Some People Are Not Worth Your Loyalty

Note from today’s Bible reading: 2 Samuel 1-4

After the death of Saul, there was a period of turmoil as two different men vied for the throne. One was David, who Samuel had already anointed as God’s choice to rule His people. The other was Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, who was made king by Saul’s commander Abner.

Even though Abner had served his father and had made him king of Israel, Ish-bosheth was suspicious of him and accused him of having relations with one of Saul’s concubines. Abner answered, “Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father…and have not delivered you into the hands of David; and yet today you charge me with a guilt concerning this woman” (2 Samuel 3:8). After that accusation, Abner defected and joined David.

Abner initially showed loyalty to Ish-bosheth because of his father, whom he also served. Yet the king’s son proved to be unworthy of this loyalty. Once Abner realized this, he did not continue where he was not respected or trusted.

Some relationships (such as marriage) are intended to be permanent and cannot be abandoned for just any reason. Yet in the case of most people in our lives, it is possible to walk away. Once they show that they do not respect or trust us, even without a basis for this, we can separate from them and find others to associate with.

So remember that some people are not worth your loyalty. Some will turn against us, even though we have done so much to support them. Rather than remain in a toxic environment, we can leave and find others who will respect and trust us.