2 Samuel 5:13-25
Notes
Transcript
Handling Success
Handling Success
After going through the first half of this chapter, we now see a couple of problems develop. Scripture starts in verse 13 by highlighting an issue:
And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem.
Last time Scripture was making mention of this fact was back in where Scripture mentions:
1 Samuel 25:
And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives. But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.
So prior to verse 13 in our passage we know David has six wives (2 Samuel 3):
Michal (Saul’s daughter) was his first, but had been given away by king Saul, and then taken back by Abner.
Abigail (Nabal’s wife) - was likely his second, as this passage shows him also taking another woman Ahinoam to wife (a Jezreelitess).
Ahinoam is the one who gives birth to the first born of David (Amnon)
Abigail giving birth to the second (Chileab/Daniel)
Maacah - daughter of Talmai king of Geshur (a political wife)
She gives birth to the David’s third son (Absalom)
Haggith (no real detail given)
Gives birth to Adonijah
Abital (again no detail here)
Gives birth to Shephatiah
Eglah (“David’s wife”)
Gives birth to Ithream
And we’re likewise given a list of names of David’s new sons who were born in Jerusalem:
Shammua
Shobab
Nathan
Solomon
Ibhar
Elishua
Nepheg
Japhia
Elishama
Eliada
Eliphalet
David is disobeying what God had commanded in
Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
Why shouldn’t David have multiplied to himself wives? That his heart turn not away. Why? Well, we already see with the list that some of these wives were political wives. The way a nation would not war one against the other was by offering their children to marry kings of other nations.
The kings could also have tried to justify their decision to have many wives to “help” bear seed. Instead of trusting in the Lord with 1 wife they take more - and some of this responsibility is seen with the wives giving over their concubines (Rachel and Sarah being two of the most notable).
Sometimes when we are blessed of the Lord with a promotion or a new job we may now find ourselves indulging in things that we wouldn’t otherwise do. We may even justify our indulgence by saying we deserve it!
What are some things we need to be mindful of when we have been blessed?
Lust of the flesh - indulgences
Lust of the eyes - vanity
Pride of life - making work an idol
Double Trouble
Double Trouble
The other possibility is that trouble comes, in David’s case we see the enemy, the Philistines, looking to strike quickly at the united nation of Israel to prevent them gaining strength under a new leader.
David is familiar with war and does what he normally does by seeking the Lord’s direction first. When the Lord affirms going up against them, David firstly gives praise to the Lord (v20).
Seeks the Lord’s direction first.
And notice that another snare comes: the Philistines left their images.
David and his men do the right thing by burning them up so that they are of no use.
Then the Philistines try yet again, perhaps using different tactics, learning from their first battle which they lost. And when David seeks God’s direction, God tells him to go about this battle in a different way.
Notice that David doesn’t change his approach. The Philistines probably think David is lucky because of a tactic or method that he uses that helps him to be successful, and just like any competitor they try to understand how to defeat their enemy by combatting methods. So this time his enemies try something different, but the Lord already knows!
Similarly with life, we need to be careful at the tactics the enemy will use to get us to fall. They may be the same, but they may also be completely different.
And notice the order of events here
Another important thing God mentions to David in his second attack, is the phrase “bestir thyself” - note that this is a personal.
Leadership
Leadership
So what do we learn about David as a leader in this passage:
He has faults - he marries more wives in Jerusalem. This has now become the capital city of the united Israel and it has attracted others from neighbouring nations - Bathsheba’s wife Uriah was a Hittite. No leader is perfect, except Christ.
And I too need to understand my wife isn’t perfect, and I’m not perfect. We do make mistakes and this is why Peter speaks of marriage being the “grace of life” - much forgiveness and grace is needed because you’re around each other a lot and you will pick up on things that will grate you.
David seeks the Lord’s direction before making a decision (twice).
In marriage, pray together. Get into the habit of praying for one another. Pray how the Lord can best help you minister to the needs of my wife. When I started praying about this, I realised how little I helped, and my wife helped provide ways I could be a better husband - sometimes we assume too much.
David obeys the Lord’s direction and does what the Lord commands. He doesn’t doubt the Lord, even when the second battle has a different approach. We don’t see David questioning God’s method - “Are you sure? But the other way worked much better?”
Of course seeking and doing can be two completely different things. We need to make sure we follow through with what you’ve been instructed to do and do not waver.
“Bestir thyself” - this is a personal command to David to hasten and be eager, there is a sense of emotion, but note that the Lord says “thyself”, it’s not to stir others up - but, instead stir yourself up.
David does that which is right - burns the Philistines images.
Continue to keep learning and being moulded more into Christ’s likeness.
“Bestir thyself” - this is a personal command to David to advance and be decisive, do not waver.
Sadly these two accounts do show us that David doesn’t handle success and prosperity nearly as well as he handles troubles. Both accounts being quite close together help to highlight the discrepancy.
Closing Remarks - Personal Testimony as a Husband & Leader in the Home
Closing Remarks - Personal Testimony as a Husband & Leader in the Home
As a husband what reflections do I have?
Understand my wife and I are not perfect. Marriage is the “grace of life” as detailed in , therefore, know that grace and forgiveness are very important ingredients when you’re in a marriage.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
2. Seek the Lord’s direction before making a decision - pray together.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
3. Obey the Lord’s direction and don’t look back.
[ KJV] 16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
4. Continually refine and seek God’s guidance in helping myself and my family be more Christlike. First, it has to start with me.