David's Integrety

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Introduction

This morning we are continuing our study in the book of 2 Samuel. We are quickly approaching the end of the book. We have four chapters left. If I can keep on task, we’ll look at two chapters this morning and close out the book next week with the last two chapters.
This morning, we are going to see David from three different views. First we’re going to see David as a keeper of covenants (21:1-14). Then we’re going to see David as the beloved leader (21:15-22). And finally, we’re going to see David as the godly (worshipful) leader (22:1-51).

David the Covenant Keeper

As we begin our passage today, we see Israel in the midst of a 3 year famine.
2 Samuel 21:1 NIV
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.”
Israel is suffering from a famine, and the famine has been going on for three successive years.
So David goes to seek an answer from YAHWEH.
And YAHWEH answers by saying that the famine is because of something that Saul did.
—Saul put Gibeonites to death.
—After the Gibeonites had made a treaty with Saul.
—So Saul effectively broke the treaty.
Who were the Gibeonites. Verse 2.
2 Samuel 21:2 NIV
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.)
They were not part of Israel.
They were survivors of the Amorites.
As I said, Israel had sworn to spare them.
But in Saul’s zeal for Israel and Judah, and tried to annihilate them.
So in verse 3, David goes to the king of the Gibeonites to find out what can be done.
2 Samuel 21:3–7 NIV
David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?” 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. 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, 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.” 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.
David asks what he needs to do to atone for Saul’s mistakes.
The Gibeonites approach the situation in a humble manner.
—They say they have no right to ask for silver or gold from Saul or from his family.
—And they don’t have the right to put anyone to death in Israel.
So David asks again what they want him to do for them.
Their answer:
—The man who destroyed them and caused them to lose their place to live needs to pay.
—They want seven of Saul’s male descendents.
—So they can put them to death before YAHWEH at Gibeah of Saul.
So David does what they ask:
—The king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan because of the oath that he made with Jonathan in the presence of the Lord.
2 Samuel 21:8 NIV
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, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
So David handed over:
—Armoni and a different Mephibosheth. Both of these men were the sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah (a concubine of Saul).
—And five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab. Merab was married to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
2 Samuel 21:9 NIV
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.
David handed the men over to the Gibeonites.
The Gibeonites killed the the men.
And they hung their bodies on a hill before the Lord.
All seven of them died together.
And the death happened during the first days of the barley harvest. So this would have been around March or April.

The Care of Rizpah

2 Samuel 21:10 NIV
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.
Rizpah took sackcloth (kind of like burlap) and spread it out on a rock.
She was there—night and day—from the beginning of the harvest, until the beginning of the rainy season.
She kept the birds away from the bodies during the day.
And she kept the wild animals away by night.
2 Samuel 21:11–13 NIV
When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, 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.) 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.
David was told about Rizpah’s actions.
So he went and gathered the bones of Saul and Jonathan from Jabesh Gilead.
He brought their bones back, and also gathered the bones of those who the Gibeonites had killed and exposed.
2 Samuel 21:14 NIV
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.
The bones of Saul and Jonathan are finally buried in the tomb of Saul’s father, Kish.
When everything the king had commanded was complete, God answered the prayers that were prayed on behalf of the land.

David the Beloved Leader

This passage tells us about four “giants” that were killed. David began his career by killing the Philistine giant, Goliath.
Now at the end of his career, we are introduced to four other giants, all descendents of Rapha—and all defying the armies of Israel.

Giant #1 Ishbi-Benob

2 Samuel 21:15–17 NIV
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. And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 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.”
We are told that the Philistines and Israel are once again fighting.
David is fighting with his men.
When he become exhausted and is no longer able to effectively defend himself.
The we are introduced to our first giant! Ishbi-Benob.
—He’s a descendent of Rapha (a giant).
—He had a bronze spearhead that weighed 300 shekels (about 7 1/2 pounds).
—And he had a new sword.
—Finally, he vowed that he would kill David.
But Abishai, the son of Zeruiah saves David’s life.
Abishai killed Ishbi-Benob.
The men of David vow that David will not go out with them to battle again!
—“Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”

Giant # 2 Saph

2 Samuel 21:18 NIV
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.
This time Israel is battling the Philistines at Gob.
Sibbekai the Hushathite kills the giant Saph.

Giant # 3 The Brother of Goliath

2 Samuel 21:19 NIV
In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.
They are back battling at Gob (again).
This time Elhanan, the son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin, saves the day.
He kills the brother of Goliath.
Like his brother he had a spear with a shaft that was as big as a weaver’s rod.

Giant #4 The Six Fingered (and Toed) Man

2 Samuel 21:20–21 NIV
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. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.
This time they were battling at Gath.
There was a huge man there battling for the Philistines.
He is not only huge, but he has six fingers on each hand.
And he has six toes on each foot.
24 digits in total.
This man came out and taunted Israel.
Jonathan the son of Shimeah, David’s brother—that is his nephew takes action.
He killed this huge 6 fingered and toed man.

David the Worshipful Leader

If you have studied the life of David at all, then you know he was a prolific song writer. He wrote a large number of the Psalms in the book of Psalm. And even in our study of 1st & 2nd Samuel we have seen several psalms, or songs that he wrote. Chapter 22 is a 51 verse song that was written by David.
2 Samuel 22:1 NIV
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.
David sings this song to YAHWEH.
He sang it when YAHWEH had delivered him over all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
2 Samuel 22:2–3 NIV
He said: “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.
David writes this psalm in a form that is very similar to some other psalms that he wrote.
He begins by acknowledging the greatness of God!
God as his Rock—could be translated high ridge—it is an inaccessible summit where one could find protection from his enemies.
God as his Fortress—could be translated stronghold—again it is a place where one could find protection from one’s enemies.
God as Deliverer—not only the one that protects, but who also delivers from danger.
Next he repeats that God is his Rock.
But this time he says he God is his Refuge—a place where he finds shelter from the danger.
God as Shield—another form of protection from danger.
God as the Horn of my salvation—there are several ideas of what “horn” symbolizes. The notes in the NET Bible suggest that referred to the horn of a wild ox and used as a metaphor for military strength. If this is the case, then David understood that his military strength and superiority came from God.
Again God as Stronghold, Refuge, and Savior
Specifically savior from violent people.
2 Samuel 22:4–6 NIV
“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.
David says he called out to YAHWEH who is worthy of praise—Do you believe God is worthy of praise? If so, how have you praised Him this week?
In the midst of his praise, he describes how bad things really were:
—Waves of death swirled around him.
—Torrents of destruction overwhelmed him.
—The cords of the grave were coiled around him.
—The snares of death confronted him.
The situation sounds desperate, yet he praised YAHWEH!
2 Samuel 22:7 NIV
“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.
David just described how bad things were.
Then he says in his distress he called to YAHWEH!
Repeats, he called out to God—Elohim. This repetition is part of the poetic structure.
We’re told that from the temple his God answered him. And now we’re going to be told about God’s answer.
2 Samuel 22:8–16 NIV
The earth trembled and quaked, the foundations of the heavens shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them. 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.
Earth trembled and quaked.
The foundations trembled.
Both of these happened because God was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils.
Consuming fire came from his mouth with burning coals blazing out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down from there.
Dark clouds were under his feet.
David says God rode on the cherubim and flew around.
God soared on the wings of the wind!
He made a canopy of darkness around him—like dark rain clouds in the sky.
Out of the brightness of God’s presence came bolts of lightning.
YAHWEH’s voice thundered from heaven!
God shot arrows and David’s enemies scattered.
Bolts of lightening routed them out.
The depths of the sea were exposed.
The foundations of the earth were laid bare—the inner regions of the world are uncovered.
All this is done by the rebuke—the battle cry—of YAHWEH.
At the breath of his nostrils.
Now David gets even more personal.
2 Samuel 22:17–20 NIV
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
God reached down from on high—heaven—and took hold of him.
David says he drew him—pulled him out of the deep waters (represents dangers).
God rescued him from David’s powerful enemy, when his adversaries were too strong for him.
His enemies came after him in his day of disaster—when he was trapped—but God supported him.
How did God support him? He led him out into a spacious place—a wide open space.
David says the reason God rescued him was because God delighted in him.
Building on this idea we read verse 21.
2 Samuel 22:21–25 NIV
“The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God. All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.
YAHWEH dealt with David, according to his righteousness. “YAHWEH repaid me for my godly deeds; He rewarded my blameless behavior.”
David says he has kept the ways of the Lord, and was not guilty of turning from his God—notice that God is David’s personal God!
David says he kept God’s laws before him so he didn’t turn away from God’s decrees.
David says he had been blameless before God, and has kept himself free from sin!
David says that God acted—or rewarded—according to David’s righteousness—his right living before God—and according to David’s cleanness in God’s sight!
David now begins to talk about God’s faithfulness to the righteous, look at verse 26.
2 Samuel 22:26–30 NIV
“To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.
To those who are faithful, God shows Himself to be faithful.
The the blameless, God shows Himself to be blameless.
To the pure, God shows Himself to be pure.
To the devious, God proves that He can be shrewd.
God saves the humble, but God keeps an eye on the haughty (proud) and will bring them low.
Now David says YAHWEH is his lamp, and the one who turns David’s darkness into light.
With God’s help:
—David can advance his troops.
—David can scale a wall (the idea a wall that is unscalable).
David now turns and talks about God’s leadership.
2 Samuel 22:31–37 NIV
“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.
God’s way is perfect.
God’s word is flawless.
God shields everyone who takes refuge in Him!
Two rhetorical questions:
—Who is God (El) beside YAHWEH? Answer there is no other “god.”
—Who is the Rock except our God? Answer no other god is a Rock—a protective place.
David says it is God how arms him with strength.
It is God who makes his way perfect.
God makes David’s feet like deer feet—nimble and agile.
It is God how makes David able to stand on the heights—in the rocks.
God trained David for battle.
God gave David any strength that David has.
It is God who gave David victory.
It was God who made David great.
God broadened David’s paths—gave David his opportunities.
And it was God who protected David’s ankles—keeps his feet from slipping!
Now David is going to sing of some of his accomplishments that God allowed him to accomplish.
2 Samuel 22:38–43 NIV
“I pursued my enemies and crushed them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the Lord, but he did not answer. I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets.
David pursued his enemies and didn’t stop until they were crushed and destroyed.
David acknowledges that it was God who armed him with the strength for battle.
And it was God how humbled David’s foes before him.
God made David’s enemies turn their back to the battle—turn and run.
God destroyed his foes.
They cried for help—but no one came to save them, and even worse YAHWEH did not answer them.
So David was able to treat them like dust, and like the mud in the streets.
God not only helped David defeat his foes, but God also kept him save with his own people.
2 Samuel 22:44–46 NIV
“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, foreigners cower before me; as soon as they hear of me, they obey me. They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds.
God delivered David from the attacks of people—specifically his own people (kinsmen).
God preserved David—kept David as the head of the nations.
He says people he doesn’t even know now serve him.
Foreigners are afraid of him, and obey him.
In fact they lose heart when they hear about David, and come out of the strongholds—where they were hiding!
David closes out this song like he began it—praising YAHWEH.
2 Samuel 22:47–51 NIV
“The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. “He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”
YAHWEH is alive and well.
Praise to the Rock.
David says God should be exalted—because He is David’s Rock, and Savior!
God avenges David.
God puts the Nations under David’s feet.
God set David free from his enemies.
God lifted David above his foes—and rescued him from violent men.
Because of this David will sing the praises of YAHWEH’s name.
Here is what he sings: “He gives his king great victories; He shows unfailing kindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”

SO WHAT?

This morning I want to challenge you and honestly, I want to challenge me. We serve the SAME God!
Our God deserves to be praised! Because our God—David’s God—is still raising up mighty men and woman for His purposes.
Our Lord lives!
We need to praise our Rock—our protector.
We need to praise our Savior—Jesus!
We need to praise our Avenger.
We need to praise God among the nations—even nations (people) who do not accept the reality of our God.
So here’s today’s question:
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN OUR GOD WORK THIS WEEK?
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