Compare Abner's actions with other biblical leaders who sought God's guidance. Abner takes matters into his own hands • 2 Samuel 3:12: “Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, ‘To whom does the land belong? Make a covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you!’” • Abner moves politically, not prayerfully. – No mention of consulting the LORD. – Motivation flows from personal offense (3:7-11) and ambition rather than divine direction. – Outcome: temporary success, yet it unravels through Joab’s vengeance (3:27). Leaders who paused to seek the LORD first • Moses — Exodus 33:13; Numbers 9:8 – “Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.” • David — 1 Samuel 23:2, 4; 2 Samuel 2:1 – “David inquired of the LORD, ‘Shall I go and attack…?’ … And the LORD answered.” • Jehoshaphat — 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 – Proclaimed a fast; set himself “to seek the LORD.” • Hezekiah — 2 Kings 19:14-19 – Spread the crisis “before the LORD” in the temple. • Nehemiah — Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:4-5 – Months of prayer before requesting help from the king. • Gideon — Judges 6:36-40 – Asked for confirming signs to be sure of God’s will. A cautionary contrast: when guidance was ignored • Joshua with the Gibeonites — Joshua 9:14 – “They did not seek the LORD’s counsel,” leading to an unwanted treaty. • Saul before the Philistines — 1 Samuel 14:18-19 – Interrupted the priest, pressed ahead, and the battle stalled. • Rehoboam — 1 Kings 12:8 – Rejected wise counsel, split the kingdom. Patterns seen in God-seeking leaders • Humility: admitting dependence on divine wisdom (Psalm 25:4-5). • Patience: waiting until direction is clear (Psalm 37:7). • Worship and fasting often precede decisions (Acts 13:2-3). • Obedience follows guidance, even when costly (Genesis 22:3). Key takeaways for today • Personal ambition can masquerade as wisdom; Abner’s story warns against self-directed plans. • God delights to guide leaders who ask (James 1:5). • Seeking the LORD anchors decisions in His purposes, producing lasting fruit (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 15:16). |
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