Absalom Rebels
Gospel of Jesus in The Life of David • Sermon • Submitted
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· 16 views2Sam15.1-12, 2Sam17.1-12, 2Sam18.1-18
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David Runs for His Life — Again!
David Runs for His Life — Again!
What has happened since we last left David in Chapter 11 & 12.
David’s world has crumbled
Beginning in 12:15
Regarding his child with Bathsheba
15 After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill.
19 David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”
After this Bathsheba, his wife gives birth to Solomon.
A great sin was committed another by David’s son Amnon when he raped his half-sister Tamar.
21 When King David heard all this, he was furious.
It’s time for another of David’s son’s to act out…
28 Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.”
Who is Absalom...
ABSALOM, who’s name means “Folly,” is a Son of King David. Absalom was a handsome young prince. Absalom stepped in and took vengeance on Amnon, Tamar’s rapist. This was NOT what David wanted. He was waiting for God to judge and to provide relief for This attack on Tamar attacker. Consequently, Absalom was forced into exile
After three years in exile, Absalom was called back to Jerusalem he began to maneuver himself to gain the throne.
Eventually, Absalom plotted a rebellion against David. By the time news of Absalom’s conspiracy reached him, David was unable to do anything but flee from Jerusalem.
Here is the big idea for today...
When God’s servants humbly submit to His discipline, the Lord protects and provides.
David continued to bring his fractured family together and best as he could. His son’s one after another fought against their father David.
Why such turmoil in David’s family? Why such strife up and down his son’s lives? What was it about David?
What does it all mean to me, to us for today.?
David continued to work the plan, what plan you say. God had told him it was his throne and would be his throne.
David had to work through the discipline of God to find the Grace and Mercy that would eventually rest with David on his throne.
We begin today in 2Sam15.
1 In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him.
This gave the impression that Absalom was royalty.
He was going after David, but knew he just couldn’t raise and defeat him. He went after the peoples will.
5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him.
6 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 beat David at a game he didn’t think he had to play
6 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.
David was in deep trouble and didn’t even know it.
David and all of Jerusalem had to flee
15 The king’s officials answered him, “Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses.”
16 The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of the palace.
Notice this statement...
Absalom gained widespread support and declared HIMSELF King.
In this crisis…there is no sense that David understands why this is happening to him. He continues to play out the plan. Knowing that ultimately he belongs on the Throne in Jerusalem.
Principle #1
When you are going through a TOUGH time, just keep going.
I’m not trying to sound like a country song here but...
Sometimes you just have to keep going looking for provisions along the way
1 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.
2 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.”
The Lord made provision for David and his men.
Principle #2
Look for sustaining provisions of all kinds. They will be there just look for them.
God will provide friends for you.If you need money some will just show up, if you need help it will be there. He will provide associates, he will provide way out of your situation and into the pathway of victory for you.
16 Then Hushai the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
Notice that Hushai did NOT say the Absalom was the king just “long live the King.”
Next he said...
18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him.
Subtly or not so subtly Hushai pledges his allegiance to David, “The one chosen by the Lord.”
Principle #3
Look for friends, associates that are loyal to you. That are willing to stand fast with you.
Your aim in bringing your situation to an end is NOT that you would CRUSH your opponent.
It is not that you would win at all cost.
Your aim is to return to your rightful place. What is your rightful place. It depends what your battle is over.
Are you in a family battle over something. It is NOT that you would crush your family member. You still must maintain the family.
Is it in a business deal. Are you really going to get anywhere crushing your competition? I’ve been in those deals…I’ve crushed and I’ve been crushed. There’s only one issue with that. This is a small community…your opponent may be your sister-in-laws cousin. Your opponent may be sitting at your table for the next Thanksgiving dinner. Strive to maintain the relationship.
5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.
David was pretty clear…don’t lay a hand on him!
Principle #4
When God directs…follow the directions
In the midst of battle of any kind of battle it is easy to get fired up and go for the throat. To go for all that you can.
It’s easy to go overboard.
In this case David knew that sending his military commanders into battle would yield a military victory.
6 David’s army marched out of the city to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.
7 There Israel’s troops were routed by David’s men, and the casualties that day were great—twenty thousand men.
And a victory was had by David’s military men. They remembered the Rules of Engagement. (ROE)
8 The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.
The men who weren’t killed where swallowed up by the forest. The warriors fled into the forest.
Absalom is about to lose his mule in the same way he is about to lose his kingship
9 Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.
Joab, one of David’s commanders has been made aware that Absalom is trapped. They have a decision to make. To follow their King, David to succumb to their natural inclinations.
12 But the man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’
This was the command…this was the pathway that David had taken throughout his life. Wait on the Lord. The Lord’s Justice is powerful and is the only Justice that is true. Joab stepped into the King’s realm by moving past David’s decision and making his own. He also stepped beyond God’s command that came through King David.
14 Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree.
Unlike Saul, David refuses to cling to power or to try to compel God to support him. David knows his promise and knows his position.
Many Israelites are lost in the battle between David’s and Absalom’s supporters, and Absalom himself is killed, in violation of God’s direct order.
David’s return to Jerusalem is full of a sense of what has been lost.
Later, David’s reign concludes on a note of tribal division and near civil war.
There is also a division of the kingdoms, Israel and Judah which will occur in the reign of David’s grandson Rehoboam.
This is a “head-shaker” David started so very well and did end well.
Why you ask…I don’t the answer. But I know the consequences of David and his sin with Bathsheba reverberates down through the ages.
But still…God chose David’s Throne for Jesus to one day sit on.
For now let’s return to the BIG IDEA
Here is the big idea for today...
When God’s servants humbly submit to His discipline, the Lord protects and provides.
The parts here are
“When God’s servants” - If you are a follower of Jesus you are His servant
“Humbly” - without selfishness; putting others before yourself
“Submit” - willingly put your WANTS aside for His wants
“to His Discipline” - His guidance, His pathway for our lives.
How do we learn that…through discipleship, being mentored and mentoring others. By being in a one-on-one relationship. Through being part of a small group, part of a mid-week study, by getting to church 1 hour earlier each week and attending Sunday school. By sending your kiddos to Sunday school.
“The Lord protects” - He will meet all of our needs. If He brought you this far He’s not going to leave you hanging.
“And provides” - yes He provides all that we need. But this is just not food, water and shelter
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
This is Gospel!!!
The ultimate provision we can be GIVEN is that “abundant provision” that was granted through one man Jesus Christ. The gift, a very expensive gift was given freely by Jesus Christ to ALL who believe. The gift is an eternal change of address…to heaven!