King David's Last Instructions to his son Solomon

King David, an old man, exhausted and unable to keep himself warm, called in Solomon his son, the young man who would one day replace him as king of Israel and gave him instructions on how he should live his life.

He’s also going to ask for Solomon to deal with his enemies after he is gone. David was a man. A man after God’s own heart, but a man non-the-less.

It says this, in 1st Kings chapter 2, verse 1: “When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.”

And this is what David said: “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said.

Every human being on Earth faces death. It brings a challenge to our faith as Christians. It brings despair and great fear for those who reject Christ. The world fears death, so much that we ignore the mention of it. We refuse to think about it. It’s too traumatic to even think about. Yet it happens to everyone.

First point today, take stock on your own mortality. Understand the immense consequence of rejecting Christ, and instead embrace Christ and follow him diligently.

Let us take stock of who we are. We know after death we’ll be judged by the ten commandments by God. No one can stand up to that. No one has obeyed God. Which is why we need a savior to forgive us our sins and change us from within. That’s why God sent Jesus Christ, to be our savior.

We have until our last breath to come to the saving faith in Jesus Christ. If we don’t, that’s it, no more chances.

All the earth dies. Every human born will die. So we must face it.

Next, David says to Solomon, “so be strong, act like a man.”

As we guys will sometimes say to each other, “well, it’s time to man up.” What that phrase tends to mean is, make the hard decision. Stop taking the easy route. Man up, and do the right thing.

Second point today, be strong and act like a man (or woman.) Act like a man, means to be mature, make mature choices. It’s easy to avoid the hard thing and take the easy path.

It’s time to step up, and make the hard decisions. Being a human, man or woman, means making sacrifices for your family, for others, caring for others ahead of yourself. It means doing things you don’t want to do, for the good of the future.

Your own future I mean.

Sometimes we wake up in the morning and think, I don’t want to go to church. I’m tired. I have errands to run. But, you can sense within yourself, I need to go, it’s good for me.

Now you’re faced with a decision: Will I do the easy thing, or the harder thing that’s good for me?

That’s the challenge of life. It’s like that with church sometimes. I don’t always want to go, but I know I need it. Similarly, the same is true with exercise, we know we need it, but sometimes we don’t want to. It’s when we do it anyway, even when we don’t want to, that is being strong and acting like a man, or woman.

Next David says, in verse 3, “…observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses…”

Now if David was speaking to us today, under the new covenant of grace in Christ, I think he would say.. “observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to Christ, and keep the Lord Jesus’ commands to love God and love others, and the other commands of Jesus from the parables, as well as the instructions from the new testament letters of Paul and the other apostles, as written in the New Testament of the Bible.”

Point number three today, learn and follow the commands of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. To do that we need to first read and reread and study the New Testament, and particularly look at the parables of Jesus and what he taught there, and then look at what is written in the letters, and the prophecies as well. And know it all first, then learn to follow it.

David includes this promise, that if Solomon does follow God faithfully,

He says in verse 3, “Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go…”

So David is saying, if Solomon does faithfully follow God’s commands, then, he will prosper in all he does. He will have success in what he attempts to do. His plans will succeed.

That was true for David, he found success as he followed God. It wasn’t always easy, but he did find deliverance and victory.

But, there were times when David disobeyed God, and at those times David did not prosper, his plans didn’t succeed, and David wants to make sure Solomon doesn’t make those same mistakes.

Growing up my parents always tried to make sure my sister and I avoided the mistakes they had made. I’m sure your parents did something similar, don’t do what I did!

Point number four today, follow Jesus faithfully and you will prosper. Your life will be like a tree planted by clear waters, with roots growing deep, and tree branches bearing beautiful fruits unto the Lord.

David continues and says in verse 4, “…and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’”

Now David is talking about the actual throne of Israel. And the nation itself. If Solomon is loyal to God and obeys his the law of Moses, then the promise of God will come true, which was a conditional promise.

The promise was conditioned on obedience by King David and his descendants. It says “If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully with all their heart and soul, then… you will have always have a successor on the throne of Israel.”

Point number five today, the promises of God are conditional. You must receive Christ to receive them. You must obey Christ to keep them to the end.

Those are two big “ifs” if Solomon watches how he lives. If he follows God with his whole heart and soul, then.. the promise will come true.”

It’s the same with Jesus Christ. All the promises are conditional. The condition is continued obedience and faith. If we continue to follow Jesus, the promises remain. But if we become disobedient, and faithless, we forfeit the promises. And Jesus may say to us one day, “I never knew you, depart from me you worker of lawlessness.

It’s all conditional. The promises of Jesus Christ don’t apply to those who have not received Jesus Christ as their lord and savior, right? They must receive Christ to receive the promises. It’s conditioned upon receipt of the gift.

You can give me a gift, but if I don’t open it and put it in the dumpster outside have I received it? No I haven’t. Similarly, if I open it and enjoy it, I do have it, but if I take it outside and put it in the dumpster, I’ve now lost it. Make sense?

So now David continues to ask Solomon to take revenge on his enemies. We see David is a very human man. Even in his old age he wants to make sure his enemies do not prosper after he dies. Take it for what it is, we know justice is for the Lord.

We as Christians do not try to defeat or destroy our enemies. We’re told to pray for our enemies, forgive our enemies, and turn our enemies over to God. And we’re told God will pour up burning coals on their heads if we turn them over to Him and let God be the judge. He’s the only one qualified to judge.

And he will deal with them. Either with grace or justice. That’s up to God though, not us. Pray for your enemies. This will expedite the process.

Here’s what it says in verses 5-9: “Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6 Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.

7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

8 “And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ 9 But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.”

Point number six, let God be the one who judges your enemies.

There isn’t anything wrong with what David does here, asking Solomon to deal with those who had harmed him in the past. Part of the job of the King is to deal out justice. If you served as a judge today, in a court room, part of your job, is going to be dealing out justice in different terms, and if God has gifted you for that role, then you’re not doing anything wrong by fulfilling it. Similarly part of Solomon’s job as king is to meet out justice, so it’s right for him to do it.

But for us today, we want to remember, in general, as a general principle, let God judge and deal with our enemies. We do this by...

A. praying for enemies

B. forgiving our enemies

C. Putting our enemies in God’s hands

Remember those 3 steps for dealing with anger or resentment toward someone.

Lastly in verses 10-12: “Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. 11 He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.”

At last, after such a life of ups and downs and difficulties and victories, David rested with his ancestors. David found rest with the Lord.

Point number seven today, at last one day we will find rest. Do you long for rest after a long and weary life? I’m sure many of us do.

For the Christian, the faithful man or woman, we find great rest in paradise in the kingdom of God.

For the non-Christian, they will find only endless sorrow and pain in hell. The misery is only beginning for them here on Earth.

But for the follower of Jesus, we find great rest in paradise. That’s what we all long for.

So to review, the main points for today were as follows:

1. Take stock on your own mortality.

2. Be strong and act like a man (or woman.)

3. Learn and follow the commands of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

4. Follow Jesus faithfully and you will prosper.

5. The promises of God are conditional. You must receive Christ to receive them. You must obey Christ to keep them to the end.

6. Let God be the one who judges your enemies.

A. Pray for our enemies
B. Forgive our enemies
C. Put our enemies in God’s hands

7. At last one day we will find rest (if we have Christ as savior)

David builds an altar where Abraham offered up Isaac: The future site of Solomon's Temple

Here we find the last chapter of 2nd Samuel, the very last overview of the life of David and all that was done in the name of the Lord. King David had done so many great things, from defeating Goliath, to conquering enemy nations, to building up the nation economically and militarily. He had made his choices in the fear of God, trembling before the Lord and carefully ordering his life. He’d also made mistakes, terrible mistakes, but had repented from them, and given Himself into the hands of God almighty.

Now, we see in the last chapter of 2nd Samuel, a strange account, we see the account of when David called a census of the nation, to count all the young men of fighting age throughout Israel.

Something similar is done in the United States, I recall when I reached a certain age I had to register for a possible future military draft if it was necessary.

But this entire situation was connected with trouble in Israel. God was displeased with Israel, and the conduct of Israel.

This had to do with Satan, the adversary, provoking this census in David’s heart. According to 1 Chr. 21:1 Satan provoked the census. But God also provoked David toward this decision as well.

I’m tending to believe that Israel was involved in corruption, worship of foreign gods, and mistreating the poor.

Both God and Satan push it forward. I recall in my life, there’s been times where I’ve plotted to do something bad. Satan is influencing me to do something bad. I start making a plan to do something bad. Then I’m sure, for the purpose of teaching me my lesson, God says alright do it, see how it goes for you. Sometimes you parents know that as your kids get older, you can’t protect them anymore, and if they’re heart set on doing something bad, you end up saying well, good luck, and you’ll find out how bad it is if you go this route.

So I think something similar is going on here. David and Israel are doing bad, Satan is provoking it, David is allowing, so God says alright, fine, do it, let’s see how it goes for you.

It says this, in 2nd Samuel 24: Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

2 So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”

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

4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel.”

So Joab advises David against it, but David overrules Joab and moves forward with the census.

The census ends up taking 9 months and 20 days, and then they return, it says, this: (verses 5-9)

“After crossing the Jordan, they camped near Aroer, south of the town in the gorge, and then went through Gad and on to Jazer. 6 They went to Gilead and the region of Tahtim Hodshi, and on to Dan Jaan and around toward Sidon. 7 Then they went toward the fortress of Tyre and all the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went on to Beersheba in the Negev of Judah.

8 After they had gone through the entire land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.”

9 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to the king: In Israel there were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and in Judah five hundred thousand.

So it’s reported back to King David, you have about 1.3 million fighting men available in both Israel and Judah. But David quickly realizes he shouldn’t have taken this course of action.

It’s interesting there will be times when I attempt to take a bad course of action, and God will prevent it. But then there are times when God will allow it, even move it forward, and it seems to be for the purpose of teaching me not to sin in the future. But at the time he allows it, even provokes it, to teach me something, or change me in some way.

David is immediately troubled by what he’s done.

It says in verses 10, “David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.””

Here we find our first point today, when we sin our conscience will be stricken, we will feel as if something is wrong. We will feel guilty. We will feel troubled. We will feel, I’ve done something bad.

That’s not just true for Christians. Even a person of the world will feel guilty when they steal or guilty when they cheat. We all have a moral law written in our minds which tells us there is right and wrong, good and evil.

David immediately prays and asks for God’s forgiveness.

We too should immediately bring our sin to God, pray, and ask for God’s forgiveness. If we’ve harmed someone else, we should go to them and ask for their forgiveness as well. If we’ve caused material harm, we should make amends.

But remember this wasn’t just about David, this was about the entire nation of Israel having provoked God by doing evil things.

So let’s see what happens next, in verses 11-15, “11 Before David got up the next morning, the word of the Lord had come to Gad the prophet, David’s seer: 12 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’”

13 So Gad went to David and said to him, “Shall there come on you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”

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

15 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.”

So we see judgment coming on the people of Israel, and many die in a great plague upon the land. It’s a disaster for the nation. So many die. But they have been by their actions, disobedient to God, harming one another, and God is correcting the nation.

Second point today, the judgment of God is real. He judges peoples, he judges nations, and he will deliver swift justice. We should remember that God is a just judge and put sin to death in our lives.

Otherwise there will be consequences. Either we kill sin by the Holy Spirit or sin begins to drive us away from God.

Next in verses 16-17, “When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

17 When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall on me and my family.”

Point number three today, David takes responsibility for his position as a leader. He takes responsibility for his family. He takes responsibility for himself. We should do the same. Let’s not play the victim. Let’s not pretend we’re oppressed. We need to take responsibility before God for what we’ve done.

So now the voice of God to the nation, the prophet Gad comes again to David and gives him new instructions from God.

It says this, in verses 18-21: "On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 19 So David went up, as the Lord had commanded through Gad. 20 When Araunah looked and saw the king and his officials coming toward him, he went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground. Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?”

“To buy your threshing floor,” David answered, “so I can build an altar to the Lord, that the plague on the people may be stopped.”

Point number four today, when all else fails it’s time to worship God. When you’re struggling, when you’ve messed up, when you don’t know what to do, put on that worship playlist on Youtube and start singing along. Sing out to God, worship God, built an altar to God, pray to God and turn your living room, your bed room, your bathroom into a sanctuary of God. Worship God in the storm.

Next, we see David purchasing this place from Araunah.

It says in verses 22-24: Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever he wishes and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. 23 Your Majesty, Araunah gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.”

24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

Point number five today, worshiping God will cost you something. It isn’t free. There will be a cost. It will cost time. It will cost service. It will cost money, giving tithes and offerings. It will cost you pain and struggle. Understand the high calling and the high cost of being a disciple of Jesus.

David refused to take the place for free from Araunah, he pays him for it, it needs to cost him something.

At dinner church we get a free meal, but we also pass the plates around, so we can give back, it shouldn’t cost us nothing, we should give back. Similarly when we follow Jesus faithfully, there will be a cost.

Lastly in verses 24-25, “So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. 25 David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered his prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.”

Point number six, obey God carefully. David obeyed the instructions from Gad very carefully. He went to Araunah and built an altar on his threshing floor. What if David had gone to gibeon and built an altar, or what if he’d gone to the threshing floor but prayed instead of built an altar? He would’ve missed God’s instructions. When God calls you to something, obey Him. When you read a command in his word, obey it carefully. That’s not always easy. But a little attention to detail can go a long way toward proper obedience.

Lastly, for point number seven, we want to understand why this is the last chapter of 2nd Samuel. Why?

Well, it’s because it shows King David was just a sinner, who struggled with pride, I tend to think we initiated this census out of pride that was inspired by Satan, and God played it through so David could learn his lesson, and to bring us to this moment right here at the threshing floor of Aruanah.

David builds an altar at the exact same place that hundreds of years earlier, Abraham came, and built an altar there as well when he was told to do so by God. And Abraham was told to offer up his only son Isaac on the altar. But at the last minute God said, stop, I myself will provide a sacrifice.

And then guess what? One day many years later, King Solomon, David’s son would come to that same place. It says this, in 2nd Chronicles 3:1, “Then Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David.”

This threshing floor on Mount Moriah would be the place where the temple would be built where God would dwell with Israel. David didn’t know it then, but he was at the same spot Abraham came to, to sacrifice Isaac before God. And the same spot that one day his son would build the temple upon.

And one day, I believe, will be the place where Jesus Christ rules and reigns over the Earth during the 1,000 year millennial reign of Christ. Imagine that! The same spot, it could be.

So to review, applications include: 

1. When we sin our conscience will be stricken

2. The judgment of God is real

3. David takes responsibility for his actions

4. When all else fails it’s time to worship God

5. Count the cost of being a disciple

6. Obey God carefully

7. Past, present and future will all line up just right if we follow God’s will for our lives

David's Mighty Men: The 37 Men who stood with David at the Cave of Adullam

"Leonidas, King of Sparta, was preparing to make a stand with his Greek troops against the Persian army in 480 B.C. when a Persian envoy arrived. The man urged on Leonidas the futility of trying to resist the advance of the huge Persian army. "Our archers are so numerous," said the envoy, "that the flight of their arrows darkens the sun."

"So much the better," replied Leonidas, "for we shall fight them in the shade." Leonidas made his stand, and died with his 300 troops."
-Today in the Word, November 4, 1993.

Starting in verse 8 of second Samuel 23 it says this, “These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.”

One thing to notice here is that David had an inner circle of three, they were called “the three.” Jesus also had an inner circle. He had his 12 disciples, but he also had the three, Peter, James and John.

First point today, have people in your life you can confide in. Who is your inner circle? Who are your closest friends? We all need an inner circle, people we trust and can rely on.

Josheb was a great warrior, one of the three. Fought bravely in battle.

Next we hear of Eleazar, in verses 9-10, “Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.”

One man stayed behind as Irsael retreated from the battle, Eleazar, and he fought until his hand grew so tired that it “froze to the sword” we understand that to mean he fought so long that his muscles cramped up.

Here we find our second point for today, never give up. Be bold, turn and fight, and never give up. Fight and fight and fight, even when you can’t fight any longer. Fight until your muscles ache, be persistent. Don’t give up.

Next in verses 11-12, “Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.”

So we’ve now seen the heroes of the three, Jashib, Eleazar and Shammah. What was distinctive about the three? When no one else was around, it was just one guy, they fought and didn’t give up.

One against many.

What’s the distinguishing factor? Bravery.

Point three today, bravery is a hallmark of a Christian. A true follower of Jesus is brave and bold. They know God is with them.

Notice for Shammah, it’s stated clearly, the Lord brought about a great victory. It wasn’t Shammah. Shammah was brave and held true.

What is bravery? You feel the fear and do it anyway. You push through in faith. Faith overcomes any fear. You feel it, you do it anyway. God grants the victory.

Next in verses 13-17 we see a defining event of the three, Josheb, Eleazar and Shammah.

It says, “During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.” Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors."

This was long ago, when David was hiding in a cave from King Saul. This was long before David became king.

The three love David so much, when he says he wishes for a drink from his well in Bethlehem, where he grew up, they sneak out and risk danger and death, they gather water from the well and bring it back to David.

What does David do? He’s so concerned that his men risked their lives in this way, he poured out the water before the Lord.

By David doing this, he was saying, your lives are more important than a simple drink of water. So he poured it out as an offering of humility before God.

Imagine if David had drank the water they brought him. It could’ve easily meant to his men, that it was good what they did, that they should do it again. So he poured it out. It also protected David from pride, kept him humble.

Next we see a fourth member of the 3. But I thought there were only three of the three?

Well, that’s true. But, there was another great warrior, Abishai, and he was such a great warrior, that he kind of forced his way into the three, and even became leader of the three. You could say that Abishai was the one. Jesus had a one as well, Peter. But he also had three. Peter, james and John.

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

One thing that David knew he needed to do was surround himself with the right people. David was a leader. He was a soldier. And in his brigade of troops, he gathered some of the greatest warriors in all human history.

They were drawn to David you see. He didn’t necessarily seek them out, but they were drawn to him. They knew, this man is a leader and we’re going to follow him. Similarly each of us have been drawn to Jesus Christ our leader, and we as Christians are part of his brigade, his mighty men.

Then we hear of another great warrior, Benaiah. He was part of the thirty. So David had the three chief warriors, but then he also had another group of thirty men. A second group, larger than the others. Again this is similar to Jesus. Jesus had the three, the twelve, but he also had the seventy two. The seventy two were a larger group that followed him as well, and served in various ways. Jesus sent out the seventy two, two by two town to town to spread the good news.

So here we see probably the leader of the thirty, it says this about him: (verses 20-23)

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

Benaiah was an underdog, taking on warriors bigger than him. A lion, bigger than him. Two giant Egyptians. Benaiah would find himself at a disadvantage, and would turn it into a victory.

Point five, embrace the underdog role. In life we will often find ourselves at a disadvantage. Can we use God’s wisdom to turn it into an advantage? If we take what we’ve learned about God in the Bible, we can turn a bad situation good. We can go from losing to winning. We can find victory from the ashes of defeat. Do you believe that today? If so, say amen.

When you’re the underdog, turn your disadvantages into advantages by God’s wisdom

Lastly, we see the names of the thirty, the larger group of David’s warriors:

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

It says there were thirty seven in all, not just thirty. But they were considered the 30.

Now, if you make sure you’re an on fire Christian, serving faithfully in this church, you may just be lucky enough one day to make the list of Justin’s mighty men and women.

But ultimately, we want to be found on God’s list of mighty men and women. We want to make sure our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. We want to the friends of Jesus. His followers. Those who do mighty deeds in his name.

I’ve often joked that this little church here in Owosso, is my band of mighty men and women. Robin Hood and his merry men and women. Out in the wilderness of Owosso, fighting the good fight of the faith. Hit and run attacks on the enemy. Prayer warriors in the wilderness. The battle rages on. We’re not a massive mega church that can launch massive battle fronts attacks on the enemy, but we’re a small band of warriors who can sneak attack on the enemy’s supply lines and disrupt the enemy’s forces.

That’s our battle. Let’s fight it faithfully.

Applications for Life: 
1. Have close confidantes you can confide in

2. Don’t Give up when it gets hard

3. Bravery is feeling the fear and doing it anyway

4. Pour out the water of pride and embrace humility before God

5. Turn your disadvantages into advantages with God’s wisdom

6. Be found on God’s list of mighty warriors: Embrace Jesus as Lord

7. Serve in the local band of believers: Serve in the local church

King David's Last Words

Have you had a loved die? Did you have the chance to have a final conversation with them?  And do you remember the last words they spoke to you?  Or the last words they gave, period? 

It's a way of communicating something very important, as your last statement to the Earth. One of the most famous last words given were those of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. They both died on July 4th, the anniversary of the American revolution. John Adams last words were, "Thomas Jefferson lives!" And Thomas Jefferson's last words were, "Is it the fourth?"

Famous atheist and founder of the church of Satan Anton Lavey's last words were, "Oh my, oh my, what have I done? Something is wrong..." 

I recall my Grandpa Steckbauer's last words to me, in 2009 were a challenge to me, I was in my twenties, and he said to me, something a judge had said to me in a court room. He said, "Justin, remember what the judge said: You're walking on thin ice." 

I was angry at the time when he said that. But later, I realized he was right.

My grandma Check, near the end she kept falling asleep, and waking up, and she would look over at my aunt Kelly, and ask her, "Am I heaven now?" She even asked my aunt Kelly why she was in the room. She asked if she had died too! But grandma knew where she was going. She was going to heaven. She saw a little girl in the room as well. She thought it might've been an angel. No one else could see it. But it may have been a daughter she'd had, her first child, who was a miscarriage. 

I wonder what my last words will be! What will your last words be? What would you want to communicate to your family and friends?

Right now we're going to look at what King David felt was most important in all his life and history to communicate to his people and family about who God is. 

I think it goes all the way back to the beginning. David's beginnings were very humble. 

There was a young man named David who cared for a few sheep of his father. He was the youngest of all his brothers. When the whole family was called for an important meeting with a religious leader David was the only one they didn’t invite.

All these years later, we see David an old man, hair turned white, beard gone gray, wrinkled and tired, laying in bed, unable to keep warm.

King David has setup his son Solomon to become king after him. He has given him a charge in his last words to Solomon about how he should reign.

Now King David is dying. He’s surrounded by his family. And he’s going to give his last words to his family, to the nation, and to us today.

But first we get this summary of David’s life from the writer of 2nd Samuel.

It says this in 2nd Samuel 23:1, “These are the last words of David: “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs…”

We find here the inspired utterance of David. What that means is the author agrees that the words of David given here were inspired by God himself.

First point today, God can use you as well to bring forth inspired utterance. In other words, God will speak through you if you let Him.

When you’re talking with someone whose struggling, pause a moment and ask God for the right words. Then trust in your heart that he’ll provide them. Then, as you talk with this person, God will bring just the right words out of your mouth, to touch their heart.

And you’ll sense in that moment that it was from God. And so will they. All of us do this from time to time without realizing it. The closer we are spiritually with God, the more it will happen I think.

The most extreme and amazing version of this, as an inspired utterance, is the prophetic person, who gives you a word from God for your future.

David was also, it says, "exalted" by the Most High God. This is the idea of being promoted to a higher position. He was given authority. He was shown before all to be trusted by God.

Second point today, God will at times exalt you, and at times he will humble you. If you show your faithfulness to God, he will exalt you, if you resist God and act pridefully, then he’ll humble you.

David was exalted by God, yet he was also anointed by God. He was prepared by him for all he had for him to do. God spoke truth over him through Samuel the prophet. And the author also says, David was the hero of the songs of Israel. That’s certainly true, most of the psalms are written by David in the book of Psalms!

Next we actually get to what David said, as he lay dying, an old man in his bed.

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

King David actually quotes something God whispered to him in the past here. God apparently made it clear to David, if you do two things, you will be successful as a leader of Israel.

One, rule over people in righteousness. What that means is you’ll be careful to make the right decisions that are morally correct. You will do righteousness, which is pure. Do the right thing even when it’s hard.

Two, rule in the fear of the Lord. This means David really did fear God. That is by the way, the ultimate secret to living a successful Christian life. You tremble before God and know God is for real. You fear God, you are actually afraid of God, and then when you’re tempted to sin, you tremble at God, and say no, I better not do that.

If you want to learn the fear of the Lord, I recommend this: Go on YouTube and look up some hell testimonies from Christians who have seen hell. Watching those testimonies will bring a fear of the Lord into your life.

God says, rule in those two ways ,righteously and in the fear of God, and your leadership will be like a beautiful morning at sun rise. On a cloudless morning. Like a the brightness after rain, that brings grass.

So your leadership will be like the sun in the sky, bright shining warmth, and it will be like the brightness of the sun after a long rain, and now everything is growing because of the rain.

Point number three, make your decisions in righteousness, and fear God, and you’ll be like a bright warm sun to those around you. You’ll be a blessing wherever you go. If you’d you’ll be a curse to those around you.

Then it verse 5 David continues, “If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.”

David here reflects on how God has been faithful to his covenant agreement with David. A secure covenant, an everlasting covenant that God would be with David and protect David and help David in his times of need. And God fully practiced his side of the covenant and was with David through everything. We've seen that time and again in David's life, God was always with Him! And if you love Jesus, and follow Jesus, God will always be with you. 

David knows he is saved. He says God has brought to fruition his salvation. He knows where he is going.

And he also says God has granted his every desire. God satisfied David’s desires. And we can trust God will do the same for us.

Point number four, like David, if you’ve followed God faithfully, you can know your salvation is secure. I hope and pray that when each of you are old and gray in your bed getting close to death, that you would know that Jesus has paid your sins, and that you’re on your way to paradise.

So verse five was David celebrating and rejoicing in all God has done and that he is on his way to heaven. But then in verses 6-7 we see David leave all those around him with one final warning:

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

So David affirms that he is headed to heaven. But he also hints at the fate of those who are evil. They will go down to the pit of hell.

Evil men will be dealt with by a holy God. They will not be gathered up. But will be thrown down. He compares it to thorns, they are not gathered, but they burned where they lay.

So David confirms for us, that heaven is real and hell is real. Both are very real.

Point number five today, there will be rewards for the righteous in Christ, and damnation for those who continue on in evil. Sin leads to hell. And the hell will be tortured for all time, in a place of fire. The righteous in Christ will live eternally in heaven. Those are the two destinations, there is not a third option. Heaven in Christ, or hell without Christ. End of story.

So to review today...

Our Five Points were:

1. God will speak through you if you let Him.

2. God will at times exalt you, and at times he will humble you.

3. Make your decisions in righteousness, and fear God, and you’ll be like a bright warm sun to those around you.

4. If you’ve followed God faithfully, you can know your salvation is secure

5. There will be rewards for the righteous in Christ, and damnation for those who continue on in evil.

David's Song of Praise to God from 2nd Samuel 22

If there’s one thing that perfectly sums up David’s life it’s the praise that David sings to the Lord in 2nd Samuel 22. David expresses poetically all that God has done for him. David acknowledges clearly, his life story is not really about David. It’s about his God.

The entire chapter of 2nd Samuel 22 is all about what God has done in King David’s life.

It starts off like this, with an introduction: “David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:…”

This song is very similar to Psalm 18 in the book of Psalms, though there are some variations. I think what we’re going to do today is go line by line through this poem, this song, and find some nuggets of truth in it, that will help all of us to walk closely with the God of David in our own lives.

David cries out, verses 2-3: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me.”

Three truths about who God is to us: He is our rock. Firm foundation. Second, he is a fortress around us. A place of safety. Thirdly, our deliverer. Someone who comes and rescues is when we’re in trouble.

Verses 4-7: “I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and have been saved from my enemies.
The waves of death swirled about me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.”
“In my distress I called to the Lord;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.”

I called to the Lord, it’s important we remember we need to cry out to Him. He wants us to pray. Then he answers. David pictures himself as sinking in a whirlpool down further, and further, helpless and unable to save himself. Eventually he finds himself under the waters, cords of death wrapped around him, and in that pit of darkness David cries out to God, and God hears all the way in heaven. The cry for help echoes up into the highest heaven, and God hears.

It reminds me of a time I was visiting my aunt and uncles cottage in Minocqua, Wisconsin. I was about ten years old, and my cousin and I were playing on the dock. It was late autumn, very cold. And I fell into the water. Now my dad was all the way up about seventy-five steps, straight up, where the cottage rested on the top of a hill. And when my dad heard me calling for help in the water up to my head, he made it down those steps in about three seconds. There's no way he could've done that. But somehow he did. It reminds me of how God comes to us and rescues us in our time of trouble.

The next few verses here, we hear about a very dark situation. And David cries out to God. David certainly faced many difficult situations in his life. Many of us can say the same. We've been through struggles. Life is hard. Crazy stuff happens! So we must cry out to God again and again. It's a repeated process. A spiritual tool we should return to again and again. And for David, and us, it says, our cry reaches his throne room. God hears our cry for help. Just like God hears David's cry for help and moves in to rescue him.

Next in verses 8-16 we see God responding to David’s cry for help. God shows up in a huge way, as David cries out to Him for help.

It says, “8 The earth trembled and quaked,
the foundations of the heavens shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
9 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it
10 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
11 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
12 He made darkness his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
13 Out of the brightness of his presence
bolts of lightning blazed forth.
14 The Lord thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
15 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy,
with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
16 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at the rebuke of the Lord,
at the blast of breath from his nostrils.”

The entire physical plain of Earth is shocked and disrupted by God’s breakthrough into David’s difficulty. God takes over completely and comes down, and drives off David’s enemies. The earth shakes. The voice of God bursts forth. And everything changes.

In verses 17-20 we see David rescued by God completely:

It says, “17 “He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
20 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

David calls this moment in his life “the day of his disaster.” This whole saga seems to surround the moment when King Saul was chasing after David and trying to kill him and his men. And we see just how troubled David was during this time in his life.

Have you ever had a moment in your life that you'd call your "day of disaster?" There have been a few seasons in my life where it felt a bit like my day of disaster. It's important in those moments when everything is going wrong, to remember, to pray and ask God for help. Sometimes we do everything but pray. We do everything, stress about it, worry about it, complain about it to others, but the one thing we should do, we forgot to do: We didn't pray. So remember, get on your knees, and ask God for help!

But it’s a picture for us of David’s entire life. He was constantly being delivered by God in different situations.

The same is true for us. If we follow God faithfully, time and again we get into trouble, and time and again God sets us free.

It pictures David being picked up from flood waters where he’s sunk beneath the surface, tumbling down to the bottom of the ocean, and God comes and grabs him, pulls him out, and places him in a beautiful meadow, safe and at peace.

Next in verses 21-25 we get into righteousness, “21 “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God.
23 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. 24 I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. 25 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.”

David has faithfully walked with God and obeyed the Old testament law. And that was greatly pleasing to God. David recognizes the importance of living a pure life before God.

Similarly, we are blameless before God in Jesus Christ, who has washed away our sins. We’ve repented of our sins, put them to death, and so we are holy in God’s sight. Not holy because of our repentance, but holy because of Jesus Christ's perfect sacrifice. His death paid off our sin debt. Our repentance is our response to this great gift.

Next, we see David explaining God's character toward two different groups of people on planet Earth: the faithful and the devious. He deals with the faithful by showing his own faithfulness. He deals with the devious by humbling them.

It says, "26 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
27 to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
28 You save the humble,
but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
29 You, Lord, are my lamp;
the Lord turns my darkness into light."
30 With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall."

If you are prideful, God will humble you. If we try to plot schemes against people and manipulate events to gain what we want selfishly, God will show himself to be shrewd, and he will defeat our plans. He will humble us, and bring us low, so we can learn to humble ourselves, and turn back to Him. Best thing to do instead of becoming proud, is to humble yourself before God, then he won't have to humble you Himself.

David also recalls how God empowers him in combat. With God's help, David had constant victory in combat against numerous foes. He could scale a wall, with God, his combat skills were enhanced, and he won the victories he desperately needed. Have you ever experienced that? You needed strength in a moment when you felt weak, and you had exactly the strength you needed for the moment?

I've experienced that numerous times. Many times I've been feeling sick or dizzy, and unable to share a sermon or lead a Bible study, but suddenly God gives me extra strength so I can complete the task he's given me.

Next, we see David describing God's character and how he interacts with us: 31 “As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
33 It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
35 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36 You make your saving help my shield;
your help has made me great.
37 You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way."

David recalls that God shields those who take refuge in Him. So, it's super important that we "take refuge in God." That's a great prayer: "Lord, I take refuge in you today, in Jesus name, amen!"

We also see mention of God "training" David for war. Often God will train us in our lives for tasks he has for us in the future. Have you experienced that? A time of training from God? Maybe it was experiences you had at a job, or things you learned in a class, or something a friend or family member taught you, but you saw it was God working through the situation or person to teach you something you'd need later? God's thoughts and plans toward you are as numerous as the grains of the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18). He's always doing something in your life!

In verses 38-46 David declares how God has granted him complete victory over his enemies: “I pursued my enemies and crushed them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
39 I crushed them completely, and they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
40 You armed me with strength for battle;
you humbled my adversaries before me.
41 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
and I destroyed my foes.
42 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
to the Lord, but he did not answer.
43 I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth;
I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets.
44 “You have delivered me from the attacks of the peoples;
you have preserved me as the head of nations.
People I did not know now serve me,
45 foreigners cower before me;
as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.
46 They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds."

We see again here, how David's cup overflows. It hasn't been easy. But in the end, through many struggles, David has total victory, and so much so, people he doesn't even know come trembling before him and surrender before his troops. He has victory over his enemies. This comes from God. Similarly, with us, our victories can only come from God. We believe. We obey. He works. And we see hard fought victories.

Lastly, in verses 47-51 we see David summarizing his statements from the beginning of the song, reaffirming the three key factors: God is my rock, God is my stronghold, God is my deliverer.

It says, "47 “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!
48 He is the God who avenges me,
who puts the nations under me,
49 who sets me free from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from a violent man you rescued me.
50 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing the praises of your name."
51 “He gives his king great victories;
he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.”

All in all, we see David has victory after victory from God. That is the goal with any disciple of Jesus Christ, that they would walk so closely with Jesus, that they would find victory after victory in their walk with God, and in the community around them. This is sometimes upset by our own disobedience, just like David's impropriety with Bathsheba cost him much. But in the end, we remain faithful, like David, and God continues to guide us, forgives us, and grants us victory after victory.

All of this we have today through Jesus Christ our Lord and savior who died for us, and lives to intercede for us! Victory after victory is ours! And our cup overflows. Praise the Lord!

King David and the Gibeonites: The Impact of Sin on Generations

If you look back at the last one hundred or so years of American history, you see several generations of people. There of course the traditionalists, we call them “the greatest generation” or “the silent generation” they are the Americans who fought World War II. They built on the accomplishments of previous generations of americans.

Then you see a generation called the baby boomers. Baby boomers were the generation born after world war II. They would greatly affect the course of history.

Then there was generation X, born 1965-1980. Then you have my generation, millennials, born 1980-1996. And of course the more recent generation Y who are younger now.

Each of these generations has contributed to the progress or decline of America, depending on who you’re talking about.

It’s beyond question that the United States is in decline right now, financially, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, we see a society badly divided, confused, and lost as far as even basic understanding of life and issues.

We see that somewhere in between the traditionalists and the baby boomers, faith in God, Christianity, began to decline, and it didn’t get passed down properly then to X and Z. And I think that’s why we see so much chaos occurring in our society.

Similarly, today, in 2nd Samuel chapter 21 we’re going to see how previous generations and problems from the past can affect the present negatively.

We are all deeply impacted by our parents, grandparents, our society, our education system, and these things can alter the course of our lives day by day.

We begin chapter 21 with a famine taking place.

It says, 2 Samuel 21:1 “During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”

First point today, when you see a problem, do what David did: Seek the Face of the Lord.

What does it mean to seek God’s face? To seek God’s face is to pray. It is prayer. But it’s more than prayer. Seeking God’s face is like seeking a word from the Lord. Prayer is making a request to God for something or praising him or worshipping or talking to him. But seeking god’s face is different. Seeking God’s face is seeking an answer from God. It’s not as much talking to God as asking God to speak to you, you’re looking to receive a “nudge” or ‘word” from God, sort of an answer on a particular issue.

Always pray, but also, seek God’s face, seek a word from Him. Pray, read His word, meditate quietly on his presence, and begin to turn yourself toward his presence. And he’ll come to you and share with you in different ways.

God quickly answers David, and let’s David know, it’s because of something that happened during the time of Saul. And now it’s David’s job to make it right.

Notice that famines can be linked to God. We see famines occur in the end times in fact. So this isn’t just old testament, it’s new testament too.

Also notice that David didn’t cause this problem but he’s the leader so it’s his responsibility to fix it.

Second point today, sometimes we’ll face a problem, and it’s our job to fix it, even if we didn’t cause it. We sometimes think well it’s not my problem. My friend has to fix his own problem. Sometimes that is true. Other times God may be seeing, you’re gonna help fix the problem, or you didn’t cause this, but I’ve placed you in a position to fix it. So fix it. Not my brother’s keeper? Wrong, help out when you can.

So David calls the Gibeonites and speaks to them, in verses 2-6:

2 The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 3 David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?”

4 The Gibeonites answered him, “We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” David asked.

5 They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6 let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen one.”

So the king said, “I will give them to you.”

So here we see how Saul’s sins affect his descendants. Saul’s own descendants are put to death because of Saul’s sin against the gibeonites. David has no choice but to try to make this right any way he can.

Israel had promised to always allow the gibeonites to live at peace. And Saul broke that promise. That was greatly displeasing to God. So it became a great issue for the nation.

Next in verses 7-9: 7 The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab,[a] whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9 He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.”

This is tragic and horrible, and brings grief to the whole nation.

Next we see Rizpah, who had been a lover of Saul, mourning the loss of Saul’s descendants.

It says in verses 10-13: Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night. 11 When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.”

So Rizpah mourns for the people, descendants of Saul, and King David is moved by her mourning and compassion. So he gathers up the dead, along with the bones of Saul and his old friend Jonathan, and they give them all a properly burial. ‘

“14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.”

After all of this took place, God again answered prayer on behalf of the land. Things had to be made right with what Saul had done to the Gibeonites. King David makes it right. Though it’s very messy and ugly.

Life on Earth is like that. It’s sometimes very messy and ugly. To understand that we simply have to look to the cross of Jesus Christ. We see God in human form, taken by the authorities of this world, false charges are invented against him, and he’s whipped and beaten and mocked. He’s made to carry a wooden cross. Nails are driven into his hands and feet and he’s lifted up on the cross sentenced to die slowly.

But this blood sacrifice, of Jesus the Son of God, would paradoxically become our salvation. By his blood, we become healed, our sins are washed away and we get a clean slate. But it took a lot. And it was dark. But that dark moment became our light.

That’s our third point today, resolution, like the resolution between Saul and the Gibeonites, took the shedding of blood. Similarly, our salvation can only come through the shedding of innocent blood, the blood of Jesus Christ the messiah.

Second portion of our scripture deals with a war that breaks out between Israel and the Philistines once again.

David leads his troops out to battle against their old enemy the philistines. David had defeated one philistine in particular a long time ago, named Goliath. Now he fights them again.

It says in verses 15-17: Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels[b] and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”

As David gets older, he goes into battle, and it says that on the battlefield as he’s fighting with his men, “David became exhausted.”

This reminds me of an incident recently with myself. My fiancé Chelsey and I were on a sail boat in Traverse City this weekend, there were about 20 others on board. And as we were setting out, and the crew asked for volunteers to help get the sails in place. So we got to “heav and ho” back and forth pulling the ropes in two lines. And let me tell you, very quickly, like David, I quote “became exhausted” as I did it. As you get older, you get exhausted a bit more easily.

So in the midst of the battle Abishai has to come rescue David. And in response to this incident his troops tell him to stop fighting on the frontlines with him, they don’t want to lose their king.

It’s a good reminder for us, next point today, sometimes as you get older you gotta sit this one out. You can’t do as much as you used ot do. It’s ok to know your own limits. It’s ok to realize, I simply can’t do this now. I’m exhausted. I’m getting older. I need to sit this one out. Sometimes we push ourselves too hard. And that’s not God’s will.

Lastly, in verses 18-22 we see events that take place in different battles. It says, “

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

19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair[c] the Bethlehemite killed the brother of[d] Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.

20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.

22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.”

We see the various descendants here of Goliath of Gath defeated one by one by David’s troops. All of this stuff is connected. So much of life itself, history, time space reality all of it is connected and is one big story. Our whole society is connected. People are connected. When one person turns to Jesus Christ, everyone around them is affected in some way. When someone turns to sin and self destruction everyone around them suffers as a result.

Goliath was defeated by David, and David’s victory over Goliath continued to the descendants of Goliath himself, each of them were defeated in battles against the Philistines. David won total victory over his enemies.

Last point for today, if you follow Jesus Christ, and live by the leading of the Holy Spirit, in the sight and will of God the Father, you will see victory over your sins. You’ll victory over troubles in your life. And if you stay with Jesus, year by year, you’ll see new victories, and those victories, will be linked to future victories, if you stay on the path, it’s all connected.

Present victories will lead to future victories. Present compromises will link to future compromises.

But in Christ, we have the victory, and future victories will become. Stay on the path.

It takes patience to walk that road. But if you stay firm to the path, you’ll see the victories proceed into new victories and those new victories will blossom future victories and it will become a life of victory in Jesus Christ our Lord.

So in review today, the main points today are as follows:

1. When facing a problem that needs an answer, seek God’s face (Seek an answer from God)

2. Even if you didn’t cause the problem, God may call you to fix it anyway (Not your problem? Wrong, be your brothers keeper)

3. Resolution of our sins, took the shedding of blood (Sometimes the price is high)

4. Sometimes if you’re getting older or you’re sick, it’s ok to sit this one out (Know your limits)

5. Present Victories are linked to future victories (and vice-versa, present failures will be linked to future failures)

Sheba's Rebellion against King David

At the end of 2nd Samuel chapter 19 we see Mephibosheth rejoining King David after he had fled Jerusalem. We also see Barzillai, a rich guy who was supporting David in Mahanaim, come to David, and David invites him to Jerusalem, but Barzillai prefers to return to his own home, because he’s in his eighties. So he leaves one of his servants with David.

Mephibosheth comes to David having not washed his clothes, or shaved or cared for his appearance, basically to show David that he was waiting for his return.

Mephibosheth was disabled in both his feet. He can’t run away with David, so he shows his allegiance to David through fasting.

We too want to show our allegiance to God through Jesus Christ. We want to display our commitment. Sometimes we can’t do it as good as others, because we have physical health problems or mental health problems. But if we have those issues, we can show our commitment to God in other ways.

That’s our first point today, if you’re disabled show your commitment in unique ways. Commitment is the key word here.

It says in 2nd Samuel 19:24-25 “Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul went down to meet the king. He had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came back in peace. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”

Mephibosheth explains that he wasn’t able to come and David accepts his apology. He shows grace to those who didn’t go with him when he ran from Absalom’s forces.

Second point is, like David, show grace. Mephibosheth shows his commitment. David shows the grace and mercy of Christ again here.

Then at the end of 2nd Samuel 19 we see that David is crossing the Jordan river, and he is with the tribe of Judah, they’ve all come to support him, after he asked for their support. But then we see the leaders of the other tribes of Israel confronting them. And we begin to see a growing divide between the two sides.

It says in verses 40-43, “40 The king passed on to Gilgal, and Kimham went on with him; all of the people of Judah and half of the people of Israel passed on with the king.

41 Now all of the men of Israel were coming to the king and said to the king, “Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king and his household across the Jordan, and all of the men of David with him?”

42 All of the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is our close relative. Why are you angry over this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s expense? Has he given any gift to us?”

43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, “We have ten shares in the king. Therefore we also have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt? Were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?”

But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.”

The leaders of Judah are harsh with the leaders of Israel. Increasingly, we see a divide between north and south, and it’s slowly getting worse.

Third point today, avoid harsh words. Harsh words can cause big problems. But if you’re polite, even if you’re correcting someone, do so as kindly as possible. Don’t be harsh or vicious or too intense. Be soft about it. It’s still gonna hit hard, if you’re correcting someone, but soften the blow if you can.

But somehow it looks like everything is going to be ok. Despite the rebellion of Absalom, the splitting of the nation, now it looks like they might just come back together as one people.

But then we come to 2nd Samuel 20, next chapter, where a man named Sheba jumps into the situation.

It says this, 2nd Samuel 20:1-2 Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,

“We have no share in David,

no part in Jesse’s son!

Every man to his tent, Israel!”

2 So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.”

Apparently this troublemaker, Sheba, is very influential. As they stand there, by the Jordan river, with King David, and the tribe of Judah, and half of Israel there, this troublemaker Sheba starts rallying the people, demanding they leave David.

And all of Israel sides with Sheba, instead of David! Can you believe this disloyalty? Instead of listening to their true king, they follow a troublemaker. And it says Israel followed Sheba, this rebel, but, the tribe of Judah stayed loyal to David, and they continued with David all the way to Jerusalem.

Fourth point today, stay away from troublemakers. Today we call troublemakers people who spread drama. Gossips. Drama queen. Drama king. People who always cause divisions and problem. Avoid those people. Plain and simple.

And if you notice that in yourself, ask God’s forgiveness. Realize how ugly that is. Mourn over your sin, and repent quickly. Repent of troublemaking, or you may end up like Sheba, a rebel.

So David is back in Jerusalem. And if you remember, when Absalom captured Jerusalem, he took David’s concubines and made love to them in front of the whole country.

David’s first act is to make sure the 10 concubines are cared for, but they are left to live as widows the rest of their lives. It says in 2nd Samuel 20:3, “3 When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.”

Point number 5, some things you can’t take back. Sometimes when something bad happens to you, it will change things forever. It wasn’t the concubines fault, what happened. But, it changed things for them, the rest of their lives. Sin has consequences. Some things you can’t take back. Don’t be like Absalom, mistreating others. Because the shame they carry may be for the rest of their lives. One sin you commit against someone can affect them the rest of their lives.

Next in verse 4 David sends Amasa the leader of his troops to gather the armies of the tribe of Judah to prepare to counter Sheba’s rebellion. This is now the second rebellion David is having to deal with. How stressful! Constant problems David faces.

6 David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.”[a] 7 So Joab’s men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

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

9 Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri.”

Point number 6 today, be cautious of the friendly enemy. Or you call that the frienemy. Amasa got Joab’s job. And Joab wanted revenge. Amasa wasn’t cautious around a friend who was actually an enemy. And he lost his life. What Joab did was terrible and sinful. But Amasa needed to be wise. Don’t trust a friend who is also an enemy, keep them at a distance, so they can’t harm you. Don’t take them too close.

Next we see Sheba being pursued by Joab and the army. So Sheba retreats and hides in the city of Abel Beth Maakah.

Joab besieges the city. In verses 15-17 it says, “15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” 17 He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”

“I am,” he answered.

She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.”

“I’m listening,” he said.

Joab is attacking this city because Sheba the rebel is hiding in it. But this wise woman wants to prevent the destruction of the city. So she asks to speak to Joab.

Point number seven, be like the wise woman and ask to speak to the one in charge. We do that with God in Jesus Christ, and we have access to the king of Kings. Be wise, in a bad situation, speak gracious words to the leader. And you’ll find help in times of trouble.

What happens next? In verses 18-22:

18 She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”

20 “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”

The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”

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

Sheba is captured by the wise woman and he is killed. The rebellion is again over. And Joab returns to King David in Jerusalem.

Last point today, understand that rebels will not be tolerated before God’s kingdom and throne. Don’t be a rebel. Don’t be like Sheba who rebelled against David. Be loyal to your King Jesus Christ. And then you’ll prosper. Loyalty means a lot. Stay loyal to Him for all your days. Loyalty is the key word here.

Let’s reaffirm our commitment to Christ today. Lord Jesus, we admit our sins before your throne. We ask you to forgive us our sins. We believe in you Lord Jesus, that you are the way, the truth, and the life for us today. We commit our allegiance to your and your kingdom. We lay down our weapons of rebellion and we put on the armor of God. We receive you as savior and Lord and King. Thank you Jesus, Amen!