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.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

 

You can also follow this site by clicking "G+ Follow" or you can "Subscribe by Email".  If you follow by email, you will receive an email every time there is a new post.

2 Samuel 13-18

 

In the last chapter David committed adultery, murder and used his power in the wrong way. Nathan prophesied that David’s family and his kingdom would suffer because of David’s sins.  It began with the death of David’s first child.  Now in the next chapters we see more consequences.  His sin will divide his family, the nation and threaten his throne. 

2 Samuel 13 – Rape and Murder

Absalom and Tamar were brother and sister from David’s wife Maacah.  Amnon was David’s first-born son from his wife Ahinaom and was in line to be the next king.  Amon thought Tamar was very beautiful and longed for her even though she was his half-sister.  He called it love, but it proved to be only lust.  Just as David had watched and lusted for Bathsheba, Amnon watched and lusted after Tamar.  Amnon sought advice from cousin Jonadab who was the son of David’s brother.  Jonadab told him to go to bed and pretend to be ill.  Then ask the king to send Tamar to minister to him. 

It’s interesting that David abused his power and authority to bring Bathsheba to his home and in the same way Amnon abused his power and authority when he had Tamar brought to his home.  Neither women were invited, but sent for.

When and how have you abused your authority?

David gave his permission and orders Tamar to go Amnon.  When she arrived, he sent his servants away and grabbed her and forced himself on her.  She tried to resist and begged him to not to do this evil thing, but his lust and desire was too great.  Afterward he raped her, he hated her maybe out of guilt and shame for what he’s done.  Unlike David, He had no sense of honor.  He sent her away, because she reminded him of his sin. 

The Law of Moses found in Leviticus 18:9; 20:17 says brother and sister should not have sex together and they should not be married.  Sex is only right when a man and a woman are married to each other.  God hates all types of wrong sex.  Amnon’s actions proved he didn’t love her.  His attraction for her was only lust and not love.  I think Jonadab should share in the guilt.  He was the one who helped Amnon carry out his evil deed.

When King David heard this he was very angry, but he did nothing.  Maybe he felt guilty because he didn’t do anything to protect Tamar.  He didn’t even correct Amnon.  Maybe David loved Amnon and didn’t want to punish him.  After all he was to be the next king.  Perhaps David felt guilty because he had sinned with Bathsheba and didn’t control his emotions.  Now Amnon sinned in the same way with Tamar.  Fathers are commanded to teach their sons to behave in the right way. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Ephesians 6:4).  Fathers should punish their children if they do evil things, but David didn’t to this. (Proverbs 23:13-14)  So David had trouble with several of his sons.

Principle:  When sin is swept under the carpet, it always causes more misery.

Absalom realized what Amnon had done to his sister and tried to comfort her.  He hated him for what he had done and for two years plotted revenge on Amnon.  It was sheep shearing time and time for celebrating so Absolom invited Amnon and all the king’s sons to a feast.  When Amnon was drunk with wine, Absolom command his men to kill Amnon.  David instructed Joab to kill Uriah and now Absalom gave instructions to kill Amnon.   A report came to David that all his sons were dead, but later Jonadab told the king that only Amnon was killed because he had raped Tamar.

After Absolom killed Amnon, he fled to Talmai, son of Ammihud the king of Geshur.  He stayed there 3 years.  All the while David longed to go to Absalom, but his pride kept him from reconciliation with his son.

What is keeping you from swallowing your pride and doing the right thing?

2 Samuel 14 – Bitterness and Unforgiveness

Joab, commander of David’s army knew David longed for his son, Absalom.  Joab may have been looking out for himself.  By bringing David and Absalom back together, he would be in good standing for years to come.  He knew Absalom was to be the next king of Israel, but he could not if he was in a foreign county.  Joab wanted to reconcile David and Absalom so he invented a story.  This is how Nathan spoke to David in chapter 12.  But this story was not from God, it was Joab own plan.  Joab enlisted a woman to tell a sad story.  He told her how to behave and what to say.  She told a story of her son, which would affect David’s emotions and so he would understand how she felt. 

David realized that Joab had arranged this.  David then told Joab to go and bring Absalom back to Israel, but he was not to come to the palace where David could see him.  David tried to make Absalom pay for his crime by withholding love and fellowship by refusing to see him which meant he had not forgiven him.  This was David’s pride.  Either you forgive or you don’t.  Jesus warned of the dangers when you don’t reconcile matters. (Matthew 5:23-26)  Absalom lived 2 years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face.

Absalom sent for Joab several times, because he wanted an audience with the king.  He thought he was not guilty of any sin.  David didn’t punish Amnon so Absalom took it upon himself to do it, because he had sinned against his sister Tamar.  Absalom was a handsome man, but good looking doesn’t make a person wise or mature.  Absalom set fire to Joab’s fields to get his attention.  Absalom finally went to Joab’s house and Joab agreed to see the king on Absalom’s behalf.  At last, Absalom saw the king and gave him honor.  David kissed Absalom, but there was no forgiveness.  Absalom had too much bitterness towards his father, because David never seemed to do the right thing.   Absalom would never recover from this bitterness and would prove to be one of David’s opponents.

David had many great qualities as the leader of Israel, but he didn’t manage his own family matters very well.  He never punished Amnon for his sin or addressed Absalom’s murder of Amnon.  David did allow Absalom to come home, but he gave only partial forgiveness to Absalom.  David understood God’s forgiveness toward him, but he didn’t seem to make the connection when it came to dealing with his son, Absalom.

We can apply this lesson with each another and in our families.  Many parents make the mistake of not dealing correctly with their children’s disobedience.  They withhold love and stay angry thinking that is a punishment.  This can bring on rebellion.  With partial or conditional forgiveness the problem will only get worse.  We must totally forgive as God has forgiven us.  God forgives, but doesn’t wipe out the consequences for our sin.  If it did, we would never learn from it. 

God’s grace is free, but not cheap.  It cost God the life His only Son.   Sin is cheap, but it’s not free.  Sin enslaves and will cost in the long run.  You can’t undo your past, but you can do something about your present and future. 

Principle:  God’s grace is free, but not cheap.

Do you have bitterness toward someone?

Who is it that you need to forgive?

2 Samuel 15 –Rebellion

David restored Absalom, but 7 years of bitterness had grown up inside Absalom which would last for the rest of his life.  Absalom wanted to take David’s throne for his own.  He became a clever politician and for 4 years he stole the people’s heart from David.  He reached out to people who had complaints and made promises that would cause them to follow him.  Sounds like the politicians today.  He slowly divided David’s kingdom and wanted to overthrow the kingdom.

Do you crave what others have?

Do you believe you deserve another’s position?

If so, what lengths will you go?

How do you try to convince others to your way of thinking?

Do you stretch the truth or flatter others to get what you want?

King David didn’t want Jerusalem to become a battleground.  He loved his son and didn’t want him to be killed so he fled the city.  Fighting Absalom was not an option for David.  He left 10 concubines at the palace.  To me this shows he was only leaving for a short time and not giving up the throne. 

The priests were loyal to David.  David had them take the Ark of the Covenant and go back to the city.  David knew the Lord was with him and he put his fate in God’s hands. 

David was betrayed by his own counselor, Ahithophel.  But David had many other loyal friends who remained faithful to him.  David and the people covered their heads and wept as they went up to the Mount of Olives.  David prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel to Absalom would be foolish.

When have you chosen to flee instead of fight even though you knew you were in the right?

Where have you trusted God when all seemed lost?

2 Samuel 16-18 – Victory

Absalom and his men arrived in Jerusalem.  Ahithophel advised him to sleep with David’s concubines who remained in the palace.  So Absalom put up a tent on the palace roof for all Israel to see as a claim to the kingdom and slept with the concubines.

Then Ahithophel advised Absalom to quickly attack David while he was weak and kill only him which would minimize bloodshed.  This plan seemed good, but Absalom also asked Hushai for his advice.  Hushai was David’s friend who had pretended to be on Absalom’s side, but was actually a spy.  He told him this is not good advice, because David and his men are experienced fighters and that Ahithophel had underestimated David and his ability to defend himself and his kingdom.  With Ahithophel’s plan it would require more than David’s death.  Absalom took Hushai’s advice.  Absalom gathered his army, which gave David more time to prepare for battle.  Hushai sent word to David of the plan.  Remember David had prayed that Ahithophel’s advice would be foolish to Absalom.  God answered his prayer.  Ahithophel saw his advice had not been followed and committed suicide.

Who do you look to for good advice?

Absalom and Ahithophel didn’t want David to be their king.  By rejecting David, they rejected God’s anointed king so they are rejecting God Himself. 

What king will you serve? 

Will you serve the king of your own desires or King Jesus? 

David and his army overcame Absalom’s army and 20,000 died.  David gave order for his men to be gentle when they found Absalom.  This is very different from the advice of Ahithophel who wanted to kill David.  While in the midst of fighting, Absalom riding his donkey gets his long hair caught in a tree branch.  Joab found him caught and tangled so Joab killed him with his spear.  Again Joab did what he thought was best.  He believed murdering Absalom was for David’s good.  Joab stopped the army and they threw Absalom’s body in a pit and place large rocks over him.  David heard the news that they have won the battle, but his son is dead.  David wept.

Principle:  God’s grace is greater than sin.

Main truth of these chapters:  Only God’s power turns back the destructive process of sin.

Next time we will continue in the book of 2 Samuel.  See you here next time.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

 

You can also follow this site by clicking "G+ Follow" or you can "Subscribe by Email".  If you follow by email, you will receive an email every time there is a new post

2 Samuel 11-12

2 Samuel 11 – David’s Adultery and Murder

     It was nigh time and David was pacing on his roof top, probably because he couldn't sleep.  He looked onto Bathsheba’s roof top and saw her bathing.  Instead of looking away, he continued to stare at her because she was very beautiful.  He gave into temptation.  He asked who she was and was told she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite.  That didn’t stop David.  He sent for her, she came to him and they slept together.  It seemed like David got away with his sin, but later Bathsheba told David she was pregnant.  David was caught and now he had to find a way to get out of this mess.

First of all David should have been on the battle field instead of in Jerusalem and he would have not been tempted.  Bathsheba should have not been bathing on the roof for others to see.  David’s sin was not seeing her, but choosing to keep his eyes on her.  David had many wives and power as king, but must have not been satisfied with all God had given him.  David could have taken himself out of this situation at the moment of temptation like Joseph when he ran from Potiphar’s wife.

The pleasures of sin look enticing and beautiful, but can cause even more sin if we give into it.  David committed adultery in his heart up on the roof even before he practiced it.  David knew it was wrong, but did it anyway.  He just wasn’t thinking but acted on his feelings, desires and impulses.

When have you sinned and then tried to cover it up?

When have you let Satan convince you to do something you knew was wrong?

When David heard of the pregnancy, he should have repented.  Instead he did what a lot of sinners do and tried to hide his sin.  They sin more to get out of the original sin.  He wanted to draw Uriah back home so he would sleep with his wife, which would give a reason for her pregnancy.  He sent for Uriah hoping he would go home to Bathsheba, but Uriah didn’t go home so David’s plan didn’t work.  So he had to try again.  He invited Uriah to eat and drink with him hoping he would get him drunk.  Still Uriah didn’t go home to Bathsheba.  Now he must figure out another plan – a more drastic one. 

Uriah was not a selfish man.  He had a duty to the other soldiers.  He didn’t want to enjoy what his fellow soldiers couldn’t.  He was a man of integrity and loyal to the king’s interests rather than to his own pleasures. 

David’s lust was so powerful that he wanted Uriah dead.  David sent a note to Joab with Uriah and arranged Uriah’s death by hiding it in battle.  Unknowingly Uriah carried the note that led to his own death.  Joab without knowing the facts, obeyed David’s command.  He sent Uriah to the front line where the fighting was the fierce and he was killed.  This was the same as if David had killed Uriah himself.

Satan tempted David little by little – lust on the roof, sending for another man’s wife, sleeping with her, lies to Uriah, then murder of Uriah.  David could have stopped at any time, but he gave in at every point.  One sin led to another and another.  His lust turned into adultery, lies, deception and murder.  Now that Uriah was dead David took Bathsheba as his wife and they had a son.  God of course witnessed all this and was displeased with David.

Principle:  God knows everything even what’s done in secret.

Sin is never hidden from God.  The only answer to sin is confession and repentance.  When we sin we’ve sinned against God.  We have choices to make every day just like David.  We can learn from this incident in his life.  We can pray for discernment in our choices and if we walk down the wrong path, pray that God will empower us to change our course.  But if we do end up in sin, we should be honest and repent instead of trying to cover it up and avoid taking responsibility.

2 Samuel 12 – David Rebuked

God knows our hearts and He knew David was miserable in his guilt and was ready to repent.  God sent Nathan to David and Nathan told him a story about a rich man with many sheep.  The man took a pet lamb from a poor man and slaughtered it his dinner guests.  This made David very angry and he commanded death to the man.  Nathan told David that he was this man.  David had to condemn his own sin before he could find forgiveness.  David confessed immediately and submitted to God’s discipline which would be the death of his newborn son and later painful consequences in David’s family.

 

Through Nathan God explained to David all that He had given him, but instead of gratitude David sought out sin.  David didn’t get angry with Nathan and attack him for confronting him.  He recognized it was his sin and he was responsible.  He didn’t make excuses or blame Joab or God.  He confessed that he had sinned against God. 

Principle:  God exposes sin and leads His children to repentance.

If we don’t confess our sin, we become slaves to our guilt.  We don’t have to be slaves, God is gracious, compassionate and merciful.  When we repent, He forgives.  He may severely deal with our sins, but we can trust He does everything for our good.

David repented immediately and God forgave David immediately.  Nathan told David that God had taken away his sin and he was not going to die, but because of David’s sin his son would die.  David pleaded with God for his child.  He even fasted refusing to eat or drink.  On the 7^th day his son died.  David had a sense of peace, because he would meet him in heaven one day.  To me this is an assurance that children who die at a young age will go to heaven.

Why is it so easy to drift from the Lord?
How often do you manipulate your circumstances to fit your needs?
What tempts you?

What steps do you take to guard against that temptation?

Have you ever told yourself that you’ve done something so unthinkable that God would never forgive you?

David and Bathsheba bore another son and God called him Jedidiah, which means “loved of the Lord”.  He was the son born out of a marriage that began in adultery, but who would be heir to David’s throne.  David had other sons, but God chose this son to be an ancestor of Jesus to demonstrate the truth that God forgives repentant sinners.  This son was the one who would later build the temple. 

Jedidiah was more of a nickname, because later in 1 Chronicles 22:9 God told David to call him Solomon, which means peace.
 

Principle:  God forgives and restores repentant sinners.

Joab fought against Rabbah and Ammon, but wanted to capture the city.  He told David to come and finish the war or Joab would take credit for the defeat himself.  David went and finished the victory which he should have done all along instead of staying in Jerusalem.

Next time we will continue in the book of 2 Samuel.  See you here next time.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

 

You can also follow this site by clicking "G+ Follow" or you can "Subscribe by Email".  If you follow by email, you will receive an email every time there is a new post.