Abner the Salesman

428 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:17-21, “Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, "In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18 "Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, 'By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.'" 19 And Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin. Then Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin. 20 So Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 21 Then Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. ( 2 Sam 3:17-21) Abner, now seeks to make good on his oath to turn the kingdom of Saul's son Ishbosheth over to David. He was the right man for the job. Abner was one of those guys who could talk people into most anything. He had a history of being a persuader. He was a born salesman. It was Abner who persuaded Joab to put up 12 men against his 12 men, winner take all. (See 2 Sam 2:14) He tried to persuade Asahel from following after him in an ill-fated attempt to kill Abner. I imagine he had to do a lot of persuading to get Michal to leave her husband and return to David. Yes, if anyone could get Israel, and the tribe of Benjamin to cooperate and name David king, it was Abner. But there is one thing that bothers me about Abner. He seems to have forgotten where this “gift of persuasion” came from. He leaves David with these words, “I will gather all of Israel that you may reign.” It was all about Abner and not about God. Ro 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. It is God who does the gifting. Give Him the glory Rev, 14:7 says, “Fear God and give glory to Him!” Father, guard us from the sin of pride. Let us ever be thankful for Your good gifts to us.