** This Wrap-up is posted out of order - We apologize for any confusion. We hope you enjoy nonetheless **
2013-3-13
David’s Fight to be King
2nd Samuel 3:1-5: 25
I Abner vs Joab vs David 3:1-38
II The Murder of Ishbosheth 4:1-12
III David Crowned King Over Israel 5:1-25
In her book, Learning to Breathe, Karen White said,
“Do you know how diamonds are made?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “they are made of a single element------carbon. But over thousands of years, the carbon had to undergo incredible pressure----something like a minimum of 400 pounds per square inch----and cook to at least 700 degrees. The amazing thing is that if there’s not enough pressure or heat, instead of a diamond, plain old graphite is made. Imagine that----instead of the world’s most indestructible and beautiful thing, you just get graphite. Something to make pencils with---- sure, pencils are nice and useful----but they aren’t diamonds…”
The more we study about David and his life and his relationships with other people and his relationship with the Lord-----and the more we read about his wisdom and his leadership and his behavior---the more we realize that the Lord was turning him into a diamond of such brilliance, that his shine hasn’t diminished in any way, down through the centuries----- if anything, its only grown more beautiful.
I Abner vs Joab vs David 3:1-38
God brought wonderful blessings to the house of David, and it grew stronger and larger even in the middle of war, tribulation, and the interminable waiting, for David to become the king of a united Israel.
And, the family tree that is listed here, fleshes out a lot of what we know about David’s household----including 4 more wives, in addition to the two, that he had brought with him to Hebron.
The main gist of this chapter, is to reveal to us, the interpersonal relationships that David and Abner and Joab had with each other, and to understand what the Lord wants us to learn about them. It is a commentary on forgiveness, revenge and deceit, murder and retribution.
David and Abner had a long history together. When they first met each other, Abner was not just the commander of Saul’s army; he was also Saul’s chief of security. When Saul was pursuing David, all those years, Abner was his personal bodyguard. He was supposed to guard Saul with his own life-----and for the most part he must have done a pretty good job----except--- for the one incident, where God caused all of Saul’s army to fall into a deep sleep, and David and Joab were able to slip through the troops, right to the center of the camp, where Saul and Abner were sleeping the same divine sleep, and were able to steal Saul’s spear and water jug.
And then, from a safe distance, David called Abner out, specifically accusing him of a dereliction of his duty to Saul, and taunting him with the fact ,that he deserved death, for letting his guard down, and leaving Saul so exposed. Even though we, the readers know, that God had closed Abner’s eyes,---Abner didn’t know it----so---David’s words would have publically humiliated him---- Not something a military-man like Abner would have been able to get over easily.
Joab got to know the military Abner when they faced each other, at the Pool of Gibeon, even more intimately, than David knew him, and they were worthy adversaries for each other. But when Asahel, Joab’’s brother, recklessly pursued Abner, and was ultimately killed by him----then Abner and Joab became arch-enemies.
Both Abner and Joab and their behavior, paved the way for the future division of Israel. Through their interaction with each other, we can clearly see one of the many cracks, in the foundation, of the nation of Israel, and this is one of the many cracks that has developed, over time, into a gaping chasm, that will be impossible to bridge, until the Lord Jesus comes back again, to gather the scattered nation, from the 4 corners of the earth-----so that they can finally fulfill the role that God called them to, from the beginning.
(How many relationships are shattered because of ego and competition? How many marriages are ruined or churches split because we fail to be peacemakers? Many times, small decisions can lead to major issues down the road. Initially, something may seem like such a small thing----but it can cause cracks, that grow, and swallow us whole, over time, We need to be aware of the rifts that appear in our own relationships, with people, because of neglect, or envy, or misunderstanding, or selfishness, and begin trying to make the necessary repairs, before the holes become too big to mend.)
Over time, and after a long time of war between the house of Saul and the house of David------Saul’s legacy became weaker and weaker and David became stronger and stronger. The civil war rocked the country, with great losses on both sides, though. (and the war happened, because both Israel and Judah had lost sight of God’s vision and purpose---which was to settle the land, by driving out the Canaanites and obey God’s laws, only. Instead of working together, to unite themselves, and accomplish God’s goals, they fought each other. When we come up against conflict, of any kind, we need to step back, so we can take the emotion out of the situation, and think through everything, to see if there are common goals that we share, with the person we’re in conflict with, that are bigger than our differences----so we can come to a solution together.)
Eventually, as it always does, when people are trying to operate outside of God’s will, came the day when the top leaders in each group tuned on themselves-----Ishbosheth and Abner fought with each other, over a woman, and David and Joab fought with each other, over Abner. The good thing, that came from it though, was, that they finally all lined up according to God’s plan-----it became the means that led to David stepping up to the throne of a united Israel.
In anger at Ishbosheth, maybe because he didn’t think Ishbosheth was grateful to him enough for putting him on the throne, maybe because he was embarrassed because Ishbosheth called him out, for sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines, which amounted to the same thing as saying he saw himself as the king, or maybe because he saw the handwriting on the wall, that the time had come when they couldn’t fight David any more---because his ascension to the throne was inevitable---- Abner made it his business, to make a deal with David and David accepted the deal, as long as he could get his first wife, Michael, back in the process. (Maybe David still loved her, but, since she was Saul’s daughter---it was also another way to insure that Saul’s supporters would eventually give David their loyalty.)
Abner proved to David and Isbosheth that he meant business, by getting support from the Israelite elders for the transfer of power from Ishbosheth to David------and he met with David and a delegation from both sides, with what seemed like, full intention to keep all promises.
(There are some theologians who believe that Abner’s real intentions were less than honorable and that God allowed him to be removed from their lives, so that David wouldn’t become king, because of Abner making him king----because what would stop him in the future from doing the same thing to David, that he had done to Isbosheth----flip-flopping loyalty, is always something to be questioned. There must be some truth to this because, Abner did want David to enter into a covenant with him. But God had another way---He intended for David to be the leader of His people, Israel and to enter into a covenant with Him, and them-----so He protected David from an unwise alliance.)
When Joab found out about the deal----he took matters into his own hands—he just couldn’t let his anger about his brother’s death, and his desire for revenge, rest------plus, I think he was scared that there wouldn’t be enough room for both he and Abner to be in top leadership positions, in David’s army---so, when he got back from a raid and discovered that David had formed an alliance with Abner---he was livid at him---and decided to take his personal matters into his own hands and he made them into a spiritual and a national incident----
Joab took revenge for his brother’s death, instead of leaving the justice for it, up to the Lord God---- but there was no honor in what Joab did---- ----Abner had killed Asahel in self-defense during wartime-----but Joab didn’t kill Abner in the context of war---he killed him in cold-blood, in a back alley-----in a city of refuge. Hebron was one of the cities, set apart by God, that were intended to serve, as safe havens, for anyone who needed protection----no murder, for any reason, should have taken place within its walls.
For Joab to murder Abner there, showed his disrespect for God’s laws, and his disrespect for his king’s commands.
Joab’s actions backfired on him, though------because, when David found out------ he publically renounced the actions of Joab as reprehensible!!!!! There was no excuse for what he had done---on any level.
David condemned the murder and called down divine judgment onto Joab and his family. David was harsh with Joab----but he should have been for several reasons----regardless of Abner’s motives-----1.) he grieved over the loss of a skilled military officer, 2.) he wanted to make sure that no one could accuse him of having anything to do with the murder, 3.) he was on the verge of becoming the king over the entire nation and Abner was key to winning over the northern tribes, and 4.)Joab had made a liar out of David, because David had promised safety to Abner and his own commander had committed the cowardly crime.
With all sincerity, David mourned the death of Abner, in the traditional Israelite way and made sure that his burial was honorable, even if his death had not been. And David made Joab tear his clothes and put on burlap as though he was in mourning-----and then David himself, walked behind the funeral bier, weeping loudly and chanting a funeral lament, which he’d written for Abner, refusing to eat all day long.
And the people loved him for it-----the scripture says that the people of Judah and in all of Israel, were pleased with him, and they believed that he didn’t have anything to do with Abner’s death.
My bible commentary says that David made Joab mourn, hoping that not many people knew that he had been the murderer, and it would hopefully, ward off any more trouble----and that even though he had spoken harsh words to Joab and had opposed the murder, David didn’t publically punish him because, 1.) to punish Joab could cause the troops to rebel; 2.) Joab was David’s nephew and blood is thicker than water, and any harsh treatment could have caused a family feud; 3.) Joab and David were from the tribe of Judah, and David didn’t want rebellion from his own tribe; 4.) David didn’t want to lose a skilled and competent commander, who had been invaluable in strengthening his army.”
All in all, David did the best he could with a really difficult situation. And once again, he proved what a wise and competent leader he was.
(In 1979, the noted NASCAR driver Richard Petty was in a slump. He had lost 45 races in a row. But the losing streak ended at the Daytona 500 that year in an unexpected way. On the last lap of the race Petty was in 3rd place, more than half a lap behind leader Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough. Before the final lap could be completed, however, Yarborough attempted to make a ‘slingshot’ pass around Allison. Allison refused to let him by, forcing Yarborough’s car to drive partially onto the muddied infield grass. Yarborough lost control of his car and bumped Allison.
The two leaders then began to bump each other deliberately, with the result being that they locked together and crashed against the outside wall. Their cars ended up in the infield grass and never crossed the finish line. As a result, Richard Petty won the race. Because of their desire for revenge, both Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough lost the opportunity to win it.
Allison and Yarborough could have learned from Joab, the lesson, that revenge, never turns out right, or gets us what we want or need---- Joab’s raging anger against Abner caused him to destroy not only Abner’s life, but eventually it destroyed his own too. But in contrast, David forgave Saul for his vengeful acts against him and left revenge in God’s hands. We need to remember, that God’s words in Deut. 32:35 “It is mine to avenge, I will repay” are just as applicable to us today, as they were in David’s time.
II The Murder of Ishbosheth 4:1-12
Civil war is awful and tragic and dark, and we’ve seen it, in this story, at its worst. And it got even darker, as Ishbosheth was killed, at the hands of two of his own men, while he was asleep and unsuspecting and terrified of David, and of what the death of Abner signified for him, and his kingship. But as we read and study this story, there is something else that we see, that is hovering in the background, just at the edge of the whole thing----- that is beginning to shimmer with a glorious light, as we see it begin to take visible shape------And as we think back and as we go forward, with our study of David’s life, we can clearly see that it is the most dominant element of all----it is the relationship that David and God share----David praying. David waiting for the kingdom to be given to him, by the sovereignty of God. David refusing to do anything to hurry the process. David trusting, that the anointing he had been given 20 years before he ascended the throne, had never changed. David putting up with irritating and disruptive and disobedient followers. David fierce in his passions, David tender in his laments for even his enemies.
David not lifting a hand to take over Saul’s throne. David was such a good man----
But the truth is, none of the story is about David’s goodness or his innocence----we know that he wasn’t perfect and we know that he messed up and made mistakes and misstepped and misspoke-----he was just a man after all-----the truth is, that behind it all, was God------God’s providence, God’s sovereignty, God’s protection, God’s desire, God’s benevolence, God’s direction, God’s mercy, God’s goodness and God’s true and absolute will. David’s whole life, and everything in it, was a miraculous event, which was brought about by a higher, all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful hand.
David called Ishbosheth an “innocent” man.
As Saul’s son, Ishbosheth would have had reason to think that he was the next in line for the throne. He wasn’t wicked for wanting to be king; he was just too weak to do the right thing. He was easily led by people who were stronger than he was.
And even though David knew that Ishbosheth was not the leader that God intended to unite Israel, and that, God had promised it to him, David had no intention of killing Ishbosheth.
When David found out about Ishbosheth’s death, he was furious. He had never harmed Saul and he fully intended to never harm his descendants. David wanted to unite Israel---he didn’t want to drive a permanent wedge between him and the people who supported Isbosheth and the old way of doing things. To show that he had nothing to do with Ishbosheth’s death, or the extermination of Saul’s line----David had the assassins killed, and he gave Ishbosheth a proper burial.
All the tribes of Israel finally recognized, after that, that David was the strong leader that they needed and they came to him and pledged their loyalty to him. He didn’t have to lift a finger----God did it all.
The promise that God made to Israel and to David took a long time to be fulfilled. David had to go through many difficult experiences, but they all made him a better king for having endured them. He was a man after God’s own heart, that God prepared to be the man, and the king, that He wanted him to be.
This is typical of the way that God operates and how He brings about his promises and His purposes. God is not in a hurry. Waiting tests our faith and our endurance----it grows us and refines us and strips all the waste away. Waiting is a part of each of our lives, and God will reward us with great blessing, if we are patient and faithful and trusting, as we wait on Him.
( A young man desired to go to India as a missionary with the London Missionary Society. Mr. Wilks was appointed to consider the young man’s fitness for the post. He wrote to the young man, and told him to call on him at 6:00 the next morning.
Although the applicant lived many miles away, he was at the house punctually at 6:00 and was ushered into the drawing room. He waited----and waited---- and waited wonderingly, but patiently. Finally Mr. Wilks walked into the room mid-morning.
Without apology, Mr. Wilks began, “well young man, so you want to be a missionary?” “Yes sir, I do.” “Do you love the Lord, Jesus Christ?” “Yes Sir, I certainly do.” “And do you have any education?” “Yes Sir, a little.” “Well now, we’ll try you; can you spell cat?” The young man looked confused, and hardly knew how to answer such a preposterous question. His mind evidently halted between indignation and submission, but in a moment he replied steadily, “C,a,t, Cat.”
“Very good,” said Mr. Wilkes. “now can you spell dog?” The young man was stunned, but he replied ‘d,o,g.” “Well that is right; I see you will do well in your spelling, and now or your arithmetic; how much is 2times 2?” The patient young man gave the right reply and then was dismissed.
Mr Wilks gave his reply at the committee meeting. He said, “ I cordially recommend that young man; his testimony and character I have duly examined. I tried his self-denial, he was up in the morning early; I tried his patience by keeping him waiting; I tried his humility and temper by insulting his intelligence. He will do just fine.”
III David Crowned King Over Israel 5:1-25
The Israelites were the ones who came to David at Hebron and they were the ones who recognized that he needed to be their king and the ones who finally anointed him and went into a covenant with him before the Lord. What a day of rejoicing it must have been!!!!
The Israelite leaders were acting out of obedience to God, not out of rebellion, like they had been when they demanded it ,and Saul was made king. The king that they found in David, was finally, the king that they really deserved----everybody---God, David, and the people, were finally, all on the same page.
When they approached David, they acknowledged several vitally important truths-----which were the basis for David’s kingship and their submission to him-----They recognized that they shared a common heritage with David----that they were under the same original covenant with God and that God desired unity for His people. They also recognized that David had already provided leadership for them, back when he was Saul’s commander---- and then, for for many years to his own men and to the men of Judah, which led them to accept David, as God’s anointed choice for the throne.
At the same time, David finally found a place to call home----Jerusalem-----It was originally called Jebus, and was considered to be the Fortress of Zion. It was still inhabited by the Jebusites, an original Canaanite people-group. It was located up on a high ridge, near the center of the country. It was considered neutral territory, between southern and the northern tribes, because it stood on the border between the tribal lands of Benjamin and Judah.
The Jebusites thought that they had a clear military advantage because the natural setting of the city made it difficult to defeat----not only was it in the hill country, it was on the top of more than one mountain and it was surrounded by valleys. They bragged about their impregnable fortress-----but they soon discovered that their taunts and jeers were wasted----they found out that their walls couldn’t protect them------David and his men caught them by surprise by sneaking in through the water tunnel and capturing it and renaming it, the City of David. (the truth for us, is that we can’t be safe anywhere or with any one, without the Lord----security in anyone or anything else is just false security. No matter if we’re surrounded by mighty walls of stone and tall hills and deep valleys or comfortable homes, wonderful marriages, secure jobs and good health----no one can predict what tomorrow may bring----our relationship with the Lord is the only security that we have, that can never be taken away. )
God continued to bless and increase David’s power and his household. When King Hyram of Tyre, sent a generous gift of cedar logs to build David a palace, it deepened David’s conviction, that the Lord, had established him as king over Israel, and that God had a greater purpose in blessing him-----God had blessed David, so that David could turn around and be a blessing to the nation.
Even though God never condoned multiple wives and concubines----as a sign of his increasing power, David added more wives to his harem and he fathered many sons and daughters, after he conquered Jerusalem. I don’t know how he justified it----but it might have been a way for him to keep peace in the country, by using the marriages and relationships, as a way to build treaties and alliances politically. But it did come back to bite him, as his children vied for his throne even before his death.
The Philistines, unlike the Israelites, would not submit to David, as God’s king. They attacked David, seeking to kill him and to remove the threat that they knew he was to them. They remembered when he had defeated Goliath and they remembered the mighty warrior he had been, when he had lived and fought among them. They came against him twice, and twice, because David obeyed God’s instructions, to the letter, God gave him the victory. The people who received David, as God’s king, were blessed and the people who rejected David, as God’s king were crushed. As we continue in 2nd Samuel---we’re going to see this happen over and over again.
(Charles Swindoll, the noted pastor, writer and chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary, tells of a time in his life when he had an especially busy schedule. With a demanding professional agenda, his home life suffered. If he was able to come home to eat at all, meal times would be rushed, conversations short and tensions elevated. During one such appearance at home, his youngest daughter, Colleen wanted to tell him about something important that had happened at school that day. In his book Stress Fractures, Swindoll described what happened next. “She began hurriedly, ‘Daddy, I want to tell you something and I’ll tell you really fast.’ Suddenly, realizing her frustration, I answered, ‘Honey, you can tell me----and you don’t have to tell me really fast.’ I’ll never forget her answer: ‘then listen slowly.”
When faced with the difficult prospect of fighting a Philistine army, on the march, in the heartlands of Israel, David took the time to “listen slowly” to God. By listening carefully to the Lord and obeying him completely, David witnessed the miracle, of hearing God marching in the treetops, as He went before David, to destroy his enemies-----and by listening slowly, David found guidance that helped him turn a dangerous, uncertain situation, into a dynamic success for his country. In the lives we live----in the good times and in the hard ones, do we take the time to “listen slowly” to the Lord? The words He speaks to us will make all the difference in any situation. We just have to take the time to listen.
No comments:
Post a Comment