The Life of David- 2 Samuel 19

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

There is a saying that goes, “talk is cheap.” The idea behind the adage is we can say one thing, but if our actions do not align with our words do not hold any weight.

The saying is especially true of Christians. The majority of citizens of United States consider themselves Christian. However, statistics determine otherwise. Many Christian’s actions do not align with their beliefs.

One tactic of the enemy is to get people to catch us not living what we say we believe. Therefore, God helps through the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to do what is otherwise impossible.

The fruit of the Spirit will show people that we not only say we are saved, but we live in the blessings of salvation.

Can we pick and choose which fruit of the Spirit we will display?

Which fruit of the Spirit seems the easiest to show?

Which fruit of the Spirit seems the hardest to display?

The fruit of the Spirit is a singular notion. It is not like a bunch of bananas or a bag of apples. Instead, the fruit of the Spirit should remind us of a cluster of grapes. We do not pick and choose which fruit we get to display. Instead, the Spirit will help us display all nine fruit of the Spirit as we depend on the Lord.

As we look at the life of David, we will see how he displayed the fruit of the Spirit.

Background

2 Samuel 18:33

Through a series of unfortunate events, David’s son, Absalom, died. He usurped David’s authority and took the Kingdom of Israel from him. However, God restored the Kingdom to David.

David allowed his mighty men to fight on his behalf. However, he left one specific instruction, do not harm Absalom. Everyone listened to David, except for Joab.

He killed Absalom as he hung by his hair from a tree. Word came back to David that Absalom died. Instead of rejoicing, David wept and mourned the loss of his son.

Why did David want to reconcile with his son?

What potential problems could arise for David in returning to power as king?

Story

As we look at 2 Samuel 19 we will look at David’s interactions with Joab, Shimei, Mephibosheth, and Barzillai. In each instance, he displayed the fruit of the Spirit.

2 Samuel 19:1-6

Naturally, David mourned the loss of Absalom. Most people would have been understanding, but Joab was livid. He watched as everyone’s joy about Absalom’s death turned the sadness.

Joab became very bold and went to David and scolded him. He voiced the feelings of others. They gave everything to restore David’s kingdom and David repayed them with sadness.

He accused David of loving those who hate him and hating those who love him. He ordered him to go and congratulate the troops. Then he threatened David, if he did not, none of the army will stay with David and the situation will become worse than before.

Did Joab display the fruit of the Spirit?

How would most people react to Joab’s arrogance?

2 Samuel 19:8

Instead of becoming living with David, he listened to Joab and addressed the people. God brought reconciliation between him and those who once hated him and all it came through David’s willingness to walk in the fruit of the Spirit.

Which fruit of the Spirit did David show to Joab?

Which fruit of the Spirit did David show his enemies?

David showed patience, love, kindness, and self-control with his enemies. He even accepted the Amasa, his nephew who became one of Absalom’s generals. He let Amasa live and forgave him.

2 Samuel 19:18-21

As David returned to Jerusalem to take his rightful place as king, another old enemy came to him, Shimei. This is the same man who cursed David and accused him of having no relationship with God.

He told David that God was repaying David for the blood of Saul’s family. Now, the tables have turned. Shimei realizes that David was king and he rushed to him and pleaded that he would forget the terrible things he did to the king when he left Jersualem.

David’s entourage could not get over the gall of Shimei. One of them even wanted to kill Shimei.

Do you think Shimei was sincere?

Why should we display the fruit of the Spirit with people who are fake?

2 Samuel 19:22-23

David refused to lower himself to Shimei’s level of living. Instead of exacting retribution, he forgave him. He determined that Shimei will live and not die.

Which fruit of the Spirit did David display with Shimei?

2 Samuel 19:24-25

Showing the fruit of the Spirit to someone as foolish as Shimei can become somewhat easy, but sometimes it can become difficult to show the fruit to those we love. Especially when those we love hurt us.

Mephibosheth was a close friend of David. He was the son of David’s best fried Jonathan, and the grandson of King Saul. He was the sole survivor of Saul’s family.

David showed him intense kindness. Mephibosheth was crippled and left destitute when Saul died. When David heard of his condition, he brought him to the palace to eat the king’s table.

However, it hurt David when he had to leave Jerusalem. Of all the friends he had, he assumed Mephibosheth would stay by his side, but he was no where to be found.

When David saw Mephibosheth, he noticed he had not shaved, taken care of his sores, or washed his clothes since David left Jerusalem.

David asked, where have you been? He answered, Ziba has lied about me and has told people I refused to go with you, but that is not true. He left me here and would not take me with you.

Because David was hurt, how would he have wanted to treat Mephibosheth?

What would have happened had David not displayed the fruit of the Spirit?

2 Samuel 19:29-30

David determined to separate the land of Ziba and Mephibosheth, then Mephibosheth would not have to be bothered with Ziba. Instead of becoming greedy and taking it all, he told David to give it all to Ziba.

How did David and Mephibosheth display the fruit of the Spirit?

2 Samuel 19:31-33

David did not forget those who helped him. At the lowest point of his life, God sent Barzillai to help him. Barzillai was wealthy and supplied for David’s needs.

Therefore, David wanted to honor him. He told him to come to Jerusalem to live in the palace. The king wanted to take care of his every need.

However, Barzillai was eighty years old and did not want to leave home. He would not enjoy the food and could not hear the people in the courts of the king sing. He decided he would be a burden to David and not a blessing. He wanted to go home and he rejected David’s offer.

Why might Barzillai’s refusal hurt David?

Does the fruit of the Spirit work in the midst of hurt?

2 Samuel 19:38-39

Barzillai gave David his son instead. He asked David, you wanted to extend kindness to me, I cannot receive your gift. But would you take my son? Would you allow him to receive your kindness in my place.

David accepted Barzillai’s request and welcomed his son. For the rest of his son’s life, he walked in favor with the king of Israel.

How did David display the fruit of the Spirit to Barzillai?

Application

We have to make the decision, will we walk in the flesh or display the fruit of the Spirit. When we come to Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes residence within us. After salvation, we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit baptism.

When we allow the Holy Spirit to have free reign in our lives, He will help us do what we cannot do in our own strength in power. It is impossible to show the fruit of the Spirit with the help of the Spirit.

What happens when we do not live in the fruit of the Spirit?

How will the fruit of the Spirit help our walk with God and with others?

What spiritual disciplines will help God cultivate the fruit of the Spirit within us?

We should pray every day that God will help us walk in the fruit of the Spirit. When we do, the Lord will help others see that are true followers of Christ, in word and deed.

Challenge

Pray for the fruit of the Spirit

Ask God to forgive when we’ve not displayed the fruit of the Spirit

Read 2 Samuel 20-23