All Scripture is given by inspiration/God and therefore every last recorded incident in it has been included for our profit
Unprofitable talk is sinful talk and this is something of which we can never accuse a thrice Holy God
There is nothing superfluous in the Bible with which we can safely dispense with
Nor is there anything missing that leaves us hopelessly floundering in the dark for want of information
Such may be said in any age and especially in our age
There are people who today who contemptuously dismiss/Bible as an outdated book – especially the OT part
Such but expose their own ignorance
If they have read/Bible at all…they have failed to read it alright
They have not read it in faith nor read it with a humble heart
Chances are they have read it purely to criticise it
They have read it as a criminal does a legal act/law i.e. to find some loophole so he can escape the sure/certain condemnation
It is not (to quote Bishop Ryle) that they do not understand the message/Bible – they understand it just too much and they don’t like what they understand
Do not claim that each part/Bible, although inspired, is equally valuable to us in important matters
There are greater incidents than the one we have read
But this incident is pregnant with gospel meaning
It yields us 4 main thoughts/consider:
1) WE HAVE AN UNWISE FOLLOWING:
Asahel decided that he would chase after Abner (v19)
Let’s see some things about Abner
A/ Abner showed himself to be outside God’s will re: the King
When men/Judah recognised the crown to be for David, Abner elevated Ishbosheth to the throne instead (v8-9)
This limited David’s rightful reign to only one tribe i.e. Judah
To be in the will of God is the sweetest thing/earth
The Lord Jesus said: I delight to do thy will O my God (Psalm 40:8)
Hymnwriter: Thou sweet, beloved will of God
Abner knew of none of these things
He ignored the voice/God through Samuel/prophet who anointed David as King
He ignored the voice/God through amazing providence which kept David always ahead of trouble including Goliath/Saul
Even his old master (Saul) recognised David’s succession
But not Abner – he set the full coronation back by seven and a half years (v11)
B/ Abner showed himself capable of drawing a crowd around him:
Not always a bad thing – the Lord Jesus could do likewise
But it is the calibre/magnet that determines whether good/bad
In this case: Abner is a bad magnet Follow not that which is evil, but
that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth
evil hath not seen God. (3 John 1:11)
Abner evidently had a charm around him
Appears to have been a successful man in so much
After his death even David eulogised him: 3:38
Doubtless, there were things there than justify such talk
But, spiritually speaking, this man had far to go
Without developing a so called remnant culture – yet do not
view great crowds and popular followings as representing success
Abner in these things was a dangerous man to be with
C/ Abner showed himself to be flippant about the lives of men:
Seen in v13-14 where the two armies came together
Seems to have been some kind of competition
But it ended in the deaths of those who lost the games (v16-17)
That sounds very flippant does it not?
It was Abner who suggested the contest (v14) challenging Joab
Joab’s confidence was more justified than Abner’s (v14)
When all was said/done: men perished in the name of sport
I’m glad that the Lord Jesus cared about the souls/men
I see Him weeping at Jerusalem even for His rejecters (Matthew 23:37) Came not to destroy men’s lives but to save them (Luke 9:56)
Let there be no flippancy about spiritual things
D/ Abner showed himself to be capable of losing two battles: He lost the sporting battle (v16) and a greater one again (v17)
Wherever Abner’s greatness lay – it was not as a commander
Ask yourself: is this the kind of one we would want to follow? OBJECTION: Asahel did not follow him out of admiration
He wanted to destroy him and so get the crown/ David’s head ANSWER: Good motives are not enough
This was not God’s way
God’s way is not only the best way - God’s way is the only way
Contrast David’s method with that of Asahel
David sought counsel from God (v1)
No such intimation re: Asahel
He just lunged in without seeking the face/God
It was an unwise following or pursuit
2) WE HAVE AN UNHEEDED WARNING:
A/ Give Abner his due – warned Asahel to back off (v20-21)
Even the world has a care for the well being of its people
Must pay due tribute to various charities/caring agencies
Should not unduly demonise the world
But this warning went unheeded
B/ Why did Asahel ignore this warning?
Asahel underestimated Abner
OK – Abner had enjoyed better days than this
But (as the incident itself shows) – he was no pushover
Asahel over estimated himself
He could look with some satisfaction at a couple/strong points:
[i] He came from a strong fighting breed/family (Joab/brother)
[ii] He was light of foot as a wild roe (v18) He had speed and agility, second to none
[iii] He possessed a remarkable degree/determination (v19)
These are wonderful traits to have
Would that we had them in spiritual things!
Especially the latter about turning not: right/left hands Only
be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn
not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper
whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:7)
But the scene here, isn’t spiritually charged
Abner is not the man that Asahel thinks he is
Asahel isn’t the man whom he thinks he is
He gets a warning not to take so much upon him
v21 points him towards fighting a lesser man
If you must fight- take on someone less experienced than me
This was ignored (v21) so the warning is repeated
Both with a threat and a plea (v22)
But we have here a second refusal to heed the warning
Narrator’s language is almost electrifying:
Howbeit, he refused to turn aside (v23)
C/ Sinner ignores many warnings/Scripture:
Ignores clear statements like: Romans 6:23/Proverbs 13:15
Spoke earlier re: folk complaining: they do not understand/Bible
Might not understand it all – hard things/understood
But other parts are a clear as the midday sun
This isn’t ‘rocket science’
Sinner ignores pressing/pointed questions like:
Mark 8:36/Hebrews 2:3/1 Peter 4:18 etc.,
These are put into question form for a number/reasons:
[i] It proves that we are rational creatures
It is designed to make us think and give the answer
If Abner’s warning induced Asahel even to think “I could perish here”
Then it did it’s job – relieved Asahel of any excuse
Likewise/sinners: When they start to analyse these and other Biblical questions and conclude: There is a God/hell etc.,
[ii] It proves that we are responsible creatures
Being responsible, then we are liable to judgement
There are no mitigating factors in the judgement/God
In human court cases, all kinds of experts are brought in
Some defendants plead insanity and they become subject to all kinds/mental assessments to try and lessen their responsibility
God does not need such reports
He knows what is in man – God’s ways are perfect
He treats us as responsible beings
That actually dignifies us – but it is a great responsibility
It all seemed to be lost on this young man, Asahel
What did he hope to achieve?
David would be king, despite any action from Abner
God said so back in 1 Samuel 16 when Samuel anointed David
Things God hath spoken are certain and sure
Joab (Asahel’s older brother) would be David’s general
Perhaps Asahel felt he had something to prove to his older brethren – just as David had to do with his (1:17:28-29)
I don’t know – but I know this: Happy it would have been had he quick footed it back again
Who is in charge of the clattering train? The axles creak and the couplings strain, And the pace is hot, and the points are near, And Sleep has deadened the driver's ear; And the signals flash through the night in vain, For DEATH is in charge of the clattering train
3) WE HAVE AN UNANTICIPATED ENDING:
A/ As seen: Although Asahel was warned – warning was ignored
He maintained his foolish thoughts re:
The weakness/Abner and his own perceived strengths
He did not want to take the armour of a dead equal (v21)
This would have afforded him no satisfaction/room to boast
He wanted the scalp of this enemy general
B/ Not only two warnings here ignored…
…Abner graciously gave him the opportunity to turn back Yet he kept coming: Fools rush to do evil
When he came within reach of Abner’s spear – Abner used the hindmost part/spear to kill the young man
He did not try to disarm him or injure him – he killed him
C/ End came in an unexpected way
Both ends/spear were equally deadly
Not merely the sharpened head – but the shaft also
This has a spiritual lesson for us:
Death is the result of all sin – not just the gross sins
Some people think hell is only good enough for gross sinners
They think of the murderers/rapists/cruel beasts etc.,
Does not enter their head that hell is for every last Christ rejecting sinner who dies in an unregenerate state
D/ In than more way that Asahel contributed to his own death
Apart from the obvious i.e. that he followed his killer and ignored his two warnings and alternative ideas
[i] How accessible Asahel’s fifth rib proved to be
This was the place to inflict the deadly wound
It gave access to the vital organs – no chance/failure
How vulnerable the sinner really is
Required no effort on God’s part to take a sinner out
Murderous Herod was eaten worms and gave up the ghost
Ground opened up to take out the rebels in Numbers 16 The God is whose hand thy breath is…(Daniel 5:23)
[ii] The force of Asahel’s own body coming towards the spear
The force of the spear (energised by Abner’s hands) plus the weight of Asahel’s oncoming aggressive body
Contact was made – then penetration/spear and then death
The sinner contributes to his own spiritual death
He digs his own grave and can blame none but himself
4) WE HAVE AN UNMISSABLE TEACHING:
A/ Interesting: After the death/Asahel, many stopped at the scene of his death and stood still as if in a period/reflection
B/ Certainly behoves us to do likewise
Some other lessons that we can draw:
[i] If we must pursue after something –
Let it be for salvation in Jesus Christ
Show the determination that Asahel showed Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13:24)
Many are quickly discouraged on this matter
Maybe awakened and have a few anxious times, but it quickly evaporates and they return to their slumber of death
Have already thought of how God treats us as rational and responsible people – here He treats us as objects/mercy
Every man is invited to enter in
Let no man alive ever despair and say: “It is not for me”
Asahel came from David’s army
I remind you that from early days, David’s army was made up by those who in earlier days had been in debt/distress etc.,
All had been welcome to come to David’s side
NT equivalent to this incident would be: Matthew 11:28-29
[ii] Must consider also: the willingness of Another (Christ) who could willingly pursue after death
[i] His death was anticipated
He went willingly as a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7)
[ii] His death was atoning
Without the shedding of His blood, there could be no remission
[iii] His death was available for the benefit of all
We preach the all Sufficient Christ