After David became King David in the Bible there was war between the House of David and the House of Saul. Out of this war came death and the loss of warriors. Lines were drawn and revenge was on the hearts of some of David’s men. 

2 Samuel 3:22–32 (ESV): 22 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. 23 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.” 24 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? 25 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.” 26 When Joab came out from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. 27 And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. 31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier. 32 They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. 

The Apostle Paul writes to us in Romans 12 the following, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” If revenge was the way to peace then Christ would have called down the angel to destroy all those who placed him on the cross. Instead, in his last breaths he cried, 34 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 

The world teaches us an eye for an eye. Christ says, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you… because great is your reward in heaven.” Matthew 5:11-12. We forget that there is another life after this life. Let God have revenge and you have mercy. Peace for our soul is not more war but more forgiveness.

Aaron Kruse