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"The Prelude To David's Kingdom" • 10.18.15 •
Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro
- We closed our message last week with verse 1
noting the house of David's increasing strength with the simultaneous decline
of the house of Ishbosheth.
- The section we are about to look at tells us
how that came to pass. Let's look at verse 2.
Text
• II
Samuel 3:2-5 : "Sons were born to
David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; his second, Chileab,
by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of
Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah
the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth,
Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron." : Part of David's "strength" in that
ancient world came from his six wives, who had borne him one son apiece.
- We already know of the first two wives and
the specific circumstance by which Abigail became David's 3rd wife, which we
studied in I Samuel 25.
- There is no history provided regarding these
other wives, but at least one, Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur, embodied
a political treaty.
- What King would attack a land where a Daughter
and Grandson lived? Alternately, what Son-in-Law would attack his
Father-in-Law's land?
- Understand also that these marriages were
rarely marriages in the way that we are married today. This was more a matter
of power consolidation, which was a temptation for any King.
- Anticipating that a King would seek to do that,
the Lord inspired Moses to write the following in Deuteronomy 17:17. A King was not to multiply horses or gold to
himself. Verse 17 states.
• Deuteronomy
17:17 : "Neither shall he multiply wives for himself,
lest his heart turn away;" : God's
Word is clear. David was not to multiply wives for himself. Principally, David
is not to seek to establish power that he can put his trust in. God wants to be
His strength.
- Once again, just a chapter away from the
notable good example of David's inquiry for God's direction, we're confronted
with a willingness on David's part to compromise on this point!
- Folks, it can happen that fast! You and I, if
left to ourselves, are one chapter away from compromising our values and
inviting a temptation into our lives that could turn our hearts away!
- God doesn't want David to look at his kids or
the political treaties that they represented and begin to trust in that
strength. He wants to be that source for David and for us.
- And then, there are David's sons. Do you
think David's actions affected their spiritual growth?
- Three of his sons are anonymous in the
history of the Bible, mentioned, but not ever described, while the other three
are infamous for their terrible actions.
- None of these children attained to their
Father's place spiritually.
- On a final note, David's polygamy has often
been a source of trouble for believers throughout the years, but none were more
troubled than David! Look at all these wives and kids to support?
- Remember that the Bible records what happened
without recommendation. Heterosexual monogamous marriage is God's initial and
only approved plan.
- David will discover that being married to
more than one woman will bring troubles that are not worth the passion.
- This helps to begin to explain David's
strength. The author continues by beginning to document the declining stength
of Ishbosheth's house. Verse 3.
• II Samuel 3:6 : "Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and
the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul." : Abner, by strength of experience, began his campaign against
David already possessing great strength of control. As time wore on, Abner's only
became more firmly entrenched.
-
The language indicates that this was what he had been doing and what he
continued to do.
-
With every action, Abner solidified his position of power over the house of
Ishbosheth. He was the true King of the North and he acted that way. Note verse
7.
•
II Samuel 3:7-11 : "And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of
Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, 'Why have you gone in to my father’s
concubine?' Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said,
'Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of
Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered
you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning
this woman? May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as
the Lord has sworn to him—to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and
set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.'
And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him." : Abner's confidence in his own powerful positon leads him to
involve himself in a sexual relationship with one of Saul's concubines, a woman
who had bore Saul two sons during his life.
-
The fact that he becomes so angry suggests that he did indeed have sexual
relations with this woman, though he never admits it.
-
In the ancient world, this action was tantamount to declaring oneself the King,
which is why Ishbosheth questions this action. Abner isn't going to take any
accusation from Ishbosheth.
-
I love his level of insult: "Am I a dog's head that belongs to
Judah!?" What could be more worthless in Ishbosheth's part of Israel!?
-
Abner claims to have shown loyalty, but it may be that he is truly realizing
that he has been fighting for the losing side all along.
-
As he noted David's increasing strength and Ishbosheth's decreasing strength,
he may have taken the opportunity, both to save face and to switch sides!
-
He promises to join in on what God has promised to David. He's going to carry
the Kingdom over to David and unite both sides of Israel, North and South,
behind him!
-
Ishbosheth just sat there and didn't answer a word. He lived in a perpetual
fear of Abner. This moment provides the final turn which leads to a united
Kingdom.
-
Please note again that David is not the one pursuing it. But Abner is. Verse 12.
•
II Samuel 3:12-16 : "Then Abner sent messengers on his
behalf to David, saying, 'Whose is the land?' saying also, 'Make your covenant
with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you.' And David said, 'Good, I will make
a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face
unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.' So David sent messengers to
Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, 'Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to
myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.' And Ishbosheth sent and took her
from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish. Then her husband went along with
her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, 'Go, return!' And he
returned." : Almost immediately, Abner makes
his move, sending his men through the back channels to meet with David.
-
"Whose is the land" are words of bravado. Abner has the keys to the
North and he is willing to surrender them in an agreement with David and he
doesn't dispute the claim.
-
David imposes a condition upon Abner by asking that his first wife, Michal, be
brought to him. He did pay two hundred Philistine foreskins for her after all!
-
Having begun this section with a list of six wives, why does David need another
one?
-
There is perhaps a hint of restoration toward David's reputation here, as the
ancient law codes instructed that a woman could be given to another man in the
case of abandonment.
-
David had not abandoned her, but was forced by her Father to leave. This might
have also been a political move,
as many of Saul's family remained. Either way Abner and Ishbosheth comply.
-
Paltiel, Michal's husband, on the other hand, didn't take it too well! He cried
along the road until Abner said "Go home you big baby!" Without a
word of retort, Paltiel just walked back home!
•
II Samuel 3:17-21 : "Now Abner had communicated with the
elders of Israel, saying, 'In time past you were seeking for David to be king
over you. Now then,
do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘By
the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the
hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’ And Abner also spoke in the hearing
of Benjamin. Then Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron
all that seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin. So Abner and twenty men with him came
to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with
him. Then Abner said to David, 'I will arise
and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a
covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.' So
David sent Abner away, and he went in peace." : Having reached out to David, Abner moves now to do the same
with the elders of Israel, who had initially wanted David to be their King. He
tells them that this is their chance to make that happen.
-
Look at his encouragement: Do it! "You once wanted this. Make it
happen!" Then take note of his confession: "The Lord has spoken of
David." What was Abner referencing?
-
Was he merely taking statements that we've already seen and synthesizing them?
Was he quoting a well known saying that would later become scripture.
-
Some of what he says here sounds a bit like bits of Psalms, but there isn't a
verse that matches this. Ultimately, this shows us that Abner knew that David
was God's choice all along!
-
It is never enough to know God's will if you are actively working against it
coming to pass! That had been Abner's life. At this point, whether from a good
or bad motive, he's done with it!
-
He's now fully invested in bringing God's will to pass on behalf of David.
After talking with the leaders of Israel and the house of Benjamin, Abner
finally meets David face to face.
-
David welcomed Abner and his entourage with a great and gracious feast. What a
sight to behold for both men!
-
There was a time when they had both sat at Saul's table and a time when at
least one of them would have gladly killed the other!
-
Loyalty to Saul made Abner look the other way when the King acted on his
insanity against David. They had spent years on opposing sides and there was a
lot of water under their bridge.
-
But here, Abner no longer fighting God's choice, sits with David at ease and in
peace. At the end of a great evening, Abner swears that he'll bring all of
Israel into a covenant with David.
-
"You will reign over all that your heart desires." These are Abner's
departing words and David sent him away in peace, a fact that will be mentioned
two more times.
•
II Samuel 3:22-25 : "At that moment the servants of
David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them. But Abner was
not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. When Joab and all the troops that
were with him had come, they told Joab, saying, 'Abner the son of Ner came to
the king, and he sent him away, and he has gone in peace.' Then Joab came to the king and
said, 'What have you done? Look, Abner came to you; why is it that you sent him
away, and he has already gone? Surely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you,
to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.'" : Joab has missed this entire episode and is only now returning
from a raid that was going to greatly enrich the King.
-
David's men fill him in on the whole story, including the fact that Abner had
just left a banquet with the King in his honor! Joab is mortified and goes into
David's presence with a scathing rebuke!
-
He believes that David has been duped. He supposes that Abner had merely
concocted a story and was simply looking for a way to collect reconnaisance
because that's what he would do!
-
Joab's frustration, however honest, was more than likely a cover for what
happens next. • II Samuel 3:26-30 : "And when Joab had gone from David’s
presence, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of
Sirah. But David did not know it. Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in
the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so
that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother. Afterward, when David heard it, he
said, 'My kingdom and I are guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s
house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a
discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who
lacks bread.' So Joab and Abishai his brother
killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the
battle." : With little time to act, Joab
calls Abner back to Hebron without David's knowledge.
-
Joab acts quickly, without hesitation and brutally kills Abner in cold blood
with Abishai as his accomplice. Abner dies for the sake of Joab's short sighted
and misplaced vengeance.
-
Some have said that Joab was acting as the Kinsman Redeemer on behalf of
Asahel. The problem is that Asahel had been killed in battle, which wasn't a
condition for the Kinsman Redeemer.
-
There had to be premeditation, with an intent to murder. That had not taken
place between Abner and Asahel. Second, Abner was under David's protection in
his city.
-
Hospitality in that part of the world was held in great importance and a person
who was invited into another person's house could properly assume their host's
protection.
-
Third, the city of Hebron was a city given to the priests and was identified as
a city of refuge according to Joshua
20:7.This is why David responds the way that he does.
-
David not only immediately distances himself from Joab's action, he curses his
General! Let this sin rest upon Joab alone, from his Father's house to his
descendants!
•
II Samuel 3:31-34 : "Then David said to Joab and to all
the people who were with him, 'Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with
sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.' And King David followed the coffin. So they buried Abner in Hebron; and
the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people
wept. And the
king sang a lament over Abner and said: 'Should Abner die as a fool dies? Your hands were not bound nor your feet put into fetters; As a man falls before wicked men, so you fell.' Then all
the people wept over him again." : As David
had done at the news of Saul's death, so he does here at Abner's death.
-
David instructed his men, everyone who was with him, to mourn the loss of Abner.
He participated in the funeral procession and buried him in his own city.
-
Abner was given the royal treatment, treated as a citizen of the Kingdom, not
an enemy of the state! His song lamented his death.
-
He was a noble warrior who died in a senseless way! He had turned toward peace
and was struck down by wicked men! The loss to David was staggering and the
people felt it the same way!
•
II Samuel 3:35-39 : "And when all the people came to
persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, 'God
do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes
down!' Now all
the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did
pleased all the people. For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it
had not been the king’s intent to kill Abner the son of Ner. Then the king said to his servants,
'Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? And I am weak today, though
anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The Lord shall repay the evildoer according
to his wickedness.'" - David would not touch an ounce of food, no matter what was said to
him. He refused on account of Abner's loss.
-
David wasn't looking to hold a grudge. He was ready to start living his life
and exploring his friendship with Abner, but that was cut short by a senseless
act committed by his own General!
-
His authenticity and his vulnerability, his cry for righteousness and his
grieving at unrighteousness was on full display and the people noticed it.
-
"Took note" is better translated, "acknowledged with
honor." They saw it and it moved them to admiration. It pleased them, just
as all that David did pleased them!
-
David's response to Abner's death convinced all of Israel that he had not set
up Abner nor was he a participant in any of Joab's proceedings.
Conclusion
- David is on the verge of seeing the Kingdom united
behind him. While he is about to be in the most powerful position of his life,
there are warning signs that will haunt him.
- First, note his willingness to disregard
God's Word. He multiplied wives to himself, indicative of a misplaced trust.
God alone is worthy of our trust. He wants to be our strength alone.
- Does God have Your complete trust? Is He Your
first and most trusted help in time of need?
- Second, note his willingness to put himself
in temptation's way. His many wives would afford him easy access to what
eventually will blind his judgment.
- Are you willing to open the door a little in
areas? Nudge now and burst later! It's best to be as remote as possible from
the temptations that would ruin our lives.
- Finally, note his willingness to pass on
discipline. Joab rightly deserved to die and David admitted that Joab and
Abishai's ways were "too harsh" "too severe," "too
cruel" for him.
- He rightly says that the Lord repays evil
doers. But he wrongly excuses his own lack of action. He was the agency by
which proper discipline would occur.
- This will be a problem for him and for any
person who is used to the people's approval in all things! Remember that as a
Christian, it only matters that God approves!
- David is certainly a flawed character and God
will be gracious for in David's life, there is an ever present picture of God's
King Jesus, that emerges brightly.
- Unlike David, Jesus has one bride, the
Church! He laid down His sinless life for her. Like David, He invites His
former enemies to His table and welcomes them to a feast.
- All the people at His table have realized
that they were fighting for a worthless cause that was being continually
drained of all it's strength.
- Every person who will be at His table has
turned from a world and from their efforts to hold it up, and turned to a
person worth trusting and submitting their lives to!
- Unlike David's time, when we come into Christ's
care, there isn't a person on Earth that can touch us for He will dispense
vengeance upon those who choose to remain His enemies!
- For those of us who have offered ourselves
and our influence to His cause, we will ever live under the shadow of His
Almighty wing and in the reward that is due to our King!
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