Why does King Saul's General Abner regarded as blessed?

Abner was close to Saul who served him as his General.  He is son of Saul’s Uncle Ner

When Saul’s power was crushed, Abner went to David knowing that he could do nothing but to side with King David so he humbled himself (1 Samuel 14:50).

Abner and the men of Israel were defeated in a fierce battle with David’s servants.  Asahel, who was as fleet of foot as a gazelle in the open field, pursued Abner.  The latter prevented him but he was assertive so Abner struck him to his death. Asahel’s brother, Joab, retaliated and killed Abner

Joab was infuriated of Abner’s alliance with David and warned the king not to believe him because he is a murderer.

When Abner returned to Hebron, his opponent Joab conspired against him by tricking him to speak with him privately but killed him as vengeance over his brother’s death (2 Samuel 3:27).

Abner’s death brought extreme grief to King David who ordered Joab and all the people who were with him to rend their garments, gird with sackcloth to mourn over (2 Samuel 3:31)

Lesson:

Abner was called blessed because as a General, all the comfort, abundance and power are within his grip but accepted as all of them ebb away when Saul was dethroned.

Genesis 1:27-28 God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth."

When God blesses human in His image and likeness everything that man needs follows.  But because of sin, blessedness withers.  Because of sin, everything that man endures turned to be futile.  Because of sin, Adam and Eve feel the discomfort of the earth.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.  This is an opportunity to procreate, habitate and dominate; primarily intended for the sacred task of building, nurturing and deepening relationships with others. 

1 Chronicles 4:10 Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: “Oh, that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries!  Help me and make me free of misfortune, without pain!” And God granted his prayer.

Significant others turned to be blessed because of each one’s giftedness in the community.

Matthew 5:1-10 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be confronted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

In the midst of adversities and conflicts, God is getting our attention. That is why Jesus never says, “Blessed are the rich who could buy all the extravagance, who acquires luxurious cars and mansions, who possesses a ‘matinee idol’ looks.”

As long as there is the desire, we cannot attain whatever we want to attain.  That is why, it could not be that everybody should be rich and with a beguiling feature of physical faculties.

Not all could possess a car but everybody can be poor in spirit.

Jesus could be visible in our attitude and actions, a self-portrait of Christ. How many of you feel dejected after commission of sin?

David was known for being "A man after God's own heart" because of his remorseful character when blinded by sin.  Everybody commits a sin but not all repents.

It’s not a description of the Christian man but of the man Christ.

Man’s life is measured not by the length of his existence but of the extent of his learning out of this life.

Ninety years of a life span is short if without learning something compared to forty years of life that is loaded with life’s lesson.

The Beatitudes are the same all the way down. Everything that is mentioned sequentially follows if one articulates humility.

The Beatitudes are not a standard for one to achieve but a yardstick by which to measure my submission to the Holy Spirit.  It can be at par with the fruits of the Holy Spirit wherein everything becomes infectious once love is spontaneous.

Romans 9:15-16 For He says to Moses: “I will show mercy to whom I will, I will take pity on whom I will.”  So it depends not upon a person’s will or exertion, but upon God, who shows mercy.

Everything that man enjoys from security of tenure to physical attributes are all brought through God’s mercy, but cannot be equated to a blessing.  A true blessing is one’s inner character, its prudence.

We all want to feel good about ourselves but biblically you cannot feel good about yourself until you feel bad about yourself.

The happiest people in the world are those who yield themselves to experience the grace of God every day. Mary called blessed because of her daily gratefulness towards God.

Occasional craving for something is not bad but don’t make it a habit, to live to true blessedness.

Thinking deeply constantly allows us to go back to God.