Conflict Between Brethren and the Damage It Does

Alfred Guignard

Some remarks on 2 Samuel 2:12–32

In the conflict of which these verses speak, we find Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ishbosheth on one side, and Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David on the other. Both companies face each other at the pool of Gibeon.

All these men belong to the people of God. They are brothers but they are here with weapons in their hands — ready to fall upon one another in support of the cause which is right in their eyes. This is war in the midst of the people of God. Such a course can never be good. Why not suffer injustice, if necessary? ‘Why do ye not rather suffer wrong?’ (1 Cor. 6:7). Why not wait for the Lord to overrule in things that may arise between brethren?

We notice that David himself does not appear in this incident. Even though his servants claim to be vindicating his rights, he is not with them. Make no mistake, the Lord will never be with us when we fight against our brethren.

At the first, it seems that the fighting will be of little importance. In Abner’s eyes, it will just be a game between young men. It is only to test who is the stronger and more skilful! But what a frightful event! They are all stabbed, killed one by the other and without a positive result for either side. Nothing came of this encounter between brethren except death, mourning, tears and humiliation. Can God give His people other victories than the victory of love — love that always triumphs when it is in activity?

So this first engagement only turned to confusion for those involved; all who took part in the fighting died as a result! Certainly, this was not a little game! (v. 14) But not having learned anything from the contest at the pool, the conflict continued and became very rough for both sides. The servants of Abner, who certainly were supporting a wrong cause, were beaten in the second encounter, and the servants of David did not obtain a real victory. Far from it: one of their main leaders, Asahel, too self-confident, died miserably in the battle. David’s servants, instead of rejoicing, shed bitter tears, and might well have said, ‘Alas, my brother!’

Let us remember that the leaders of parties are especially at risk in conflicts between brethren. Blood was flowing, and those who seemed beaten in the second encounter rallied afresh and became even more united in their determination to fight. Shall the sword devour for ever? What will be the result? Only bitterness in the end. It cannot be otherwise. Dear redeemed of the Lord — we for whom Christ died — let us be beware of this today more than ever. He who is a liar and a murderer from the beginning provokes his slaves against one another. Is this not happening in the world today? Are we going to behave the same way in the house of God? Let us be careful! ‘If ye bite and devour one another, see that ye are not consumed one of another’ (Gal. 5:15).

At last, Abner, weary of a conflict that has brought no one any benefit, appeals for the battle to end and everyone returns from pursuing his brother. Final result? No victory for either side, many sorrowful losses on both sides, much mourning and tears! These are the brethren who would have torn each other apart, and in the end both are still stuck in their original positions. The servants of Ishbosheth have not changed their point of view, and the servants of David have gained no advantage from the blood of their brethren that has been shed in the process.

We might perhaps have thought that all was over, but unhappily this was not the case. Joab cherishes hatred in his heart against Abner for the death of his brother, Asahel, and at the first opportunity he kills him traitorously with the sword. Peace was very far from their hearts.

Even the death of Abner did not put an end to this miserable history. Joab might believe that he had been successful in his schemes, and that being the victor he would continue to prosper. For many long years he had been at the head of David’s armies, honoured among the people of God, victorious over their enemies. But all this activity was without value, either in the eyes of God or those of David. He was not given a place among David’s mighty men, an honour that was accorded to his armour bearer (2 Sam. 23:37). In the end he received his due under the government of God, and perished miserably by the sword in the very house of God where he believed he had found a refuge. He thought that he had served his lord, the king, faithfully; in fact, he had always sought his own advancement. God did not forget his crimes, and the blood he shed was visited on his head and on his seed (1 Ki. 2:22–34). 

So, the struggle which began at the pool of Gibeon resulted in the miserable deaths of Abner and Joab, the two leaders who had guided the people in this conflict between brethren. 

These things are written for our instruction; let us weigh them well for our profit.

From: Truth & Testimony, 2020 (translated from the French, Messager Evangélique, 1937, p. 46).