Category Archives: Sermon Notes & Announcements

Jun 27, 2021. II Samuel 13:23-33

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ABSALOM AVENGES TAMAR.  II Samuel 13:23-33.  06/27/2021.  #28

2 Samuel 13:23-33 [New King James Version]

23 And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go now, lest we be a burden to you.” Then he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him. 26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on his mule and fled. 30 And it came to pass, while they were on the way, that news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left!” 31 So the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32 Then Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered and said, “Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore, let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead. For only Amnon is dead.”

  1. The futile wait
    1. For 2 years Tamar and Absalom wait for David to bring Amnon to justice for his rape of Tamar
      1.  There is no indication that David even talked to Amnon, let alone enact any punishment on him
      1.  Absalom is furious and Tamar is devalued
    1. Several adverse results stem from judicial inaction:
      1.  An injustice is not properly recompensed
      1.  The perpetrator vindicated and free to continue to commit more injustices
      1.  Ecclesiastes 8:11 others feel free to do wickedness since there are no real consequences for their actions
      1.  Victims feel doubly violated (by crime and govern.)
      1.  Citizens lose respect for law and law enforcers
      1.  Victims are tempted to take matters into own hands
    1. Both Tamar and Absalom feel betrayed by their own father
      1.  David’s inability to act on behalf of his family is puzzling and inexcusable
      1.  Absalom loses respect for his father
  2. Absalom waits no longer
    1. Absalom devises a plan to avenge his sister
    1. He approaches David to invite him to his shearing the sheep celebration (similar to Nabol’s celebration in Carmel)
      1.  Like a harvest celebration (Ruth 3), the gathering of wool was a cause of great joy
      1.  David refuses to go, since he and his party would be in the way of the shearing and celebration
    1. Absalom must have suspected that David would refuse to go
      1.  Absalom asks that Amnon should go in David’s stead
      1.  This is an odd request, since each man takes care of his own fields, flocks, and harvests, and feasts
    1. David asks why Amnon should go with Absalom
      1.  David is suspicious, but he never acts on his suspicions (if a red flag arises in your mind, don’t ignore it, for God gives us intuition as a warning)
      1.  Notice that David gives in after Absalom presses him, even though there is no good reason for Amnon to go to a shearing feast put on by Absalom
    1. David’s intuition is not the only factor that should have given David pause, for Amnon had raped Absalom’s sister, Tamar, and David had done nothing about it
    1. Even though Ab. had specifically asked for Amnon to go, all of David’s sons go to Absalom’s celebration
      1.  Oddly, Amnon does not suspect anything
      1.  Like King Agag and David before Nathan confronted him, Amnon figures that time of judgment has passed
    1. Judgment does not always fall immediately (Revelation 2)
  3. Absalom takes revenge
    1. When Amnon is full of wine, Ab. signals for him to be killed
      1.  Amnon dies instantly and the other brothers flee
      1.  Absalom has taken life as a Revenger of Blood (Numbers 35:19), which the Levitical Law was to replace
      1.  Revenge cycles never finish (law must work)
    1. Romans 12 God tells us to leave vengeance up to God
    1. Rumor goes back to David that all his sons have been killed (great grief in the palace), but Jonadab says only Amnon is dead
    1. Jonadab says = Absalom planning revenge since rape (David unaware)

Jun 20, 2021. I Kings 1, Father’s Day 2021

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ADONIJAH, MAN OF AMBITION.  I Kings 1. FATHERS DAY 2021  (6/20/2021).

1 Kings 1 [New King James Version]

1 Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.” 3 So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her. 5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.) 7 Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah. 9 And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En Rogel; he also invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother. 11 So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? 12 Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go immediately to King David and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your maidservant, saying, “Assuredly your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ 14 Then, while you are still talking there with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.” 15 So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.) 16 And Bathsheba bowed and did homage to the king. Then the king said, “What is your wish?” 17 Then she said to him, “My lord, you swore by the Lord your God to your maidservant, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18 So now, look! Adonijah has become king; and now, my lord the king, you do not know about it. 19 He has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army; but Solomon your servant he has not invited. 20 And as for you, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted as offenders.” 22 And just then, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. 23 So they told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, “My lord, O king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 25 For he has gone down today, and has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, and the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest; and look! They are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But he has not invited me—me your servant—nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon. 27 Has this thing been done by my lord the king, and you have not told your servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?” 28 Then King David answered and said, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 And the king took an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, 30 just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.” 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid homage to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!” 32 And King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. 33 The king also said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon. 34 There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place. For I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.” 36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! May the Lord God of my lord the king say so too. 37 As the Lord has been with my lord the king, even so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.” 38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and took him to Gihon. 39 Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound. 41 Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said, “Why is the city in such a noisy uproar?” 42 While he was still speaking, there came Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest. And Adonijah said to him, “Come in, for you are a prominent man, and bring good news.” 43 Then Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, “No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king. 44 The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king’s mule. 45 So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon; and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. 46 Also Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom. 47 And moreover the king’s servants have gone to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ Then the king bowed himself on the bed. 48 Also the king said thus, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, while my eyes see it!’ ” 49 So all the guests who were with Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and each one went his way. 50 Now Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; so he arose, and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. 51 And it was told Solomon, saying, “Indeed Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon; for look, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’ ” 52 Then Solomon said, “If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” 53 So King Solomon sent them to bring him down from the altar. And he came and fell down before King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

  1. Next in line
    1. David is old and feeble
      1.  They find a beautiful young Shunammite woman to attend to him and keep him warm
      1.  David is no longer able to effectively rule
    1. David’s son, Adonijah, next oldest to Absalom, assumes that he will be king after David
      1.  In most monarchies, the old son is crown prince
      1.  Adonijah presumes to take the throne
    1. Presumption is a dangerous miscalculation
      1.  Esau presumed that he was heir to Isaac
      1.  Joseph presumed that Manasseh and not Ephraim was his rightful heir
      1.  We can’t presume the future, health (Luke 12), wealth (Job 1), response of others, plans…
    1. Adonijah proclaimed himself to be king
      1.  He invites Joab, Abiathar, and others to his coronation (great celebration)
      1.  He does not invite the prophet Nathan, the High Priest, Zadok, Benaiah, captain of the guard, or Solomon (son of David’s favorite wife)
      1.  He shunned those likely to oppose him, but these were men of great power and influence
    1. By crowning himself before David died, Adonijah hoped to short circuit David naming someone else to be king
    1. Adonijah acted foolishly, as presumptuous men do
      1.  He did not get his father’s blessing
      1.  He was not anointed by the high priest
      1.  He did not seek God’s will via Nathan (prophet)
    1. g Presumptuous acts don’t guarantee favorable results
  2. The other shoe drops (1 Kings 1:11-27)
    1. Nathan knew that God favored Solomon
      1.  He comes to Bathsheba to instruct her to go to David to advocate for her son’s claim to throne
      1.  Nathan would then come in to back up her words
    1. David is completely unaware of anything outside his room
    1. vs. 28-40 David decrees that Solomon is his successor
      1.  Solomon is put on David’s throne with fanfare
      1.  The men of power acknowledge the choice
    1. vs. 41-52 when those around Adonijah hear that Solomon is on the throne, they all flee in fear
      1.  Adonijah runs to the Tabernacle, fearing his life
      1.  Solomon swears that as long as Adonijah makes no trouble, he will not be harmed in anyway
  3. Presumption leads to downfalls
    1. A godly man must allow God to open doors and seeks only to desire those things God directs (Luke 14:7-11)
      1.  Selfish ambition leads to ruin and dissatisfaction
      1.  Ecclesiastes 12 climbing to top of world is vanity
    1. Mt. 6 contentment with food, clothing and shelter is far more satisfying than power, fame, and wealth (Philippians 4:12)
      1.  Adonijah presumed that the throne was his by right of birth (he was only one of many sons)
      1.  Presumption comes on many levels: with wife, with children, with work, with health, with things
    1. A presumptive man asserts while a godly man serves
      1.  Philippians 2:3 a godly seeks to help others
      1.  Promotion of a godly man comes from others
    1. Romans 12:1-3 allow God to place you and give him praise

Key verse:  Luke 14:7-11

Luke 14:7-11

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be [a]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jun 20, 2021. II Samuel 13:1-21

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AMNON VIOLATES TAMAR.  II Samuel 13:1-21.  06/20/21.  #27.

2 Samuel 13:1-21 [New King James Version]

1 After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man. 4 And he said to him, “Why are you, the king’s son, becoming thinner day after day? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” 5 So Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’ ” 6 Then Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill; and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let Tamar my sister come and make a couple of cakes for me in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.” 7 And David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Now go to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. Then she took flour and kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 9 And she took the pan and placed them out before him, but he refused to eat. Then Amnon said, “Have everyone go out from me.” And they all went out from him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them to Amnon her brother in the bedroom. 11 Now when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me, for no such thing should be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! 13 And I, where could I take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.” 14 However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!” 16 So she said to him, “No, indeed! This evil of sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me.” But he would not listen to her. 17 Then he called his servant who attended him, and said, “Here! Put this woman out, away from me, and bolt the door behind her.” 18 Now she had on a robe of many colors, for the king’s virgin daughters wore such apparel. And his servant put her out and bolted the door behind her. 19 Then Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her robe of many colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly. 20 And Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. 21 But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.

  1. Amnon pines after Tamar
    1. Tamar, David’s daughter, is very beautiful
      1.  Her half-brother lusts after her and is obsessed
      1.  Amnon mopes and won’t eat (consumed by passion)
    1. Amnon’s cousin, Jonadab, finds out Amnon’s dilemma
      1.  Jonadab is a sneaky man
      1.  Jonadab suggests that Amnon feign sickness and then request that Tamar come to him to care for him
  2. David takes the bait
    1. David visits Amnon and hears his request
      1.  David does not discern that something is wrong
      1.  There are plenty of servants to attend to Amnon
      1.  Eating cakes is an odd remedy for a sickness
    1. David orders Tamar to go to her brother to attend to him
      1.  Tamar has no idea what Amnon has in mind
      1.  Young women are very vulnerable
        1.  They rarely notice the signs of men’s desires and manipulations
        1.  Tamar stayed naïve throughout this entire encounter
    1. Surely a brother would not dare violate his sister
    1. One of the most important services a father can do for his daughters is to teach them the ways of boys (Proverbs 30:19)
      1.  There are warning signs that require awareness
      1.  A girl needs to be aware when her emotions are being manipulated (always on guard)
  3. The violation of Tamar
    1. There were many signs Tamar missed (unexpected)
      1.  How could she help when the servants could not?
      1.  How could baked cakes cure a sickness?
      1.  When Amnon dismisses all his servants so that he could be alone with Tamar was a huge warning
      1.  When Amnon wants Tamar to bring the cakes into his private bedchamber, suspicions should’ve come
      1.  After Amnon refused to eat the cakes, his intentions should have been clear to Tamar
    1. Amnon grabs Tamar to force her and she vehemently protests
      1.  Such an act would be a disgrace thing in Israel
      1.  Amnon would be known as a fool
    1. Lust knows no reason (the flesh is not a rational entity)
    1. Tamar offers an alternative, desperate to remain chaste
      1.  King David would give her to Amnon if he asked
        1.  This would be an honest approach
        1.  Girls had little say in betrothals
      1.  Tamar would submit to a marriage willingly
      1.  Tamar’s solution would violate Levitical law (Leviticus 18:9, though Abraham married his half-sister)
      1.  Marriage would be better than rape
    1. After Amnon fulfills his lust, he hates his sister
      1.  He blames her for his lust (for example – murders in Atlanta)
      1.  He double shames Tamar
      1.  Lustful acts never live up to their anticipation
    1. Amnon did not love Tamar—he simply lusted after her body
  4. David’s inadequate response
    1. David is angry, but he does nothing to deal with Amnon
    1. David’s lack of action, leads to Absalom murdering Amnon
    1. David should have been responsible to be a proper father (comes w/fathering)

Jun 13, 2021. Colossians 3:22-4:1

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HEAVEN’S SCORECARD.  Colossians 3:22-4:1.  6/13/2021. #12.

Colossians 3:22-4:1 [New King James Version]

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

4:1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

  1. God’s rules for a fallen world
    1. God allowed certain social conditions that in a perfect world would not exist at all
    1. The fall of man immediately produced difficult situations which necessitated choices between different evils (moral conflict)
      1.  Does Rahab lie or reveal where the spies are hid?
      1.  Does Samuel tell Saul about anointing David to replace him as king or keep the matter secret?
    1. After the fall, God allowed many things that would not be tolerated in an unfallen world:  polygamy, war, slavery, divorce, deception, tyranny, disease, famine, pestilence, extreme weather conditions, earthquakes, wild beasts…
    1. God allowed polygamy, for many women would starve as poor widows or be executed as captives of war 
    1. God allowed slavery for same reason he allowed polygamy
    1. God developed rules to control abuse of wives, slaves, the poor, workers, customers, and subjects (Leviticus, Deuteronomy)
  2. The ever watchful eye of God
    1. God expects us to obey him no matter what position we are holding in this world (servant, master, bond, free…)
      1.  Even if conditions are unjust, we are to be diligent & faithful in that role (II Kings 5 Naaman’s slave girl)
      1.  Joseph served well as a slave & as a prisoner
    1. Daniel served well as a captive of Babylon
    1. Must take our lot in life as Providential for a purpose
      1.  God places his people in places to be used by him:  Joseph, Esther, Ruth, Nehemiah, Daniel…
      1.  I Corinthians 7:17-24 none of the positions in this life will transfer into eternity
        1.  Being rich, poor, a ruler, a peasant = 0
        1.  James 4:13-16 life is short & endurable
        1.  Isaiah 65:17 positions held on earth will not even be remembered (Romans 8:18)
    1. The Lord gave rules for servants:
      1.  Be obedient to masters (this would be true of any authority above us: gov., leaders, bosses)
      1.  Avoid fleshly responses (disdain, resistance, cheating, stealing, revenge, hatred…)
      1.  Do not be eye servants
        1.  Those who work only when being watched
        1.  Men pleasers = manipulators & fraudulent
      1.  Sincere (“without wax”) – genuine, trustworthy…
    1. Serve in fear of the Lord: will give an account of service
      1.  Whatever position we are in, we represent Lord
      1.  Holiness transcends all contexts & positions
  3. The balance sheet
    1. Whatever we do (whether by choice, obligation, or force) we are to do it heartily (“from the soul”) with entire being as if you are doing it for the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-24)
    1. We spend far too much time complaining about our circumstances & too little time using it for the Lord
      1.  God rewards faithfulness in serving where you are
      1.  God will repay good for good & evil for evil
    1. No one is justified for responding negatively to situations
    1. Those who rule over others are judged by the Master
      1.  Authority is for benefit & not abuse
      1.  A leader has the power over others to do right or wrong by those under them & will be judged by it
    1. We can’t dismiss divine providence in our positions in life, health, circumstances, events, & roles (all to be used for God)

Key verse: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

Jun 13, 2021. II Samuel 12:26-31

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JOAB ADMONISHES THE KING.  II Samuel 12:26-31.  06/13/2021.  #26.

2 Samuel 12:26-31 [New King James Version]

26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the people of Ammon, and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, and I have taken the city’s water supply. 28 Now therefore, gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called after my name.” 29 So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah, fought against it, and took it. 30 Then he took their king’s crown from his head. Its weight was a talent of gold, with precious stones. And it was set on David’s head. Also he brought out the spoil of the city in great abundance. 31 And he brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws and iron picks and iron axes, and made them cross over to the brick works. So he did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

  1. That enigma, Joab
    1. Joab was David’s cousin, but is was both an aid to David, and a thorn in David’s side
      1. Joab was obviously a capable leader and general
      1. Joab saw clearly danger that David often missed
    1. Effective and discerning advisors are vital to any ruler
    1. Joab’s good advice:
      1. Joab fought well against Israel and other enemies
      1. He advised David to take back Absalom
      1. He advised David to encourage his troops after their victory over Absalom’s troops
      1. He advised David not to number the people
    1. Joab’s deceit and cruelty
      1. Joab deceitfully murdered Abner
      1. Joab deceitfully murdered Amasa
      1. Joab killed Absalom
    1. On his death bed, David advised his son, Solomon, to  eliminate Joab
  2. Joab calls for David to play the role of the king
    1. 2 Sam. 11 David shirked his responsibility as commander-in-chief by not leading his army into battle
      1. This led to the Bathsheba/Uriah fiasco
      1. Joab is seen to be the leader
    1. Joab demonstrates his loyalty by not taking advantage of enhancing his own power in David’s absence
    1. Joab sent word that his army had captured the water supply that fed the city
      1. This is equivalent of cutting the supply route that fed the army
      1. It is only a matter of time before the city must fall
    1. Joab urges David to come to lead final assault on Rabbah
      1. If Joab took the city, he would receive the credit for taking the city
      1. If Joab conquered the city Israel would begin to look to Joab as the actual leader of the people
      1. Saul lost leadership to David, when his exploits against Goliath and the Philistines won Israel’s heart
    1. David lost sight of all political and leadership perspective
      1. David’s world had shrunk to his own fame, desires, pleasures, and personal wants
      1. A leader cannot lose sight of his purpose and connection to the people and rules and serves
      1. David was not even aware that he was jeopardizing his own kingdom via seclusion from the people
  3. Return of the king
    1. David accepts Joab’s advice and brings the army reserves with him in order to take Rabbah
    1. Rabbah is taken as David leads his troops (though all realized that Joab had done the difficult part)
    1. King Hunun’s crown of gold and jewels is placed on David’s head (1 talent = 75.5 lbs.)
    1. The entire city is plundered and its citizens made slaves
      1. Hunun’s sleight against David’s emissaries pays bitter fruit for him and his people
      1. Ironically, the Ammonites were going to enslave the men of Jabesh-Gilead before Saul rescued them
    1. David was a blessed king, but he lacked administrative ability, political acumen, insight, awareness, and wisdom
    1. God works through David’s weakness to enact justice

Jun 6, 2021. Colossians 3:18-21

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THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY.  Colossians 3:18-21.  06/06/2021.  #11.

Colossians 3:18-21 [New King James Version]

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

  1. The Christian home
    1. Ephesians 5:22-6:4 the Christian home is to model godliness
      1. I Timothy 3:4-5 the husband is to govern his household with wisdom and reverence
      1. I Peter 3:1-6 the wife is to support her husband and exemplify a tranquil godly spirit
      1. The marriage is to represent Christ and his bride
      1. Exodus 20:12 children are to render due respect and obedience to parents
    1. Dt. 6:4-9 the home is to be saturated with scripture, biblical teaching, admonition, encouragement, and worship
  2. The Christian wife
    1. As in Ephesians 5, Colossians starts with the wife
      1. Genesis 2:24 she is the main support to her husband and the centerpiece of activity in the home (Proverbs 31)
      1. How the wife manages her home and trains her children is the main factor in the health of the home
    1. The wife is to submit to her husband
      1. Submit (to line up behind) –she is to follow his lead and support his efforts to lead the family
      1. Ephesians 5:22-24 she is to follow “as unto the Lord”
        1. She is not to follow husband in doing evil (Abigail properly disobeyed Nabol; Peter, John properly disobeyed Jewish Leaders)
        1. I Corinthians 11:1 Paul was to be imitated only as he imitated Christ
    1. 1 Pt. 3 the wife is to show respect for her husband
    1. A submissive (not rebellious, quarrelsome, or berating) wife is befitting (measures up to) the Lord
      1. It is what the Lord expects
      1. Humble submission is expected even if the wife deems that the husband is unworthy of it
  3. The Christian husband
    1. The husband is to love (agape) his wife
      1. Self-sacrificing (gracious, forgiving; serving)
      1. The husband is to take care of his wife in spiritual, physical, and emotional areas, even if he does not feel appreciated or respected (I Timothy 5:8)
    1. Do not be bitter (pikrainesthe; English = to prick)
      1. Don’t be embittered toward your wife
      1. Wives want to be loved, respected, and cared for
      1. Husbands want to be appreciated and admired
      1. When a husband is disappointed by the response of his wife toward him, he tends to become sullen, disillusioned, and resentful of his wife
    1. Both men and women tend to go into a marriage with unrealistic expectations that are soon dashed
      1. Both seek more to be fulfilled than to fulfill
      1. Human flaws overwhelm idealistic fantasies
    1. Malachi 2:14-15 husbands need to abandon fantasies and embrace who God has made his wife to be
  4. Father and children
    1. Children are to obey parents = pleases God
    1. Fathers are not to provoke (stir up; disturb) their children
      1. Authority can be abused and misused
      1. Children are not little adults to be used whimsically to avoid what adults should be doing
      1. Proverbs 22:6 training of children is to be measured, reasonable, nurtured, encouraging, instructive, and corrective (not arbitrary, moody, inconsistent…)
    1. Rearing children is a laborious work of love and patience
    1. Abusive and neglectful parents lead to bitter adult children
    1. All positions in the home are stewardship responsibilities
  5. Ezekiel 18:20 each family member is accountable for own obligations

Key verse: Ephesians 5:22-6:4

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [a]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, [b]of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Jun 6, 2021. II Samuel 12:24-25

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THE SOLOMON PUZZLE.  II Samuel 12:24-25.  06/06/2021. PM.

2 Samuel 12:24-25 [New King James Version]

24 Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the Lord loved him, 25 and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.

  1. David’s wife, Bathsheba
    1. David had many legitimate wives: Michal, Abigail, Ahinoam-
    1. Bathsheba was a stolen wife, taken from a loyal officer, Uriah, whom David had killed, along with others with him
    1. David comforts Bathsheba after the death of her child
      1. The Scriptures recognize her as David’s legitimate wife, even though she was taken via adultery
      1. Nothing is recorded of how David’s other wives felt about Bathsheba and David’s actions
    1. Bathsheba seems to have moved to the head of the line as David’s favorite wife and Michal is no longer mentioned
  2. Solomon
    1. Bathsheba bore a second son to David
      1. Named the boy Solomon (“man of peace”)
      1. Despite both the adulterous murderous way David obtained Bathsheba, the union is blessed with a son of destiny (power of forgiveness and restoration of the Lord (Moses, Paul, Manasseh)
    1. God loved Solomon
      1. Solomon was not responsible for what his parents had done, so he did carry David’s guilt
      1. Scripture does not record God’s special expression of love on any of David’s other sons (Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah, Nathan…)
      1. No reason is given for God’s special interest in Solomon over the other siblings
    1. God’s sovereign choices are based upon his own unrevealed reasons (Job 38 –not up for critique or scrutiny)
    1. Solomon jumps over his older brothers as crowned prince
  3. The forbidden questions
    1. Rom. 9:14 there are many questions that puzzle us:
      1. Why are some people chosen for salvation while others are not chosen?
      1. Why do some people have many opportunities to hear the gospel, while others have none?
      1. Why were the Jews chosen as God’s people, when they were rebellious and unfaithful?
      1. Why was Jacob chosen over Esau when at times it seems that Esau had more integrity than Jacob?
      1. It what sense is Hebrews 11 declaration that the world was not worthy of Samson?
      1. Why did the wicked Manasseh’s reign last for 50 years while righteous Joab dies at age 39?
    1. The a priori of Christian beliefs
      1. A priori = primary unproved foundational beliefs (axiomatic = self evident facts that need no proof)
      1. Spiritual axioms:
        1. God is always right and righteous
        1. God is not to be challenged (Isaiah 55:8-11)
        1. God’s will and ways are to be accepted, even if they are not understood (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)
        1. We will understand God’s ways when we are taken to be with him (I Corinthians 13:12)
        1. God’s choices are hidden within his holy perfect character
    1. God’s selection of Solomon wasn’t contingent upon results
      1. Even though Solomon started as one seeking to serve God (2 Chron. 1:10), he ended up serving himself and even idols
      1. Solomon’s indulgences were excessive: multiple palaces, 1,000 wives and concubines, 9,000 horses, huge collections of exotic treasures and animals, enormous taxes, idols in God’s temple…
    1. Solomon paid a price for his sins, for he laid aside his God-given wisdom in order to indulge himself

May 30, 2021. Colossians 3:16-17

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DIVINE DOMINANCE.  Colossians 3:16-17.  05/30/2021.  #10.

Colossians 3:16-17 [New King James Version]

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

  1. Primacy of the Word of God
    1. After Paul explains how believers are to behave, he gives them the mechanism to accomplish it: indwelling of Word
    1. Let the Word richly (plousios, plentifully, abundantly) dwell in you = to take all the Word in that can be taken
      1. The OT and part of the NT had been completed
      1. Enough of the Word was finished to understand the ways and will of God + a believer’s obligation
    1. Indwelling = what inhabits our souls
      1. Romans 7 sin dwells in us
      1. Ephesians 1:13-14 believers have the Holy Spirit dwell in them, sealing them for eternity
      1. Ephesians 3:17 Christ to dwell in our hearts via faith
    1. Everyone is indwelt with sin and all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but we must choose to be indwelt by Word
      1. We are admonished to have an abundance of the Word living in us (knowing and following it)
      1. The Word dwells sparsely in most believers
    1. The indwelling of the Word is the source of “all” wisdom
      1. II Timothy 3:16-17 God had chosen to use his Word as the source of gaining wisdom (Hebrews 4:12)
      1. The Word of God is prescriptive: telling what is right and wrong, true and false; worthy and unworthy
      1. The Word of God is corrective: warning against sin, and restoring the wayward to the right path
    1. The Word of God is instructive, building wisdom
      1. Psalm 1 the Word is to be meditated upon
      1. II Timothy 2:15 the Word is to be studied
      1. Psalm 119:11 the Word is to me memorized
      1. Revelation 1:3 the Word is to be read
      1. James 1:22 the Word is to be heeded
      1. I Peter 4:11 the Word is to be taught
  2. Melodious teaching
    1. We are to “teach” and “admonish” one another
      1. The body of Christ is used to serve, edify, comfort, and teach each other the ways of God
      1. Teaching deals with proper instruction that emphasizes what is true and useful
      1. Admonition (literally., “to put to mind”) deals with warning, earnestly persuading, and cautioning each other to avoid temptation and follow righteousness
        1. There is an urgency in battling sin nature
        1. Ephesians 4:11-12 casual Christianity loses the battle against the flesh and the world
    1. God gave us music to help teach us truth in a memorable way and to express our commitment to and worship of God
      1. Warning: not all hymns and spiritual songs are true to the Word of God (by ignorance, bias, or flesh)
      1. Christian music can enhance teaching, admonishing, and worship, but it can’t replace the Word of God
    1. Music from the heart = from core convictions, not emotions (many people like the music, but are not committed to Word)
  3. All for Jesus
    1. The Lord needs to be our motivation for all that we do
      1. I Corinthians 10:30 even our most mundane tasks
      1. Luke 6:46 he is Lord and is to be obeyed in all things
      1. Job 1 all belongs to him for his good pleasure
      1. II Corinthians 10:3-5 our thoughts are to be bound to Lord
    1. Even though spiritual warfare is a great struggle, it is a matter of great thanksgiving that we are empowered to serve, please, and worship him (Romans 8:18 struggles = minor)

Key verse: Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

May 30, 2021. II Samuel 12:13-23

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THE FRUIT OF FOLLY.  II Samuel 12:13-23.  05/30/2021.  #24.

2 Samuel 12:13-23 [New King James Version]

13 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” 15 Then Nathan departed to his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. 16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!” 19 When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” 20 So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

  1. The verdict
    1. David immediately acknowledges his guilt when confronted by Nathan (unlike Saul, Jonah, Samson, Balaam, Jezebel…)
      1. Psalm 51 David confesses that he has sinned against the Lord (“against you & you only”, Psalm 51:4)
      1. David mentions nothing about Uriah, the men who died with him, or Bathsheba
    1. The prescribed penalty is execution (for adultery & murder)
    1. Nathan states that God has commuted his sentence
      1. David would not be executed for his sins
      1. David is forgiven of his sins
    1. David’s sentence is commuted to a life of sorrowful trials
      1. His enemies will be raised up from within his home
      1. David short circuited his own blessing (Dt. 24 we do the same thing when we sin)
      1. David would never know what other blessings God had for him
    1. David faces open shame because he had “given God’s enemies great occasion to blaspheme God’s name”
      1. David had shown himself to be a hypocrite
      1. All would know what David had done
      1. When we worship & testify of God’s goodness & then sin, the unsaved accuse us hypocrisy
        1. “vice pays respect to virtue”
        1. We come across as self-righteous
    1. David does not compound the problem with denials or justification for his sin (the world must see us confess & repent of our sins)
    1. The Christian is on display & the world watches his life
      1. Neither sin nor self-righteousness are viable
      1. A life of circumspect takes constant vigilance
    1. Forgiveness does not forestall recompense
      1. David had a price to pay (accountability)
      1. There are always consequences for sin
  2. The axe falls on the child
    1. David is told that the child Bathsheba carries would die
      1. The child had done nothing wrong, but he played the role of recompense for sin (as Job’s children played the role of testing Job’s faith)
      1. We can’t judge God’s actions in dealing with David
    1. David mourns & pleads with God to spare the child
      1. God’s judgment was final (like Moses’ judgment)
      1. David could neither take back his deeds nor dissuade God of his judgment (can’t redo events)
    1. David’s servants can’t convince David to eat
      1. His anguish is a part of the penalty he must pay
      1. His sincerity does not change what was done
    1. The anguish of remorse doesn’t necessarily bring change
      1. What we feel is not always transfer to lasting belief
      1. David learns a lesson, but still is prone to sin
  3. Aftermath
    1. After the baby dies, David resumes his life
      1. He explains = there was no more that he could do
      1. David states that he could later go to the child
    1. David’s knowledge of the child’s destiny is not a doctrine
      1. Can’t conclude that all deceased babies are saved
      1. Acts 16:31 a believer’s family isn’t guaranteed salvation

May 23, 2021. Colossians 3:12-15

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THE FORBEARING FAITHFUL.  Colossians 3:12-15. 05/23/2021. #09.

Colossians 3:12-15 [New King James Version]

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

  1. From gruff to gracious
    1. Verse 11 states that not only males and females, free and enslaved can become new creations in Christ, but also Scythians and barbarians as well
    1. Scythians were nomads from the steppes east of the Caucasus (considered barbaric as raiders and pillagers)
    1. Barbarians = anyone who did not speak Greek (low life)
    1. The elect of God = chosen or selected by God from before the foundation of the world to be saved (Ephesians 1:4)
    1. Holy and beloved (John 3:16, I Peter 2:9)
      1. Holy = separated from world unto God
      1. Beloved = God chose to bestow his love upon us even when we were still sinners (Rm. 5:8)
    1. Put on tender mercies…
      1. Christian deportment is a choice, not sure result
      1. The flesh still resists the regenerated spirit in us
      1. Twenty-nine different Greek words translated “put”
        1. b1. Enduo is in the middle voice (something you have to put on yourself)
        1. b2. Put on the new man (Ephesians 4:17-24); put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17)
  2. The Christian graces
    1. Tender mercies (splagchva oktipmou) – lit., bowels of compassion (seat of emotions to Jews; Eng. = a “gut feeling”, “a feeling in the pit of my stomach”…)
    1. Kindness = goodness of heart; wholesome intentions
    1. Humility – lowly; to reduce one’s image and self-worth in the presence of God and others (to put others before self)
    1. Meekness – gentleness; a gentle nature; mild (not to be confused with weakness = Jesus was meek but not weak)
    1. Longsuffering (made up of 2 words: makro [big or long] + thumos [to heat up {anger}]) = literally, to take a long time to become angry (Jam. 1:19 slow to wrath) – related to patience and forbearing
    1. Bearing one another (forbearance) – literally, putting up with one another
    1. Forgiving (charizomenoi; English word, charity) one another (showing grace to one another, Eph. 4:32) = refusing to hold onto grudges for sins and offenses
      1. Not holding onto grievances (complaints)
      1. As Christ forgives us, we are to forgive others
  3. 3 The primacy of love
    1. Above all things love one another
      1. John 13:34 love (agape = charitable love) is the mark of discipleship
      1. I Corinthians 13 love excels even faith and hope
      1. Mark 12:30-31 loving God and our neighbor is the basis of all the other commandments
      1. James 2 love is called the Royal Commandment
    1. For a believer to charitably love is completion or maturity (telios = to come to the end; to finish; English: telephone,  telescope, television, telepathy…)
    1. Peace of God is to rule in our hearts
      1. Philippians 4:5-7 peace comes from a confidence in God that provides calm assurance
      1. I John 4:8-18 mature love casts out all fear
    1. Be thankful (eucharestis, good grace) = God is the granter of all things and should be continually praised
      1. Philippians 4:5-7 the ungrateful can even properly pray
      1. Philippians 2:14 the complainer and discontented is not in right relationship with the Lord (sinful)
    1. Galatians 5:22-23 the Christian graces are one package

Key verse:  Ephesians 4:17-24

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.