The Trials of a King (Page 161)

Introduction

Point 1: David Was Not Where He Was Supposed to Be

In the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle: In that part of the world, wars were not normally fought during the winter months because rains and cold weather made travel and campaigning difficult. Fighting resumed in the spring.

David sent Joab…. But David remained at Jerusalem: David should have been out at the battle, but he remained behind. In 2 Samuel 10 Joab and the army of the mighty men were preserved against the Syrians and the Ammonites, but they did not win a decisive victory. The decisive victory came when David led the battle at the end of 2 Samuel 10. Both through custom and experience God told David, “You need to be at the battle.” But David remained at Jerusalem.

How many times have we found ourselves straying. The power of the anointing upon your life is refined through the process of trials and obedience in those trials.

I tell my church very often, it is how you choose to respond at midnight that makes all the difference.

David not only stole Uriah’s wife, he sent him to his death.

I so often say that the devil’s favorite tool is a speed square. The reason I say that is because just like pitching a roof, he will have you in such a gradual decline that you won’t realize how far you have fallen until it is too late.

That said, in the first century ancient near east, David had violated no laws by being with Bathsheba… none of man’s laws. In fact, he was king, but this is the problem that happens when a Theocracy becomes a monarchy.... things get crazy every time.

You see, David may not have violated any of man’s laws, but he had violated God’s laws and insodoing, God sent his enforcers—the prophets. The thing about prophets is a prophet doesn’t speak on his own accord, he is on a prophet’s route, he must be ready to hear and to speak.. regardless but what you will see in this case is interesting.

Point 2: David’s Self-Righteousness Used Against him

God, knowing the heart of man knew not to send his prophet to call David out for what had been done as he would only try and justify it. Instead, the prophet does something particularly interesting… he uses David’s now religious spirit by offering a parable of his situation except regarding someone else.

How quick are we to jump on someone else’s sin even when it matches our own.

The Lord knew that David’s self-righteous spirit would try to be the saviour and the hero—his pride would take over and then the prophet, speaking for the Lord would let him burn for just long enough and dig himself just enough of a hole before he said:

THAT. MAN. IS. YOU.

Point 3: The Difference Between David and Saul.

All of us in this room have been self-righteous at some point whether we want to admit it or not, but how many people are glad that God gives us an opportunity to change and not only an opportunity to change but that he uses the situation to refine us and perfect us. Do you see how sanctification is progressive? We are all a work in progress until the day Christ completes us at His coming.

David now confronted and broken, didn’t make excuses. The prophet Isaiah speaking on behalf of the Lord said

Isaiah 66:2 NKJV

2 For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

The child was struck. Write this down and remember it: SIN ALWAYS LEADS TO DEATH.

David is filled with remorse now having seen the tragedy of his sin and what had been done revealed through the prophet. What is interesting is from the day he was anointed and the prophet’s horn began to tilt, he took into himself that anointing.. this anointing has now poured out the oil of conviction all over him. However, the choice of how to respond is always ours—but I will say this… those of you who have stood within the Spirit’s fire have seen to much.. it changes you.

David’s remorse led to repentance and God accepted it.

So often we read the Bible as a lens but never a mirror.

So often we will say, “How can David have walked out of his anointing… he should’ve known better.”

The mirror says: How about you.

Finish with Solomon and the Temple.