How did David react to the assassination of Abner?

David reactions to
the assassination of Abner: 

• Abner (the son of Ner) was sent to David at
  Hebron, 
• He was to tell him that all Israel and Benjamin had agreed to make
  him king over the united Israel, 
• At the gate, Joab took Abner aside and
  killed him. (iv) This was to avenge for the blood of Asahel, his brother,
• When David heard it he said, “he and his kingdom are guiltless before the
  Lord for the blood of Abner”. 
• He remarked that the blood of Abner
  fall upon the head of Joab and all his father’s house, 
• David ordered Joab
  and his people to rent their clothes, gird on sack-cloth and mourn for Abner. 
• And king David followed the bier to the grave of Abner questioning
  whether Abner should die as a fool dies, 
• David expressed surprise that
  Abner’s hands were not bound nor the feet fettered 
• David mourned for him,
  refusing to eat. 
• All the people came to persuade David to eat bread while
  it was yet day. 
• But David vowed not to eat until sunset, 
• All the
  people took notice of it and were pleased. 
• All Israel understood that day,
  that it had not been the kings will to slay Abner, the son of Ner. 
• The
  king declared that a prince and a great man had fallen in Israel,
• Though
  he was now the announced king over Israel, Abner’s death destabilized him.

Lessons: 

1. Abner had the spirit of reconciliation to be
   emulated, 
2. Joab’s treachery should be condemned because he acted contrary
   to God’s commandment, 
3. David’s humility, 
4. David’s open-mindedness. 
5. David’s sense of justice, 
6. David’s fear of God.
7. Need to
   appreciate/acknowledge people’s worth, 
8. Need to forgive enemies.