“David: Sovereign and Sinner” 2SAMUEL Sermons by Rev Mike Jones [Revised August 28, 2020]
IISam 06: RETURN OF THE LOST ARK
IISam 09: KING WHO LOVED A DEAD DOG
IISam 09:- MEPHIBOSHETH- “Grace in Action”
2Sam 11:- SIN’S POWER AND PARDON
IISAM 13:1-20 APPOINTMENTS WE HATE TO KEEP
IISam 17:14 DEFEATING THE THINGS THAT DEFEAT YOU
IISam 21:16-21 GIANT KILLER’S GIANT KILLERS
IISam 24:14 WHOSE HANDS ARE IN CONTROL?
IISam 03:33 FOOL FUNERALS
A preacher recently said, “If someone was to say he had faith and tried to prove it by standing in front of a train then he would have a Fool’s Funeral!” I began to think about that and wonder what the Bible said about a fool and his death. [Man who stuck his head in a quick freeze machine to prove to his buddies that it wouldn’t kill him. His funeral was two days later]
King David asked a question about a Fool’s Death when his friend Abner was slain in a sneak attack by General Joab – And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? (2 Samuel 3:33) What would cause a man to die as a fool? According to the Scriptures Fools die for lack of Wisdom- The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. (Proverbs 10:21)
That is why it is so important that you read and heed the world’s greatest source of wisdom, the word of God- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16 17).
Two Great truths you will learn from God’s Word:
1) It is foolish to TRADE your soul- As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool (Jeremiah 17:11). Remember the Rich man who lived for bigger barns instead of living for God- But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (Luke 12:20)
And Jesus said, What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)
2) It is foolish to NEGLECT your Soul – Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Man named “Odd” who hated his name so he had his wife only list his date of birth and his date of death on this tomb stone. Now everyone walks by and says, “Isn’t that Odd?”
ALL of us must die. It is what we do in life that determines where we go in death. When I want to go to India I cannot just show up at the gate and say I want to fly to India. I must get my ticket in advance. Have you got your “ticket” to Heaven?
For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool (Ecclesiastes 2:16).
IISam 06: RETURN OF THE LOST ARK
In the final days of Eli the Priest the people were facing a major battle against the Philistines. As in most situations where the circumstances look bleak, the people decided it would be nice to have God on their side so they asked the sons of Eli to bring the ark into the camp to give them the “divine edge” in the Battle. The Philistines won the battle however and captured the ark but then found they had something “too hot to handle” as disease and defeat came with it. They decided they needed a way of determining if it was really a judgment of God or simply bad “luck” so they put the ark on a cart hooked to two cows that had just had calves. Then they turned the cows loose to see if they would go back to their calves or toward the nation of Israel. They went to Israel and the ark found a resting place in Kirjathjearim (After 50,000 men of Beth shemesh died when they tried to look into it!) [I Sam 4,5,6]. There it remained during the reign of Saul until David determined to bring it to his headquarters at Jerusalem.
David’s desire was commendable, his goal was correct; but his methods were faulty and suffering was the result. I want to look at Where David make his mistakes, How he corrected them, and the lessons we ought to learn from this incident.
I. MISTAKEN MOTIVES AND METHODS IN DOING GOD’S WORK
A) David did not consult the Lord about moving the Ark, he asked his political advisors I Chron 13:1 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. He may have had an ulterior motive of trying to unite the country instead of bring glory to God.
B) David used the World’s method of moving the Ark instead of consulting the Word of God God allowed the Philistines to put the Ark on a Cart and be drawn by oxen because they didn’t know any better but he required His people to carry it on their shoulders as he had said in His word (Numbers 7:8 9). One of the great problems in Churches and among Christians today is that they are trying to do God’s Work with Man’s Methods and blaming God when it fails!!
NOTE that David and the People were very enthusiastic about what they were doing playing on all manner of instruments, etc. but Enthusiasm does not mean you’re correct
C) Note that eventually wrong methods brought God’s Wrath because the ark was riding on a cart it began to shake. When it did Uzzah reached forth his hand to steady it and God killed him for his error. (Num 3:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die)
Ananias and Sapphira found that out when they lied to God about giving everything.
II. GOD HONORS GOD’S WAY When David did things the way God said then he was able to bring the ark to Jerusalem and unite the people.
III. HOW ARE YOU DOING GOD’S WORK??? Do you have a Burden but no direction? Are you working to please people or to Honor God?? God cannot bless error or enthusiasm but He does bless proper effort.
IISam 07:18 EVEN ME
Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? [to here] II Sam 7:18
Many people want to be used of the Lord but they feel inadequate to do what they feel the Lord would have them to do. I want us to look at some of the great men of the Bible from a different perceptive and see that God can use “EVEN ME”. (I want to be careful not to destroy Heroes nor condone sin. I’m trying to make a point and in so doing I’m majoring on some points that need to be minored on but I hope you can see that God doesn’t use perfection, He uses dedication).
I. FAITH (I’d do something for God if I just had the Faith. And I’d have the Faith if I didn’t have these “Personality Problems”). Abraham was so cowardly until he would trade his wife for his life, not once but twice!! [Gen 12:10 15 & 20: ]. So dominated by his wife until he would take another wife to please her and then throw out that wife and his child to please her [Gen 16: ] yet he is called the Father of the Faith and one of the most honored men in the Bible. Gal 3:5 6 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. God used him to establish a country.
II. LOVE (No one loves me. If someone would just show me a little affection and attention then I could make something out of my life) David’s “Kingdom” began by Saul attempting to murder him, driving him from his home and friends. He was branded an outlaw and lived on the run for many years. In his personal life David was an adulator, a murder, and spoiled his children; and yet a man after God’s own heart [Acts 13:22]. God used him to establish a Kingdom.
III. WORKS Moses doubted His ability Ex 3:11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
Do you begin to see?? God can use “Even Me”, with all my failures and short coming, to accomplish His Will on earth. All He wants is my heart (which will make me a new creature in Christ) and then He can begin His work in and thru me.
Let us begin the new year with a DEDICATION of our Hearts to God and a DETERMINATION of our Wills to Serve Him .
1. Dedicate EVERYTHING you have to God Time, Talent, Money
2. Determine to serve God in any way He wants.
Remember, the best way to find and Stay in God’s will is to stay in the Bible. That will make EVEN YOU a success Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
IISam 09: KING WHO LOVED A DEAD DOG
II Samuel is about David’s reign as king. The first 8 chapters deal with his consolidation of the kingdom following the death of Saul. Once this is done and he has time for a few moments of reflection he remembers his friend, Jonathan, and decides to show mercy to any of his descendents. He finds that Jonathan has a son who was crippled in an accident and seeks him out that he might show him mercy for Jonathan’s sake. In so doing he shows us one of the great pictures of Salvation in the Scripture.
[NOTE the work of the SERVANT (Christian) The servant told about Mephibosheth [Prayer], went to get him [Concern], brought him to the King [Soul Winning], and helped him after he was accepted by the King [Follow up]].
I. MEPHIBOSHETH “The Dead Dog”
A) He experienced a fall and could not walk 2SA 4:4 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. So today mankind has “fallen” into sin.
1. Both Feet (Law and Works) were lame. Couldn’t walk on his own
2. He could not walk correctly Ep 2:2 says we walk according to the course of this world; therefore lamed and limping.
B) He was missing his place in life He was the grandson of a king but was living in “Lo debar” (No Pasture)
What a tragic situation the sinner is in He has fallen; he cannot walk to please God; he is separated from home; he is under condemnation; and he cannot help himself.
II. DAVID The King who loved
A) David made the first move Salvation is of the Lord! The Sinner runs FROM God instead of TOWARD Him. Christ came to earth seeking lost men
B) David acted “For Jonathan’s Sake” He had never seen Mephibosheth but he loved him because of his love for Jonathan (We are accepted in the beloved).
C) It was an act of Grace Most kings would have killed anyone who might lay claim to their throne but David showed mercy instead of Judgment. Mephibosheth had no “merit” for David to show him mercy but David’s love did so anyway. Note that one of the first things David told him was “Fear not”.
D) David gave him a portion of his own table
What a Salvation God offers He Seeks us; He loves us in spite of our sinful fall because He sees us thru Christ; He saves us even though we cannot offer him anything; and He makes us sit at His table as Sons!! GREAT IS THY SALVATION, O LORD!!
Mephibosheth ANSWERED the Call, Came as a “Dead Dog” without merit, and ACCEPTED the King’s Provision.
IISam 09:- MEPHIBOSHETH- “Grace in Action”
II Samuel is about David’s reign as king. The first 8 chapters deal with his consolidation of the kingdom following the death of Saul. Once this is done, and he has time for a few moments of reflection, he remembers his friend, Jonathan, and decides to show mercy to any of his descendents. He finds that Jonathan has a son who was crippled in an accident and seeks him out that he might show him mercy for Jonathan’s sake. In so doing he shows us one of the great pictures of the marvelous Grace (Unmerited Favor) of God.
[NOTE the work of the SERVANT as a representative of a Christian
1> The servant told about the king about Mephibosheth [Prayer]
2> went to get him [Concern],
3> brought him to the King [Soul Winning],
4> helped him after he was accepted by the King [Follow up]].
I. MEPHIBOSHETH “The Dead Dog”
A) He experienced a fall and could not walk 2SA 4:4 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. So today mankind has “fallen” into sin.
1. Both Feet (Wealth and Works) were lame. Couldn’t walk on his own. Trying would not keep him from tripping.
2. He could not walk correctly Ep 2:2 says a sinner walks according to the course of this world. That means he is guide by the flesh and controlled by his desires.
B) He was missing his place in life He was the grandson of a king but was living in “Lo debar” (No Pasture- Barren land)
What a tragic situation the sinner is in He has fallen; he cannot walk to please God; he is separated from home; he is under condemnation; and he cannot help himself.
II. DAVID The King who loved
A) David made the first move Salvation is of the Lord! The Sinner runs FROM God instead of TOWARD Him. Christ came to earth seeking lost men
B) David acted “For Jonathan’s Sake” He had never seen Mephibosheth but he loved him because of his love for Jonathan (We are accepted in the beloved).
C) It was an act of Grace Most kings would have killed anyone who might lay claim to their throne but David showed mercy instead of Judgment. Mephibosheth had no “merit” for David to show him mercy but David’s love did so anyway. Note that one of the first things David told him was “Fear not”.
D) David gave him a portion of his own table Mephibosheth was still lame but now he was loved. So we too are loved by God even if we don’t always walk correctly. What a marvelous thing Grace is!
What a Salvation God offers He Seeks us; He loves us in spite of our sinful fall because He sees us thru Christ; He saves us even though we cannot offer him anything; and He makes us sit at His table as Sons!! GREAT IS THY SALVATION, O LORD!!
Mephibosheth ANSWERED the Call, Came as a “Dead Dog” without merit, and ACCEPTED the King’s Provision.
2Sam 11:- SIN’S POWER AND PARDON
David was NOT IN:
Battle (When Kings went to War he stayed home)
Bed (arose from off his bed and saw things he was not supposed to see) [The first order God gave Adam and Eve was to have children but they did not realize they were naked until after they sinned???]
Belief (Allowed his lust to overcome his love for God’s word)
I. SIN’S POWER
A) To Overthrow [When we all get to Heaven we will find that we all did not get to Heaven] (If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us 1 John 1:8). Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12).
David: man after God heart : murder, adultery, disobedience in census
Abraham: Father of faith showed fear and unbelief with Sarah and then Ishmael
Moses: Meekest man on earth but lost temper, smote rock, and missed promised land
Peter: Brave Friend but denied Lord and was later rebuked by Paul for cowardice
B) To Deceive: It begins when we let down- David should have been at war (Starts with missing Church).
We pretend instead of pray: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22).
We talk instead of walk: If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. (James 1:26).
We are deceived into believing OUR sin is not a bad sin or Everybody else sins so I am just part of the crowd.
C) To Corrupt: Sin is like a cancer; unless you cut it out it grows and grows. Remember, it always takes ten lies to cover up one.
David sent for Uriah to come to his wife; then he tried to get him drunk, and then he had him killed But one day the Preacher came and said, “Thou art the man!”
II. SIN’S PARDON: And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. (2 Samuel 12:13).
A) By Heart Repentance (Sorrow you hurt God)
B) By Plain Confession (Not passing the buck)
C) Thru God’s love and provision
III. SIN’S PUNISHMENT
A) For a Christian- Chastisement For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6). David destroyed families. He had a man murdered and death would soon come to his family. He took another man’s wife- His son would take his wives. He sinned in secret but God’s chastisement for his sins was public.
B) For Sinners- Condemnation in Hell. Eternal separation from God.
IISam 12:7 14 SECONDARY SINS
The average person attending Church is not a murderer, rapist, or robber; so when the preacher preaches about sin they sit complacency by and think he’s talking about “all those other people out there”. I want us today to realize that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Jesus spent most of his time condemning the Pharisees and religious leaders of His day for their self-righteousness, their misuse of Scriptures, their following Traditions over Truth). The problem is that since men do not actively participate in the sin then they fail to see its folly and its result. Today I want us to do just that.
In today’s Scripture we see how David committed some “Open” sins (that were hid from the eyes of the public) and some “Secondary Sins” that he started but others carried out. Then we see the tragic consequences of his sins; on himself, on his family, and on the nation. Today I want us to see David’s Sins and apply them to our situations so that God will never point His finger in our face and say, “Thou art the Man”.
I. Let’s recognize our SECONDARY SINS in:
1. Our Actions: David allowed his enemies to kill Uriah but God said David did it. Many times we don’t have the courage to face a person or a situation so we allow Gossip or innuendo to do our dirty work for us. Sometimes when we seek to gain revenge on another, it is ourselves we damage the most. During WWII the Russians devised a plan to destroy German tanks. They trained dogs to associate food with the bottom of tanks and then they planned to strap bombs on their backs and turn them loose on Hitler’s tanks to destroy them. Unfortunately, they trained the dogs on Russian tanks. You can imagine the panic among the Soviet military command when they saw a troop of dogs carrying bombs turn around and head straight for their tanks. A whole division was forced to retreat.
2. Our Attitudes: Matt 5:27 28 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
I John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. A great man once said that the only difference between murderers was that some never had the right place or right circumstance in which to do it physically.
3. Our Omissions James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. These are not “Sins” we commit but deeds we fail to do that become sin to us. The Visit we should have made, the comfort we should have given, the witness we should have been…
II. SECONDARY CONSEQUENCES
A) In our Family While it is true that every man shall answer for himself to God regarding his salvation Ez 18:19 20 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statues, and hath done them, He shall surely live. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him It is also true that the sins of the Fathers can be visited Physically, emotionally, and mentally on their family David’s child died as a result of David’s sin (II Sam 12:14). Many times the Children of drinkers, drink; the children of abusers become abusers, etc.. How many wives and children go hungry and without clothes while husbands drink and party.
This is especially true when the father allows something to come between him and God Ex 20:4 5 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
B) In our Faithfulness Those that need Help or to Hear will not because we are “Bogged” down in sin Ezekiel 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die: and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. When Henry Ford purchased a large insurance policy for himself, the Detroit newspapers blazoned the fact since the amount was so large and Mr. Ford was so prominent. The article was read by a good friend of Mr. Ford who also sold insurance. When he asked Mr. Ford why he had bought the policy from a stranger instead of his friend Mr. Ford replied, “You never asked me” Could it be that someone you have known for years is unsaved because you have failed to ask them to come to Christ??? [“Pulpit Helps” August 1987]
Is this the type of Christianity you have?
We Sing:
1. “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and are content with 5 10 minutes a day
2. “Onward Christian Soldiers” but must be drafted into His service
3. “O for a thousand Tongues to Sing” and don’t use the one we have
4.”There Shall be Showers of Blessing” but do not come when it rains
5. “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” and let the least little offense sever it.
6. “Serve the Lord with Gladness” and grip about all we have to do
7. “I Love to Tell the Story” and never mention it at all
8. “We’re Marching to Zion” but fail to march to Sunday School
“Would You?”
The concert pianist received a prolonged, standing ovation after his superb performance. Following the concert a reception was given in his honor. As a crowd gathered around him, one lady remarked, “I would give anything to play as you do.” The pianist looked at the woman and said, “I don’t believe you would.” A tense hush fell over the group. “Yes I would,” repeated the woman. The pianist insisted, “No, you really wouldn’t. If you wanted to pay the price, you could play as well, possibly even better than I. It has taken me seven to eight hours a day, seven days a week for years to play as I do. You would give anything to play as I do except time. When you say you would give anything you really don’t mean it!”
Would you give anything to be Happy? Are you willing to study the Bible and practice it teachings? Jesus said, “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.”
Would you give anything to raise your children right? Christianity is more caught than taught Do you have devotions with your children? do you bring them with you to church on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night? Do you live Christ in front of them or do you gripe and complain about how hard it is being a Christian?
Would you give anything to know the Bible? Do you read it regularly, attend classes to learn about its teaching, and volunteer to teach in order to share what you have learned? Years ago before the Bible was available on cassette tapes I read the story of a man who was injured in an explosion; dynamite blew up near his face and hands. When he left the hospital he was blind and had no feeling in his hands but he desired to read the Bible. He could not see to read, nor could he follow Braille with his fingers. He learned to read Braille with his tongue. It took him five years but he read the Bible completely through. How many times have you read the Bible through in the past 5 years? How many hours do you watch TV a week? Would you really give anything to know the Bible better? If you sacrifice half of your TV programs for Bible Study it would make you a Bible scholar in a few years!
The key ingredient is desire. When your desire for the things that you want becomes stronger than your urge to make excuses, you will get what you want. Anyone can find an excuse but some people do not need them. Adapted from an article by Riley L Walker
I want to ask you today to do several things:
1. Examine your life and see if there are “Open” or Secondary Sins that need to be confessed and forsaken I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. Dedicate yourself to your responsibility as a Christian:
A) Promise to spend at least 15 minutes a day in Prayer and Bible Study
B) Share your Faith with someone every week
C) Build the Body of Christ with your faithfulness and participation
3. Remember that “No man is an island”. What you do will affect many others. Guard your conduct and character.
IISam 13: RAPE AND REVENGE
Amnon rapes his “sister” Tamar and then sends her away which was a greater sin! (16). Absalom bides his time and finally kills Amnon at a Banquet. Absalom then flees to escape judgement
1. Reasoning to avoid Rape vs 13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
2. Results of Rape:
1. The suffering it will bring to the victim
2. The Shame it will bring to the one who does it one of the fools in Israel
3. The fact that your needs can be met in a legimate means It was not unusual for step children of a king to marry; in fact it was almost the accepted normal since others were considered inferior.
This was pre meditated and pre planned Rape
IISAM 13:1-20 APPOINTMENTS WE HATE TO KEEP
(This is a sermon my brother Ronnie had. Hope it speaks to your heart). II Samuel 13:32b …for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
What brought about this appointment?
Amnon, the playboy son of David, developed a warped, perverted infatuation for his own half-sister, Tamar. An evil plan was suggested by Jonadab who posed as his friend. Feigning sickness, Amnon brought Tamar within reach, accomplished the quenching of his lust by criminal assault, ordered her from the house, bolted the door behind her, and assumed, no doubt, that the episode was over. But Amnon became tangled in the backlash of his sin, and discovered two full years later that sin is never finished for an unrepentant sinner! His appointment was kept.
PSA 140:11b …evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. PSA 51:3b …my sin is ever before me.
Notice some things about this sin that led to this appointment:
I. HIS SIN WAS A SIN OF LUST
a. God intended for man to have a desire for a woman and vice-versa. (By the way, this rules out “all” homosexual activities.) However, the one and only way that sexual activity is correct and accepted is in the bonds of marriage.
GEN 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. GEN 2:23-24 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
EXO 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. EXO 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife.
1CO 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 1TI 5:22 …neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
b. (Speculation) Tamar may have been partly responsible for the sin.
2SAM 13:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2SAM 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
PRO 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
c. Even though He was the King’s son and had all the fame and fortune associated with it, he was not satisfied.
13:2 vexed – Hebrew word Yatsar (meaning distressed, straitened) He made himself sick lusting after “something else.”
ECC 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
JAM 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
COL 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence (a strong desire of any kind. example: an abnormal sexual appetite), and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Many people aren’t “in love”; they’re just lusting after one another! This lusting led to an appointment!
II. IT WAS ENCOURAGED BY A “FRIEND” 2SAM 13:3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab.
You better be careful when you choose your friends. The old saying, “Lie down with the dogs, get up with fleas” is still in true.
A true friend will tell you “no.” PROV 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
It’s not much of a friend who will help you go to jail, or get you in trouble. Amnon’s friend helped him keep an appointment!
III. IT DID NOT BRING THE DESIRED RESULTS. 2SAM 13:15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
ILL>. “Why is the young prince crying?” “I gave him the bumble bee he wanted.”
A lot of rich, powerful, people have thought they would be happy if they could have a certain person for themselves. The divorce courts have proven them wrong.
To have someone out of the will of God is to have trouble upon trouble. It will lead you to an appointment you don’t want to keep!
IV. IT WAS A SIN THAT WAS SOON FOUND OUT
2SAM 13:19-20 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee?
1TI 5:24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
NUM 32:23b …be sure your sin will find you out.
It led to Amnon’s appointment with death! The way to prevent these types of appointments is to never make them!
IISam 17:14 DEFEATING THE THINGS THAT DEFEAT YOU
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom (2 Samuel 17:14)
I. THINGS THAT DEFEAT US:
1) Secondary Defeats- If Satan cannot defeat you he will try to defeat someone whose defeat will defeat you.- And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself (Mark 3:21)
2) Lack of Discernment Defeats- Satan will try to get you to push on the brakes or push on the gas instead of going at God’s timetable (Jesus told to worship Satan instead of suffer and die to receive the kingdoms of the earth)
3) Mixed Multitude Defeats- And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? (Numbers 11:4)
4) Example Defeat-And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed (Daniel 11:35)
5) Faith Failure Defeats- And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58)
II. DEFEATING DEFEATS:
1) World Defeats- For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4)
2) Flesh Defeats- Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24)
3) Temptation Defeats- Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve (Matthew 4:10 )
IISam 21 GIANT KILLING STONES
Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 29, 2016
FIVE STONES
When David was on his way to do battle with a giant (Goliath) he stopped at a brook on his way and picked up 5 stones. The story of these stones and their purpose will help us as we battle life’s giants of discouragement, disaster, debt, disease, and death.
These were smooth stones. As they traveled down life’s river they tumbling and rubbed against other stones in the river to smooth out their “rough edges” so they could fit in the slingshot correctly. These were selected stones. Out of a river bottom filled with stones David picked these five (Just as God today chooses men at His will to do His work).
These were sufficient stones. David picked 5 stones because he knew he would possibly have to face Goliath plus Goliath’s brother and Goliath’s three sons (2Sam 21: 15-22). The death of each of these giants help us realize how God deals with big problems in our life- Goliath was killed by trusting God and using what God provided. Another was killed with someone’s help (2sam 21:15-17). One was killed by a man called Sibbechai (corpse-like) and may mean some giants trouble us all our life (Paul’s thorn in the flesh).
Goliath’s brother reminds us about Family Relationship problems. And the final son was physically different (24 fingers and toes) to remind us that Physical limitation can hinder us.
Let me close by reminding you of a sixth stone- the one rolled away to reveal a risen savior who conquered the giants of death, hell, and the grave- Glory!
Almost everyone knows the story of how the little boy, David, killed Goliath the giant with a slingshot. If you read the story closely you will see that David stopped at a brook on his way to battle the giant and picked up 5 smooth stones. I think the story of those stones is one all of us need to hear again as we battle life’s giants of discouragement, disaster, debt, and disease.
These were smooth stones. God had used their daily tumbling and tossing with other stones in the river to smooth them out so they could fit in the slingshot correctly. Ever wonder why life is filled with so many people rubbing you the wrong way? Maybe God is smoothing you.
These were selected stones. Out of a river bottom filled with stones David picked these five (Just as God today chooses men at His will to do His work). These were sufficient stones. Goliath had 4 sons so David picked 5 stones to enable him to deal with all the giants. That should remind us that God will never send more “giants” our way than He provides power to defeat.
These were supernatural stones. Armies had stood trembling before this giant but God enabled a shepherd boy to defeat him with a single stone.
When life’s giants cause nations to tremble just remember that God prepares the stones needed to defeat the enemy and bring the victory. Maybe the stone He is preparing is you!
David picked 5 stones because he knew he would possibly have to face Goliath plus Goliath’s Brother and Goliath’s three sons. The record of their deaths are given in 2Sam 21: 15-22 and show us how we can face the giants in our life.
2 Samuel 21:15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
1) Trust God to remove Some: Goliath
2) Sometimes we need someone to assist us 15-17 David needed help with this one
3) Some Giants are hard to defeat: 18- Sibbechai (copse-like) refers to death and may mean that some giants trouble us all our life (Paul’s thorn in the flesh)
4) Sometimes you have to deal with a family: One was a Brother- Family Relationships 19: If Satan cannot defeat you he will seek to defeat someone whose defeat you.
5) Sometimes we have to deal with Physical or Social differences 20- One was deformed (6 fingers and toes).
IISam 21:16-21 GIANT KILLER’S GIANT KILLERS
The Bible contains many “linkage lessons”:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: (Genesis 12:3).
For them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed (1 Sam 2:30).
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
In the same way, our lives “link” to the people around us. An example of this is David. He was a Giant Killers who raised up Giant Killers. [We could “go negative” on this and talk about the “giant killers” of the Giant Killer: Lust (Bathsheba), Poor Parenting (Children’s rebellions), and Pride (Numbering the people)].
Instead, let’s look at a Giant Killing Leader who surrounded himself with 5 Giant Killers (A Good leader Knows who can be a Giant Killer, Show them how to be Giant Killers, and then Grows them into becoming Giant Killers).
And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him (2 Samuel 21:16-21).
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day. And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear (1 Chronicles 11:22-23 )
1) Abishai killed Ishbibenob to Help David in a time of Weakness
2) Sibbechai killed Saph in the Normal Battles of life (Ruts become long shallow graves)
3) Elhanan killed the brother of Goliath whose speak was like a weaver’s beam (Heavy Lifting)
4) Jonathan killed a giant with 6 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot (Unusual Situations)
5) Benaiah killed an Egyptian Giant with the giant’s spear (Turn weapons upon them- Woman caught in adultery, “He that is without sin cast the first stone”).
Are the people around you better because they are around you?
Samson was a giant of a man but his last words were, “Let me die with the Philistines” (Jud 16:30). Will you raise up Giant Killers or will you die with the Philistines?
IISam 24:14 WHOSE HANDS ARE IN CONTROL?
When David sinned and God gave him the ability to choose his punishment he knew where he needed to be- And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man (2 Samuel 24:14)
1. Life’s privileges are many times out of our hands- In the sorry affair of Judah and Tamar twin children are conceived. And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah (Genesis 38:28 30). The “first born” was born second. Instead of receiving all the benefits and blessings he had only a scarlet thread to show- time and chance happen to all men.
– Don’t give up on life because you do not get what you think you deserve- If you always got what you deserved you would be in trouble!
2. Life’s victories are many times out of our hands- And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed (Exodus 17:11). The army thought it was winning the battle because of its skill and strength but the battle was actually being won or lost by uplifted hand on a nearby hill!!
– Many victories in my life have been won by prayers and help from other people.
3. Sin turns God’s Hands against you- But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers (1 Samuel 12:15).
4. You need to be in God’s Hand for
A) Service- Mission minds bring God’s hand of blessing- Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord (Acts 11:19 21).
B) Salvation- Christians abide in the protecting hand of God- And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand (John 10:28 29).
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me (Isaiah 49:15 16).
Is your hand in the nailed scarred hand? Have you knelt at the foot of the cross and asked for the blood of Jesus to cleanse you from sin and make you a new creature in Christ?
Do you know the name of the baby who had a scarlet thread tied around his hand before he was born?- Zarah: And it came to pass, when she {Tamar} travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah. (Genesis 38:28‑30). A first born who was born second!
Do you know the man who controlled a battle by holding out his hands- Moses: And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:11). Eventually his hands became tired so Aaron and Hur held up his hands so Israel would win the victory. Whose hands can you help hold up so Gods enemies will be defeated?
Do you know the man who had 12 fingers and 12 toes- The son of the giant, Goliath: And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. (2 Samuel 21:20). In this section of scripture four sons of Goliath are listed as being killed by David or his men. Sometimes problems span generations but eventually they must be dealt with.
One final question. As you face lifes problems and deaths soon coming, are you resting in the safe hand of God- John 10:29?