Dying Like A Fool

2 Samuel 3:17-39 Dying Like A Fool

33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth

I. He was Foolish in his Demeanor -

not in what he was doing (crowning David) but in the way he was doing it.

A. His Pride

10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

B. His Presumption - Doing God's work for him.

17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: 18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

C. His Plan 21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth.

And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

He needed David A LOT more than David needed him!

II. He was Foolish in his Departure –

21 And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

A. Notice the Problem of his Departure

He had left Ishbosheth, for David. His place was with David!

He demonstrated a commitment to the kingdom, but not to the KING!

B. Notice the Place of his Departure –

20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him.

And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

Hebron was a city of refuge. Hebron also means “fellowship”.

The safest place Abner could have found was Hebron, and he left!

C. Notice the Path of his Departure –

26 when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

The well of Sirah means : ” the turning” only 2 ½ miles from Hebron.

Plenty of time to get farther away -

Gen 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

III. He was Foolish in his Discernment –

27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly,

A. His Discernment of People - He failed to recognize the enemy.

B. His Discernment of his Past – 27 and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

C. His Discernment of his Position –

he was INCHES away from safety when he died

IV. He was Foolish in his Death – 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

Nobody was to blame but Abner himself.

He died in spite of His :- (a) Place Hebron was a city of Refuge

(b) Provision 27 died in the gate of the city of refuge (c) Privilege - i.e. he could have been saved (a step) (d) Purpose - i.e. intended to be on David's side - too late 34 "Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters"

nothing to stop you from being saved. (e) Peril - He Was Aware Of Joab's Hostility How serious his danger, How spurious his defence, How silly his delay, How sudden his death

Billy Sunday - Governor Pollock - Pennsylvania. (Pardon in Pocket)