Joel M Bradshaw

31Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier. 32They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.–2 Samuel 3

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. (Romans 12:14-17)

1. Abner was Saul’s chief general and enemy of David.
2. Abner was secretly murdered by David’s generals while on the way to make peace with David.
3. David wasn’t involved in the murder in any way.
4. Here David mourned the death of his enemy.
5. This would have reconciled the political factions regarding the crown.
6. But it was also the noble thing to do. David mourned with those who mourned and didn’t pay back evil for evil.
7. Read the last verse from the Romans passage I shared above. Do you live that way regarding doing what is right? Or are you selfishly living just to please yourself?–JMB