The Life of David: 2 Samuel 1-2

Proverbs 16:18 NKJV

18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:6 NKJV

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

The root cause to the problems of many people is pride. Pride caused Satan to be cast out of heaven. It was pride that caused Adam and Eve to sin. Pride made the people of Babel build a tower to reach heaven. Woven throughout history is the narrative of prideful people.

One author defines rebellious pride, which refuses to depend on God and be subject to him, but attributes to self the honour due to him, figures as the very root and essence of sin or improper and excessive self-esteem known as conceit or arrogance.

Rebellious pride, which refuses to depend on God and be subject to him, but attributes to self the honour due to him, figures as the very root and essence of sin.

People often become prideful overtime. With experience, education, wealth or social status, it is easy to expect what we must earn.

Why does God dislike pride?

Why does God dislike pride?

How does pride surface in people, ie. attitudes or actions?

Will God require humility in His people?

Background

Psalm 78:70–72 NKJV

70 He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds; 71 From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

Saul and David’s life stories are told simultaneously. For nearly two decades we read of Saul’s arrogance and David’s humility. Now that Saul is dead, David has a choice to make, will he stay humble or will he become arrogant?

Saul and David’s life stories are told simultaneously. For nearly two decades we read of Saul’s arrogance and David’s humility. Now that Saul is dead, David has a choice to make, will he stay humble or will he become arrogant?

After waiting for twenty years to become King of Israel, David was ready to walk in the destiny God prepared for him. In the early part of his reign David made decisions that would set him up for success.

However, as time went on, David allowed pride to skew his vision. Therefore, it is important to study this portion of David’s life. From his transition from shepherd to king we can learn what to do and what not to do.

In what ways to people become prideful?

What potential mistakes do you expect David to make as he becomes king?

For the next few years, David’s life is one worth emulating. He made mistakes, but he was successful in his devotion to God and to Israel.

Story

David learns Saul is dead

Last week we looked at the terrible demise of King Saul. Now word traveled to David, but it was merely hearsay. David wanted to know for sure that Saul really died. Three days after Saul died a young man came and told his account of the story.

Notice the differences in the stories. We read in that Saul died after being struck in the stomach. He asked his armorbearer to kill him and he refused. So Saul fell on his sword and took his life.

Now this young Amalekite comes with his version. He claims that he is the one who killed Saul.

What did this young man expect from David?

It is as though he proudly declared, “I know King Saul hated you, so I finished him off for you. Hopefully you will remember me when you come into your kingdom.” David’s response surprised the young man.

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Why did David continue to show honor to Saul?

How would most people respond to news their enemy is no longer an obstacle?

Notice David’s humility. Instead of becoming arrogant, he was humble. His attitude came from possessing a proper perspective of God.

David understood it was God who called him, therefore God would make the way forward. Was he to be king? Yes. How was he to become king? That was up to God.

Therefore, instead of rejoicing and celebrating at the death of Saul, David wept, mourned, and fasted. He never lost his love for Saul and Jonathan.

The news of their death was a time of sorrow and reflection. However, David did not wallow in self-pity forever. He understood he had a job to do, but he wanted to approach it cautiously and humbly.

David becomes king of Judah

After the appropriate time of waiting, David prayed and asked God for direction. He knew he was to become king, he wanted to know where to go. The Lord answered, Hebron.

On the surface, this was the last answer anyone would have wanted. By going to Hebron, David accepted second best. Hebron, in Judah, was not the epicenter of Israelite society.

Dr. Ron Cottle explains, “Judah represents the ‘small’ assignment, the ‘insignificant place,’ the ‘small beginning,’ the ‘second-best position’ that mot people despise and avoid at all costs.”

David was not promised he would be king of Judah, Samuel anointed him as king over Israel. It would being promised for the job of CEO of Walmart, accepting the position, and on the first day finding out the job is actually Regional Director.

The job of King of Judah would upset most people, but not David. He understood thus far, every step in his life prepared him for the next step. If God determined he needed to go to Judah, he would go to Judah.

To add insult to injury, Abner, a sworn enemy of David, manipulated the people of Israel. As captain of the Israelite army, he had significant political power.

He called Israel’s allies and eleven of the twelve tribes to watch as Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, is anointed Israel’s king. Imagine, only eight percent of Israel followed David, and he was supposed to be their king.

What options did David have?

How would most people react when they do not get the promotion they deserve?

While David could have complained, he chose to work with, love, care for, and lead the nation of Judah. Instead of letting pride consume him, he chose to walk humbly before God.

He worked as hard for Judah as he would have worked had he received the entire nation of Israel. Pride told him he deserved more, but his relationship with God encouraged him to be faithful.

How did God view David’s faithfulness?

What does humbly obedience mean to the Lord?

Application

David was wise to lead Judah with everything in him for over seven years. He could have easily decided, I will save my hard work for Israel. I will be a good king when I get all God promised me. When I come into my kingdom, I will be the best king there ever was. Had David adopted that mindset, he never would become a successful king.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 NKJV

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Ecclesiasties

Had David adopted that mindset

If Satan had his way, he would get us to the place where we feel people owe us. It begins when he plants the seed that we do not get what we deserve. One way he does this is by making comparisons.

When we compare what we have or what we do not have with other people, jealousy, rivalry, and arrogance will begin to follow. Therefore, we have to faithful and serve humbly in our current position.

For David, it could have started if he

We cannot wait until we “get ours” to do what is right. God looks for us to do what is right no. When we this principle becomes commonplace, it will be easier to stay humble when we receive all God has for us.

Why is it is easy to become prideful?

Why

How does making comparisons create problems?

What should we do when we do not have all we want in life, on the job, in our marriages, etc?

What ways can we make humility a part of our daily routine?

Challenge

Ask, am I becoming prideful in any area of my life?

Humble ourselves before the Lord on a daily basis.

Look for ways to prefer others over self, becoming content where we are in life.

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