The king spoke to his servants: "You realize, don’t you, that today a prince and hero fell victim of foul play in Israel?" 2 Samuel 3:38 (TM)

I remember watching Ken Burns’ documentary on the Civil War, and one of the things that struck me was the fact that those on opposite sides of the battle line often knew each other well. Men who were brothers, friends and comrades in arms at West Point found themselves facing each other on the battle field. David’s conflicts with the house of Saul and the tribes of Israel were a painful struggle. David never lost sight of the fact that Saul was the anointed king and that Saul’s followers were his fellow countrymen. When Abner, the general of Saul’s army who had hunted David on Saul’s behalf, was murdered – David called him a "prince" and a "king". Once again we see David as a picture of the coming Jesus, who would look at his executioners and say "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

One day Abner son of Ner set out from Mahanaim with the soldiers of
Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, headed for Gibeon. Joab son of Zeruiah, with
David’s soldiers, also set out. They met at the Pool of Gibeon, Abner’s
group on one side, Joab’s on the other. Abner challenged Joab, "Put up your best fighters. Let’s see them do their stuff." 2 Samuel 2:12-14 (TM)

"Boys will be boys." Wendy and I were watching football on Sunday and Wendy commented on all the jawing, smack, and trash-talk that was going on between the players. It really hasn’t changed in thousands of years. I’m not saying it’s the most admirable quality, and it has gotten the world into more bad than good. John Eldredge writes about the more admirable side of these qualities in Wild at Heart. He discusses how God intentionally made males looking for a battle to fight, an adventure to live and a woman to save. In today’s chapter, you can feel the tension between the boys, Abner and Joab, as they lead their respective teams to the pool of Gibeon – see each other across the pool. You can hear the trash talking begin, the boasting and challenges being hurled at one another until they just had to settle things once and for all.

Flickr photo courtesy of SvobodaIT

One day Abner son of Ner set out from Mahanaim with the soldiers of
Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, headed for Gibeon. Joab son of Zeruiah, with
David’s soldiers, also set out. They met at the Pool of Gibeon, Abner’s
group on one side, Joab’s on the other. Abner challenged Joab, "Put up your best fighters. Let’s see them do their stuff." 2 Samuel 2:12-14 (TM)

"Boys will be boys." Wendy and I were watching football on Sunday and Wendy commented on all the jawing, smack, and trash-talk that was going on between the players. It really hasn’t changed in thousands of years. I’m not saying it’s the most admirable quality, and it has gotten the world into more bad than good. John Eldredge writes about the more admirable side of these qualities in Wild at Heart. He discusses how God intentionally made males looking for a battle to fight, an adventure to live and a woman to save. In today’s chapter, you can feel the tension between the boys, Abner and Joab, as they lead their respective teams to the pool of Gibeon – see each other across the pool. You can hear the trash talking begin, the boasting and challenges being hurled at one another until they just had to settle things once and for all.

Flickr photo courtesy of SvobodaIT

Then David sang this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan, and gave
orders that everyone in Judah learn it by heart. Yes, it’s even
inscribed in The Book of Jashar. 2 Samuel 1:17-18 (TM)

One of the things I love about David is that he is both warrior and artist. Through his youth the scripture tells us that he was constantly playing his harp and writing songs in his free time. When he hears of Saul and Jonathon’s death, the first thing he does is write a song to express his grief. We all need a creative outlet – a way to express our thoughts and emotions metaphorically. It’s part of being made in the image of a Creator – an artist – the Artist.

And suddenly David was in even worse trouble. There was talk among the
men, bitter over the loss of their families, of stoning him. I Samuel 30:6 (TM)

As much success as David had enjoyed, there is no such thing as leadership without trial. When you lead human beings, you step into the spotlight – and standing in the spotlight makes you one easy target. You set yourself up for criticism, ridicule, derision and in extreme cases like David’s – potential death or bodily harm. We all have our heroes of leadership, but I guarantee that every one of them took their share of shots from the peanut gallery. Why should your or I be any different?

Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes. Then, taking
two men with him, he went under the cover of night to the woman and
said, "I want you to consult a ghost for me. Call up the person I name." I Samuel 28:8 (TM)

Isn’t it funny how we try to hide, or disguise ourselves when we’re doing something we know we shouldn’t? Just the fact that we don’t want to be seen should give us a clue, shouldn’t it?