|
Read 1 Kings 1
1 Kings 1:17 Bathsheba said to him, “My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the Lord your God: ‘Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.’” WE continue our look at particular people in the Bible with a first look at Solomon. “Wisdom” is often a word that comes to mind when we hear his name. As with other lives from God’s story, Solomon sometimes glorified God with wise decisions. Sometimes he seemed to forget this gift. We begin to understand this complex man to know God formed and anointed him to succeed David as Israel’s king. Although reading 1 Kings 1 may cause us to think Solomon became king because his mother and others wanted him to be, we learn God’s will for Solomon from David’s words to his son: 1 Chronicles 22:8-10 “But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. 9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. 10 He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’” Note the intimate father-son relationship that God will have with Solomon. Also, the “forever throne”, of course, refers to Jesus to descend from David’s and Solomon’s lineage. Bathsheba, Nathan and Zadok were acting in God’s will to establish Solomon above his half-brother Adonijah. A good lesson is that as we often pray, “Your will be done, Lord.” we must respond as the Lord wills us. Saved in Christ, we must act daily to accomplish God’s plans for our lives. As Solomon, each of has been anointed to the throne room of God in order to fulfill his will to be done on earth. Solomon is on the throne because God put him there. You are saved into Jesus’ glory because the Holy Spirit put you there. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Read 2 Samuel 24:18-25
2 Samuel 24:22-25 Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. 23 O king, Araunah gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.” 24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. 25 David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped. THIS is our final glimpse at David’s life. This sacrifice on a Jerusalem threshing floor is more than one offering to stop God’s judgment. In fact, this site points to God’s entire covenant of salvation from Abraham to Jesus Christ and to you. We begin to see this when David has a personal encounter with the angel of the Lord. The angel, sent to strike Jerusalem, is stopped at the LORD’s command. David has sacrificially offered himself to God’s judgment. And in response to David’s humility and confession, the judgment ends. This threshing floor is believed to be Mount Moriah, the same place God sent Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. When Abraham submitted to God’s judgment to even sacrifice his own son, God held back Abraham’s hand to offer a substitute for Isaac. Abraham and David learned the high cost of sin and the expansive mercy of God. There is much more. This threshing floor is the site of the temple David’s son Solomon will soon build. In this temple will be the priestly sacrifices to hold back the LORD’s judgment hand. Then one day to this same mountain came the great sacrifice of our High Priest, Jesus Christ. The Son of God, rich in mercy, laid down his life to pay the high cost of sin. God’s has mercifully holds back his judgment hand to wrap you in his arms of grace when you humbly confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Time and again, God’s Word teaches us the justice of God’s judgment and the grace of God’s mercy. There is no greater wisdom than to know this. Ephesians 2:3-5 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. Read 2 Samuel 24:1-17
2 Samuel 24:1 Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” 2 So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.” 3 But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”…10 David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”…15 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. THIS final chapter of 2 Samuel could easily be two separate chapters as they describe very different elements of David’s final years on the throne. First, God uses David’s sin to judge Israel. How does this make sense? We do not read of a specific sin. But Israel’s pattern was consistently distance themselves from the LORD’s holy law. The LORD’s response is to incite David to sin. This means he permitted Satan and sin to influence David. Once again, we understand the Bible teaches the LORD does not create sin; he allows it in the world as a tool to fulfill his purpose. For example, God exhibits this in Peter’s sin against Jesus: Luke 22:31-34 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Jesus didn’t pray for Satan to stop, but he prayed for Peter’s protection through the temptation. God incited Peter to sin in order to sift him into a more humble, obedient servant. David, too, needed more humility. Even at the end of his reign when God had saved him from so much opposition, David still exhibited too much pride. David wanted to know the great number of soldiers under his command to be satisfied in his accomplishments. Too often we count God’s provision to say, “Look what I have done!” God’s rebuke would be a lesson to David, to Israel and to the next generations. David repents. He is willing that he and his family be a substitution for Israel – an echo of the Christ to come. This judgment is also a lesson for Jesus’ church right now. With humility, know all comes from God. Seek, obey the sovereign Lord’s will. Pause now and consider, “What am I counting?” Is it the number of things, the amount of money or valued possessions – or is it your relationship with Jesus? Does pride or humility direct your desires? Be thankful you can count on Jesus’ salvation. Be God’s tool of grace. Romans 4:7-8 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” Read 2 Samuel 23:8-39
2 Samuel 23:15-17, 39 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, O Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men…39 and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all. THE Scripture moves from David’s praise of God into an affirmation of the men who have fought with and sacrificed for David through many battles and years from the time Saul pursued David. Three mighty men, Josheb-Basshebet, Eleazer and Shammah, were especially Spirit-empowered to exhibit supernatural strength and fortitude. Their feats mirror Samson’s. None were Israelites. God uses all nations to his purpose. The three also risked their lives to retrieve water David desired from Bethlehem. Why did David pour it on the ground? Didn’t this insult the three? Instead, this honors the three. David recognized the selfishness of his desire. He saw the men’s love and commitment caused them to risk their lives over a trifle. His offering to the LORD was his testimony to the men, thanking God that their lives were secure, despite David’s foolish pleasure. It’s too bad he did not realize that with Uriah the Hittite. This conclusion to the exploits of David’s mighty men points us to an often-ignored or unknown tragedy of David’s sin with Bathsheba. Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, was one of the 37 mighty men who helped David survive Saul’s pursuit and defeat Israel’s enemies. The loyal Uriah, born of a warrior nation, placed his allegiance to God, his fellow soldiers and the king above his desires. His loyalty cost him his life as David only considered his own desires. David’s life was certainly stained with much blood. God’s mercy, though, extended to him through the future promise of Jesus’ blood. Psalms 149:4 For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Read 2 Samuel 23
2 Samuel 23:3-4 “The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, 4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning.’” EARLY dawn is one of my favorite summer moments. With the rising sun, I can awaken to walk and work in the light. The promise of the day is ahead. The dawn is one way to view God’s just rule. When you trust he is righteous, his Life Light awakens you. You become eager to journey with him. His truth reflects in you. Your righteousness displays an appropriate fear – a worship and reverence – for God. People listen to you, and they discover the light of God’s compassion, love and truth. 2 Samuel 23:1 tells you the purpose of the rest of the chapter: These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs.” An oracle is an announcement, information of utmost importance. As David surely considered both his triumphs and failures, he wanted Israel to surely know God is his Rock, his Light. He spoke of life on a true journey with God as clear and purposeful. David experienced God in many ways. The Holy Spirit anointed and empowered David to many skills and gifts. He protected David against deadly enemies. God rebuked, judged, encouraged, forgave and empowered his anointed shepherd. As David ruled over men in righteousness, he saw God’s hand prosper Israel like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning. How good, David encouraged, it is to journey with the Light into his promises. If you might be wandering or wondering about your life, learn from David’s wisdom here. Pray the Spirit awakens your soul to see God’s righteousness become your light, too. Zephaniah 3:5a The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail. Read 2 Samuel 22-23
2 Samuel 22:29-30 You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. 30 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. 2 Samuel 22 is a remarkable praise to God. Please read it and meditate on it. See how powerfully David, the psalmist, the songwriter, has portrayed the LORD God. As one pastor has said, 2 Samuel could be called “David” as it portrays David’s victories, sins, opposition and power. David has just come through the “valley of the Shadow of Death”. Absalom, his son, has killed another of David’s sons. Absalom has rebelled against his father, driving David out of Israel. Absalom is killed in battle. Thousands of soldiers have died. David grieves his sons and almost loses his troops. Sheba led a second rebellion against David and the tribe of Judah. The Philistines once again opposed Israel. Warfare rages within Israel and from without, within David’s soul and from his opponents. It has been, I’m sure, a most wearisome, fearful time. Does David respond to these troubles with, “Why, God? Why, me? What’s wrong with you, LORD? Why don’t you come and help me? Where are you when I need you?” No. David does not say such sinful words against his Holy Father in heaven. Instead, David praises God. His worship illustrates how our hearts are to continually respond to God in all circumstances. He praises God, rich in mercy, who is still with him to strengthen him. It’s true, isn’t it, that people reject God when life doesn’t go as they please? They prefer to be distant from him and angry with him because he doesn’t give them what they want. Our sin nature causes us to believe we deserve only good things. We cry, “Give me!” and expect God to comply. Our desires, though, should be for God. God wants us to understand that he “turns my darkness into light”, so we see our way out of the dark cells of sin that imprison us. Yes, God is freedom. He is your lamp in the darkness. He is your lamp out in the darkness. See him in all things. Worship God to joyfully live in his comforting light and sure strength. 2 Samuel 22:2-3 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior – from violent men you save me. Read 2 Samuel 19-21
2 Samuel 19:19 “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind.” DAVID is victorious. He has the power to condemn his enemies. But he forgives. This is a picture of God’s reign over his people. His will is to be our King in peace and forgiveness. Born into the sin of Adam, we are God’s enemies. We are spiritually at war with God as we dwell in the world’s ways, opposing his commands. “Rebellion” is a word to refer to Israel’s rejection of God in the desert wanderings and later in the Promised Land. God, the Commander, could have easily ended all rebellion with one word to heave’s army. But God is merciful to forgive our sins. He ended the rebellion of our hearts when he sent not a Warrior but his Peacemaker, Jesus Christ. Graciously, our Father in Heaven accepts the blood of Jesus as the way to our peace with him. Rejoice in these words of forgiveness and reconciliation: Romans 8:1 there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus & Romans 5:10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son. When you live into God’s peace, you will be saved from God’s wrath: Romans 10:8-9 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Receive Jesus, the Peacemaker. Welcome him into your life. In the power of the Holy Spirit, live in peace with your Father in Heaven. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” I pray you believe and live these words. Amen. Read 2 Samuel 16-18
2 Samuel 18:7 There the army of Israel was defeated by David’s men, and the casualties that day were great – twenty thousand men. & 2 Samuel 18:32 “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son!” DAVID mourns deeply for his son. It is a lament heard down through the centuries as we consider a father’s loss and a son’s rebellion. A broken family experiences the worst possible consequences. Then I wonder how David felt about the 20,000 men who had been killed and wounded? The civil war in Israel came from lust, revenge, murder and unforgiveness in David’s household. Do you see how this tragic story began with David’s sin with Bathsheba? David killed a man to cover his own sexual lust. Absalom killed his half-brother, Amnon, who was, like his father, guilty of sexual lust. Then David ignores Absalom’s murder of Amnon. Was, perhaps, David feeling guilty over his past transgressions? Was he feeling unworthy to discipline his sons? This is very possible. Guilt keeps us from doing right. Absalom rebels. Thousands die. Wives become widows. Children lose their fathers. A nation loses the gifts and strength of 20,000 fighting men who were to protect Israel from her enemies. Sexual sin is a black mark on mankind’s soul. Everywhere we look in the world, we see people who are living broken lives because they come from broken homes. What happens in a home never stays there. The brokenness moves through families and our culture as a deadly cancer, destroying people’s lives and the community. What’s happening in your home? Is there something you need to make right? Do it now before the wrong it kills and destroys. Pause and Consider: that what we do always affects someone else. Read 2 Samuel 13-15
2 Samuel 14:14 “But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him.” DUE to a series of sins among David’s children and David’s failure to address those sins, a family breaks down. King David, the one who has conquered a giant, subdued nations, and escaped death many times, demonstrates he is incapable of dealing with his sons’ sins and daughter’s violation. And further, he is incapable of going to Absalom to say, “I love you. Let’s find a way to heal the wounds.” Joab understands David’s broken relationship with Absalom can lead to David and his family losing the throne. This would threaten God’s covenant promise of an eternal king through David’s line. Thus, Joab coaches a woman to reveal to David of a powerful truth of Gods’ character. God has made a promise. As God has repeatedly restored Israel’s from their sinful ways, so David must restore Absalom from his sins. David is to be a father to his son as the LORD God is a Father of the nation. David responds only partially to the lesson. He calls Absalom back home. Yet, David rejects a face-to-face meeting. He is unwilling, apparently, to confront the pain of reconciliation in order that father and son can enjoy the peace of reconciliation. This is a common story. Very many fathers and sons are separated because they will not confront the boundaries that block their relationships. But consider your Father in heaven! Who would you be, where would the world be if the Father had considered the pain of reconciliation too much to bear? Without Jesus’ pain and the Father’s sacrifice, we would not be face-to-face with God today – or ever. Yes, reconciliation is painful. But separation is deadly. There is no life where relationships die. Do you prefer David’s way or the LORD’s way? Look to your heavenly Father for the example of relationship restoration. With love and strength, the LORD’s will is to come into the conflicts of your heart to draw you to him. With fatherly love as his motivating force, David needed to go into the conflict of their relationship, willing to suffer the wounds of his relationship with Absalom, so father and son would be restored. Parents, is there something keeping you from your children? Go to them, even if you risk being wounded. Say to your child, “I love you. Let’s learn how we can live together.” Reconciliation Makes You New 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: Read 2 Samuel 10-12
2 Samuel 11:9-11 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house. 10 When David was told, “Uriah did not go home,” he asked him, “Haven’t you just come from a distance? Why didn’t you go home?” 11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” THIS is a very sad story. David, the magnificent king of Israel, makes a tragic mistake. David, the one with a great heart for God, turns his heart to darkness. And a simple foreign soldier shows a greater love for God than the man of God. How does that happen? A Hittite soldier honors the ones for whom he fights. The king dishonors the one who fights for him. And then the king murders the Hittite. David, how could you be so greedy, so cruel, so lost? Was it pride that took you to this darkness? Was it boredom? Why didn’t you go to fight that spring and lead your soldiers as you should? Why did you let your eye fall on another’s wife? Why did you turn your inward lust to outer shame? What is it in us humans that makes us want more than God has given us? Is it ever possible to be thankful and happy with what we have, to keep our eyes at home? Keep our eyes on God? Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. David seemed to have no fear of God’s commands. Perhaps his worldly wealth blocked heaven’s provision. |
AuthorBob James Archives
November 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed