READING:
One-year plan: 2 Samuel 1-3
Two-year plan: Psalms 40-43, Romans 8:18-30
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Abner had been the commander of the Israelite army for Saul, but he redirected his allegiance to David after Saul’s son had turned on him and accused him of sleeping with Saul’s concubine. In the intrigue of an Old Testament war story, David’s general Joab then turned on Abner and killed him because Abner had killed Joab’s brother, Asahel.
David’s response was to call his followers, beginning with Joab, to mourn the death of Abner. David himself walked beside Abner’s bier during the funeral, and the king openly wept and sang a lament for Abner. Perhaps that was undignified for a king to do, but the emotions seem both raw and genuine. Indeed, David even fasted during his day of grief. The people wept again with him, and he reminded them, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day?” (2 Sam 3:38). Abner had previously been David’s enemy, but the king was able to forgive him, see good in him, and honor him at his death as a “great man.”
What will others say about you at your death? If you don’t like the answer that comes to mind, use today to start turning your life around.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What might others say about you at your death?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, let me honor You with my life today.”
MONDAY’S READINGS:
One-year plan: 2 Samuel 4-8
Two-year plan: Psalms 44-45, Romans 8:31-9:5
MEMORIZATION VERSE (April 1-15):
“Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.” (Psa 31:24)
*first published in 2016
