of Saul’s kingdom ruled by the incompetent and rather pathetic Ish-Bosheth (2 Sam. 2:8–4:12). By doing so, he sowed seeds of bloodshed that would in due course become a harvest of hatred and division. Was this war justified? Should not David have continued to trust that the Lord who had kept his promises so far would go on keeping promises until they were all fulfilled? Does the Old Testament approve of this war making? Surely not! It is recorded not because the Old Testament delights in war but