Family Disgrace (Part 3)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Last week, we saw that the conflict between David and Absalom continued. This week the conflict is going to escalate. We ended with what almost appeared to be a heartfelt reunion.
In David’s day there were some misunderstandings about God. Many people today have the same misunderstandings.
Misunderstanding #1—It is this idea that when a person comes to Jesus, there will be no more problems in their lives. Many, within the church, believe that they should not have hurts or heartaches.
Misunderstanding #2—Comes from, outside the church. Many people who do not know God, blame God for all the bad things that happen in the world. Their reasoning is, IF there is a God, and IF that God is all powerful, then there should not be ANY bad events in the world.
Our story today is a contrast between two world views. One world view trusts in God. The second world view connives, and conspires to get their agenda passed.
Today’s passage will look at 4 men. 2 men are trusting in God and doing what they can to promote God’s agenda, while the other 2 men promote their agenda.
When we come to chapter 15 we see Absalom begin to jockey for position. He is NOT going to trust in God, but rather he is going to concoct a plan to usurp the kingdom of Israel from his father David.
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to 2 Samuel 15:1.
Absalom Concocts a Plan
Absalom Concocts a Plan
Seeks Affection of the People
Seeks Affection of the People
In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him.
Time passes and Absalom begins to develop a plan to gain the kingdom.
First move, he gets a chariot and horses for himself.
Next he gets 50 men to run ahead of him. In that day, this is what men of importance did.
He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”
He made himself acceptable—out early, and standing by the side of the road leading to the city gate.
He took an interest in the people who were bringing their problems to the king.
Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.” And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”
He would side with the person who brought the complaint.
Next he would tell them if only there was judge. Better yet, If only he were a judge.
If he were a judge everyone would receive justice.
Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him.
Those who would approach him would bow down before him.
He would reach out his hand, and they would take hold of his hand and kiss it—a term of respect and subservience.
Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
Absalom did this to all the Israelites that were seeking justice from the king.
By doing this, he stole the hearts of the people!
Absalom Puts the Plan In Action
Absalom Puts the Plan In Action
At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the Lord. While your servant was living at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: ‘If the Lord takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the Lord in Hebron.’ ”
Notice that he spent 4 years endearing himself to the people of Israel.
At the end of 4 years, he went to the king.
He asked for permission to “fulfill a vow that he mad in Geshur in Aram.
The supposed vow, “If the Lord takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the Lord in Hebron.”
The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he went to Hebron.
The king sent Absalom to Hebron in peace.
The Secret Plan
The Secret Plan
Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ”
Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel.
The message: “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron’”
Absalom is in effect setting up a coup!
Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter.
200 men from Jerusalem went with Absalom.
They had been invited as his guests.
But they knew NOTHING about Absalom’s plan.
While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.
Absalom does offer sacrifices.
But he also calls for Ahithophel —A hith’ o phel—David’s chief counsel to come and join him.
Ahithophel’s presence gave credence to the coup!
So Absalom’s conspiracy gained strength and became stronger and stronger.
David’s Response to the Coup
David’s Response to the Coup
A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”
A messenger comes to David and delivers the bad news!
“The hears of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”
David On the Move
David On the Move
Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.”
David gathers the officials who are with him in Jerusalem.
He decides they must flee from Jerusalem
He says they must leave immediately, or they will not escape from Absalom.
They will all die in the city.
The king’s officials answered him, “Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses.”
The kings officials agree to do whatever David choose to do.
David Escapes the City—Jerusalem
David Escapes the City—Jerusalem
The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of the palace.
So the king sets out with his entire household.
Except for 10 concubines that he left behind to take care of the palace.
So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at the edge of the city. All his men marched past him, along with all the Kerethites and Pelethites; and all the six hundred Gittites who had accompanied him from Gath marched before the king.
So they set out, with the king in the lead.
They stop at the edge of the city.
All of David’s men marched past him, along with the Kerethites and Pelethites.
Also passing the king are his 600 mighty men.
Ittai Told to God Back
Ittai Told to God Back
The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.”
David talks to a man by the name if Ittai—eh tii—He’s a Gittite, a mercenary from Gath.
David tells him to stay in Jerusalem, because Absalom won’t harm him:
—He’s a foreigner.
—He’s in exile from his home land.
—He recently arrived in Jerusalem.
—There’s no need for him to wander around with David.
Do David tells him to go back and take his people with him.
And then David ask the Lord to be kind and faithful to Ittai—eh tii.
But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.”
Ittai tells David that he’s not going back!
He is going with David.
Whether it is life or death—he is going to be David’s servant!
David said to Ittai, “Go ahead, march on.” So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.
David tells Ittai to continue to march with him!
So Ittai and all his men and families stay with him!
The Priest Serve as the People Mourn
The Priest Serve as the People Mourn
The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the wilderness. Zadok was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.
Everyone in the countryside wept as they people marched by.
The king and all the people crossed over the Kidron Valley and moved toward the wilderness.
Zadok and Abiathar were with David.
They had the Ark of the covenant of God.
They set the Ark down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until everyone had left the city.
David Sends the Priests and the Ark Back
David Sends the Priests and the Ark Back
Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”
David sends the ark of God back to Jerusalem.
If the Lord is pleased with him, he will soon return.
He the Lord is not pleased with David, then he will accept whatever the Lord sends his way.
The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Do you understand? Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan. You and Abiathar return with your two sons. I will wait at the fords in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
David ordered the priests: Zadok and Abiathar and their two sons to return to the city.
David will wait at the fords in the wilderness until he hears from Zadok.
So Zadok and Abiathar took their sons, and the ark back to Jerusalem and stayed there!
But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
David (and his group) continue their departure and head up the Mount of Olives.
David is weeping.
He has his head covered.
He was barefoot—shows the hurried manner in which he left Jerusalem.
Everyone with him had their head covered too and were weeping!
David had been told that Ahithophel—a hith o phel—was part of the conspiracy.
David prays that Ahithophel’s counsel will turn into foolishness!
Hushai—David’s Spy
Hushai—David’s Spy
When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.
As they reach the top of the Mount of Olives, a man named Hushai the Arkite meets them.
He too is mourning—his robe is torn, and he has dust on his head—the traditional sign of mourning
David’s Plan for Hushai
David’s Plan for Hushai
David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be a burden to me. But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel’s advice.
If you go with me, you’ll be a burden to me.
But I’ve got a job for you!
Return to Jerusalem and tell Absalom—Your Majesty, I will be your servant; just like I used to be your father’s servant.
Then he can help David by frustrating Ahithophel’s advice.
Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king’s palace. Their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear.”
David tells Hushai that if he need anything Zadok and Abiathar and their two sons are there.
Then he tells Hushai to send David anything that he hears.
So Hushai, David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city.
So Hushai served as David’s confidant in Jerusalem.
He got back to Jerusalem just as Absalom entered teh city.
Conflicting Views
Conflicting Views
Finally, we are introduced to two men.
Ziba
Ziba
The first is a reintroduction—Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, the only remaining son of Saul.
When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.
David continues to be on the move when he meets Ziba, the servant (steward) of Mephibosheth.
He meets David with a string of saddled donkeys.
The donkeys are loaded with 200 loaves of bread.
100 cakes of raisins.
100 cakes of figs.
And a skin of wine.
The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
David asks him what the donkeys and supplies are for.
Ziba tells him the donkeys are for the king and his family to ride on.
The bread and fruit for the men to eat.
And the wine is to refresh them when they are exhausted in the wilderness.
The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?” Ziba said to him, “He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather’s kingdom.’ ”
David wants to know where Mephibosheth is.
Ziba tells him that Mephibosheth is staying in Jerusalem,
Because he is hoping that the kingdom of Israel will be restored to his grandfather’s family.
Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” “I humbly bow,” Ziba said. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
David gives all of Mephibosheth’s property to Ziba.
Ziba continues to ask for David’s favor.
Then David and Ziba part ways.
Shimei
Shimei
Now we’re introduced to a man names Shimei—she mai.
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left.
David approaches Bahurim—east of the Mount of Olives.
He meets a man from the same clan as Saul’s family.
His name is Shimei—she mai—the son of Gera.
He cursed at David and all the king’s officials.
He pelted the king and officials with stones
Even though David’s special guard and troops were all around David—on his right and left.
As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”
He begins to curse David calling him:
—Murder
—Scoundrel
He calls for the Lord to repay the Saul’s blood.
He prays that Absalom will be given the kingdom.
Finally he accuses David of begin a murderer.
Abishai’s Revenge
Abishai’s Revenge
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”
Abishai wants to know why David is putting up with this guy’s insults.
He calls him, a dead dog.
He wants David’s permission to over and cut the man’s head off.
David’s Trust in Yahweh
David’s Trust in Yahweh
But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ ”
Abishai, this has nothing to do with you.
If he the Lord is telling him to curse David, then who can stop him?
David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
David continued:
His own flesh and blood is trying to kill him.
If that is the case, then why shouldn’t this man from the tribe of Benjamin curse him.
David says to leave him alone.
Maybe the Lord will look upon David’s misery and restore His covenant blessing.
Shimei’s Persistence
Shimei’s Persistence
So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
So this guy, Shimei follow along with the group—only he’s on the other side of the hillside.
But he’s cursing and throwing stones and throwing dirt at David all the way.
The king and all the people finally arrive at their destination and they are exhausted.
David finally refreshed himself there.
So What?
So What?
This is a story of contrasts. It contrasts Absalom and his devious plan and David the rightful king trusting in Yahweh.
And it is a contrast of Ziba who sides with God’s plan, and Shimei sides with the world’s plan.
In reality it is a contrast between right living before God and living for one’s self.
God calls us to live rightly before Him. Psalm 140:13 says:
Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.
But in Psalm 14:1 we hear what the foolish say.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
But there’s a bigger issue and that is the two false views that we mentioned as we began.
Christians who believe that their relationship with Jesus should keep them from having ANY struggles in this life. Jesus told His disciples:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Some versions translate “trouble” as “tribulation,” or as “trouble and suffering.” Our relationship doesn’t keep us from hurts and heartaches in this world. But we have the great news that Jesus has overcome the world—which means He gives us the strength and ability to overcome the hurts and heartaches!
Jesus was talking to His followers telling them to love their enemies, and in that context He said:
Matthew 5:45 (NIV)
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Today we are called to follow Jesus and to live for Him!
Proverbs says it this way:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.