Today's reading was abit difficult for me to swallow... ...

22 At that moment the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.

23 When Joab and all the troops that were with him had come, they told Joab, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he has gone in peace.”

24 Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you; why is it that you sent him away, and he has already gone? 25 Surely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”

27 Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.

28 Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “My kingdom and I are guiltless before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

29 Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”

30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

Like it seemed right and justifiable for Joab and Abishai to do what they did. And like.. David knew that their brothers were killed by Abner... and still made peace with him. Gave me the impression that David personality is one who is cold... but really.. his heart was only for one and that is God. Which was probably why he did what he did. To get Israel back to God.

It's also about submitting to authority. It's so hard... especially when it seems justifiable. But what seems justifiable to us may not be right and fitting in God's eyes. And so... God's ways are always higher than ours.

It's important not to be impulsive and act rashly when emotions run high... must contain myself. I guess one has to continuously walk with God in order to understand his ways and hence prevent actions that will lead to inevitable costly consequences. Something i have to learn.