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The beginning of the reign of David… (3 things)
But God does not want us following a formula – He wants us to follow Him!
1st – Doing it God’s way… vs. 1-12 Read: II Samuel 4:1-12
1st – When Ishbosheth heard Abner was dead – he was terrified… vs. 1-4
Abner had been the glue that held the kingdom together for Ishbosheth…
Without him Ishbosheth was too weak of a king to be able to lead the people…
Including the army of Israel – rebellion was growing among his captains…
There was talk of a military Coup – a chance to overthrow their weak king!
God never meant for Ishbosheth to lead His people – men placed him in the position…
And when God is not in something – it never lasts for long – it eventually falls apart!
I often hear people make plans for the future – and treat them as if they are fact…
But we do not see the future – so our plans never last long – they tend to fall apart…
The only one who knows the future is the Lord – so what we should say is…
James 4:15 -“ ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’”
Trusting the Lord does not mean we do nothing – it is good to have a plan…
But it means that we do not do anything before seeking the Lord…
We never want to get a head of God – we do not want to miss His plan for our life!
Jonathan – the close friend of David – had a son called Mephibosheth (kill the idol)…
He was only five years old when Jonathan died in battle with the Philistines…
When his nurse heard of the death of the father – she ran to hide with the child…
The fear was there would be an attempt to wipe out all the heirs of Saul…
But when she ran she tripped and fell – breaking the legs of Mephibosheth…
As a result he was crippled for the remainder of his life…
After the death of Ishbosheth – the last remaining male heir was Mephibosheth…
After the death of Ishbosheth – the last remaining male heir was Mephibosheth…
Because the three oldest sons of Saul had already died with him on Mt. Gilboa…
But since Mephibosheth was crippled he was not a potential candidate for King…
As it turns out being crippled may have saved the life of Mephibosheth…
When we trust that God has a plan – even if bad things happen…
We can rejoice – because we have the confidence God has a purpose…
And one day we will be able to look back – and thank God for those hard times!
2nd – Murder at high noon… vs. 5-12
Two of the captains of Ishbosheth – Rechab and Baanah – plotted to kill the King…
It was during the heat of the day – and Ishbosheth was taking nap…
Little did you know that an afternoon nap to avoid the heat of the day is Biblical!
The captains pretended they were there to get food rations for their troops…
But instead the snuck into the bedroom of the king – and killed him in his sleep!
They cut off his head – and escaped with the head to Hebron – to bring it to David!
They presented it to David – ‘here is the head of your enemy – the son of Saul!’
They believed they were doing the right thing – helping David become King…
It is true that God had promised to make David King over Israel – I Samuel 16:13
God certainly NEVER would approve of murder in an effort to make David King…
David corrected the men – it was not them but God who would make him King…
God had protected him for so many years when Saul wanted him dead…
And David was content to wait on the Lord for His timing to make him King…
The world tries to tell us there are short cuts to being blessed in this life…
But it turns out we cannot use evil to try and accomplish something good…
The end does not justify the means – the journey is as important as the destination!
You cannot cheat on a test – to help you get a better grade…
You cannot steal from others – in order to get the things you want / need…
You cannot sell drugs – to help provide food for your family…
The only way to be blessed in life – is to wait for God to bring the blessings!
James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
David retold the story of the Amalekite…
The young man who had killed Saul on the slopes of Mt. Gilboa (or lied about it)…
He came to David thinking he was giving good news – and would be rewarded…
Yet instead David had the man put to death for touching God’s anointed…
How much more did these men deserve to die for killing an innocent man…
Ishbosheth was murdered in his sleep – in his own bed – in his own house!
David had his young men kill the two captains…
Their hands and feet were cut off – their corpses hung by the pool in Hebron…
A symbol to all of Israel that David had nothing to do with the death of Ishbosheth…
We might think there is a reward for trying the world’s way – not waiting on God…
That cheating / lying / stealing – can get us ahead in life…
But in the end we will get caught cheating on the test / stealing the money…
We get caught lying about the drugs – and we end up cursed – not blessed!
2nd – Waiting for God’s timing… vs. 1-5 Read: II Samuel 5:1-2
1st – All the tribes came to see David in Hebron to make him King… vs. 1-3
1st – Because David was from Israel – one of their country men – Deuteronomy 17:15
God knew one-day Israel would demand a King – and gave requirements…
The first was the King could not be a foreigner – he had to be a ‘son’ of Israel…
The reason being God did not want a ‘godless’ man as the leader of His people…
Proverbs 19:2 – “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice…”
Pray for those who are leaders – those entrusted with the leadership of the nation…
Pray they will be righteous God fearing rulers – who listen to and obey God…
Pray because if they are not – they will be held accountable – James 3:1
2nd – Because David had proven himself in battle…
While Saul was still king of Israel – it was David who led the people to victory…
When they sang their songs – Saul killed his thousands / David his ten thousands!
There was no questioning the leadership and abilities of David to rule…
If someone tells you they are called to be a pro-basketball player…
But are only 4’10” and cannot shoot to save their life – they might be wrong!
It is easy to say that you are called to do something – but the proof is in your actions!
3rd – Because God had chosen David to be the shepherd of His people…
Most important of all – God chose David to be the King of Israel – I Samuel 16:13
We all have our place within the body of Christ – our purpose God has given to us…
Not sure of your gift – want to find out what gift God has given to you
Step out and try – if it does not work / no fruit – then try something else!
When you find the right place you will know it – and so will everyone else!
2nd – David was thirty seven years old when he began to reign over Israel… vs. 4-5
David had to wait 15 years after Samuel anointed him before he sat on the throne…
And then it was only the tribe of Judah – he ruled from Hebron for 7 ½ years…
It took almost 23 years for David for God to fulfill His promise – make David King…
But David would go on to rule over all of Israel for another 33 years!
Becoming what God wants us to be does not happen overnight…
But God is not in a rush – and it takes time to be prepared by the Lord…
You do not plant a seed – and expect there to be fruit on the braches in the morning…
And often the best fruit – takes the longest to mature and ripen…
As we are faithful to abide in Jesus – stand up for His Word…
In God’s time we will bear great fruit – be used powerfully for the Lord!
3rd – Establishing the Kingdom… vs. 6-25 Read: II Samuel 5:6-9, 11-13
1st – King David took his men to attack the city of Jerusalem… vs. 6-9
They city had been conquered by the Jebusites – and become a veritable fortress…
They were so confident – they taunted by putting blind and lame men as guards!
In their minds they did not need guards – the fortress itself was impenetrable…
David told his men to climb up the water shaft into the city…
The main source of water for Jerusalem is called the Gihon spring…
The problem was it was located outside the walls of the city…
So the Jebusites dug a 14m vertical shaft from inside the city out to the spring…
The shaft is still there in Jerusalem to this day – it is called Warren’s shaft!
The man who made the climb and open the gates – would command the army!
Climbing a 14m shaft with full armor – only to meet an army inside – tall order…
But Joab was able to do it – and captured the city – I Chronicles 11:6
David made Jerusalem the new capitol city of Israel…
It was also known as the City of David – because King David made it the capitol…
2nd – David became powerful – because the Lord was with him… vs. 10-16
King Hiram of Tyre sent him cedar trees so that David could build his house…
The blessings of God were rolling in – even foreign kings were helping David…
I am sure there was a real temptation to enjoy new found riches and power…
But David realized God made him King over Israel – so he could bless the people…
I have seen ‘pastors’ who own jets they use to fly all over the world…
They own expensive suites – wear gold watches – and drive around in luxury cars…
A great danger for men who serve God – is to start to look for the blessings…
And forget the calling of a pastor is to BE a blessing to the people of God…
When being a ‘pastor’ becomes just a job – a way to make money…
When a ‘pastor’ is no longer there to love and provide from the people…
They fall under the judgment of God – because they abuse HIS sheep!
Ezekiel 34:2 – “Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep?”
David took more wives and concubines in Jerusalem…
In all David had eight wives / and 10 concubines – who gave him 18 sons…
But the Law clearly stated the King was not to add wives – Deuteronomy 17:17…
David was doing so many things right – it was easy to miss the one wrong…
But the problem was growing – from 2 wives / to 6 wives / to 18 wives!
A problem that would in a short time almost completely destroy the King!
Satan is smart – he does not attack us where we are strong – he looks for our weakness
He knows it only takes one area of sin – to compromise our walk with the Lord…
Satan will try to get us bogged down in that sin – so we are ineffective for Jesus!
3rd – When the Philistines attacked… vs. 17-25 Read: II Samuel 5:22-24
David asked the Lord if he should attack them – would God give him victory…
God told him to go – and David defeated the Philistines in the valley of Rephaim…
The next year the Philistines returned with a larger force ready for war again…
So David again asked the Lord if he should attack them – God told him no…
Instead David was to go behind them and attack from cover of the trees…
When David heard the sounds of marching from the trees – he was to attack…
Likely the sound of the wind blowing through the tops of the trees…
And God gave David the victory again – and he drove the Philistines out of Israel!
Just because God does something one way – does not make it the only way…
The problem with religion – it tries to put God into a box…
It is easy to get caught up in methods – and forget it is all about knowing Jesus…
If I go to church on Sunday God will bless me – rather than going to learn about God
If I give to those in need God will give to me – rather than giving out of love…
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