Last week, we learned that David had become king and had made a wise political move to unite the tribes of Israel. He sent a winsome invitation to some of Saul’s loyal men, inviting them to serve him. Our passage today, however, doesn’t involve David at all. Rather, it follows the story of Abner and the civil war which he instigated when he rejected God’s Anointed and decided to make Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, king over “all Israel” (v.8) It also introduces us to Joab, who will be a central figure in the story of David as king. All this information—David’s kingship, Abner’s rebellion, and David’s absence—is key to our text today. In this sermon, pastor Mitch reminds us that rejecting God’s rule and ignoring God’s king will only end in tragedy.