Passage Read: 2 Samuel 2-5
Meditation Verses: 3:9-10
Thought
Abner knew what the Lord intended, but he made Ish-bosheth king anyway. His decision, with the support of the other tribes of Israel, brought much suffering to the nation, to Joab and his family, and ultimately the death of Saul's son. He knew what God wanted but went against it anyway. Because of that, he is responsible for his own death, even though he was then seeking to bring the kingdom over to David. If he had gone directly to the elders and to David when Saul died, the civil war would not have happened, he would not have been chased by Asahel and killed him, and Joab would not have murdered him to avenge his brother.
Application
It is never good to go against what I know to be God's will. Not only does it create problems for me, but others get caught up in the conflict between God's will and my choice. In Abner's case, people died. In my case, it likely won't be that dramatic, but my disobedience to what I know to be true can cause others to stumble spiritually, damage their faith and even lead them to abandon the faith. That is as bad or worse than death. It's true that my obedience can cause others to grow bitter against the Truth, but that isn't because of my disobedience; that's because of their own rebellion. If my obedience or disobedience will cause others to stumble, then better it's because of my obedience, then some can still gain a benefit. No one wins, not even myself, if I choose disobedience.