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.