In the JBC: "Why Is This Sordid Story in the Bible?"

The newest issue of the Journal of Biblical Counseling from CCEF has just been released, and I have an article in it.

My article is entitled Why Is This Sordid Story in the Bible?: Four Reasons to Read about the Rape of Tamar.

You can read a preview here. It's my first JBC article that doesn't relate very closely to the problem of gossip.

In his editorial and introduction to the issue, editor David Powlison writes:

Next comes a sermon from Matt Mitchell. In “Why Is This Sordid Story in the Bible?: Four Reasons to Read about the Rape of Tamar,” Mitchell walks us through the violent and shameful details of 2 Samuel 13, which include evil scheming, rape, murder, a banished son and a passive king. It’s easy to want to avoid this story, but there are good and important reasons why it is in the Bible.

I recommend subscribing to the JBC. It's inexpensive and always worth what you pay. They are also available on Kindle.

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The LORD Is My Rock

The LORD is My Rock - The Message of 2 Samuel

00. "How the Mighty Have Fallen!"

01. King David

02. David's Kingdom

03. The Right Way to Worship

04. "I Will Build a House for You."

05. The Rule of King David

06. David's Scandal

07. Why Is This Sordid Story in the Bible?

08. Absalom's Conspiracy

09. “O Absalom, My Son, My Son!”

10. The Return of the King

11. Worthy of Praise

12. Learning from the Heart of King David

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[Matt's Messages] "Learning from the Heart of King David”

“Learning from the Heart of King David”
The LORD Is My Rock: The Message of 2 Samuel
August 10, 2014 :: 2 Samuel 23:1-24:25

This morning, we are going to finish our sermon series on 2 Samuel. This is the last message in that series.

We started 1st Samuel on September 1, 2013.  So, for about a year (a total of 33 messages), we’ve been studying these 2 books of God’s Word.

The first series we called “A Heart for the Heart of God.” And the key idea there was seeing what God saw in David, what God delighted to see in David. A heart for His own heart. David far from perfect, but he did love God.

The second series, we have called “The LORD is My Rock.” And the key idea there was seeing what David saw in God, what David delighted to know about His Lord.

In the last chapter (chapter 22), David said, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.” Even though David’s kingly rule was marred by his sin and its consequences, David knew that God had been good to him over and over again, and gave Him praise.

As we study these last two chapters, I want us to take one more long look at the heart of David.

I’m going to call this message, “Learning from the Heart of King David.”

As we said last time, these last four chapters are a different kind of ending than we would probably come up with.

Chapter 21 was out of chronological order and so is chapter 24, the last chapter. Chapters 22 and 23 are from later in David’s rule. Chapter 23 says that it starts with David’s last words, meaning, not the last thing he ever said, but the last public statement he ever wrote.

His last psalm. His last time going “on the record.”

And then, there is kind of a hall of fame list of David’s “mighty men.”

And then, in chapter 24, a story from somewhere in the middle of David’s reign when he made a tragic error with tragic consequences.

I wouldn’t put these thing at the end of my book, if I were writing 2 Samuel.

Aren’t you glad I didn’t write 2 Samuel? God is.

These are what He wants for us to get at the end of 2 Samuel, and what I think I need to point out is what we see and hear from the heart of David in these last two chapters.

What does David say and sing and do that reveals to us what a godly heart is like?

Let’s take one more time to learn from the heart of King David.

Let’s look at verse 1 of chapter 23.

“These are the last words of David: ‘The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel's singer of songs:”

No question about who these next words are written by, is there?

“David son of Jesse.” He’s been (after God) the main character of these two books. “Son of Jesse.” Exalted by the Most High. He’s been made king. “Anointed” not just by Samuel in the presence of his brothers, but by God, the God of Jacob, the God of the promises.

And a songwriter. “Israel’s singer of songs.”

The King James has, “The Sweet Psalmist of Israel.”

What is his last psalm all about?

It’s prophetic. Verse 2.

“The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.’”

He’s singing about being a righteous ruler.

It’s a message he got from God himself. Again, he calls God “the Rock.” A trustworthy place to stand. Something solid to hold onto in a shifting world.

God said to him, “When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.’”

Sounds good, doesn’t it?

When you have a righteous ruler that fears God then it is so good! It is pure blessing.

Beautiful like light at dawn and refreshing like how everything is after a life-giving rain.

And that’s the kind of rule that David has sought to provide for his kingdom.

He has done it IM-perfectly, that’s for sure.

But it’s been what his heart has desired.

And now, looking forward, David trusts that God has good things in store for his kingdom. He has promised it. V.5

“Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?”

The answer to all of those rhetorical questions is “Yes.”

His house is right with God.
God has made an everlasting covenant with David. Remember 2 Samuel 7?
And God will bring fruition to David’s salvation and grant his desires.

Yes, He will.

Here’s what we learn from the heart of David’s last psalm:

#1. BELIEVING IN THE PROMISES OF GOD.

David believes that God is going to do everything that He promised that He would do.

“Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part?”

David exults in God’s promises. His covenant. He makes a song about it.

David knows that God will keep His promises. He always does. V.6

“But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand.  Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.’”

Evil men are the opposite of righteous rulers.

David has always opposed them, and He knows that God will, too.

I would love for my last song to be so confident and joyful, too.

To know and to proclaim not just how good God has been all of my life (like the last chapter), but to lay down to the sleep of death knowing and proclaiming how good God will be to me and to those I love.

Have you ever noticed how often the applicational point of an Old Testament passage is to trust that God will always keep His promises?

How many times have I said that as we’ve gone through Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and now the books of Samuel?

Do you think that God is trying to get it across to us that He is faithful?

And wherever David has failed, His great great great great grandson will not fail.

King Jesus’ rule will be the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, and like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.

Amen?

Now, this next section is often called “David’s Mighty Men” because it’s a long list of the best warriors in David’s armed forces. These guys are special forces of the special forces!

And it’s clearly important that they be honored for their service to, for, and with David.

But there’s a little detail that gets easily overlooked when we read their stories, and it just pokes out from behind the scenes in a couple of verses. We don’t want to miss where their victories came from. V.8

“These are the names of David's mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.”

Wow! Can you imagine?  This guy would scare Chuck Norris! V.9

“Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. [Here it is!] The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.

Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and [here it is again] the LORD brought about a great victory.”

Here is the lesson learned.

#2. REJOICING IN THE VICTORY OF GOD.

These are great battles fought by courageous men, but the victory was, ultimately, from God.

And David knew that. V.13

“During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. [This is probably before he was even king.] At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem [his hometown].

David longed for water and said, ‘Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!’

[And a trio of his guys, said, ‘Alright, let’s do it.]

So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines [fighting all the way!], drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David.

But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. ‘Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!’ he said. ‘Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?’ And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.”

Was David throwing that water away?

No, he (v.16), “poured it out before the LORD” like a drink offering sacrifice.

He honored those men and the risk they took, and He worshipped God in the act.

David rejoiced in the victory of God.

Do you and I rejoice in God in the victories that He gives us?

Often I ask God for help. I don’t know if you do this, too, but often I ask God for help and then I steal the glory when the good things roll in.

Or I thank other people but I don’t thank God for answered prayer.

Not enough.

If you have a heart for the heart of God, you give God the credit when the victories come.

David was good at that. He poured out that water as a statement of honor of the mighty men and worship of the God who gives victory.

Verses 18-39 are a further list of these mighty men. The Bible loves lists like this and it reminds us that people are important to God and that even nobodies who no one even remembers except that they were on this list matter to God.

And God knows your name and my name, too. And we aren’t that mighty. V.18

“Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three.  Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men. He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

Among the Thirty were: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash, Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan  son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, the son of Hagri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.”

It’s hard to read that last one, isn’t it?

It reminds us that even though David loved the Lord, he had feet of clay. And he sinned greatly.

But it also reminds us of God’s grace, doesn’t it? That even though David sinned so greatly, He could still be forgiven and used of God.

That’s what happens in the next chapter again. Chapter 24, verse 1.

“Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.’ So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, ‘Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.’”

Now, verse 1 is confusing. It seems to say that God commanded David to take a census, which we’re going to read in a few sentences is a really really really bad idea.

Well, that’s about what it says, and I don’t know that I can easily explain it.

Israel has made God angry with some unstated sinful behavior. And God has decided to use David’s foolishness to bring judgment on Israel.

So, God stirs up David to take this census–now the book of 1 Chronicles makes it a little more complicated but perhaps clearer to say that Satan incited David to do this  foolish thing.

I think that probably means that God in His sovereign wisdom permits Satan tempt David into doing something very wrong so that God’s ultimate purpose is achieved.

And the author of 1 Samuel is just cutting out the middleman in the story.

Any way about it, David shouldn’t do this thing.

Do you know what I say so? Because even Joab is worried about it.

And Joab, as we’ve seen is no stickler for ethics. He thinks it’s a bad idea. V.3

“But Joab replied to the king, ‘May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?’

[We don’t why this particular census was evil. Perhaps it was so that David could rest and trust in his armies instead of in the Lord. Or perhaps he wasn’t following the Law to the letter as he should have. Or perhaps he was acting like all of the other kings of the nations. Acting like Saul did. We’re not sure. V.4]

The king's word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel. After crossing the Jordan, they camped near Aroer, south of the town in the gorge, and then went through Gad and on to Jazer. They went to Gilead and the region of Tahtim Hodshi, and on to Dan Jaan and around toward Sidon. Then they went toward the fortress of Tyre and all the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went on to Beersheba in the Negev of Judah.

After they had gone through the entire land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. Joab reported the number of the fighting men to the king: In Israel there were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and in Judah five hundred thousand. [1.2 million soldiers.]”

And all of a sudden, David had an attack of conscience.

“What have I done?” v.10

“David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.’”

You know what that is?

That’s a man after God’s own heart.

We want David to be sinless and to never do anything stupid or sinful.

I wish he didn’t.

But this is where he owns it.

David repents.

‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done...I have done a very foolish thing.’”

No excuses.
No half-hearted apology.
No justifications and explanations.

Just repentance.

And looking to God for mercy.

That’s a man after God’s own heart.

Now, don’t hear me say that God loves those who run out and sin all the more so that grace may abound.

God sure loves people who sin a lot and then ask for forgiveness.

No, we are people who sin a lot. God loves those who repent. Who own their sin and turn away from it and look to God for mercy.

Here’s what happened. Remember, God is using this as a time to discipline Israel. V.11

“Before David got up the next morning, the word of the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David's seer: ‘Go and tell David, 'This is what the LORD says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.'’

So Gad went to David and said to him, [Pick your poison!] ‘Shall there come upon you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.’

What would you have chosen?  Learn from David’s heart. V.14

“David said to Gad, ‘I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.’”

#3. TRUSTING IN THE MERCY OF GOD.

David knew His God.

He knew that he deserved wrath. He deserved death. His nation deserved judgment.

But David also knew that God was rich in mercy.

We look at this passage and see a severe God.  An angry God who brings plague.

And He is. God is holy, holy, holy!

But He is also rich in mercy.

“Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.’”

And David was right to trust in God’s mercy.  V.15

“So the LORD sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, ‘Enough! Withdraw your hand.’ The angel of the LORD was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

[Mercy!]

When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the LORD, ‘I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall upon me and my family.’

On that day Gad went to David and said to him, ‘Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.’ So David went up, as the LORD had commanded through Gad. When Araunah looked and saw the king and his men coming toward him, he went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.

Araunah said, ‘Why has my lord the king come to his servant?’ ‘To buy your threshing floor,’ David answered, ‘so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped.’ [I expect mercy! And we’re going to worship God right here.]

Araunah said to David, ‘Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. O king, Araunah gives all this to the king.’ Araunah also said to him, ‘May the LORD your God accept you.’

But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. David built an altar to the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the LORD answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.”

This is not how I would end the books of Samuel.

But God wants the books to end on this note of mercy and sacrifice.

God wants this book to end with a picture of a holy God who becomes angry at sin and mysteriously uses even the foolish sinfulness of men to accomplish His purposes.

But also a picture of a merciful God who can be approached with genuine repentance in your heart and a costly sacrifice for your sin.

What does that remind you of?

I hope it reminds you of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

Trusting in the mercy of God.

Paul said, “[W]e were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved.”

Rich in mercy.

Have you trusted in the mercy of God extended to you through Jesus Christ?

I’d hate to leave my eternal destiny in the hands of men. “Do note let me fall into the hands of men.”

But my eternal destiny is safe because it’s in the hands of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And those are merciful hands.

Christ died to make me alive through the richness of God’s mercy.

Have you trusted in the mercy of God extended to you through Jesus Christ?

I invite you to do so today.

One thing more as we close. It’s kind of hidden here.

But the Chronicler tells us that this spot where David built his altar is the spot where Solomon is going to build His temple.

That place where justice and mercy meet.
That place where God meets with His people.

The temple.

Which is also a picture of Christ.

John Newton wrote:

Let us wonder grace and justice
Join and point to mercy's store
When through grace in Christ our trust is
Justice smiles and asks no more

He who washed us with his blood
Has secured our way to God

May we have a heart like David’s heart when he was at his best:

Believing in the Promises of God
Rejoicing in the Victory of God
Trusting in the Mercy of God.


***

Messages in This Series

00. "How the Mighty Have Fallen!"
01. King David
02. David's Kingdom
03. The Right Way to Worship
04. "I Will Build a House for You."
05. The Rule of King David
06. David's Scandal
07. Why Is This Sordid Story in the Bible?il This
08. Absalom's Conspiracy
09. “O Absalom, My Son, My Son!”
10. The Return of the King

11. Worthy of Praise

12. Learning from the Heart of King David

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[Matt's Messages] "Worthy of Praise"

“Worthy of Praise”
The LORD Is My Rock: The Message of 2 Samuel
July 20, 2014 :: 2 Samuel 21:1-22:51

We’ve reached the end of 2 Samuel after nearly a year of working through both 1st and 2nd Samuel together. We’ve reached the part at the end of 2 Samuel that really seems out of place. Some scholars call it an “epilogue.” Some call it an “appendix.”

The reason is because the stuff we’re going to read in chapters 21 through 24 are not chronological. They don’t carry on the story of David, they go back and fill in the gaps of the picture of what we’ve already read.

But they aren’t just a bunch of tacked-on items, either. There is a lot of evidence that this is a carefully constructed section of 2 Samuel and not just some unnecessary appendix.

These chapters are God’s Word, as well, and we will give them our attention together.

Today, I want to look at chapters 21 and 22.

And mostly chapter 22 under the title, “Worthy of Praise.”

But first we need to look at the sad and strange stories of chapter 21 before we get there.

The title of this message is “Worthy of Praise” from chapter 22, verse 4. For many of us, a very familiar verse, “I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

That was David’s experience. He was saved from His enemies by the LORD, and He gave praise to God.

In chapter 21, the first enemy we encounter is a severe famine. Chapter 21, verse 1.

“During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD.”

That would be a true enemy–a famine that lasted for 3 successive years. That would threaten the continuing existence of Israel.

And David could tell that this was a problem that had to be addressed through prayer.

We don’t know exactly when this happened, it was probably after David had shown hesed to Mephibosheth (chapter 9), but we do know that David sought the face of the LORD. And God answered.

“The LORD said, ‘It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.’ [Do you remember the Gibeonites? They were introduced back in Joshua chapter 9.]

The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.)

[Saul had broken his covenant. Broken Israel’s solemn promises in the name of the LORD. There must be some restitution. V3.]

David asked the Gibeonites, ‘What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends [literally: atonement] so that you will bless the LORD's inheritance?’

[And they ask for something huge and hard.]

The Gibeonites answered him, ‘We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.’ [Our courts don’t have that power even though it would be justice.]

‘What do you want me to do for you?’ David asked. They answered the king, ‘As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul–the Lord's chosen one.’ So the king said, ‘I will give them to you.’

The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. [David is a king who does keep his promises, unlike Saul!]

But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.

He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.”

Now, I’ll just say that I struggle to accept this.

Every indication in the text is that this is both legal and just. In a minute, we’ll see that after this God brings the rain.

But what a terrible cost to be inflicted on these men because of their grandfather’s sin.

But true justice and atonement is not a pretty thing. It involves blood and death.

So we don’t explain this away or turn away our eyes. This is terrible.

And so is sin. Saul broke covenant. In his zeal for Israel and Judah, he forgot what should have been his zeal for the LORD.  And he tried to exterminate the Gibbeonites.

And these men paid for it with their lives.

It’s profoundly sad, and it should remind us of the Cross.

When one man died a bloody, painful death to make atonement for our sins. Gruesome but real.

And real sad. V.10

“Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies [could we weeks?], she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night. [What a picture of motherly love!]

When David was told what Aiah's daughter Rizpah, Saul's concubine, had done, he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had taken them secretly from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.)

David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.”

Saved from the enemy of famine.

Now, some other kinds of enemies. Some real bad dudes who belonged the family of Rapha who was apparently gigantic. V.15

“Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David.”

Do you get the picture?

This is earlier in David’s reign. He’s fighting the Philistines and he had so many times. But this time, he’s gotten exhausted, and this really bad dude named Ishbi-Benob sees David and goes for the kill. He grabs his heavy spear and a new weapon, and threatens David and comes rushing at him in the battle.

It’s like a movie, right? It looks like it’s all over for King David. V.17

“But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, ‘Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.’”

David was too valuable to go down like that. V.18

“In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.

In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite [another Goliath the Gittite–probably named after the one whom David had killed], who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod.

In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot–twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him.  These four [bad guys] were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.”

Now, there are probably several points to this section, some of which I don’t understand yet, but the basic point is that God consistently rescued and gave victory to David and his men.

And David knew that.  That’s why he wrote chapter 22.

It’s basically a psalm. In fact, it became a psalm. Most of chapter 22 of 2 Samuel also appears in the 18th Psalm!

And here’s the point of chapter 22. The LORD is worthy of praise because He has saved David over and over again.

Worthy of Praise.

Let’s look at verse 1.

“David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

[David wrote this after his kingdom had been established.]

He said: ‘The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior–from violent men you save me. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

Are those familiar words?

This is a great song!

David lets loose with praise in this song.

He is so intent on giving God the glory that He deserves. He pulls out all of the stops.

“I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

Point #1 this morning.

The LORD is worthy of praise.

#1. BECAUSE HE SAVED ME.

I love all of the words that David piles onto each other to get across His praise of God. V.2 again.

‘The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior...”

This is the verse from which we got the title of this entire sermon series.

“The LORD is my rock.”

He is so unchanging, so strong, so safe.

He’s a rock. And not just any rock–MY rock. Did you see “my” in there?

That’s a relationship word.

‘The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior.”

He’s not saying that the LORD isn’t other people’s rock, as well. He’s just exuberantly delighting in the fact that he belongs to Him.

There is a great example here of delighting in our relationship with the Lord.

And at the bottom of it, David says that the LORD is worthy of his praise because He saved David again and again and again.

In verse 5 he tells the story. Now, just so you know, this is poetry. He’s going to go off the charts with his language. You aren’t supposed to take this literally, but everything he says is true when you get it. V.5

“‘The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.

[That’s every time that David was in trouble. And David has lived a life in trouble. But not alone. Chased but not caught. And he cried out to God again and again. V.7]

In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, the foundations of the heavens shook; they trembled because he was angry. [Who is troubling my son?]

Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his canopy around him–the dark rain clouds of the sky.

Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth. The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot arrows and scattered the enemies, bolts of lightning and routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.”

Now, again, this is poetry. He’s not saying that God literally pulled back the curtains of heaven and dropped out and started attacking David’s enemies while riding an angel.

But David is saying that God rescued him.  God saved him again and again. And He did it powerfully. Mysteriously. Dreadfully. He is someone to fear.

David’s foes were too strong for him, but not too strong for David’s God.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.”

“I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

Who are your enemies? And has the LORD saved you from them?

The world, the flesh, and the devil are our enemies.

The external, internal, and infernal enemies.

And if you have called upon the LORD for salvation through Jesus Christ, He has saved you from your enemies. He has saved me from my enemies.

He is worthy of praise! Amen?

Here’s the application of #1.

- NEVER STOP SINGING ABOUT YOUR RESCUE.

The biggest take home I have for this whole chapter is that David wrote a song.

And he filled it full of the most exuberant, boisterous, high-spirited, extravagant, profuse, ebullient praise to the God who had saved Him.

How much more should you and I praise God all the time for our rescue?

Never stop singing about your rescue.

Those of us who went to Challenge still have the songs from Challenge ringing in our minds, and they were good songs to have in your mind!

One song said:

We are more than conquerors, through Christ
You have overcome this world, this life
We will not bow to sin or to shame
We are defiant in Your name
You are the fire that cannot be tamed
You are the power in our veins
Our Lord, our God, our Conqueror

Never stop singing about your rescue. Don’t let it get old.

Salvation is worth singing about.

Now, the second reason this song gives for why God is worthy of praise will probably surprise you.

#2. BECAUSE HE DELIGHTED IN ME.

God is worthy of praise because He delighted in me. V.20

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. ‘The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.”

Now, wait just one second!

Who wrote this?  King David.

And he says that he is blameless? That he has not done evil? That he has never turned away from God’s decrees?

And that God is rewarding Him with blessings that correspond to David’s righteousness?

David?  Of David and Bathsheba? Of David and Uriah?  That David?

Yes, that David.

God is worthy of praise because He rescued David because He delighted in David.

Now, David is not claiming to be sinless. Blameless is not sinless.

David is not claiming to be perfect.

David is claiming to love God.

David is claiming to have a heart for the heart of God.

Yes, David sinned and sinned egregiously.

But David also recognized his sin and repented.

David was grieved by his sin and repented.

The focus of David’s life was not his own sin, but God’s glory.

David had a heart for the heart of God.

We saw that again and again and again as we studied the 1st and 2nd Samuel.

He had not apostatized. He had not bailed. He had not turned away and stayed away.

David had a heart for the heart of God, and God had always loved him for it.

Here’s the principle. With faith-filled obedience comes blessing. But unbelieving disobedience comes danger.

And David, at this point in his story, can honestly say that he believes God and obeys God and loves God. That he has a heart for the heart of God.

Not that he deserves blessing as if he earned it, but that his heart for God goes hand in hand with God’s heart for him and His desire to rescue and bless him.

This is a recurring theme in the psalms.

It sounds to us as if the psalmists, as if their heads got a little too big.

But it’s not pride, it’s love.

“I loved God, and look what He did!”

“Look how God loves those who love Him!”  V.26

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,  to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.”

What’s the application of that?

- BE DELIGHTFUL TO GOD.

Don’t try to earn God’s favor, but show yourself faithful, show yourself blameless, show yourself pure, show yourself humble.

God loves to bless those who love Him.

Cultivate a heart for the heart of God.

Again, you can’t impress God or earn your way with Him.

But you can stand in the way of blessing by being the kind of man or woman He delights to bless.

Part of that is regular confession of your sins. Not pretending to be sinless, but truly being contrite.

What can you do to cultivate faithfulness and blamelessness (v.26)?

What can you do to cultivate purity (v.27)?

What can you do to cultivate humility (v.28)?

Our God is worthy of our praise because He delights in us.

And how much more do we know this on this side of the Cross?

Because we know that God looks at us through that Cross and delights in us as He does His very own Son!

Be delightful to God.

Live out of your new identity in Jesus.

In the last section of this song, David just turns up the volume and sings of all the ways that God rescued and saved and empowered and gave him victory. Listen. V.29

“You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light.  With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

I pursued my enemies and crushed them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes.

They cried for help, but there was no one to save them–to the LORD, but he did not answer. I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets.

You have delivered me from the attacks of my people; you have preserved me as the head of nations. People I did not know are subject to me, and foreigners come cringing to me; as soon as they hear me, they obey me. They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds.

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!

He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”

Our God is worthy of our praise.

#3. BECAUSE HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES.

Now, David might sound like he’s bragging. He keeps saying how exalted he is and how much power he has now over the nations around him.

But he’s giving all the glory to God.

He’s saying that God kept His promises to make a great name for David, to give him rest from his enemies.

Verse 51 again.

“He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness [hesed] to his anointed [Messiah], to David and his descendants forever.”

God always keeps His promises, especially to His messiah.

And because of that, He always deserves our trust and our praise.

- TRUST AND PRAISE HIM.

V.50

“Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.”

I love verse 47. Look at al the exclamation marks.

“The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!”

We should all have moments when we don’t have enough exclamation marks to say how good our God is. Amen?

Trust Him.

I invite you trust Him for the first time or for the billionth time. He is worthy of your faith.

Jesus died for our sins and came back to life to give us life.

Trust Him.

All of God’s promises are “yes” in Jesus.

Trust Him and praise Him.

Never stop singing about your rescue.
Be delightful to God by having a heart for His heart.
And trust and praise Him with every exclamation mark in your soul.

He is worthy of praise!

***

Messages in This Series

00. "How the Mighty Have Fallen!"
01. King David
02. David's Kingdom
03. The Right Way to Worship
04. "I Will Build a House for You."
05. The Rule of King David
06. David's Scandal
07. Why Is This Sordid Story in the Bible?il This
08. Absalom's Conspiracy
09. “O Absalom, My Son, My Son!”

10. The Return of the King

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[Matt's Messages] "The Return of the King"

“The Return of the King”
The LORD Is My Rock: The Message of 2 Samuel
June 22, 2014 :: 2 Samuel 19:9-20:26

This is the last of three messages that in the story arc of Absalom’s conspiracy.

Two weeks ago, we saw Absalom steal the hearts of the men of Israel and conspire to take over the throne of David in the city of David.

King David was forced to flee to the other side of the Jordan.

Then last week, Absalom’s and David’s armies fought one another to see who would ultimately win.  David won, but it didn’t feel like it because Absalom died and David was overwrought with grief and sorrow.

Today’s message finishes that story with a sermon that I’m going to call (with apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien), “The Return of the King.”

This is the story of how David came back to the city of David, how King David became King of Israel once again. The Return of the King.

You might have thought and been excused for thinking that the return of the king would be relatively easy.

It’s not.

Even though Absalom has died and many of those who supported him also died, there is still much civil unrest.

There is a fundamental hostility between the northern 10 tribes, often called “Israel,” and the two southern tribes, often called “Judah.”

And after Absalom died, there was a squabble between them over whether or not David should return as king!

What should be obvious apparently still wasn’t.

Chapter 19, starting in the last part of verse 8.

“Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes. Throughout the tribes of Israel, the people were all arguing with each other, saying, ‘The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he has fled the country because of Absalom; and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?’”

Apparently, there was a debate going on about whether or not to re-accept King David.

They were arguing with each other.  King David beat the Philistines. King David was our king.  But then he wasn’t because of Absalom whom we anointed. But now Absalom is dead, why don’t we have our king back, immediately?!

It seems that Israel (the northern tribes, catch that) is ready to bring him back. It didn’t take much arguing.

However, they’re first!  The southern tribes, including Judah, whom David was a member of were apparently hesitating. V.11

“King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: ‘Ask the elders of Judah, 'Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters?

[Have you heard what they’re saying up north? They want me back.]

You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?'

And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab.'’”

Whoa! That’s a bold move.

Who was Amasa? He was the general of Absalom’s army (17:25)!

He was a traitor.

And David was promoting him above his own general!

That’s a brilliant move.

David was demoting Joab who had killed his son Absalom.

And he was building bridges toward those who had been his enemies.

It’s brilliant, and it works. V.14

“He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man. They sent word to the king, ‘Return, you and all your men.’

Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan. Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan.

Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul's household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was.”

Remember a couple of weeks ago, as David left the city, he kept encountering people?

And I said that in times of trouble, you often can find out who your friends really are?

Well, it’s a little harder to tell when you’re a winner than when you’re in trouble.

But David meets the same people (and few more) going back than when he came out.

The first is that man who didn’t pretend to be David’s friend when he was down. Shimei. V.18

“They crossed at the ford to take the king's household over and to do whatever he wished. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king and said to him, ‘May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind.

For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first of the whole house of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.’”

Pretty good speech for a guy who was pelting David was rocks and dirt the last time he saw him!

Abishai who wanted to kill him then hasn’t forgotten. V.21

“Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, ‘Shouldn't Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the LORD's anointed.’

David replied, ‘What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? This day you have become my adversaries! Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Do I not know that today I am king over Israel?’

[Clemency!]

So the king said to Shimei, ‘You shall not die.’ And the king promised him on oath.”

Verse 24.

“Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.

That’s important. That detail is important. Why?  Because it shows Mephibosheth’s loyalty.

I have 3 lessons to learn from this story today, and the first one is summarized with that one word.

#1. LOYALTY.

Mephiboseth’s loyalty has been in dispute.

Do you remember what Ziba had said about him back in chapter 16?

Ziba had shown up with a string of donkeys and some much needed refreshment and had said that his master Saul’s grandson, whom David had shown hesed to was excited about the conspiracy and was hoping to be restored to the kingship through this rebellion.

And David had given everything of Mephibosheth’s to Ziba, assuming the king returned some day.

But is that what happened?  V.25

“When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, ‘Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?’

He said, ‘My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, 'I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.' But Ziba my servant betrayed me.  And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever pleases you.

All my grandfather's descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who sat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?’

The king said to him, ‘Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the fields.’  Mephibosheth said to the king, ‘Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has arrived home safely.’”

So, according to Mephibosheth, it was Ziba’s fault. He wouldn’t bring him his wheelchair so he had to stay home and Ziba spread slander about him.

How does David know that Mephibosheth is telling the truth?

It’s the feet and mustache and clothes. Mephibotsheth had gone into exile with David  in his spirit and had dressed like it even while stay in the land ruled by Absalom.

That was taking a risk while Absalom was ruling!

And he also knows that Mephibosheth is telling the truth because all he seems to care about is the return of the king. V.30 again.

“Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has arrived home safely.”

That’s a great attitude, and it shows both humility and loyalty.

Loyalty is another word to translate the Hebrew word “hesed.”

Loyal love. Steadfast commitment to another.

The Lord is the best at loyalty, and He wants us to develop it ourselves.

This last week, Heather and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, and one of the things I’ve always love and appreciated and have been overwhelmed by is her fierce loyalty to me.

It makes sense that married people should be and would be loyal to each other, but I never knew how strong loyalty could be and how sweet it could be until I had been married to this woman for some time.

To whom should you be loyal?

To whom should you be showing hesed, unfailing love?

It’s not just something that married people ought to show.

Mephibosheth is showing it to David his uncle who had been showing it to him.

Often, the person who needs the loyalty is in trouble and needs help.

They don’t look like a winner at the time.

They can’t scratch your back, so it would be easy to ignore their backs.

But that’s not what a friend does.  Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

That’s what Barzillai did. V.31

“Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. Now Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man.

[He had been there for him during the hard times.]

The king said to Barzillai, ‘Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.’

But Barzillai answered the king, ‘How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of men and women singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother.

But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever pleases you.’ The king said, ‘Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever pleases you. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.’ So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and gave him his blessing, and Barzillai returned to his home.”

Again, we have a picture of loyalty. Someone whose main concern was not for themself but for someone else. The thing that Barzillai cared the most about was simply the return of the king.

How happy and content he is that the king is safe again and crossing back home!

And notice how blessed he is because of his loyalty.

Remember, when King David is at his best, he reminds us of what King Jesus will be.

And notice how King David, upon his return, rewards those who have been faithful to him.

How much more will King Jesus, upon His return, reward those who have been faithful to Him!

Loyal to Him!

Whose main concern is the return of the King!

Paul said to Timothy – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Who have been longing, loyally longing for the return of the King.

Is that you?  The New Testament commands us to long for, to wait with constant expectation, for the return of King Jesus.

And there is great reward in store for those who have longed for His appearing.

Now, David finally returns home, but that doesn’t mean that all is well. V.40

“When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over. [Uh oh.] Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, ‘Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?’

All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, ‘We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king's provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?’”

[A few days before, they were arguing about whether or not to do it, now they are arguing over who has the right to do it and who would do it better!]

 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, ‘We have ten shares in the king; and besides, we have a greater claim on David than you have. So why do you treat us with contempt? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?’ But the men of Judah responded even more harshly than the men of Israel.”

Bunch of bickering children!

Nu uh.
Uh uh.
Nu uh.
Uh uh!

Going to turn into a shoving match soon. In fact, that’s what Sheba is counting on. Chapter 20, verse 1.

“Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bicri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted, ‘We have no share in David, no part in Jesse's son! Every man to his tent, O Israel!’ So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.”

David is home, but all is not well.

There is another civil war!

Sheba is a troublemaker. He wants to divide and conquer. He is certainly not loyal, and he wants to dissuade anyone from being loyal to King David.

He plays off of the civil unrest to try to create a civil war.

And David knows he must do something about that, but first, he does something about the concubines. V.3

“When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but did not lie with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.”

Here’s our second key word for today:

#2. CONSEQUENCES.

If there has been one theme running through all of the sermons from Mother’s Day to today, it would be that God will not be mocked, a man reaps what he sows. Your sin will find you out.

Even when there is forgiveness of sins, there often will be consequences.

Dire consequences.

There were dire consequences for David’s sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah.

A sword pierced his family.

And these 10 women suffered for it. Didn’t they?

Raped by Absalom who had taken such umbrage at the rape of his sister Tamar.

David believes he has to sequester them for the rest of their lives so that they live as widows. A consequence of his sin and Absalom’s.

It’s the right thing to do in a difficult situation.

And it’s consequences.

We like to think that we’re going to get away with everything.

That God may not be watching.

That there may not be any negative effects from our sin.

But that’s wishful thinking. Our sin carries consequences, and not just for ourselves.

Is there a temptation in your life right now?

Gossip?
Greed?
Theft?
Lying?
Sexual immorality?
Pornography?
Anger, rage, bitterness?

Is there a temptation in your life right now that seems like a victimless crime to commit?

There are no victimless crimes against God.

And He’s watching. We have see that again and again.

Yes, there is forgiveness. Turn from your sin and trust in the Savior. He will forgive.

His blood is powerful, and it is enough!

But don’t turn towards sin presuming upon forgiveness and assuming that no one will get hurt.

David was on the roof of his palace when he gave in to lust.

And then Absalom was on the same roof when he gave in, as well.

And these 10 ladies had to pick up the pieces and live with them for their whole lives.

Think. And turn away from sin.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Consequences.

In chapter 20 there are a lot more consequences. V.4

“Then the king said to Amasa, ‘Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.’ [We’ve got to do something about Sheba, and now.] But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him.

David said to Abishai, ‘Now Sheba son of Bicri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master's men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.’

[Notice that Joab is passed over again as head of the army. David is very mad at him for having killed his son Absalom. But also notice that Joab goes with Abishai and still seems to be in charge. V.7]

So Joab's men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bicri.

While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa [finally!] came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.

Joab said to Amasa, ‘How are you, my brother?’ Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab's hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bicri.”

Consequences.

In this case, it’s Amasa’s consequences for being a traitor to David.

He’s family with Joab and doesn’t realize that he’s in trouble.

Joab drops his dagger, and scoops it up with his left hand, his defensive hand.

With his right, he grabs Amasa as a kinsman for a kiss, and gives him the cold blade.

That’s murder, folks, and Joab (for a time) gets away with it.

But there will be consequences. Count on it. V.11

“One of Joab's men stood beside Amasa and said, ‘Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!’ [Never mind that David had said that Amasa was the new commander.] Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him.

After Amasa had been removed from the road, all the men went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bicri. Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him.

All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maacah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, a wise woman called from the city, ‘Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.’

He went toward her, and she asked, ‘Are you Joab?’ ‘I am,’ he answered. She said, ‘Listen to what your servant has to say.’ ‘I'm listening,’ he said. She continued, ‘Long ago they used to say, 'Get your answer at Abel,' and that settled it. We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the LORD's inheritance?’

‘Far be it from me!’ Joab replied, ‘Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! [That’s audacity, I would say!] That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bicri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I'll withdraw from the city.’ The woman said to Joab, ‘His head will be thrown to you from the wall.’

Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bicri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

Joab was over Israel's entire army [that uncontrollable rascal Joab]; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; Adoniram was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; and Ira the Jairite was David's priest.”

Here’s my one word for all of this:

#3. PROMISES.

The return of the king is all about God keeping His promises to David and to Israel.

The wise woman of Abel Beth Maacah reminded Joab that her city (v.19), “the LORD’s inheritance.”

The land that God promised to His people.

And God has made some big promises to King David.  We read about them back in chapter 7.

How would those promises been kept if David had not returned to Jerusalem?

God always keeps His promises.

The kingdom is saved–not because the kingdom was good, but because God is keeping His promises.

As Joshua told the people at the end of his life, “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed” (Joshua 23:14).

And we know Who keeps all of those promises. The Apostle Paul said, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

God keeps all of His promises, and they are yes in Christ.

Have you trusted in Jesus Christ to be the fulfillment of all of God’s promises for you?

He is the great YES to all of those promises.  Trust Him.

***

Messages in This Series

00. "How the Mighty Have Fallen!"
01. King David
02. David's Kingdom
03. The Right Way to Worship
04. "I Will Build a House for You."
05. The Rule of King David
06. David's Scandal
07. Why Is This Sordid Story in the Bible?il This
08. Absalom's Conspiracy

09. “O Absalom, My Son, My Son!”

Read More

[Matt's Messages] "O Absalom, My Son, My Son!"

“O Absalom, My Son, My Son!”
The LORD Is My Rock: The Message of 2 Samuel
June 15, 2014 :: 2 Samuel 16:15-19:8

We’re right smack dab in the middle of the story of Absalom’s conspiracy.

Absalom was the rebel son of King David. In last week’s message, he had stolen the hearts of Israel away from his father and had declared himself king.

David had been too passive where Absalom was concerned and has just woken from his passivity to organize a hasty retreat.

David and his loyal followers have left the city of David, crossed the Kidron Valley, climbed the Mount of Olives and are escaping on the other side.

In chapter 16, verse 14, they reached a resting place where they are pausing for much needed refreshment.

David has found out who his friends are: Ittai the Gittite, Hushai the Arkite, maybe Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, and definitely not Shimei who was pelting him with rocks, dirt, and curses.

And he’s found out who his enemies are: Absalom and, to his surprise and chagrin, his chief adviser Ahitophel.

David has left the city in weeping, and we’re not sure how this story is going to turn out.

Well, most of you have probably read the story already and know how it’s going to turn out.

It’s a story with some twists and turns in it.

And it’s a sad story. A profoundly, hauntingly sad story.

Here’s the title; it comes from chapter 18, verse 33.  “O Absalom, My Son, My Son!”

You can tell from that anguished title, that it’s going to be, at least partly, a very sad story.

From David’s perspective, it’s a sad story, especially from a Father’s Day perspective.

But we have to remember that the Bible is a revelation of who God is and what God is up to in our world.

We don’t just have earthly fathers. We who belong to Christ have a Heavenly Father.

And the Bible is about Him.

As I studied this passage this week to share it with you, I kept asking myself what it taught, not about earthly fathers, but about our Heavenly Father.

And the one word that came to me to summarize what I saw here was: sovereign.

Our Heavenly Father is sovereign, meaning He rules.

And He’s not just sovereign. He is sovereign in and over a sad story.

Our Heavenly Father is sovereign in and over this sad story (and all sad stories, for that matter).

So, today, as we read about the anguish of one father, we are going to look for clues pointing to the sovereignty of our Heavenly Father.

Okay, let’s dive in. 2 Samuel chapter 16, verse 15.

“Meanwhile [back at the ranch], Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. Then Hushai the Arkite, David's friend, went to Absalom and said to him, ‘Long live the king! Long live the king!’”

I love this little part to the story.

Absalom hits town. He’s winning. He’s taking over Jerusalem and he’s got David’s chief adviser on his side. “Ahithophel was with him.”

But then up comes Hushai. Remember him from last week?

What team is he on?

He’s on David’s team. “David’s friend.” And we know, but Absalom doesn’t, that he’s a double agent.

And he’s really tricky with his words. “Long live the king! Long live the king!”  Sounds good. Which king? V.17

“Absalom asked Hushai, ‘Is this the love [hesed] you show your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?’ Hushai said to Absalom, ‘No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, and by all the men of Israel–his I will be, and I will remain with him.  Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.’”

Masterful answer. He definitely gives the impression that he’s jumped David’s ship, but he never really says it outright! Everything he says could be taken another way.

And now it’s time for giving Absalom counsel. V.20

“Absalom said to Ahithophel, ‘Give us your advice. What should we do?’ Ahithophel answered, ‘Lie with your father's concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench in your father's nostrils, and the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened.’ So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he lay with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice.”

Now, that’s terrible advice on one level and excellent advice on another.

It’s terrible because it’s a great sin. We don’t have to go into all the ways that this plan was sinful.

But it’s brilliant, too, because it would send a shockwave message throughout the land that Absalom was the absolute king.  It would be burning his bridges. After this, there would be no turning back from this rebellion.

No wonder everyone listened to Ahitophel, he was a brilliant strategist, even if he was counseling sheer wickedness.

But before we move on too quickly, we have to see what this is. Do you see what this is? It’s the fulfilment of Nathan’s prophecy when he confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba.

What did Nathan say on behalf of God?

2 Samuel 12, “‘Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight” (vv.10-11).

This wicked act of Absalom, counseled by the brilliant Ahithophel is nothing less than the fulfillment of the LORD’s promise.

Here’s how we’ll put it:

BECAUSE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS SOVEREIGN:

#1. HE CAN ALWAYS KEEP HIS PROMISES.

And that includes His threats.

It includes the promises that we’d rather He didn’t keep.

This can be a little troubling for Christians, to find out that God is sovereign over the bad stuff, even over others sinning against us. God still rules. He doesn’t lose control.

A helpful way to think about it, I think is to say, “God sometimes ordains what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”

God doesn’t sin, but He works sin into His plan to accomplish His greater purposes.

Like Joseph’s brothers selling Joseph into slavery, “What you intended for evil, God intended for good.”

And sometimes that good purpose is hard-to-swallow discipline.

“The sword will never depart from your house...”

We have seen again and again in the last month how sin has consequences. You reap what you sow.

And our Heavenly Father is sovereign, so he can always keep those promises!

It should give us pause when we’re thinking about giving in to temptation.

It’s a wonderful thing that God always keeps His promises, but that shouldn’t just give us a nice warm feeling. It should also instill in us the fear of the Lord.

But Absalom obviously did not have the fear of the Lord.  He sets up his tent on the very roof where this trouble all started with David and Bathsheba and does his wicked deed.

And the counsel continues. Chapter 17, verse 1.

“Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.’ This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.”

That is a good plan, isn’t it?

Again, Ahithophel is brilliant. He says strike while the iron is hot. You’ve got David on the run, press that advantage. Try to kill as few as possible. If you get David then it’s all over and the rest will follow you. Very few prisoners to kill or imprison.

Grab a big bunch of men and go to it right away.

And everybody agreed that was a good idea.   But...Absalom does something unexpected here. He asks Hushai for advice. V.5

“But Absalom said, ‘Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say.’ When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, ‘Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.’”

Why?

Why did he do that? He has never asked for Hushai’s advice before. I’m not sure he really trusted him just a few verses earlier.

But he wants to know what Hushai thinks.

Does anybody remember why?

Two chapter ago, when David heard that Ahithophel was on Absalom’s side, what did he do?

He prayed. He asked God, “O LORD, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness.”

And in the very next verse, we were introduced to Hushai.

Coincidence? I think not. It’s sovereignty.

Number two: Because Our Heavenly Father Is Sovereign–

#2. HE CAN ANSWER ANY PRAYER.

Amen?

Because our Heavenly Father is rules over all, He can answer any prayer.

And I believe this is the answer to David’s prayer.

Hushai gets a shot at frustrating the counsel of Ahithophel. Let’s see how he does it. V.7

“Hushai replied to Absalom, ‘The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.' Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave. So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba–as numerous as the sand on the seashore–be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a piece of it can be found.’”

Hushai uses images and flattery to convince Absalom to bide his time and look before he leaps. And he’s trying to buy time for King David. Does it work? V.14

“Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ‘The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.’”

But...not just because Hushai gives a good speech. V.14

“For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.”

That’s the key sentence of these chapters, right there.

That tells us what is going on behind the scenes.

That tells us that God is sovereign over this situation and what He’s planning to do with it.

“For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.”

That’s an answer to prayer.

Our Heavenly Father can answer any prayer.

That’s why our Lord Jesus said “Which of you [Fathers], if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Are you praying?

Are you praying for things?

Our Heavenly Father is sovereign. He rules over all. And He loves to answer prayer.

Now, those answers may be obvious, or they may not be.

We know something that Absalom doesn’t, right now. Don’t we?

We know something that David doesn’t, right now. Don’t we?

We know what’s going to happen because we’ve read verse 14.

“For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.”

You and I know that, but they don’t.  It’s hidden from them right now.

Because Our Heavenly Father Is Sovereign.

#3. HE IS AT WORK EVEN WHEN WE CAN’T SEE IT.

Verse 14 is true even if both Absalom and David don’t know it!

And I think it is evidenced in the next few exciting action adventure moments. David’s spies meet up in verse 15.

“Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, ‘Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. Now send a message immediately and tell David, 'Do not spend the night at the fords in the desert; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.'’ [Hushai is not sure his advice will win the day.]

Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A servant girl was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left quickly and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.

When Absalom's men came to the woman at the house, they asked, ‘Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?’ The woman answered them, ‘They crossed over the brook.’ The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.

After the men had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, ‘Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.’ So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.”

It would make a great action movie, wouldn’t it?

How did that plan work? Did they know it would work?

No, but we know that God is at work for our good even when we can’t see it.

Do you need to be told that today?

Your Heavenly Father is at work even when you can’t see it.

V.14 “For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.”

And Ahithophel realizes that he’s lost. He’s been a traitor and God is against him. V.23

“When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father's tomb.”

Verse 24.

“David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. [He’s on the way, slower than he should have to be successful, but on the way for a showdown.] Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Jether, an Israelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, ‘The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert.’”

Now, that’s pretty amazing itself.

This Shobi in verse 27 is probably the brother of the guy who humiliated David’s troops a few chapters ago and David had to teach a lesson.

And Makir was the guy sheltering Mephibosheth before David found him and treated him with hesed.

And Barzillai is an a pretty old man for those days. He’s in his eighties.

And they all bring David good gifts. Providence. God’s provision.

God was at work even when David couldn’t see it.

“The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert.” So our Heavenly Father took care of them.

Is God the best of Fathers?

Isn’t He sovereign even in a sad story?

Well, let’s see why this is a sad story. Strangely enough, it’s not because David loses the battle. Chapter 18, verse 1.

“David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. David sent the troops out–a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, ‘I myself will surely march out with you.’

But the men said, ‘You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won't care about us. Even if half of us die, they won't care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.’ The king answered, ‘I will do whatever seems best to you.’ [Passive David.]

So the king stood beside the gate while all the men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands. The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, ‘Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.’ And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.

[What a lose-lose situation that David placed them in!]

The army marched into the field to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. There the army of Israel was defeated by David's men, and the casualties that day were great–twenty thousand men.

The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest claimed more lives that day than the sword.”

[Another sign of God’s sovereignty.]

Now Absalom happened to meet David's men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom's head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going. [Perhaps because of that big heavy head of hair we read about last week!]

When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, ‘I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.’

Joab said to the man who had told him this, ‘What! You saw him? Why didn't you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels of silver and a warrior's belt.’

But the man replied, ‘Even if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lift my hand against the king's son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, 'Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.' And if I had put my life in jeopardy–and nothing is hidden from the king–you would have kept your distance from me.’

Joab said, ‘I'm not going to wait like this for you.’ So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom's heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. And ten of Joab's armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.

[Joab doesn’t fear David’s wrath and he doesn’t trust him to bring Absalom to justice.]

Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab halted them. They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled up a large heap of rocks over him. [Like Achan after Jericho.] Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled to their homes.

During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King's Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, ‘I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.’ [Either he did this before his sons were born or they have perhaps died before him.] He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom's Monument to this day.”

What a sad situation!

Absalom was such a tragic figure.

And now that he’s defeated, it should be a time for celebration. Ahimaaz would like to deliver the good news. V.19

“Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, ‘Let me run and take the news to the king that the LORD has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.’ [That’s a key phrase. Watch for that again.]

‘You are not the one to take the news today,’ Joab told him. ‘You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king's son is dead.’

Then Joab said to a Cushite, ‘Go, tell the king what you have seen.’ The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off. Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, ‘Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.’ But Joab replied, ‘My son, why do you want to go? You don't have any news that will bring you a reward.’

He said, ‘Come what may, I want to run.’ So Joab said, ‘Run!’ Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. The watchman called out to the king and reported it. The king said, ‘If he is alone, he must have good news.’ [It’s not a retreat!] And the man came closer and closer.

Then the watchman saw another man running, and he called down to the gatekeeper, ‘Look, another man running alone!’ The king said, ‘He must be bringing good news, too.’  The watchman said, ‘It seems to me that the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.’ ‘He's a good man,’ the king said. ‘He comes with good news.’

Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, ‘All is well!’ He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, ‘Praise be to the LORD your God! He has delivered up the men who lifted their hands against my lord the king.’

The king asked, ‘Is the young man Absalom safe?’

[Notice that. Not “That’s great! I’m so happy.” Instead, he asks about the welfare of his enemy. And Ahimaaz lies.]

Ahimaaz answered, ‘I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king's servant and me, your servant, but I don't know what it was.’ The king said, ‘Stand aside and wait here.’ So he stepped aside and stood there.

Then the Cushite arrived and said, ‘My lord the king, hear the good news! The LORD has delivered you today from all who rose up against you.’  The king asked the Cushite, ‘Is the young man Absalom safe?’ The Cushite replied, ‘May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.’

The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: ‘O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you–O Absalom, my son, my son!’”

And there’s where we get our title for today.

The word “sad” doesn’t really communicate it, does it?

There is so much grief in David’s voice. So much anguish and, I think guilt and shame.  David knows that this is part of the consequence of his sin.

Absalom had his own sin, but David wishes at this point that he could have died instead.

David’s love for his son is admirable on one level.  He never lost sight of the fact that Absalom was his son. And it’s always right to love your son.

But David’s love was irrational and out of proportion.

Especially because he was not just a betrayed father. He was a betrayed king.

And all of his army was dishonored by his public display of grief over the death of his enemy. Chapter 19, verse 1.

“Joab was told, ‘The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.’  And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, ‘The king is grieving for his son.’

The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. The king covered his face and cried aloud, ‘O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!’

Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, ‘Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead.

Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come upon you from your youth till now.’ So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, ‘The king is sitting in the gateway,’ they all came before him.”

Sad story, isn’t it?

I don’t enjoy preaching these parts of the Bible.

This was not David’s finest hour.

This was not one of those times when he was like Jesus.

Yes, our Lord loves those who hate Him. But He loves those who love Him.

And the way he loved those who hated them was to turn them into His friends and save them from their sins.

Not overlooking all of their sin and pretending it didn’t matter.

One thing that David was missing here was to rejoice that the LORD had delivered him from his enemies.

That was the message that Ahimaaz and the cushite and Joab all brought to David.

And he brushed that off. But they were right. It’s what God was doing.

God had delivered David once again from his enemies.

God had brought salvation.

And He still does.

Because our Heavenly Father is sovereign (even over a sad story like this one):

#4. HE CAN DELIVER HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR ENEMIES.

Because He is sovereign, He can be a Savior.

A sovereign Savior!

Isn’t that what our Heavenly Father is?

Our sovereign Savior!

Our Heavenly Father sent His one and only Son into the world to save us from our sins and to give us new eternal life.

And because He’s sovereign that plan worked!

He is keeping all of his promises.
He is answer our prayers.
He is working even when we can’t see it.
He is delivering us from sin, from Satan, and even from ourselves.

What a mighty, mighty savior He is!

***

Messages in This Series

00. "How the Mighty Have Fallen!"
01. King David
02. David's Kingdom
03. The Right Way to Worship
04. "I Will Build a House for You."
05. The Rule of King David
06. David's Scandal
07. Why Is This Sordid Story in the Bible?il This
08. Absalom's Conspiracy

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