August 22, 2025 • 37 mins
Chapter 19 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 2 Samuel 2:8-37.
A Civil War Begins - David is forced to go to war with Ish-bosheth, the remaining son of King Saul. A brutal battle for the heart of God’s people begins, and there is no clear light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans and I'm excited for you
to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be
sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so
you get the newest episodes right as they come out.
Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David. A story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:20):
and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
few know about David the man. In this episode, the
stability of the nation is in peril. David is more
in the background of this episode, allowing us to get
more acquainted with a few key characters. Abner, the commander
of Saul's army, and the three brothers Joe, Abba, Abashah,
(00:43):
and Ashiel. They are on the front lines of a
new civil war that has broken out between Judah and Israel.
Ispra Chef SAAL's son plans to punish Judah for making
David king. The battle that we witness and this this
episode is not conventional since they are Hebrews. No matter
(01:04):
what the result of this war turns out to be,
it seems like there will be no winners. Whoever is
victorious will be sold by killing their fellow Israelites. The
difference between David's army and Abner's army will become clear
and reveal a key difference between the old regime and
the new regime. David seeks to build his nation on
a strong and firm foundation. He will most likely succeed,
(01:28):
but at what cost. This episode features the death of
a beloved figure, reminding us that this is not a
fairy tale. But first we begin with the prelude. We
will be taken forward in time to Jesus. He will
teach us about bearing fruit and building on a firm foundation.
His wisdom will give us the correct lens by which
to judge the struggle of David and Abne. When we
(01:51):
take Jesus's words and apply them to the Old Testament,
we are given the greater perspective of each story. Listen
carefully to Jesus's words and hold them up as a
filter by which to see Episode nineteen, A civil war begins.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Prelude to chapter nineteen. Jesus rose to his feet. The
wind began to pick up behind him. He took a
deep breath, being mindful of every word he was about
to say.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Next, treat others the way you wish to be treated.
This is the true heart behind the law of God.
And understand this that the gate to the Kingdom of
Heaven is narrow. There are many other paths that are
easy and wide open. However, its ease is deceptive. It
(02:46):
is the way of death. The true path of God
is hard. It requires sacrifice, struggle, and humility. This is
why many will choose to avoid it and ultimately perish.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Jesus began to walk down the hill and place his
hand on people's shoulders as he passed through the crowd.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Every healthy and good tree bears fruit that people can enjoy.
Every bad tree produces thorns and poison. The same as
with our hearts. A good heart will produce good actions.
Likewise a bad heart will produce corrupt actions. Words are
(03:31):
not enough. Not everyone who declares to know God actually
knows him personally. Be mindful that you seek him in
spirit and truth.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Jesus was now behind the crowd. He looked down and
saw a stone the size of his palm on the ground.
He picked it up and held it up in the
air for all to see, and said.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts upon them,
it is like a wise person who built their house
on a firm foundation. When the rain fell and the
floods came, their house was sturdy and resilient. Yet there
will be those who do not listen and do not
do these things. They are like people who build their
(04:19):
homes on wavering sound. When troubleds come, they will.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Be washed away.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Jesus looked at the crowd one final time, smiled, and
dropped the stone. He departed with his disciples. The crowd
simply stood there, astonished. Chapter nineteen, A civil war begins.
Resting on a high place overlooking the land of Gibea
(04:46):
was the palace of the dead King Saul. Its large
stone structure was a monument to Israel's first king. Within
its walls, the elders of Israel convened to choose the
next king. News of david It's anointing over Judah had
reached the other tribes of Israel, and they knew there
was a choice that had.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
To be made.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Would they gather around the newly anointed king David, or
would they give the throne to Sal's heir ishbosheth torchlights
were mounted on the dark stone walls of SAAL's throne room,
Ishbosheth sat on the throne before the elders, listening to
them deliberate. Before him, Beside the prince was Abner, commander
of Saul's armies. He had escaped the onslaught of Mount
(05:29):
Gilboa and had returned to usher in the next king.
To him, Ishboshaf was the clear choice. He was of
Sal's bloodline and represented tradition and stability for the new kingdom.
Abner spoke to the elders, reassuring them that Ishboshaf was
the rightful and wise choice to be king.
Speaker 5 (05:48):
Elders of Israel, if we pivot now from the royal
bloodline of King Salt, it communicates to the people that
any mongrel can become king if he is likable enough.
If we do not affirm Ishbashev as rightful king, we
set a precedent for every king that comes afterwards. We
(06:09):
do not want any commander, insurrectionist or shepherd thinking they
can claim the throne. The instability would ruin our nation
before it has a chance to flourish.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Many of the elders nodded in agreement. Ishbosheth, as unimpressive
and passive as he was, represented a sense of control. However,
not all were convinced.
Speaker 6 (06:32):
Jonathan was the rightful heir before.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
He was killed. One of them said, yet.
Speaker 6 (06:36):
Even Jonathan recognized David as the next to take the throne,
he gave him his armor and ring. If I'm not mistaken,
what shall we say to those who believe David to
be the anointed king?
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Ishbochef stirred in place. The throne seemed too large for him. Saul,
being a massive man in personality and stature, seemed to
fill it much better than he before Ishbosheth could respond,
Abner interjected.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
Jonathan never wanted the throne to begin with.
Speaker 5 (07:04):
His affirmation of David was purely because he did not
want the mantle himself.
Speaker 6 (07:10):
Why say you, then, Ishboche, do you desire to be king?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
The elders asked. Ishboschev gave a wry smile. Of course,
he said, in a condescending tone.
Speaker 8 (07:22):
If anyone deserves to be king, it is I. I
am Sal's remaining's son, and all this deliberation between me
and David vexes me. I will continue my father's legacy,
mount further attacks on the Philistines, and reclaim the dignity
of our nation.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Ishboschef stood to his feet and walked among the elders.
Speaker 8 (07:43):
You kentucktail and run to Judah for all I care. However,
the glory of Israel and the throne established by Samuel
and my father remains here in Gibeah with me.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
The elder stirred.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Annoyed at Ishbosheth's tone, Abner cleared his throat and escorted
Ishboshev back to the king's quarters. The prince left, and
Abner was alone with the elders. He opened his arms
and shrugged.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
My brothers.
Speaker 7 (08:10):
We are at a crucial point.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
The Philistines have delivered a devastating blow and taken parts of.
Speaker 7 (08:18):
Our country by force.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
To uproot a system set by our king and established
David would be unwise. Our people need reassurance that what
Saul began will be finished. I assure you, as his
cousin and his commander, that I will get it done.
We are all aware of the rumors regarding Ishbashev's mother
(08:40):
and the sins he was.
Speaker 7 (08:41):
Born from them.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
However, Ishbashev will be king in name only. I will
lead us to victory. Then, after the dust settled, we
can discuss the future of the throne.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
The elders pondered Abner's words in front of the throne
where Saul once at. They agreed to make Apo chef king,
yet Abner would be the one to lead the nation.
The sun was high above hebron and the heat of
the afternoon beat down on David's neck. Sweat dripped from
his forehead onto the dust below. He pulled back his
(09:17):
curls and gripped his sword firmly. He set his right
foot back, held his shield up with his left arm,
and swung violently down at a wooden beam beside him.
The metal split the wood, and splinters went flying past
his face. He pulled his sword up and looked at
the men standing near him.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
The power of your strike comes from the firmness of
your stance, he explained. If your feet are unstable, you
sacrifice momentum in your swing. Everything begins with your foundation.
If your foundation is not secure, you are destined to collapse.
It is like a house built on sand. If you
(09:56):
are not on solid ground, anything can blow you down.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
The young men standing at attention nodded. They mimicked David's movements.
David was pleased with their improvements. It had only been
a few days since his coronation is king, and there
was much to be done. David knew that the safety
of his kingdom had to be his top priority, so
he attended to his army personally. However, now that he
(10:21):
was king, his time to train and command the men
would wane. He needed a commander. Abishi approached David and
bowed my king, he said reverently. David smirked and gave
a chuckle.
Speaker 4 (10:35):
That would take getting used to. Abishai, forgive me if
I seemen barrissed.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
The two of them laughed and began walking towards the barracks.
Assahal Abishai's swift younger brother joined them. I am eager
to meet your brother, David said, I hear he is
an excellent tactician and has served the tribe of Judah
well in training up their army.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Abishi nodded, Yes, our.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Brother, Joe ab has only ever been good at one thing, warfare.
He was a faithful commander in Saul's army and more
recently the leader of the.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Ranks of Judah. David nodded, I am sure he will
serve us well. We will need a well trained leader
to lead us against the Philistines. They reached the barracks,
where Joab was giving orders to the blacksmith. He instructed
them on the necessary mold and shape of the hilts.
David was impressed with the way he carried himself. He
was clearly a military man, rough, straight as an arrow,
(11:32):
and serious. Along with Abeshi and Assahal, Joab was his
sister's son. However, he was older than David, and the
two had never met. Joe Ab stood a head taller
than most of the men. His broad shoulders were set back,
revealing his muscular chest and battle worn arms. David approached
and Joab bowed immediately.
Speaker 9 (11:54):
My king, it is good to finally have you here
to lead us.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
David gestured for Joab to stand. I am in need
of a great deal of help. Joe Ab, and your
two brothers tell me you are the perfect man to
lead our army.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Abeshi and Assahl smiled at their older brother. Joab smiled
in return and nodded to David.
Speaker 9 (12:15):
Thank you for taking care of my brothers while they
were with you in the wilderness. I feared for their
safety often, but I knew they were in good hands.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Joab broke his stern demeanor for a moment to bring
Assahl close under his arms.
Speaker 9 (12:28):
My brothers are more important to me than any richest
one could gain. I am proud that they decided to
follow you.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
David chuckled to see Assahl treated like a beloved child.
He did not receive such affection from his brother's growing up,
and now that he was king, never would. David gestured
for joe Ab to walk with him, and the two
spoke for a long while about strategy, security, and protecting
God's people. Where would you have us begin, Joab? There
(12:55):
are many threats coming from outside our borders. How do
we decide which requires our tension most? Joab answered immediately
and matter of factly. He did not pass words or
filter his thoughts politically. He spoke clearly, saying the.
Speaker 9 (13:10):
Largest threat to you and your people are not from
the outside, but from within our borders. The rest of
Israel has chosen Ishbauschef as their king, and Abner is
at the command of his army. I have reliable sources
that tell me Abner is seeking to attack us soon.
He desires to secure the entire nation under Ishbaschev.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
David pondered for a moment, he did not want to
march against the children of God. It seemed unsavory and divisive. However,
he could not ignore the threat. This means civil war,
David said quietly. Joe Ab nodded. The two men continued walking,
watching the men train and prepare. Our men are far
(13:51):
more skilled and loyal, David said, I know we will
be able to handle any attack with few casualties. I
say march up against Abner and make the first battle
as decisive as possible. Perhaps it will only take one
battle to establish our strength.
Speaker 9 (14:10):
That is wise, my king. I shall gather about five
hundred of our best men and meet Abner in the middle.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Joab bowed and left, but David stopped and called for
Joab again.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Joab, in all things, remember that the Lord honors a
merciful heart.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Joab winced at the words, but bowed his head in deference.
He then gathered the men and marched towards Abner. The
two sister kingdoms of Israel and Judah met at Gibeon
beside a brook flowing into a small pool. Trees surrounded them,
and the morning fog slithered low beside the trunks. All
(14:49):
was calm, for a while. Both armies camped on either
side of the river, awkwardly staring at the others. There
was something ominous about this upcoming battle. The men were
about to fight against their fellow Hebrews. The thought of
slaying one another left them uneasy. The morning light shined
through the fog and dispersed in a thousand different directions.
(15:11):
The brook quietly trickled downstream into the pool. Dragonflies hovered
over the calm waters, and fish popped up to catch them.
Beside the tranquil water in the coolness of the morning
sat Joab and Abner. The two sat on either side
of the pool, with their swords securely in their sheaths.
They came to speak about the terms of battle. They
(15:32):
realized that if the nation was going to be united again,
they could not wipe each other out completely. They needed
ground rules. Abner and Joe Ab stared at each other
for a while, sizing each other up. Abner broke the silence.
Speaker 5 (15:46):
First, we have more tribes on our side, Joab, there
is no need to battle at all. If Judah would
concede to Isbasha as king.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
Joe Ab shook his head.
Speaker 9 (15:57):
Abner, you and I both know that the tribe of
Judah alone matches the rest of the tribes in size.
It is not a matter of size or resource. It
is a matter of principle.
Speaker 7 (16:07):
You and your principles.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
Abner scoffed.
Speaker 7 (16:11):
I know what this is really about, Joab.
Speaker 5 (16:13):
You were passed up by me as commander of Saul's army.
Speaker 7 (16:17):
Now you back an.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
Illegitimate king because he will give you command of an
army when Saul would not.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Joeab gripped the hilt of his sword but did not
draw it. His jaw clenched as he tried to compose himself.
Speaker 9 (16:29):
I do not think you wish to talk about the
legitimacy of kings, Abner, when you and I both know
Ishbochef is the son of a whore.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Abner stood abruptly to his feet in anger, but Joe
Ab did not back down.
Speaker 9 (16:41):
And I do not think you want to accuse me
of being opportunistic, Abner. With Ishbochef on the throne, you
become a king without a crown. All the power is
yours to wield. And I even hear rumors about a
certain concubine you've been able to enjoy from the king's.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Harem Abner drew his sword and pointed it at Joe.
Speaker 7 (17:00):
I suggest you see speaking, Joab.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
The two stood with their swords drawn, considering attacking the other. However,
Abner knew his chances against Joab were small. He sheathed
his sword and pointed to the battlefield.
Speaker 7 (17:15):
Let the young men arise and compete before.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Us, Yes, joeab said silently. Anger boiled deep within his belly.
Let us arise. The two armies began with sending champions.
Twelve men from the ranks of Abner stood at attention,
facing twelve men from the ranks of Joab. These were
some of the mightiest champions each army had. They composed themselves,
(17:39):
readied their swords, and began their attack. Twenty four men
ran with great speed, clashing in the middle of the battlefield.
The first strike sounded like thunder crashing from the skies.
Each champion carried the blows of the other. It was
a chaotic and beautiful dance of equal skill, so equal
that neither group could get in the advantage over the other.
(18:02):
Both Joab and Abner began to grow nervous as the
battle drug on. Eventually, men began to fall, yet not
without slend their opponent. In the process, each caught their
adversary by the heads and thrust their swords in their
opponent's sides. They collapsed on the wet ground together, and
the blood of slain Hebrews laced the entire field. All
(18:23):
twenty four men were dead. The champions of Abner and
the champions of Joab were so equally matched that neither
were victorious, an ironic and depressing symbol of the very
conflict they found himself in. Here, silence loomed over the
foggy forest for a long while. Joab, with his two
(18:44):
brothers beside him, waited with his army behind him. Abner
was also still waiting for Joab to make the first move.
Joab unsheathed his sword beside his brothers, Abeshi and Assahal.
He looked back to his men and shouted.
Speaker 9 (19:00):
Today we fight for a new Israel. Today we fight
for a kingdom united under King David, the Lord's Anointed.
Today we fight to establish a kingdom of honor and strength.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
Join me, brothers.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Battle cries erupted from Judah's ranks. The men unsheathed their
swords and ran behind Joab. Abner responded and gestured for
his men to advance. The two armies converged, and the
army of Judah overwhelmed the army of Israel. From the
very beginning, Joab proved himself as a worthy tactician. Half
his men met in the middle, while the other.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
Half came in from the flanks.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
Hundreds of israel Men fell at the swords of Judah.
Abner's men had speed on this side, but the army
trained by David had a firm foundation. They were unshakable
and immovable. Each blow was absorbed, then repaliated with a
swift and decisive swing of their swords. Joab held his
head high with pride as the men advanced towards the
(19:58):
other side of the battle felt him.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Seven of Joab's menhel but three hundred and sixty.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Of Abner's menthel Knowing he was outmatched, Abner called for
the rest of his men to retreat.
Speaker 7 (20:10):
All black, there is no hope for us this day.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
Favor strength and retreat, he cried.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
The remaining Israelites ran away, afraid and desponded. Abner also
ran in shame, furious that Joab had bested him so easily.
The Israelite commander retreated to the rocky hills above the forest,
making his way to higher ground. Assahel watched Abner retreat
and began to run after him.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Asahel, do not pursue.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Him, Abishai yelled. However, Assahel would not listen. He ran
with his sword held firmly in his hand, dodging tree
branches and jumping over roots. He was the swiftest man
in the entire nation. Bridging the gap between him and Abner.
Joab and Abishi were running up the mountain to stop
their brother. They knew what Assahl did not, that Abner
(21:01):
was a formidable opponent, especially when provoked. Abner was halfway
up the mountain when he saw Assahel running after him.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Is that you, assa Hell, he yelled.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Assahel was climbing up the steep slope with ease, hopping
from rock to rock. It is I, assa Hell responded.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
You are mine to kill.
Speaker 7 (21:20):
You are a.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Fool, Abner yelled from above.
Speaker 7 (21:23):
Turned back and enjoy your victory.
Speaker 4 (21:26):
Not until I remove your head from your shoulders.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Assahl yelled in return. Abner reached the plateau of the mountain.
Storm clouds raged above him. Rain was coming. Abner looked
around him. The mountain's edge provided no escape. He was trapped.
Assahl reached him and pointed his sword. No more running,
he said, I have won. Thunder boomed from above, and
(21:52):
the clouds began to unbelop the mountain. Abner took the
spear from behind his back and redded himself.
Speaker 7 (21:58):
Turned back to assa Hell.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Abner warned, I do not want to kill you.
Speaker 7 (22:03):
Go back and enjoy the spoils of war. You burned it.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Assahel was filled with the prideful glow.
Speaker 9 (22:09):
If I kill you, I end this civil war and
the country can be united again.
Speaker 7 (22:14):
But you will not kill me, you fool. Leave me.
I do not wish to kill you and provoke the
wrath of your brother.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Abner truly did not want to harm the young man.
He knew that it would only spark more trouble. However,
he would do what he must to stay alive. Assahll
burst forward with speed, without setting his feet on the ground.
He was swift, but lacked a foundation. He leaped forward
at Abner with his sword in a strike position. Abner
(22:43):
widened his stance, took a single step backwards, and thrust
his spear forward. Assahl landed on the tip of abner spear.
It pierced his stomach and went out through his back.
Abner pushed forward, throwing Assahll's body.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
Over the edge of the mountain. The boy fell down
on the rocks below.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Abner yelled in agony, knowing full well what he had
just done. The storm clouds broke and the rain descended
from above violently. Abner looked over the edge at Assahl's body,
then escaped down the side before Joeab reached the top.
Joe Ab and Abershy climbed up to the plateau. The
(23:24):
rain caused water to stream down the mountain, making the
climb slippery and dangerous. When they reached the top, they
found Assahl's sword on the floor. They looked over the
edge to see their brother lying at the bottom with
a spear through him. The two brothers climbed down to
their brother and held him tight.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
The glow of.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Lightning burst above them. Joab's entire body shook with rage.
Anger boiled from within him. He rested his brother down
and took out his sword. In the distance, he could
see Abner escaping to the valley where his men had retreated.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
Dabner, Joe Ab whispered, the blood.
Speaker 9 (24:02):
Of my brother will be avenged.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Abershan drew his sword as well, and the two of
them ran into the pouring rain towards their target. The
gray storm clouds blocked the setting sun. No color filled
the skies. There was only darkness. Joe Abin Abishi pursued
Abner like a pair of ravenous wolves. Abner ran up
the hill overlooking the valley and halted. Joe Abin Abishire
(24:29):
reached the bottom of the hill and saw Abner looking
down at them. Abner panted and stuck his sword into
the ground. Stretching his arms wide, he yelled through the rain.
Speaker 7 (24:39):
Show the sword devower us forever. If you keep pursuing me,
you know the end will be bitter.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
As Abner said this, the rest of his men came
into sight behind him. A few hundred men with their
swords drawn, stared down at the two brothers.
Speaker 5 (24:55):
It will end in pain, Joe ab My man will
kill you, and your men will consume mine. It will
continue until we are all destroyed.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Joab's fiery glare was not doused by the storm. His
blood still boiled with hatred towards Abner. Abesshi held his
brother's shoulder. He shouted through the rain.
Speaker 3 (25:16):
There is no victory in this pursuit, Joab. They are
all ready defeated. They would strike us down and then
be consumed by our men. We would be dead and
no peace would be attained.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
Joe Ab knew he was right. Joab's men were not
far behind him. The fight would be brutal, and the
only thing accomplished would be his own demise. Joab took
out his dagger and gripped the blade with his bare hands.
The blood dripped down his wrist and forearm. Stretching out
his blood and rain soaked hand to Abner, he said.
Speaker 9 (25:49):
As God lives, If you had not spoken, surely my
men would not have given up until all your soldiers
were destroyed.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
Hear me, Abner.
Speaker 9 (26:00):
The day will come when my brother's blood will be avenged.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Joab could not see the chills crawling up Abner's spine.
He knew in his bones that Joab was not a
man of empty threats. Joab took the trumpet from his
belt and blew it into the air. His men heard
it and knew it was a signal to call off
the attack. Abner and his men left and marched all
night through the Araba. They crossed the Jordan, dragging their
(26:28):
weary feet the whole morning until coming to Mahanaem. Joab
returned with his men back to Judah. The entire time,
Joab carried Assahal's body in his arms. Streaks of tears
and dirt were caked onto his face as he entered hebron.
When David came out to greet them, his grin was
replaced with sorrow. Joab's beloved baby brother and one of
(26:51):
David's most faithful warriors, had been slain. The servants attended
to the body while David took in Abeshi and Joab.
The three of them sat by the fire with cups
in their hands. Abeshi was despondent, while joe Ab stared
blankly at the flames with quiet rage.
Speaker 10 (27:08):
If they did not know our strength before, they know
it now, Joab said quietly. Our men were equal in number,
but clearly different in skill. We bested them in a
matter of minutes.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
David gave a satisfied nod. Well, Dog, joe AaB, David said,
now it is time to mourn your brother.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
That next morning, the storm clouds retreated and the sun's
rays splashed the sky with bright pink and purple. Joeab
and Abeshi lowered their brother into the tomb of their
father in Bethlehem. David breathed in the crisp air, filling
his lungs with the breath of home. The rest of
David's mighty men were in attendance to mour nasa Hel,
(27:52):
as was custom. When one of them fell, David sang
a hymn of lament. His sorrowful tune resonated deeply with
the men. Assa Hell's death represented the pain a civil
war can cause, an unnecessary casualty in the struggle for power.
David was determined to end it quickly, either by diplomacy
(28:12):
or by force.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Is God's nation doomed. Not only are there Philistines waiting
to attack, but now a civil war is broken out
within their borders. This episode doesn't begin or end on
a high note for Israel, who is more divided now
than ever. On one end, you have Isbachef, the harmless
and corruptible son of a king. On the other end,
you have David, the humble and courageous son of a herdsman.
(28:41):
We are reintroduced to the concept of contrast. In this episode,
especially in the opening scenes, the placement of these two
individuals is purposeful. Isbachef is sitting on his father's throne,
pompous and spoil David is training with his men, attentive
and energetic. The Bible is is it necessarily a book
about merit and earning your status, since many kings are
(29:04):
placed on the throne by birthright. However, we can't help
but appreciate the fact that David has definitely earned the
right to be king, or at least he's living up
to the privilege. He has proven himself to be a strong,
wise passionate protector of Israel. Isbachef, on the other hand,
seems only concerned about the title of king. He wants
(29:27):
to sit on the throne and pretend to be in charge,
while all the while letting Abner run his kingdom. David
is in the dirt and among his men, training and preparing.
We can learn a lot from David and Ishbaichef in
this episode. While one is concerned about his people, the
other is concerned about his title. These are two fundamental
differences between godly and worldly leaders. Isbachef shirks his responsibility
(29:52):
and allows Abner to have control over the army. David, however,
is hands on with his men. He teaches the newest
soldiers about the fundamentals of fighting. He reminds them that
everything begins with your foundation. If your foundation is not secure,
you are destined to collapse. It is like a house
built on saying, if you are not on solid ground,
(30:13):
anything can blow you down. This is an obvious call
back to the prelude and a fundamental tenet of our
spiritual life. Our foundation must be firm in the Word
of God so that when the storms hit, we won't
be shaken. Later on in the episode, the foundations of
David's men are tested and they come out victorious. A
(30:35):
reliance on God and a foundation set on his commandments
sets David apart from other kings, and it will set
us apart as well when the world descends into disorder
and corruption. We want to be people with a firm foundation.
We don't want to be blown away by the tempest
of culture and ideology. We meet a new character in
(30:56):
this episode, Joe Ab, the brother of shl and Abashid.
Joab is an interesting character. He's a military man, through
and through. He seems a little rough around the edges,
and I wonder how his personality will mesh with David's
in the future episodes. David is a brilliant tactician and
skilled warrior, but he is a lover before he is
(31:19):
a fighter. It will be interesting to see if there
are two temperaments clash or cooperate. For now, Joi proves
to be a faithful commander of David's army. He provides
the King of Judah with sound wisdom by saying, the
largest threat to you and your people are not from
the outside, but from within our borders. Job is correct,
(31:40):
and we would be wise to pay attention to his words.
The world around us is filled with catastrophe, corruption, and chaos.
There are many threats out in the world. However, none
of us stand a chance against these threats unless we
have secured our own spaces. The nation of Israel represents
our inner world and faith in God. We have our
(32:02):
own civil wars within us that need to be fought
before we can take on the outside world. Paul the
Apostle calls this the war between the flesh and the spirit.
Our own desires can war against God's desires and our
desire to do the right thing in war against our
bent toward wickedness. If we can't fight the good fight
(32:24):
within our own hearts, then we are doomed outside our borders.
David would later on say, and so on, one on one,
I will ponder the way that is blameless. I will
walk with integrity of heart within my house. I will
not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. A
perverse heart shall be far from me. I will know
nothing of evil. David understood the importance of preserving integrity
(32:48):
within his own house. If he was able to keep
the evil in his own heart at day, then it
gave him more strength when fighting the evil out in
the world. Is your heart in order? Have you cons
the compelling values in your own heart before criticizing the
differences in the world. Maybe not fall into the trap
Jesus warned us about. Why do you see the speck
(33:10):
that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice
the log that is in your own eye, You hypocrite.
First take the log out of your own eye, and
then you will see clearly to take the speck out
of your brother's eye. David sends Joe ab and his
brothers to leave the charge against Abner. The dialogue between
Joeb and Abner is tense, and it seems clear that
(33:31):
these two are destined to be enemies. The funny thing
about this is that they seem to have similar personalities.
This is a common irony we see in the world today.
We often hate people who exemplify the same flaws we
refuse to see in ourselves. Joe, ab and Abner are
mocking each other, unaware that they are both the same.
(33:52):
This is a small introduction to another theme in this episode,
and that is the theme of cutting off your nose
to spite your face. When Joe AB's best men are
pitted against Abner's best men, they are so equal that
they all end up dead. This is supposed to reveal
to us that there are no winners in this war,
since they are fighting against themselves. Israel fighting Judah is
(34:16):
like a hand trying to cut off his own fingers.
Even if the hand succeeds, it is worse off. This
war will have no winners since they are countrymen and brothers.
Abner and the Israelite army are defeated in flee, but
Ashiel doesn't want Abner to get away. In Ashiel's perspective,
if he can defeat Abner, he can end the war.
(34:38):
We can respect his passion, but he was given ample
warning not to attack. Sometimes we need to know when
enough is enough and acknowledge that some wars can't be
won right away. Ashiel, being the fastest among David's mighty men,
wants to rush victory. To Abner's credit, he knows killing
the boy is a bad idea. There is a subtle
(35:00):
undertone in this episode that neither party wants to fight,
but are doing what they think they must do. Abner
does what he must do, which is defend himself. Both
brothers are despondent, but Joe ab in particular is filled
with rage. Job introduces a new theme to our story, vengeance.
In our story so far, vengeance hasn't been too much
(35:22):
of a theme. Besides the time David almost killed in
the ball. For the most part, David has been a
man of mercy. We will see in the coming episodes
that vengeance is Pandora's box. Once it has opened, a
cycle of chaos ensues and it is nearly impossible to stop.
Will David be able to rein in Joe ab and
(35:42):
keep him from making a mistake. Is the Kingdom of
Israel doomed to destroy itself? Or will the Philistines destroy
them before they get the chance. Find out in our
next episode, The Blood of Abner. Thanks again for listening.
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com and to expand
(36:03):
your heroes in the Bible Journey, download the Heroes of
the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes.
Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify to get the
newest episodes right as they come out, and always be
inspired by the Bible. God bless.
Speaker 3 (36:22):
Hello. My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Pray
dot com. I wanted to ask do you know what
your bank does with your money? At America's Christian Credit Union,
your everyday banking helps grow churches, expand the reach of
missions agencies, and supports fellow believers across the country. Learn
more about specials for switching to ACCU and their nationwide
(36:44):
banking capabilities at America's Christian su dot Com. Forward slash
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union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration,
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans and I'm excited for you
to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be
sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so
you get the newest episodes right as they come out.
Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David. A story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:20):
and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
few know about David the man. In this episode, the
stability of the nation is in peril. David is more
in the background of this episode, allowing us to get
more acquainted with a few key characters. Abner, the commander
of Saul's army, and the three brothers Joe, Abba, Abashah,
(00:43):
and Ashiel. They are on the front lines of a
new civil war that has broken out between Judah and Israel.
Ispra Chef SAAL's son plans to punish Judah for making
David king. The battle that we witness and this this
episode is not conventional since they are Hebrews. No matter
(01:04):
what the result of this war turns out to be,
it seems like there will be no winners. Whoever is
victorious will be sold by killing their fellow Israelites. The
difference between David's army and Abner's army will become clear
and reveal a key difference between the old regime and
the new regime. David seeks to build his nation on
a strong and firm foundation. He will most likely succeed,
(01:28):
but at what cost. This episode features the death of
a beloved figure, reminding us that this is not a
fairy tale. But first we begin with the prelude. We
will be taken forward in time to Jesus. He will
teach us about bearing fruit and building on a firm foundation.
His wisdom will give us the correct lens by which
to judge the struggle of David and Abne. When we
(01:51):
take Jesus's words and apply them to the Old Testament,
we are given the greater perspective of each story. Listen
carefully to Jesus's words and hold them up as a
filter by which to see Episode nineteen, A civil war begins.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Prelude to chapter nineteen. Jesus rose to his feet. The
wind began to pick up behind him. He took a
deep breath, being mindful of every word he was about
to say.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Next, treat others the way you wish to be treated.
This is the true heart behind the law of God.
And understand this that the gate to the Kingdom of
Heaven is narrow. There are many other paths that are
easy and wide open. However, its ease is deceptive. It
(02:46):
is the way of death. The true path of God
is hard. It requires sacrifice, struggle, and humility. This is
why many will choose to avoid it and ultimately perish.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Jesus began to walk down the hill and place his
hand on people's shoulders as he passed through the crowd.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Every healthy and good tree bears fruit that people can enjoy.
Every bad tree produces thorns and poison. The same as
with our hearts. A good heart will produce good actions.
Likewise a bad heart will produce corrupt actions. Words are
(03:31):
not enough. Not everyone who declares to know God actually
knows him personally. Be mindful that you seek him in
spirit and truth.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Jesus was now behind the crowd. He looked down and
saw a stone the size of his palm on the ground.
He picked it up and held it up in the
air for all to see, and said.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts upon them,
it is like a wise person who built their house
on a firm foundation. When the rain fell and the
floods came, their house was sturdy and resilient. Yet there
will be those who do not listen and do not
do these things. They are like people who build their
(04:19):
homes on wavering sound. When troubleds come, they will.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Be washed away.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Jesus looked at the crowd one final time, smiled, and
dropped the stone. He departed with his disciples. The crowd
simply stood there, astonished. Chapter nineteen, A civil war begins.
Resting on a high place overlooking the land of Gibea
(04:46):
was the palace of the dead King Saul. Its large
stone structure was a monument to Israel's first king. Within
its walls, the elders of Israel convened to choose the
next king. News of david It's anointing over Judah had
reached the other tribes of Israel, and they knew there
was a choice that had.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
To be made.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Would they gather around the newly anointed king David, or
would they give the throne to Sal's heir ishbosheth torchlights
were mounted on the dark stone walls of SAAL's throne room,
Ishbosheth sat on the throne before the elders, listening to
them deliberate. Before him, Beside the prince was Abner, commander
of Saul's armies. He had escaped the onslaught of Mount
(05:29):
Gilboa and had returned to usher in the next king.
To him, Ishboshaf was the clear choice. He was of
Sal's bloodline and represented tradition and stability for the new kingdom.
Abner spoke to the elders, reassuring them that Ishboshaf was
the rightful and wise choice to be king.
Speaker 5 (05:48):
Elders of Israel, if we pivot now from the royal
bloodline of King Salt, it communicates to the people that
any mongrel can become king if he is likable enough.
If we do not affirm Ishbashev as rightful king, we
set a precedent for every king that comes afterwards. We
(06:09):
do not want any commander, insurrectionist or shepherd thinking they
can claim the throne. The instability would ruin our nation
before it has a chance to flourish.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Many of the elders nodded in agreement. Ishbosheth, as unimpressive
and passive as he was, represented a sense of control. However,
not all were convinced.
Speaker 6 (06:32):
Jonathan was the rightful heir before.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
He was killed. One of them said, yet.
Speaker 6 (06:36):
Even Jonathan recognized David as the next to take the throne,
he gave him his armor and ring. If I'm not mistaken,
what shall we say to those who believe David to
be the anointed king?
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Ishbochef stirred in place. The throne seemed too large for him. Saul,
being a massive man in personality and stature, seemed to
fill it much better than he before Ishbosheth could respond,
Abner interjected.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
Jonathan never wanted the throne to begin with.
Speaker 5 (07:04):
His affirmation of David was purely because he did not
want the mantle himself.
Speaker 6 (07:10):
Why say you, then, Ishboche, do you desire to be king?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
The elders asked. Ishboschev gave a wry smile. Of course,
he said, in a condescending tone.
Speaker 8 (07:22):
If anyone deserves to be king, it is I. I
am Sal's remaining's son, and all this deliberation between me
and David vexes me. I will continue my father's legacy,
mount further attacks on the Philistines, and reclaim the dignity
of our nation.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Ishboschef stood to his feet and walked among the elders.
Speaker 8 (07:43):
You kentucktail and run to Judah for all I care. However,
the glory of Israel and the throne established by Samuel
and my father remains here in Gibeah with me.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
The elder stirred.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Annoyed at Ishbosheth's tone, Abner cleared his throat and escorted
Ishboshev back to the king's quarters. The prince left, and
Abner was alone with the elders. He opened his arms
and shrugged.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
My brothers.
Speaker 7 (08:10):
We are at a crucial point.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
The Philistines have delivered a devastating blow and taken parts of.
Speaker 7 (08:18):
Our country by force.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
To uproot a system set by our king and established
David would be unwise. Our people need reassurance that what
Saul began will be finished. I assure you, as his
cousin and his commander, that I will get it done.
We are all aware of the rumors regarding Ishbashev's mother
(08:40):
and the sins he was.
Speaker 7 (08:41):
Born from them.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
However, Ishbashev will be king in name only. I will
lead us to victory. Then, after the dust settled, we
can discuss the future of the throne.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
The elders pondered Abner's words in front of the throne
where Saul once at. They agreed to make Apo chef king,
yet Abner would be the one to lead the nation.
The sun was high above hebron and the heat of
the afternoon beat down on David's neck. Sweat dripped from
his forehead onto the dust below. He pulled back his
(09:17):
curls and gripped his sword firmly. He set his right
foot back, held his shield up with his left arm,
and swung violently down at a wooden beam beside him.
The metal split the wood, and splinters went flying past
his face. He pulled his sword up and looked at
the men standing near him.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
The power of your strike comes from the firmness of
your stance, he explained. If your feet are unstable, you
sacrifice momentum in your swing. Everything begins with your foundation.
If your foundation is not secure, you are destined to collapse.
It is like a house built on sand. If you
(09:56):
are not on solid ground, anything can blow you down.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
The young men standing at attention nodded. They mimicked David's movements.
David was pleased with their improvements. It had only been
a few days since his coronation is king, and there
was much to be done. David knew that the safety
of his kingdom had to be his top priority, so
he attended to his army personally. However, now that he
(10:21):
was king, his time to train and command the men
would wane. He needed a commander. Abishi approached David and
bowed my king, he said reverently. David smirked and gave
a chuckle.
Speaker 4 (10:35):
That would take getting used to. Abishai, forgive me if
I seemen barrissed.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
The two of them laughed and began walking towards the barracks.
Assahal Abishai's swift younger brother joined them. I am eager
to meet your brother, David said, I hear he is
an excellent tactician and has served the tribe of Judah
well in training up their army.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Abishi nodded, Yes, our.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Brother, Joe ab has only ever been good at one thing, warfare.
He was a faithful commander in Saul's army and more
recently the leader of the.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Ranks of Judah. David nodded, I am sure he will
serve us well. We will need a well trained leader
to lead us against the Philistines. They reached the barracks,
where Joab was giving orders to the blacksmith. He instructed
them on the necessary mold and shape of the hilts.
David was impressed with the way he carried himself. He
was clearly a military man, rough, straight as an arrow,
(11:32):
and serious. Along with Abeshi and Assahal, Joab was his
sister's son. However, he was older than David, and the
two had never met. Joe Ab stood a head taller
than most of the men. His broad shoulders were set back,
revealing his muscular chest and battle worn arms. David approached
and Joab bowed immediately.
Speaker 9 (11:54):
My king, it is good to finally have you here
to lead us.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
David gestured for Joab to stand. I am in need
of a great deal of help. Joe Ab, and your
two brothers tell me you are the perfect man to
lead our army.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Abeshi and Assahl smiled at their older brother. Joab smiled
in return and nodded to David.
Speaker 9 (12:15):
Thank you for taking care of my brothers while they
were with you in the wilderness. I feared for their
safety often, but I knew they were in good hands.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Joab broke his stern demeanor for a moment to bring
Assahl close under his arms.
Speaker 9 (12:28):
My brothers are more important to me than any richest
one could gain. I am proud that they decided to
follow you.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
David chuckled to see Assahl treated like a beloved child.
He did not receive such affection from his brother's growing up,
and now that he was king, never would. David gestured
for joe Ab to walk with him, and the two
spoke for a long while about strategy, security, and protecting
God's people. Where would you have us begin, Joab? There
(12:55):
are many threats coming from outside our borders. How do
we decide which requires our tension most? Joab answered immediately
and matter of factly. He did not pass words or
filter his thoughts politically. He spoke clearly, saying the.
Speaker 9 (13:10):
Largest threat to you and your people are not from
the outside, but from within our borders. The rest of
Israel has chosen Ishbauschef as their king, and Abner is
at the command of his army. I have reliable sources
that tell me Abner is seeking to attack us soon.
He desires to secure the entire nation under Ishbaschev.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
David pondered for a moment, he did not want to
march against the children of God. It seemed unsavory and divisive. However,
he could not ignore the threat. This means civil war,
David said quietly. Joe Ab nodded. The two men continued walking,
watching the men train and prepare. Our men are far
(13:51):
more skilled and loyal, David said, I know we will
be able to handle any attack with few casualties. I
say march up against Abner and make the first battle
as decisive as possible. Perhaps it will only take one
battle to establish our strength.
Speaker 9 (14:10):
That is wise, my king. I shall gather about five
hundred of our best men and meet Abner in the middle.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Joab bowed and left, but David stopped and called for
Joab again.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Joab, in all things, remember that the Lord honors a
merciful heart.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Joab winced at the words, but bowed his head in deference.
He then gathered the men and marched towards Abner. The
two sister kingdoms of Israel and Judah met at Gibeon
beside a brook flowing into a small pool. Trees surrounded them,
and the morning fog slithered low beside the trunks. All
(14:49):
was calm, for a while. Both armies camped on either
side of the river, awkwardly staring at the others. There
was something ominous about this upcoming battle. The men were
about to fight against their fellow Hebrews. The thought of
slaying one another left them uneasy. The morning light shined
through the fog and dispersed in a thousand different directions.
(15:11):
The brook quietly trickled downstream into the pool. Dragonflies hovered
over the calm waters, and fish popped up to catch them.
Beside the tranquil water in the coolness of the morning
sat Joab and Abner. The two sat on either side
of the pool, with their swords securely in their sheaths.
They came to speak about the terms of battle. They
(15:32):
realized that if the nation was going to be united again,
they could not wipe each other out completely. They needed
ground rules. Abner and Joe Ab stared at each other
for a while, sizing each other up. Abner broke the silence.
Speaker 5 (15:46):
First, we have more tribes on our side, Joab, there
is no need to battle at all. If Judah would
concede to Isbasha as king.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
Joe Ab shook his head.
Speaker 9 (15:57):
Abner, you and I both know that the tribe of
Judah alone matches the rest of the tribes in size.
It is not a matter of size or resource. It
is a matter of principle.
Speaker 7 (16:07):
You and your principles.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
Abner scoffed.
Speaker 7 (16:11):
I know what this is really about, Joab.
Speaker 5 (16:13):
You were passed up by me as commander of Saul's army.
Speaker 7 (16:17):
Now you back an.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
Illegitimate king because he will give you command of an
army when Saul would not.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Joeab gripped the hilt of his sword but did not
draw it. His jaw clenched as he tried to compose himself.
Speaker 9 (16:29):
I do not think you wish to talk about the
legitimacy of kings, Abner, when you and I both know
Ishbochef is the son of a whore.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Abner stood abruptly to his feet in anger, but Joe
Ab did not back down.
Speaker 9 (16:41):
And I do not think you want to accuse me
of being opportunistic, Abner. With Ishbochef on the throne, you
become a king without a crown. All the power is
yours to wield. And I even hear rumors about a
certain concubine you've been able to enjoy from the king's.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Harem Abner drew his sword and pointed it at Joe.
Speaker 7 (17:00):
I suggest you see speaking, Joab.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
The two stood with their swords drawn, considering attacking the other. However,
Abner knew his chances against Joab were small. He sheathed
his sword and pointed to the battlefield.
Speaker 7 (17:15):
Let the young men arise and compete before.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Us, Yes, joeab said silently. Anger boiled deep within his belly.
Let us arise. The two armies began with sending champions.
Twelve men from the ranks of Abner stood at attention,
facing twelve men from the ranks of Joab. These were
some of the mightiest champions each army had. They composed themselves,
(17:39):
readied their swords, and began their attack. Twenty four men
ran with great speed, clashing in the middle of the battlefield.
The first strike sounded like thunder crashing from the skies.
Each champion carried the blows of the other. It was
a chaotic and beautiful dance of equal skill, so equal
that neither group could get in the advantage over the other.
(18:02):
Both Joab and Abner began to grow nervous as the
battle drug on. Eventually, men began to fall, yet not
without slend their opponent. In the process, each caught their
adversary by the heads and thrust their swords in their
opponent's sides. They collapsed on the wet ground together, and
the blood of slain Hebrews laced the entire field. All
(18:23):
twenty four men were dead. The champions of Abner and
the champions of Joab were so equally matched that neither
were victorious, an ironic and depressing symbol of the very
conflict they found himself in. Here, silence loomed over the
foggy forest for a long while. Joab, with his two
(18:44):
brothers beside him, waited with his army behind him. Abner
was also still waiting for Joab to make the first move.
Joab unsheathed his sword beside his brothers, Abeshi and Assahal.
He looked back to his men and shouted.
Speaker 9 (19:00):
Today we fight for a new Israel. Today we fight
for a kingdom united under King David, the Lord's Anointed.
Today we fight to establish a kingdom of honor and strength.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
Join me, brothers.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Battle cries erupted from Judah's ranks. The men unsheathed their
swords and ran behind Joab. Abner responded and gestured for
his men to advance. The two armies converged, and the
army of Judah overwhelmed the army of Israel. From the
very beginning, Joab proved himself as a worthy tactician. Half
his men met in the middle, while the other.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
Half came in from the flanks.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
Hundreds of israel Men fell at the swords of Judah.
Abner's men had speed on this side, but the army
trained by David had a firm foundation. They were unshakable
and immovable. Each blow was absorbed, then repaliated with a
swift and decisive swing of their swords. Joab held his
head high with pride as the men advanced towards the
(19:58):
other side of the battle felt him.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Seven of Joab's menhel but three hundred and sixty.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Of Abner's menthel Knowing he was outmatched, Abner called for
the rest of his men to retreat.
Speaker 7 (20:10):
All black, there is no hope for us this day.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
Favor strength and retreat, he cried.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
The remaining Israelites ran away, afraid and desponded. Abner also
ran in shame, furious that Joab had bested him so easily.
The Israelite commander retreated to the rocky hills above the forest,
making his way to higher ground. Assahel watched Abner retreat
and began to run after him.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Asahel, do not pursue.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Him, Abishai yelled. However, Assahel would not listen. He ran
with his sword held firmly in his hand, dodging tree
branches and jumping over roots. He was the swiftest man
in the entire nation. Bridging the gap between him and Abner.
Joab and Abishi were running up the mountain to stop
their brother. They knew what Assahl did not, that Abner
(21:01):
was a formidable opponent, especially when provoked. Abner was halfway
up the mountain when he saw Assahel running after him.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Is that you, assa Hell, he yelled.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Assahel was climbing up the steep slope with ease, hopping
from rock to rock. It is I, assa Hell responded.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
You are mine to kill.
Speaker 7 (21:20):
You are a.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Fool, Abner yelled from above.
Speaker 7 (21:23):
Turned back and enjoy your victory.
Speaker 4 (21:26):
Not until I remove your head from your shoulders.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Assahl yelled in return. Abner reached the plateau of the mountain.
Storm clouds raged above him. Rain was coming. Abner looked
around him. The mountain's edge provided no escape. He was trapped.
Assahl reached him and pointed his sword. No more running,
he said, I have won. Thunder boomed from above, and
(21:52):
the clouds began to unbelop the mountain. Abner took the
spear from behind his back and redded himself.
Speaker 7 (21:58):
Turned back to assa Hell.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Abner warned, I do not want to kill you.
Speaker 7 (22:03):
Go back and enjoy the spoils of war. You burned it.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Assahel was filled with the prideful glow.
Speaker 9 (22:09):
If I kill you, I end this civil war and
the country can be united again.
Speaker 7 (22:14):
But you will not kill me, you fool. Leave me.
I do not wish to kill you and provoke the
wrath of your brother.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Abner truly did not want to harm the young man.
He knew that it would only spark more trouble. However,
he would do what he must to stay alive. Assahll
burst forward with speed, without setting his feet on the ground.
He was swift, but lacked a foundation. He leaped forward
at Abner with his sword in a strike position. Abner
(22:43):
widened his stance, took a single step backwards, and thrust
his spear forward. Assahl landed on the tip of abner spear.
It pierced his stomach and went out through his back.
Abner pushed forward, throwing Assahll's body.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
Over the edge of the mountain. The boy fell down
on the rocks below.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Abner yelled in agony, knowing full well what he had
just done. The storm clouds broke and the rain descended
from above violently. Abner looked over the edge at Assahl's body,
then escaped down the side before Joeab reached the top.
Joe Ab and Abershy climbed up to the plateau. The
(23:24):
rain caused water to stream down the mountain, making the
climb slippery and dangerous. When they reached the top, they
found Assahl's sword on the floor. They looked over the
edge to see their brother lying at the bottom with
a spear through him. The two brothers climbed down to
their brother and held him tight.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
The glow of.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Lightning burst above them. Joab's entire body shook with rage.
Anger boiled from within him. He rested his brother down
and took out his sword. In the distance, he could
see Abner escaping to the valley where his men had retreated.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
Dabner, Joe Ab whispered, the blood.
Speaker 9 (24:02):
Of my brother will be avenged.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Abershan drew his sword as well, and the two of
them ran into the pouring rain towards their target. The
gray storm clouds blocked the setting sun. No color filled
the skies. There was only darkness. Joe Abin Abishi pursued
Abner like a pair of ravenous wolves. Abner ran up
the hill overlooking the valley and halted. Joe Abin Abishire
(24:29):
reached the bottom of the hill and saw Abner looking
down at them. Abner panted and stuck his sword into
the ground. Stretching his arms wide, he yelled through the rain.
Speaker 7 (24:39):
Show the sword devower us forever. If you keep pursuing me,
you know the end will be bitter.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
As Abner said this, the rest of his men came
into sight behind him. A few hundred men with their
swords drawn, stared down at the two brothers.
Speaker 5 (24:55):
It will end in pain, Joe ab My man will
kill you, and your men will consume mine. It will
continue until we are all destroyed.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Joab's fiery glare was not doused by the storm. His
blood still boiled with hatred towards Abner. Abesshi held his
brother's shoulder. He shouted through the rain.
Speaker 3 (25:16):
There is no victory in this pursuit, Joab. They are
all ready defeated. They would strike us down and then
be consumed by our men. We would be dead and
no peace would be attained.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
Joe Ab knew he was right. Joab's men were not
far behind him. The fight would be brutal, and the
only thing accomplished would be his own demise. Joab took
out his dagger and gripped the blade with his bare hands.
The blood dripped down his wrist and forearm. Stretching out
his blood and rain soaked hand to Abner, he said.
Speaker 9 (25:49):
As God lives, If you had not spoken, surely my
men would not have given up until all your soldiers
were destroyed.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
Hear me, Abner.
Speaker 9 (26:00):
The day will come when my brother's blood will be avenged.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Joab could not see the chills crawling up Abner's spine.
He knew in his bones that Joab was not a
man of empty threats. Joab took the trumpet from his
belt and blew it into the air. His men heard
it and knew it was a signal to call off
the attack. Abner and his men left and marched all
night through the Araba. They crossed the Jordan, dragging their
(26:28):
weary feet the whole morning until coming to Mahanaem. Joab
returned with his men back to Judah. The entire time,
Joab carried Assahal's body in his arms. Streaks of tears
and dirt were caked onto his face as he entered hebron.
When David came out to greet them, his grin was
replaced with sorrow. Joab's beloved baby brother and one of
(26:51):
David's most faithful warriors, had been slain. The servants attended
to the body while David took in Abeshi and Joab.
The three of them sat by the fire with cups
in their hands. Abeshi was despondent, while joe Ab stared
blankly at the flames with quiet rage.
Speaker 10 (27:08):
If they did not know our strength before, they know
it now, Joab said quietly. Our men were equal in number,
but clearly different in skill. We bested them in a
matter of minutes.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
David gave a satisfied nod. Well, Dog, joe AaB, David said,
now it is time to mourn your brother.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
That next morning, the storm clouds retreated and the sun's
rays splashed the sky with bright pink and purple. Joeab
and Abeshi lowered their brother into the tomb of their
father in Bethlehem. David breathed in the crisp air, filling
his lungs with the breath of home. The rest of
David's mighty men were in attendance to mour nasa Hel,
(27:52):
as was custom. When one of them fell, David sang
a hymn of lament. His sorrowful tune resonated deeply with
the men. Assa Hell's death represented the pain a civil
war can cause, an unnecessary casualty in the struggle for power.
David was determined to end it quickly, either by diplomacy
(28:12):
or by force.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Is God's nation doomed. Not only are there Philistines waiting
to attack, but now a civil war is broken out
within their borders. This episode doesn't begin or end on
a high note for Israel, who is more divided now
than ever. On one end, you have Isbachef, the harmless
and corruptible son of a king. On the other end,
you have David, the humble and courageous son of a herdsman.
(28:41):
We are reintroduced to the concept of contrast. In this episode,
especially in the opening scenes, the placement of these two
individuals is purposeful. Isbachef is sitting on his father's throne,
pompous and spoil David is training with his men, attentive
and energetic. The Bible is is it necessarily a book
about merit and earning your status, since many kings are
(29:04):
placed on the throne by birthright. However, we can't help
but appreciate the fact that David has definitely earned the
right to be king, or at least he's living up
to the privilege. He has proven himself to be a strong,
wise passionate protector of Israel. Isbachef, on the other hand,
seems only concerned about the title of king. He wants
(29:27):
to sit on the throne and pretend to be in charge,
while all the while letting Abner run his kingdom. David
is in the dirt and among his men, training and preparing.
We can learn a lot from David and Ishbaichef in
this episode. While one is concerned about his people, the
other is concerned about his title. These are two fundamental
differences between godly and worldly leaders. Isbachef shirks his responsibility
(29:52):
and allows Abner to have control over the army. David, however,
is hands on with his men. He teaches the newest
soldiers about the fundamentals of fighting. He reminds them that
everything begins with your foundation. If your foundation is not secure,
you are destined to collapse. It is like a house
built on saying, if you are not on solid ground,
(30:13):
anything can blow you down. This is an obvious call
back to the prelude and a fundamental tenet of our
spiritual life. Our foundation must be firm in the Word
of God so that when the storms hit, we won't
be shaken. Later on in the episode, the foundations of
David's men are tested and they come out victorious. A
(30:35):
reliance on God and a foundation set on his commandments
sets David apart from other kings, and it will set
us apart as well when the world descends into disorder
and corruption. We want to be people with a firm foundation.
We don't want to be blown away by the tempest
of culture and ideology. We meet a new character in
(30:56):
this episode, Joe Ab, the brother of shl and Abashid.
Joab is an interesting character. He's a military man, through
and through. He seems a little rough around the edges,
and I wonder how his personality will mesh with David's
in the future episodes. David is a brilliant tactician and
skilled warrior, but he is a lover before he is
(31:19):
a fighter. It will be interesting to see if there
are two temperaments clash or cooperate. For now, Joi proves
to be a faithful commander of David's army. He provides
the King of Judah with sound wisdom by saying, the
largest threat to you and your people are not from
the outside, but from within our borders. Job is correct,
(31:40):
and we would be wise to pay attention to his words.
The world around us is filled with catastrophe, corruption, and chaos.
There are many threats out in the world. However, none
of us stand a chance against these threats unless we
have secured our own spaces. The nation of Israel represents
our inner world and faith in God. We have our
(32:02):
own civil wars within us that need to be fought
before we can take on the outside world. Paul the
Apostle calls this the war between the flesh and the spirit.
Our own desires can war against God's desires and our
desire to do the right thing in war against our
bent toward wickedness. If we can't fight the good fight
(32:24):
within our own hearts, then we are doomed outside our borders.
David would later on say, and so on, one on one,
I will ponder the way that is blameless. I will
walk with integrity of heart within my house. I will
not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. A
perverse heart shall be far from me. I will know
nothing of evil. David understood the importance of preserving integrity
(32:48):
within his own house. If he was able to keep
the evil in his own heart at day, then it
gave him more strength when fighting the evil out in
the world. Is your heart in order? Have you cons
the compelling values in your own heart before criticizing the
differences in the world. Maybe not fall into the trap
Jesus warned us about. Why do you see the speck
(33:10):
that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice
the log that is in your own eye, You hypocrite.
First take the log out of your own eye, and
then you will see clearly to take the speck out
of your brother's eye. David sends Joe ab and his
brothers to leave the charge against Abner. The dialogue between
Joeb and Abner is tense, and it seems clear that
(33:31):
these two are destined to be enemies. The funny thing
about this is that they seem to have similar personalities.
This is a common irony we see in the world today.
We often hate people who exemplify the same flaws we
refuse to see in ourselves. Joe, ab and Abner are
mocking each other, unaware that they are both the same.
(33:52):
This is a small introduction to another theme in this episode,
and that is the theme of cutting off your nose
to spite your face. When Joe AB's best men are
pitted against Abner's best men, they are so equal that
they all end up dead. This is supposed to reveal
to us that there are no winners in this war,
since they are fighting against themselves. Israel fighting Judah is
(34:16):
like a hand trying to cut off his own fingers.
Even if the hand succeeds, it is worse off. This
war will have no winners since they are countrymen and brothers.
Abner and the Israelite army are defeated in flee, but
Ashiel doesn't want Abner to get away. In Ashiel's perspective,
if he can defeat Abner, he can end the war.
(34:38):
We can respect his passion, but he was given ample
warning not to attack. Sometimes we need to know when
enough is enough and acknowledge that some wars can't be
won right away. Ashiel, being the fastest among David's mighty men,
wants to rush victory. To Abner's credit, he knows killing
the boy is a bad idea. There is a subtle
(35:00):
undertone in this episode that neither party wants to fight,
but are doing what they think they must do. Abner
does what he must do, which is defend himself. Both
brothers are despondent, but Joe ab in particular is filled
with rage. Job introduces a new theme to our story, vengeance.
In our story so far, vengeance hasn't been too much
(35:22):
of a theme. Besides the time David almost killed in
the ball. For the most part, David has been a
man of mercy. We will see in the coming episodes
that vengeance is Pandora's box. Once it has opened, a
cycle of chaos ensues and it is nearly impossible to stop.
Will David be able to rein in Joe ab and
(35:42):
keep him from making a mistake. Is the Kingdom of
Israel doomed to destroy itself? Or will the Philistines destroy
them before they get the chance. Find out in our
next episode, The Blood of Abner. Thanks again for listening.
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com and to expand
(36:03):
your heroes in the Bible Journey, download the Heroes of
the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes.
Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify to get the
newest episodes right as they come out, and always be
inspired by the Bible. God bless.
Speaker 3 (36:22):
Hello. My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Pray
dot com. I wanted to ask do you know what
your bank does with your money? At America's Christian Credit Union,
your everyday banking helps grow churches, expand the reach of
missions agencies, and supports fellow believers across the country. Learn
more about specials for switching to ACCU and their nationwide
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banking capabilities at America's Christian su dot Com. Forward slash
prey plus the peace of mind knowing that this credit
union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration,
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Dr. Tony Evans
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