Scripture: 2 Samuel 2:1-32
Sermon Series: 2 Samuel: When God is Your King! – Sermon 02
According to Guy Kawasaki (picture), “Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.”
A woman’s car stalled in traffic. She looked in vain under the hood to identify the cause, while the driver behind her leaned relentlessly on his horn. Finally, she’d had enough. She walked back to his car and offered sweetly, “I don’t know what the matter is with my car. But if you want to go look under the hood, I’ll be glad to stay here and lay on the horn for you.”
Most of us aren’t good at waiting, yet waiting is a vital and healthy part of the Christian life. It’s where God works. It’s where we often grow the most spiritually. Waiting is often God’s will and plan for us. Perhaps this is what inspired Lewis Smedes (picture) to write: “Waiting is our destiny. As creatures who cannot by themselves bring about what they hope for, we wait in the darkness for a flame we cannot light. We wait in fear for a happy ending we cannot write. We wait for a ‘not yet’ that feels like a ‘not ever.’”
Throughout Scripture God’s people are repeatedly urged to Wait on the Lord. This instruction runs through the Bible to the very end. In the last chapter of Revelation, John closes by saying, “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20) It may not seem like it, but in light of eternity, it’s very soon.
And then John writes a reply, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” In other words, “We’ll hang on. But please come. We’re waiting for you.”
Waiting on God can be very difficult. Sometimes it seems impossible. We want things to happen now, according to our plans. But God doesn’t operate on our schedules. Expecting that He will sets us up for disappointment.
In Samuel 2, David is waiting. As he has been much of his life, David is In God’s Waiting Room. He’s faithfully waiting for God to fulfill His promise to finally make him king over all Israel.
Following no standard procedure or human schedule, God moves and establishes his king, His anointed one. Yet while David is patiently waiting on God, there are two other characters in this chapter, Abner and Asahel, who won’t wait on God, and it costs them.
Are you in a period of waiting? Are you In God’s Waiting Room? As He did with David, God puts us in His waiting room to help us grow and to learn to depend on Him. If you’re taking notes…
1. Waiting on God demands discernment, vss. 1-3.
After Saul’s death David doesn’t attempt to seize the throne. He first asks the Lord if he should even return to Judah. He’s not asking for travel information. He’s seeking God’s will and timing.
David doesn’t make a move without first asking God. He “inquired of the Lord.” Saul, you’ll remember, had been instructed by Samuel to wait and listen to the Lord, but he wouldn’t. As a result of his disobedience, both his kingdom and his life ended.
Here we discover that David inquires, listens, and obeys. He waits for God to direct him before he moves. His ascension to the throne is on the path of obedience. He was the king God had chosen, the man after God’s own heart.
How did David receive guidance from God? We don’t know. Scripture doesn’t tell us. God gave David instructions because David wanted to be sure he was walking in obedience to God before making a move. He was a humble leader focused on going no further than God wanted him to go.
This is a lesson for us. Many times, we see an opportunity, and we pounce at the opportunity rather than slowing down, checking with God, and asking what He wants us to do. How do we check with God today? How do we discover God’s will? Let me share some guidelines that I’ve found helpful.
First, surrender your decision to God. This is foundational. We want God’s will, not to twist God’s arm to give us our will.
Second, study the Bible. Does Scripture give any direct guidance about the decision you are facing? Does a biblical principle apply to your situation? God’s will never violates God’s Word.
Third, seek God’s guidance through prayer. Before we make a major choice, we pray about it, give it to Him and ask God to guide us.
Fourth, seek godly advice. Its why God wants us in a church family. There are godly individuals in a church that God will use to give us wise counsel.
Fifth, understand your circumstances. God isn’t only working in us; He also is working around us. Often God guides through our circumstances.
Finally, trust God for the outcome. Once God leads you to make a decision, don’t hesitate. Trust His leading and believe He goes before you because He does.
Remember: God loves you, and He wants you to know His will. Seek it…discover it…and then do it. The Father’s way is always best.
God leads David to Hebron (map). Hebron was perhaps the most significant city in southern Judah. Since David is of the tribe of Judah, it’s wise for him to make Hebron his capital. It’s 25 miles from Ziklag and 19 miles southwest of Jerusalem. It has a rich history. Abraham lived there. In fact, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Leah are all buried in Hebron.
But Judah didn’t make David king. God had made David the king when God had Samuel the prophet anoint him as king in 1 Samuel 16. God’s anointing was what mattered. Judah just recognized what God had done and that David is God’s chosen king for the nation. Later David will be anointed as king a third time when he becomes king over the entire nation.
We’ve seen two things about David’s leadership style that we can learn from. First, he’s not trying to pursue his own will and ambitions. He’s checking with God and seeking to obey God about his choices. Second, he’s not grabbing power. He didn’t make himself king of Judah. They wanted him to be king. He’s not pushing himself on people. He’s serving people and letting God unfold his future. In Hebron the kingdom of God becomes visible in the world for all people to see if they will open their eyes.
God’s will includes flawed people. The story of Scripture is not about great people. It’s about a gracious God. In this account David’s two wives are mentioned. These are David’s second and third wives. His first wife, Michal, had been taken by Saul when David fled for his life and given to another man to hurt David. David’s uncontrolled sex drive will ultimately cost him.
What do we do about polygamy? The Bible is clear in Genesis 2 that God’s original blueprint is one man and one woman in marriage and God’s plan is reaffirmed in the New Testament. Yet in the Old Testament, we frequently find polygamy being practiced.
What seems really odd is that we don’t see polygamy expressly forbidden in the Old Testament. We even find heroes of the faith, like David, practicing it. Polygamy at that time was part of many cultures. While the Bible doesn’t directly condemn polygamy in Old Testament times, it does indirectly critique it and shows us its dangers. Every time you find polygamy in the Old Testament, it always results in disaster.
For example, in 2 Samuel, we’ll see that in spite of all the good things David has going for him, his kingdom will be destroyed because of his love for many women and refusal to deny himself a married woman. David’s son Solomon, who was the wisest man ever to live, will have his heart led astray from God because of his love for many wives.
God’s plan from the beginning was one man for one woman in marriage. Everything else is an aberration from God’s best and His plan.
How is this relevant to us? Unless you’re a Mormon, you probably won’t struggle with literal polygamy. But many, even many Christians, struggle with virtual polygamy through the Internet. They fill their minds sexually with those other than their spouses. Just as literal polygamy leads to disaster, virtual polygamy always leads to disaster. It will ruin a life. If you are struggling with virtual polygamy or pornography, what should you do?
Begin by admitting it’s a sin and confess it to God and accept His forgiveness through Jesus. If you’re single, find an older, spiritually mature same-sex friend who will hold you accountable and pray with you and for you. If you’re married, you need to confess your virtual polygamy to your spouse and ask for forgiveness. You’ve not just sinned against God; you’ve sinned against them. Confessing that sin will hurt. It’s always better to confess sin willingly and repent than to stubbornly deny our sin and get caught red-handed. That leaves a wound much harder to heal. Lust is a deadly sin.
2. Waiting on God is not inactivity, vss. 4b-7.
What David does reveals his heart. It was unheard of in that culture. It’s essentially unheard of today.
Back then, you either terrified your predecessors’ supporters, imprisoned them or executed them. When we get a new President or Governor, the previous one will be the scapegoat for as long as possible. It happens in the workplace too. The former boss was an idiot and now you have a smart one. Too often it’s that way in the church. “The former pastor was out of touch.”
This is a great leadership model. David wisely honors the Jabesh-Gileadites for taking risks to bury Saul. In doing so he honors King Saul. When you honor your predecessor, you’ll often make their friends your friends. David is seeking to heal the divisions in Israel. He offers grace to his enemies.
Isn’t that what Jesus did for us at the cross? He changed us from being His enemies at salvation to being His friends. We’re to do the same. Romans 12:17-18: “Repay no one evil for evil but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
David’s first act as king mixes politics and faith. Remember the citizens of Jabesh? At great risk they’d courageously rescued the bodies of Saul and his sons from the Philistines. After having been killed in battle their bodies were decapitated, stripped naked and impaled on a wall for all to see.
David commends these loyal citizens for their bravery. As they’d shown allegiance to Saul, David implies it’s time to transfer that allegiance to him as king. It’s a wise move. He’s appealing to this northern city to join his cause. To side with him at this time would take strength and courage, but they were a people used to taking risks. In so doing he offers them a prayer-wish, May Yahweh now show you kindness and faithfulness.
Let me ask…Do you remember the smartest teachers that you had in school or the kindest ones? We remember the kind ones. David is offering kindness and his protection, just as Saul had done for them.
They were loyalists to Saul, yet David’s message to those who had every reason to regard him as their enemy, was about the grace of God. It gives us an inkling of what Jesus has done for us, doesn’t it? You can imagine these people getting together and having an evening meal after the messengers came with this great news from David the King. And they said to one another, “You know, even while we were still his enemies, he showed us his love.” Isn’t that Romans 5:8? “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” It’s what’s portrayed here.
It’s the ancient equivalent of “reaching across the aisle.” David’s actions though are real and authentic. He’s not trying to look like he cares about Saul or them for the sake of some political advantage. He really cares. We saw that last week as he wept over Saul and Jonathan. David is the real deal.
Here we see what’s impressed us at various points along David’s story: his incredible patience. He reaches out to them because he is real in his concern for their grief. Informing them he’s been anointed king is an invitation, but nothing more. David is patient to see how all of this will play out. He’s connected to God’s story that came before him and patient to see that story play out in his life. What about us? Are we patient with God’s story?
3. Waiting on God often has obstacles, vss. 8-11.
While David is waiting on God’s timing, Abner, Saul’s general, decides to be a kingmaker. Abner is the consummate opportunist. He knows God has chosen David but he’s not going to wait around. He takes matters into his own hands. Ishbosheth is a puppet king with Abner having the true power.
Unlike David’s rise to power, there’s no mention of divine direction or seeking God’s approval. Abner is willing to hurt the nation and keep it divided to satisfy his own lust for power and ambition.
Many believers think that if they’re in God’s will, everything will fall into place. Consequently, many sincere Christians are discouraged when they encounter opposition. If you’re seeking to be faithful to God and do His will, you’ll face opposition. We may contend with human frailty on one hand and selfish ambition on the other. The bottom line is that we’re going to face opposition if we’re seeking to do God’s will. Like David, we must persevere.
Old Testament names reflect character. Ishbosheth’s name means “man of shame.” We have to wonder why he wasn’t in the battle. From what we learn he was a big wuss and probably too poor of a warrior. He lacks character.
Ishbosheth is a pawn. Abner pulls the strings on the puppet-king. Since the last battle the Philistines dominated central Palestine, so Abner establishes his new apostate capital in Mahanaim, on the east side of the Jordan River. For 6½ years there are 2 kingdoms, north and south. David is king of the south. Only one tribe, his own, Judah, is loyal to him. Ishbosheth consolidates the 11 northern tribes under his illegitimate reign.
The political maneuvering is a warning to us. When we place our hope in manipulation or political maneuvering, we’ll inevitably be disappointed.
These two stories are not meant to compare David and Ishbosheth. We can’t compare the two kings because Ishbosheth is practically a non-character. The real contrast is between David and Abner. David waited and asked God what he should do. Abner charged ahead. David acted in line with the overall story of God. Abner was all about his moment. David showed sensitivity and grief to those who might have been rivals. Abner finds a puppet to act as king so that he can be the real power. He moves the capital far away and ignores the overall plan of God. Abner was completely disconnected from the story of God. He’s the new “Saul.”
Be honest. Who are you more like? Abner or David? Do you sometimes act like Abner? Do you act on your own? To be fair, this is the way we’re taught to act in today’s world. We’re trained to seize the moment. To look at what’s happening right now and make the best decision to maximize whatever it is we want. We’re told that what we can see in front of us is the most important thing. I need to figure out my identity. I must take care of ME. I won’t be satisfied unless I’m fulfilled. I want things my way. It’s my job to make my own happiness. It’s all up to me. Abner is a model of that sinful way of thinking. He’s a “live in the moment” kind of guy. In the end, it costs him. Abner, like his cousin, Saul, is impatient, taking matters into his own hands.
4. Spiritual impatience is costly, vss. 12-32.
Do you like Reese’s Pieces? Do you know when they became popular? Reese’s Pieces were introduced by Hershey’s in 1978 but their popularity skyrocketed in 1982.
Mars Company was asked by Steven Spielberg (picture) if he could use M&Ms in a new movie he was making called E.T. (picture). Mars passed on the chance to use M&Ms in “E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial,” but Hershey stepped in with Reese’s Pieces. The movie was a megahit and sales of Reese’s Pieces jumped 65% in June 1982, the same month E.T. was released.
There are so many bad, impulsive decisions with disastrous results in this section. Apparently, Abner has led a force to take aggressive actions against Judah. Joab, David’s general brings Judah’s army to check them. Both armies meet at the pool of Gibeon. They’re in a standoff, with each army sitting on different sides of the pool.
Abner initiates a match between 12 of the best soldiers from each side. Back then to avoid total conflict, a champion from each side would be chosen with the winner taking it all. These politician/generals weren’t wise enough, good enough, or gifted enough to solve the situations facing them.
It’s similar to when Goliath challenged the army of Israel and David took him out. It was intended to be more of a wrestling bout, like Sumo wrestlers facing off, but it turned bloody and devolved into a full civil war.
All 24 men died. It quickly became a full-blown battle. It was so bloody that the place was renamed, Helkath-hazzurim, which means “the field of daggers or the field of hostilities.” What was meant to be a competitive joust, erodes into a fierce all-day battle with many dead.
Some families are just great athletes. That’s Joab and his brothers, Abishai and Asahel. Abishai accompanied David into Saul’s camp and with him took Saul’s spear and jug of water (1 Samuel 26). The three are David’s nephews, the sons of his sister, Zeruiah. Joab was David’s general.
When I was in college, Ben Peterson, the Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler, was the college’s wrestling coach. Ben and his brother, John (picture), were both Olympic wrestlers. Both had won Gold Medals. As they were gifted wrestlers, these sons of Zeruiah were gifted warriors.
Abner sees that things are not going his way or as he expected, so he escapes. But Asahel, the youngest and fastest of the brothers, pursues him. Taking out Abner might bring an end to the war and the country’s division.
But Abner is a seasoned warrior and doesn’t want to kill him. He knows too that killing this brother will result in a blood feud between he and Joab, and he wants no part of it. “Abner said to him, “‘Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his spoil.’” But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. And Abner said again to Asahel, ‘Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?’ But [Asahel] refused to turn aside” (2 Samuel 2:21-23).
Asahel is fast, fearless yet foolish. His impulsivity costs him his life. “Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died where he was. And all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still” (2 Samuel 2:23).
How did this happen? It appears that his speed was the reason for his demise. He was able to run so fast that when Abner decided to brake and hold his spear behind him, Asahel propelled himself right into the spear, which ran right through his gut and out his back. It was horrible.
Abner had warned him, finally got fed up with him, turned around, waited for him to come, and drove the thing right into him. However way it happened, “he fell there,” and “died where he was. And all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.”
It’s a terrible picture, isn’t it? Nobody walked past. Nobody could pass. He must have been quite a well-known character. They must have said, you know, “He was so brave and such a fast runner. What a tragedy! What a waste of a life. Why wouldn’t he listen?”
Because he was foolish. Fearless, but foolish! My friend, beware, lest the very gifts God has given you become the occasion of your own destruction.
With their brother dead, Joab and Abishai continued chasing Abner. It’s now a blood feud, as Abner feared. It’s easier to start an argument than it is to end it. It’s easier to start a war than it is to end it. Abner has been the aggressor. He started the whole big mess, but now he appeals to Joab because if he hadn’t Israeli brother would continue to fight Israeli brother.
Confederate General, Robert E. Lee (picture), viewing the carnage from the battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862, said to General James Longstreet (picture), “It is well that war is so terrible; otherwise we would grow too fond of it.” At the end 20 soldiers of David had died and 360 of Abner’s men. Abner was driven by impatience and selfish ambition. Sadly, there’s a little bit of Abner in all of us. We often sin stupidly and selfishly, and others pay the price. As we’ll see next week, Abner knew God had chosen David, he just wanted his own agenda. He wasn’t willing to wait.
It’s simple to know the truth, quote the truth yet fail to embrace and obey the truth…ultimately, we assault the truth. That was Abner. Too often it’s us.
Conclusion
So many people quit reading the Bible or repudiate it with: “I can’t read the Bible, especially the Old Testament—too much bloodshed, too much brutality. I don’t want to read about people like Abner or Joab, that’s too much like Ukraine, Hamas and today’s news. I want to read about Jesus.”
So, why does the Bible have accounts like this in it? Why don’t people behave better? Why aren’t people nicer? If God is at the center of things, why does history get so messed up?
The answer is obvious, even if unsanitized. This, the stuff of 2 Samuel, is the context in which God chooses to work out our salvation. It’s in the muck of our sin, the world’s sin, that Jesus came and rescued us.
Jesus didn’t come to a Sunday School class world. He came in the middle of evil, the Roman Empire. He taught that there could be world peace and peace with God – and they crucified Him. But He didn’t stay dead, and it was all God’s plan.
Jesus died for all of our sin, David’s, Joab’s, Abner’s and yours and mine. He came to bring us peace, but not world peace or even inner peace but peace with God. You see, my friend this world will never have peace, you will never have peace, you’ll never have peace in your marriage or family…none of that. We will never have true peace until we first have peace with God. Until we surrender to Him and wait for Him to bring His King back and His everlasting Kingdom.
The very best human efforts will always achieve far less than we dare hope for. It’s why we pray, “Your Kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10) because we’re not wise enough, talented enough, moral enough, good enough or powerful enough ourselves to make any progress. It is and has always been God’s work to bring in His kingdom. Only when He establishes His kingdom will we know the peace we long for.
His peace begins in your heart, as you surrender to Him as your Savior and Lord. It begins when we honestly and humbly pray – “Your Kingdom come” in my heart, in my life, in my world. May it begin today!
It doesn’t mean that life will be easy. It does mean that He gives us His peace. Like David we wait until He brings His Kingdom and peace to our whole world!
Christian friend, are you weary today? Are you a weary pilgrim? Do you find yourself discouraged by the news and this world? There will always be battles. There will always be an Abner who seeks to crown their own kings. But nothing will hinder Christ from victory. Jesus is coming again to set up His kingdom. All attempts to resist His will are futile. Neither Abner or sin or Satan will stop God’s work from being accomplished. It’s why we pray, Your kingdom come. And come it will, all in God’s time.
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Are you ready for His kingdom? Have you made peace with the King? Are you living as a loyal subject of the King?
As Colossians wonderfully reminds us: “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).