2 Samuel 3 (Part 1) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

I believe the past week has sifted the church from those who

are true and those who have been in Disguise, those who claim to

follow Christ, those who claim to love God's word, but when it

really is applied in culture, I think what we saw with the

Supreme Court has really revealed even more those who

really love God and his word. And those who, who love God's

word when it fits their agenda, and their particular sin.

And I want to tell you something, I believe that's only

going to continue in the days ahead and a very short amount of

time. You and I are going to see a

thicker line drawn, that's going to make a greater separation

between those who are truly Be of God and those who are not.

And what's going to protect you. And I from deception, is the

word of God, what's going to make you?

And I equipped to help those who claim to follow Christ, but are

clearly, deceived is the word of God.

I'll prove it to you this past week.

I'm not on social media often, but when I do go on, I just cast

the line and see where it goes and sure enough.

I was engaging with somebody that I've never met in my life

who was arguing, arguing vehemently.

About how God indeed does approve of abortion.

And, you know, where they went to make their case the Old

Testament and Numbers Chapter 5, am I going to turn there?

Numbers 5 · chapter mention

But it just it just proved to me that there are those who totally

reject the word of God. And there are those who go to

the word of God, to try to justify sin and based on those

arguments. If people don't really know the

scriptures not only can they be let into deception?

They can lead others into deception and so this is not

just a study for For just nice, little bit more mature, Sunday

school lessons. This is to have the word of God

implanted into our hearts. So that when there is falsehood

and there are things that are twisted and taken out of

context, you can detect it immediately.

You can detect it immediately because you have people who are

going even to the Old Testament to justify current cultural

issue. So this is a very significant

thing for those who come here consistently You are growing

more than you can imagine. When you're receiving the word

of God, more than just the traditional.

Once a week, there is a strengthening that's coming to

you whether you see the immediate effects of it now or

not, there is an investment that you're making.

So this is a glorious thing and I praise God that we have people

who want to be here on a Friday night.

With that being said, meet me in the book of second.

Samuel chapter three, second Samuel, chapter three.

Pray with me. Lord we Humbly come.

Before you we boldly come before you?

Lord, our hearts are moved just by the fact that we get to open

your word and feast tonight. We ask Lord that by the spirit,

you would cancel any Any Interruption of the flesh.

Both in the delivery of your word and the reception of your

word. Help us receive what you've

intended to say and for us to apply it and submit to it

totally. We ask Lord that this would not

just be investment of knowledge but it would be, in fact, an

investment to our Holiness. And to our christlikeness, Lord,

we just ask guide us tonight. And knit, our hearts not just

together with your word but to one another, as a people who

love the truth, be Glorified and be pleased as you see us now

coming to you to receive from your voice and Jesus name we

pray. Amen.

David. Is King in Judah Abner, the

former commander of Saul's Army has raised up one of Saul's Sons

ashot to rule over the northern part of Israel and to take over

the different tribes. And to convince them that Saul's

successor is in fact, his son and not the anointed one.

David and there are many things we learned from last week.

But one of the things that we drew, from the previous

chapters, how the relationship between In David and Abner is

very much like the relationship that the believer has with sin

Abner wasn't satisfied with just having 11 of the tribes.

He wanted Judah and sin is very much the same way doesn't want

just part of us and wants to all of us.

It doesn't want to just just have an aspect of Our Lives that

wants to control our lives. And you and I have learned from

David and his response of how we can guard ourselves from the

ambition of sin and that illustration between David and a

After and how it parallels the Believers conflict with sin only

continues as we come to this chapter and verse 1, read with

me, there was a long war between the house of Saul and the House

of David and David grew, stronger and stronger.

While the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

What a wonderful summary. What's taking place?

David had a long War. With the house of Saul.

And it really lasted seven years you and I don't just have a long

war with sin. We have a lifelong War.

And, for many of us, that will look like 40 more years, 50,

more years, 70, more years, 10, more years.

All we know is that it is a lifelong battle with sin, and

Paul makes it very clear and Galatians 5:17 something.

Galatians 5:17

So, crucial, in understanding the Christian experience that

the desires of the flesh are against the spirit and the

desires of the spirit are against the flesh.

Now, this is important for these are opposed to each other.

These are opposed to each other to keep you from doing what you

desire to do. It is undeniably clear.

That as long as we are in this body, there will be an inner

conflict between the indwelling of the spirit of God, and thus

flesh that wraps us and keeps us anchor to the things that have

been impacted because of Adam's sin.

We are still in this flesh. It is not a glorified flesh.

Is a tainted flesh, but praise be to God.

The indwelling of the spirit has come to give us some kind of Not

just a hope. But also the strength to be able

to be in victory, over sin and the goal of the flesh is the

same goal that Abner had with David to hinder the advancement

of the will of God. David was God's men.

David's dynasty was God's program Abner knew that, and he

wanted to resist that. Send this flesh, realizes the

spirit in us has been given to be empowered to do, the will of

God and sin knowing that he can't erase that seal.

But can in fact hinder hinder you from moving forward in the

empowerment of God in his wisdom and his fruit for your life.

And I often quote Paul statement to the Galatians and Galatians

Galatians 5:17

5:17 to Christians who want to know if they are truly in dealt

with the Holy Spirit. If you are in this place today

and you struggle very much whether or not, if you are truly

a child of God, let me give you one of my go-to versus and help

you clarify, if this is. So here's a clear answer for the

Assurance of somebody salvation. Look, what Paul says, I hope

you're a Galatians 5:17. If you're not turned their

Galatians 5:17

quickly turn their quickly, Galatians 5:17, And I want you

Galatians 5:17

to see this with your own eyes so that you can be helped and

you can help others. Look what Paul says.

The second part of the verse for these, the spirit and the flesh

are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things

you want to do. And here's what I always ask

somebody who is struggling. Here's what I asked.

Somebody who seems to be in this, this doubtful dread about

where they stand with God, what do you want to do?

In other words, what are your desires?

If I ask somebody who's outside of Christ, what are your

desires, I'm going to get a completely different set of

answers than from the person who's truly regenerated by the

Holy Spirit. And so, what you see here is

that if you base your evidence of your salvation upon the

struggle with sin, no wonder you're struggling with

assurance. Because Paul here makes a very

explicitly clear, there will be a struggle for the believer.

The spirit of Flesh are at odds with one another.

But what's interesting here is that the last part of it, we see

where we should identify where we stand in our identity, what

are your desires What are your desires in your heart?

The legitimacy of your salvation is not in the wrestling, with

the flesh. It's where you want to be.

It's what you desire to do. Do you long to be holy, do you

long to be in right? Standing.

Not just not just positionally but practically.

Do you want is your ambition in life to be like Jesus and to rid

yourself of sin, even the appearance Prince of evil.

If those sets of desires are there you are.

In a good place. You are in a good place.

You ask a believer? What he wants to do and it's

going to sound different. It should sound different than

what the world would say. You know what?

It was like to be in the world many of you and and it was not

to get rid of sin, it was tried to have more of sin.

It was try to have sinned with the least consequences.

It was trying to have some without without any kind of

repercussions. You wanted sin, you desire, you

thirsted for it, you hungered for it, you made your decisions

based off, that being the passion of your life.

But here's the thing, although identifying where where we want

to be, what we truly desire to do is very important

understanding where we are with the Lord, right.

If Christ has not transform your desires then, perhaps Christ has

not transformed you at all. But that is not the ultimate

goal for the Christian. The Christian is not just

satisfied with saying, all right?

Yeah, I know I'm a righteous thing with God because I want to

desire this and I don't desire anymore, that's just the base.

What a mature Christian really wants to do is once they have

those desires to deposited by the Holy Spirit.

To now, walk in the will of God and the empowerment, the Holy

Spirit to see those desires manifest in actual fruit.

Now, I want to walk in this and that's why Paul is saying in

this part portion of scripture. Walk in the spirit and you will

not gratify the desires of the flesh, he's not just giving us

help to say. Hey, look, if you're going to

struggle, don't be worried. Struggle is true for the

believer. He's not just saying that he

wants to say. Now, let me tell you how you can

actually be and triumphant victory over sin.

And I believe verse 1 of second, Samuel, chapter 3 is a beautiful

illustration of what that looks like for the true Christian, who

is walking in the spirit. What do I mean by that?

The House of David grew, stronger and stronger while the

house of Saul became weaker and weaker As you and I progress in

spiritual maturity if you want to evaluate that, here's how you

can your strength to resist temptation becomes stronger and

stronger. Your hatred for sin, grows more

intense than it did last year and the allurements of the

world, The Persuasions of the evil, one become weaker and

weaker. That's how you.

And I can be able to say I'm growing in.

Jesus Christ. Yes, there are constant

Temptations, but I can tell you that, I am not the person who

had Outburst of anger, like I was a year ago, two years ago,

three years ago, I can tell you that I am able to overcome the

Temptation that when my computer screen tries to pull me into

places into Alleyways on the web that I should not be that I can

say no. And I can feel the strength in

my soul to actually resist it. This is the way that you and I

can see that we are indeed growing.

We are growing stronger and stronger in the will of God and

the love for the things of God and practical Holiness while the

things that were once strong are losing its influence in our

lives. And if you think that I'm just

making that up based on a verse that doesn't really necessarily

directly deal with personal Holiness.

Then realize in one particular place in the New Testament that

John and his first epistle, he addresses the church and within

the church people who are at different places in their

spiritual maturity. So I want to show you that go to

1st John and look at this is this is so encouraging because

it helps us be able to say. Okay, this is how I can know I

am here. This is how I can know.

I'm here. The sound I came here where am I

and the spectrum of growing of growing spiritually.

Go to 1st, John 2:12. And the same way that you and I

John 2:12

can see physical development over the years.

It is no different spiritually, okay?

I don't know why it is for many people that spiritual growth is

hazy. It's not hazy the same way that,

you know, that you are growing in height from from your when

you're 23 years old, you know, that you're growing taller over

the years and your voice gets deeper.

When you pass a certain point in life and certain body parts

develop, you can see that physically.

So it is spiritually, there are things that That should be

tangibly evident and you can even see for yourself and

others. Should be able to say.

I can see that. And John here, he addresses

different pockets of people on the spectrum of where they are

and spiritual maturity. Look at verse 12, I'm writing to

you little children. I'm writing to you little

children because your sins are forgiven for his namesake.

The first group of people that John addresses are little

children, little children. And some would say well this is

just speaking about those who are actually little children.

I say he's speaking to those who are spiritually little children

those who are infants in Christ when you and I first get saved

we are known as babes in Christ and what's amazing is how John

identifies what occupies the affections, and the thoughts of

little children in Jesus Christ. Not little children actual age,

please be reminded little children and spiritual spiritual

age who first Walk into being born again and into the kingdom

of God. You know what it is that

enthralls little children. You know what it is?

That brings a person to rejoice and praise and be overwhelmed as

a little child and God the Revelation that their sins are

forgiven. Your sins are forgiven for his

namesake and you know that, right?

You know, the jolt of Joy when that truth of being Redeemed by

the blood of Jesus Christ that you have the gift of eternal

life, it just swallowed up every other thing you were so consumed

with that, you came singing and you could not stop singing.

You want to tell everybody about it.

Just the simple gospel truth that your sins are forgiven.

Now, that is not to say that. As you grow that, you move from

that truth or you lose joy in that truth.

But it is to say this, that as you do grow, something is going

to be added, you are going to grow into something else.

And so, what he does now is he addresses fathers and young men?

He dresses little children, children, young men, father's.

I just want to go to the young men for the sake of the Bible

study. So you scroll down to verse 14.

Look, what you read here, I write to you.

Fathers. Because, you know, him who is

from the beginning. Now, look at this, I write to

you young men is a young man, the same as a little child.

No, I write to you young men because you are strong because

you are strong and the word of God abides in you.

Now, look at this and you have overcome the evil one.

So now, John is addressing the young men and this is what they

are characterized by one main thing.

You ready? The ability to overcome the evil

one? As you grow in faith and some of

you can testify to this when you're first saved.

Spiritual warfare is not so much of a reality, is it?

It's almost like there's a special Grace where there's

like, like just like a baby, there's just this this disgrace

to just see everything as a miracle and it's almost as

though. You're so sensitive to the

things of God and then something begins to happen as one year

goes by and you're still, you're still walking consistent with

their two years three. Now, you begin to see things.

Now, you begin to see Satan at work and, and push back.

And you see the ugly things with in Ministry and you see Warfare

and young men, they fight Right, young woman in the faith, they

doubt enter into a struggle to the reality of spiritual

warfare. That becomes more real that

becomes more frequent. But what's amazing here is that

Not only are they engaged in spiritual warfare but they are

able to actually actually walk in victory over the Temptations

and the lies of Satan. No.

John's thoughts about the spiritual phases here.

Do not mean that your physical growth will parallel, your

spiritual growth. So you can have people who are

physically father's, but they're spiritually still little

children. And you can have young men,

young women who spiritually can be like fathers and mothers.

But what's amazing here is, when you see the young men, something

is added to them. They are able to overcome the

evil one. So this is how, you know, that

you've graduated from being a little child.

This is what occupies little children.

They are just consumed with the Forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

And they stay there, they stay there, they don't grow from that

knowledge, they are able to explore and see more into the

mind of God, the will of God, the character of God, Hebrews

tells us repentance Faith, baptism the laying on of hands,

Eternal judgment. Those are Elementary things and

he says, let's move on from that, not to ignore it, not to

incorporate it, but you got to build off of that.

And here I want to tell you something.

There are people who have been in the faith for 15 years and

spiritually. There's still little children

because their knowledge doesn't go beyond and the gospel.

It doesn't go beyond what Jesus Christ did on the cross for you.

It doesn't go beyond your sins, being forgiven and here's how

you know that you've grown at least to the next phase, you

don't just Relish in the fact that you're forgiven, you now

know what Christ purchased for you to overcome.

To resist sin to become more like Jesus.

And so I want to tell you today, it's so important that growth is

identified the way the Bible calls you to identify it.

I don't want you to be in great one for 40 years.

I don't want you to remain in the same place for 10 years and

how do we grow it? So simple.

It's so wonderful. It's in the very same verse and

the word of God abides in you abides, in you.

That's how you go from a little child to a young man.

The scriptures is something that you now listen, he says, abides

in you, you will never grow if you visit the Bible, If the

Bible is something that you just touch on once every two weeks,

once every three weeks twice, every two that you're never

going to grow, you will remain a little child abide means to live

to remain to stay. So you take this word and you

read it, you take this word and you eat it, you digest it, you

study it, you meditate on it, you memorize it and you apply

it. And it over time, as you do that

consistently, you will grow, you receive strength and then you

will be able to overcome the evil one.

I'm telling you, it's so sad. I've used this illustration

often. Any any true parent would be

devastated if their physical child remained in one grade for

several years. Nobody would say.

Yeah, it's okay, just to happens, you know, it's a common

thing, but we do it spiritually. We do it spiritually.

You have people in the Pew for 5 years, 8 years, 10 years, 15

years and they're in the same place they never grow and we

seem to all be okay with it, it's not normal.

There should be progression. We should grow stronger

stronger. While the things of this flesh,

the things of the enemy, the things of this world have a

weaker influence in our lives. Okay, we're still in verse 1, we

gotta move on here, let's go to verse 2, second Samuel 3 verse

2 Samuel 3:2

2. And Sons were born to David at

Hebron his firstborn was em. None of em you know mm of

Jezreel and a second hilly above Abigail, the Widow of neighbor

of caramel and a third Absalom. The son of Maha the daughter of

tell my king of gesture and the fourth added, I just the son of

Hadith and the fifth shifa, Thalia the son of a beetle and

the 6 e 3, mm of egg Le David's wife.

These were born to David and Hebron So what we're being told

you this verse is that David's government.

His military is not the only thing that's increasing his

personal family is growing. We are given a detailed account

of the increase here of his wise and of his children.

He entered into Hebron with how many wives who remembers.

How many wives did he come in to have brown with before he became

king to? And now we see here that there's

an additional four and by the end of the chapter, we're not

going to complete this chapter tonight.

No way, the end of the chapter, we have a total of seven wives.

Total of seven wives now David's decision to marry all these

women. Whether it was motivated by lust

or political power could be, both is problematic for many

reasons. We've touched on polygamy in the

Old Testament, many times in our study before we won't come back

to it now. But the guilt of David's

polygamy is even more severe because of his position as a

king. Why Who remembers?

Who remembers what Moses said to the Israelites before they even

had one king of what they need to do.

And holding that King accountable, when he becomes a

ruler of God's people, what was one of the laws?

Yeah. Right down the law.

Your own copy. That's true.

There is another thing though. Deuteronomy 17 17.

Our brother made it clear that a king should not have multiple

wives. Now, that is true for all people

but especially for a king because the king would have a

temptation to make political alliances by marrying.

The daughter of a foreign ruler so that they would be at peace.

So it was an additional Temptation and God didn't want

his Kings to put their faith in their alliances.

They wanted he wanted their kings to have faith in his

leadership and his empowerment and wisdom alone.

And here's what's amazing here. When David marries these woman,

you don't see any immediate condemnation or broke a rebuke

from the author, but what you will see is that it's going to

get very, very ugly down the road.

The calm around his choice. Here is deceptive.

This is going to, in fact be the seed of great thorns and the

garden of David's life. I believe, remember, we're going

to see this in this book that David's Infamous scandal with

Bathsheba, Is connected to the early forms of a lack of

self-control that you see here. Does that make sense?

Let me put it this way because David would not honor God's will

for his marriage that we see in Genesis, Jesus quotes Genesis as

a standard of marriage because David, there's an honor God

standard for his marriage. Is there any reason why he would

honor anybody else's marriage namely Uriah If he doesn't have

any conviction about his own, how is he going to have any

conviction about somebody else's?

And so what you see here is the early forms Of a lack of

self-control, lack of understanding, where down the

road it's going to manifest and bitter fruit.

And what's sad here? Is that as you see this?

The sons that are mentioned here are going to be the reason for

his heartache for majority of this heartache at least which

son's here are going to cause trouble for David down the road.

Absalom number one. Who's number two?

Well there's so many before Absalom and then what did and

then do. Yeah, heard it.

So everybody thinks this is what I'm saying.

He raped his half, sister Tamar, who was whose full sister

Absalom, what does Absalom do? Because of that kills Antonin,

but he doesn't just kill. And then what does he do?

He attempts to usurp the Throne of his father, right?

He fails, he dies, who comes next?

To cause havoc in the Kingdom, there's one more.

Adonijah. If you said adonijah, you are

right adonijah who seeks to seize the throne before Solomon

occupies it because he is the rightful Heir.

So you see three out of this list are going to cause so much

problems for David. And I just David for all of

Israel would you like to know why?

Would you like to know why does anybody have an idea?

Why David's Sons, at least the majority of them were

troublesome? Was David a good King?

Yeah, so many times, the profits have pointed back to David as a

standard that they failed to keep up with in terms of his

relationship with God was David a good dad.

They have proof of that. And we have so much proof to say

that he was a good King. But do we have any proof that he

was a good dad or a bad dad? There was a sword in his family,

as a result of his sin with Bathsheba.

Absolutely, that is part of the reason why there would be so

much trouble in his kingdom in his own family.

Yes, it was a consequence, but there was another thing.

There's a failure on David's part, and another way.

We're onto something. When Tamar was violated the

David intervene, no, here is a blatant statement.

Of David's leniency with his children.

Go to 1st Kings, go to chapter one.

Look at verse 52, verse 6, and you will see a direct commentary

on the failure of David's part as a dad.

First Kings, chapter 1, verse 5, First Kings chapter 1, verse 5.

1 Kings 1:5 1 Kings 1:5

This is when adonijah sprung up and started to cause problems,

verse 5 now, adonijah, the son of Hagee exalted himself, I will

be king and he prepared for himself chariots and Horsemen

and fifty men to run before him. Now, look at this verse six.

His father had never at any time, displeased him by asking,

why have you done thus? And so Do you see it?

His father had never disciplined him.

His father had never admonished him.

His father had never sat him down as his, why are you doing

this? How could you do this?

You have to be disciplined for this, that was completely absent

and I'm sure it was not just with adonijah but with all of

his children he didn't raise them up.

He didn't raise them up and righteousness.

He failed to give the necessary attention that a child would

need especially in a specific window of time where the roots

of their character are developed.

So, David was a great king, great administrator, great

warrior bad father. And how could he be when you

have several wives? All sharing the same, man.

How do you do that? How do you give equal attention?

Most people struggle with one wife, one husband, one

household. You can just imagine the

complexities would jealousy and this kids issues and that child

wants their father's attention and who knows probably.

So overwhelmed that he just backs off of it completely and

leaves it completely to these mothers.

But that that vacuum, that vacancy there of a father,

contributed to the rebellion of their children.

That is so important to understand because when you see

this This Valley in general. What you also see down the road

is that he was a distracted and disconnected.

Father. And you cannot ignore, you

cannot ignore the strong lesson about the importance of the

family unit. And its impact in society.

What I mean by that, when you put all the pieces together, you

cannot deny that there was a direct influence between the

trouble and David's house and the stabilization of the nation

of Israel. All of these Sons cause trouble

to the nation. Yeah, the problem started at

home and we're within the household, but had a ripple

effect into the streets into into into it cause even a Civil

War at one point and it is no difference.

It is no difference for Any Nation.

The strength of Any Nation is dependent upon the foundation of

the family institution. You can't separate those two

realities. And what's so important to see

is that you can add to it by saying that the strength of a

local church. Church is greatly supported

about the robustness of the inter familiar relations of

individual Christian homes. Let me prove it to you, if you

don't think that's the case. Then why is it that Paul says,

if a pastor cannot rule his home, he has no business ruling

a local congregation. Because you can't have a sick

home and a healthy Church. If we really believe that may

God, give us wisdom, then where should most of our energy and

our programs, and our teachings go to, at least outside of the

word of God, the whole counsel of God families.

Nurturing marriages giving people a help and how they can

interact and know how to involve their children involved.

Their lives and their schedules. We need to build Healthy

Families because that will have a direct impact on the church

and that will have a direct impact on society.

I'm telling you, most of our news headlines can be solved if

we put most of our taxpayer dollars into building healthy

homes. All the foolishness in the

craziness it all statistically points.

Back to fatherlessness, you know this and here we are spinning on

our heads. Wondering what we're going to

do. Change all the laws you want.

If you don't have healthy marriages, you're not going to

have healthy kids. If you don't have healthy kids,

you're not going to have a healthy Society.

I wish David believe that. What would have become of his

kingdom? If he truly gave the attention

that he did to his army and to his War plans and to his

whatever it was, what would it be?

If he gave this kind of heartfelt, Devotion to his

children? I'm sure his kingdom would be

different different thing, a blessing.

But because he failed to do so Israel paid for it, not just

him. So we come back to to our

chapter and verse 6. Wow, there was war between the

house of Saul and the House of David Abner was making himself

strong in the house of Saul. Now, saw how to concubine whose

name was rizpah. The daughter of AI and is beset,

set to Abner. Why have you gone into my

father's concubine? Then after was very angry over

the words of ishka. Chef and said, am I a dog's head

of Judah to this day? I keep showing steadfast love to

the house of Saul, your father to his brothers and his friends,

and have not given you into the hand of David.

And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman.

Let's stop there for a moment. In verse 1, you and I learned

that the house of Saul was becoming weaker and weaker.

There are different reasons for that.

The obvious reason, was that the House of David had God on their

side but I'd like to look at the verses that we just read as just

one Insight. Because what's about to happen

right now will bring a final And lethal blow to this

establishment and it began with a confrontation.

It really began and ended with a confrontation is for Seth,

approaches Abner and he accuses them of a specific sin.

Why did you sleep with one of my father's concubines?

Now, this sin here is beyond just sexual immorality.

This is more than a scandal within leadership.

In the days of David, what would happen is when the king died, he

would transfer many things to the successor.

One of the things he would transfer was Haram.

He would transfer these concubines his wives over almost

in a way, like, it was kind of property, right?

And so that would be brought over to the successor.

Now, if anybody overstepped his bounds and went to violate one

of these weeds concubines or sleep with Them, it was more

than just saying you know, I'm trying to satisfy my lust.

This was a political move. It was a said, saying I want

control, I'm claiming your property to be my property and

it was, it was in a sense, a declaration that I have a desire

for equal Authority as the king and we can prove that in

scripture. Remember when Absalom tries to

overthrow, David, David and his men move out into the Wilderness

and he received Eyes. Take your father's concubines

and sleep with them on the roof and make a public spectacle that

you are now the King by doing such a thing adonijah.

There's something very similar. He goes to Bathsheba and First

1 Kings 2 · chapter mention

Kings chapter 2, when Solomon becomes king and he asks for one

of Solomon's concubines and Solomon understood what he meant

by that and has him killed. And so this is less about A

scandal sexually and more about a political struggle for power.

Why is this important to understand?

The house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

If you and I want to protect our individual respective homes, if

you and I want to protect this church home, then let's receive

some insight and how we can prevent internal erosion.

And here's one way we can see it.

Wherever there is selfish ambition, there is disorder and

any organization. Whenever there is a lust, not

just sexually a Lust For position, a lust for power,

whatever the case may be, what you will inherit inevitably is

destruction. There will be problems that you

cannot even imagine the weakness of its passats kingdom was, was

for many reasons, but as I said earlier, one man's apparent

craving would bring a deathblow to any potential.

This Kingdom becoming something effective long-term.

The New Testament speaks of the same thing.

I've quoted this verse many times, but I want to I want to

tell you about two evil twins to evil twins, that live in a lot

of people's congregations and even their own homes.

James 3:16 Says for where jealousy and selfish ambition

James 3:16

exist. Those are the two evil twins

jealousy and selfish ambition, wherever they exist wherever

they are. Tolerated, wherever they're

living wherever they are. Not resisted and Dealt with, and

it's early forms for where jealousy and selfish ambition

exist. What do you have there will be

disorder and every vile practice.

Abner clearly had a desire to secure his position and maybe

over time, he now wants to grow in his position and take over is

besides place if that is indeed true.

And this is now about to now split up because he's about to

now make his pledge of allegiance to David.

It started with his his desire be coming out of control, for

his ambition, to be met. And I want to tell you that that

will be true for any place, especially in Ministry.

And I what I love to do is whenever I see command like

this, that that puts that puts a sober understanding of the

potential of what we can do. I like to flip it, positively to

see the potential fruit if you do it in the opposite way.

So this verse says, for where jealousy and selfish ambition

exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

I look, and I said, well what's the opposite of jealousy?

And selfish ambition, any ideas? I think the opposite of jealousy

is what thing honor. You don't covet something that

doesn't belong to you. You don't feel threatened by

somebody. Who does something that you

would want to want to. Do you honor them, you see them

as an asset, you see them, as an addition, you see them as a

partner. What's the opposite of selfish?

Ambition. Humility.

It's not about what you want, isn't about your drive, your

passions, your dreams. It's about a greater goal.

It's about God's kingdom his name and wherever you have to

fit in the slot to make it run properly.

You will fit in that slot. So let me put it this way,

wherever there is honor and humility.

What's the opposite of disorder? Hoarder orders, good right there

will be order. And what is this?

A every vile practice. I like to say every good, every

good practice, every good thing where there is honor and

humility, there will be order and every good thing May honor

and humidity live in our hearts in this church.

So we come now the verse 8 and 10.

We read verse 8. Let's continue with Abner's

words. God do so in verse 9 to have

there and more. Also if I do not accomplish for

David, what the Lord has sworn to him to transfer the Kingdom

from the house of Saul and set up the Throne of David over

Israel. Over Judah from Dan to Beersheba

and look at this verse 11 and it's bichette could not answer

Abner another word because he feared him tell me, what kind of

man is for Seth was Abner's reaction.

Here is not what we would, probably think for someone who

was caught for potential treason. and people are divided

on, whether or not Abner really did do what he was accused of

Some say he's defensive here and others would say he's not really

disregarding the charge, but he's offended by the fact that

he would be challenged for something.

After all that he has done for this Manish bichette.

Where do you stand? Do you think there's any clues

in here that Abner actually did do this?

Or do you think this is just a false accusation?

What are some reasons for us to believe that he did do it or

potentially, did it? Look at verse 6 again.

Abner. The second part was making

himself strong in the house of Saul.

Makes you wonder that over the years of Abner has built a

loyalty base, and he knew that he had the support of the

majority of the tribes, that he felt confident enough to make

such a bold move thinking that somehow it might even, it might

be on to his benefit because he has a support of majority.

Look at verse 11 again and ishka.

Seth could not answer Abner another word because he feared

him. This guy was a coward.

This guy did not have, he did not have courage Abner knew that

because he made him a king and he made it more like a puppet

kind of figure because he was using him to, to do something

for Abner. It's very difficult to believe.

If this was issued with his character, say, is force of ten

times in a row. Give me mercy, please.

It's very difficult to believe that if this King was this kind

of man, that he would have the courage to confront him.

For something that wasn't true. It would make more sense.

If he actually had evidence that he did do this, with the hope

that this evidence was would shut the mouths of Abner and he

would be able to put him in his place.

Now these are just speculations. Others would say well no Abner

if you really wanted the throne he wouldn't he wouldn't say I'm

going to David's side. He would say, you know, I have

the right and if he could overcome a specific with the

support of the people, he could have, he could have done more

things. Like what we see in the book of

Kings kill, King's assassinate them, whatever, but no, he backs

off his, okay? If you're going to accuse me of

this, then I'm out of here. See you later and he walks away.

or, or Is it possible? That is beset with made this up?

Because he saw that Abner was becoming strong and he realized

this is a threat to me. And so, let me accuse him of

this and, and with the hopes that maybe he will be offended

and he will leave and or something.

We can speculate, can we not? We can go on and on about what

and how, and who and her. And we're not going to do that.

Because the main point here to draw from these passages was the

reason for Abner's desire and decision to transfer his support

from this King to David. Was Abner doing the right thing

to choose to be on David's side. Yeah.

So right decision. Was it for the right reason,

though. I don't think so.

I don't think he's doing it for the right reason.

What reason do you think he's doing this for?

Number one Revenge. Despite this man you're going to

tell me I did this. If it's true then you're going

to actually confront me, you pipsqueak, right?

You're going to come you little coward and you're going to

actually come from me after all that.

I've done for you if it was true if it wasn't true.

That's even a greater offense, you're going to accuse me of

this, after all that I've done for you.

And so he says I'm going, I'm going to the other side and I

need to teach you a lesson. I'm going to make you regret

what you just did, okay? Secondly, Remember verse one,

the House of David was what becoming stronger and the house

of Israel. Seth was what becoming weaker

and weaker? Do you think Abner knew that Was

he not a professional General? Could it be that Abner realized

that his plan is failing? And he realizes this ship is

sinking. And because of that, the king

comes up, brings up this. This, this accusation and Abner

sees this as an opportunity to jump ship.

Okay, you're going to accuse me and he makes a whole spectacle.

He doesn't try to reconcile. It doesn't try to defend

themself. She's all right.

And he leaves so that he doesn't seem like he's betraying, but

that he has a story on a side, you know, you made me think

that, you know, he caused this and spreading rumors about me.

So I'm out of here and he joins David side hoping to secure

something and David's blessed Dynamic Dynasty.

And that's what you see because he sends Messengers to David and

he says, make a covenant with me.

We're going to read that in a moment.

Actually, this reader right now. Verse 12 and Abner, sent

Messengers to David on his behalf saying to whom does the

land belong, make your Covenant with me and behold.

My hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.

There's no repentance here. There's no apology, there's no

confession of wrong for years. You were causing trouble for

David bass in your own words. You knew that David was God's

man from the beginning and you still deliberately Caused

obstacle and problems because you had an ambition greater than

God's glory. And now all four is sudden, when

you realize that your plan is failing, you're going to join

The Winning Side. This is this is arrogant.

This is so, obviously, despicable and Paul would say

that the motive of many Servants of Christ.

Are also no different than Abner's didn't he say to the

Philippians? Some indeed preach Christ out of

envy and rivalry. Some indeed preach Christ out of

envy and rivalry. Paul knew that Paul knew that

people went into Ministry. Paul knew that people preached

and taught the word of God, spread the gospel not out of

Goodwill, but out of envy and rivalry, it was a sport for some

preachers. We want a bigger church.

We want a bigger conference. We want a bigger Bible study, we

want more numbers. It was just kind of six

competition and Paul knew that so, we have to understand that,

not everybody who serves God is really serving God, but it's not

up to us to judge people for that because in the same passage

Paul says, but I Rejoice. Why does Paul Rejoice still?

Because Christ is being preached.

Christ is being preached. You have to see beyond if the

sea Beyond what's happening in people's hearts, you have to see

how even despite that God's name is still being glorified.

And Paul says in that I could that's a mature Christian man,

that is a mature disciple of the Lord.

Jesus Christ, amateur servant of God, even even though he knew

people were not in the right place, he says that that's up to

Christ, that's up to Christ to deal with them.

I'm seeing the fruit, I'm seeing the result of what's taking

place here and I can still praise the Lord.

And that's incredible to me, Abner is not doing it for the

right reason. He wants to make peace.

David is up for it verse 13. He said good, I will make a

covenant with you. Look if this means peace, If

this means that this civil thing can come to an end then good.

I'll make a covenant with you. It doesn't try to dig deep into

his motives and reasons. But look what he says here.

He wants to see if he's really serious.

But one thing I require of you that is you shall not see my

face. Unless you first bring Mahal

Saul's daughter? When you come to see my face?

Wow, we haven't heard that name in a long time.

Okay, you want peace. Go get my first wife.

How was David's first wife? Did David divorce.

His wife? Did she divorce David?

What happened? Despite David's all takes his

wife and gives her to another man.

David did not forget about it. And really, this timing is even

more brilliant than if he had done it earlier.

Because now at this point with the contention, with all the

things happening in Israel, what greater way to show that the

house of Saul is joined to the House of David by marrying or at

least three stablishing, a union with Saul's daughter, go get

her. I want her.

Abner doesn't hesitate so what he does.

Is verse 14, David sent Messengers to ishka.

Seth's all son saying, give me my wife Mahal for whom.

I pay the bridal price of 100 foreskins of the Philistines and

is beset sent and took her from her husband, Paul T eldest, son

of lionfish. But her husband, this breaks me.

Every time I read this verse, it kind of makes me sad, but her

husband went with her weeping after all the way to the rim.

Then Abner set them go return and he returned.

Sad sight, huh? Years have gone by and this man

married McCall, the memories that they had together the

friendship that they had together and all for sudden a

knot comes on the door and you have the general of the army

with all these soldiers saying David is asking for me, haha,

time to go pack your bags. This man's life is just

shattered before him and you can just imagine as they're

traveling on horse or whatever by Chariot or walking at this

this husband is scaling along the path, begging for them to

make a decision for his benefit. Begging them to not do Do this

and they're just ignoring him. Finally, I've not had enough to

stop it. Go back and he goes back.

Kind of makes you feel sympathetic towards this man.

And this may sound harsh but understand where I'm coming

from. It really is his fault.

To a certain extent. Isn't it is, what business do

you have marrying somebody? That has a husband.

He agreed to this. He said, sure, he violated God's

law and just like, with David and his children.

The results did not immediately surface.

But down the road, they eventually came To haunt him.

And what's important to understand from this, Is pal tol

had obviously confidence to make such a decision based on

something. And here's what I argue, Saul

was The Mastermind behind us saw, says take my daughter and

here's Palio saying you're the king.

If the king says, it's okay. Then surely it must be.

Okay, do you see where I'm going with this?

So, I will take her. Because I have, I have not just

the king, I have his permission the law, so to speak.

This man has the authority over the land and if he says, it's

fine, then surely it's fine. So, he takes an illegitimate

wife. And he tries to build a future

with her and tries to no blessing with her.

And here's what this man and others fail to understand, there

is a higher Court. There is a greater law than all

the laws and all the courts of the land.

And listen. I don't care how Supreme the

Supreme Court is, there is the court more Supreme And it

doesn't matter what they legitimize or what they

legalized, or what they make illegal, what they say is wrong.

God's law is always in effect, always.

And here's the simple summary of His law across all generations,

all cultures, if you obey God, you will be blessed.

If you disobey God, you will be cursed, it's as simple as that.

So, you have many people today, who find great comfort that

culture, approves of it government, approves of it, my

state approves a bit. So surely must be, right?

You have to realize that there is a Higher Throne.

And that Throne governs over all Thrones and God's law overrides

all laws. And if a nation wants to be

blessed, it will align itself to the law of God, Psalm 9 tells us

that the Nations will go to XI ol, all who forget, God, And

unfortunately here that although people tell here, patio here got

permission from saw. He didn't get God's permission.

And we save ourselves just like this man for Many, Many Tears.

When we honor this word above everything else.

When we place his word is supreme authority, we protect

ourselves from much heartache, much pain, much regret much

sorrow and this is a clear example of that.

And so this man, lost his wife. No, he didn't lose his wife.

David is getting his wife back and if he had understood that

from the beginning and he would have saved himself from much

trouble. And if David would have learned

that lesson himself, When he understood that, you can't take

somebody or something that doesn't belong to you without

repercussions. Oh, if he had just learned from

this, unfortunately, like many of us, we only learn when we

feel the bite of it. When it's in sermon form.

It's inspirational for the moment but it tends to leak out.

until that thing gets to us and leaves a mark, it doesn't have

to be Doesn't have to be because we can be strong as John tells

us by getting the word of God in us and believing it and applying

it so that we can overcome the evil one.

Can we pray? Louis, thank you for this Bible

study. Lord.

It is our desire to be stronger in Jesus.

It is our desire to grow. It is our longing.

At this flesh. Would be subject to the spirit.

But we thank you for the wonderful lessons that you have

presented to us through these verses.

And Lord, we want. We want order in our lives.

Lord, if there's anything in our lives.

That is so obviously outside of your will but we are not seeing

the consequences of it yet, would you by your grace

highlight the blind spots? Or the things that we have.

Deceived ourselves with so that we can escape the sting of it.

Lord, we don't want to be like Abner and serve you when it's

beneficial to us. We want to serve you at all

times. No matter what, we get out of

it. And so Lord, we are heading into

a day where more and more to be branded as a Christian.

Will be much more difficult. Than it was 20, 30 40 years ago,

but we want to declare to you tonight that we are staying in

the ship. And we will honor you by your

mercy and Grace until you call us home.

And Lord, our desire is not to have something within your

kingdom, but for you are King to be pleased to do what you desire

for us. Lord, we thank you for this

place. Where honor and humility rain,

May you strengthen that in us so that we would see greater order

in our relationships with one another.

We see greater order in our Ministries.

And that we would say every good practice, wonderful fruit.

Although there is much we can say, but we will sing it to you.

And we finally say before we say, Amen, that we submit to

your word. That your court is what we

appeal to your court is who we submit to your word.

Your law, your will We Will Not Bow to Caesar, we will serve

Christ and Jesus name we pray. Amen.