2 Samuel 3:6-10: a reflection

6While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house. 7Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” 8Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman! 9God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as the LORD has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him: 10to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”

This passage shows the tangled politics of a divided kingdom. Abner, the general holding together the house of Saul, grows in influence, and when he is accused of overstepping, his pride flares. Stung by the charge, he angrily declares that he will now switch his allegiance and work to transfer the kingdom to David, exactly as the Lord had sworn. His motives are far from pure; it is wounded pride and ambition, not devotion to God, that drives his decision.

And yet, notice what Abner's angry words unwittingly serve. He announces that he will help establish David's throne over all Israel, which is precisely what God had promised. God's purpose was moving forward, even through the pride and self-interest of a man who cared nothing for it. The Lord did not need Abner's holiness to accomplish his plan; he wove even Abner's wounded ambition into the fulfillment of his promise to David.

There is a strange comfort here. God's purposes are not held hostage to the good intentions of the people involved. He is able to advance his plans even through flawed and self-interested actors, weaving their tangled motives into his larger design. This does not excuse the pride and ambition on display, but it does assure you that God's promises will stand regardless of the imperfect people around them, including you. Trust that God is working out his purposes even through a messy world.

Lord, you advanced your promise to David even through a proud and self-interested man who cared nothing for you. Thank you that your purposes are not held hostage to the good intentions of those involved. When I look at a messy world of tangled motives, help me trust that you are weaving even that into your design, and that your promises will stand. Amen.