Gospel Reflections #1036: When We Can't See His Plans

2 Samuel 3:21 “Abner said to David, ‘I will set out and gather all Israel to my lord the king. When they have made a covenant with you, you will be able to rule as you please.’”

This is a crucial scene in which Abner, the general who had supported the house of Saul, visited David, the king of the southern tribe of Judah, to enter into a political covenant aimed at uniting the whole of Israel (the northern tribes) under David’s rule (to establish a united kingdom).

Abner persuaded the leaders of the eleven northern tribes and conducted peace negotiations with David on their behalf. The words in verse 21, ‘If they enter into a covenant with you, you may rule as you please,’ appeared to human eyes as the moment when God’s promise (prophecy) that ‘David would become king over all Israel’ was finally realised through Abner’s efforts.

David also welcomed this peace proposal and sent Abner away ‘in peace’.

This scene contains the profound human dynamics and spiritual lessons depicted in the Bible.

Abner’s motives were not pure faith, but self-preservation and ambition—such as ‘revenge against the current king who had disregarded him’ and ‘securing a position in the new kingdom’.

God uses even human ego and political manoeuvring (Abner’s betrayal) to advance His plan to make David king over all Israel.

Although the passage concludes beautifully with Abner ‘departing in peace’, tragedy strikes immediately afterwards.

Today’s passage symbolises a realism unique to the Bible: ‘God’s promises are sure to be fulfilled, overcoming human schemes and twists of fate, yet on the human side, sin, ambition and a desire for revenge are ever swirling.’

David sought to unify the nation by relying on the power of a man named Abner, but God did not follow human methods; instead, He guided David to become the true unifying king in a different way.

Even when it appears that God is using human beings to fulfil His plan, His plan is not on a level visible to human eyes; He has a plan that far surpasses our thoughts and imagination.

God even reconciles those who walk in the way that pleases the Lord with their enemies.

There is nothing God cannot do. Let us bring everything to God and entrust it to Him.

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.