The ugliness in us

Intro: Today we’re back in 2 Samuel and we find ourselves in one of the more gruesome passages in the book, we’re gonna read about guys getting disembowed and dudes getting there heads cut off…in other words this is a guys chapter.

I’ve entitled this message the “The ugliness in us” because we’re gonna talk about some really ugly things today, like Rebellion, Betrayal, Sexual Sin, but the biggest observation that needs to be made about this passage is that all of this stuff was taking place in the midst of God’s people...

(FCF) There are some ugly things that that have happened in history…but it’s even uglier when it takes place within the context of God’s people

Prop - Today we’re be reminded of the brokenness that is found in the midst of the nation of Israel…And as we work through it, we’re gonna see some things that can help us endure some of the ugliness that resides in the midst God’s people

Prop - Today we’re be reminded of the brokenness that is found in the midst of God’s people…And as we work through it, we’re gonna see some things that can help us endure some of the ugliness that resides in the God’s people

So lets begin to look at some of the issues that the God’s nation is having...

2 sam 20:1-

2 Samuel 20:1–3 ESV

1 Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said, “We have no portion in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel!” 2 So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem. 3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten concubines whom he had left to care for the house and put them in a house under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood.

2 Samuel 20:1–2 ESV

1 Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said, “We have no portion in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel!” 2 So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

So David fresh out of one battle with his son Absalom, finds himself in the midst of a new revolt…This rebel Sheba is trying to divide the people

So David fresh out of one battle with his son Absalom, finds himself in the midst of a new revolt…This rebel’s name is Sheba and he is trying to divide the people

Notice Sheba the man - He was a relative of Saul, and it seems he was a prominent man in his own right (David was concerned about him (v.6) and the men followed him when he rebelled) but even though he’s obviously tanlented... we see the bible refer to him as a “worthless man” v.1…why? because was dividing God’s ‘people.

The nation had just come back together - This reconciliation that just took place between David and Israel was a fragile thing

Illustration: You’ve just made up with someone after an argument?…you gotta tip toe a little

This reconciliation that just took place between David and Israel was a fragile thing…and when there are wounds and hurts....all it took was a Sheba to set the whole things ablaze again...

Matthew henry said this…

“When a reconciliation is newly made, it ought to be handled with great tenderness and caution, lest the peace break again before it be settled. A broken bone, when it is set, must have time to knot”

App: There are some Sheba’s still in the church today

Notice the Men of Israel - They had just been fighting over who had a greater share in David…now their quick to Abandon him again

Notice the Men of Israel - One would could describe them…it’s the word fickle...They had just been fighting over who had a greater share in David…now their quick to Abandon him again

App: Fickle people are still in church today

They will make you promises…and as quickly as they came…their gone again

You will be let done by people in the church

People left David, People left Jesus,…People will leave you

So be warned there will be these kinds of people amongst God’s people…The rebels, the trouble makers…the Fickle…but don’t give up…because But even though there are people like the “men of Israel”…there will be people like the “tribe of Judah “

The people who were just fighting over David…are now abandoning David to follow someone else

But even though there are people like the “men of Israel”…there will be people like the “tribe of Judah “

2 Samuel 20:2 ESV

2 So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

To follow stedfastly means to cling too…usually we don’t want clingy friends…but when everyone else is running away…we welcome them…

But I will say this…in a cultral that is fickle like the tribes of Israel, people who choose to be loyal to be like the tribes of Judah really stand out

Don’t give up on God’s people…because for every bad egg in the church, there are faithful friends that you’re gonna need

Big App: Here’s the first thing

The Lord was still in control

We’ll see what happens with Sheba later…let’s see the next ugly thing...

How do you think David was felling right now? - V.2 Every men from the tribes of Israel deserted him...

He’s probably thinking Did I do this?

A good friend would say “No…and yes”

These guys did what they did…but whats happening is what God said would happen when he said your reign would become a rocky one

God’s word was coming to past…like it always will

Now let’s see the next ugly thing

2 Samuel 20:3 ESV

3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten concubines whom he had left to care for the house and put them in a house under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood.

Now this is tragic…David comes back to Jerusalem, and his first Kingly duty is to handle this situation with some concubines that he left to run his house...Whats a concubine? it’s essentally a legitimate legal mistress, something that was common amoungst kings who wanted to have a large selection of women to lay with…but only had so much inheritance…But a concubine’s child didn’t have the same rights of a son or a daughter to a wife...It was sinful for David to take on Concubines

David had left these young ladies to watch over his palace when he fled in chapter 15

Now this is tragic…David comes back to Jerusalem, and his first duty is to handle this situations with some concubines that he left to run his house...Whats a concubine? it’s essentally a legitimate legal mistress, something that was common amoungst kings who wanted to have a large selection of women to lay with…but only had so much inheritance…But a concubine’s child didn’t have the same rights of a son or a daughter to a wife...It was sinful for David to take on Concubines

David had left these young ladies to watch over his palace when he fled in chapter 15

In Chapter 16 Absalom rapes these women on the palace rooftop as a sign of his revolt.

Now David comes back to Jerusalem and realizes that because they had been raped by Absalom they couldn’t continue on with him so he puts them up in a house until the day of their death

So here’s the picture - David sinned by going against God’s original vision for human flourishing by taking concubines...Absalom sinned by raping these women…and now they are left to deal with the aftermath of it all

Once again this is all taking place amongst God’s people

Absalom sinned

App: This is so broken and theirs so much wickedness here, but if anything this should be a sobering reminder of the destructiveness of sin and selfishness and

App: This is so broken and theirs so much wickedness here, but if anything this should be a sobering reminder of the destructiveness of sin and selfishness

Sexual sin

We live in a world where sin is glorified and justified but here’s the truth

Sin has a bitter cost to it...

It effects you

App: This is so broken and theirs so much wickedness here, but if anything this should be a sobering reminder of the destructiveness of sin and selfishness and

It effects you

And once agains this is all taking place amongst God’s people

But it effects those around you...

Think of the the spouses, the children, the victims, businesses the churches, of sin...

But when faced with the temptation, we can’t see the consequences

The church is filled people who have been broken by sexual sin

When someone in the church commits sexual

It hurts the wife

It hurts the family

It hurts the body

It hurts the God’s reputation

Here’s the point: If your heading that way…be a part of percentage of people who change…you know what it starts with?

Confession…getting caught won’t change your heart…You need to confess…and begin the rebuilding process

Take up your cross

“The cross is not a 12 step recovery program…It’s a place one comes to day”

2 Samuel 20:4 ESV

4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.”

So remember who Amasa was…He was the captain of Absalom’s army, Absalom fell. Amasa was a dead man walking…but David graciously offered the same job in his Army…and that was one of the Big moves that won the hearts of the tribe of Judah…

But notice this about Amasa....he wasn’t awesome at his Job

2 Samuel 20:5–7 ESV

5 So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. 6 And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.” 7 And there went out after him Joab’s men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

2 sam 20:5-

So It could be said that Amasa though he was faithful to David’s cause. he just wasn’t that good at his Job, He was on the losing side of the battle, now he’s having a hard time fulfilling the orders that David gave even though David seems to have an urgency about Sheba

Now there’s also one more thing worth noting about Sheba…He took another man’s Job…Joab the ruthless, complicated nephew of David…let’s see how he deals with him...

2 Samuel 20:8–10 ESV

8 When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier’s garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out. 9 And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.

So this seems like something out of a Movie...but here we have the once Captain of the David’s army according to v.8 has been demoted to a solders he see’s Amasa show up to their campaign and he’s filled with nothing but negative emotions…he’s gonna kill him…

First he comes in a peaceful way - He approaches Amasa in a peaceful way v.9 “Is it well with you, my brother?” in the Hebrew this word is shalom…so in other words “Peace bro”

He even grabs him with his right and gives him a customary kiss on the cheek as a sign of respect

And as he brings him in with the left hand…He’s pulled the sword out with his Left and he runs him through - why wasn’t Amasa expecting it? because the right hand was primary the Sword hand

Betrayed-by a kiss…killed with the left hand

What do we learn about Joab - He was a scoundrel…this wasn’t the first time he did this..he did with Abner…His brother was kinda like this…He was what he was.

What does this teach us about Amasa? - Though he seemed well intentioned, he died because he was oblivious to who his real enemy was, and how his enemy works

What does this teach us about Amasa? - Though he seemed well intentioned, he died because he was oblivious and Gullible

App: Don’t be so Gullible…If someone seems to good to be true…they probably are

It’s not a bad thing to have a sanctified common sense...

Illastration: I had this friend want to come and baby sit my kids so that we could go out on a date…I said no...”He said what you think I’m a criminal?” I said...”Maybe”

We can not be oblivious, because we have an enemy, he has tactics, he’s incredibly deceptive…so we have to walk with our eyes open

App - We can not be oblivious, because we have an enemy, he has tactics, he’s incredibly deceptive…so we have to walk with our eyes open

I like how Paul says it…because I think he gives a nice balance

Ephesians 5:15–21 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Here’s the translation

Keep your eyes open and don’t be clueless

Know God’s will (word)

Be filled with the spirit

Amasa was killed because he was oblivious…let’s not be like that

Look what happens next...

2 Samuel 20:11–13 ESV

11 And one of Joab’s young men took his stand by Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.” 12 And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the highway. And anyone who came by, seeing him, stopped. And when the man saw that all the people stopped, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a garment over him. 13 When he was taken out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

2 sam

A Couple of things here

Joab’s actions were approved by the army - They just witnessed him betray their captain and that somehow made them love him more...

App: This reminds us that the people that we champion and the things they value, will be a direct reflection of who you are and what you value

Actually it just seems like he gets away with Murder - in fact he gets celebrated, moves on...and by the end of this, he’ll have his old job back

How? Well it’s complicated but I believe it all stems back to the fact that Had something over David that no one else knew about…His letter about Uriah

But understand this though Joab thought he could get away with murder…The king would never forget...

While David was on his death bed and giving his final instruction Solomon…he tells him “Joab’s gonna need to die” and look at the reasons he gives...

While David was on his death bed and giving his final instruction Solomon…he tells him “Joab’s gonna need to die” 1 kings 2:5

but in this moment…he kills him…and just goes about his business...

Joab probably thought he was home free because, the king didn’t punish him right away, or that time would pardon him from his sins…but that just not how it works…He still had to pay for his crimes

1. App: Thats good for us to remember:

If you’ve been wronged…and that person who wronged you seems like they got away with it…You have to remember that they can’t outrun God’s judgment…he will deal with them accordingly and in his timing

If he’s the judge you don’t have to be

2 App: here’s the flip side of that…You need to understand that time, or good deeds will never pardon you of your sins…you need pardon from the king…and without that you are in the same place as Joab

Just because you forgot your need to be pardoned…God didn’t

But the gospel tells us that the king made a way for you to receive pardon by sending his son to take on your sins…so that could be set free.

But the gospel tells us that the king made a way for you to receive pardon by sending his son to take on your sins…so that we could be set free.

2 sam 20:14-22

2 Samuel 20:14–22 ESV

14 And Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth-maacah, and all the Bichrites assembled and followed him in. 15 And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. 16 Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’ ” 17 And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. 19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?” 20 Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

So sweet…this sweet old Lady (Let’s call her Ethel) is like “Hey Joab, what are you doing?…your gonna gonna destroy the city, and Joab is like we’re here for one guy…And Ethel is like “Back right back” and that was that...

Here’s what they did - They were was an issue in the midst of the people, it was causing devision, so this women doesn’t get too cute, she doesn’t need to pray about it, or go and seek counsel about…she’s just deals ruthlessly with the issue

App: Can I tell you this will be what you need to do at times

When there’s an issue that threatens God’s people, sometimes the only way to handle it is…quickly and decisively

It doesn’t matter If feelings are hurt

It doesn’t matter if they leave…in fact sometimes it’s better

2 Samuel 20:23 ESV

23 Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites;

2 sam 20:23-

2 Samuel 20:23–25 ESV

23 Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24 and Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; 25 and Sheva was secretary; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Conclusion - So here’s chapter 20...

A rebel gets his head cut off and thrown over a wall

An oblivious guy gets dissembled

A king puts some concubines away

Have a blessed day

Here are the people of God…Here is a picture of us…we are capible of such ugliness

Thats why you need to remember the Gospel

It’s not just for unbelievers…it’s for you today..

We will never outgrow our need to confess and repent of Sin

Be gracious with the bride

Don’t be gullible

But be gracious

Yet while all this carnage is happening…God is at work and his word is coming to Past

But though we are ugly…God has declared us without beautiful

eph 2”10

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

I love how Paul talks about this wen he’s describing the marriage

Ephesians 5:25–27 ESV

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

eph 5:25-

Yet while all this carnage is happening…God is at work and his word is coming to Past

God said to David that he was gonna have real issue during this stretch of his reign ” and his words coming to past

God also said that David’s house, kingdom and throne would endure and his word has come to past

God also said that through this broken nation, and this flaw dynasty a greater king would come and bring about a real healing…and his word has come to past

Every time the word of God is open…and the gospel is preached....we are reminded of what Jesus to make us beautiful

He paid a massive price to do it

We are flawed, sometimes Sheba’s, sometimes Joab’s, but always saved by grace and loved by the king

Repent of your sin…Be wise…though you can be ugly…God declares you beautiful

Don’t give up on God’s people

Gospel...

He’s probably thinking Did I do this?

A good friend would say “No…and yes”

These guys did what they did…but whats happening is what God said would happen when he said your reign would become a rocky one

God’s word was coming to past…like it always will

The ugliness in us

Shaba’s Rebellion v.1-2

The Sinfulness of David and Absalom v.3

The Betrayal of Joab v.4-13

The wise women v.14-22