HOW TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
This is based on the book of 2 Samuel in the
N.I.V. Bible written about 930 BC or about 39
lifetimes ago. Our comments are in brackets.
After Saul's death David returned to Ziklag
after defeating the Amalekites. An Amalekite
arrived from Mount Gilboa who told David that
wounded Saul had asked him to kill him. He said
he did, taking his crown and armband, bringing
them to David. (Based on I Samuel Ch. 31 the
Amalekite lied, probably expecting a reward). He
reported that Jonathan was also dead.
David & his men tore their clothes, mourned,
wept & fasted until evening. David asked the
Amalekite "Why weren't you afraid to destroy the
Lord's anointed?" So after telling him his blood
was on his own head for killing the Lord's
anointed, David had one of his men kill him.
David ordered a lament be taught the men of
Judah:
Your glory Israel is slain.
How the mighty have fallen!
Tell it not, lest the Philistines rejoice.
Mountains of Gilboa, may you be barren, for
the shield of the mighty was defiled.
Saul & Jonathan, in life loved & gracious and
in death not parted.
Swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
Israel, weep for Saul who clothed you in
finery.
I grieve for you Jonathan my very dear brother.
How the mighty have fallen!
The weapons of war have perished!"
(Chapter 1)
David asked God if he should (return from
Philistine territory and) go up to one of the
towns of Judah.
The Lord said, "Yes."
David said, "Where?"
The Lord said, "Hebron."
So David took wives Ahinoam & Abigail, his men &
their families & settled in Hebron & nearby. Men
of Judah came & anointed David as their king.
Hearing the men of Jabesh Gilead (about 80 miles
to the North East) had buried Saul, David sent
messengers saying,"The Lord bless you for this
kindness.I too will show you favour for the house
of Judah has made me their king."
Meanwhile, Abner, Saul's army commander, had
taken Saul's son Ish-Bosheth to Mahanaim (near
Jabesh Gilead) and made him king.
Abner & Ish-Bosheth's men moved until they were
25 miles north of Hebron at Gibeon. David, Joab &
his men met them at a pool there. Facing each
other across the pool, they decided that 12 men
from each side should settle the issue. But it
didn't, a fierce battle followed and David won.
Ashel, Joab's brother, chased Abner. Abner warned
him to stop or be killed. He kept pursuing, so
Abner killed him. Joab with his other brother,
Abishai, kept pursuing Abner.At sundown, on a
hill near Gibeon, the men of Benjamin rallied
behind Abner & took their stand. So Abner called
to Joab,"Must the sword devour forever...stop
pursuing your brothers."
Joab answered, "As sure as God lives, if you
hadn't spoken we would have pursued until
morning." So, blowing the trumpet, he called the
pursuit off.
All that night Abner & his men marched,
continuing until they covered the 80 miles back
North East to Mahanaim.
Returning, Joab found he had lost twenty men but
had killed three hundred & sixty of Abner's
Benjamites.They buried Asahel in his father's
tomb at Bethlehem, marched all night and arrived
at Hebron at daybreak.
(Chapter 2)
The war between the houses of Saul & David lasted
a long time, David gaining the upper hand. David
acquired four more wives in Hebron and fathered
six sons, one to each wife.
Abner, who had strengthened his position in the
house of Saul, had a disagreement with
Ish-Bosheth, who feared him. Therefore he decided
to transfer his allegiance to David and help him
establish his rule over the whole nation.
He sent messengers to David who told him this.
David agreed on condition that Abner bring Saul's
daughter Michal who was David's first wife.David
made this demand to Ish-Bosheth by messenger, who
took her from her husband.He followed, weeping,
until Abner told him to return home.
Abner told Israel's elders it was time to make
David king because the Lord promised David, "By
my servant David I will rescue my people Israel
from the hand of the Philistines and from the
hand of all their enemies."
After speaking to the Benjamites he went to
Hebron.David gave him & his men a feast. He then
asked David to let him assemble all Israel to
make a compact that David be supreme ruler. So
David sent him away in peace.
Just after he had gone, David's men and Joab
returned from a raid with a great deal of
plunder. Joab asked David why he had let Abner
go, convinced he had only come to spy on David's
position.
Unknown to David Joab sent messengers to recall
Abner. At the gateway to Hebron, to avenge the
blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in
the stomach & he died. When David heard, he said
"I and my kingdom are forever innocent before
the Lord concerning this, may his blood fall on
the head of Joab." David had Joab and the people
tear their clothes, put on sackcloth and walk in
mourning in front of Abner. King David walked
behind the bier and wept aloud at his tomb in
Hebron as did all the people. He sang a lament
and refused food until sundown. This pleased the
people and that day all Israel knew David had no
part in Abner's murder. He said to his men that
though king, he was weak and Joab and brother
Abishai were too strong for him. He added "May
the Lord repay the evildoer according to his
evil deeds."
(Chapter 3)
When Ish-bosheth heard about Abner he lost
courage. He had two men who were leaders of
raiding bands. They came to his house in the
heat of the day while he was on his bed for his
noonday rest. After stabbing him in the stomach
they cut off his head, travelled all night and
brought it to David at Hebron. Expecting the
king to be pleased, they said, "The Lord has
avenged my lord the king against Saul and his
offspring."
But David said, "As surely as the Lord lives who
has delivered me out of all trouble, I rewarded
with death the man who thought he was bringing
good news when he told me Saul was dead. Worse
than that, you have killed an innocent man in
his own house on his own bed." So David ordered
his men to kill them. Their hands and feet were
cut off and their bodies hung by the pool in
Hebron. Ish-bosheth's head was buried in Abner's
tomb at Hebron.
(Chapter 4)
Israel's tribes came to David at Hebron saying:
-We are your own flesh and blood.
-Under Saul you led our military campaigns.
-The Lord said to you, "You will shepherd My
people Israel and become their ruler."
So David made a compact with them before the
Lord and they anointed him king. He was thirty
and reigned 7.5 years in Hebron and 33 years in
Jerusalem.
David and his men marched on Jerusalem. The
defenders were confident but David captured the
fortress of Zion, the City of David. He took up
residence and Hiram king of Tyre built him a
palace. He became more powerful BECAUSE THE LORD
GOD ALMIGHTY WAS WITH HIM. AND DAVID KNEW THAT
THE LORD HAD ESTABLISHED HIM AS KING. AND
EXALTED HIS KINGDOM FOR THE SAKE OF HIS PEOPLE
ISRAEL. He took more wives and concubines and 11
children were born in Jerusalem.
Hearing of his anointing as king,the Philistines
came out in full force. David went to his
stronghold and asked the Lord,
-Shall I attack
-Will I succeed?
The Lord answered, "Go for I will surely hand
the Philistines over to you." So David went and
defeated them.
The Philistines came again. Again David asked
the Lord, who answered, "Do not go straight up,
but circle around behind them and attack in
front of the balsam trees. When you hear the
sound of marching in the tops of the balsam
trees, move quickly because that will mean the
Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the
Philistine army." David obeyed and succeeded.
(Chapter 5)
David took 30,000 chosen men to bring the Ark of
God from Kiriath Jearim some 10 miles to the
north east of Jerusalem. The Ark of God is
called by the name of the Lord Almighty, who is
enthroned between the cherubim on it. It was set
on a new cart.
Uzzah and Ahio guided it, Ahio walking in front.
David and all Israel celebrated with all their
might before the Lord, with songs, harps, lyres,
tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.
But the oxen stumbled. Uzzah reached out and
took hold of the Ark, the Lord's anger burned
because of his irreverent act and God struck him
dead.
David was angry and afraid of the Lord.
Unwilling to take it into the City of David he
took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite
for 3 months.
Hearing that God had blessed Obed-Edom, David
brought up the Ark to the City of David with
rejoicing. After those carrying the Ark took 6
steps David sacrificed a bull and a fattened
calf.
Wearing a linen ephod, David danced before the
Lord with all his might while he and all Israel
brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts and
the sound of trumpets.
As the Ark entered the city, Saul's daughter
Michal, from a window, saw David leaping and
dancing before the Lord and she despised him in
her heart. When David returned home to bless his
household she voiced her disgust at his
"disrobing in the sight of the slave girls as
any vulgar fellow would." David defended his
right to celebrate before the Lord, but Michal
had no children to the day of her death.
The Ark was put inside the tent David had
pitched for it. He sacrificed burnt and
fellowship offerings before the Lord. Then he
blessed the people in the name of the Lord
Almighty and gave everyone a loaf of bread, a
cake of raisins and a cake of dates. And all the
people returned home.
(Chapter 6)
Settled in his palace, and given rest from his
enemies by the Lord, David said to Nathan the
prophet, "I am living in a palace of cedar but
the Ark of God remains in a tent."
(Without consulting God) Nathan said Do what you
will, for the Lord is with you. That night God
told him, "Tell David, the Lord says:
-Why build me a house?
-I've never had one from the day I brought
Israel out of Egypt 'til to-day. I've moved
with them with a tent as my dwelling.
-I've never asked for a house from any ruler
I commanded to shepherd my people Israel.
-Tell David, the Lord Almighty says,
-I took you from following the flock to be
ruler over my people Israel.
-I have been with you wherever you have
gone.
-I have cut off your enemies.
-I will make your name great.
-I will provide a place for my people
Israel.
-I will plant them so they are no longer
disturbed or oppressed by wicked people.
-I will also give you rest from your
enemies.
-I will establish a house for you.
-I will raise up your offspring to succeed
you.
-I will establish his house throne and
kingdom forever and:
-I will be his father.
-He will be my son.
-I'll punish his wrongdoing with the rod
of men.
-My love will never be taken from him."
-Then David sat before the Lord and said
-Who am I sovereign Lord, that you've
brought me thus far?
-And even more, that you have also spoken
about the future of your servant's house?
-Is this your usual way of dealing with man
O sovereign Lord?
-You know me O sovereign Lord.
-FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR WORD AND ACCORDING TO
YOUR WILL, YOU HAVE DONE THIS GREAT THING
AND MADE IT KNOWN TO YOUR SERVANT.
-HOW GREAT YOU ARE O SOVEREIGN LORD.
-THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU, NO GOD BUT YOU,
AS WE HAVE HEARD WITH OUR OWN EARS.
-And who is like Israel, the one nation on
earth you:
-WENT OUT TO REDEEM AS A PEOPLE FOR
YOURSELF.
-USED TO MAKE A NAME FOR YOURSELF.
-PERFORMED GREAT AND AWESOME WONDERS FOR,
BY DRIVING OUT NATIONS AND THEIR GODS
FROM BEFORE YOUR PEOPLE.
-REDEEMED FROM EGYPT.
-ESTABLISHED AS YOUR VERY OWN FOREVER.
-HAVE BECOME THEIR GOD.
-Now, Lord God, keep forever the promise
you've made to your servant of his house:
-Do as promised so your name will BE GREAT
FOREVER and men will say THE LORD
ALMIGHTY IS GOD OVER ISRAEL.
-You've revealed all this to me your
servant and it's given me courage to
offer you this prayer:
-O sovereign Lord, you are God. YOUR
WORDS ARE TRUSTWORTHY.
-Be pleased to bless the house of your
servant.
-O sovereign Lord, you have spoken and
with your blessing, the house of your
servant will be blessed forever.
(Chapter 7)
David defeated:
-The Philistines.
-The Moabites.
-Hadadezer who went to restore his control
along the Euphrates.
-The Arameans of Damascus who went to help
Hadadezer.
THE LORD GAVE DAVID VICTORY WHEREVER HE WENT.
David received gifts from kings relieved by his
victories. These together with silver and gold
from defeated nations he DEDICATED TO THE LORD.
David became famous after killing 18,000
Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
THE LORD GAVE DAVID VICTORY WHEREVER HE WENT.
David reigned over Israel DOING WHAT WAS JUST
AND RIGHT for all his people;
-Joab was over the army.
-Jehoshaphat was recorder.
-Seriah was secretary.
-Bennaiah controlled the Kerethites and
Pelethites.
-David's sons were royal advisors.
(Chapter 8)
David asked if anyone was left of Saul's
household he could be kind to for Jonathan's
sake. He found there was a son of Jonathan's
called Mephibosheth so David had him brought
before him and said:
-Don't fear.
-I'll be kind to you for the sake of your
father Jonathan.
-I'll restore to you all your grandfather
Saul's land.
-You'll always eat at my table.
-To Saul's servant Ziba that he, his 15 sons
and 20 servants were to farm Mephibosheth's
land to provide for him.
When Mephibosheth was five years old, news of
Saul and Jonathan's death arrived so his nurse
picked him up and while fleeing, dropped him and
both his feet were crippled for life.
(Chapter 9)
The king of the Ammonites, east of the Jordan
died and David sent a delegation to show
sympathy. But they were treated as spies and
humiliated.
The Ammonites waited for David's reaction with
13,000 of their own soldiers and 20,000 hired
Arameans. David sent Joab and his entire army.
The Ammonites' battle formation was outside
their city and the Arameans in the open country.
With battle lines before and behind, Joab
deployed his best troops against the Arameans
and the rest, under his brother Abishai, against
the Ammonites. If needed, one was to come to the
aid of the other. Joab said, "Be strong, fight
bravely for our people and the cities of our
God. THE LORD WILL DO WHAT IS GOOD IN HIS
SIGHT."
Joab advanced and the Arameans fled. Seeing this
the Ammonites fled, so Joab returned to
Jerusalem.
Then the Arameans regrouped.
So David and all Israel crossed the Jordan and
defeated them killing 700 (or 7,000 - I
Chronicles 19:18) charioteers, 40,000 foot
soldiers and their army commander. The Arameans
made peace, became subject to Israel and feared
to help the Ammonites any more.
(Chapter 10)
David sent Joab and the whole Israelite army who
destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah
(east of the Jordan).
But David remained in Jerusalem.
He got up from his bed one evening, walked on
the palace roof and saw below a very beautiful
woman named Bathsheba, bathing. She was not
pregnant to her husband Uriah at the time.
David invited her in, she came, he slept with
her, she went home, found herself pregnant and
told David.
So David had Joab send him Uriah. David asked
him about Joab, the soldiers, and the war then
told him to go home and wash his feet. (Uriah
understood this meant relax and have sex with
your wife). He left and David sent a gift after
him. But he didn't go home. David asked why.
Uriah replied, "The Ark, the army and Joab are
camped in open fields. How could I go to my
house, eat, drink and lie with my wife? I refuse
to do that."
So David asked him to stay another day. David
got him drunk, hoping he would go home, but he
didn't.
So David wrote Joab a letter and sent it with
Uriah instructing Uriah be put where the
fighting was fiercest and left unprotected so he
would be killed. Joab obeyed and Uriah was
killed being left unprotected.
Joab sent a messenger with a full account of the
battle. He said If David gets angry that he
foolishly got too near the city defenders, tell
him Uriah is dead. When David heard what had
happened, he told the messenger to tell Joab,
"Don't be upset, soldiers get killed, attack and
destroy the city. Say this to encourage Joab."
After Bathsheba mourned, David had her brought
to his house. She became his wife and bore a
son. BUT THE THING DAVID HAD DONE DISPLEASED
THE LORD.
(Chapter 11)
The Lord sent Nathan to David and said:
-There was a rich man who owned lots of sheep.
-There was a poor man who only owned one
little pet ewe lamb.
-To make a meal for a traveller the rich man
killed the poor man's ewe lamb.
Burning with anger David said, "The man deserves
to die, he must pay fourfold for the lamb."
Nathan said, "YOU ARE THE MAN, THE LORD THE GOD
OF ISRAEL SAYS:
-I ANOINTED YOU KING OF ISRAEL
-I DELIVERED YOU FROM SAUL
-I GAVE YOU SAUL'S HOUSE AND HIS WIVES
-I GAVE YOU THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH
-AND WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU EVEN MORE.
-WHY DID YOU DESPISE THE WORD OF THE LORD BY
DOING WHAT IS EVIL IN HIS EYES?
-You killed Uriah and took his wife.
-So the sword will never depart from your
house, BECAUSE YOU DESPISED ME and took
Bathsheba
-I'll bring calamity on you.
-I'll give your wives to one close to you who
will lie with them in the broad daylight.
-YOU DID IT IN SECRET BUT I'LL DO IT IN BROAD
DAYLIGHT BEFORE ALL ISRAEL."
David said, "I HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE LORD."
Nathan said, "The Lord has taken away your sin.
You won't die (the penalty for adultery was
death). Because you've made the enemies of the
Lord show bitter contempt, the son born to you
will die."
After Nathan went, the Lord struck the child
with illness.
David pleaded for him, he fasted and spent
nights lying on the ground.
On the seventh day the child died.
The servant feared to tell him, thinking he
might do something desperate.
But, to their amazement, David washed, changed
his clothes, went into the house of the Lord,
worshipped and ate.
Asked why, he said, "While alive, I fasted and
wept thinking the Lord may be gracious and
spare the child.Now he's dead, what's the use?"
David comforted Bathsheba and she had a son
called Solomon.
The Lord loved him and sent word through Nathan
to name him Jedidah (loved by the Lord).
Meanwhile Joab continued fighting the Ammonites,
capturing the royal citadel at Rabbah. He sent
messengers asking David to come with more
troops to besiege and capture the city or else
he would and name it after himself.
So David came, captured it, took the Ammonite
king's jewelled gold royal crown weighing about
34 kilograms and wore it. (One would think,
briefly!). He took lots of plunder and made the
people labour with saws, picks, axes and at
brickmaking. He did this to all Ammonite towns.
Then he and the army returned to Jerusalem.
(Chapter 12)
David's son Amnon, fell in love with Tamar, the
beautiful virgin sister of his brother Absalom.
As a result:
-He was frustrated to the point of illness.
-A "friend" advised him to fake illness and ask
David to have her come to his bedroom and
prepare food.
-He did that.
-When she served him the bread she'd made he
wouldn't eat and sent everyone out of the
room.
-He asked her to bring it into his bedroom and
feed him.
-He then grabbed her and said, "Come to bed
with me."
-She said:
-Don't force me. Such a wicked thing should
not be done in Israel.
-How could I get rid of my disgrace.
-You would be like one of the wicked fools in
Israel.
-Speak to the king, he'll allow you to marry
me.
But he wouldn't listen and being stronger than
she, raped her.
Then he:
-Hated her more than he loved her.
-Told her to get up and get out.
-Wouldn't listen when she said "Sending me
away would be a greater wrong than you've
already done to me."
-Told his personal assistant to, "Get this
woman out of here and bolt the door after
her," which he did.
-Still wearing the richly ornamented robe of a
king's virgin daughter, she:
-Put ashes on her head.
-Tore the ornamented robe.
-Put her hand on her head and went away
weeping aloud.
-Absalom said to her:
-Has that Amnon, your brother been with you?
-Be quiet, don't take this thing to heart.
-She lived in her brother Absalom's house, a
desolate woman.
-King David heard and was furious.
-Absalom hated Amnon but said nothing to him.
-Two years later, Absalom invited his brothers
and father to Baal Hazor (just north of
Jerusalem) where his sheep shearers were, but
David didn't come.
-Absalom ordered his men to kill Amnon when
drunk and they did.
-All the king's sons fled.
-David heard, stood up, tore his clothes and
lay on the ground while his servants stood by
with torn clothes.
-But David's brother Jonadab told him only
Amnon was dead, this being Absalom's
expressed intention since the rape.
-Absalom fled north to Geshur in Aram and
stayed 3 years.
-The king's sons arrived, wailing loudly.
-The king mourned for his son daily.
-The king longed to go to Absalom, being
consoled about Amnon's death.
(Chapter 13)
Joab knew David longed for Absalom.
He got a wise woman to pretend mourning, and put
these words in her mouth to speak to David;
-My 2 sons had a fight in a field, with no one
to separate them, so one was killed.
-Now the whole clan wants me to hand over the
one who struck his brother down so he can be
put to death. But then I'd have no one and
the family name would cease.
David said, "Your son will be protected."
She said, "You've done the same to Israel as the
clan has done to me by,
not bringing Absalom home."
David asked her if Joab had put her up to this.
She answered "Yes."
David said to Joab "Bring him back."
He did, but David said, "He must go to his own
house and not see me."
Absalom was the most highly praised man in
Israel for his handsome appearance.
-He had 3 sons and a daughter, a beautiful
woman named Tamar.
-For 2 years he didn't see his father, so he
sent for Joab to get him to send him to the
king but he wouldn't come. A second request
was also refused.
-As Joab's field was next to his, Absalom set
it afire.
Joab asked him why.
Absalom said "Because you didn't help me see the
king. I might just as well have stayed in
Geshur."
So Joab told David this.
David summoned Absalom who bowed face to ground
and David kissed him.
(Chapter 14)
Absalom got a chariot, horses and 50 men to run
ahead.
Up early by the side of the road leading to the
city gate he offered swifter justice than the
king could give if only he were made a judge. He
reached out his hand and kissed anyone
approaching and so stole the hearts of the men
of Israel.
After 4 years he asked David's permission to
fulfil a vow to the Lord and worship Him in
Hebron. The king said, "Go in peace."
He sent secret messages through Israel saying,
"As soon as you hear the sound of trumpets say
Absalom is king in Hebron." 200 men from
Jerusalem, unaware of the conspiracy,
accompanied him to Hebron. He also sent for
Ahithophel, David's counsellor. Thus the
conspiracy gained strength and his following
increased.
Hearing of this, David, his officials and
household fled Jerusalem. Among them was a
foreigner named Ittai. David urged him to return
but he elected to stay.
The Ark of the Covenant was with them. Abiathar
offered sacrifices until all left Jerusalem. The
king ordered it returned to the city. He said,
"If I find favour in the Lord's eyes, He will
bring me back and let me see it and His dwelling
place. If He says I am not pleased with you
then I am ready. LET HIM DO WHATEVER SEEMS GOOD
TO HIM."
David sent priests Zadok and Abiathar back to
Jerusalem with their two sons and instructions
to send word to him at the fords in the desert.
David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping,
head covered and barefoot. Knowing Ahithophel
was a conspirator he prayed, "O Lord turn his
counsel to foolishness." At the summit Hushai
met him, so David said return and offer to be
Absalom's servant, then help me by frustrating
Ahithophel's advice. Keep Zadok and Ahithophel
informed and send their sons with anything you
hear.
(Chapter 15)
Just beyond the summit, Mephibosheth's steward
Ziba met David. He had a string of donkeys
saddled and loaded with food for David's use. He
told David his master was in Jerusalem hoping
the kingdom would be restored to him. So David
told him, "All that belonged to Mephibosheth is
now yours."
As David proceeded, Shimei from Saul's clan,
cursed David and pelted him and his officials
with stones. "The Lord has given the kingdom to
Absalom and brought you to ruin because you're a
man of blood" he said. Abishai, Joab's brother,
offered to cut Shimei's head off but David
restrained him saying, "The Lord has told him to
curse. Maybe the Lord will repay me with good
for this cursing." So the king and his people
continued, arrived at their destination
exhausted, and there the king refreshed himself.
Meanwhile Absalom and his men, including
Ahithophel, arrived in Jerusalem. David's friend
Hushai offered to serve him as he had David. It
was considered that Ahithophel's advice came
from God so Absalom asked what he should do.
"Lie with your father's concubines that he left
to look after the palace to show you're in
charge" was the reply. So he did that in a tent
on the palace roof in the sight of all Israel.
(As prophesied in Chapter 12).
(Chapter 16)
Ahithophel advised Absalom to take 12,000 men
attack and kill David that night while he was
weary and weak and bring the people back. It
seemed a good plan but Absalom asked Hushai's
advice before acting. Hushai said he risked
defeat because his father and his men were
experienced fighters. He advised Absalom to
gather and lead all Israel to defeat David and
his men. Absalom took Hushai's advice, "For the
Lord has determined to frustrate Ahithophel's
advice to bring disaster to Absalom." Hushai
organised Jonathon and Ahimaaz to tell David
immediately to flee quickly. After hiding in a
well to escape Absalom's men, they got the
message to David. David acted and by daybreak
all had crossed the Jordan. They stopped at
Mahanaim about 60 miles north east of Jerusalem
where locals provided bedding, cooking utensils
and food, knowing they were hungry, tired and
thirsty.
Meanwhile Ahithophel went home and hanged
himself.
Absalom appointed Amasa,David's nephew, in place
of Joab as army commander, crossed the Jordan
with all the men of Israel and camped in Gilead.
(Chapter 17)
David mustered his troops and said he would lead
them, but they persuaded him to "give them
support from the city." They heard his
instructions to protect Absalom. Absalom's army
was defeated in the forest of Ephraim and there
were 20,000 casualties. The mule Absalom was
riding went under an oak tree and he was left
hanging in midair. A soldier saw this, reported
to Joab but refused to kill Absalom reminding
him of the king's instructions. So Joab plunged
three javelins into Absalom's heart, then the
armour bearers struck and killed him.
Joab sounded the trumpet, the pursuit of fleeing
Israel stopped, Absalom was thrown in a pit and
covered with a large heap of rocks. He had
erected a monument to himself in The King's
Valley probably near Jerusalem.
The king awaited news near the city gate. The
watchmen recognised the runners coming and told
the king who thought good news was coming.
Hearing of his son's death he was shaken, went
to his room above the gateway and wept, saying,
"O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If
only I had died instead of you - O Absalom, my
son, my son."
(Chapter 18)
The king's mourning meant the men could not
celebrate their victory. Joab told the king he
had humiliated them and to go and encourage them
or they would all desert. So the king got up and
took his seat in the gateway.
Meanwhile, Israelites were arguing about asking
David to return as king. Hearing this, he sent a
message to priests Zadok and Abiathar asking why
they hadn't invited him back and telling Amasa
he was army commander in place of Joab. David
was not invited to return so he came as far as
the Jordan. Men of Judah, with Shinei and Ziba
rushed to the king ready to do whatever he
wished, Shimei begged forgiveness for abusing
him when he left Jerusalem. Abishai said he
deserved death. This displeased David who said
it was not a day for revenge, and promised
Shimei, safety on an oath. David asked
Mephibosheth why he hadn't gone with him. He
replied that he had his donkey saddled ready to
go but was betrayed and slandered by his servant
Ziba. David ordered him and Ziba to divide the
fields. Mephibosheth said Ziba could have the
lot now David was home safely. The very wealthy
80 year old, Barzillai, who had provided for
David in Mahanaim, came to farewell David. The
king invited him to Jerusalem promising to look
after him. But, wishing to return home, he sent
Kimham instead and David blessed the old man.
So David, all Judah's troops and half Israel's
crossed the Jordan to Gilgal, about 15 miles
north east of Jerusalem. Then Israel's troops
came to David and accused Judah of stealing the
king away and crossing the Jordan.
(Chapter 19)
A troublemaker, Sheba blew the trumpet and
shouted, "We have no share in David." So
Israel's men deserted David to follow him. But
Judah's men stayed loyal all the way to
Jerusalem.
There, David confined the 10 concubines to a
house under guard to live as widows until death.
He asked Amasa to summon Judah's men and come
with them in 3 days. But he took longer, so
David directed Abishai to pursue Sheba with
Joab's men and other warriors. At Gibeon, about
10 miles north west of Jerusalem, Amasa arrived,
Joab greeted him and plunged his dagger into his
belly and his intestines spilled on the ground.
One stab and he was dead. While Amasa wallowed
in his blood in the middle of the road one of
Joab's men said, "Who ever is for Joab and
David, follow Joab." So all the men went with
Joab to pursue Sheba. They besieged him in Abel
Beth Maacah about 90 miles north of Jerusalem. A
wise woman of the city offered to throw Sheba's
head over the wall if they'd lift the siege.
Joab agreed, the head was thrown over, the
soldiers returned to their home and Joab
returned to the king of Jerusalem.
There Joab (again) commanded the army, Benaniah
was over the Kerethites and Pelethites (royal
guard), Adoniram was in charge of forced labour,
Jehoshaphat was recorder, Sheva was secretary,
Zadok and Abiathar were priests and Ira was
David's priest.
(Chapter 20)
During David's reign, there was a famine for 3
years. So David sought the face of the Lord, who
said, "It's because of Saul and his blood
stained house, in putting the Gibeonites to
death."
David summoned the Gibeonites and asked how he
could make amends so they'd bless the Lord's
inheritance. They asked that seven of Saul's
male descendants be killed and exposed before
the Lord at Gibeah. David agreed. So they killed
all seven together during the first days of
harvest. Rizpah, the mother of two sons who were
killed, took sackcloth, spread it out for
herself on a rock and from harvest start 'til
the day the drought broke did not let birds or
beasts by day or night touch their bodies. When
David heard, he took the bones of Saul and
Jonathan from Jabesh Gilead, had them buried in
the tomb of Saul's father, and the bones of
those who had been exposed gathered up.
AFTER THAT GOD ANSWERED PRAYER FOR THE LAND.
There was a battle between the Philistines and
Israel, David fought, became exhausted and was
about to be killed when Abishai saved him. So
David's men swore he'd never go to battle again,
"So that the lamp of Israel will not be
extinguished."
In each of three other battles with the
Philistines, one of David's men defeated
seemingly impossibly strong opponents.
(Chapter 21)
When the Lord saved David from his enemies he
sang this song:
-The Lord is my rock, fortress, deliverer,
refuge, shield, strong salvation,
stronghold, saviour - from violent men.
-I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise.
-I had big problems, waves of death,
overwhelming torrents of destruction, cords
of the grave coiling, snares of death.
-I called to the Lord, my God and from His
temple He heard me and being angry:
-The earth trembled and quaked.
-The foundation of the heavens shook.
-He parted the heavens and came down, dark
clouds under His feet.
-He mounted cherubim and flew:-
-Soaring on the wings of the wind
-Making rain clouds His dark canopy
-Bolts of lightning blazing from His
bright presence
-Voice resounding thunder
-Shooting arrows and bolts of lightning,
scattering enemies.
-Exposing the valleys of the sea, the
earth's foundations.
-Reaching down:-
-Taking hold of me.
-Drawing me out the deep waters.
-Rescuing me from strong foes, my
powerful enemy who confronted me in
my day of disaster.
-Being my support He:-
-Brought me into a spacious place
-Rescued and delighted in me
-Dealt with me according to His
righteousness, the cleanness of my
hands.
-I have:
-Kept God's ways
-Not done evil by turning from Him or His
decrees.
-Kept His laws before me.
-Been blameless before Him.
-The Lord has rewarded me according to my
righteousness and cleanness showing
Himself:-
-Faithful to the faithful.
-Blameless to the blameless.
-Pure to the pure but crooked to the shrewd.
-The Saviour of the humble but bringing low
the haughty,
-My lamp in the darkness, turning my
darkness to light.
-My help in advancing against a troop; with
Him I can scale a wall.
-God:-
-His way is perfect.
-His word is flawless.
-Is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
-Who is beside Him?
-There is no other rock.
-Arms me with strength
-Makes my way perfect
-Makes my feet like hinds' feet so I can
stand on heights.
-Trains my hands for battle.
-Gives me His shield of victory.
-Stoops down to make me great.
-Broadens the path beneath me.
-Pursues and crushes my enemies.
-Arms me with strength for the battle.
-Makes my adversaries bow at my feet, turn in
flight, so I can beat them as fine as dust.
-Delivers me from attack by my people.
-Preserves me as the head of nations.
-Makes foreigners subject to me, losing heart
coming trembling from their strongholds.
-Lives! Praise Him! May He be exalted, my
rock, my Saviour.
-Avenges me, subdues nations, frees me from
enemies.
-Give me great victories.
-Shows unfailing kindness to His anointed.
-Therefore I will praise you, O Lord among the
nations.
(Chapter 22)
The last words of David, a man:
-Exalted by the most high.
-Anointed by the God of Jacob, and Israel's
singer of songs.
-God's Spirit spoke through.
-With God's word on his tongue.
The God of Israel said to me:
-When you rule in righteousness
-When you rule in the fear of God,
-You are like morning light in a cloudless
day.
-You are the brightness after rain that
brings grass.
My house is right with God who:
-Made an everlasting covenant with me.
-Will bring my salvation to fruition.
-Grants me my every desire.
-Will cast evil men aside like thorns for
burning where they lie.
The names of David's mighty men are:
Josheb-Basshebeth who:
-Killed 800 in one encounter.
Eleazar who:
-With David, taunted the Philistines, stood
his ground when others retreated and struck
down Philistines 'til his hand grew tired
and froze to his sword so the Lord gave a
great victory.
Shammah who:
-Took his stand alone in a field of lentils
when the rest of Israel's troops fled, and
struck the Philistines so the Lord brought
about a great victory.
Three men broke through Philistine lines, drew
water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem
and brought it to thirsty David, who wouldn't
drink it because they had risked their lives.
Abishai who:
-Killed 300 of the enemy.
Benaiah who:
-Struck down two of Moab's best men, a lion in
a pit on a snowy day and a huge Egyptian,
whose spear he snatched and with which he
killed him.
The names of others among David's 30 brave men
are listed in the chapter.
(Chapter 23)
God was angry with Israel and He incited David
against them saying, "Take a census of Israel
and Judah."
So he got Joab and the army commanders to enrol
all fighting men. After 9 months and 20 days
Joab reported 800,000 in Israel and 500,000 in
Judah.
Conscience stricken, David confessed his sin.
Before David got up next morning God's word came
to David's seer, "Choose one of 3 options, 3
years famine, 3 months fleeing from your
enemies, or 3 days plague." David chose the last
preferring to fall into God's hands than men's.
So 70,000 died. But the Lord relented at
Jerusalem when the angel was at the threshing
floor and Araunah. David went there as the Lord
commanded through Gad, to buy the threshing
floor and build an altar to stop the plague.
Araunah offered everything free including oxen
and wood saying, "May the Lord God accept you."
But David refused saying, "I WILL NOT SACRIFICE
TO THE LORD MY GOD BURNT OFFERINGS THAT COST ME
NOTHING." So he paid about .6 of a kilogram of
silver, built an altar and sacrificed burnt and
fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered
prayer on behalf of the land and the plague
stopped.
(Chapter 24)
HERE ARE SOME POINTS FROM 2 SAMUEL.
1. As Jesus Christ said, "Those who live by the
sword die by the sword" and, by contrast,
the key to life is to "Love God with all
your heart soul strength and mind and your
neighbour as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-40,
26:52).
So the fall of those whose might is acquired
at the expense of others by force is
inevitable. The person you shoot with a gun
or a word is made in God's image, as you
are. This is called sin and it wounds you,
God and the "enemy." So remember all the
"bullets" you shoot will, (sooner or later)
hit your own head.
So, world peace and stopping the mad wastage
of money on weapons starts in your brain and
heart and spreads as you pass the message
on.
(Chapter 1 & 2)
2. You must take decisive action against what
is clearly wrong, or suffer the
consequences for not doing so, later.
(David's spinelessness showed in not
decisively acting against Joab for his
murder of Abner - it was the first sign of
what was to come. He should have been as
decisive as he was about Ish-Bosheth).
(Chapter 3 & 4)
3. Though it's no excuse for a "slack" attitude
towards God (you must aim to love and obey
Him 100%), the fact is, that He will use you
if your heart and mind want to do His will,
even though you fall short. Like David, He
will use you for the sake of His people.
4. When the devil comes to try to destroy you
(and be sure he will) you (like David)
simply need to ask God what strategy to use.
Then do what He says and victory is certain.
But ask EVERY TIME because the strategy will
be different each time.
(Chapter 5)
5. If your closest friend, whose love made him
later die for you, also was the world's
supreme ruler, whose command could
obliterate or bless a nation, you'd love him
with deep respect. Show that respect to your
heavenly Father.
(Chapter 6)
6. People with an inadequate or defective
concept of God want to confine Him within a
structure of their own creation. A building,
like a cathedral or a system, like a
denomination.
But your relationship with him must be based
on the reality of who He is.
If it is, all you'll want to do is praise,
worship and adore Him as you live in joyful
obedience to His word and spirit each day.
7. Remember, God is where you are, you don't
have to go where He is. (See Luke 17:21 and
John 14:15-22). He is life, YOUR life,
active, creative, exuberantly giving to
bring life to others. Absolutely NOT
petrified in a stained glass window or
locked away in some theological book.
8. He is the one with the plans and power to
run the universe. No idea of yours will ever
be better than His. So the smart thing to do
is to stop talking to Him, start REALLY
listening to Him and getting it right by
doing things His way, and your soul will be
at peace.
(Chapter 7)
9. And you'll have victory wherever you go.
(Chapters 8 & 10)
10. Picture this:
-The biggest dam holding back the largest
lake of pure crystal clear water in the
world.
-At the foot of the dam is an immense dry
dusty thirsty desert.
-A pipeline with a tap on it leads from the
dam to the desert.
-The water is God's love and life.
-The dam is the creation of man who self
centredly and proudly thinks he can run
the world better than God. It's a wall
called sin barring God from man.
-The desert is the result. A world without
God. A fearful, dangerous place.
-The pipeline is you:
-Are you going to let YOUR SIN restrict
the flow of God's life to those dying
in the desert?
-Are you going to turn the tap and dole
His life out drop by drop like a miser?
KEEP THE PIPELINE CLEAN AND DON'T RESTRICT
THE FLOW. THE LAKE WILL NEVER RUN DRY. THE
DESERT WILL BLOSSOM.YOU WILL BE A COMPLETE
JOY FILLED PERSON. (Chapter 9)
11. And when you do, BEWARE, because the devil
will surely try to completely foul you up.
Keep your eyes off good sorts taking baths!
12. BE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF
DISPLEASING GOD. THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE
BAD FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND OTHERS. SIN
SPREADS LIKE AN INFECTION. THE BEST CURE IS
PREVENTION.
(Chapters 11-20)
13. Your sin doesn't frustrate God's plans.
Bathsheba's son was Solomon, an ancestor of
Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, DON'T sin.
14. Don't "turn a blind eye" to sin in your
family. "Nip it in the bud" or it will
blossom into bitter fruit. (Had David acted
against Amnon because he raped Tamar, Amnon
may not have been killed).
(Chapter 13)
15. Always "seek the Lord's face" when there's a
problem. Remember that sin can cause the
land to suffer, for example, with a drought.
And God can break droughts in answer to
prayer.
(Chapter 21)
16. Immediately you are aware of sin confess it
(Chapter 12). If you are sincerely sorry for
displeasing God and genuinely intend not to
sin this way again you'll be forgiven. The
outcome will be the best thing you can have
in life - a great 1st hand relationship with
God. And it will show as you echo words like
David in Chapters 22 and 23.
Then you too will be like morning light on a
cloudless day, the brightness after rain
that refreshes the earth.
(Chapters 22 & 23)
17. What you give to the Lord shows how real
your relationship is with Him.
(Chapter 24)
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