Because David seeks to obey God, he receives a peace that makes it possiblefor him to become a peacemaker. - P77
Abner, on the other hand, focuses on hischanging circumstances and his anxiety causes him to make choices that leadto war. - P77
Today, refrain from using your power to defend your interests. Instead,
devote your attention and strength to obeying the commands God gives toand ask Him to make you an instrument of His peace. - P77
22 Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Whyshould I strike you down? How could I look your broth-er Joab in the face?"
23 But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abnerthrust the butt of his spear into Asahel‘s stomach, andthe spear came out through his back. He fell there anddied on the spot. And every man stopped when he cameto the place where Asahel had fallen and died. - P80
32 They took Asahel and buried him in his father‘s tombat Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all nightand arrived at Hebron by daybreak. - P81
Abner and Joab, one of David‘s men, set twelve young men from each side tofight against each other and they die at each other‘s daggers. - P79
Joab‘s brotherAsahel pursues Abner, and Abner warns him to stop his chase. Asahel ignoresAbner, so Abner kills him. As the sun is setting, Abner asks for a ceasefire, andJoab agrees. - P79
During King Saul‘s reign, the Israelites suffered great losses in battleswith foreign enemies, but on this day they fall at the hands of their owncountrymen. - P82
Abner and Ish-Bosheth set themselves
up against Davidand his men, refusing to acknowledge David as king. As a result, manymen lose their lives. - P82
The sin of pride can cause a lot of damage-notonly to individuals but to entire communities as well. - P82
Our Lord JesusChrist showed us a better way to live by modeling a life of humility.
- P82
He taught us that true greatness is attained by serving others. - P82
As weimitate Christ, we will experience great blessing for both ourselves andall those around us. - P82
After a long and bloody day of fighting, Joab continues to pursue Abner and his soldiers. - P82
Abner calls out to Joab and asks him to consider aceasefire, for they have suffered enough bloodshed. Though Abner is theone who initiated the fight in rebellion against God‘s will, Joab agrees toAbner‘s plea and commands his men to stop fighting. - P82
When we experience conflict within the
family of God, we should always seek peacefulresolution, no matter who is in the wrong. - P82
One of the things that helpsin resolving conflict is to try to see things from the other person‘s perspective. - P82
We may not necessarily agree with them, but we should stilltreat them with the love and grace that Jesus Christ showed toward us. - P82
Heavenly Father, give me the grace and wisdom to always live humbly andrespond graciously to those I disagree with. - P83
Help me to always seek to under-stand more than to be understood. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P83
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