PT Jan-67 - Herbert W. Armstrong Library and Archives

36 Tbe PLAIN TRUTH
January, 1967
appearance beh ind their victim. "They, too, are to tear the clothes they are wearing
and dress in sackcloth '"
David followed Abner's coffin to the burial place in H ebron, and gave a short
speech at the funeral. There was much loud weeping because of the vengeful
assass ination.
David fasted a day, though many of his fr iends tried to persuade him to eat so
that he would not feel so depressed. H e insisted on fasting a fu ll day, and the people
admired him for doing it. At the same time they wondered what he would do to Joab
and his bt:Other Abishai. For a man of action, David made a somewhat surpnslllg
explanation.
"They have sent a great man to his death," David said, "but even as a king I
don't feel that I should deal with them at this time. I shall leave the matter to God,
and H e will deal with them according to their sins. God shall be their Judge."
(II Samuel 3:31-39.)
A Vicious Plot
W hen Ish-bosheth heard that Abner was dead, he and his fo llowers were very
troubled . They realized that his future as a leader of northern Israel was very uncertai
n, inasmuch as success depended so much on Abner. The strongest men next to
Abner were Baanah and Rechab, ead) a captain of a band of so ldiers. But Ish-bosheth
kn ew he cou ldn't rely on them or expect very much from them because they were
inclined to use the manpower they had, to get as much as they could from other
people. If he could have guessed what they had in mind for him, he would have
been more than just troubled. (II Samuel 4:1-3 .) After seven years in their exalted
jobs, these two hatdled a plot.
One day about noO'n , when activity was low because of the heat, Baanah and
Rechab came to the supply house, right next to Ish-bosheth's quarters. They pretended
that they were obtaining some wheat from the army kitchen, but quickly turned into
Ish-bosheth's living area. T he two men stabbed Ish-bosheth while he was asleep, and
after a bit of g ris ly business that was part of their plan, they hastily escaped to the
west and fo rded the Jordan river that night.
Hours later, at H ebron, the two weary men introduced themselves to patrolling
so ldiers and asked to see David. When David was told that two of Ish-bosheth's
captains wished to see him, he went to meet them at once.
"You will be pleased to learn that Ish-bosheth, the son o f Saul your enemy, 1S
dead," they somewhat proudly announced to David.
"Even if it's true," David observed with a sl ight frown , " there's no reason for
me to feel pleased about it, H ow did he die?"