2 Samuel 18:19-33

Intro: We’re back in the book of 2 Samuel and we’re journeying through the life of David…and last week we saw a war break out between David’s men and Israel’s army led by Absalom

David, though engaged in a war in with his son, gave a command to his 3 general’s Joab, Abishai, Ittai he said “Deal gently with the young man Absalom”

Joab responded by putting 3 javelins in his heart and his boys go off on him...

Theme: So Absalom is dead and the rest of this passage is about the messengers bringing the message to David

Thematic Statement: “The accuracy of the message will determine the value of the messenger”

FCF: This makes me think about the day and age we live in and how accuracy is not always the chief goal of the messenger, it’s about style, and passion, and delivery…which are all good things, but if the message is inaccurate…the messenger has failed

Denzel Washington said this speaking to the media about the media and the age we live in

Denzel Washington in speaking to the media

“The long term effect of living in a time we’re we are flooded with so much information, is that for people who in that business it’s more important to be first than to be accurate…so what a responsibility you all have, to tell the truth and not just be first. but it seems right now that the goal of the media is be first irregardless of who it hurts, irregardless of wether it’s accurate or note…just be first. and here’s the problem, whatever you practice long enough you’ll get good at, wether it’s telling the truth, are being first to tell a lie”

“The long term effect of living in a time we’re we are flooded with so much information, is that for people in that business it’s more important to be first than to be truthful…so what a responsibility you all have, to tell the truth and not just be first. but it seems right now that the goal of the media is be first irregardless of who it hurts, irregardless of wether it’s accurate or note…just be first. and here’s the problem, whatever you practice long enough you’ll get good at, wether it’s telling the truth, are being first to tell a lie”

Now, even though it’s not about being first for us, there are other things that value above the accuracy of the massage

(Prop) So today as we look at this passage, we’re gonna see whats most important about when it comes to being a messenger...

Outline:

We’re gonna look at the messengers V.19-32

We’re gonna see David’s response to the message V.33

So what we’re gonna do is read this whole section then we’re gonna come back look at the 2 messengers mentioned here…and specifically Ahimaaz

2 Samuel 18:19–32 ESV

19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run and carry news to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.” 20 And Joab said to him, “You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran. 22 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?” 23 “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. 24 Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” 27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man and comes with good news.” 28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” 29 And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.” 30 And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still. 31 And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! For the Lord has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you.” 32 The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.”

2 Samuel 18:19–21 ESV

19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run and carry news to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.” 20 And Joab said to him, “You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran.

2 sam 18:19-

Here we meet out 2 messengers...

First we have Ahimaaz - he was the son of one of the 2 priests of Israel, men who were also sympathizers with David…now we don’t know that much about him, but what we do know is that He’s a runner....when Hushai defeated the counsel of Ahithophel and delayed the attack of Absalom, It was Ahimaaz that was given the responsibility of relaying the message to David at the Jordan

That was no small feat considering that the Jordan river is about 3 days walk from Jerusalem…so one of the things we know about Ahimaaz is that he was physically fit

He had a great desire to carry the news to David

The 2nd messenger is a man called the Cushite - We don’t know much about him, all we know is that he is a “Cushite” which means he was a Egyptian follower of David who came from the region north of the Nile River

He was possibly a servant of Joab’s

Now obveously Joab felt far more comfortable having this guy go to deliver the news to David because He valued the Life of Ahimaaz

David had a habit of not taking the deaths of his enemies well

You remember the Amelikite who told David he killed Saul () David had him executed

You remember when those 2 guys (Banaah and Rechab) went and killed Saul’s son in (2 sam 4) David had them executed...

So this Risky

Joab though Ahimaaz to be too Valuable to David being a loyal servant and an upcoming priest

But the Cushite…whatever

But

But we are gonna see both of these men end up delivering the message…and we’re actually gonna Focus of Ahimaaz for a little while

2 Samuel 18:22–30 ESV

22 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?” 23 “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. 24 Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” 27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man and comes with good news.” 28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” 29 And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.” 30 And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.

2 sam 18-22-30

So here’s the glaring observation here....Ahimaaz had a lot of things going for him delivery (Which we’re gonna look at in a sec) but the message he delivered was inaccurate…and therefore he was not a good messenger...

But we see some things about him that were impressive...

2 Samuel 18:19 ESV

19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run and carry news to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.”

2 Samuel 18:19 ESV

19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run and carry news to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.”

and then even after Joab tried to Discourage him, Ahimaaz still persisted...

2 Samuel 18:22 ESV

22 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?”

2 Sam

So one thing that we see about Ahimaaz is a willingness to be a messenger, he knew that his message was important, and his audience was important and he willing travel though the forrest of Ephraim which was obveously a dangerous place to get that message to the king…but remember he gave the wrong message

His passion and eagerness is something to be commended

In fact we need more eager and passionate teachers and preachers today

But...It’s important to remember that you can be eager…and still be wrong

It’s important to remember that you can be eager…and still be wrong

Illustration: There are churches that love getting worked up into a frenzy....There are a lot of churches out there who started earlier then us, and will finish later then us…but they still haven’t said anything

This reminds me of what Paul’s me about what Paul of his fellow countrymen who had commited themselves to their works based relationship with God

Romans 10:2 ESV

2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

Romans 10:2 ESV

2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

Here’s the point: Willingness and passion are good, but it’s not enough....you better know the truth

Application: In that same way, do you know that Jesus has made us his messengers…and willingness is important

Application: In that same way, do you know that Jesus has made us his messengers

2 Corinthians 5:20–21 ESV

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 cor 5:2

and then even after Joab tried to Discourage him, ahimaaz

An Ambassador is essentally a messenger who comes and speaks on behalf of the king, they communicate the kings heart to people who need to hear it.

This is us…and this is our message...

Sin is real

Sin separates you from God

But God loves you and made a way through Jesus for you to be reconciled to him

Here’s the point: The position is yours…the Message is there…the need is there....but are you willing to deliver it?

Thats one thing about Ahimaaz…he was willing…here’s the next thing

2 Samuel 18:23 ESV

23 “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.

2 Samuel 18:23 ESV

23 “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.

2 sam

Now, we already assume that Ahimaaz was physically fit…but you notice that he was also, very skilled…this Cushite possibly because he was a foreigner look the long route, but Ahimaaz, took the “way of the plan” and he out ran the Cushite…

2 sam 1

Now, we already assume that Ahimaaz was physically fit…but you notice that he was also, very cunning…this Cushite possibly because he was a foreigner look the long route, but Ahimaaz, took the “way of the plan” and he out ran the Cushite…

You might say that he was skilled in his delivery of the message…but remember he had an inaccurate message

This is big in the church culture we live in...

Did you know - That there were preachers this week who spent more time figuring catchy phrases, illustrations and trying to make all their points start with a P…then they did prayerfully digging into scripture making sure their it correctly

And you do you know why they did that? Because thats what you want...

Illustration: We’re often more about the craft of preaching then the contents of whats begin preached

Thats how we pick our favorites...

This guys funny

This guys fiery

This guys looks really cool

The Corinthians were like this...

Rhetoric was a big deal

but remember what Paul said to them

1 Corinthians 2:1–3 ESV

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,

1 Corinthians 2:1–2 ESV

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Here’s the point: If your going to a church, it doesn’t matter, cool, funny, relevant, the teacher is…if their not teaching that right message leave as fast as you can

With that said - If you are a teacher…it’s not a bad thing to want master both content and craft...

Here’s another thing we see about Ahimaaz...

2 Samuel 18:20–24 ESV

20 And Joab said to him, “You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran. 22 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?” 23 “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. 24 Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone.

2 Samuel 18:24–26 ESV

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.”

2 Samuel 18:24 ESV

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone.

2 Samuel 18:24–28 ESV

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” 27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man and comes with good news.” 28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.”

So we notice that David is seated “between the 2 gates” v.24 what does that mean? well in most cities in those the days, you would a security gate that would be parallel to the city this would be where the guards and watchmen would be, and then you go through those gates and then take a sharp left into the main gates of city which would be where the court house and all of that was…the reason they were set up like this was because if an enemies had a chariots, they might blast through the first gate, but than would be able to make the sharp turn left…and could be taken out…

2 sam 18:24

2 sam 18:24-

So we notice that David is seated “between the 2 gates” v.24 what does that mean? well in most cities in those the days, you would a security gate that would be parallel to the city this would be where the guards and watchmen would be, and then you go through those gates and then take a sharp left into the main gates of city which would be where the court house and all of that was…the reason they were set up like this was because if an enemies had a chariots, they might blast through the first gate, but than would be able to make the sharp turn left…and could be taken out…

David finds himself in the city, waiting for news from the battle (because remember he got asked to stay behind) and the watchmen sees these 2 men running towards the now, it doesn’t say he notices the 2nd one…but he sure does notice the first one

2 sam

2 Samuel 18:25–26 ESV

25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.”

2 Samuel 18:25–28 ESV

25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” 27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man and comes with good news.” 28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.”

2 Samuel 18:25–27 ESV

25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” 27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man and comes with good news.”

2 sam 18:25-

So it turns out that according to v.27 Ahimaaz had a pretty distinct way of running…and the watchmen said “theres a guy coming, and he’s running like Ahimaaz” and the first thing that says is “He’s a good…and he’s gonna bring a good message”

So it turns out that according to v.27 Ahimaaz had a pretty distinct way of running…and the watchmen said “theres a guy coming, and he’s running like Ahimaaz” and the first thing that says is “He’s a good…and he’s gonna bring a good messege”

and here was the message...

2 Samuel 18:28 ESV

28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.”

2 Samuel 18:18–29 ESV

18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself the pillar that is in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He called the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s monument to this day. 19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run and carry news to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.” 20 And Joab said to him, “You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran. 22 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?” 23 “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. 24 Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” 27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man and comes with good news.” 28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” 29 And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.”

2 Samuel 18:28–29 ESV

28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” 29 And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.”

2 sam 18:18-

2 sam 18:28-

So here’s this good man, who brings this feel good message

Well liked by David v.27

His message was one anyone would want to hear “all is well” v.28a

He even esteemed David himself v.28b

But there was a vital piece of information that David needed to hear the whole message…and he didn’t give it too him v.29

,but he left vital information..therefore it wasn’t a good message after all

Application: I think this is still done today

Pulpits are filled with highly likable teachers, who preach feel good messages, and their affirming the people who attend all the while their leaving out essential truths the people need to know in order to be saved

So they stay away from the blood of Jesus

They stay away from the wrath of God upon sinners

The stay away from Hell

But here’s the truth…the good news IS the good news because it came in the midst of the bad news…you need all of it…the full counsel of God

But yet it’s so popular in the culture today…Paul said it would be...

2 tim

2 Timothy 4:3–4 ESV

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Application: As messengers...Our goal is not to be “well liked”…it’s to love people and tell them the truth

Our goal is not to be “well liked”…it’s to love people and tell them the truth

Be carful of preachers, you don’t tells the whole truth…Their lacking at best, and wolves at worst

A couple of counter balancing Statements

While accuracy of the message is the most important thing…it is by no means the only most important thing

Messengers need Love

1 Corinthians 13:3–7 ESV

3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:1–7 ESV

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 cor 13:

For the messenger, accuracy is 1.A but a genuine love for people is a non negotiable

and Look at David’s response...

2 sam 18:30

2 Samuel 18:30 ESV

30 And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.

Ahimaaz’s failure to give David a definitive answer only added to the king’s anxiety. With growing concern, the king ordered the young priest to “stand aside and wait” essentally putting on the shelf until another messenger comes

Ahimaaz’s failure to give David a definitive answer only added to the king’s anxiety. With growing concern, the king ordered the young priest to “stand aside and wait” until “the Cushite arrived” (v. 31) and could be interrogated. The Cushite confirmed Ahimaaz’s report of “the good news” that the Lord had delivered David “from all who rose up against” him. The only good news that the king wanted to hear, however, was that “the young man Absalom” was “safe” (v. 32).

And I feel like that has been a common thing for people to do with the church - There is a reason why Christianity is shrinking in the united states

Because many churches don’t preach the full counsel of God

Because many people don’t want to hear the full counsel

Because many families don’t obey the full counsel of God

And than, their human heart

So this is Ahimaaz:

Though He was well intentioned

Though He was skilled and savvy in his method of delivery

Though He was well liked and had a feel good message

He was inaccurate, and that’s inexcusable for a messenger.

Guys know the message…the message is the power

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

When you have the opportunity to deliver it…don’t hold back

Go to a church that preaches the whole counsel of God

2 Samuel 18:31–32 ESV

31 And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! For the Lord has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you.” 32 The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.”

So here comes this Cushite, and He gets to answer the question that David really wanted an answer too…what happened to my Son Absalom? and those the Cushite lacked sensitivity in delivering the message, he got the message right…and though it was devastating news for David

Here’s the thing about the message…it’s hopeful one, but it’s not a happy one

And look at his response...

2 Samuel 18:33 ESV

33 And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

What you are witnessing here is the bitter cry of a grief filled and guilty father…His Son though wicked, has lost his life. and rightfully so, He’s undone by it…He’s says my son 5 times

It made me think of a quote from Spurgeon on this passage

“Our Children may plunge into the worst of sins...but they are our children still.”

“Even in the United States the growth of the “nones” has been mainly among those who had been more nominal in their relationship to faith while the devoutly religious in the United States and Europe are growing.6

And then you take into account the fact that David was partly responsible of all this through his dealings with his sons

“Even in the United States the growth of the “nones” has been mainly among those who had been more nominal in their relationship to faith while the devoutly religious in the United States and Europe are growing.

Even in the United States the growth of the “nones” has been mainly among those who had been more nominal in their relationship to faith while the devoutly religious in the United States and Europe are growing.

David provided the soil from this tragedy for

G.Campbell Morgan said this

We can not stand in the presence of this tragedy without learning the solum lessons of parental responsibility it has to teach, not just in training our children but in that early training of ourselves for their sakes

Illustration: Have you ever seen the worst part of your kids and been reminded of yourself?

App: May we remember, that our decisions today…will effect out tomorrow’s and maybe not just our but our kids…so follow Jesus God’s glory, you’re blessing, and the legacy you’re leaving behind

Conclusion:

Finally he says this - Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son! v.33 - David’s says “I would have been happy to die in your place

I think most parents can sympathize with this desire

We would happily endure for pain or shame in the place of our kids…we want to be rescuers but we can’t

But we David couldn’t do for Absalom…God did for us

Isaiah 53:

Isaiah 53:5–7 ESV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:5–6 ESV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

We don’t make good rescuers…But Jesus did…and he will rescue all who come to him by faith…and he will

Prayer - “God I know that I have sinned against you and deserve punishment, but i believe Jesus christ took the punishment that I deserve…so that through faith in him I could be forgiven, I receive your offer of forgiveness and put my trust in for salvation…I accept as my personal savior…thank you for your wonderful grace and forgiveness and the gift of eternal life…amen”

2 Samuel 18:19-33

The Messengers V.19-32

He was an “eager” Messenger

He was a “skilled” Messenger

He was a “well liked” Messenger

David response to the messege v.31-33