On watch

13 Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them. 14 He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, "Aren't you going to answer me, Abner?"
      Abner replied, "Who are you who calls to the king?"

 15 David said, "You're a man, aren't you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn't you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. 16 What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed. Look around you. Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?" 1 Samuel 26:13-15

I'm not really sure what to think about this passage.

Why did David call out to the army and Abner and not Saul?

Sure seems like David is just mocking them doesn't it?

Here's what I do know;

Abner is the commander of Saul's army and later switches loyalty to David.

Abishai, who went with David, eventually became commander of David's mighty men. He was a warrior, who would have no objections to killing Saul. In fact, David uses this to say "I stopped an assassin from killing your king."

So, what is it here?

If the primary theme is one of obedience is this a test for Abishai?

Is this a chance for Abner to see the heart of David so that God might use him later?

9
May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD promised him on oath 10
and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba."
2 Samuel 3:9-10

Or is this a lesson for us
not to take our responsibility lightly;

Someone came to destroy your lord the king. 16 What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed.

These guys were supposed to be "watchmen", to report what was happening on the outside of the circle and to protect what was inside. And they failed in their responsibility. God's word has some strong things to say to us who have been appointed watchmen.

17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18
When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for ^[a] his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
Ezek 3:17-19

10 Israel's watchmen are blind,
       they all lack knowledge;
       they are all mute dogs,
       they cannot bark;
       they lie around and dream,
       they love to sleep.

 11
They are dogs with mighty appetites;
       they never have enough.
       They are shepherds who lack understanding;
       they all turn to their own way,
       each seeks his own gain.
Isa 56:10-11

I now know what I'm supposed to take away from this passage; how about you?