Can the Foundations of America be Restored? Only through a Revival of the Young

In our desperate search for what went wrong with western civilization, digging through layer after layer, social structures breaking down, norms shifting, confusion abounding, unrest spreading, and suicide flourishing, we search and long and cry out, "What has gone wrong!?"

We think to ourselves, well, it must be education. Or crime? Maybe it's medication or mental health? Could it be a philosophical issue, the effects of post-modernism and moral relativism? Perhaps it's the news media, always spreading negativity and fear and misinformation? Then again it could be racism, sexism, or lack of compassion, or inequality? 

But at the bottom base, the core truth is something we don't like to hear: We really do need God in our society. Without God, the moral law giver, objective truth, moral obligations and duties, prohibitions that exist within the person himself, not simply on paper in society, all of it collapses. 

Christianity is the underpinning of western civilization, and as we jettison it for entertainment, nihilism, pleasure, and post-modernism, we unsurprisingly see a society tipping into chaos, if you tell a man or woman that their life has no greater meaning, they are simply star dust, and whatever they desire to do they may do, without consequences, without any thought of moral accountability or divine justice after death, well, then they do drugs, have sex, and commit suicide. And society collapses. But most people don't want to face that fact. 

Maybe because we dislike the idea of God. But if we can get past that, we might just find the bottom foundation of what went wrong, and right it, before time runs out.

The question is then: Can the foundation be restored? Theoretically, if it could be restored, then every layer above the foundation would eventually slide back into place. 

I've wrestled with this over the last few years, trying to understand what that could look like. Because it really goes down to how people see the world. It goes down to worldview. 

We're increasingly divided as a society between an essential philosophy of life, one side tends to believe in God, the other increasingly believes in science and progress. 

One side is focused on deconstructing norms and reshaping society. The other is set on past/historic models of societal structures. So it becomes increasingly difficult to find common ground, when our underlying perspectives on the universe are so different. But I've got to believe that it won't necessarily come through debating perspectives, though free and open debate is certainly a key asset for society. 

I think it will most likely come through introducing people to Jesus Christ at an angle and from a perspective they haven't seen Him from before.

We've set our battle lines between the ruling philosophies, which I understand why, because one side thinks the other is trying to redefine the entire society based around the progress agenda of deconstructing. And that scares them. Conversely the other side thinks that the religious side is wanting to drag us back in time to a place where bigotry and racism and oppressive gender roles were more normative. And the power belonged to only one select group. And that scares them. So we fight back and forth in the cultural conflicts to either redefine society or hold to past traditions.

And I wrestle and wonder, can the foundation be restored? Only in Jesus Christ. And in Jesus Christ explained in a way that makes sense to a new generation. That may be our only hope.

Then our only hope is revival, because in a real revival the foundations are restored. Society returns to God, and in so doing, the fundamental foundation of society, the family, the individual is restored to foundational connection with their Creator. Restoring the foundation then has to occur on an individual basis, and then inculcated into the structures of society, the elite institutions, but it would have to start with people, young people in particular, a revolutionary revival at academic institutions. That perhaps then could bring about a restoration to the foundational structures that western civilization was built upon, namely God, in the Christian sense, the God of the Bible. 

Who was John the baptizer? His Life and how He Died

Who was John the baptizer? He was not one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. He was in fact a blood relative of Jesus. Jesus’s cousin. But there was something very special about John. His birth happened in a very special way.

He would become a voice crying out to the entire nation of Israel, to prepare for something huge, a zeitgeist, a paradigm shift, a change in the fabric of the reality of the universe.

John the baptizer was born and spoke for the purpose of telling the masses to get ready, something huge is about to happen.

The world is about to change forever.

God is coming down to the Earth. And he’s going to change the world, by dealing with the root issue in the heart of every human being ever born: the problem of evil.

The revolution began with John the baptizer, gathering a band of outcasts in the wilderness. A force was taking shape, that would call people to turn from their past sins, turn from evil, and get ready for the coming of a new way of life.

"Get ready for the coming of hope into the world," he cried in the wilderness. Get ready for the arrival of the messiah, the savior of the human race, Jesus Christ the messiah.

So John spoke to the crowds, year after year. More and more people came out to see John preaching in the wilderness. Massive crowds gathered around him. He said he was preparing a road for one to walk on, a man who would come after him. Though John was a great hero, a great leader, the one coming after him would be much greater.

The religious leaders of that day didn't know what to think of John. They wondered if he was a prophet, or a madman, or a hero of the old days back from the dead!

John the baptizer spoke to the crowds, yet he also spoke to the ruling powers and government authorities. He spoke into society itself. He challenged the Roman leaders over Israel, he challenged King Herod, and spoke to him often.

Soon the man John told the crowds about a mysterious "lamb of God" who would come into the world. Then one day, after all those years of waiting, that man walked by the river where John baptized. It was Jesus of Nazareth, and John said, "There he is! The lamb of God!" 

John said, "He must become greater, I must become less." So the ministry of John slowly declined, while Jesus ministry increased in prominence.

Then John was imprisoned by the Roman authorities. And John even doubted and wondered if Jesus was really the one. But Jesus sent word to John saying indeed, yes, I am the one, I do impossible things, I preach the good news, the sick are healed, the world is changing at this very moment. 

And now we see in our scripture today how John the Baptist dies. Jesus had recently sent out his disciples two by two to do ministry and perform healings of the sick and injured.

Now we go into the court room of King Herod, where he is monitoring all the events taking place.

It says in Mark 6:14-16: “King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Others said, “He is Elijah.”

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

Right off the bat we find out that Herod has already had John killed. He’s had his head cut off. Meanwhile everyone is trying to understand: Who is Jesus really? Is he the Old Testament prophet Elijah back from the dead? Is a new prophet? Herod begins to believe that Jesus is John the baptizer back from the dead.

Just like the people two thousand years ago, we must decide in our own hearts: Who is Jesus to us?

There are many theories today about who Jesus was and is. People believe many different things about Him. Some of them true, some of them not true.

We must all decide who Jesus is to us. Is he a good moral teacher? Is he just another guy? Is he a prophet? Or is he our King, our Friend, and our Savior? Who is Jesus to you? You’ll have to decide that in your heart. And live your life accordingly.

Let’s look into the events that occurred around the death of John. Verses 17-20:

"For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him."

Here you have controversy. Controversy is a classic sign of any Christian ministry. There will be controversies. There will be incidents. There will be outrage and people upset from the preaching of the truth. That will happen. In fact, if you aren’t encountering controversies, you should probably be worried. You’re not speaking the truth clearly enough. It will happen.

John finds himself in a controversy. He has upset the wrong people. Yet John did the right thing. He spoke the truth. And let the chips fall where they may. 

Sometimes when we find ourselves in a controversy we start to feel guilty, like we did something wrong. Now, if the controversy occurred because you said something stupid, well then it is your fault. And you should feel guilty and make a change and apologize for what happened. Then again, if you simply spoke God's truth, as he commanded you to, then you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. You should celebrate in that situation, because you are now suffering for Christ the Lord himself. 

So, this woman who is mad at John is trying to harm him, but, Herod is protecting John. You will also have people who protect you as a Christian. People more powerful than you, God will use to protect you. And they’ll use their influence and power to keep you safe from your adversaries. God puts us into controversies as Christians, we stand in the gap for Him in those controversies. But God also protects us in those controversies. So we may continue our ministry.

That’s the first thing to notice here, a controversy develops.

Second, notice that Herod likes to listen to John. It says he knew John was a righteous and holy man. He was puzzled when he listened to John preach but he enjoyed it.

I’ve found the same is true with many I’ve known. They like to listen to me rant on and on about the Lord and faith and the Bible. They don’t really get too into it. But they like to listen.

That’s not a bad place to be where people know you’re righteous, trust that you are representing God, and they are willing to listen to you speak. I think that’s where we want to be as Christians. People know we walk what we say. They know we really do care about them. And they come to listen to the word. That’s a powerful combination. But for Herod, he is listening, but not understanding.

But at the same time Herodias is plotting to try to get rid of John. And it says in verses 21-23:

"Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”"

Herod has a fancy birthday party for himself. Herodias’ daughter dances for him, and he’s very happy. So happy he is ecstatic, this must’ve been some amazing dancing. So, he offers with an oath, to give her a royal gift. Herod is so smitten by this woman's dancing, he offers her up to half his kingdom. Isn't that crazy? But I'll tell you a little secret, guys can be just that smitten by a woman, that they make some bad choices. Plus, I'm sure Herod had had a few drinks at his little party. 

The girl who danced is made this offer. But she doesn't know what to do. So she asks Mom.  

It says in verses 24-25: She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

She could've had half the kingdom, but her mom chooses revenge. And this becomes the decision that would seal the fate of John the baptizer. 

Then we see King Herod very upset. But not upset enough to prevent it from happening.  

Verses 26-29 says, "The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb."

The end of John the Baptist's life seems like a defeat. It seems like a failure. But it isn't. It's a victory. John gave his life for his cousin Jesus. He gave his life for the Lord. He was a martyr. 

If we take the eternal perspective, which is the real and true perspective, we see that John is alive now. He is not in fact dead. He is alive, because he kept faith with Christ. 

Would you give your life for Jesus Christ? Your day may come. Things are changing very fast in the world. So we must all be ready at any moment to give our lives for Jesus. If we renounce Christ, we will lose everything including our eternal future. If we hold fast to Christ and die for Him, we will also live with Him forever. Amen. 

David made King of the entire Nation

Israel is in a vicious civil conflict, between Judah in the south, and the rest of Israel in the north. David commands from the city of Hebron in the south, and Ish-Bosheth is in charge in the north.

Abner was Ish-Bosheth’s main military leader, but he was insulted by his leader, and shifted sides to join David. But, Abner was killed by Joab. The death of Abner leads Israel to begin to fall apart. Ish-Bosheth is a weak leader, and can’t hold things together.

It says in 2nd Samuel 4:1-2: "When Ish-Bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed. 2 Now Saul’s son had two men who were leaders of raiding bands. One was named Baanah and the other Rekab…”

First key take away today, is that when a nation has poor leadership the people lose courage, and things begin to fall apart.

In our own lives we need to be courageous. Show courage in difficult situations. Don’t give up when times get hard. Keep fighting the good fight. Bring it to God in prayer. Take a deep breath. Sorrows may endure, but joy comes in the morning. We must keep hope. We must keep faith. We must continue to be courageous in the face of obstacles.

Baanah and Rekab are going to hatch a way to try to get favor from David, because it looks like David is winning the war and Ish-Bosheth is on the way out. So here’s what they do…

In verses 5-6: “Now Rekab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out for the house of Ish-Bosheth, and they arrived there in the heat of the day while he was taking his noonday rest. They went into the inner part of the house as if to get some wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rekab and his brother Baanah slipped away.”

Rekab and Baanah murder Ish-Bosheth, and think they’re going to be rewarded for it.

In verses 7-8: "They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah. They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.”

Second point today, good can’t come from an evil act. You can’t do something bad and expect something good to happen later because of it. The ends never justify the means.

Can you have an affair with a married man or woman, and think well, this is God’s will, he or she said, "It’s already over." That is never God’s will. You can’t do evil and expect something good will come from it.

Should I lie to get a raise? Never. Nothing good can come from an evil deed. Sometimes we think, well, just this once, I’ll do something bad, but I need the money, and God will forgive me, so it’ll be fine. No, don’t ever think that way. Evil deeds will have consequences. Just like in this situation.

Think about it, Ish-Bosheth is working against God’s will. He is fighting against David the rightful king. But it’s still wrong for these two guys to sneak in and murder him. The outcome is right you could say, the enemy king is dead, but, the way it was done was so wrong, it’s pure evil. And they’ll be held accountable.

Let’s look at how King David answers them.

Next, verses 9-12: "David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!”

So David gave an order to his men, and they killed them. They cut off their hands and feet and hung the bodies by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-Bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb at Hebron.”

So David deals with these two murders through swift justice. But I want to point your attention to something David says here, he says, "God has delivered me out of every trouble." He also makes it clear, we serve a living God.

That’s our third point today, if you’re following God’s plan for your life, God will deliver you from the troubles you face. Don’t lose hope. Don’t give up. Keep following Jesus. God will deliver you from trouble. God will bring you out of the pit and onto safe ground. God will bring you through this trial. You'll find yourself safe on the other side, for His glory and kingdom. Don’t give up now. Keep going.

Let’s flip over into 2nd Samuel chapter 5. Just the first five verses here. Now, with Abner gone, with Ish-Bosheth defeated, finally this civil conflict can end.

It says in 2nd Samuel 5:1-5: "All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.”

The leaders of all Israel meet with David at the city of Hebron, and they make an agreement, that David will be King over the entire nation. All this happened before the Lord, in the presence of God, they anointed David king over the whole nation.

Point number four today, all your life is happening before God’s watchful eyes. That's already true for all people everywhere. But it’s different when we have the attitude that we're doing things, "in the presence of God." That means we’re acknowledging God’s presence in our lives, we’re inviting God in to each moment in our lives. 

We’re living each day in the presence of God. Is that how you live today? Do you live as one living in the presence of God? That is the attitude you should have. I’m doing my work for God. I'm relaxing in God's presence. I'm mowing the lawn with God with me. I'm driving with God here. I'm bike riding with God with me. I’m living today with God. I’m always with God. And I love to be with God!

So in conclusion, David was king in Hebron over Judah for 7 and ½ years. Then, over the entire nation for another 33 years. He was about 30 when he became king in Hebron, and about 37 years old when he became king over the whole nation. Young leader. But he does great things for God, more and more over time. Praise the Lord, may it be so for us as well, that we grow to do great things for God throughout our lives! 

So to review, our main points today:

1. Be courageous in the face of difficulties

2. Good can’t come from an evil action

3. Have hope, God will deliver you from the troubles you face

4. Have a mindset of living in the Presence of God

Civil War between King David and Ish-Bosheth: Abner switches sides

The civil war continues between the remnants of the house of Saul and David’s forces. The war was fierce and brutal. But slowly David gained the upper hand.

As it says in verse 1 of 2nd Samuel 3: “The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.”

During this extended period of conflict and warfare, several children were born to David, so this must’ve lasted several years. The children born to him were Amnon, Kileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, and Ithream. All of them were born while David lead from Hebron. And it makes sense, we know from the previous chapters that David lived in Hebron for 7 and a half years.

First point today, God blesses David with much fruitfulness. Children are a gift from God. And David is abundantly blessed. He has many children in Hebron. He has a beautiful family. He is blessed. God loves to bless us and help us, as we follow Him.

Then we shift over to King Ishbosheth, who is ruling over the forces of Saul. Ishbosheth is Saul’s only remaining son after his death in battle. Abner is the chief military leader under Ishbosheth, and we see some drama in verses 6 through 11:

It says, “6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog’s head—on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.”

Point number two today, loyalty is very important. Stay loyal to God. Keep your commitment. Stay with God to the end. If something offends you, don’t switch sides over and over. Work things out. In this situation though, God is working things out so that David will be king. But Abner’s behavior is still off. Then again, it was unwise for Ishbosheth to falsely accuse Abner. Don’t falsely accuse someone if you don’t know if it’s true or not. It can lead to someone being enraged and lashing out in rebellion against you.

King Ishbosheth accuses Abner of sleeping with a woman inappropriately. We don’t really know if there was any truth to the allegation. But Abner gets very mad. This shows how powerful Abner had become. Ishbosheth didn’t really have much power, in fact he feared Abner. And Abner gets very upset.

Abner gets so angry, he decides to switch sides:

In verses 12-15: Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.”

13 “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish.”

David insists on getting Michal his old wife back, who was the daughter of Saul.

But she was already remarried to another man. It says in verse 16, “Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back.”

An ugly situation. Does David really need another wife? He has many already. But he did pay a high price of Michal. So he insists on taking her back. But her husband follows weeping, until Abner yells at him to go back home.

Sad situation. Abner’s behavior here really bothers me. He’s self seeking, playing both sides against each other, and trying to gain power and authority.

So Abner begins to plotting to get Israel to shift behind David’s rule. It says in verses 17-21:

“17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’”

19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole tribe of Benjamin wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.”

Point number three, God is working things together for good, for David, to bring the nation together under one banner. He is working through the most unlikely man, Abner, someone who served Saul, and now is serving David. Sometimes God works things out even through our enemies for our good. God can use any situation, good or bad, to work out His will for our lives. We can trust Him. We can trust Him completely to do what He said. He can even use this wayward leader, Abner, to bring the nation together. Don’t assume he can’t use you either. He can use anyone for His kingdom purposes.

So it seems like everything is going good right? Things are going to work out for Abner? Maybe it seems that way. But, don’t forget about Joab. Remember, Abner killed Joab’s brother Asahel.

What happens next? In verses 22-25: “Just then David’s men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace.

24 So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! 25 You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing.””

Joab is very upset that David let Abner escape alive. He hates Abner. And he assumes Abner is going to double-cross David.

Joab is in an uproar now. He is hot with anger.

Point number four, when you are hot with anger, pause. Do anything you can to get alone, and pray and reflect, or talk to someone. Don’t take rash action. When you’re tempted to make an angry phone call, pause and wait. When you’re tempted to shoot out that angry email, hit “save as draft” first. When you’re tempted to shoot out your dirty laundry onto Facebook, wait a minute, and write in your journal instead. Talk to a friend one on one instead.

The Bible says “be angry, but do not sin.” It’s ok to be angry. We do get angry. Being angry is not a sin. But, allowing your anger to get out of control where you hurt someone or lash out, now it’s gone into the realm of sin.

Joab sadly allows his anger to overcome him.

It says in verses 26-27: “Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern at Sirah. But David did not know it. 27 Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died.”

Joab murders Abner in cold blood. He doesn’t kill him in battle or defeat him in combat, he murders him. And its wrong, and sinful. Let’s see how David deals with this turn of events, verses 28-32:

“28 Later, when David heard about this, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29 May his blood fall on the head of Joab and on his whole family! May Joab’s family never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food.”

30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.”

King David mourns for Abner, and lays the blame on Joab and his family. Then David sang a lament, in verses 33-34:

33 The king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner have died as the lawless die? Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before the wicked.” And all the people wept over him again.”

As David mourns Abner, he also refuses to eat. He becomes weak for the sake of mourning. And this was pleasing to the people and to Israel. In verses 35-38 it says:

35 Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!”

36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. 37 So on that day all the people there and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.

38 Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? 39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!””

I’m convinced that this incident could’ve caused the nation to be divided again. But David makes it so clear that he didn’t kill Abner. Imagine if David had killed Abner! Abner had been the one gathering the people behind David in Israel. Israel probably would’ve been divided again. But David makes it perfectly clear that he didn’t do anything wrong and it was entirely on Joab.

Last point for today, sometimes we have to show people, hey, I didn’t do anything wrong in this situation. This is the truth. These are the facts. And I am innocent here, based on the facts. Sometimes we think well Jesus didn’t defend himself so we shouldn’t defend ourselves. But in this situation, it’s right for David, for the sake of keeping the nation together, to make sure the truth gets out there. He needs to make sure Israel knows that Joab killed Abner, and he didn’t do it. Otherwise it could worsen the civil war. But now, all of Israel is pleased with David, because David makes sure everyone knows that it wasn’t him, and that he is mourning Abner deeply. And I’m sure that mourning was entirely genuine.

So to review, our main points today are as follows:

1. God blesses his servants abundantly, to be fruitful

2. Be loyal to your commitments / Don’t accuse someone falsely

3. God is working everything together for good behind the scenes.

4. When you are angry, you must pause and not sin.

5. Let the facts be known for the good of others.