Actions Speak Loudly
Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul. And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” - 2 Samuel 3:6-7
Now, we see the real heart of Abner. While the children were at war with each other, because Abner rebelled against God’s anointed, David, Abner was strengthening his position in the house of Saul. He was gaining power in Israel, which included the eleven tribes of Israel who were not following David. Only the house of Judah followed David, who followed the Lord.
Remember, Abner had put Saul’s son, Ishbosheth, on the throne after Saul was killed. He was supposed to be the king of Israel, but Abner was gaining power, taking it from Ishbosheth. He knew what Abner was doing, so he questioned his loyalty by accusing him of going into Saul’s concubines.
This is important because the custom was for the new king to take the concubines from the previous king; it showed he was taking the king’s position and power. If Abner went into Saul’s concubines, he would be assuming Saul’s position.
Abner was acting according to his character. We must always look at a person’s actions, because they will reveal their heart. Remember the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” They reveal the truth.
The actions of men form an infallible index of their character.
~Geoffrey Wilson~
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