Sometimes We Let What We Can Do Override What We Should Do

There's a very short story in 2 Samuel 2 that you may miss because of its brevity and the number of strange names it contains. Three brothers are part of David's army. Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now, these three men just won a hard-fought battle against the insurgent forces of Ish-Bosheth who has been thrust to the kingship by Abner, Saul's right-hand man.

The text lets us know that after the battle, Abner flees. But here's where the story gets interesting. Asahel has a particular gift. He's fast. Look at the unfolding drama.

2 Samuel 2:18–22 (ESV) And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle. 19 And Asahel pursued Abner, and as he went, he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is it you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.” 21 Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his spoil.” But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 22 And Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?”

Abner may not be as fast as Asahel, but he is a far more experienced warrior so he warns him to stop. Asahel is part of the up and coming army of David, young and proud. He is gaining on Abner and doesn't realize he's not equipped for what would happen when he catches him. Abner seeks to warn him. But Asahel's ability becomes his disability. 

2 Samuel 2:23 (ESV) But he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died where he was. And all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.

It is a sad story with a profound lesson. Asahel got ahead of the Lord. It's as simple as that. He should have stayed with David's men like his older brothers. He should have rejoiced in the victory that he secured earlier in the story. But it was not enough. Perhaps he, being the youngest brother (mentioned last) needed to prove himself. Perhaps he felt this particular killing of Abner would secure for him more praise and glory in Israel. Instead, it cost him his life. His talent took him where his fighting ability could not keep him. 

I see this happen in our spiritual walk all the time. We will let our talents go to our heads, we will pursue what we think we need to validate ourselves before the eyes of others and we may potentially ruin our own lives. The old adage is similar: Your talent can bring you where your character is unable to keep you. The lesson? Don't equate talent with the tools you will need to sustain long term success. There are many talented fools in the annals of history. 

What should Asahel have done? He should have waited on the timing of the Lord. He should have remembered his name. It means, "God has made; God is doer." We can get impatient with God's timing. We can fall for the allure of a quick success and a rapid rise to fame or fortune. The Bible says, "An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end." Proverbs 20:21 (ESV).

Talent has become a serious idol in American society. If someone sings well, plays a sport well, or looks good, we can fall into the trap of thinking they actually know what to do with the world. Or worse, we can consider what they have is what we should pursue. In the end, we might die on the altar of someone else's calling! We must always remember, God can put talent in a donkey. Don't worry about your talents, walk with the Lord and He will grow you how He wants you.

Had Asahel waited, trusted God with the purposes of David's life, followed instead of running ahead, he would have lasted a long time in David's incredible reign. Instead, his life is a footnote in the text. 

You may be thinking about jumping right now for that self-validating achievement. Remember, you are LOVED by God NOT for what you produce. You are loved by God because He is love and has chosen to love you. Rest in that work, and let what you are able to do be the fruit of His life-giving grace.