David Mourns for Abner

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 3:31-39. David instructed Joab and those with him to tear their clothes and dress in sackcloth to mourn Abner’s death. David also mourned for Abner.

They buried Abner in Hebron. King David and all those attending Abner’s burial cried over him. David was very upset. He said Abner died a fool’s death.

The people tried to get David to eat, but he refused. He said if he ate before sundown the LORD might do the same thing to him or worse than that which happened to Abner. David was showing respect for Abner by refraining from eating.

The people were pleased with David’s response. The people knew by David’s response that it wasn’t his will that Abner was killed. David told them that Abner was a great man and a prince who was killed.

David was so distraught about Abner’s death that he was weak. Have you ever felt weak in the knees during a time of mourning? We see David’s caring, compassionate side during this time of mourning. He may have been the king and a tough warrior but he also had a heart for people.

David declared that the LORD would reward those who did this evil.

There are always consequences for our actions. God may give us a free will, but we will have to suffer the consequences for bad choices that we make.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 3:31

31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

Things to think about:

Why did David make Noab and his people dress in sackcloth?

Why did David refuse to eat that day?

What kind of death did David say Abner had? Why?

What did David say would happen to those who committed evil acts?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we learn more about the kind of man David was. He was a caring, compassionate person even though he was a warrior and a king. Help us to show our love and concern for others as David did. Help us to be careful about the choices we make in this life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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