Since Saul’s death the House of David and the House of Saul had been at war with each other.  Although the verse uses the word “war” it was not constant war but flashes of fighting did break out between the two houses and hostility existed throughout this period. God’s promise was that David would succeed Saul on the throne. Several years had now passed and David was only king of his tribe Judah. Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s youngest son was king over all the Northern tribes of Israel but only as puppet ruler, dependent on the loyalty of Abner military commander of Saul’s army who only  gave his support as a way to pave the way for usurping  Ish-Bosheth and crowning himself as king.  David must have found the situation frustrating, that after so many years after Saul’s death he still had not been crowned king over all Israel. When God chose David no situation however serious would prevent this from happening. David had to go through a period of preparation.  

We all have the tendency to become impatient but the Holy Spirit has given us the fruit of patience and God’s timing is never too early or too late. David made many mistakes: some extremely unwise and failed on many occasions to make the right choice. In this passage the murder of Abner was as a direct result of David’s choice of excluding his own military commander Joab from the celebratory meeting when an agreement was suggested. One of the great things about the bible is that it does not gloss over the failures of its heroes. David messed up, yet in 1 Sam 13:14 he was still entitled to be called “a man after God’s heart.”  Why?  He absolutely refused to love and trust any other God except Lord God.  David always confessed his unworthiness, always sought God’s forgiveness and always pledged to walk in the path of righteousness. David asked God for an undivided heart and God gave it to him. When he finally became king over all of Israel, he lifted the nation to a level that has been regarded as Israel’s Golden age.

It is comforting to know that God can handle our failures. He doesn’t even mind when we complain to Him. What God requires is our undivided attention.  Are we willing to do just that?

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To think about and lead into prayer:

“ Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” Psalm 27: 14