Justice Belongs to God

By Romina Chevren

"Just then David’s men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace. . . . Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back . . . Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him . . . and he died. David said to Joab and all the people with him, 'Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.' . . . The king sang this lament for Abner: 'Should Abner have died as the lawless die? Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before the wicked.' And all the people wept over him.”—2 Samuel 3:22–34 (NIV)

This passage is filled with tension, grief, and a clash between personal vengeance and divine justice.

Abner, a former enemy, had just taken a monumental step toward peace. He had met with David and agreed to help unify all Israel under his kingship. David, showing maturity and forgiveness, welcomed Abner and sent him away in peace. It was a hopeful moment for a fractured kingdom.

But Joab, David’s military commander, saw only betrayal. Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel in a previous battle (though in self-defense), and Joab had not forgotten. Consumed by revenge, Joab ignored David’s leadership, intercepted Abner, and murdered him in cold blood—not as a soldier in war, but as a man consumed by personal justice.

David’s response is powerful. He doesn’t condone Joab’s actions, nor does he quietly overlook them. He publicly mourns Abner, leading the funeral procession and composing a lament in his honor. David makes it clear: This killing was unjust, and it didn’t reflect his heart—or God's.

“Should Abner have died as the lawless die?”

David distinguishes between justice and revenge. Though Abner had been a former enemy, he had come seeking peace, and David recognized that. Joab, on the other hand, acted out of personal anger and pride, damaging both the potential for reconciliation and David’s credibility as a just ruler.

This story reminds us that true justice belongs to God, not to us. When we take matters into our own hands—especially when motivated by emotion or past wounds—we risk becoming the very thing we hate. Joab’s desire for justice was understandable, but his actions were unrighteous. He bypassed forgiveness, disrespected authority, and brought greater division.

Sometimes, we’re like Joab. We feel hurt, betrayed, or wronged, and we want to see someone “pay” for it. But Scripture is clear: “Do not take revenge . . . but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19 NIV).

David’s example also teaches us to honor those who seek peace, even if they’ve been our enemies in the past. Abner’s shift toward unity mattered to David—and it should matter to us when people try to make things right. God is a God of reconciliation.

Pause:

·Is there someone who has wronged you that you still feel a need to “make it right” with in your own way?

·Have you rejected someone’s steps toward peace because of your lingering pain or pride?

Practice:

1.Release Revenge: If you're holding onto bitterness, ask God to help you release it and entrust justice to Him.

2.Honor Efforts for Peace: When someone tries to reconcile, be open. It may be the beginning of something God ordained.

3.Speak Truth in Grief: Like David, don’t cover up wrongs—acknowledge them in love and truth.

Pray: Father, You’re the God of justice and peace. Help me to trust You when I feel wronged and to resist the urge to take revenge. Teach me to recognize when someone is sincerely seeking peace, and give me the grace to receive it. May I reflect Your heart in moments of conflict and never let pride or pain guide my actions. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.