2 Samuel 19-24

In our last study we saw in David’s family rape, murder, bitterness, unforgiveness, death and also rebellion as Absalom tried to take the throne.  Absalom was killed and David and the wholly army mourned.

2 Samuel 19-20 – God Restores

David mourned over the death of his son, Absalom.  The whole army mourned.  They had won the battle for Israel and for the glory of God, but they felt bad because of David’s excessive weeping and mourning.  Actually excessive mourning is rooted in unbelief.  David forgot that God was in control and that He had showed him grace and mercy in the victory.  Joab gave him a good talking to and told him to snap out of it.  He said that David was being selfish and that it wasn’t all about him.  He told him to go out and encourage the people or he would lose most of them.  David didn’t feel like doing this, but he did.

When have you be wise enough to accept the counsel or others?

David encouraged the people, but he wouldn’t force his reign on Israel.  He would only be king if the people who rejected him for Absalom agreed to bring him back.  David agreed to replace his commander, Joab with Amasa, who was the captain of Absalom’s army.  This was a gesture of reconciliation.  Amasa helped David to win the people’s hearts.  David probably took pleasure in replacing Joab, because he was the one who was responsible for killing Absalom.

Like David, God will not force His reign on us.  We have to welcome Him in our hearts.  We have the choice to reject Him or received Him as our Savior.

The northern tribes were ready to accept David as king once more, but Judah showed some hesitation.  David forgave his enemies like Shimei and rewarded those who were loyal to him like Barzillai.  Mephibosheth, who hadn’t cut his beard or washed his clothes since David left, met David.  Mephibosheth told him that Ziba had deceived him and now Mephibosheth’s land was his.  To solve the problem David had them split the land, but Mephibosheth said Ziba could have it all.  Friction between the northern tribes and Judah resulted in another revolt against David led by Sheba, which ended without a battle.

Joab was jealous of Amasa .  When Amasa was returning to Jerusalem, Joab pretended to greet him, but Joab caught him off guard and kill him.  Amasa and Joab were cousins and David was their uncle so Nathan’s prophecy in 2 Samuel 12:10 happened again.  Joab became the leader of the army again.  He removed Amasa’s body and didn’t bury it or show him any honor.  This showed Joab’s cruel character again.  He cared only about himself.  Remember he was the one who helped David kill Uriah and he was the one who killed Absalom.

Do you recognize “Joabs” in your workplace or church?

Joab pursued Sheba, son of Bicri and took the city until a woman challenged him.  Her wisdom resulted in Sheba’s death, but gave life and peace for her city and nation.

Principle:  God alone can make new what sin has torn apart.

2 Samuel 21-23 – God Rescues

Gibeonites Avenged

During David’s reign there was a 3 year famine so David sought the Lord.  He asked if the famine was because of what Saul had done.  Remember during the conquest of Canaan, Israel committed to protect the Gibeonites who were living in the land.  But Saul tried to kill all the Gibeonites.  David wanted to right this wrong so he summoned the Gibeonites and asked how he could make amends.  They wanted 7 of Saul’s male descendants to be killed.  David did as they asked, but spared Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson and Jonathan’s son.  Rizpah was Saul’s concubine who had a son also named Mephibosheth.  David gave the Gibeonites Rizpah’s 2 sons Mephibosheth and Armoni.  He also gave them 5 more sons of Saul’s daughter.  All 7 were killed.  Rizpah covered their bodies to protect them from the birds.  David then brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan and with the other bones buried them in Saul’s tomb.  After that , God answered David’s prayer.

What do you need to make right for God to answer your prayer?

David’s Song of Praise

David sings a song of praise to the Lord.  In it he says that the Lord is his rock, deliverer, refuge, shield, salvation, stronghold, and savior.  He is worthy of praise.  His enemies threatened repeatedly, but he could always call upon the Lord and was rescued.  David knew his sinfulness and God required righteousness.  None of us are righteous.  It’s only through faith in Jesus on our behalf can we be made righteous.  God saves the humble.  In other words pride has no place in God’s kingdom.

Do you recognize God’s blessings in your life and do you give Him the praise He deserves?

David was aware that God’s promise didn’t include every member of his family, but he remembered the covenant that God promised that through him there would always be a righteous ruler.  Jesus would come through the line of David.

Principle:  Only God can make new what sin has ruined.

David names his mighty men.  Some were:

Josheb-Besshebeth – killed 800 at one time

Eleazar – fought until Lord brought victory over the Philistines

Shammah – fought Philistines alone and Lord brought victory

Abishai – killed 300

Benaiah – commanded David’s bodyguard and defeated the strongest warriors and lions

Uriah the Hittite – a loyal and committed warrior

Do you recognize the efforts of others?

2 Samuel 24 – God Brings Repentance

The Lord’s anger burned against David and “he” incited David to take a census.  The “he” here can be confusing, but In 1 Chronicles 21:1 the “he” is Satan.  Satan prompted him to take a census.  God allowed this to happen.  It was wrong to take a census because Israel belonged to God and it was up to Him to command a counting. 

David was very powerful and his kingdom had grown.  He was tempted to take some of the glory for himself.  By taking the count was a way to take credit for himself.

David commanded Joab and the army to do the census.  Joab spoke up and ask why, but he and the army did as their king commanded.  It took 9 months and 20 days to do the count.  1 Chronicles 21 tells us there were 1,300,000 fighting men which estimates as 6,000,000 total people in Israel. 

After the census was taken David’s conscience began to bother him and he saw that it was his pride that caused him to do this foolish thing.  He was not sinless, but he had a heart sensitive to sin when it was committed.  He told the Lord he had sinned and asked Him to take away his guilt.  The next morning the Lord sent the prophet Gad to David and gave him 3 options to choose as his consequence – 7 years of famine, flee for 3 months from his enemies, or 3 days of plague.  David chose 3 days of plague. 

When has guilt caused you to repent and ask God for forgiveness?

A devastating plague stuck the land and 70,000 people died.  When David saw the people struck by the plague, he said that he was the one who had sinned and asked the Lord to let His hand fall upon him and this family.   He acted like a true leader by taking the responsibility and wanting the punishment to be on him and his household.  God didn’t accept David’s offer.

Gad went to David telling him that God said to build an altar to the Lord.  David built the altar and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.  The Lord withdrew the plague from Israel.  Burnt offerings were to atone for sin.  Peace offerings were to enjoy fellowship with God.  1 Chronicles 21:26 tell us that God accepted David’s sacrifice by consuming it with fire from heaven.

Principle:  Only God can rescue His people from sin and give new life.

This finishes the book of 2 Samuel.  Our study next time will in 1 Kings.  Hope to see you here.

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