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Status by birth (1 Samuel 14:50-51)
- Abner seems to have a position with Saul because he’s Saul’s cousin. Abner has some military skill, so I wouldn’t go as far to say that he’s completely out of place. But whatever military skills he has are rarely if ever used because he’s more opportunist than courageous leader.
- Physical qualities, bloodlines, genetics, these things don’t count for blessing or recognition or righteousness by God.
- Abner’s place in this world comes from his genetics; he is king Saul’s cousin.
- People’s place in this world has to do with genetics and physical qualities like beauty, personality, strength, money, athletic ability, real estate acquisition, building bigger buildings. Why? Because these are things the world recognizes. This is what is important to a lost and dying world headed for certain judgment of God. And it’s not that any of these things are bad things; they just aren’t that important when it comes to the things of God. They just have no spiritual value.
- Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Won’t engage the enemy (1 Samuel 17:55-57)
- This epic chapter of David versus Goliath where David slays the giant after 40 days of the giant’s taunting the army of Israel. Then at the end of the chapter we find Abner, the captain of the host of Israel escorting David to king Saul. And the obvious question is, Where was Abner? Did he gather the army and set them up in array? Sure. Did he make preparations for war? It sure looked like it. But when it came down to fighting the obvious enemy, Abner was AWOL.
- A lost sinner may get tired of his/her sin. May make preparations to meet it head on. But will never go in the power of God to defeat the enemy. He’ll never allow the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit to wash sin away. She’ll never earnestly contend for the faith.
Worthy of death for failing his lord (1 Samuel 26:16)
- David had been hunted by Saul and Saul’s army, including Abner. Saul is sleeping surrounded by his army. David sneaks into the camp and takes Saul’s spear and water. Abner, the captain of the host of Israel, has failed to protect his lord, which was his duty to do.
- David says what he says in 1 Samuel 26:16. It is the predicament a lost man finds himself in. Having failed in his duty to glorify God, the lost man is dead in trespasses and sins. But loving every minute of it like a pig being fattened for the slaughter.
- For you have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death.
Abner is frustrated by his own trouble (2 Samuel 2:8, 12-14, 26)
- Abner encourages civil war by setting up a rival king to David. Then goes after land near David, but runs into certain of David’s warriors. Abner encourages a fight, but when he loses, he accuses David’s men of being the aggressors. He’s the kind of person that believes his troubles come from other people.
- The wicked know not at what they stumble.
- The lost are frustrated by the work of sin in their lives. Your misery you drown with drunkenness and drugs. The cords of sin that entangle you, the habits of your sin, you blame on others.
Anger of a guilty soul (2 Samuel 3:6-8)
- Abner strengthened himself by taking one of Saul’s concubines. The accusation seems to be legitimate considering the way the beginning of the chapter is worded. David strengthening himself and taking wives and having children in verses 1-5. Abner’s reaction sounds like the squeal of a convicted felon. Not only did they not do it, but how dare you even accuse them. How dare you!
- It is the lost soul under the conviction of the Holy Spirit of God. Like the religious people listening to Stephen preach to them who became bitterly angry. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
- You do good deeds when you feel like it, but you’re not looking for the righteousness of God. And when the righteousness of God meets you face to face it makes you uncomfortable and irritated.
Purposeful disobedience of God’s will (2 Samuel 3:17-18)
- Abner has apparently known David is God’s choice, but purposefully ignored it to promote his own agenda.
- The lost soul despises God’s will for their own agenda. They say: I don’t like hearing God’s words. I don’t like loving others by the Holy Spirit of God. I don’t want to answer to any God. I don’t like what God says about my intimate relationships. God’s people are boring. God’s book is boring. God’s ideas are stupid.
- God says, This fool hath said in his heart there is no God. And let something tragic happen in your life to which you’ll say, Where is God! The answer is he’s always been in the same places you’ve hated. You can’t find him because you never looked for him.
Death comes suddenly (2 Samuel 3:26-27)
- The end is tragic and sudden. Abner seems to be gaining success. His negotiation with David worked. He seems to be climbing the ladder in the growing kingdom of David’s success.
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Abner is every successful soul without a moral compass; without an appetite for righteousness. His condition is the condition of every lost soul; blinded by his own will. To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. He’s done his part. But until you admit you’re lost; your drunkenness, your bitterness, your hatred, your covetousness for things, your envy of others, your endless chasing money, your pride in thinking you’re something you’re not, these things have separated between you and God. These things have caused the wrath of God to abide on you. Jesus said, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. That’s true. You haven’t seen eternal life a day in your short existence. And when your foot shall slide in due time, and you stumble into a grave, the shocking reality of the second death of your soul will be irreversible. And all as Jesus Christ calls you to repentance toward God and faith toward the LORD Jesus Christ.
