When Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron, David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 2 Samuel 3:20
Abner built a consensus among the elders of the tribes that David should be king (3:17-19), and then he arrived in Hebron with Michal and twenty men. David received him with the same grace that he had shown to the people of Jabesh-gilead (3:20).
Then Abner says to David, “I will arise and go and will gather all Israel to my lord the king… that you may reign over all that your heart desires” (3:21). You see what Abner is saying: “I made Ish-bosheth king, and I can do the same for you. I am the king-maker! I can do great things for you.”
But there are problems with Abner’s offer, and they are problems you will face whenever someone offers you a path to success or promises to give you the desires of your heart.
God had promised to give the kingdom to David. So when Abner says, “I will gather all Israel that you may reign over all that your heart desires,” he is attempting to take the place of God!
You can hear echoes there of the third temptation, when the enemy showed the kingdoms of the world to our Lord, and said, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me” (Mat. 4:9).
Beware the man or woman who promises what only God can give. Beware of looking to anyone or anything to do for you what only God can do. This is a challenge that, sooner or later, every leader will face.
Who is promising you something that only God can give?
