The beginning of the reign of David… (3 things)

• 1^st – The death of Saul… vs. 1-14 Read: I Chronicles 10:1-14
  • 1^st – The Philistines attacked Israel forcing them to flee… vs. 1-2
    • The Story in I Chronicles picks up with Israel at war with the Philistines…
      • It is the battle that would mark the death of Saul – the first King of Israel…
      • A man who had begun well – but puffed up with pride – had hardened his heart to God…
      • After years of trying to kill David – God’s choice to replace him – his time had come!
    • The Philistines used archers – killing many of the men before they came close…
      • Israel tried to rally by Saul on the high ground of Mt. Gilboa – but were slaughtered
      • The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons – killing his sons including Jonathan…
      • It was Saul who had hardened his heart to God – rebelled against His commands…
      • But Saul was not alone in paying the price – his sons died with him…
      • Our children will ultimately have to make their own choice to follow Jesus…
      • But the way we live our lives will give them either a good or bad example…
      • Our children are watching – learning – what example do we give to them…
      • If we not living our lives for the Lord – our children will also pay the price!
  • 2^nd – One of the archers managed to hit Saul – and he was wounded… vs. 3-7
    • He asked his armor bearer to take out his sword and kill him…
      • He did not want the Philistines to have the satisfaction of killing the King…
      • But the armor bearer was afraid – so Saul fell on the sword and died…
      • When Israel saw that Saul and his sons were dead – they all ran away!
    • When the armor bearer saw Saul was dead – he also fell on his sword…
      • Jewish tradition tell us the armor bearer was Doeg…
      • The same man Saul had commanded to kill all of the Priests in the city of Nob…
      • Perhaps the same sword that killed the Priests in the Temple…
      • Now took the life of the two men responsible for killing the servants of God!
      • People assume they are ‘ok’ because God does not immediately punish them…
      • They make the mistake of interpreting God’s ‘patience’ for God’s ‘acceptance’…
      • God is patient – longsuffering – to give time to repent and turn back to Him…
      • But if we harden our hearts – choose not to repent – our sin will not remain hidden!
  • 3^rd – How did Saul die – II Samuel 1:9-16
    • After the battle – a man came to David with torn clothes / dust on his head…
      • He told David many had died in the battle – including Saul and Jonathan!
      • As it happened he was on Mt. Gilboa when he saw Saul severely wounded…
      • Saul asked the man to kill him and spare him from his suffering…
      • There is some controversy today about ‘mercy killing’ – euthanasia…
      • If someone is suffering horribly from terminal cancer – they should be allowed to die…
      • But there is NEVER a good excuse to take a life – even if someone is suffering…
      • Who is to say that suffering might bring them to salvation…
      • Should we stop a moment of suffering – only to send them to eternal torment…
      • Only God has the right to take a life – only He knows the number of our days!
    • Seeing there was no way Saul could survive – the AMALEKITE killed him…
      • He took the crown and bracelet of Saul – and brought them to David…
        • King Saul failed to obey God and completely destroy Amalek – I Samuel 15:2
        • And his disobedience to completely wipe out Amalek cost him his life…
        • Because Saul did not kill all the Amalekites – and Amalekite killed him…
        • And as a result of his sin the crown was taken from his head!
        • God desires to give us a crown of life – James 1:12 – to sit of the throne of Jesus!
        • But if we are not careful – our sin can take that crown from us!
      • In the Bible ‘Amalek’ is a type/picture of our flesh (sinful desires / sinful nature)…
        • Our flesh does not want to obey to God – in fact it desires to keep us from the Lord…
        • There is a battle inside of us every day – between our sinful flesh / and our Spirit…
        • It is the battle between what I ‘know’ God wants – and what I ‘want’…
        • Romans 7:15 – “I really want to do what is right… instead, I do what I hate.”
        • Why do I do what I know is sin – because I want to – no one forces me…
        • My problem is my heart/desires – I am the problem – I sin because I want to!
        • And the challenge is I cannot change my heart – change what I want
      • It is only when we realize we are the problem – we look for a better answer
        • We understand we need to cry out to Jesus – the one who can change our heart!
        • Jesus changes our desires so we do not want to do the things that are wrong…
        • Instead we want to obey and do those things that please the Lord…
        • Knowing in the end that there is a crown of life waiting for us!
          
    • There was a problem with the Amalekite’s story…
      • According to I Chronicles 10 – Saul fell on his own sword and killed himself…
        • It is possible that Saul was not ‘quite’ dead even after falling on his own sword…
        • So when the Amalekite came along – he found Saul still ‘clinging’ to life…
        • But the more likely truth is the man found Saul already dead…
        • He was probably scavenging after the battle – stole the crown off the body of Saul…
        • Then brought it to David with his story – hoping to get a reward…
        • The rivalry of Saul and David was well known – and David was to be the next king!
      • David asked the Amalekite – why were you not afraid to touch God’s anointed…
        • It would have been understandable for David to be grateful to this man…
        • Whether he killed Saul or not – the news that Saul was dead meant David was free…
        • But whether a liar or murderer – this man was not from the Lord…
        • David would not compromise – instead of a reward he had his men kill the Amalekite!
        • The Amalekites in our life are not always obvious – they can seem innocent…
        • That ‘one drink’ that could not possibly hurt – the ‘one night’ we go to…
        • The ‘one Sunday’ we miss church because we are so busy…
        • When we give in to the flesh – the flesh desires more – and then more…
        • We end up on a slippery slope that quickly draws us away from the Lord!
  • 4^th – The next day the Philistines came to strip the slain… vs. 8-14
    • It was the common after a battle for the victor to claim the spoils of the war…
      • Including the armor / weapons / and whatever else might lie on the dead…
        • When the Philistines came to grab their spoil – they found Saul…
        • They cut off his head – and took the armor off of his body…
        • They hung the armor of Saul in the temple of Ashtoreth…
        • They fastened the body of Saul to the walls of the city of Beth Shan – I Samuel 31:10
        • And they put his head in the temple of their God Dagon…
        • Proclaiming through all their temples – their gods had defeated the Lord!
      • In the end Saul not only hurt himself – he brought shame to the name of God
        • The church should be God’s representative to the world – shine for Jesus…
        • When the church has as many or more scandals than the world – the world mocks…
        • The light of Jesus becomes faded – much of the power/witness of the church is lost!
    • The men of Jabesh Gilead traveled by night – and took the bodies…
      • Saul had begun his reign by saving Gilead from Nahash – I Samuel 11
        • Nahash had threatened to pluck out the right eye of all the men of Gilead…
        • But Saul had rallied Israel and came and rescued the city…
        • Now they returned the favor – and rescued the body of Saul and his sons…
        • They returned them to Gilead and burned them there – burying the bones…
      • Since God will one day resurrect our bodies – is cremation wrong…
        • God made man from the ‘dust of the earth’ – Genesis 2:7
        • Adam sinned – so he would return to the dust he came from – Genesis 3:19
        • Quite literally true – we are actually made up of the same 59 elements as dust!
        • Whether it takes us 50 years / or 50 minutes – the end is the same – dust…
        • God is more than able to collect our ‘dust’ and reassemble for us our new body!
    • So Saul died for his unfaithfulness…
      • The death of a king – who was once the Spirit filled ruler of Israel…
      • But in the end disobeyed God / broke his promises to David…
      • Conspired and killed all of the Priest of God / and consorted with mediums – I Samuel 28
      • It is no wonder that Saul is not listen in the ‘Hall of Faith’ – Hebrews 11
      • So often as believers we start off well in our faith – but we do not finish well…
      • We treat it like a sprint – but after a while we get tired / distracted / and give up…
      • Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us strip off every… sin that so easily hinders our progress. Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

• 2^nd – Waiting for God’s timing… vs. 1-9 Read: I Chronicles 11:1-9
  • 1^st – A whole section of the history is omitted here…
    • When Saul died – his general Abner made Saul’s son Ishbosheth King of the 11 tribes…
    • For 7 ½ years David reigned as King only in Judah  (Hebron) – it was a divided nation…
    • Ishbosheth upset Abner – who vowed to give the Kingdom to David…
    • But Joab – the commander of David’s army – killed Abner (revenge / job protection)…
    • Ishbosheth was a weak leader – and was assassinated – II Samuel 3-5
  • 2^nd – Then all of Israel came to see David in Hebron to make him King… vs. 1-3
    • 1^st – 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
    • 2^nd – 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!
    • 3^rd – 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!
  • 3^rd – David was thirty seven years old when he began to reign over Israel…
    • 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!
        
        
  • 4^th – King David took his men to attack the city of Jerusalem… vs. 4-9
    • The city had been conquered by the Jebusites – and become a veritable fortress…
      • They taunted by putting blind and lame men as guards – II Samuel 5:6
      • 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 45’ 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 David made Jerusalem the new capitol city of Israel…
      • It became known as the City of David – because King David made it the capitol!

It is when we believe God can do the impossible – that we get to see!

4^th – David’s mighty men… vs. 10-47 Read: I Chronicles 11:10-25

1^st – David had great warriors who fought along wise him in his many battles… vs. 10-19

The greatest of them were called ‘The three’…

Jashobeam – was the greatest of ‘The Three’ / chief among the captains of Israel…

He had once killed 300 men by himself in a single battle…

II Samuel 23:8 – says it was 800 men – perhaps two battles 1,100 men in all!

He had proven himself in battle – and so was given great responsibility!

If someone wants to teach the kids / or a Bible study – we usually ask them to wait…

We want to see consistency – look at the example of their life first…

People want to be trusted with responsibility – before they have proven themselves…

First you have to show you are faithfulness – then you will be given responsibility!

Eleazar – was second among ‘The Three’ – he stood with David when everyone else ran…

He killed Philistines until his hand stuck to his sword – II Samuel 23:10

When he had finished all the army had to do – was come and collect the plunder!

I was digging a ditch once for hours – when I stopped my hand would not open!

It had locked around the digging bar – and I had to pry it off!

God has given us a sword to fight our battles with – the Word of God – Hebrews 4:12

Oh – that like Eleazar – we would hold on so tightly to the Word – we could not let go!

In work / at home – that we would have the Word in our hand / heart…

Because it is only when we cling to the Word – that we find victories in life!

Shammah – was the third among ‘The Three’ – II Samuel 23:11

The Philistines attacked and tried to capture a field of lentils (beans)…

Even though all of Israel fled – Eleazar and Shammah stood alone and defeated them!

It is easy to follow Jesus – when everyone else it to – but what if you are alone…

God is looking for those who are willing to stand up for him – even if no one else does!

The greatest warriors for God are proven / cling to the word / and stand no matter what!

Once during a battle with the Philistines – David was camped near the Bethlehem…

David had grown up there – and he remembered a well with sweet water…

But it was near the gate of the city – in the middle of the Philistine camp…

‘The Three’ broke through the enemy lines – and got some of the water!

But when they brought it back to David – he poured it out on the ground…

They risked their life to get it – making it VERY valuable – so David offered it to God!

‘The Three’ were willing to do anything / even small things – to please there King…

If God came to us and asked us to climb a high mountain – we would obey…

But when God asks us to be refreshed daily in the water of His Word – we forget…

It is the little things that often are the hardest things for us to do…

But the mightiest warriors for God – realize it is the little things that make us great!

2^nd – The mighty men of David… vs. 20-47

50 mighty men listed here / 37 in II Samuel – know as ‘The Thirty’ – it was just their title…

Included in the list of ‘The Thirty’ was Uriah the Hittite – whom David murdered…

Not included in the list was Joab – the commander of the army of Israel!

Instead Abishai – the brother of Joab – was the captain of ‘The Thirty’…

He used a spear to kill 300 men in a battle – making his as famous as ‘The Three’…

He was the greatest of ‘The Thirty’ – but he was not one of ‘The Three’…

Benaiah – was another of ‘The Thirty’ – commander of David’s body guard…

He once killed two of the greatest warriors (lion like) of Moab in a single battle…

He also killed a giant from Egypt who was almost 8’ tall…

With only a staff – he wrestled away the Egyptians spear and killed him with it!

He even chased a lion into a snowy pit – and killed it with his bare hands!

So David made him captain of his personal guard – because he was

Benaiah had not fear – he knew that no matter what with God he would be victorious!

Nothing is impossible for our God – nothing is too difficult – Luke 1:37

And God is looking for those who are wiling to step out and believe that…

It has been said seeing is believing – but that is not true…