Gospel Reflections #1033: When our emotions run too high

2 Samuel 2:18 ‘The three sons of Zeruiah—Joab, Abishai and Asahel—were also in the battle, but Asahel was as swift on his feet as a wild gazelle.’

This passage marks a crucial turning point, depicting the intensification of the civil war that had broken out between the tribe of Judah, following David, and the eleven tribes of Israel, following Ish-Bosheth, the son of King Saul, as well as the beginning of the tragedy that followed (the death of Asahel).

The three men introduced in this verse are the sons of Zeruiah, David’s sister (or half-sister), and are therefore his nephews by blood.

They would rise to become senior commanders in David’s army.

The skirmish that began by the pool of Gibeon eventually escalated into a full-scale war in which the two armies clashed.

David’s forces gained the upper hand, and Abner, the general on Saul’s side, began to flee.

Asahel, making full use of his renowned speed, pursued him relentlessly, his eyes fixed solely on taking the head of the enemy commander, Abner.

However, compared to the experienced veteran Abner, the young Asahel lacked both martial skill and tactical acumen.

Abner, noticing Asahel closing in behind him, repeatedly issued warnings, which were also pleas for mercy, saying, ‘Stop pursuing me. You will not be able to face your brother Joab.’

However, Asahel, overconfident in his speed and eager for glory, stubbornly ignored the warnings. When Abner caught up with him, he turned and stabbed Asahel with the rear tip of his spear; Asahel was pierced through and died instantly on the spot.

With their beloved younger brother slain, Joab and Abishai’s hearts were filled with intense hatred and a thirst for vengeance against Abner.

Later, even though Abner surrendered to David and peace negotiations were concluded, Joab assassinated Abner in a treacherous ambush.

This assassination, driven by Joab’s personal grudge, threw a spanner in the works of David’s plan for the ‘peaceful unification of the kingdom’.

From this point onwards, a lifelong and complex conflict began, in which David cursed Joab’s cruelty yet had no choice but to rely on his military prowess.

This passage symbolises ‘the tragedy that befalls those who use the gifts bestowed by God (such as swiftness of foot) not for the Lord’s will, but for their own glory or overconfidence’.

Furthermore, it serves as a vivid introduction to the reality of human sin, showing how the blood shed at this time gave rise to a chain of further assassinations and acts of vengeance.

When our emotions run too high, they become fixed, leaving us completely unable to make any other judgement.

We may not harbour a desire for vengeance like Asael’s, but we too may become fixated on our own assumptions about God’s will, criticising or condemning those who do not conform to them, and thereby risk causing division within the church.

I feel we need to reflect with a humble heart on why we are here now and for what purpose we are being used.

At all times, we should pause and reaffirm that God is our Lord.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.