever.

[1] 2 Samuel 19:4
[2] 2 Samuel 14:29 – 18:14
[3] 2 Samuel 3:6-39
[4] Psalm 49:11-12
[5] Psalm 49:15
[6] Psalm 49:16-20
[7] Proverbs 28:17
[8] Proverbs 28:23
[9] James 4:1
[10] Proverbs 28:11
[11] Proverbs 28:16
[12] Acts 26:20
[13] Luke 13:3
[14] Proverbs 28:13
[15] Psalm 51:10-14
[16] Psalm 51:17
[17] 1 Timoty 2:3-5