MURDER AT HEBRON

“Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.” ~ II Samuel 3:27

REFERENCE:

II Samuel 3:22-30

Joab deceitfully lured Abner from the well of Sirah. He tricked him into thinking King David had information from him, and he caused him to depart from his course, eventually leading to his death. Joab’s quest for revenge and his despicable nature led him to shed the blood of war in a time of peace. What makes this most heinous is that Abner was murdered at Hebron.

What Joab did was awful; it was more aggravated because he called Abner back to Hebron. Hebron means association, fellowship, or communion. He used friendship and fellowship as a cover to murder him. Hebron is where we let our guards down because we are with our friends; the church is a place of communion and fellowship, and we expect to be safe and secure there.

Just when Abner expected a friendly and brotherly hug, he felt the cold blade of Joab’s dagger in his belly. When he hoped to hear the whispers of sweet communion, he was ferried to the great beyond by betrayal. O Judas, is it with a kiss that you would betray the Son of Man? It is most painful when people take the symbol of great affection and turn it into a tool of betrayal. How often have people been betrayed, abused, and cheated by those they trusted in Hebron?

Joab had a bit of conscience; he took Abner just outside the gate of Hebron to murder him because Hebron was a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7), and it was unlawful for Joab to avenge the blood of his brother, Asahel, there. Hence, having lured him from Sirah to Hebron, he drew him again just outside the gate of Hebron. He took him away from the covering of Hebron, the light of God’s word, the advice of ministers, the safety of other saints, and the influence of the Spirit.

Is there an Abner in your Hebron trying to lure you outside the gate? A friend who keeps pulling you away from God, church, and the word? Some people gather with us in church but are not part of us. You will notice that they want to do things with you outside the gate of Hebron, your city of refuge: e.g., date you, do business, attend parties, meet other friends, etc., all outside the gate of Hebron. If you consent to them, there will be a murder at Hebron.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Luke 22:47-49, II Samuel 13:1-5, and Proverbs 1:10

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PRAYER:

Lord, I receive the discernment to discover all the Joabs in my Hebron. I have lost my zeal, commitment, and prayer life and abandoned my mission for lies; O Lord, forgive me. Deliver me from every traitor disguised as a friend; may I not receive the ‘kiss’ that will lead to my execution. Help me to abide in my Hebron, the place of fellowship with God, His word, believers, and the Holy Spirit. I refuse to transact anything with anyone outside the gates of Hebron. So help me, God!