2 Samuel 19 (Part 2) Bible Study (David Returns & Pardons His Enemies) | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

We haven't been in Bible study for a while and so this is

especially exciting for me. I hope it is for you, that's why

you're here. So let's go to 2nd Samuel 19

together, second Samuel, chapter, 19.

We didn't complete this chapter and it's because first and

second, Samuel has the reputation of having very

lengthy chapters and that should be okay for us because we're in

no rush, I hope and that's evident by the fact that we've

been in this book for quite some time but we are coming near the

end and so enjoy every moment of it.

Let's go to 2nd Samuel, 19 and place your finger with me here

verse 9 because that's where we left off and verse 9.

Here's what happens. David now is prepared to return

to his throne For many chapters we've seen David exiled, he was

made a fugitive by his own son who rebelled against them and we

took some time to study, invest and investigate, David's Journey

out from Jerusalem towards the Jordan.

And part of that study, was, we saw that David had some

conversation. Some interactions with specific

characters that brought some valuable insight to us and

different manners. But what we're about to see here

upon his reinstatement, Moment is a mirroring almost because as

David is now returning to Jerusalem, were also going to

see for the rest of this chapter him, engaging with individuals,

some of the same individuals that he engaged with when he had

initially left. And we shall have no reason to

doubt that the Holy Spirit, preserve these conversations for

us for the sake of our sanctification.

That's what I'm looking forward to see with you.

In fact, there are four conversations that David has

with four different people. Are groups of people.

The first one will be with the Elders of Judah.

The second will be with somebody that you're familiar with, and

that is Chef Mei or Chamois, thirdly.

We will see David being visited by mephibosheth.

And lastly, we'll see character that we've seen briefly just for

a flash of a moment, but now there's actually going to be an

in-depth conversation with a man named barzillai.

Forgive me if I'm not pronouncing these names

correctly or accurately, I'm trying my best and you

understand as long as you see it here and then you've been does

not here with his Hebrew knowledge to correct me.

So I have a little bit more freedom today so David is now

going to have these kind of engagements.

Upon his re-entrance to his rightful place.

Laurie. Pray today.

We want to have freedom but we also realize you deserve

reverence and honor. This is your word.

It's holy You Are Holy made. A delivery of this word be

honorable to you either be nothing of it.

That is confusing or dishonoring or met the reception of your

would be equally. Honorable, and more importantly,

may it be embedded in our hearts to produce lasting?

Genuine sincere, obedience to your name in these last days.

Lord, we want to know you more, we want to draw closer to you.

Should you Terry, should you Teri, Teri?

Do we want to be found? Faithful for the rest of our

days. But if you do return, help us

Lord, to be found with our hearts burning and love with

you. We ask these things from the

bottom of our hearts. In Christ's name, we pray.

Amen. Let's read verse 9.

And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of

Israel saying, the king delivered us from the hand of

our enemies and save this from the hand of the Philistines.

And now he has fled out of the land of from Absalom.

But Absalom whom we anointed over us is dead and battle now.

Therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing the king

back? King, David sent this message to

zadok and abiathar. The priest, say to the Elders of

Judah, why should you be the last to bring the king back to

his house when the word of all Israel has come to the king?

You are my brothers, you are my bone and my flesh?

Why then, should you be the last to bring back the king and say

to amasa? Are you not my bone in my flesh?

God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my

Army, from now on, In place of joab.

David is returning to his rightful place in the first

category of people that he engages with are the Elders of

Judah. What happens?

Well after the news of absence defeat reaches back to the

nation of Israel, a debate erupts within its borders.

And the debate is around what the nation should do with King

David. And so we see here that they

rehearse what David had done in the past.

They acknowledged that he had departed from them.

They even admit that they have chosen Absalom as a as which was

the result of David's exit. And lastly, there is criticism

from the people concerning the leadership of why they are

hesitating to bring David back to send word, for him to return.

And so things are not looking good within and among the people

of God at this point. and we see here that, What these people are

doing. At this specific time is

insightful. Concerning the human nature

itself. Did you notice the timing of

which the people decided to consider?

David to come back. One was it look here again, it

says here, but Absalom whom we in verse 10, whom, we anointed

over us is dead in battle now, therefore now, therefore so we

expect David to come back, right?

Because Absalom is opposition is dead and his devious plot to

topple, the kingdom died with him, but look at the people.

The people now are entertaining the possibility of David coming

back. Only When what, when their

choice failed them? when their governance

disappointed them, When their decision to oppose God's

anointed ended up turning against them.

And I looked at that and I thought to myself the thoughts

of these Israelites is so similar to the testimonies of

many perhaps even many of us today, how many of us can

rightly admit that Christ only became attractive when our

alternative choices. Let us down.

And that is what people are doing today.

There are people today, maybe even the sound of my voice who

are not giving their total surrender and Devotion to Christ

because they've been giving some perfumed Hollow promise from

another king that they will be under greater Prosperity Greater

Joy, greater sustenance under their rule instead of Christ

rule And that's a pathetic motive, right?

I mean I can say rifle that was my testimony.

That when I tried everything else in it all failed then I

knew where to turn to and I knew who to turn to that was Christ.

And again it's it's not the most attractive way to coming to

somebody for forgiveness, but Christ is so great.

She still willing to embrace us despite that how Despicable that

reason is Christ is still willing and this is not just a

summer. From an Old Testament, text is

the very teaching of Jesus in Luke 15.

You don't have to turn there but you know, very well, The

Prodigal Son, The Prodigal Son, did not come back to the father

at the peak of his success. He did.

So when his face was caked with mud, and when he was in the muck

and the mire, only when everything was lost, only when

he was absolutely at the bottom of the pit, could he look up and

say, I need to go back to my father.

And the father didn't cross his arms and tap his foot and say,

look at you, this is when you come back.

No, he Embraces him. He puts a royal robe on him.

He puts a ring on his hand, he cuts the fattest caffeine.

He has a celebration And we see David here willing to come back

to people only after great loss. And he is reflecting some

measure of the grace of God. Is he not?

Absolutely. But you know as much as that

truth is common. Right that the grace of God.

Is there at all times at all moments.

No matter how much we have disappointed.

God turned away from God. He's willing to take us back.

There's another truth, tied into this.

That's not emphasized much and this is it.

Why do you have to wait for your world to collapse before you

consider Christ? You don't have to Okay.

It's a testimony of many and it's indicative of the, the

stubbornness of our human nature.

But why do we have to you don't have to.

Maybe you're a person here, who, who hasn't surrendered yet?

And my question is you don't have to wait until you get some

scars before you do. See you see here?

These people realizing what? King David had done.

Look here, again, in verse 9, the king delivered us from the

hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the

Philistines. David actually did something for

us. And it's only now, do they

realize that Absalom didn't actually deliver, right?

He actually fellas, but you don't have to realize that in

hindsight, you can actually know that.

Now, it was true for David Wright because these people were

deceived, Absalom did nothing. He showed nothing for himself

before he became king, he just showed him his hair and he just

sweet-talk them and they ate it all up, but David prior to him

becoming king showed and proved himself.

Over and over again. And the people realize he is

shepherdess even the during the days of Saul, he is worthy to be

our King, okay? I say apply that to Christ, step

back and realize that God has given us a book.

A testimony of the person of Jesus Christ and evaluate him.

Look at his life, look at his promises.

Look at what he was able to do. Look what he is able to do.

And understand that an honest assessment of Christ in the word

of God will bring you to this conclusion.

No one else is like him. And no one else can deliver like

he can deliver and no one else can deal with the foundation of

Humanity's problem like him. And you and just from that

assessment, be wise enough to say, okay, I don't have to

explore with other options. Why don't I save myself time?

Why don't I save myself hardik and just give myself to Christ

now? That's why people who have the

testimony of. I remember following Jesus ever

since I remember those kind of testimonies are precious, they

are precious. They might not be as dramatic,

and that's what people feel. Sorry about concerning the

testimonies, I don't have this. This Grand moment where things

change. I wasn't a gang member.

I wasn't a drug dealer, I wasn't this, I was in that.

Yeah. But by God's grace you came to

an awareness of his goodness and he has preserved you from all

perversion and pain. Give him glory for that.

And let it teach others that they can also make that choice

as early on as possible and they can raise their kids with that

hope and that ambition and that we can show the world that he is

worthy to be served. We don't have to experiment with

the world before we give him our Allegiance. we see here that

these people had to experience loss, before they realize that,

The anointed one is the true one 20,000 Israelites died in the

Civil War According to second, Samuel 18.

And again, it shows that sometimes it takes great loss

before people realize. Okay, I'm done Christ.

Forgive me. I bow before you your, your, my

Lord forever. And there's a, there's a verse

that I shared a prayer meeting last Wednesday, and it's a verse

I want to share with you. You heard me earlier saying that

I've been reading jeremias Jeremiah's book The Weeping

prophets. Writings, there's one verse that

I read probably two weeks ago and it's been in my heart since,

and I can't shake it off and I don't want to shake it off, it's

in Jeremiah 17 14. Jeremiah praise again, he prays

to the Lord and he says to me, so powerfully says Heal Me O,

Lord, and I will be healed. Save me and I will be saved for.

You are my praise. What is he saying there?

Heal Me O Lord and I will be healed, save me and I will be

saved. Meaning Lord, if you really

extend your hand of healing, I know that it will be effective

if you really reach out to save me.

I know that I will be saved. You actually deliver with your

promises. You actually produce results

with your claims. There, a lot of people claim to

heal their lot of people who claim to say but they can't

actually deliver. But Christ can.

That's what Jeremiah says. You're the only one out of

everybody else. All these false gods and all

these false prophets. You're the only one that can

actually come through. So heal me.

And if you do heal me, I know I'll be, he'll save me.

And if you save me, I know I will be saved.

He comes through the anointed one can come through.

Our anointed, one will come through.

If you call upon him in sincerity and Truth.

Look at verse 11 and King David sent this message to zadok and

abiathar. The priest, say to the Elders of

Judah, why should you be the last to bring the king back to

his house when the word of all Israel has come to the king?

So David Gets a message that there is this disruption in the

nation and there's this argument and debate and strife about what

they should do. But with that, That I mean

that's encouraging right? The people are actually

considering to bring me back but with that there's a

disappointment because among all the tribes there is one tribe

that is actually showing little to no interest for David coming

back and it's the tribe that you would expect the strongest and

loudest sponsorship from which tribe is that Judah?

Is David from Judah. Absolutely.

So, the people closest to him, the people nearest to him, the

people that he shares his Heritage with, are the ones that

are actually expressing no sign of longing for his return.

I think this is a really sober and practical reminder for

Servants of God today for the Christian life.

In general that oftentimes where you expect the strongest support

from is where you actually don't get it.

And the least expected people to actually stand by you in times

of need actually do arrive. That's not to make you bitter

and that should not make you cynical but it should make you

prepared. Prepared to realize that even

the greatest of people, even the people who share your blood or

even share your faith. Might not show up the way you

thought they would show up. And if you think that's unique

to us, that's actually something that the greatest men of God

experience. Paul himself said at the end of

his last letter, in 2nd, Timothy 4 verse 16 at my first defense.

No one stood by me. No one stood by you.

After all the churches, you planted after all the people

that saw your miraculous power, God's power through your life.

After all the pain and all the letters.

No one, stood by you. At your first defense.

Yeah. No one stood by me at my first

defense, then he says in verse 17, but the Lord stood by me.

But the Lord stood by me and what strengthen me?

You know what that tells me the Lord standing by Paul wasn't

just some doctrinal idea, it was something you actually

experienced. I actually experienced the

infusing strength of Christ in my life when in the absence of

everybody else. You know what, I find

interesting often times what you'll know is that the personal

Fidelity of Jesus Christ that experience will be heightened in

the midst of relational turmoil. And so, don't let the letdowns

and the disappointments of others.

Even Christians, even Christian leaders Cause you to raise your

fist to Heaven. Know if anything, let it

encourage you to draw near to Christ to seek his presence and

to believe that he will actually strengthen you, he will actually

make his Fellowship known to you.

You know what David is experiencing here is what Christ

ultimately experiencing his visitation here on Earth.

His own did not receive him. His own did not receive him.

And so, what that tells me is that even in the particular

suffering of rejection or negligence, I can fellowship

with Christ like I couldn't draw nearer to Christ and expect that

as I pour my heart out to him, he sympathizes he knows and if

you're going to serve the Lord, there is one thing that I can

promise you with all the joys and all the testimonies and all

the Wonders, that Ministry comes with.

People would disappoint, you're not talking about the Heathen

out there. I'm talking about people who

Phillip use, they will people who wear suits and ties, they

can and so learn now, and believe now and even practice

this truth. To fellowship with the Lord and

to expect him to be there. When everybody else isn't, This

is something that David here is expressing.

Where are you? You're my flesh and your my

bone. You're supposed to be the

closest to me. So where are you?

And there seems to be some kind of conviction because their

suede, we're told that their Suede and verse 14 in each

suede, the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so they

sent word to the king. Now, here's what I find

fascinating before we move on to the next point.

Isn't David? The Conquering King.

They didn't just win. The opposition.

Didn't just overthrow Absalom. So to speak.

Doesn't he have every right to March, right?

Back into Jerusalem, to take his scepter, to reclaim his crown to

sit on the throne and to govern the nation, whether they want to

or not. The answer is yes.

Evidently. David does not entertain the

option of forcing his rule on people who are hesitant or not

interested in making them him, King over their lives.

News. Flash Christ isn't any

different. It's not a force himself.

I know some people might feel logically disagree with me on

that. But you read this book cover to

cover and what you realize about the heart of God is that he

genuinely desires you to genuinely desire him and he was

so respect your choice. That he will allow you to reject

him. You can reject them all you

want. You can reject them persistent,

you can reject them until your dying breath, and he won't Bend

you. If, you know, the truth, hear

the truth and refused. He won't Bend you and to make

you a robot in your Devotion to him.

Now, that choice of rejecting will come with consequences

consequences that if not granted.

With disqualified God and other aspects of his character, namely

his Justice, because this isn't just a friendship here, we're

dealing with a king, we're dealing with a judge, we're

dealing with one who gave a moral law to humanity.

So we're talking about relationship with Jesus.

We're not talking about, Jesus being lonely, and he wants

Humanity to occupy more space in heaven, because it's a really

big place. No, it there is a personal

relationship but we're dealing with the cosmic ruler of the

universe who is dealing with a Celestial Ball filled with

enemies. And he extends reconciliation to

us and I'll respect your choice. Do you want Christ?

He'll come. You don't want Christ.

He'll leave you to yourself. You leave, you with your Idols.

He'll leave with your, with your sin.

And he'll let you do what you want to do in these 60 50 40, 30

80 years and then you'll face some and then explain your

rejection. So David here, doesn't impose

his will David. Your doesn't force himself back

into the boundaries of Israel. He waits.

Do you want me to come back or not?

Do you want to receive me or not?

Do you want to accept me or not? And he persuades them there.

Persuaded And they invite him. They meet him at the Jordan but

look here verse 13. Something interesting happens.

Because everything up to this point is very commendable

concerning David. I argue verse 13 is questionable

concerning his judgment. And say to amasa, are you not my

bone in my flesh? God do so to me and more also,

if you are not commander of my Army from now on in place of

joab, why does he do this? Well, before we answer that

question, does anybody remember who amasa is?

Yes. Very good.

Well let's turn back if you want the answer in 2nd, Samuel 17 and

notice here with me. In verse 25, exactly who a

masses. Now, Absalom and second, Samuel,

17 Absalom had said amasa over the Army instead of joab.

A Masa was the son of a man named Ezra the ishmaelite who is

married to Abigail the daughter of nahas shifts, their Observer

Aya. Jobs, mother first things first,

a Masa is a relative to David. He's another nephew of David's,

making a Masa and job cousins So we know here that there's blood

relationship, right? But more importantly, not only

is this a relative to David, this is one of David's Traders

Absalom chose a messiah to be the general over the army of

Israel and there is no indication that he refused.

So we're dealing with a person who has committed great treason.

With that background. What is David doing?

And giving a massage a promotion upon his return to making him

the commander of his army. Any ideas I have to maybe you

have more any ideas. Yes, okay, so this is there's a

little personal thing to this, right?

You killed my son. I'm going to teach you a lesson.

I know how much job you prize your position.

I know what you do to people who try to or threaten your

Authority. Authority.

You're gone. Okay, there's a personal aspect.

But before that, there is a political move here.

Here's the political move, again.

He's trying to persuade the heart of Judah, and of the

nation as a whole. And so, and showing his

willingness to forgive them. Despite the fact that they chose

Absalom, he brings in a traitor and he promotes him.

And he proves to them, I'm willing to forgive, watch me a

masseur. You're my new general.

But he's trying to accomplish more than one thing here and we

touch our brother touched on it. There's a personal aspect to

this. It's clear here that that David

learn who was responsible for his son's death job.

Joe, I've Dishonored his word and that was the line crossed

for David. And so he takes a messiah and he

says amasa I'm going to make you now the general.

And you're going to take jobs place, it seems like a very good

political move. But unfortunately, this decision

was mixed with personal bitterness, Was this wise or

unwise politically speaking politicians?

Would love that. That's a good move.

Personally and even in God's economy, wrong many reasons why

it's wrong. Let me give you one.

A Masa was incompetent as a general, was he not how do we

know that? Well, he was the general of

absalom's army a much larger Army than David's forces.

And yet he still failed to come close to Bringing victory for

Israel. And yet, David is still willing

to put him in a compromising position for the sake of what to

get back at somebody else. And Amazon the next chapter is

going to show just how disqualified he is, because he's

actually going to because of his incompetence.

Can actually play a role in the potential Civil War to ensue as

a result of his lack of ability. Here's here's a lesson from this

and it's important especially for leaders in any capacity.

But it's especially important, it's important for all of us in

our decisions in life. Never make a decision.

Never make a decision about especially in the context of

ministry. Never make a decision to promote

or place. Somebody in a particular

position. If your motive is inspired by

anything that is personal God has set qualifications.

Listen, not just for positions in Ministry before a spouse for

your friends and when you for whatever reason, no matter how

strong, your reasoning is no matter.

A stronger feelings are when you decide to compromise on those

qualifications. You will realize soon enough

that you're going to invite trouble.

Though you satisfied some initial desire in your decision.

That's true for marriage. That's true for friendship.

That's true for Ministry. There are people who say just

bring this person on in Ministry because if not, they're going to

cause problems. That's not how you choose people

in Ministry. Choose this person because

because, you know, they're going to offer this to you.

They're going to offer that to you.

They're gonna, they'll fulfill your fantasy.

They have something to do with this.

They have to somebody. That's not how you choose a

spouse. All right?

It's not. But these are my friends and,

and I grew up with them and we're family.

And if I choose to follow Christ and not give in to what they

want, that it might cause issues, and we have history and

they've helped us out over the years.

That's not how you choose your friends.

It may satisfy something in the moment, the time being, but a

will invite trouble. It will invite heartache

eventually. That's what we're going to see

with Amazon and so David here. Chooses this man, you know what

I find so interesting because obviously his blood is still

boiling about what job did to his son Absalom, but go to First

1 Kings 2 · chapter mention

Kings chapter 2 and I want you to see something.

That is omitted that is I think instructive about David's

development. If you go to verse 5, he speaks

about joab. To his succeeding, son Solomon

and he rehearses what? Joe I've had done.

Making him, worthy of some kind of punishment first Kings. 25

David says, moreover, you also know what job the son of

Zechariah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of

the armies of Israel, Abner, the son of Nur and a Messiah, the

Son of japheth er whom he killed Who's missing here?

His son, he doesn't mention Absalom.

I mean here we see in chapter 19 that what's motivating him is

what job did two apps on. At least we presume.

So it makes sense in light of the context But as time goes by

as years goes by think David himself.

Even learned that absalom's death was necessary.

It's amazing. What time teaches us.

It's amazing. What reflection teaches us.

It's amazing. How emotions and feelings can

blind Us in the time being but God loves to use time.

To show us. Where we were wrong.

And hopefully doesn't take too much time and hopefully we can

learn before before years go by where we could have been, right?

Right. So this is the Elders of Judah,

but now we come to verse 16. The second person that David

interacts with, and shammai the son of Gera the Benjamin a'ight,

From bahurim hurry to come down with the men of Judah to meet

King David and with him were a thousand men from Benjamin and

zebra. The servant of the House of Saul

with his 15 sons and 20 servants rushed down to the Jordan before

the king and they crossed the for to bring over the Kings

household and to do his pleasure.

And shammai the son of Gera fell down before the king as he was

about to cross the Jordan verse 19 says, and said to the king,

let not my Lord. Hold me, guilty or remember how

your servant did wrong of the day.

My Lord the king but Jerusalem, do not let the king.

Take it to heart for your servant knows that I have

sinned. Therefore behold I have come

this day. The first of all, the house of

Joseph to come down to meet the Lord the king.

You remember shamai? The scoundrel troublemaker.

When David was barefoot, headed back to the Jordan, with his

back towards his home, his family is his throne, his

kingdom, he cursed him from the hilltop, he threw rocks at him,

he denounced him, he falsely accused him and now we see this

man. coming to David falling before him, confessing his sin

and pleading, for pardon, And here's what's tricky.

Sometimes about Old Testament, narratives, you don't get

commentary at times of whether or not something is sincere or

whether or not something is suspicious.

If something is, insincere, something is authentic?

And so you come here, and I can see how there can be debate,

whether this man was actually true or if he's actually

presenting worldly sorrow. So let's gather the evidence

shall we? I mean, look at it, you heard me

read it, but look at it for a few moments.

And gather, the evidence for yourself is shit, my I hear

being honest, is this actually a genuine repentance or is this

something more? Is he being clever?

Is he being shady? Let me show you.

Some of the things that I noticed the timing of his

repentance maybe you already caught on to that.

It says here in verse 16 that he hurried to come down with the

men of Judah to meet King David. So the Of of Judah said,

alright. You persuaded us were coming to

fetch for you, so they go down to the Border, they meet him at

the Jordan and it seems, as though, the moment, the news

went out that it is confirmed. David is coming back to the

throne. She my knew he was in trouble

and so he makes it an urgent matter to flee toward David in

order to beg for his pardon. That's an interesting timing.

What else stands out to you? What stands out to you from

verse 17? How many people came with

shamai? Thousand.

I'm surprised a guy like that had a thousand friends, to be

honest. Most of us have a thousand

friends on Facebook and we probably 85% of those aren't

really friends, right? This guy was able to gather a

thousand friends or comrades or citizens of his tribe, a

thousand of them. And here's what I'm wondering,

is this necessary, and what is it all about him in any way?

Why are you bringing a thousand people with?

You seems kind of show it to me. And so, there's something

suspicious about even that, right?

And and there's different speculations.

Maybe by orchestrating this welcome party, which softened

David up. So that if there was any hint of

him, executing immediate judgment, it would be halted by

this bouquet of The Tribe of Benjamin, very clever.

But it's like, what are you doing this for, you know, and

and then you see him falling before David?

That's a, that's a posture of humility, that's difficult to

argue with but then, You can challenge it with this backdrop

of a thousand of his own people watching this take place.

So there's some kind of some kind of display demonstration

that is a little bit over-the-top and when people do

things over the top you wonder what the real motive is.

Okay, what else do we see? Your anything else that stands

out? We see his, his physical posture

and verse 19. Now we see his words.

What does he say? Let not my Lord.

Now he's your lord uh let not my Lord.

Hold me guilty or remember how your servant interesting did

wrong on the day. My Lord the king.

Oh now he's King. The king left Jerusalem.

Do not let the king. Take it to heart for your

servant. There it is.

Again, I'm your servant knows that I have sinned.

So, so more than so three times, he says my Lord three times, he

says the king twice. He says your servant.

Much different attitude and language than when David was in

his Exile, right? Is it genuine?

Well, we see him. Say something that's that's

quite impressive. Three words, verse 20.

I have sinned, I have sinned. Now, if if she, my would have

just stopped there, right there would be much more to his case

of being sincere. But unfortunately, he feels the

need to continue to open his mouth and by continuing to open

his mouth he says something that is utterly unnecessary and puts

him back into the category being suspicious.

If you are just said, I have sinned.

Wow, perhaps we would have a wonderful testimony of a.

Truly repented man, a very unlikely man who has repented

but instead he goes on to add what?

Therefore, behold. Like hey David.

Check this out. Look, what I'm highlighting to

you. Behold what I have come this

day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet

my Lord, the king. Why are you doing that?

She my Why just be be humble be straight?

No he has to make sure that David knows that before any

other tribe. apart from Judah, any other member of the the 11

different tribes had come shh my game and he showed his gratitude

and he showed his penitent heart braggadocious I think

Unnecessary, I think. So if you feel bad feeling a

little off about shammai, don't feel bad.

You know why? Because David did Abishai

definitely did. Look at verse 21 abishai.

The senator. I answered shall not shammai be

put to death for this because you curse the Lord's anointed

like he didn't buy any of it. I can see right through this

guy. Let's just kill him right here

now and don't be too hard on abishai.

You know why? Because I believe abishai had a

specific law in the book of Exodus in mind concerning

shammai that he wanted to honor. You know what that law is?

It's an Exodus 20 to 28 where we're told that we should not

revile Our God or curse any leader of his people.

Apple. And that's exactly what shammai

did. And so, I be shy wants to in

righteousness deal with shammai and David, seems to what?

We see David often do extend Grace, is that right?

But read your Bible carefully, read it slowly.

And notice the choice words of David is what makes Bible

studies, so fascinating. But David said, what have I to

do with you? You sons of zuria that you

should do this day. Be as an adversary to me really

carefully with me, shall anyone be To death in Israel this day

for. Do I not know that I am this day

King over Israel and the King said to shamai, you shall not

die. In the king, gave him his oath.

What phrase or pair of words, stand out to you from David's

answer. Very good.

Very this day. How many times did he say?

It says, shall anyone be put to death in Israel?

This day 14. I do not know that I am this day

to King over Israel and the King said, the sure, my you shall not

die in the king, gave him his oath.

He repeats the fact that it is this day that no one should be

put to death. He doesn't want to interfere

with this process of political, peace, and Harmony being sewed

together. Right?

He doesn't think it's wise, that this should be clouded by the

execution of one of the members and could even discourage those

who have also rebelled against David to consider him again, as

a king. So he bypasses it and it seems

as though he lets it go, or does he?

He doesn't. Does he really Let It Go?

Who says he lets it go. Well, based on my question.

I think, you know, where I'm going with this, right at face

value. It seems that he lets it go.

But in fact, has it in his heart until his dying day.

Joab was not the only individual.

That David brought before Solomon his son, in order what

to do with him upon his departure, shammai is another

one. If you want proof of that, go to

First Kings chapter 2, where we read about job, and look at

1 Kings 2 · chapter mention

verse 8 instead and notice what's really going on in

David's heart. First Kings, 28.

And there is also with you shamai the son of Gera.

The Benjamin night from bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous

curse on the day when I went to mahanaim, but when he came down

to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord saying,

I will not put you to death with the sword.

Now, therefore do not hold him Guiltless.

For you are a wise man. You will know what to do or what

you ought to do to him and you shall bring his grey head down

with blood to Shield. So, David made an oath.

I'm not going to kill you but there was fine print, I'm not

going to kill you. And he honored his oath, but

when it came to the transfer of the Kingdom to his son, he

brings his son into his room. And he says, Solomon.

I'll never forget what she my did to me.

You're wise. I think you know what to do but

just in case there's a loss of translation here make sure he

doesn't go to the grave in peace.

Interesting. Think there's some valuable

lesson there. About forgiveness, maybe some

would debate and say well know what David is doing, here is a

just thing because she my did break the law.

Wrestle with that. And your own understanding of

this story and see how the Lord leads you, make sure you use the

word of God. So she my is the second

character, but now we come to the third, a very, very

instrumental and important character.

In the story, mephibosheth verse 24 and mephibosheth the son of

Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taking care of

his feet, nor trimmed his beard. Nor washed his clothes from the

day, the king depart until the day.

Came back and safety. But a different presentation

than shammai, there is no Entourage.

There was no parade. This man came untrimmed,

unwashed ungroomed showing that from the moment that he was

gone. David was gone.

He had not taken care of himself as a display of morning.

And we have already covered this part back in second Samuel 16.

Because remember ziba came to David and lied to David about

mephibosheth loyalty to him. Yeah, you know mephibosheth he

realized that you upon your departure that God perhaps is

bringing the kingdom back to his father saw.

And so he cut ties with you. I'm sorry to break the news to

you and David prematurely acts upon that news.

And what does he do? Who remembers what he does?

He transfers all the property that belonged to my fetish.

I think gives it over to Zeba and we came to this chapter to

satisfy curiosity and to determine that Ziva was in fact

lying and to learn a valuable lesson in life that you should

not always listen to and absorb and act upon the news, from a

person who initially gives it wisdom says you, wait and you

investigate But David, like how the enemy does was so distraught

emotionally and physically and because of his weakness was

taken advantage of and he made a poor judgment.

Now my fetish that comes back and we see in verse 25 and when

he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king set them.

Why did you not go with me? Mephibosheth.

Genuine question, right? Look how he answers and he

answered verse 26. My Lord O King my servant

deceived me for your servant. Said to him I will saddle a

donkey for myself that I'm a ride on it.

And go with the King for your servant is lame.

He has slandered your servant to my Lord the king but my Lord the

king is like the angel of God do.

Therefore what seems good to you. bichette highlights, the

sin of slander and I believe this is one of the most

despicable examples and honest examples of what the sin of

slander can actually do. Notice that all it took was a

brief report from a man that forever altered the future of an

innocent man. Naturally, speaking with a

vicious life would never be the same, he would lose much of his

property, his reputation would be questioned.

All because somebody chose to use the weapon of the tongue

against him. This is why I believe God

absolutely hates the sin of slander because life and death

is in the power of the tongue. You don't need a torch to burn a

man down, you can just use those words.

You can just use an email, you can just use a tweet or two, you

can destroy somebody. You think you can get away with

it but eventually God will bring retribution on behalf of his

servants. But what I also see with

mephibosheth as a valuable lesson about how to deal with

this kind of Grievous sin and notice what he says here.

I because David David here's what he has to say and then he

comes up with another judgment, he comes up with another

settlement and he said, you know what, let y go further with

this, half of the property, goes to Z behalf of the property,

goes to you. Now we're going to touch on that

in a moment. But let me remind you because

we're creatures of repetition, that's how we need to learn.

That's how we learn. Let me remind you something.

So so, so instructive about method.

Jesus answer in verse 30, The Fetish had said to the king o,

let him take it all. Since my Lord the King has come

safely home If that doesn't prove this man's innocence, I

don't know what that is. But here this man his immediate

reflexes, I don't care about any of this stuff.

Never mind my property and I believe with that, never mind my

reputation. And here's the thing that I

learned about my fetish at that one of the ways to be an

overcomer, one of the ways in which you can righteously deal

with robbery, whether that is the removal of things in this

life, even if that thing is your reputation and boy, do we love

our reputations? It's to be so enamored with the

King and to be so consumed about his will his program, his glory,

his kingdom, that all this other stuff, even if it includes, you

doesn't move you when it is affected, even if it's something

as satanic as slander. All mephibosheth cares about is

the exaltation of King, David. All he is excited about is the

fact that he is returning to his rightful place so much so that

he's bulletproof. When it comes to what happens to

his life. And if you understand the truth

about who Jesus is the reality, his future promises, what he

will do when he comes back, how he rewards his servants, how he

is the final judge about all things, including you okay?

Do what you want? Say what you want. bring me to

the stake with a figuratively or literally he has the final say,

and so be like Mary of Bethany where you're so caught up in the

worship of Christ that even though other disciples say

things about you, you don't say anything and let Christ offend

you that Christ offend you If I push that says take it all, it

reminds us again, it makes me wonder if Solomon borrowed.

His this tactic from his dad that when two women came and

they argued about which baby living baby, belonged to him.

He said, cut it in half. Cut the baby in half and what

are the woman? Say.

Something very similar to mephibosheth the true mother.

Oh no. Let the child.

Go to her. Don't put him to death and he

goes, you're the real mom, you're the real mom.

So makes you wonder is David testing.

Is David testing the fetishes to see if he truly does Love David

for who he is. By threatening to give what

belonged to him away. Whether it was a test or not,

what is for certain is that there is no evidence that David

reversed or corrected this settlement Which begs the

question is what David did here right or wrong when he said half

of it goes to ziba have to go submit fetish at the right or

wrong and you have to bring evidence if you're going to say

one or the other. Put an elbow up if you say,

right. You don't have to put it all the

way up. Right, or wrong wise.

Unwise, just strangest. Any comments.

For the sake of time. Let me spare you.

Wrong. Do you know why it's wrong?

Not because it's my opinion because he went directly in

violation to a law. Anybody guess what?

Book I'm talking about What about what books in the Bible

are all about law Lala? Leviticus is one, but it's not

there. Law.

Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy 19. I want you to see this for

yourself with your own eyes. Deuteronomy 1916.

See, this is why we need to know the Bible.

We need to know all of the Bible, because it actually

brings Clarity to places where it doesn't seem to have Clarity.

So we can know for certain, we don't have to have debates, you

don't have to read 10 commentaries.

You can know for certain that David was wrong because the

Bible says he was wrong Deuteronomy 1916.

Here's what the law says, if a malicious witness arises to

accuse a person of wrongdoing, then both parties to the

dispute. All appear before the Lord,

before the priest and the judges.

And what are they supposed to do?

Who are in office? Those days, the judges shall

inquire diligently. And if the witness is a false

witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall

do to him as he is meant to do to his brother.

So you shall Purge the evil from your midst.

That's what David should have done.

I'm surprised David didn't do it.

He was a man who prays the law. He loved Allah.

He devoured the law for whatever reason.

He doesn't apply to in this situation but with David should

have done was taken both of these parties.

Bring them and set up a court date before the priest before

the presence of the Lord before judges and do an investigation.

Whenever you ignore God's law, Injustice and suffering, and

sorrow is bound to ensue. And that's exactly what we see

here. And this is the part that moved

me even more about mephibosheth. I don't know if mephibosheth new

this law. But he still even though this

was an unfair conclusion, he still expressed his love and

loyalty to David. I don't care about anything

else. No, no, you have rights, the

feather. Chef God has something in mind

for you. And with an imperfect King, he

still had this unwavering commitment to David How much

more Christ, he perfectly deals with us, he never makes a

mistake in his dealings with you and myself.

And yeah, we are so quick to accuse him of Injustice, so

quick to accuse them of malpractice.

So quick to accuse him of being unfair.

Yet, we know that he is absolutely unmistakably.

Immaculate. He deserves our devotion, don't

let mephibosheth outshine your Devotion to your king, he gave

it to an imperfect King, a forgetful King, a misdirected

King, and we have one who is perfect in all his ways and he

be ever praised. Now we come to the final

character. Are you still with me tonight?

I hope so. Let's come to verse 31.

Now barzillai the Gilead night had come down from Rogue element

and he went on with the King to the Jordan to escort him over to

the Jordan over the Jordan Bears.

Ali was a very aged man, 80 years old.

He had provided the king with food while he stayed at mahanaim

for, he was a very wealthy man. And the King said, the bezel I

come over with me and I will provide for you with me in

Jerusalem, but Brazil, I said that the king.

How many years have I still to live?

I like this guy. How many years have I still to

live? That I should go up with the

King to Jerusalem? I am this day, 80 years old.

Can I discern? What is pleasant and what is

not? Can your servant taste what he

eats or what he drinks? Can I still listen to the voice

of singing, men and singing woman?

Why then should your servant be an added burden to my Lord?

The king? Your servant will go a little

way over the Jordan with the King.

Why should the king repay me with such a reward?

Please let your servant returned that I may die in my own City,

near the grave of my father and my mother but here is your

servant him ham. Let him go over with my Lord the

king and do for him. Whatever seems good to you.

The king answered him. Him, she'll go over with me and

I will do for him. Whatever seems good to you and

all that you desire of me, I will do for you.

There's so much to say about this fellow.

There are two things I want to highlight for the sake of time.

Number one, his age scripture goes out of the way to tell us

that he was a very aged man. He was 80 years old, 80 years

old and he's walking all this way and he's willing to cross

the border and all these wonderful things.

The thing that I take out of this is that surely the Lord in

all seasons of life, has opportunities reserved for us,

to serve him and his people 80 year old man.

I was fascinating, is that? That was the age?

That who started ministry Moses? 80 years old, God had something

for Moses at 80 not 1880, God uses members Ally at 80, not 28.

And I find that encouraging and what's equally encouraging is

that better zalaya was used by God, At 80 and so was Moses

though. They're fruitfulness look

completely different. You had an 80 year old man.

That was used by the Lord to deliver a nation from another

Nation like unparalleled, right? And yet you have this other 80

year old man who brought beds and baskets of food to David and

Mannheim and his men and just made their night, they're a

little bit more comfortable. And both were still Servants of

God. And I think what's important to

know as Servants of God is to refrain from the comparison.

The temptation to compares to compare yourself to another

servant of God, right? Who might be used by the Lord in

a different way though, they might be in the same season of

life as you are, don't do that. Here's what you have to do is

realize and recognize what God has presented before him to

honor him in that. That's all he requires.

That's all he requires. Don't look at others who are 30

and see where they are to look at others.

Who are 50 to 1? No, no, just look what God has

before you and honor him there and that's all he desires.

That's all he Longs for. But the next thing here is his

refusal for the reward. He serves David, he honors David

and he doesn't do it just like cuz he had nothing else to do.

This isn't a retired fellow who was bored and not a lot of

money, didn't know what to do with it.

For the fact of this bezel, I chose to show his allegiance to

David at a very very crucial time when Absalom was supposedly

King. This was an act of treason.

This was an act of betrayal. In absalom's eyes if Brazil, I

was reported for this, he could have been even at 80 with a man

like I've some easily easily executed and yet at that time,

he chose to step up and show his loyalty to the truth.

And when he was supposed to be rewarded for that, rightfully so

he reflects it. And he says not to me, but give

it to him him. This is your servant.

We don't know who him Henry. He is and you don't have to turn

there unless you go to 2nd 1st Kings to when you go to 1st

Kings to. We are told that David tell

Solomon deal kindly with the sons of barzillai First Kings

27. So you make that connection, you

come to the conclusion. That him must be a son of.

There's a lie. So he's a son.

And when I meditate on this, I thought what a wonderful lesson,

here's the lesson. Then often one of the joys of

being faithful to the Lord. Even in, especially in the

latter part of life is that you can expect there to be

generational Rewards. Kim Hem benefited from the

loyalty and the Fidelity of his father.

It trickled down to him. And I see so much in our Bibles

that assures us that if we choose to walk with the Lord and

stay consistent and persistent with the Lord, if God chooses to

expand our seed. Then those under your

responsibility, those in your life.

We've been entrusted to. You will surely be blessed by

you because of you in some measure, understand that your

Disobedience the Lord doesn't just affect you, it will affect

somebody else your obedience to the Lord will do the same, and I

love to see this old aged man who made a decision to honor.

God, who still had though, his body was Phil.

He still had a pumping heart to serve God's people.

And who been in it for him him him he benefit and to what

extent did him him receive a reward.

You know, I looked up his name. He's only mentioned three times,

I believe, unless I counted wrong and second Samuel and he's

only mentioned in one other place, at least his name and all

of the Bible. And I think it'll be a nice way

to end this Bible study by doing a little bible study, trivia

guess which book Huh, not force Kings and a second Kings.

Let me give you a hint. Many centuries have passed

before he's mentioned again. Few centuries.

Don't use Google. I'll give you a few more moments

to think about it. If anybody gets this, if anybody

does get this, I will give you a big hug after Bible study.

So I'm not expecting it. But if you're somebody does come

up with it or you'll have an Embrace for me.

Not Hebrews, it's not in the New Testament there.

So let's eliminate that. All right, it's not in the New

Testament. You are very close Morgan.

It is not an Isaiah, but you're very close.

Jeremiah, I want you to see it in Jeremiah 41.

Jeremiah 41. In verse 17.

If you have the King James, it's even more clear.

But I believe every word for word translation has the mention

of it. It says and they went and stayed

at Guru with him ham. Near Bethlehem intending to go

to Egypt. Do you know how David rewarded?

That was a lie. You know how he rode him him?

He gave him a plot of land near his hometown.

Here is a plot of land and it was named after him him and it

remained there as a pillar. For Generations.

You know, when Christ does return and he will return.

In like fashion, he will reward the faithful.

Right. And when he does reward the

faithful and may we be found faithful.

His treasures will outshine, whatever you imagined His

prepared prizes will be on what you can even contemplate.

I'm not sure if this is what barzillai expected, but I just

find it to be something of a treat to see him, hems name,

mentioned in Jeremiah and to give the familiar student of the

Old Testament. A reminder that the king who

came back rewarded and promised a reward and it lasted they

lasted and again, as I mentioned earlier, with betters Ally, He

chose to serve David and he was recognized for serving.

David had a particular time in Israel's history when it was

very difficult to side with David, you know, we're looking

out in our world today and you don't need to be a prophet to

understand that in America in North America, it's becoming

increasingly day by day, more difficult to associate claim

profess. Jesus Christ, I believe more

than any other time in American history, I'm sure that's not up

for debate. It's very obvious.

That makes some people scared. That makes some people scared to

have children. That makes some people scared to

do ministry. We already seeing people in

leadership positions that are demonstrating fear, and concern,

for the sake of preservation of what a building of, what a

paycheck, be a prophet die for your God died for him.

And this might be a frightful sight, but let me tell you, I

believe it's one of the most exciting times to be a believer

in Jesus Christ. You know why?

Because we get to serve Christ when it really does cost us.

If this is the trajectory that we're heading in, then it's

actually going to cost you to Bear the name of Christ and

guess what? He's worthy.

He's worthy of it. And guess what?

Just like barzillai. And King, David King, David

recognize that, this man served them at a very, very

inconvenient moment of history. And I have no doubt in my heart

that as Christ looks down upon this generation of Believers,

even in the West. He will recognize, who will be

faithful. You'll recognize who stood for

him and who remained. And who chose to make a

difficult decision, though? It's not difficult to say, I

will side with the kingdom matter, whose sides against him,

it wasn't popular to be with David.

And in your lifetime and mine. It's going to be increasingly

unpopular, you know, I was I don't have any social media.

I recommend it. From time to time.

I just allow my web browser to take me as far as I can go

before says, you need the app before you can look further in

these timelines. And I went on Twitter and I saw

something about the lgbtq thing, you know, it's everywhere now,

And I was some kind of legislation or something.

That was being proposed and I read the comments to it and

overwhelmingly, you know what people were saying anybody?

Who stands against the LGBT agenda, there's more letters

being added. I can't keep up.

I'm just going to say LGBT the LGBT agenda should be arrested.

That was the comment. Comment should be arrested,

should be indicted, should be arrested should be imprisoned.

That's the language. It wasn't like that a few years

ago, it is like that. Now And it's going to go perhaps

from Twitter comments. To actual law.

If God doesn't have mercy on This Nation, God doesn't step in

and spare us from the direction that we're headed to.

And that will very likely be a reality.

Get serious with your Devotion to God.

Now, stop waiting until the knife reaches your neck.

I look at some people, and I think, what are you waiting for?

We had something unprecedented happened in the past three

years. We had the whole world shut

down. And we had the push for an

antichrist system. So aggressively forced upon us.

And God lifted that and has given us another opportunity to

serve him with the little Freedom that we have left.

And Christians are still not getting it.

A lot of them are not. I don't know what has happened.

To the Christians of this generation but they got very

quiet generally speaking. I know some are very grateful

that the doors have opened again and that were in these places

again that we get to host meetings and do what we're

doing. But for many people, something

happened to them post covid. I can't put my finger on it, but

it's eerily disturbing. I don't know if part of it is

because we've been Hammering and people's minds, you know, where

the church. We don't need to meet during

that whole Fiasco and people are still holding on to that.

Now that the doors are open and now church leaders.

Who said they're saying, when do you come back?

You need to meet. I don't know what it is.

But it's concerning to me. May the Lord give us a Zeal.

Maybe make us ready. Because he's already given us a

very strong hint of how things can change very drastically.

The Bible is the Bible of history but it's also a book

that tells us the future, we know what's going to happen and

it's not just to make us apocalyptic Buffs and prophecy

hunters and it's to make us ready for what's coming.

The stage is being set. The stage is being set.

If I were to preach out of the Book of Revelation, especially

Revelation 13, talk about the Antichrist and the Antichrist

system back in the 80s. People think?

Oh, that's way far off. If I preached a series on it,

now we can look at everything and say, it's here.

It's right, it's right. Before us.

And it happened so fast. I never thought that in my

lifetime at this point in my life.

I would see what I'm seeing now. I never thought, I'm sure you

feel the same way and here we are.

I believe we're only at the threshold.

So what are we going to do? Well we're going to get ready

because he's worthy to be served.

I'm excited. I don't want to be presumptuous.

I don't be like Peter and make these boastful claims.

But I do want to honor him. And I hope you feel the same

way. Well, that being said, let's

pray. Father, we thank you for this

Bible study. And we thank you for people who

love the church. We thank you for the people

here. Who loves your truth.

Who love to know all that you have to say Lord made that

remain as our heartbeat moving forward.

In this life we ask oh God that you would give us the resilience

the boldness, the hunger, the passion to be close to you.

To be ready to sacrifice, whatever you demand of us. as

you are continually being pushed out of our nation, May we go

with you into Exile. May we stand for you?

No matter what absalom's rear their, ugly heads, no matter

what the majority chooses to do with King Jesus, we choose to

pledge our loyalty to him. Regardless, the cost low, we

pray, That this church and the churches that are represented

here that they would experience a fresh move of the spirit with

not a part. But with and through the

proclamation of the word of God, that there would be a revivals

in our local churches, across the land, that there will be a

Revival of Truth. There would be a Revival of the

Gospel being declared in sound Doctrine being heralded.

And a people who not just know this stuff but live it and apply

it without shame without hesitation Lord, we choose to

give you glory. We choose to honor you tonight

in light of this study you are the son of David, the true and

Lasting Eternal King and these things are, but Shadows these

things are. But principles that point to the

greater person and for this, we say come Lord, Jesus.

Lord Rule and reign in this world forever and ever.

We are tired of this world and yet Lord we trust and we know

that your your return is at the perfect time and until then help

us be busy serving. You inviting people to you.

And being equipped by your spirit and by your truth to do.

So with great fruit though, we love you, we honor you, we give

you all our hearts, all our minds, all our souls in Jesus

name. Amen, let's stand and Worship

the Lord before we head back to our own little castles.

And honor God tonight. And honor God tonight.