MOVING UP - FINALLY!
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
God sometimes allows inconveniences and irritations in our lives, and though they are troublesome they are indeed beneficial.
God sometimes allows inconveniences and irritations in our lives, and though they are troublesome they are indeed beneficial.
Some are necessary in bringing us to Him and some in keeping us faithful or preparing us for service.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
To despise God for such irritations is a mistake.
David has had such a hardship for a long time.
David has had such a hardship for a long time.
He was anointed to be king of Israel by Samuel, but didn’t actually become king for nearly ten years.
Can you imagine the patience this took? 10 years or waiting!
How do we do as we wait on God to respond to our pleas?
14 Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord.
34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, And he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
Those ten years turned out to be some of the most difficult years of his life.
He was persecuted relentlessly by Saul - yet he waited patiently on the Lord
The death of Saul marked an end of tyranny and defeat for Israel.
The death of Saul marked an end of tyranny and defeat for Israel.
The nation now lay shattered and broken under the iron heel of the Philistines
Israel was now torn by war and beaten down by discouragement.
At this low point of despair, David, still at Ziklag, senses that the hour had come when he should return home.
It is the events surrounding this return to Israel that will consider in this message.
DISCUSSION
DAVID IS MADE KING OVER JUDAH AT HEBRON (2 Samuel 2:1-7)
DAVID IS MADE KING OVER JUDAH AT HEBRON (2 Samuel 2:1-7)
1 And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
This is the second recorded incident of David inquiring of the Lord as to direction since he came to his senses and realized that his jaunt in Philistia to get away from Saul was not a wise move
This is the second recorded incident of David inquiring of the Lord as to direction since he came to his senses and realized that his jaunt in Philistia to get away from Saul was not a wise move
David has learned the need to inquire of God
This seems to be a difficult lesson for us to learn as well - the need to seek guidance of God
Many today are seeking guidance in the wrong places
Worldly perspectives…worldly advice
We need to seek God s guidance - and we do this by studying His written word
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
16 Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: No one of these shall fail, None shall want her mate: For my mouth it hath commanded, And his spirit it hath gathered them.
I believe, too, that David realized the magnitude of the task ahead and saw that it was beyond his human strength.
I believe, too, that David realized the magnitude of the task ahead and saw that it was beyond his human strength.
Not only would he have to deal with the rivalry and trickery of other contenders for the throne, but he would also face the formidable challenge of uniting the people into a single unit.
How was David going to accomplish this great task?
1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows: For so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Who is building the house you are working on?
Are you seeking the Lord s guidance?
2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. 3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.
I believe it is important for us to notice that David is not pushing this.
He did not go to Hebron demanding to be king even though he had been anointed by God’s prophet.
One of the remarkable things about David is that was willing to wait on the Lord to fulfill His promises
One of the remarkable things about David is that was willing to wait on the Lord to fulfill His promises
Jesus taught us an important lesson in this regard in…
7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
David knew that God wanted Him to be king and God was certainly strong enough to make it happen
Here is some good advice to those who would like to do greater things in the kingdom
Do the job well that you presently have and be patient and humble
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Don’t exalt yourself - don’t be tooting your own horn - when and if the time is right God will exalt you
David had been going through several painful years of heartache, but now he is moving up out of this pain, and it must have felt like victory.
David had been going through several painful years of heartache, but now he is moving up out of this pain, and it must have felt like victory.
But there was a new trial on the horizon the trial of prosperity.
Often times in periods of prosperity we drop our guard - David would succumb to the greatest sin of his life in this time of prosperity.
It will good for us to remember…
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, And say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And take the name of my God in vain.
4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul. 5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. 6 And now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. 7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
Remember, these heroes of Jabesh-Gilead had risked their lives to retrieve Saul s body off the wall of Beth-Shan.
These were loyal supporters of Saul, and David is in essence saying, Now that Saul, your king is dead, will you join me in Judah?
Things, though, will not turn out as David had hoped.
Abner, Saul s general, had other plans…
ISH-BOSHETH IS MADE KING OVER ISRAEL (2 Samuel 2:8-11)
ISH-BOSHETH IS MADE KING OVER ISRAEL (2 Samuel 2:8-11)
8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
Ish-Bosheth was a fourth and somewhat minor son of Saul apparently not much of a soldier or he would had been in Gilboa.
His name meant man of shame Abner saw a chance to grab power for himself by setting up a puppet king...
6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
10 Ish-bosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. 11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Abner knew that God had anointed David as the next king (2 Sam 3:9)
Ignoring this knowledge he sets up Ish-Bosheth as king
Abner’s life typifies the person who knows the truth but stubbornly insists on doing it his own way
Many do this concerning doctrinal matters
Others regarding some sin or vice
Abner was a man of war a killer who worked with efficiency and skill.
As a result of this…
THE FIRST SHOTS ARE FIRED IN WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A LONG CIVIL WAR (2 Samuel 2:12-32)
THE FIRST SHOTS ARE FIRED IN WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A LONG CIVIL WAR (2 Samuel 2:12-32)
12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. 15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. 17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
Here we have two armies from opposite sides gathered at a pool just itching to fight
Abner suggested to Joab (the general of David's army) that a few of their men go before them and have a little sword play to kill some time
This dubious context turned out to be a game where everyone lost.
None of the young men survived.
As a result, a bloody battle ensued and Joab was victorious
18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. 19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. 21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. 22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? 23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
It appears that this young Asahel was out to make a name for himself he was going to kill Abner himself.
It seems that Abner did not want to kill this young upstart for he knew he would have to deal with Joab, his brother
But Asahel would not relent, and Abner killed him
Consider this lesson: Asahel s gift was running not fighting
It was foolish for him to take on a seasoned fighter like Abner
Perhaps we need to realize the importance of developing gifts we have and not insist on areas where, after careful consideration, we aren’t gifted.
We need to have the courage to accept what we are and are not - and serve God.
Asahel was a great runner but a lousy fighter
24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. 25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? 27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. 28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. 29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
What we have said about Abner so far has not been too flattering, but here he makes a wise statement…
26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Sometimes people in the church get offended and church wars are started
“They are not going to get away with that!” So they Retaliate
Real love is going to be willing to put up with and bear the weakness of those it loves
Now, we need to oppose error...
But, let s be careful and make sure our motives and facts are correct
Let us make sure that pride does not cause church wars - or ill feeling toward a brother or sister in Christ
CONCLUSION
Two main points I want to leave with:
Two main points I want to leave with:
Be patient in hardship, and be careful in the good times
Be careful as we deal with one another that we do not start church wars?
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.