Bitterness - 2 Samuel 1-4

 2 Samuel 3:22-25 (ESV)

Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace.” Then Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone? You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”

Bitterness can cloud our judgment.   Joab was a bitter man.  In many respects, most of us would probably be, in this case, as well.  Abner was the enemy of David and, therefore (as Captain of David’s army) Joab, as well.  Joab and Abner had gone head-to-head in battle.   Although Joab won the war, he lost his brother Asahel, in the fight, at the hands of Abner.    When Joab is off on a raid, Abner comes and makes peace with David but delivering the last tribe (Benjamin) into David’s kingdom.   But, when Joab hears of it, he is not just suspicious, he is full of rage.   He will eventually go behind David’s back and kill Abner.   This is what bitterness does to you.  When Abner killed Asahel, he gave him many warnings to turn away and not fight.  But, Asahel would not stop pursuing.   This was a war and Asahel was determined to kill Abner.  Abner was the better fighter and defended himself.  But, Joab could not wrap his brain around it.  David could.   Joab’s bitterness of soul would turn his heart evil.   Later, David will say this about Joab and his other brother, Abishai, who were the sons of Zeruiah: 

2 Samuel 3:39 (ESV)

And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!”

This is what happens when we allow pain and suffering to take root in our hearts.  It turns us into evil doers.   Eventually Joab and Abishai will pay for this sin.   David marginalized them in his life, but the deed was done.  Bitterness lead to anger and anger is the root cause of murder.    When we hold on to past suffering it will make our hearts bitter and that will, in turn, make our decisions evil.