S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

2 Samuel 4:1

When Ish-Bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed that day.

O-bservation:

Abner had been a loyal warrior under King Saul’s leadership. He would have been a key man to the king. When Saul died in battle, Abner became loyal to Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth, who ruled the northern tribes of Israel for a short period. Joab was David’s key man. When David became king of Judah, Joab killed Abner. When Ish-Bosheth heard that Abner had been killed, he lost all courage. Not long after, his own men killed him while he slept.

A-pplication:

Whenever weak people assume positions larger than their capacity to lead, they often bring in a key man or woman who is far more capable than they or running the place behind the scenes. That’s what happened in this case. You could call Abner “The king Behind The King.” Abner had already met with David to bring all of the northern tribes under his leadership. Abner had killed Joab’s youngest brother in a one-on-one battle, and Joab and his brother Abishai had a vendetta against Abner for what he had done. Ish-Bosheth was the weak leader who waited for direction. On this occasion, Abner died, and the weak leader lost courage and all hope. He went to bed one day hoping to sleep his pain away, and fortunately for him, he lost his life while sleeping. It wasn’t the proper way for things to end for either man, but it was the best way for David to assume leadership for the whole of Israel. David became the King who never needed “The king Behind The King.”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

This AM, I’m thinking of nations and companies, but most of all, Your Church. I’m praying for strong leadership to lead the church of the most high God in these troubled times. Please, Lord, give us men and women who will boldly lead the people of God with compassion. Amen

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