Dealing With Scandals and Seductions

2 Samuel 3
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Pastor Colin invites the congregation to open their Bibles to 2 Samuel chapter 3, as he continues the story of King David uniting the 12 tribes of Israel with grace and leadership, which is needed at all levels today.

He emphasises how David reached out to the people of Jabesh-Gilead, showing grace to those least likely to receive him, and points out that this mirrors Jesus Christ, who unites people from every nation through grace.

Pastor Colin recounts the story of three hotheaded brothers who wanted to destroy people David was trying to unite. He particularly focuses on Abner, who set up Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, as a rival king to David.

Colin delves into Abner’s eventual decision to switch allegiance to David. David negotiates with Abner, asking for his first wife, Michal, to be returned to him. He discusses the moral and emotional complexities of this demand.

The pastor further explores Abner’s offer to David, warning against people who promise what only God can give and seek to control others. He advises not to despise such people but not to trust them either, using Psalm 37 to illustrate putting one’s trust in God alone.

Colin moves on to describe Joab’s revenge killing of Abner. He highlights the need for leaders to tell the truth, mourn deeply, and act with justice in the face of public scandals, which David partially succeeded in.

He ends by pointing out the imperfections in David’s kingdom and contrasts it with the perfect justice and grace found in Jesus Christ’s kingdom, where both justice and grace intersect at the Cross.

1 00:00:00,080 –> 00:00:01,560 I do invite you to open your Bible 2 00:00:01,560 –> 00:00:03,560 at 2 Samuel chapter 3. 3 00:00:03,560 –> 00:00:06,280 We’re going to look at the whole of this chapter together, 4 00:00:06,280 –> 00:00:09,400 and we’re continuing the remarkable story 5 00:00:09,400 –> 00:00:11,360 of how David brought people 6 00:00:11,360 –> 00:00:15,360 from the 12 scattered tribes of Israel together 7 00:00:15,360 –> 00:00:18,719 and united them as one people. 8 00:00:18,719 –> 00:00:23,719 When God anointed David as king in the first period, 9 00:00:24,040 –> 00:00:28,920 only one tribe actually received him, 10 00:00:28,940 –> 00:00:32,180 and David gives to us a marvelous example 11 00:00:32,180 –> 00:00:34,799 of reaching out with grace 12 00:00:34,799 –> 00:00:38,299 in order to bring people from these other tribes together 13 00:00:38,299 –> 00:00:40,820 and to win them so that people 14 00:00:40,820 –> 00:00:43,259 would be brought together as one. 15 00:00:43,259 –> 00:00:46,599 This is a marvelous model of the kind of leadership 16 00:00:46,599 –> 00:00:51,500 that our world desperately needs today at every level, 17 00:00:51,500 –> 00:00:52,900 leadership that unites. 18 00:00:52,900 –> 00:00:55,500 We need it from the family all the way up 19 00:00:55,500 –> 00:00:58,500 to needing that at national and international level, 20 00:00:58,500 –> 00:01:03,500 a kind of leadership that brings people together. 21 00:01:03,680 –> 00:01:06,699 And we saw that David’s very first move 22 00:01:06,699 –> 00:01:08,660 was to reach out to the people 23 00:01:08,660 –> 00:01:11,980 least likely to receive him. 24 00:01:11,980 –> 00:01:14,860 In this case, they was the people of Jabesh-Gilead. 25 00:01:14,860 –> 00:01:16,059 And he reached out to them 26 00:01:16,059 –> 00:01:17,800 with a marvelous message of grace. 27 00:01:17,800 –> 00:01:20,860 I will do you good, he says, 28 00:01:20,860 –> 00:01:24,199 to those least likely to receive him. 29 00:01:24,199 –> 00:01:26,519 From the beginning, David had set out 30 00:01:26,519 –> 00:01:29,339 to win people by showing grace. 31 00:01:29,339 –> 00:01:30,480 And, of course, in this, 32 00:01:30,480 –> 00:01:33,900 he points us very wonderfully to the Lord Jesus Christ, 33 00:01:33,900 –> 00:01:37,400 who wins people from every tribe and every nation 34 00:01:37,400 –> 00:01:39,599 and makes them one in his kingdom 35 00:01:39,599 –> 00:01:42,699 as he wins us by his grace. 36 00:01:43,760 –> 00:01:46,199 Now last week, we looked at the story 37 00:01:46,199 –> 00:01:49,519 of three brothers, the sons of Zeruiah, 38 00:01:49,519 –> 00:01:52,900 that is Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, 39 00:01:52,900 –> 00:01:55,639 three brothers who we described as hotheads 40 00:01:55,639 –> 00:01:57,800 and hardliners. 41 00:01:57,800 –> 00:02:02,260 They wanted to destroy the very people 42 00:02:02,260 –> 00:02:05,820 that David was seeking to win. 43 00:02:05,820 –> 00:02:08,279 And in particular, they were determined 44 00:02:08,279 –> 00:02:10,500 to destroy a man by the name of Abner, 45 00:02:10,500 –> 00:02:12,979 who we met last week, the old warrior 46 00:02:12,979 –> 00:02:16,619 who had been the captain of Saul’s army 47 00:02:16,619 –> 00:02:18,759 and now had set up Saul’s son, 48 00:02:18,759 –> 00:02:22,240 a man by the name of Isposheth, as a rival king. 49 00:02:22,259 –> 00:02:23,580 So there were two kings, 50 00:02:23,580 –> 00:02:26,259 one anointed by God, that was David 51 00:02:26,259 –> 00:02:28,679 and one anointed by this man, Abner, 52 00:02:28,679 –> 00:02:31,080 and his name was Isposheth. 53 00:02:32,440 –> 00:02:34,500 We saw last week how Azehalten, 54 00:02:34,500 –> 00:02:37,600 one of the hotheads who served David 55 00:02:37,600 –> 00:02:40,500 but terribly misrepresented him, 56 00:02:40,500 –> 00:02:42,660 how he lost his own life 57 00:02:42,660 –> 00:02:47,539 in his needless pursuit of this man, Abner. 58 00:02:47,539 –> 00:02:51,880 And we saw the tragedy of the hotheads, 59 00:02:51,880 –> 00:02:55,779 that while they saw themselves serving the king, 60 00:02:55,779 –> 00:02:58,800 they actually misrepresented him. 61 00:02:58,800 –> 00:03:01,259 They forgot who they were serving. 62 00:03:01,259 –> 00:03:02,580 And while the king was seeking 63 00:03:02,580 –> 00:03:05,399 to bring people together by grace, 64 00:03:05,399 –> 00:03:09,899 the sons of Zeruiah were actually driving people apart 65 00:03:09,899 –> 00:03:12,580 by reaching out to destroy. 66 00:03:12,580 –> 00:03:14,820 Now, that’s where we’ve got to in 2 Samuel 67 00:03:14,820 –> 00:03:16,740 and now we come to chapter three. 68 00:03:16,740 –> 00:03:18,139 And we’re going to find here 69 00:03:18,139 –> 00:03:21,699 two very practical challenges 70 00:03:21,699 –> 00:03:25,520 that every leader at some time will face. 71 00:03:25,520 –> 00:03:29,919 One is the challenge of the seductive offer, 72 00:03:29,919 –> 00:03:31,639 and the other is the challenge 73 00:03:31,639 –> 00:03:34,919 of dealing with a public scandal. 74 00:03:34,919 –> 00:03:38,000 Two challenges that every leader will face. 75 00:03:38,000 –> 00:03:40,199 These things speak to us in multiple ways 76 00:03:40,199 –> 00:03:44,399 at every level of life in our world today. 77 00:03:44,399 –> 00:03:45,539 Now, if you have your Bible open, 78 00:03:45,539 –> 00:03:47,240 we’re beginning today at verse six 79 00:03:47,240 –> 00:03:48,240 of chapter three, 80 00:03:48,240 –> 00:03:50,759 when we read that while there was war 81 00:03:50,860 –> 00:03:52,720 and between the house of Saul 82 00:03:52,720 –> 00:03:54,220 and the house of David, 83 00:03:54,220 –> 00:03:58,500 this man Abner was making himself strong 84 00:03:58,500 –> 00:04:01,880 in the house of Saul. 85 00:04:01,880 –> 00:04:04,240 Now, Abner’s problem at this point, 86 00:04:04,240 –> 00:04:06,160 if you look back to verse one, 87 00:04:06,160 –> 00:04:09,539 is that as the war went on, 88 00:04:09,539 –> 00:04:12,639 David grew stronger and stronger, verse one, 89 00:04:12,639 –> 00:04:13,860 and the house of Saul 90 00:04:13,860 –> 00:04:16,540 was actually getting weaker and weaker. 91 00:04:16,540 –> 00:04:19,480 So, Abner is becoming more and more 92 00:04:19,839 –> 00:04:22,799 in a house that itself is becoming less and less. 93 00:04:22,799 –> 00:04:26,440 That is not a position that anybody wants to be in, right? 94 00:04:26,440 –> 00:04:29,399 He is rising to the top 95 00:04:29,399 –> 00:04:31,600 in a business that is going down, 96 00:04:31,600 –> 00:04:34,079 in a kingdom that is going down, 97 00:04:34,079 –> 00:04:38,239 and that is not a position that anybody wants to be in. 98 00:04:39,140 –> 00:04:40,399 Now, at this point, 99 00:04:40,399 –> 00:04:43,119 we’re told about a major falling out 100 00:04:43,119 –> 00:04:47,279 that happened between Abner and Ish-behesht, 101 00:04:47,320 –> 00:04:50,299 the son of Saul who Abner had appointed as king. 102 00:04:51,220 –> 00:04:53,980 Verse seven tells us that Saul, 103 00:04:53,980 –> 00:04:55,920 the King who had now died 104 00:04:55,920 –> 00:05:00,920 had a concubine whose name was Rizpah. 105 00:05:00,980 –> 00:05:03,420 And Abner took this woman. 106 00:05:04,380 –> 00:05:09,380 Taking the concubine of a deceased king 107 00:05:10,100 –> 00:05:11,720 was, actually, in those days, 108 00:05:11,720 –> 00:05:15,339 a very public way of laying claim 109 00:05:15,339 –> 00:05:16,980 to the throne itself. 110 00:05:17,059 –> 00:05:19,160 If you had the king’s concubine, 111 00:05:19,160 –> 00:05:21,600 you were really saying in a very public way, 112 00:05:21,600 –> 00:05:25,100 I should have the king’s throne as well. 113 00:05:25,100 –> 00:05:27,140 And so when Abner did this, 114 00:05:27,140 –> 00:05:29,940 Ishbosheth, of course, was outraged 115 00:05:29,940 –> 00:05:33,720 and challenged the man who had put him in power. 116 00:05:33,720 –> 00:05:36,440 Verse seven, why have you gone in 117 00:05:36,440 –> 00:05:38,140 to my father’s concubine? 118 00:05:39,559 –> 00:05:40,760 Well, Abner was not a man 119 00:05:40,760 –> 00:05:42,040 who liked to be challenged, 120 00:05:42,040 –> 00:05:44,040 and especially, he was not a man 121 00:05:44,040 –> 00:05:46,799 who liked to be challenged by Ishbosheth 122 00:05:46,799 –> 00:05:51,220 who depended entirely on Abner to keep him in power, 123 00:05:51,220 –> 00:05:54,320 and so at this point, Abner simply explodes with anger, 124 00:05:54,320 –> 00:05:58,260 he loses patience with this pathetic Ishbosheth 125 00:05:58,260 –> 00:06:01,739 who’s only ever been a puppet anyway, 126 00:06:01,739 –> 00:06:03,959 and Abner realizes that as his house 127 00:06:03,959 –> 00:06:05,119 is going down and down, 128 00:06:05,119 –> 00:06:08,279 he no longer has a use for Ishbosheth, 129 00:06:08,279 –> 00:06:12,079 and so it’s time for Abner to switch sides. 130 00:06:12,079 –> 00:06:15,880 Verse nine, God do so to Abner 131 00:06:15,880 –> 00:06:19,679 and also more if I do not accomplish for David 132 00:06:20,760 –> 00:06:24,679 what the Lord has sworn to him to transfer the kingdom 133 00:06:24,679 –> 00:06:26,200 from the house of Saul 134 00:06:26,200 –> 00:06:30,799 and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah. 135 00:06:30,799 –> 00:06:31,859 You see what he’s saying? 136 00:06:31,859 –> 00:06:36,040 Ishbosheth, I put you in power, but I’m done with you now. 137 00:06:37,179 –> 00:06:40,500 I’m gonna take you down and I’m gonna give 138 00:06:40,500 –> 00:06:43,600 what is now your kingdom over to David. 139 00:06:43,700 –> 00:06:46,079 I’m switching sides. 140 00:06:46,079 –> 00:06:50,380 Huge moment in the story of Second Samuel. 141 00:06:51,519 –> 00:06:53,679 So Abner being as angry as this 142 00:06:53,679 –> 00:06:57,679 then sends messengers to David to open up a dialogue 143 00:06:57,679 –> 00:06:59,980 about his switching sides. 144 00:06:59,980 –> 00:07:02,660 And verse 12 is the message that he sent. 145 00:07:02,660 –> 00:07:05,959 Abner sent messengers to David saying, 146 00:07:05,959 –> 00:07:09,760 make your covenant with me 147 00:07:09,839 –> 00:07:13,619 and behold my hand shall be with you 148 00:07:13,619 –> 00:07:18,160 to bring over all Israel to you. 149 00:07:19,100 –> 00:07:21,079 Now, let me pause in this story there for a moment 150 00:07:21,079 –> 00:07:22,399 and ask you this question. 151 00:07:23,540 –> 00:07:25,260 How would you have responded 152 00:07:25,260 –> 00:07:28,019 if you received an offer like that? 153 00:07:29,079 –> 00:07:31,459 Now think who it’s coming from. 154 00:07:31,459 –> 00:07:32,299 You’re David. 155 00:07:32,299 –> 00:07:35,579 You’re trying to win over the 11 tribes 156 00:07:35,579 –> 00:07:39,279 you are set about trying to win them by grace. 157 00:07:39,299 –> 00:07:40,799 And now you get an offer 158 00:07:40,799 –> 00:07:44,059 from no less than the commander of the army 159 00:07:44,059 –> 00:07:46,640 that represents these 11 tribes 160 00:07:46,640 –> 00:07:49,619 and he basically offers his hand. 161 00:07:49,619 –> 00:07:51,220 And he says to you, 162 00:07:51,220 –> 00:07:55,160 I will bring all of these tribes over to you David. 163 00:07:55,160 –> 00:07:57,019 You make a covenant with me. 164 00:07:57,019 –> 00:07:59,040 You strike hands with me 165 00:07:59,040 –> 00:08:02,920 and I will get your mission accomplished. 166 00:08:02,920 –> 00:08:05,980 This is the person who comes and says, 167 00:08:05,980 –> 00:08:07,720 you got a nice little business here. 168 00:08:07,720 –> 00:08:10,940 I’m the one who can take it to the next level. 169 00:08:10,940 –> 00:08:12,220 I’m the one who can get 170 00:08:12,220 –> 00:08:14,380 what you’re really after accomplished. 171 00:08:14,380 –> 00:08:17,559 What you need in your life is me. 172 00:08:19,100 –> 00:08:21,000 And it would not be surprising would it 173 00:08:21,000 –> 00:08:22,200 if David had thought, 174 00:08:22,200 –> 00:08:26,339 well, think where we can go if we get this man, 175 00:08:27,220 –> 00:08:30,359 think about what this man can do for us. 176 00:08:30,359 –> 00:08:32,460 Boy if we get him on our team 177 00:08:32,460 –> 00:08:34,859 then our trajectory is gonna be altogether different 178 00:08:34,859 –> 00:08:36,059 from the little thing that we’ve got 179 00:08:36,059 –> 00:08:37,859 going right here and right now. 180 00:08:39,580 –> 00:08:41,179 Well, how did David react? 181 00:08:41,179 –> 00:08:43,659 follow the story, verse 13, 182 00:08:43,659 –> 00:08:44,559 David said, 183 00:08:44,559 –> 00:08:45,380 good, 184 00:08:46,400 –> 00:08:47,700 I will make a covenant with you 185 00:08:47,700 –> 00:08:50,840 but one thing I require of you, 186 00:08:50,840 –> 00:08:53,299 that is you shall not see my face. 187 00:08:53,299 –> 00:08:56,000 In other words I won’t even meet you 188 00:08:56,000 –> 00:09:00,020 unless first you bring Machal 189 00:09:00,020 –> 00:09:03,260 that is Saul’s daughter 190 00:09:03,260 –> 00:09:05,599 when you come to see my face. 191 00:09:06,419 –> 00:09:09,520 Now, Michal the daughter of Saul 192 00:09:09,520 –> 00:09:11,520 was David’s wife, 193 00:09:12,580 –> 00:09:15,340 but the story in 1 Samuel tells us 194 00:09:15,340 –> 00:09:18,460 that when Saul had begun persecuting David 195 00:09:18,460 –> 00:09:20,500 and sought to take his life, 196 00:09:21,580 –> 00:09:23,260 David had to flee 197 00:09:24,179 –> 00:09:26,659 and when David for the next 10 years 198 00:09:26,659 –> 00:09:28,700 was fleeing for his life 199 00:09:28,700 –> 00:09:31,059 because Saul was persecuting him, 200 00:09:31,059 –> 00:09:35,000 Saul then in a shameful act 201 00:09:35,080 –> 00:09:37,500 took his own daughter, David’s wife, 202 00:09:37,500 –> 00:09:39,919 and as the final insult to David, 203 00:09:39,919 –> 00:09:43,119 Saul gave his own daughter to another man, 204 00:09:43,119 –> 00:09:45,239 a man by the name of Paltiel 205 00:09:45,239 –> 00:09:48,119 and married her off to him. 206 00:09:49,119 –> 00:09:51,640 It was a shameful act 207 00:09:51,640 –> 00:09:56,239 and one that David had long been determined to put right. 208 00:09:56,239 –> 00:09:57,960 Now let me pause here just for a moment. 209 00:09:57,960 –> 00:09:59,640 If you go back to the beginning 210 00:09:59,640 –> 00:10:01,559 of 2 Samuel chapter three, 211 00:10:01,559 –> 00:10:05,640 you will find that David in the meantime 212 00:10:05,640 –> 00:10:09,000 had acquired other wives. 213 00:10:09,000 –> 00:10:11,099 And I want to say as clearly as I can, 214 00:10:11,099 –> 00:10:14,559 that was a clear contradiction 215 00:10:14,559 –> 00:10:16,359 of God’s pattern for marriage, 216 00:10:16,359 –> 00:10:17,719 one man and one women, 217 00:10:17,719 –> 00:10:21,179 laid out in Genesis in chapter 2. 218 00:10:21,179 –> 00:10:24,320 It was also a direct violation 219 00:10:24,320 –> 00:10:26,000 of the command of God 220 00:10:26,000 –> 00:10:29,000 in Deuteronomy chapter 17 and verse 17, 221 00:10:29,000 –> 00:10:31,000 where God specifically said 222 00:10:31,000 –> 00:10:35,799 that Israel’s King was not to take many wives, 223 00:10:35,799 –> 00:10:37,880 as of course was the custom 224 00:10:37,880 –> 00:10:40,039 of the kings in the other nations. 225 00:10:40,039 –> 00:10:42,159 That was a command of God 226 00:10:42,159 –> 00:10:44,059 given directly to the King of Israel 227 00:10:44,059 –> 00:10:47,340 that David clearly flouted and ignored. 228 00:10:48,719 –> 00:10:50,840 Now, that leads me to say this. 229 00:10:50,840 –> 00:10:53,219 Always remember, 230 00:10:53,219 –> 00:10:57,640 that the Bible records sins and failings, 231 00:10:57,679 –> 00:11:01,280 as well as triumphs and successes. 232 00:11:01,280 –> 00:11:04,159 Remember this when you’re reading the Bible. 233 00:11:04,159 –> 00:11:07,039 So for example, when the Bible tells us 234 00:11:07,039 –> 00:11:09,700 that David had these many wives, 235 00:11:09,700 –> 00:11:12,960 it is recording for us a fact. 236 00:11:12,960 –> 00:11:17,080 It is not presenting for us an example. 237 00:11:17,080 –> 00:11:18,380 And I don’t know how many times 238 00:11:18,380 –> 00:11:20,200 I’ve had conversations with people who’ve said, 239 00:11:20,200 –> 00:11:21,919 oh, look, that’s in the Bible, 240 00:11:21,919 –> 00:11:24,140 as if everything that was recorded in the Bible 241 00:11:24,140 –> 00:11:25,840 was somehow sanctioned by God. 242 00:11:25,840 –> 00:11:27,799 Clearly, this was not. 243 00:11:27,799 –> 00:11:29,440 But what is being recorded for us 244 00:11:29,440 –> 00:11:32,479 is not an example, but a sad reality 245 00:11:32,479 –> 00:11:34,599 that as we follow the story of David, 246 00:11:34,599 –> 00:11:37,919 we’re going to find had all kinds of consequences. 247 00:11:37,919 –> 00:11:40,400 Every time God’s law is flouted, 248 00:11:40,400 –> 00:11:42,840 painful consequences always follow. 249 00:11:42,840 –> 00:11:43,880 And that was the case 250 00:11:43,880 –> 00:11:46,599 in David’s very tragic family life. 251 00:11:46,599 –> 00:11:48,039 But that’s another story, 252 00:11:48,039 –> 00:11:49,960 but I do need to refer to it right now 253 00:11:49,960 –> 00:11:54,280 because of this restoration of Mical, 254 00:11:54,280 –> 00:11:56,799 who was his first wife. 255 00:11:58,000 –> 00:11:59,320 Now I don’t know about you, 256 00:11:59,320 –> 00:12:01,119 I expect there’ll be some conversation 257 00:12:01,119 –> 00:12:02,760 in the Life groups about this this week. 258 00:12:02,760 –> 00:12:06,719 I wonder how Michal felt being wrenched away 259 00:12:06,719 –> 00:12:08,440 from her second husband 260 00:12:08,440 –> 00:12:10,320 in order to be restored to her first. 261 00:12:10,320 –> 00:12:11,719 I mean, was that a blessing to her? 262 00:12:11,719 –> 00:12:13,119 Was that an answer to prayer, 263 00:12:14,200 –> 00:12:19,200 or was that a devastating and painful event? 264 00:12:20,719 –> 00:12:22,479 And I think most people reading this story 265 00:12:22,479 –> 00:12:25,640 will also feel some sympathy for this man, Pialtiel, 266 00:12:25,640 –> 00:12:29,500 who very clearly loved Michael. 267 00:12:29,500 –> 00:12:31,119 It says in verse 16, 268 00:12:31,119 –> 00:12:35,940 Isposheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel, 269 00:12:35,940 –> 00:12:39,479 but her husband went with her weeping 270 00:12:39,479 –> 00:12:43,260 all the way to Barochem. 271 00:12:43,260 –> 00:12:44,840 He weeps for her. 272 00:12:45,840 –> 00:12:48,700 I think what we have to say about this relationship 273 00:12:48,700 –> 00:12:50,359 that was brought about purely 274 00:12:50,400 –> 00:12:53,219 through a shameful act of Saul 275 00:12:54,159 –> 00:12:56,380 was that the relationship 276 00:12:56,380 –> 00:12:59,599 between Michal and Paltiel 277 00:12:59,599 –> 00:13:02,659 began in sin 278 00:13:02,659 –> 00:13:05,099 and it ended in sorrow. 279 00:13:06,900 –> 00:13:10,280 Well, Abner fulfilled David’s condition. 280 00:13:10,280 –> 00:13:13,559 His first wife was restored to him. 281 00:13:13,559 –> 00:13:16,400 And then Abner got down to the serious business 282 00:13:16,400 –> 00:13:19,419 of negotiating with the elders of the 11 tribes 283 00:13:19,520 –> 00:13:21,919 that he had promised to deliver to David. 284 00:13:21,919 –> 00:13:24,960 Verse 17, Abner conferred with the elders of Israel 285 00:13:24,960 –> 00:13:26,840 saying, for sometime past 286 00:13:26,840 –> 00:13:30,159 you have been seeking David as king over you, 287 00:13:30,159 –> 00:13:32,280 now then bring it about. 288 00:13:32,280 –> 00:13:34,739 For the Lord has promised David saying, 289 00:13:34,739 –> 00:13:39,140 by the hand of my servant I will save my people Israel. 290 00:13:39,140 –> 00:13:41,119 Abner strikes me as the kind of guy 291 00:13:41,119 –> 00:13:44,000 who knows how to use the name of God when it suits him. 292 00:13:45,000 –> 00:13:46,520 And you notice the statement here 293 00:13:46,520 –> 00:13:48,440 that the elders of the 11 tribes 294 00:13:48,440 –> 00:13:50,380 and actually, for sometime, 295 00:13:50,380 –> 00:13:53,000 been seeking David as king over them. 296 00:13:53,000 –> 00:13:56,179 They knew that Ish-botsheth was not God’s man, 297 00:13:57,159 –> 00:13:59,960 so what was preventing the nation being united 298 00:13:59,960 –> 00:14:01,840 under the blessing of David’s rule? 299 00:14:01,840 –> 00:14:04,359 Only one thing at this point, Abner. 300 00:14:05,280 –> 00:14:07,479 So this was the easiest negotiation ever. 301 00:14:07,479 –> 00:14:09,479 He was the one that was preventing this happening. 302 00:14:09,479 –> 00:14:11,900 Now he says, it’s time to make it happen, 303 00:14:11,900 –> 00:14:15,280 and so the negotiation is quickly concluded. 304 00:14:16,159 –> 00:14:18,760 So having the consensus among the elders 305 00:14:18,760 –> 00:14:21,159 that apparently already was there, 306 00:14:21,159 –> 00:14:24,520 and having fulfilled the condition that David had set 307 00:14:24,520 –> 00:14:27,840 for the restoration of his first wife 308 00:14:27,840 –> 00:14:32,039 from the shameful act of her being taken from him, 309 00:14:32,039 –> 00:14:37,039 Abner now arrives in Hebron, David’s capital, 310 00:14:37,780 –> 00:14:41,260 and he arrives with no more than 20 men, 311 00:14:42,080 –> 00:14:46,880 and David receives him with the same grace 312 00:14:46,880 –> 00:14:50,960 that he has already shown to the people of Jabesh-Gilead, 313 00:14:50,960 –> 00:14:55,960 and he welcomes him and hosts him at a feast. 314 00:14:56,840 –> 00:14:58,580 Now I want you to picture this meeting, 315 00:14:58,580 –> 00:15:02,159 Abner who has hunted David as Saul’s commander for years, 316 00:15:02,159 –> 00:15:05,119 Abner who has set up Ish Shposheth, 317 00:15:05,119 –> 00:15:08,440 Abner who’s been the cause of the division among the tribes, 318 00:15:08,479 –> 00:15:10,979 Abner who now wants to turn sides. 319 00:15:10,979 –> 00:15:14,159 What should Abner have been saying to David 320 00:15:14,159 –> 00:15:16,239 when they sat down at his table? 321 00:15:18,239 –> 00:15:19,679 Well, I think that Abner should have 322 00:15:19,679 –> 00:15:21,440 been saying something like this. 323 00:15:22,539 –> 00:15:27,460 David, I know that God has anointed you as the King 324 00:15:29,099 –> 00:15:30,919 and I’ve been fighting against you, 325 00:15:32,320 –> 00:15:34,840 and that means that I’ve been fighting against God, 326 00:15:36,599 –> 00:15:37,960 and what I want you to know today 327 00:15:37,960 –> 00:15:40,559 is that today I lay down my sword 328 00:15:41,780 –> 00:15:45,119 and I offer myself to you as your servant. 329 00:15:46,080 –> 00:15:48,619 I think it’s something like that, 330 00:15:48,619 –> 00:15:52,000 the spirit of humble repentance 331 00:15:52,000 –> 00:15:55,460 and submissiveness, that Abner 332 00:15:55,460 –> 00:15:58,039 should have shown when he came to meet 333 00:15:58,039 –> 00:16:02,200 for the very first time with God’s anointed King. 334 00:16:02,200 –> 00:16:05,559 That’s how you approach God’s anointed King 335 00:16:05,559 –> 00:16:09,320 with humility, with repentance 336 00:16:09,320 –> 00:16:10,500 and with submission. 337 00:16:11,780 –> 00:16:12,859 But I want you to notice 338 00:16:12,859 –> 00:16:15,280 that when Abner comes to David, 339 00:16:15,280 –> 00:16:18,799 his tone and his words are very, very different. 340 00:16:18,799 –> 00:16:21,979 And here we come to the first of these two challenges 341 00:16:21,979 –> 00:16:23,580 that every leader will face, 342 00:16:23,580 –> 00:16:25,979 the challenge of the seductive offer. 343 00:16:25,979 –> 00:16:28,880 Notice what Abner says, verse 21, 344 00:16:28,880 –> 00:16:33,700 “‘I will gather all Israel to my Lord the King 345 00:16:33,979 –> 00:16:38,979 “‘you may reign over all that your heart desires.’” 346 00:16:40,900 –> 00:16:43,599 Now you see what Abner is saying at this point. 347 00:16:44,700 –> 00:16:47,940 “‘I’m the man who made Ish-bosheth king, 348 00:16:49,020 –> 00:16:53,500 “‘but now I’m willing to make you the king. 349 00:16:53,500 –> 00:16:55,739 “‘I can make you king, David, 350 00:16:55,739 –> 00:16:58,500 “‘over all that your heart desires. 351 00:16:58,500 –> 00:17:01,340 “‘I’m the kingmaker and I’m the one 352 00:17:01,380 –> 00:17:04,599 “‘who can make you what you want to be.’” 353 00:17:07,160 –> 00:17:10,119 Now someone might be saying at this moment, 354 00:17:10,119 –> 00:17:10,979 “‘You know what? 355 00:17:12,479 –> 00:17:14,239 “‘That’s what I need. 356 00:17:14,239 –> 00:17:17,300 “‘I need someone to make me successful. 357 00:17:17,300 –> 00:17:19,920 “‘I need me someone to take me from where I am right now 358 00:17:19,920 –> 00:17:21,479 “‘to where I want to be. 359 00:17:22,479 –> 00:17:24,579 “‘I’m actually looking for someone 360 00:17:24,579 –> 00:17:26,560 “‘who will come into my life 361 00:17:26,560 –> 00:17:29,079 “‘and give me all that my heart desires. 362 00:17:29,099 –> 00:17:31,479 “‘That’s actually the great craving of my heart 363 00:17:31,479 –> 00:17:34,079 “‘and the thought of my mind right now. 364 00:17:34,079 –> 00:17:36,140 “‘I’m looking for someone to give me 365 00:17:36,140 –> 00:17:38,099 “‘what my heart desires.’” 366 00:17:39,719 –> 00:17:44,680 Well, I want you to see three problems 367 00:17:44,680 –> 00:17:47,199 with Abner’s offer. 368 00:17:47,199 –> 00:17:50,400 And they are problems that you will face 369 00:17:50,400 –> 00:17:54,760 any time someone offers you a path to success 370 00:17:54,760 –> 00:17:57,459 or promises you everything that your heart desires, 371 00:17:57,459 –> 00:17:59,000 which is what Abner does here. 372 00:18:00,020 –> 00:18:02,540 The first thing about this seductive offer, 373 00:18:02,540 –> 00:18:04,319 the first problem with it is, of course, 374 00:18:04,319 –> 00:18:07,260 that Abner really attempts to take the place of God. 375 00:18:08,439 –> 00:18:11,119 Far from coming in a position of submission 376 00:18:11,119 –> 00:18:13,459 to the will of God, who has said 377 00:18:13,459 –> 00:18:16,599 that He will establish David’s kingdom, 378 00:18:16,599 –> 00:18:18,239 Abner says, no, I’m the one 379 00:18:18,239 –> 00:18:19,839 who will establish your kingdom. 380 00:18:19,839 –> 00:18:21,280 Your throne’s going to be founded 381 00:18:21,280 –> 00:18:24,099 on a foundation, it will rest on a foundation 382 00:18:24,099 –> 00:18:26,500 built by Abner, I don’t think so. 383 00:18:26,560 –> 00:18:27,420 I don’t think so. 384 00:18:28,699 –> 00:18:30,180 But that’s what Abner thinks. 385 00:18:31,819 –> 00:18:34,359 I will gather Israel so that you may reign, 386 00:18:34,359 –> 00:18:36,719 he’s attempting to take the place of God, 387 00:18:36,719 –> 00:18:38,219 to do what only God can do, 388 00:18:38,219 –> 00:18:40,560 to do what God has said He will do. 389 00:18:43,140 –> 00:18:46,780 I will gather all Israel that you may reign 390 00:18:46,780 –> 00:18:48,900 over all that your heart desires. 391 00:18:48,900 –> 00:18:50,859 You hear these words, do you hear 392 00:18:50,859 –> 00:18:52,900 a kind of foreshadowing there 393 00:18:53,739 –> 00:18:56,660 of the tone of the enemy himself 394 00:18:56,660 –> 00:19:00,660 in the third temptation that he brought to our Lord Jesus. 395 00:19:01,579 –> 00:19:04,079 You remember, he showed to Jesus 396 00:19:04,079 –> 00:19:06,699 the glory of the kingdoms of the world, 397 00:19:06,699 –> 00:19:11,219 and he said, all this I will give you 398 00:19:11,219 –> 00:19:14,859 if you will bow down and worship me. 399 00:19:14,859 –> 00:19:19,459 It’s the same spirit that is active in Abner 400 00:19:19,459 –> 00:19:22,300 as he speaks to David. 401 00:19:23,339 –> 00:19:28,339 Beware the man or woman who promises to give you 402 00:19:28,339 –> 00:19:30,180 what only God can give. 403 00:19:31,579 –> 00:19:33,500 I’ll give you the desire of your heart. 404 00:19:33,500 –> 00:19:35,420 I’m your path to success. 405 00:19:36,380 –> 00:19:38,079 You put your trust in me. 406 00:19:39,540 –> 00:19:43,300 Beware the man or the woman who promises to give to you 407 00:19:43,300 –> 00:19:45,439 what only God can give 408 00:19:45,439 –> 00:19:50,020 because that person is attempting to take the place of God, 409 00:19:50,020 –> 00:19:51,699 and that leads to the second problem 410 00:19:52,300 –> 00:19:54,859 with Abner’s seductive offer. 411 00:19:54,859 –> 00:19:57,780 It is that in attempting to take the place of God, 412 00:19:57,780 –> 00:20:02,500 Abner actually wants to gain control over David’s life. 413 00:20:02,500 –> 00:20:04,160 Make a covenant with me. 414 00:20:05,099 –> 00:20:07,479 Put your trust in me. 415 00:20:07,479 –> 00:20:09,140 I’m your man. 416 00:20:09,140 –> 00:20:11,900 I’m your way to success. 417 00:20:11,900 –> 00:20:14,619 But you see what Abner is trying to do is very obvious. 418 00:20:14,619 –> 00:20:18,400 He’s trying to turn David into another Ish-bosheth, 419 00:20:18,439 –> 00:20:22,979 another puppet controlled by the hand of Abner. 420 00:20:24,280 –> 00:20:28,839 The person who promises what only God can give 421 00:20:28,839 –> 00:20:33,839 will in the end always try to control you. 422 00:20:34,020 –> 00:20:36,239 They’ll try to take the place of God in your life. 423 00:20:36,239 –> 00:20:39,780 Abner offers a path to success. 424 00:20:39,780 –> 00:20:43,359 He promises to give what your heart desires, 425 00:20:43,359 –> 00:20:46,380 but what he really is after is controlling you. 426 00:20:46,380 –> 00:20:49,859 Beware of the person who gives gifts 427 00:20:49,859 –> 00:20:52,780 with a desire to gain control. 428 00:20:55,180 –> 00:20:59,260 It’s Abner and it’s his seductive offer. 429 00:21:00,199 –> 00:21:02,060 And every leader will face this. 430 00:21:04,280 –> 00:21:07,439 Is there a job, a scheme, 431 00:21:08,760 –> 00:21:11,800 that promised to make you successful? 432 00:21:11,800 –> 00:21:14,640 You sell this, you do that, you come on board here. 433 00:21:14,640 –> 00:21:16,540 This will be your path to success. 434 00:21:16,540 –> 00:21:18,660 This is going to give you what you’ve been looking for. 435 00:21:18,660 –> 00:21:20,060 This is gonna put you in a position 436 00:21:20,060 –> 00:21:22,400 where you can buy all that your heart desires. 437 00:21:24,300 –> 00:21:29,300 And what promised success to you is now controlling you. 438 00:21:31,880 –> 00:21:35,479 That is the seduction of Abner. 439 00:21:37,160 –> 00:21:38,979 And every leader will face it. 440 00:21:40,439 –> 00:21:43,680 Now there’s a third problem with this seduction of Abner. 441 00:21:43,719 –> 00:21:46,239 Not only does he attempt to take the place of God. 442 00:21:46,239 –> 00:21:48,839 Not only is he really about seeking control 443 00:21:48,839 –> 00:21:50,400 over David’s life. 444 00:21:50,400 –> 00:21:53,520 Abner actually cannot deliver what he promises. 445 00:21:53,520 –> 00:21:54,359 He cannot. 446 00:21:54,359 –> 00:21:56,959 He promises as much but he cannot deliver 447 00:21:56,959 –> 00:21:57,839 on what he promises. 448 00:21:57,839 –> 00:21:59,020 Is he not God? 449 00:22:00,079 –> 00:22:02,479 Now why he did not deliver on what he promised? 450 00:22:02,479 –> 00:22:03,920 We’re gonna see in just a moment 451 00:22:03,920 –> 00:22:06,400 in the second part of this story. 452 00:22:06,400 –> 00:22:08,719 But before we go there I want you to notice 453 00:22:08,719 –> 00:22:10,920 how David responds to Abner. 454 00:22:10,920 –> 00:22:12,859 How should you respond to the person 455 00:22:12,859 –> 00:22:14,719 who says, I can make you successful 456 00:22:16,579 –> 00:22:21,280 and who you quickly discern is seeking 457 00:22:21,280 –> 00:22:24,359 a controlling influence in your life? 458 00:22:26,180 –> 00:22:30,119 Well notice first, David does not despise Abner. 459 00:22:30,119 –> 00:22:32,319 He’s wanting to win people by grace 460 00:22:32,319 –> 00:22:33,920 and that even includes Abner. 461 00:22:34,800 –> 00:22:36,599 He does not despise Abner 462 00:22:36,599 –> 00:22:39,219 but he does not put his trust in Abner either. 463 00:22:39,219 –> 00:22:41,060 He does not put his confidence in him. 464 00:22:41,400 –> 00:22:44,099 He simply listens to what he says 465 00:22:45,319 –> 00:22:47,020 and then he lets him go in peace. 466 00:22:48,199 –> 00:22:49,040 That’s what he does. 467 00:22:49,040 –> 00:22:53,660 Verse 21, so David sent Abner away 468 00:22:53,660 –> 00:22:55,959 and he went in peace. 469 00:22:55,959 –> 00:22:56,800 End of story. 470 00:22:58,660 –> 00:23:01,140 One thing that I find very, very fascinating 471 00:23:01,140 –> 00:23:04,760 just before we move on to the next part of the story 472 00:23:04,760 –> 00:23:08,380 is to see how the experiences of David 473 00:23:08,380 –> 00:23:10,420 that are recorded in 2 Samuel 474 00:23:11,099 –> 00:23:14,380 are reflected in the songs that David wrote 475 00:23:14,380 –> 00:23:17,900 that of course are recorded for us in the book of Psalms. 476 00:23:17,900 –> 00:23:20,099 And many times as you read 2 Samuel 477 00:23:20,099 –> 00:23:22,079 and you put some of the Psalms alongside them 478 00:23:22,079 –> 00:23:24,459 you can see clear reflections 479 00:23:24,459 –> 00:23:26,780 of the things David experienced 480 00:23:26,780 –> 00:23:28,400 in the songs that he wrote 481 00:23:28,400 –> 00:23:30,579 and the songs that he sang. 482 00:23:30,579 –> 00:23:34,500 And there is a clear reflection of the story with Abner 483 00:23:34,500 –> 00:23:38,020 in Psalm 37 that some of you will know well. 484 00:23:38,099 –> 00:23:41,040 David must have had Abner in mind, 485 00:23:41,040 –> 00:23:42,780 Abner who said to him, 486 00:23:42,780 –> 00:23:46,040 I’ll give you what your heart desires. 487 00:23:46,040 –> 00:23:48,099 He must have had that in mind surely 488 00:23:48,099 –> 00:23:49,680 when later in his life, 489 00:23:49,680 –> 00:23:51,780 and David was old when he wrote Psalm 37. 490 00:23:53,540 –> 00:23:56,400 He wrote these words in verse four. 491 00:23:56,400 –> 00:23:59,300 Delight yourself in the Lord 492 00:24:00,160 –> 00:24:05,160 and he will give you the desires of your heart. 493 00:24:06,099 –> 00:24:09,219 You’ll almost feel David’s memory 494 00:24:09,219 –> 00:24:10,739 as he’s writing these words. 495 00:24:10,739 –> 00:24:14,079 Oh, yes, I remember the day when Abner came 496 00:24:14,079 –> 00:24:15,699 and he said so arrogantly, 497 00:24:15,699 –> 00:24:18,839 I’ll give you the desires of your heart. 498 00:24:18,839 –> 00:24:21,560 And I did not put my trust in Abner 499 00:24:21,560 –> 00:24:23,380 and I’m so glad about that. 500 00:24:23,380 –> 00:24:25,180 I put my trust in the Lord. 501 00:24:25,180 –> 00:24:28,260 So here’s my experience and here’s my testimony. 502 00:24:28,260 –> 00:24:30,099 Here’s what I want to say to you. 503 00:24:30,099 –> 00:24:33,959 You put your trust in the Lord. 504 00:24:33,979 –> 00:24:36,300 You delight in Him, 505 00:24:36,300 –> 00:24:39,119 and He will give you the desires of your heart. 506 00:24:39,119 –> 00:24:41,300 Therefore He says in that same verse, 507 00:24:41,300 –> 00:24:43,719 trust in the Lord and do good. 508 00:24:43,719 –> 00:24:46,160 And notice how He says dwell in the land 509 00:24:46,160 –> 00:24:48,800 and befriend faithfulness, 510 00:24:48,800 –> 00:24:50,520 not the Abners of the world 511 00:24:50,520 –> 00:24:52,400 who are trying to promise you everything. 512 00:24:52,400 –> 00:24:54,839 Befriend faithfulness. 513 00:24:54,839 –> 00:24:58,839 Allying yourself with where there is godly character, 514 00:24:58,839 –> 00:25:03,239 not where there are promises of what only God can give. 515 00:25:04,119 –> 00:25:07,079 And you know, later in the same Serm, He says this. 516 00:25:07,880 –> 00:25:12,439 I have seen a wicked ruthless man, 517 00:25:13,680 –> 00:25:16,020 but he passed away, 518 00:25:17,239 –> 00:25:20,020 and behold, he is no more. 519 00:25:21,839 –> 00:25:23,920 It’s the story of Abner reflected 520 00:25:23,920 –> 00:25:25,560 in the Serm of David, 521 00:25:25,560 –> 00:25:28,359 Serm 37. 522 00:25:28,359 –> 00:25:30,959 Now that takes us Abner’s passing away 523 00:25:31,079 –> 00:25:35,900 to the second challenge that every leader will face. 524 00:25:35,900 –> 00:25:38,439 The first was a seductive offer, 525 00:25:38,439 –> 00:25:40,140 promising what only God can give, 526 00:25:41,239 –> 00:25:44,920 and the second is dealing with a public 527 00:25:44,920 –> 00:25:48,119 and an outrageous scandal. 528 00:25:48,119 –> 00:25:49,760 Now we live in a fallen world, 529 00:25:50,780 –> 00:25:54,000 and every leader at some point, in some way, 530 00:25:54,000 –> 00:25:59,000 is going to have to face dealing with some scandal, 531 00:25:59,119 –> 00:26:04,119 some public event, that the leader has to find his way 532 00:26:06,040 –> 00:26:09,859 through and address in a way that honors God. 533 00:26:11,119 –> 00:26:12,920 And we’re going to learn how David does this 534 00:26:12,920 –> 00:26:15,900 and learn some principles from his example. 535 00:26:17,060 –> 00:26:21,099 The story first, Joab, David’s commander, 536 00:26:21,099 –> 00:26:24,219 was away from Hebron, out on a mission, 537 00:26:24,219 –> 00:26:28,040 when Abner had come to visit with David. 538 00:26:28,180 –> 00:26:30,359 And when Joab and his men returned 539 00:26:30,359 –> 00:26:32,260 and found that Abner had come to visit 540 00:26:32,260 –> 00:26:35,780 and that David had allowed him to go away in peace, 541 00:26:35,780 –> 00:26:39,699 Joab was absolutely furious. 542 00:26:39,699 –> 00:26:41,560 He says to David, verse 24, 543 00:26:41,560 –> 00:26:44,020 what have you done? 544 00:26:45,640 –> 00:26:49,640 Joab, you see, was convinced that Abner had come as a spy 545 00:26:50,560 –> 00:26:53,079 and that in letting him go in peace 546 00:26:53,079 –> 00:26:56,319 as David had graciously done. 547 00:26:56,319 –> 00:26:58,619 David had made a terrible 548 00:26:58,619 –> 00:27:02,160 and perhaps even a fatal mistake. 549 00:27:02,160 –> 00:27:03,979 So Joab determines, 550 00:27:03,979 –> 00:27:06,760 remember he’s the hotheaded commander, 551 00:27:06,760 –> 00:27:09,699 he determines that he is going to take the law 552 00:27:09,699 –> 00:27:11,260 into his own hands 553 00:27:11,260 –> 00:27:14,339 and he sends messengers after Abner. 554 00:27:14,339 –> 00:27:17,680 Presumably he sent a message in David’s name 555 00:27:17,680 –> 00:27:21,859 though David never knew anything about it. 556 00:27:21,900 –> 00:27:23,780 The message that was sent was, 557 00:27:23,780 –> 00:27:26,160 you have to come back to Hebron. 558 00:27:26,160 –> 00:27:28,060 Well, Abner’s on his way home. 559 00:27:28,060 –> 00:27:30,979 He receives this message that comes inthe name of David. 560 00:27:30,979 –> 00:27:35,060 He has been received by David with grace. 561 00:27:35,060 –> 00:27:37,260 There’s no reason why he should not return. 562 00:27:37,260 –> 00:27:39,819 And so gladly and freely he comes back 563 00:27:39,819 –> 00:27:42,199 and when he comes back, he’s met not by David 564 00:27:42,199 –> 00:27:44,459 but by Joab who sent the message. 565 00:27:44,459 –> 00:27:49,099 Verse 27, Joab took him aside 566 00:27:49,140 –> 00:27:53,260 into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately 567 00:27:53,260 –> 00:27:56,900 and there he struck him in the stomach 568 00:27:56,900 –> 00:28:01,900 so that he died for the blood of Asahel, his brother. 569 00:28:03,939 –> 00:28:07,020 Now, friends, let’s call this what it is. 570 00:28:08,540 –> 00:28:12,359 This was a brutal revenge killing. 571 00:28:14,339 –> 00:28:17,579 It was a cold-blooded murder 572 00:28:18,380 –> 00:28:20,579 and it was committed by a man 573 00:28:20,579 –> 00:28:24,219 of the highest rank in David’s army. 574 00:28:25,500 –> 00:28:30,500 It was the first outrageous scandal to hit David’s kingdom. 575 00:28:33,699 –> 00:28:37,180 And the question is how is this leader going to deal 576 00:28:37,180 –> 00:28:38,500 with a public scandal? 577 00:28:40,780 –> 00:28:43,599 A question that any leader will 578 00:28:43,599 –> 00:28:48,579 at some point face and have responsibility for answering. 579 00:28:49,699 –> 00:28:57,199 Now I want to suggest that from this story 580 00:28:57,199 –> 00:28:59,040 actually give us three principles 581 00:28:59,040 –> 00:29:03,040 on how leaders should deal with matters of crime 582 00:29:03,040 –> 00:29:06,000 or of scandal in the world today. 583 00:29:06,000 –> 00:29:10,420 In two of them, David is a marvelous example 584 00:29:10,540 –> 00:29:14,979 and in the third, we learn from what David failed to do. 585 00:29:16,140 –> 00:29:19,400 The three things that every leader must pursue 586 00:29:19,400 –> 00:29:23,479 in a public scandal, the first is tell the truth. 587 00:29:23,479 –> 00:29:26,060 Thank God David told the truth. 588 00:29:26,060 –> 00:29:28,300 He gives us a great example here. 589 00:29:28,300 –> 00:29:33,739 He states the truth clearly, openly, immediately 590 00:29:33,739 –> 00:29:37,000 and without any evasion or without any attempt 591 00:29:37,180 –> 00:29:40,739 to minimize or airbrush what has happened. 592 00:29:40,739 –> 00:29:44,819 Verse 28, when David heard of it, 593 00:29:44,819 –> 00:29:48,920 so there’s the immediacy, he said, 594 00:29:48,920 –> 00:29:52,599 I and my kingdom are forever guilt less 595 00:29:52,599 –> 00:29:55,959 before the Lord for the blood of Abner, 596 00:29:55,959 –> 00:30:00,439 may it fall upon the head of Joab. 597 00:30:01,719 –> 00:30:04,839 Where there is a public scandal, 598 00:30:04,839 –> 00:30:09,020 rule number one, the truth must be known. 599 00:30:10,800 –> 00:30:12,479 And in this case there are two things 600 00:30:12,479 –> 00:30:13,640 that people need to know. 601 00:30:13,640 –> 00:30:16,599 The first is that this was entirely the act 602 00:30:16,599 –> 00:30:19,579 and the initiative of Joab who took matters 603 00:30:19,579 –> 00:30:24,339 into his own hands as if he were above the law 604 00:30:25,199 –> 00:30:27,560 and secondly, that David had absolutely 605 00:30:27,560 –> 00:30:30,479 no knowledge of this whatsoever. 606 00:30:31,400 –> 00:30:35,300 Rule number one in dealing with a public scandal, 607 00:30:35,300 –> 00:30:40,219 any issue of crime, truth must be known, 608 00:30:40,219 –> 00:30:43,300 tell the truth without evasion. 609 00:30:44,760 –> 00:30:49,760 The first piece of the armor of God 610 00:30:49,979 –> 00:30:54,339 that is to be put on especially so that 611 00:30:54,339 –> 00:30:56,520 we will stand in the evil day, 612 00:30:56,520 –> 00:30:58,099 what is the first piece of armor 613 00:30:58,099 –> 00:30:58,979 that we are to put on? 614 00:30:58,979 –> 00:31:02,420 It is the belt of truth. 615 00:31:02,420 –> 00:31:04,219 And what’s the second piece? 616 00:31:04,219 –> 00:31:07,180 Is the breastplate of righteousness, 617 00:31:07,180 –> 00:31:09,699 in other words, you can’t know what is right 618 00:31:09,699 –> 00:31:13,099 until you know and have established clearly what is true 619 00:31:14,260 –> 00:31:17,020 and it was really important that David 620 00:31:17,020 –> 00:31:19,619 told the truth here 621 00:31:19,619 –> 00:31:21,780 and not just part of the truth 622 00:31:23,020 –> 00:31:25,000 because in the absence of truth, 623 00:31:25,000 –> 00:31:27,300 people naturally draw their own conclusions 624 00:31:27,339 –> 00:31:29,859 and often jumped to false assumptions. 625 00:31:29,859 –> 00:31:31,699 It would have been easy for people 626 00:31:31,699 –> 00:31:34,579 in the absence of a clear statement of the truth 627 00:31:34,579 –> 00:31:37,199 to put together, well, now, Joab is David’s commander 628 00:31:37,199 –> 00:31:38,699 and Joab has murdered Abner, 629 00:31:38,699 –> 00:31:41,739 that has to mean that David sort of winked or nodded 630 00:31:41,739 –> 00:31:43,599 and said effectively to Joab, 631 00:31:43,599 –> 00:31:45,380 go ahead and you get it done 632 00:31:45,380 –> 00:31:48,859 and David says, no, you have to know that is not the case 633 00:31:50,020 –> 00:31:52,900 and there is a clear statement of truth. 634 00:31:53,900 –> 00:31:58,300 Second principle for dealing with a public scandal, 635 00:31:59,300 –> 00:32:01,780 David mourns deeply. 636 00:32:02,680 –> 00:32:04,459 He mourns deeply. 637 00:32:04,459 –> 00:32:06,300 He really does. 638 00:32:06,300 –> 00:32:08,119 Look at it in verse 32. 639 00:32:08,119 –> 00:32:12,819 The king lifted up his voice and wept 640 00:32:14,020 –> 00:32:16,219 at the grave of Abner. 641 00:32:17,780 –> 00:32:19,180 The king wept. 642 00:32:20,140 –> 00:32:21,260 At the grave of Abner. 643 00:32:21,260 –> 00:32:25,800 The man who had been seeking to take David’s life for years. 644 00:32:27,339 –> 00:32:30,239 But there’s no smirking from David 645 00:32:30,239 –> 00:32:35,020 at the tragic and brutal killing of his enemy. 646 00:32:36,239 –> 00:32:38,140 A great evil has been done, 647 00:32:39,439 –> 00:32:41,219 and David weeps 648 00:32:42,500 –> 00:32:47,160 when an evil is done to the person on the other side. 649 00:32:48,079 –> 00:32:50,439 See, telling the truth matters 650 00:32:50,439 –> 00:32:52,959 when there has been a scandal, 651 00:32:53,819 –> 00:32:55,859 but words will be hollow 652 00:32:55,859 –> 00:33:00,000 if the one who speaks them does not feel the pain 653 00:33:00,000 –> 00:33:01,359 of what has happened, 654 00:33:01,359 –> 00:33:04,500 especially if it is the pain of someone 655 00:33:04,500 –> 00:33:08,380 who was known to have been on the other side. 656 00:33:10,319 –> 00:33:14,000 But everyone could see the genuineness 657 00:33:14,000 –> 00:33:17,020 and the depth of David’s sorrow 658 00:33:17,459 –> 00:33:19,719 over what happened to Abner. 659 00:33:19,719 –> 00:33:21,400 This was one of the things actually 660 00:33:21,400 –> 00:33:23,800 that brought people together. 661 00:33:25,459 –> 00:33:27,619 They saw that he wept even 662 00:33:28,579 –> 00:33:31,180 when tragedy came to his enemy, 663 00:33:32,239 –> 00:33:34,380 when a brutal crime was done 664 00:33:34,380 –> 00:33:37,660 even to one who had opposed him for so long 665 00:33:37,660 –> 00:33:41,239 and for years had been a thorn in his side. 666 00:33:42,859 –> 00:33:45,939 Verse 32, King David followed the beer 667 00:33:47,800 –> 00:33:50,979 so imagine here the funeral procession 668 00:33:52,859 –> 00:33:55,760 and Abner’s casket is being carried 669 00:33:57,239 –> 00:34:00,540 and who’s the first person behind it 670 00:34:00,540 –> 00:34:02,619 leading all the mourners? 671 00:34:02,619 –> 00:34:03,540 It’s David. 672 00:34:04,939 –> 00:34:05,859 It’s David. 673 00:34:08,120 –> 00:34:09,939 And the king lifted up his voice 674 00:34:09,939 –> 00:34:12,459 and wept at the grave of Abner 675 00:34:12,459 –> 00:34:14,580 and all the people wept. 676 00:34:14,959 –> 00:34:18,959 In other words, the king led the grieving nation 677 00:34:20,520 –> 00:34:24,020 in heartfelt sorrow over the brutal murder 678 00:34:25,699 –> 00:34:28,120 that had stained the kingdom. 679 00:34:29,840 –> 00:34:34,020 So verse 37, you see how this brought people together? 680 00:34:35,260 –> 00:34:38,639 Marvelous example of leadership in a crisis. 681 00:34:38,639 –> 00:34:42,260 All the people and all Israel understood that day 682 00:34:42,639 –> 00:34:45,840 that it had not been the king’s will 683 00:34:45,840 –> 00:34:48,679 to put to death Abner, the son of Nerd. 684 00:34:48,679 –> 00:34:50,679 Don’t you see how right out of the Bible 685 00:34:50,679 –> 00:34:54,840 how desperately our world needs leaders that can unite? 686 00:34:57,280 –> 00:35:01,179 And David unites by telling the truth 687 00:35:01,179 –> 00:35:04,120 and he unites by the depth and genuineness 688 00:35:04,120 –> 00:35:06,899 of his own mourning when harm comes 689 00:35:06,899 –> 00:35:09,580 even to those on the other side. 690 00:35:10,580 –> 00:35:13,580 And the reason that the people knew 691 00:35:14,860 –> 00:35:17,899 that it was not the will of David to put Abner to death, 692 00:35:17,899 –> 00:35:20,939 the reason that this didn’t get pinned on David 693 00:35:20,939 –> 00:35:24,179 was that David not only told the truth, 694 00:35:26,120 –> 00:35:29,540 but David mourned deeply, from the heart, 695 00:35:30,639 –> 00:35:33,379 over what had happened to Abner. 696 00:35:33,379 –> 00:35:37,540 In other words, what the people heard in his words 697 00:35:38,100 –> 00:35:41,179 matched what they saw from his heart. 698 00:35:43,600 –> 00:35:47,260 Now in these two ways, I think David gives us 699 00:35:47,260 –> 00:35:50,020 a marvelous example of leadership 700 00:35:51,239 –> 00:35:54,040 through a public scandal. 701 00:35:54,040 –> 00:35:58,199 But there is a third way in which David teaches us, 702 00:36:01,100 –> 00:36:05,340 not by what he did, but by what he failed to do 703 00:36:05,439 –> 00:36:09,600 and that is that whenever there is a public scandal, 704 00:36:10,459 –> 00:36:15,080 you must tell the truth, you must mourn deeply, 705 00:36:15,080 –> 00:36:17,580 and you must act with justice. 706 00:36:18,800 –> 00:36:21,919 And while David gives us a great example in the first two, 707 00:36:21,919 –> 00:36:24,840 he clearly does not give us an example 708 00:36:24,840 –> 00:36:26,360 of acting with justice. 709 00:36:26,360 –> 00:36:28,820 So let’s look at this, verse 39. 710 00:36:28,820 –> 00:36:31,320 David says I was gentle today, 711 00:36:31,320 –> 00:36:36,320 though anointed king, these men, the sons of Zeruiah, 712 00:36:38,179 –> 00:36:40,419 that Joab and his brother Abishai, 713 00:36:40,419 –> 00:36:43,060 there are more severe than I am. 714 00:36:44,219 –> 00:36:49,219 The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness. 715 00:36:50,719 –> 00:36:52,580 Now I have to say to you just to acknowledge 716 00:36:52,580 –> 00:36:54,780 that scholars are actually quite divided 717 00:36:54,780 –> 00:36:59,459 over David’s way of dealing or not dealing with Joab 718 00:36:59,459 –> 00:37:02,399 was he really wise and prudent in allowing Joab 719 00:37:02,399 –> 00:37:04,939 to continue as the commander of his army 720 00:37:04,939 –> 00:37:07,300 or was this a failure in leadership? 721 00:37:07,300 –> 00:37:09,260 Well, let’s take that question head on. 722 00:37:10,919 –> 00:37:13,060 What should David have done about Joab? 723 00:37:15,419 –> 00:37:18,100 Well, it seems to me that the words that David speaks 724 00:37:18,100 –> 00:37:21,479 right at the end of verse 39 there, 725 00:37:21,479 –> 00:37:25,500 the Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness. 726 00:37:25,500 –> 00:37:27,500 In other words, I’m leaving this to God. 727 00:37:28,300 –> 00:37:30,600 These words would have been very appropriate 728 00:37:30,600 –> 00:37:32,959 if David were a private citizen. 729 00:37:34,060 –> 00:37:35,639 There are many places in the Bible 730 00:37:35,639 –> 00:37:39,159 where we are exhorted, as Christians, 731 00:37:39,159 –> 00:37:41,000 where there is an injustice 732 00:37:41,000 –> 00:37:43,320 that is not resolved in this life, what are we to do? 733 00:37:43,320 –> 00:37:45,040 We’re to leave it in the hands of God. 734 00:37:45,040 –> 00:37:48,239 Vengeance is mine, says the Lord, I will repay. 735 00:37:48,239 –> 00:37:51,739 We’re to trust the one who does justly 736 00:37:51,739 –> 00:37:54,959 and we trust things that remain unresolved 737 00:37:54,959 –> 00:37:56,560 in this world into His hands. 738 00:37:56,800 –> 00:37:59,439 That’s a principle that is given to us. 739 00:37:59,439 –> 00:38:02,639 And if David were merely a private citizen, 740 00:38:02,639 –> 00:38:05,560 these words I think would have been very appropriate. 741 00:38:05,560 –> 00:38:07,639 But David is not a private citizen, 742 00:38:09,080 –> 00:38:10,439 David is the king. 743 00:38:11,919 –> 00:38:14,560 And one of the biggest responsibilities of a king 744 00:38:14,560 –> 00:38:17,580 is what, to ensure that there is justice in the kingdom. 745 00:38:19,020 –> 00:38:21,840 And the question that really cries out 746 00:38:21,840 –> 00:38:23,760 at this point in the story is, 747 00:38:23,760 –> 00:38:26,780 will there be justice in David’s kingdom? 748 00:38:27,760 –> 00:38:30,360 Or will there be some people who are actually above the law 749 00:38:30,360 –> 00:38:31,179 and whatever they do, 750 00:38:31,179 –> 00:38:33,300 they actually end up getting away with it? 751 00:38:35,439 –> 00:38:37,560 When there was a brutal crime, 752 00:38:37,560 –> 00:38:42,159 a cold-blooded murder in David’s kingdom, 753 00:38:42,159 –> 00:38:43,939 there were words of truth, 754 00:38:44,919 –> 00:38:47,360 there were heartfelt tears, 755 00:38:47,360 –> 00:38:50,879 but Joab was never brought to justice. 756 00:38:51,860 –> 00:38:56,560 And that left a stain on David’s kingdom. 757 00:38:57,580 –> 00:39:02,060 And it also remained on his conscience for years to come. 758 00:39:02,959 –> 00:39:05,419 And I’ll tell you how we know that, 759 00:39:05,419 –> 00:39:09,060 because decades later, when David is on his deathbed, 760 00:39:09,979 –> 00:39:12,459 he calls his son Solomon 761 00:39:12,459 –> 00:39:15,679 so that he can speak his parting words to his son. 762 00:39:16,800 –> 00:39:19,040 And when Solomon comes, he says to him first, 763 00:39:19,040 –> 00:39:21,260 now Solomon, you’ve got to follow the Lord. 764 00:39:22,439 –> 00:39:25,080 Then the next thing he says is this. 765 00:39:25,080 –> 00:39:26,659 You got to deal with Joab 766 00:39:27,560 –> 00:39:30,520 in regards to his cold blooded murder 767 00:39:30,520 –> 00:39:32,719 of Abner, decades before. 768 00:39:34,219 –> 00:39:37,600 In effect, I didn’t do that, son. 769 00:39:37,600 –> 00:39:38,879 I didn’t bring justice 770 00:39:38,879 –> 00:39:40,919 and a stain has remained on this kingdom. 771 00:39:40,919 –> 00:39:43,199 What I didn’t do, you’re gonna have to do for me, 772 00:39:43,199 –> 00:39:44,439 it’s the first thing he says 773 00:39:44,439 –> 00:39:46,959 after telling his son to follow the Lord. 774 00:39:47,000 –> 00:39:50,679 That shows how much it was on his conscience for decades 775 00:39:52,139 –> 00:39:54,040 that he had failed to do the right thing 776 00:39:55,120 –> 00:39:58,120 in regards to Joab. 777 00:39:59,159 –> 00:40:01,699 Why did he not execute justice? 778 00:40:03,080 –> 00:40:04,820 Was it that he had been so generous 779 00:40:04,820 –> 00:40:06,739 and gracious towards Abner 780 00:40:06,739 –> 00:40:10,360 that he felt I can’t take a line of justice 781 00:40:10,360 –> 00:40:13,239 with regards to Joab, who is serving me? 782 00:40:14,239 –> 00:40:16,199 Or was it perhaps more likely 783 00:40:16,199 –> 00:40:19,280 that David just didn’t feel strong enough 784 00:40:20,520 –> 00:40:22,239 to take on his own commander? 785 00:40:23,959 –> 00:40:26,939 Was it that perhaps after being so strong 786 00:40:26,939 –> 00:40:29,179 and saying I’m gonna trust the Lord 787 00:40:29,179 –> 00:40:31,979 and not trust in Abner, I’ll delight in the Lord 788 00:40:31,979 –> 00:40:33,719 and He’ll give me the desires of my heart 789 00:40:33,719 –> 00:40:35,919 rather than putting my trust in Abner, 790 00:40:35,919 –> 00:40:38,360 was it that after being so strong there 791 00:40:38,360 –> 00:40:40,320 he found it more difficult to be strong 792 00:40:40,320 –> 00:40:41,879 when it came to his own commander 793 00:40:41,919 –> 00:40:45,280 and really felt, if I don’t have this man I can’t survive? 794 00:40:47,280 –> 00:40:51,060 The New International Version translates verse 39 795 00:40:51,060 –> 00:40:53,500 in a way that points in that direction. 796 00:40:53,500 –> 00:40:58,500 Today, though I am anointed king, I am weak. 797 00:41:00,040 –> 00:41:04,199 And these sons of Zeruiah, that’s Joab, 798 00:41:04,199 –> 00:41:07,780 and his brother, are too strong for me. 799 00:41:09,860 –> 00:41:11,800 Well, whatever the reason, 800 00:41:12,800 –> 00:41:17,620 Joab’s murder of Abner left a stain on David’s kingdom. 801 00:41:18,760 –> 00:41:21,540 Justice was not done, 802 00:41:22,800 –> 00:41:25,540 and it remained on David’s conscience 803 00:41:25,540 –> 00:41:28,239 for the rest of his life. 804 00:41:30,739 –> 00:41:32,120 Now, there are obviously many ways 805 00:41:32,120 –> 00:41:33,800 in which David wonderfully points us 806 00:41:33,800 –> 00:41:35,239 to the Lord Jesus Christ, 807 00:41:35,239 –> 00:41:37,280 like his grace, bringing people together 808 00:41:37,280 –> 00:41:39,699 from all these different tribes. 809 00:41:39,699 –> 00:41:41,560 But there are clearly many other places 810 00:41:41,679 –> 00:41:43,360 where David points us to our need 811 00:41:43,360 –> 00:41:45,300 of a savior, our need of a better king 812 00:41:45,300 –> 00:41:46,139 than David. 813 00:41:47,419 –> 00:41:49,639 And I think this is one of these places. 814 00:41:50,580 –> 00:41:53,379 See, David’s been reaching out with grace 815 00:41:53,379 –> 00:41:55,060 to bring people together, 816 00:41:55,060 –> 00:41:56,260 but the question that we have 817 00:41:56,260 –> 00:41:57,760 at this point in the story is, 818 00:41:57,760 –> 00:41:59,360 okay, here’s a kingdom where people 819 00:41:59,360 –> 00:42:00,719 are brought together with grace, 820 00:42:00,719 –> 00:42:03,020 will there be justice in this kingdom? 821 00:42:03,020 –> 00:42:05,899 And the answer seems to be, sometimes. 822 00:42:06,979 –> 00:42:09,659 And more for some people than for others. 823 00:42:10,659 –> 00:42:12,659 Which is exactly how it is in the kingdoms 824 00:42:12,659 –> 00:42:14,639 of this world, isn’t it, to this day? 825 00:42:17,179 –> 00:42:20,360 You don’t want to be in a kingdom of grace 826 00:42:20,360 –> 00:42:21,459 without justice. 827 00:42:23,959 –> 00:42:26,419 You don’t want to be in a kingdom 828 00:42:26,419 –> 00:42:30,699 where forever, people are able to commit 829 00:42:30,699 –> 00:42:34,419 the most brutal and violent of crimes 830 00:42:34,419 –> 00:42:35,979 and never be held accountable. 831 00:42:36,600 –> 00:42:40,780 You do not want to spend an eternity 832 00:42:40,780 –> 00:42:44,139 in a kingdom that is scarred 833 00:42:45,260 –> 00:42:49,159 because there is not the strength in it 834 00:42:49,159 –> 00:42:51,060 to exercise justice. 835 00:42:52,360 –> 00:42:54,939 We know too much of that in the kingdoms 836 00:42:54,939 –> 00:42:57,260 of this world in which we already live. 837 00:42:59,000 –> 00:43:00,979 So it’s not surprising that you find 838 00:43:00,979 –> 00:43:03,500 Isaiah the prophet years later longing 839 00:43:04,280 –> 00:43:07,840 for David’s greater son, the Messiah, 840 00:43:07,840 –> 00:43:11,620 who will establish justice, 841 00:43:11,620 –> 00:43:16,439 who will in his kingdom deal with every crime 842 00:43:16,439 –> 00:43:20,020 and with every sin and with every scandal. 843 00:43:21,100 –> 00:43:23,179 Here’s good news when you struggle 844 00:43:23,179 –> 00:43:25,899 with injustice that remains in this world. 845 00:43:25,899 –> 00:43:29,280 No injustice will remain forever. 846 00:43:29,280 –> 00:43:32,860 He shall establish His kingdom with justice. 847 00:43:32,899 –> 00:43:34,780 Nothing that was kept secret 848 00:43:34,780 –> 00:43:37,120 will not be brought out into the open. 849 00:43:38,060 –> 00:43:40,120 Nothing that was covered over, 850 00:43:40,120 –> 00:43:41,639 nothing that was suppressed 851 00:43:41,639 –> 00:43:44,780 will remain as an injustice forever 852 00:43:44,780 –> 00:43:47,379 because Jesus Christ will establish 853 00:43:47,379 –> 00:43:50,899 His kingdom with justice. 854 00:43:50,899 –> 00:43:55,719 And he will deal with the sins and the scandals 855 00:43:55,719 –> 00:43:58,659 and the crimes of His enemies 856 00:43:58,659 –> 00:44:01,659 and He will deal with the sins and crimes 857 00:44:01,659 –> 00:44:04,580 of those who pose as His friends. 858 00:44:06,580 –> 00:44:08,139 There is a kingdom with justice 859 00:44:08,139 –> 00:44:10,139 He will, we read it every Christmas 860 00:44:10,139 –> 00:44:14,780 He will establish His kingdom with justice 861 00:44:14,780 –> 00:44:18,300 that is good news because you don’t want to be 862 00:44:18,300 –> 00:44:21,459 in a kingdom of grace without justice 863 00:44:21,459 –> 00:44:22,639 like David’s kingdom. 864 00:44:24,699 –> 00:44:25,620 But you know what? 865 00:44:27,159 –> 00:44:29,360 You don’t want to be in a kingdom of justice 866 00:44:29,360 –> 00:44:30,600 without grace either. 867 00:44:32,500 –> 00:44:34,219 Because that would be a kingdom 868 00:44:34,219 –> 00:44:37,139 in which there was no hope of forgiveness 869 00:44:37,139 –> 00:44:41,659 no hope of redemption, no hope of reconciliation 870 00:44:43,500 –> 00:44:45,139 and no hope of ultimate peace. 871 00:44:47,179 –> 00:44:49,419 So you look at this, a kingdom of justice 872 00:44:49,419 –> 00:44:53,500 a kingdom of grace is there any kingdom 873 00:44:53,500 –> 00:44:55,439 in the world that can actually hold 874 00:44:55,439 –> 00:44:57,439 these two together? 875 00:44:57,439 –> 00:44:59,939 Is it even possible to have justice 876 00:44:59,939 –> 00:45:01,580 and grace bound together as one. 877 00:45:03,540 –> 00:45:05,719 And the answer of course is yes it is 878 00:45:05,719 –> 00:45:08,320 and there is one place in which it is found 879 00:45:08,320 –> 00:45:10,620 and that is the kingdom of Jesus Christ 880 00:45:10,620 –> 00:45:13,419 and here is why it is found in the kingdom 881 00:45:13,419 –> 00:45:16,520 of Jesus Christ because in that kingdom alone 882 00:45:16,520 –> 00:45:19,860 at the centre stands the Cross 883 00:45:19,860 –> 00:45:23,580 where grace and justice meet. 884 00:45:24,540 –> 00:45:29,540 Grace comes to us because justice came to Jesus. 885 00:45:34,439 –> 00:45:37,659 If you ask the simplest question about the Christian faith 886 00:45:37,659 –> 00:45:41,199 why was it that Jesus had to die on the Cross 887 00:45:41,199 –> 00:45:43,280 you get this wonderful answer in the book of Romans 888 00:45:43,280 –> 00:45:45,060 chapter three in verse 26. 889 00:45:45,060 –> 00:45:49,379 Here’s why, so that God might be just. 890 00:45:49,379 –> 00:45:52,979 God’s not the God who sweeps stuff under the carpet. 891 00:45:53,100 –> 00:45:57,159 He always acts in justice, always has, always will. 892 00:45:58,580 –> 00:46:01,280 So that God may be just and at the same time 893 00:46:02,520 –> 00:46:06,840 the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus 894 00:46:06,840 –> 00:46:11,179 so that you do not have to live forever 895 00:46:11,179 –> 00:46:13,500 with the just consequences of your sins 896 00:46:13,500 –> 00:46:15,860 or crimes or scandals. 897 00:46:17,540 –> 00:46:22,340 In Jesus Christ there is not only justice 898 00:46:22,340 –> 00:46:25,260 because of what came to Him on the cross. 899 00:46:25,260 –> 00:46:29,379 There is grace and there is mercy before God for you 900 00:46:30,780 –> 00:46:34,780 in as much as by faith you are in Him. 901 00:46:35,679 –> 00:46:39,699 The stroke of justice fell on Jesus 902 00:46:40,620 –> 00:46:45,560 so that the gift of Grace may come to all of us. 903 00:46:46,699 –> 00:46:51,699 We worship at your feet where grace and justice meet, 904 00:46:52,879 –> 00:46:56,479 and a guilty world is washed in love’s pure stream. 905 00:46:57,439 –> 00:47:01,520 For us, He was made sin, help us take it in. 906 00:47:01,520 –> 00:47:04,919 Deep wounds of love cry out, Father, forgive. 907 00:47:05,979 –> 00:47:10,979 We worship, we worship the Lamb who was slain. 908 00:47:12,780 –> 00:47:16,979 Father, we thank you that Christ the King 909 00:47:17,959 –> 00:47:22,959 has established a kingdom that has grace and justice 910 00:47:23,320 –> 00:47:28,060 as its very foundation because it rests 911 00:47:28,060 –> 00:47:33,060 upon the completed work of Christ upon the cross. 912 00:47:33,560 –> 00:47:38,060 Grant, therefore, that we will be those who live in grace 913 00:47:38,060 –> 00:47:43,060 and uphold justice as we walk in the name of our King 914 00:47:43,739 –> 00:47:48,739 and seek to live in this very fallen world for his glory. 915 00:47:49,479 –> 00:47:52,219 For these things we ask in Jesus’ name 916 00:47:52,219 –> 00:47:54,580 and everyone together said amen.

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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Sermons on 2 Samuel Also see these sermons on 2 Samuel: The Life of David, Part 1: His Trials The Life of David, Part 3: His Troubles We desperately need leadership that unites. What does that look like? The life of David falls into three parts: 1. His Trials—when he was hunted and persecuted by

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