The Sons of Zeruiah

The Sons of Zeruiah

“Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog curse my lord the King? Please, let me go over and take off his head!’ And the king said, ‘What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him ‘“Curse David.’” Who then shall say, ‘“Why have you done so?’” And David said to Abishai and all his servants, ‘See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite. Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.’” 2 Sam. 16:9-12.

The sons of Zeruiah were Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. All three of them were among the mighty men of David. From among these Joab was the leader of his army. These men had a special care for David; they were zealous to take revenge on his enemies. Nevertheless, David could not rely on them. He had to watch them constantly and keep them in their place. Despite the fact that their hearts burned for David, they were quite often his adversaries and caused him great sorrow. Ch. 19:22.

Abishai head Shimei curse David. He could not bear that. He wanted him slain, but David hindered him and said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?” The sons of Zeruiah could not understand David’s devotion and trust in God. Here he manifested his humble attitude of mind. He did not consider it strange that Shimei cursed him, seeing that even his own son was persecuting him. Therefore David left it up to God to avenge him. David had learned to rely on God. His self-confidence was crushed; therefore God could also rely on him. He was a man according to God’s heart.

It was the complete opposite when it concerned the sons of Zeruiah. Self-confidence and willfulness were their special characteristics. Therefore David could not rely on them even though they were zealous for him. They had no understanding of God’s leading and mercy. They acted according to what seemed to be righteous at the moment.

These sons of Zeruiah had gained great power among the people. Therefore David could not punish them or put them in their place, as she wished. After Joab had killed Abner by practicing deceit, David could only say, “I am still weak and have just been anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are stronger than I. The Lord repay the evil-doer according to the evil he has done.” 2 Sam. 3:39. Here he again left it up to God to judge the matter.

We can also meet such sons of Zeruiah in our days. They are zealous for God and for righteousness. They are so zealous for righteousness that they forget mercy. Mercy to them means being weak and cowardly. Such sons of Zeruiah are quite often a great sorrow and much bother to those who are spiritual, because their efficiency is in their self-confidence, but in the eyes of the people it appears to result from their faith. It is therefore difficult to put them in their place. It takes someone with spiritual understanding to judge the motives of a man.

The sons of Zeruiah knew how to use the sword. Therefore they were a great blessing when it came to dealing with the enemies of Israel. They were able to slay the Philistines, but when it concerned inner matters, they went astray. Then they pointed their sword deceitfully at men who were better than themselves. 2 Sam. 20:10.

They sought to keep their position and honor in Israel. In order to keep their position, they used guile in the name of righteousness. 1 Kings 1:5-7. And of course it went badly with them. Joab, the leader of the army, was killed by Solomon by the horns of the altar.

The modern-day sons of Zeruiah have also an exceptional ability to use the sword. When it concerns the Philistines, God’s enemies, where they are not supposed to make a difference by destroy everything that draws breath, these sons of Zeruiah are a great blessing. So they gain a reputation in the church, but they are incompetent when it concerns the ministry within the church. Nevertheless, they are just as bold within as they are without. Therefore one always needs to keep an eye on them.

In the church grace and mercy are to rule together with righteousness. In order to perform this ministry, we need revelation of the Spirit. To receive that, our self-confidence needs to be crushed. Our strong human spirit has to be broken so we can become a merciful and faithful servant for souls. We must not consider ourselves greater than what we are in reality. Like David, we need to be able to bear the curses of a Shimei without avenging ourselves. We must not seek our own honor, but the honor of God and the best for the souls.

On this point the sons of Zeruiah cannot follow, and that is the reason it also goes badly with them in the end. But David’s house stands firm.