LORD OF ALL

INTRODUCTION

As we enter in another phase of David's life, we find he is a king in Israel, but only over a part of his nation

Remnants of the house of Saul still hold sway in much of the beleaguered nation. The Philistines occupy some of the prominent cities and frequent raids on the other cities are not uncommon.

David rules over Judah from Hebron and would do so for 7½ years. A weak son of Saul named Ish-Bosheth sits in Saul’s former place – who is a pitiful puppet king to Abner

The writer of Scripture brings us into the times and issues in his statement in:

2 Samuel 3:1 KJV 1900

1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

David is strong and secure at Hebron and is growing stronger and stronger as is evidenced in the verses that follow that show…

DISCUSSION

DAVID EXPANDING HIS FAMILY ALONG WITH HIS TERRITORY

2 Samuel 3:2–5 KJV 1900

2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

Six wives and six sons are mentioned in these verses. There were probably daughters born as well...

The size of David’s family expands. But this wouldn’t be the end of it …

2 Samuel 5:13–14 KJV 1900

13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. 14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

What are we say about this polygamy? Did God approve of it? Is it right? Is it wrong? Should we allow polygamy today?

First, God did not approve of David’s polygamy. How do I know that?

Deuteronomy 17:17 KJV 1900

17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

God forbade it.

Secondly, God never intended polygamy to be among His people.

“And the two shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24)

And not only that, monogamy is consistent with the picture of Christ and His church

Thirdly, even though God did not intervene and stop David, he was going to pay a terrible price from this unbridled passion … You will see this in future lessons

Believe me, David did not get away with polygamy – no one disregards God’s law and gets away with it

I mentioned in our last lesson how that Abner tried to get a political advantage by setting up a puppet king, but that wasn’t working. Now he is going to plan “B” - he is going to switch sides. 2 Samuel 3:6-21 will tell us how…

ABNER DEFECTED TO DAVID

2 Samuel 3:6–7 KJV 1900

6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. 7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?

Saul left what amounted to a king’s harem of women

Apparently Abner invaded this harem for his own purposes … Ish-Bosheth takes Abner to task. Note Abner’s reply to the accusation...

2 Samuel 3:8–11 KJV 1900

8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; 10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba. 11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

So, Abner, in a fit of rage over what was a legitimate rebuke, announces his intent to change sides

I want us to consider Abner’s response to this accusation because it points out a sin problem that I have seen more than once in the lives of prominent leaders and workers in the church today

Notice that Abner did not deny the accusation involving the woman. From that we can probably assume guilt

Instead of denying or repenting – Abner got mad

Abner was viewing himself as beyond accountability since he was in such an important position – he says, “Look at all I have done for you”

Sadly, this has been a problem in the church in many places

Several things need to be said about this:

First, this sort of spiritual arrogance flies in the face of the humility Christian people are to have

If you or I possess a gift in certain areas that enable us to accomplish great things for God, perhaps things like money or speaking ability, we need to remember what Paul said...

1 Corinthians 4:7 KJV 1900

7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

In other words, “You have accomplished great things because God has gifted you, not as a result of your own greatness. So, don’t boast.” … the Bible speaks often against boasting/bragging/tooting your own horn

Remember the words of Jesus …

Luke 17:10 KJV 1900

10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

My point is this: A track record of great faithfulness or sacrifice in leaders (or even a record of great accomplishments) doesn’t excuse sin…or give the right for one to boast

Well, Abner wasted no time contacting David about his intention to defect

2 Samuel 3:12 KJV 1900

12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

That’s a pretty arrogant statement. “Whose is the land?” “Obviously it belongs to me,” Abner is thinking

David’s response is in the next verses…

2 Samuel 3:13 KJV 1900

13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

Now there is an interesting wrinkle. David excepts Abner’s offer to bring the kingdom over to himself, but sees one more important thing that needs to be done first

Remember Michal? She was David’s first wife – Saul had given her to someone else when David was banished. David hangs the receiving of the kingdom on the relatively insignificant condition that is to be made right

That illustrates a principle that is important.

There are many great things that we would like to do, many of them needing very much to be done.

In the doing of those things, sometimes a smaller issue of more lasting importance can be overlooked or trampled unless we are persons of integrity.

An example … Dad promises son a camping trip, but a business deal comes up where he makes a lot of money…

There are times when it is far more important to invest time in our families than in our business…even in doing the work of the Lord - our God does not intend that we neglect our families

God honored David for risking the kingdom in doing a comparatively small right deed. And it is interesting to me that he did it without Abner, as we will ultimately see

2 Samuel 3:14–16 KJV 1900

14 And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 15 And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

So David gets Michal back.

Abner, meanwhile, had called a meeting with the elders of Israel

2 Samuel 3:17–19 KJV 1900

17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: 18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

So, Abner went the length and breadth of the land of Israel saying, “In times past ye sought for David to be king over you: now then do it”

What I would like to do with these words of Abner is to present to you a little comparison. Some of you have been or may even could be now, like those people of Israel to whom Abner spoke

You have sought in times past for David's great Son (Jesus) to be King over you. You have thought how wonderful it would be to have Christ rule in your life.

But you realized that there would be difficulties with this and opposition – so there has been a war going on in your life

Have you made Christ Lord in your life, but have only allowed him to rule at Hebron, and not over the whole nation of your life?

According to the word of God, Jesus must be King over your entire life, or he cannot be your Savior. David had to be king over all of Israel or he could not deliver them from the Philistines.

Mark 12:29–30 KJV 1900

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jesus also said it this way, “He who does not gather with me scatters abroad.”

Sometimes we can be deceived into thinking that Christ is the Lord of our lives – when in reality He is not.

Because of this we need to carefully examine ourselves

2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV 1900

5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

James 1:22–25 KJV 1900

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Is Jesus is really Lord in our lives - this we will consider as we look into 2 Samuel 5

In order to get to chapter 5 we have skipped over some significant events in the narrative of Scripture. Allow me to fill them in for you briefly.

We discussed earlier Abner’s defection to David and his promise to bring all Israel over to David. Abner did not live to see it happen – he was killed by Joab, avenging the death of his brother.

David managed to deflect the accusations of the people of Israel by stating that Joab had acted without his knowledge, which was true. David then dismissed Joab from his position as captain of the army

In chapter 4, we read how Saul’s son, Ish-Bosheth was also murdered by two self-seeking commanders of his own army as he lay in his bed.

David ordered their execution when he learned of that capital offense.

Ish-Bosheth was given a decent burial next to the grave of Abner.

At last, the way was clear for David to ascend to the throne over all Israel.

The description of David becoming King over all Israel is what we will consider...

2 Samuel 5:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.

So at last – David’s time to reign has come! All Israel is bringing him their loyalty.

Few kings were ever loved and adored as David was

Perhaps the greatest reason for this was that David knew what it was like to suffer – he was not handed the throne on a silver platter…

In like manner, we should love and adore the King of kings. Why?

Hebrews 4:15–16 KJV 1900

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Like David, Christ could empathize with His subjects for He too was a man of suffering

This should give us strength and courage to forge ahead in life

According to 2 Samuel 5:4-5, David was 37 when he began to reign over all Israel

2 Samuel 5:6–8 KJV 1900

6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. 7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

Those familiar with Old Testament history will be aware that Jerusalem up to this time had been an enemy stronghold and a thorn in Israel’s side.

The Jebusites mocked David saying even their lame and blind could defend their city against David's siege. But David took the city with relative ease going in through the water shaft (an underground water tunnel).

Notice this parallel:

David’s first act of sovereignty was to take the stronghold of Jerusalem, the strategic city that had been dominated by the enemy. From there he would reign.

Christ’s first act of sovereignty once he becomes Lord in our life is to take the stronghold of our selfish will that has been inhabited by the enemy. From there He will reign.

Ask yourself, “Do the Jebusites still have control of the Jerusalem of your heart, or does the King of kings have control?”

Before there can be real change in your life Christ must be in control

2 Samuel 5:9–10 KJV 1900

9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. 10 And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

You see, once David possessed the stronghold of Jerusalem, he didn’t just stop there.

He began to expand his influence and rule over “greater and greater” areas of Israel.

He attacked and subdued other areas of enemy occupation

In spiritual application, If Christ is Lord of our life, there will be a progression of victories that will become evident

2 Samuel 5:11–12 KJV 1900

11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. 12 And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

What we see happening here is that the presence of David on the throne in Jerusalem is beginning to be felt by those outside the borders of Israel.

In the same way, when Christ is on the throne of your life, it isn’t long until those around about you begin to notice. And I am referring to those outside the church

Jesus taught, “A city set on a hill cannot be hid.” If Jesus is Lord of your life – His presence will be seen by others

2 Samuel 5:17–19 KJV 1900

17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

Until now the Philistines had been able to get whatever they wanted from Israel – but suddenly things are different. So, the Philistines immediately move into position to challenge David.

You see, once a person crowns Christ as ruler in his life – opposition shows up.

Satan will try to attack you.

We need to realize that sometimes opposition and trouble are indicators that something is right and Jesus is indeed sitting on the throne of your life.

2 Samuel 5:20–21 KJV 1900

20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim. 21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

This was a great victory for David.

But notice that the Philistines didn’t give up – they withdrew, but they would be back.

2 Samuel 5:22 KJV 1900

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

When Christ rules in a life there will be victory, but there will also be continued opposition to that rule – Satan will not leave you alone

The Philistines didn’t bother with mounting an all-out offensive against David until the people made him ruler over the whole land. Then they amounted their offensive.

Satan will do the same.

2 Samuel 5:23 KJV 1900

23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

Notice that God’s instructions were different in this instance than in the first attack. That underscores the need to continue to seek the Lord’s will in your life

If Jesus is Lord in your life he will continue to reveal truth to you through His word. Don’t be content to run on yesterday’s victory

The first victory was through a frontal attack – this one would be from behind

2 Samuel 5:24–25 KJV 1900

24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. 25 And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

What a tremendous difference David's ruling over Israel made!

When Saul ruled or when Ish-Bosheth ruled – the Philistines could not be stopped

Only when David ruled supreme could the enemies be defeated

Only when Christ reigns supreme in our life, over every part, will you see the kind of true and lasting victory that God intends.

CONCLUSION

Let’s sum what has been said. If Christ rules in your life:

You will realize that He is an understanding King, because He knows what you are going through

He will help you conquer the stronghold of your will

He will be expanding His influence in many areas of your life – the world will see Christ living in you

Satan will oppose you – and will oppose you again…

You will ever be growing in truth

You will, over the long haul, see true and lasting victory in your life.

Is Christ Lord of all in your life?