Seek Peace
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. 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 Samuel 3:20-21
Abner came to David, with his men, to make a covenant. At the beginning of Chapter 3, we saw the house of Saul and the house of David had been at war with one another for a long time. At this point, it looked like there was a chance of peace between the two houses and the nation of Israel would be united under David, as king.
David welcomed Abner and his men with a feast and then got down to business. Abner promised David he would bring all Israel around, so they would follow David, and he would reign as king over the entire nation.
This was exactly what David was hoping for, so he sent Abner and his men away in peace—notice, in peace. David was a man of his word. He did not try to kill Abner, once he got him in his house. He listened to his plan, approved it and sent him away in peace. David was seeking peace.
If we are seeking peace, we cannot try to achieve it through force. We can only have peace if both people come to the bargaining table with the same heart and vision. As Christians, we should be the first to seek peace with others, as we share the Gospel in the love of Christ.
Few things more adorn and beautify a Christian profession than exercising and manifesting the spirit of peace.
~A. W. Pink~
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