The lesson from this fencing match in the Bible is that of brotherly love and submission to the will of God. A fencing event took place when there was civil war between the northern kingdom and David’s kingdom, Judah, in the south. Though God had publicly demonstrated that David was His choice for King of Israel, there were those who would not submit to the will of God and anointed Ishbosheth King of Israel.

It is indeed a tragic thing when brethren cannot dwell together in unity. There are those who will fight with their brethren rather than stand together to fight the common enemy which is the Devil. It often starts when there are some who will not bow to the will of God. They are not happy with the place God has given to others and to them. They want the position of others in the church. Some want to become elders or preachers seeking it as a means of power or prominence and not to serve others in love and humility. They become jealous of the gift and place of others. They speak evil of those who are more gifted than themselves rather than rejoice that we are all labourers together.

James reminds us "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (James 3:16-17)

There are several ideas as to why they met and why they decided on having this contest. Some think it was to decide who was going to win the war. Rather than many dying on the battlefield they decided that just a few representatives should fight. Others think it was just a contest of strength that got out of control and ended up in all out war.

But God was not in it at all. He is not even mentioned by those at the contest. We find that David is not present. He was at Hebron which means "fellowship." How much better it is to dwell in fellowship with God and His people than to join those who cause unnecessary strife. If we cause strife, let us not think that God is on our side.

They used their swords against each other. The sword of the believer is the Word of God (Eph 6:17) and to be used as a weapon against the Devil not against our fellow believers.

It is an abomination when brethren stand up to read the Bible not for the edification of the saints but to have a go at those with whom they are at strife.

The Evangelist, Gipsy Smith, told of a man who said he had received no inspiration from the Bible although he had "gone through it several times." "Let it go through you once," replied Smith, "then you will tell a different story!"

An issue of National Geographic included a photograph of the fossil remains of two sabre-tooth cats locked in combat. These ancient cats had huge canine teeth and one had bitten so hard into the other that its teeth stuck into its bone. Both were trapped and died. Even Christians can sometimes behave like animals. Paul said, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." (Galatians 5:15) When Christians fight each other, everybody loses and this was the case here.

What started off as a contest ended up in all out bloodshed as neither contestants won but all killed each other. The result was all out war and bloodshed between brethren. "The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with." (Proverbs 17:14)

Let us remember that when there is strife that there are no winners only losers. The testimony of the whole assembly is ruined even if a few fight. Strife must be immediately dealt with or it will get out of control. Many assemblies are still suffering today because of past problems between believers which were "swept under the carpet" instead of been reconciled.

The result was that David lost twenty soldiers, and Abner lost three hundred and sixty. Asahel was killed and revenge would burn in Joab’s and Abishai’s hearts till Joab murdered Abner. The battle was over but not the war.

Let us learn that in spiritual fencing, we are to use the Word of God against our foe the Devil; we are to use it to build up the saints in their most holy faith; and use it to correct our own lives. We are never to use it to attack fellow believers.