1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,000 And I would you open your Bible at 2 Samuel and chapter 16. 2 00:00:05,180 –> 00:00:09,480 2 Samuel and chapter 16. 3 00:00:10,340 –> 00:00:12,720 We’re following the story of David 4 00:00:12,720 –> 00:00:15,940 and the great troubles that came on him 5 00:00:15,940 –> 00:00:17,700 in the last chapter of his life 6 00:00:17,700 –> 00:00:20,580 in large measure as a result of his own sin 7 00:00:20,580 –> 00:00:21,980 and his own folly. 8 00:00:22,900 –> 00:00:26,280 God had said remember I will raise up evil against you 9 00:00:26,280 –> 00:00:28,520 from your own house. 10 00:00:28,600 –> 00:00:31,299 And we have seen how in fulfillment of that prophecy 11 00:00:31,299 –> 00:00:34,180 Absalom, David’s son, 12 00:00:34,180 –> 00:00:38,480 led a rebellion against his own father. 13 00:00:38,480 –> 00:00:41,580 And of course since David was the king, anointed by God, 14 00:00:41,580 –> 00:00:44,099 for Absalom to rebel against David 15 00:00:44,099 –> 00:00:48,119 meant that Absalom truly was rebelling against God 16 00:00:48,119 –> 00:00:51,200 and the people of God were widely swept up 17 00:00:51,200 –> 00:00:55,540 at this time in a great deception. 18 00:00:55,540 –> 00:00:57,380 Last week, we felt the pain of David 19 00:00:57,380 –> 00:00:59,360 as he had to leave his home, leave his job, 20 00:00:59,360 –> 00:01:01,419 as he had to cross the Brook Kidron 21 00:01:01,419 –> 00:01:02,820 and go up the Mount of Olives, 22 00:01:02,820 –> 00:01:05,059 weeping as he went with a small band, 23 00:01:05,059 –> 00:01:10,059 relatively speaking, of loyal followers who were with him. 24 00:01:10,480 –> 00:01:12,839 But we are seeing that God was at work 25 00:01:12,839 –> 00:01:15,760 even in David’s darkest hour. 26 00:01:15,760 –> 00:01:18,279 Even when he came under the discipline of God, 27 00:01:18,279 –> 00:01:20,379 he was still loved by God 28 00:01:20,379 –> 00:01:23,739 and the love of God never let him go. 29 00:01:23,739 –> 00:01:27,120 Now today, we’re going to meet two new characters 30 00:01:27,120 –> 00:01:32,120 in the story, two men who added pain and sorrow 31 00:01:32,839 –> 00:01:35,800 to the life of David at this most difficult 32 00:01:35,800 –> 00:01:38,400 of times in his life. 33 00:01:38,400 –> 00:01:41,480 You will be familiar with these characters 34 00:01:41,480 –> 00:01:44,559 even if you do not know their names. 35 00:01:45,559 –> 00:01:50,379 One of them is a liar and the other is an accuser. 36 00:01:51,620 –> 00:01:56,620 And as we meet them, I want you to keep in mind 37 00:01:56,900 –> 00:01:59,779 that these two terms, liar and accuser, 38 00:01:59,779 –> 00:02:03,059 are descriptors of the great enemy of your soul, 39 00:02:03,059 –> 00:02:05,400 Satan himself. 40 00:02:05,400 –> 00:02:10,059 Jesus says he is a liar and he is the father of all lies. 41 00:02:10,059 –> 00:02:11,979 In other words, every lie that was ever spoken 42 00:02:11,979 –> 00:02:15,339 is in some sense an echo of his voice. 43 00:02:15,339 –> 00:02:20,100 And he is the accuser of brothers and sisters, 44 00:02:20,100 –> 00:02:20,979 of believers. 45 00:02:20,979 –> 00:02:23,979 He’s always bringing false accusation 46 00:02:24,860 –> 00:02:27,580 against those who belong to the Lord. 47 00:02:27,580 –> 00:02:32,580 And we hear the echo of the liar and the accuser’s voice 48 00:02:33,979 –> 00:02:36,419 in these two characters that we’re going to meet today, 49 00:02:36,419 –> 00:02:40,520 men by the name of Zeba and Shimei. 50 00:02:40,520 –> 00:02:45,520 Let’s first meet Zeba then, the liar, verses 1 to 4. 51 00:02:45,880 –> 00:02:48,500 I want you to picture this band of grieving people 52 00:02:48,500 –> 00:02:50,100 and they’re making their way up 53 00:02:50,100 –> 00:02:51,740 to the top of the Mount of Olives. 54 00:02:51,740 –> 00:02:54,960 David stops there to worship at the place of worship 55 00:02:54,960 –> 00:02:57,880 and then he goes beyond the summit, in verse one, 56 00:02:57,880 –> 00:03:01,360 when David had passed a little beyond the summit, 57 00:03:01,360 –> 00:03:06,360 Zeba, the servant of Mephibosheth met him. 58 00:03:07,619 –> 00:03:12,320 Now Mephibosheth was the grandson of Saul. 59 00:03:12,320 –> 00:03:14,179 And we have seen throughout the story 60 00:03:14,179 –> 00:03:18,039 that David was only ever, always gracious 61 00:03:18,119 –> 00:03:21,320 towards the household of Saul, 62 00:03:21,320 –> 00:03:23,199 which was remarkable in these days 63 00:03:23,199 –> 00:03:26,259 because of course if a new king came to power, 64 00:03:26,259 –> 00:03:28,600 what’s typically was the case was 65 00:03:28,600 –> 00:03:30,960 that he would wipe out all the descendants 66 00:03:30,960 –> 00:03:33,839 of the old dynasty so that the old line 67 00:03:33,839 –> 00:03:35,639 could not challenge the new. 68 00:03:36,800 –> 00:03:40,199 But David was entirely different. 69 00:03:40,199 –> 00:03:45,139 When he discovered that Saul had a surviving grandson, 70 00:03:45,139 –> 00:03:49,139 this man, Mephibosheth, who was crippled, 71 00:03:49,139 –> 00:03:52,339 David went out of his way to bless him. 72 00:03:52,339 –> 00:03:54,860 The story’s in 2 Samuel in chapter nine. 73 00:03:55,699 –> 00:03:58,320 David brought Mephibosheth into his own palace 74 00:03:58,320 –> 00:04:00,899 and gave him a seat at his own table. 75 00:04:00,899 –> 00:04:04,500 Your family to me, in effect, David was saying. 76 00:04:05,740 –> 00:04:08,139 Second Samuel chapter nine in verse seven, 77 00:04:08,139 –> 00:04:10,320 David said to him, do not fear. 78 00:04:10,320 –> 00:04:12,500 I will show kindness to you 79 00:04:12,500 –> 00:04:15,100 for the sake of your father, Jonathan. 80 00:04:15,740 –> 00:04:17,660 And I will restore to you all the land 81 00:04:17,660 –> 00:04:22,660 of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always. 82 00:04:23,799 –> 00:04:26,940 So this men, Mephibosheth, knew that he had received 83 00:04:26,940 –> 00:04:31,399 unusual kindness from King David. 84 00:04:32,660 –> 00:04:35,000 Not what one would have expected. 85 00:04:36,540 –> 00:04:39,739 And for this he was deeply grateful. 86 00:04:40,700 –> 00:04:43,160 Now we’re being told that Mephibosheth, 87 00:04:43,160 –> 00:04:44,779 who had received such grace, 88 00:04:44,779 –> 00:04:47,720 had a servant and his name was Zeba. 89 00:04:47,720 –> 00:04:50,160 In fact, Zeba was originally the servant of Saul, 90 00:04:50,160 –> 00:04:51,839 but of course, when Saul died, 91 00:04:51,839 –> 00:04:53,720 and when Jonathan also died, 92 00:04:53,720 –> 00:04:56,880 Zeba attached himself and became the servant 93 00:04:56,880 –> 00:04:58,220 of the grandson, Mephibosheth. 94 00:05:00,000 –> 00:05:05,000 And Zeba himself oversaw no less than 20 servants. 95 00:05:07,040 –> 00:05:10,059 So he was a bit of a force to be reckoned with 96 00:05:10,059 –> 00:05:12,959 and we would probably call him a chief of staff. 97 00:05:13,959 –> 00:05:18,959 And here, we’re told that this man, Zeba met David 98 00:05:19,000 –> 00:05:22,339 just after he had crested the top of the Mount of Olives 99 00:05:22,339 –> 00:05:26,739 when he was driven from his home in Jerusalem 100 00:05:26,739 –> 00:05:28,579 fleeing for his life. 101 00:05:29,739 –> 00:05:32,940 And Zeba came bearing gifts, 102 00:05:32,940 –> 00:05:37,179 we’re told here that he brought with him two donkeys 103 00:05:37,179 –> 00:05:41,779 and they were laden with bread and with raisins 104 00:05:41,940 –> 00:05:44,880 and with summer fruit and with wine. 105 00:05:44,880 –> 00:05:47,559 And David’s clearly taken by surprise at this 106 00:05:47,559 –> 00:05:49,119 and he says to Zeba verse two, 107 00:05:49,119 –> 00:05:51,559 Why have you brought these? 108 00:05:51,559 –> 00:05:52,459 And Zeba explains, 109 00:05:52,459 –> 00:05:54,019 well, David, the donkeys are for you. 110 00:05:54,019 –> 00:05:55,220 You’re going on a journey, 111 00:05:55,220 –> 00:05:56,399 you might as well ride a donkey. 112 00:05:56,399 –> 00:05:59,739 Here’s a king on a donkey right here. 113 00:05:59,739 –> 00:06:02,160 And the food, this is because you 114 00:06:02,160 –> 00:06:04,500 and those who are with you are going on a long journey 115 00:06:04,500 –> 00:06:07,179 and this is to supply your need. 116 00:06:08,500 –> 00:06:11,119 And then David asks Zeba this question, verse three, 117 00:06:11,299 –> 00:06:13,260 So where is Mephibosheth? 118 00:06:15,119 –> 00:06:20,119 And at this point Zeba tells a slanderous lie. 119 00:06:22,679 –> 00:06:24,399 Look at it in verse three. 120 00:06:24,399 –> 00:06:26,579 Zeba said to the king, 121 00:06:26,579 –> 00:06:28,859 behold he, that’s Mephibosheth, 122 00:06:28,859 –> 00:06:33,519 remains in Jerusalem for he said, 123 00:06:33,519 –> 00:06:37,239 Today, the house of Israel will give me 124 00:06:37,239 –> 00:06:40,600 back the kingdom of my father. 125 00:06:40,779 –> 00:06:42,859 He stayed in Jerusalem, Zeba says, 126 00:06:42,859 –> 00:06:45,260 because he thinks he’s going to become the king. 127 00:06:46,739 –> 00:06:51,000 Nothing could have been further from the truth. 128 00:06:52,700 –> 00:06:56,119 Now we know that because, 129 00:06:56,119 –> 00:06:58,260 and here I have to give you a spoiler alert 130 00:06:58,260 –> 00:07:00,579 when you jump ahead in the story, 131 00:07:00,579 –> 00:07:03,320 but spoiler alert over. 132 00:07:03,320 –> 00:07:08,320 When the rebellion ends as it does and David returns, 133 00:07:08,359 –> 00:07:11,920 which by the way is a beautiful anticipation 134 00:07:11,920 –> 00:07:14,359 of the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ 135 00:07:14,359 –> 00:07:17,640 when the rejected King comes back in power and in glory. 136 00:07:18,640 –> 00:07:20,839 When David comes back after the rebellion, 137 00:07:20,839 –> 00:07:23,720 this lie that Zeba told here is exposed 138 00:07:23,720 –> 00:07:27,420 for the lie that it is and Mephibosheth is vindicated. 139 00:07:27,420 –> 00:07:30,000 In fact far from thinking this is the moment 140 00:07:30,000 –> 00:07:31,179 when I become king, 141 00:07:31,179 –> 00:07:34,359 it turns out the reality is that Mephibosheth 142 00:07:34,359 –> 00:07:37,540 in the entire time of David’s rejection 143 00:07:37,540 –> 00:07:40,459 had not cut his hair, had not washed his clothes 144 00:07:40,459 –> 00:07:43,679 spent everyday in mourning for the rejected King. 145 00:07:43,679 –> 00:07:45,299 He loved David that much. 146 00:07:45,299 –> 00:07:48,940 This was a slanderous, a direct lie 147 00:07:48,940 –> 00:07:50,559 as you could have imagined. 148 00:07:50,559 –> 00:07:52,399 There wasn’t a grain of truth in it. 149 00:07:55,019 –> 00:07:57,500 But at this point in the story, 150 00:07:59,100 –> 00:08:03,279 Mephibosheth is slandered by a straight out lie 151 00:08:03,279 –> 00:08:05,779 and David believes it. 152 00:08:08,059 –> 00:08:11,220 Here’s Ziba with the food and with the donkeys 153 00:08:12,859 –> 00:08:14,619 and Mephibosheth is not here 154 00:08:14,619 –> 00:08:16,500 and Ziba who’s been so kind to me 155 00:08:16,500 –> 00:08:18,519 tells me that he’s turned. 156 00:08:20,559 –> 00:08:22,600 And David hears this single report 157 00:08:22,600 –> 00:08:24,500 and on the basis of a single report 158 00:08:24,500 –> 00:08:26,359 he rushes to judgment. 159 00:08:27,579 –> 00:08:29,359 He makes a snap decision 160 00:08:30,940 –> 00:08:33,299 and the decision is in verse four. 161 00:08:33,299 –> 00:08:35,260 The King said to Ziba, 162 00:08:35,280 –> 00:08:39,080 Behold all that belonged to Mephibosheth, 163 00:08:39,080 –> 00:08:41,440 that’s all the lands of Saul himself 164 00:08:41,440 –> 00:08:43,840 that David had then given to his grandson. 165 00:08:44,840 –> 00:08:46,460 Ziba I’m gonna take them from Mephibosheth 166 00:08:46,460 –> 00:08:48,000 and I’m gonna give them to you. 167 00:08:49,520 –> 00:08:50,580 So think about this, 168 00:08:50,580 –> 00:08:54,820 Mephibosheth lost everything because of a lie. 169 00:08:56,539 –> 00:08:59,799 And it was a lie that was told behind his back 170 00:09:00,520 –> 00:09:05,520 and this crippled man had no opportunity whatsoever 171 00:09:05,559 –> 00:09:07,539 to defend himself. 172 00:09:09,799 –> 00:09:12,679 Now what can we learn from this first part of the story? 173 00:09:12,679 –> 00:09:14,559 Let me suggest three words 174 00:09:15,520 –> 00:09:16,940 that we should keep in mind 175 00:09:16,940 –> 00:09:19,539 all taken directly from the Scripture. 176 00:09:20,599 –> 00:09:23,799 The first word that we should keep in mind 177 00:09:23,799 –> 00:09:27,419 whenever we hear rumor or accusation 178 00:09:27,419 –> 00:09:30,719 that may or may not be true. 179 00:09:30,719 –> 00:09:33,619 First word to keep in mind from the Bible is appearance. 180 00:09:34,539 –> 00:09:37,520 Jesus says John chapter seven in verse 24, 181 00:09:37,520 –> 00:09:42,520 do not judge by appearances but judge with right judgment. 182 00:09:44,719 –> 00:09:46,820 Now you see how that speaks to the story? 183 00:09:47,840 –> 00:09:52,080 David made a judgment based on first impressions. 184 00:09:53,359 –> 00:09:57,039 It appeared that Mephibosheth was ungrateful. 185 00:09:57,039 –> 00:10:02,039 It seemed that Zeba was a loyal friend. 186 00:10:03,280 –> 00:10:06,119 In fact precisely the opposite was the case. 187 00:10:07,219 –> 00:10:10,559 Do not judge by appearances says the Lord Jesus 188 00:10:10,559 –> 00:10:13,119 but judge with right judgment. 189 00:10:14,559 –> 00:10:19,559 David completely misjudged Mephibosheth, 190 00:10:19,559 –> 00:10:22,000 a man who actually loved him deeply 191 00:10:22,000 –> 00:10:25,039 and was only ever loyal to him. 192 00:10:25,119 –> 00:10:27,679 And the reason that he misjudged Mephibosheth 193 00:10:27,679 –> 00:10:32,679 was that he believed the word of a man 194 00:10:33,239 –> 00:10:37,000 who turned out to be a scoundrel. 195 00:10:37,000 –> 00:10:37,820 A liar. 196 00:10:40,059 –> 00:10:41,239 Now ask this question. 197 00:10:41,239 –> 00:10:45,580 This is very practical for disciples of Jesus. 198 00:10:45,580 –> 00:10:49,080 Is there an area in your life or perhaps a person 199 00:10:49,080 –> 00:10:52,960 or a situation in your life in which you may be tempted 200 00:10:52,960 –> 00:10:54,619 to rush to judgment? 201 00:10:55,520 –> 00:10:58,559 To make assumptions about what may be going on in the heart 202 00:10:58,559 –> 00:11:00,940 on the basis of something you have heard? 203 00:11:02,320 –> 00:11:05,460 To jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts. 204 00:11:07,080 –> 00:11:10,479 To make judgments about someone who may really love you 205 00:11:11,619 –> 00:11:14,080 without really knowing what is in their heart. 206 00:11:15,580 –> 00:11:18,460 The Book of Proverbs full of wisdom for us, 207 00:11:18,460 –> 00:11:22,219 so practical in life, has this marvelous statement 208 00:11:22,280 –> 00:11:24,960 that the one who states his case first 209 00:11:24,960 –> 00:11:29,960 seems right until the other comes and examines him. 210 00:11:30,559 –> 00:11:31,659 We all know this to be true. 211 00:11:31,659 –> 00:11:34,260 You hear something, and the first impression 212 00:11:34,260 –> 00:11:36,280 is very strong, and you’re swayed 213 00:11:36,280 –> 00:11:38,080 by the first thing that you hear. 214 00:11:39,940 –> 00:11:41,840 But as someone has said very wisely, 215 00:11:41,840 –> 00:11:44,559 God has given us two ears in order 216 00:11:44,559 –> 00:11:46,859 that we may hear both sides of the story. 217 00:11:49,599 –> 00:11:51,719 Now, we need the teaching of the Bible 218 00:11:51,760 –> 00:11:55,080 on this subject today in the culture 219 00:11:55,080 –> 00:11:56,580 and the world in which we live 220 00:11:56,580 –> 00:12:00,320 that is just rife with rumor and with gossip 221 00:12:00,320 –> 00:12:03,659 and with spin and with the advent 222 00:12:03,659 –> 00:12:06,200 and prevalence of the internet 223 00:12:06,200 –> 00:12:08,719 and the platform that is given to anybody 224 00:12:08,719 –> 00:12:12,080 to say anything about anybody else at any time. 225 00:12:12,080 –> 00:12:14,359 This is all around us, 226 00:12:16,059 –> 00:12:18,099 and what we are being told here 227 00:12:18,099 –> 00:12:21,099 is that if we rush to judgment, 228 00:12:22,179 –> 00:12:24,799 on every accusation that we hear, 229 00:12:26,380 –> 00:12:29,859 then we will fall into the same trap as David did 230 00:12:29,859 –> 00:12:32,700 and we may cause great harm and grief 231 00:12:32,700 –> 00:12:36,299 to others who Jesus loves. 232 00:12:37,500 –> 00:12:41,880 Remember that Jesus was falsely accused. 233 00:12:41,880 –> 00:12:43,520 And remember this too. 234 00:12:44,940 –> 00:12:49,940 Many false witnesses rose up and spoke against Him. 235 00:12:50,219 –> 00:12:52,320 Underline the word many, 236 00:12:52,320 –> 00:12:54,020 because you see, wouldn’t it be easy to say, 237 00:12:54,020 –> 00:12:55,780 there’s lots of people saying these things, 238 00:12:55,780 –> 00:12:56,820 so it must be true. 239 00:12:58,559 –> 00:13:00,559 Actually, merely, they’re repeating from one another, 240 00:13:00,559 –> 00:13:01,960 that’s all that’s happening. 241 00:13:03,260 –> 00:13:06,099 Many false witnesses came forward. 242 00:13:06,099 –> 00:13:08,700 And what they did was they twisted the Lord’s words 243 00:13:08,700 –> 00:13:11,359 and they misrepresented the truth about Him. 244 00:13:11,359 –> 00:13:13,700 And then Caiaphas said, well, what more do we need? 245 00:13:13,700 –> 00:13:16,099 Well, the answer to that is we might like 246 00:13:16,280 –> 00:13:17,719 to hear the defense. 247 00:13:19,280 –> 00:13:21,179 But where is that in our world today? 248 00:13:23,500 –> 00:13:27,119 Never judge by appearances. 249 00:13:27,119 –> 00:13:30,679 Always ask the question what if this were not true. 250 00:13:32,559 –> 00:13:33,880 What if this were not true? 251 00:13:35,479 –> 00:13:38,000 Second word, to bear in mind when 252 00:13:38,000 –> 00:13:42,179 you hear rumor and gossip, measure, the word measure. 253 00:13:42,179 –> 00:13:44,119 And I take this again from the words of Jesus 254 00:13:44,140 –> 00:13:48,299 in Matthew 7, judge not that you be not judged 255 00:13:48,299 –> 00:13:51,559 our Lord Jesus says, for with the judgment 256 00:13:51,559 –> 00:13:54,219 you pronounce it will be, you will be judged 257 00:13:54,219 –> 00:13:58,500 and with the measure you use it will be 258 00:13:58,500 –> 00:14:00,559 measured to you. 259 00:14:01,960 –> 00:14:05,679 In other words, the way in which you treat others 260 00:14:05,679 –> 00:14:08,440 in regards to this situation, will end up 261 00:14:08,440 –> 00:14:11,219 in some way, shape, or form being the way 262 00:14:11,219 –> 00:14:15,919 in which you experience others treating you also. 263 00:14:15,919 –> 00:14:19,359 So be very careful about the measure that you use. 264 00:14:20,239 –> 00:14:24,539 In other words, when you hear a word of accusation 265 00:14:24,539 –> 00:14:27,640 that may or may not be true, ask yourself this question, 266 00:14:27,640 –> 00:14:29,400 put yourself on the other side of it, 267 00:14:29,400 –> 00:14:32,020 and say, if this were being said about me, 268 00:14:33,440 –> 00:14:38,140 how would I want others who hear this to respond? 269 00:14:39,080 –> 00:14:42,419 And remember, therefore, that the measure you use 270 00:14:42,419 –> 00:14:45,799 will be the measure that it will be used with you. 271 00:14:46,960 –> 00:14:50,960 So, show grace and mercy to others in the degree 272 00:14:50,960 –> 00:14:54,739 that you would want grace and mercy to be shown to you 273 00:14:54,739 –> 00:14:56,479 if you were in that position. 274 00:14:57,359 –> 00:15:01,000 Defend others in as much as you would hope 275 00:15:01,000 –> 00:15:05,760 that others might defend you if you were in that position. 276 00:15:06,659 –> 00:15:09,299 Believe the best about others 277 00:15:09,299 –> 00:15:12,880 as you would hope that others would believe the best 278 00:15:12,880 –> 00:15:17,080 about you if you were in that position. 279 00:15:18,140 –> 00:15:23,140 Think the best unless and until overwhelming evidence 280 00:15:23,299 –> 00:15:25,799 absolutely forces you to do otherwise. 281 00:15:27,380 –> 00:15:30,099 And then here’s the third word, is time. 282 00:15:30,099 –> 00:15:33,179 Appearance, measure and time are the three words 283 00:15:33,179 –> 00:15:34,900 from the Bible to keep in mind 284 00:15:34,919 –> 00:15:37,299 whenever you’re dealing with gossip or slander 285 00:15:37,299 –> 00:15:40,059 or accusation of one form or another. 286 00:15:40,919 –> 00:15:42,919 And here’s the word time 287 00:15:42,919 –> 00:15:45,140 in 1 Corinthians 4 and verse five, 288 00:15:45,140 –> 00:15:49,140 therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time. 289 00:15:50,419 –> 00:15:55,419 Before the Lord comes, who will bring to light 290 00:15:55,479 –> 00:15:57,940 the things now hidden in darkness 291 00:15:57,940 –> 00:16:01,919 and will disclose the purposes of the heart. 292 00:16:02,719 –> 00:16:07,719 Then each one will receive his commendation from the Lord. 293 00:16:09,659 –> 00:16:13,039 There are things in terms of the purposes of the hearts 294 00:16:13,039 –> 00:16:15,200 that are known only to God right now. 295 00:16:16,820 –> 00:16:20,419 And when the Lord comes, he will disclose them. 296 00:16:20,419 –> 00:16:22,599 So be very careful about making judgments 297 00:16:22,599 –> 00:16:24,960 in advance of that time when all things will be known 298 00:16:24,960 –> 00:16:27,159 because right now, all things are not known. 299 00:16:29,059 –> 00:16:31,520 Now apply this back to David’s situation 300 00:16:31,679 –> 00:16:33,359 and let’s ask this very practical question. 301 00:16:33,359 –> 00:16:36,500 When Ziba comes and says to David in effect, 302 00:16:36,500 –> 00:16:38,219 oh, Mephibosheth is back in Jerusalem, 303 00:16:38,219 –> 00:16:39,820 he thinks he’s gonna become king. 304 00:16:41,359 –> 00:16:45,020 How might David have responded other than believing the lie? 305 00:16:46,679 –> 00:16:51,159 I think that David might wisely have said 306 00:16:51,159 –> 00:16:52,580 something like this, 307 00:16:54,179 –> 00:16:58,719 David, Mephibosheth is back in Jerusalem 308 00:16:58,719 –> 00:17:00,599 and he thinks he’s gonna be king. 309 00:17:02,359 –> 00:17:03,200 Really? 310 00:17:04,880 –> 00:17:05,719 Huh. 311 00:17:06,560 –> 00:17:09,400 That does not fit with what I know of Mephibosheth. 312 00:17:11,800 –> 00:17:16,119 He could have said, I have heard this report 313 00:17:17,140 –> 00:17:20,900 but I have not had the opportunity to hear the other side 314 00:17:20,900 –> 00:17:22,640 and right now I’m fleeing from Jerusalem 315 00:17:22,640 –> 00:17:25,040 and I’m not in a position to find out the other side 316 00:17:25,040 –> 00:17:30,040 and so I am not able at this point to know for sure 317 00:17:30,099 –> 00:17:31,540 if this is true or not 318 00:17:32,920 –> 00:17:35,119 and therefore I will suspend judgment. 319 00:17:36,560 –> 00:17:38,140 I will wait for another time. 320 00:17:39,900 –> 00:17:42,619 God in His time will make this matter clear 321 00:17:42,619 –> 00:17:45,140 that’s 1 Corinthians chapter four in verse five. 322 00:17:45,140 –> 00:17:47,439 God will bring to light what is now hidden 323 00:17:47,439 –> 00:17:49,939 as indeed He did a few chapters later. 324 00:17:51,060 –> 00:17:53,839 God will disclose the purposes of the heart 325 00:17:53,839 –> 00:17:55,979 and until He does, 326 00:17:56,939 –> 00:18:00,579 I would rather suspend judgment 327 00:18:01,959 –> 00:18:05,400 than misjudge a brother or a sister 328 00:18:05,400 –> 00:18:09,739 who one day Jesus might when He returns commend. 329 00:18:11,319 –> 00:18:13,680 By the way, that to me is a fearsome thought 330 00:18:13,680 –> 00:18:15,979 and I hope it is a fearsome thought to you 331 00:18:15,979 –> 00:18:19,839 that I might misjudge a brother or a sister 332 00:18:19,839 –> 00:18:23,719 who when Jesus returns, He commends. 333 00:18:23,939 –> 00:18:28,479 So, what if you were to misjudge a brother or sister 334 00:18:28,479 –> 00:18:32,079 and find on the last day that there was more commendation 335 00:18:33,079 –> 00:18:35,239 for him or for her than there is for you? 336 00:18:37,040 –> 00:18:38,439 That’s a terrifying thought. 337 00:18:40,199 –> 00:18:42,979 So remember these words when we are, 338 00:18:42,979 –> 00:18:46,800 and this is all around all of us dear friends, 339 00:18:46,800 –> 00:18:49,959 the temptation to rush to judgment. 340 00:18:51,359 –> 00:18:52,920 Remember these words from the scripture 341 00:18:53,040 –> 00:18:55,380 and the scriptures from which they come, 342 00:18:55,380 –> 00:19:00,199 appearance, measure, and time, 343 00:19:01,099 –> 00:19:03,579 they’re really important in dealing with a liar. 344 00:19:05,560 –> 00:19:09,160 Second, The Accuser. 345 00:19:09,160 –> 00:19:11,359 Zeba was the liar. 346 00:19:11,359 –> 00:19:13,400 Now we’re gonna meet The Accuser, 347 00:19:13,400 –> 00:19:15,439 and his name is Shimme, 348 00:19:15,439 –> 00:19:17,800 and this is in verse 5 to 14, 349 00:19:17,800 –> 00:19:20,060 the passage that was read, 350 00:19:20,060 –> 00:19:21,719 and we’re told here in verse five 351 00:19:21,800 –> 00:19:26,979 that when King David came to Bahur-Im, 352 00:19:26,979 –> 00:19:31,979 there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul 353 00:19:32,000 –> 00:19:34,239 whose name was Shimme. 354 00:19:36,119 –> 00:19:37,819 So to get the geography here, 355 00:19:37,819 –> 00:19:40,459 when David passes over the top of The Mount of Olives 356 00:19:40,459 –> 00:19:43,079 with Jerusalem now fading in the distance behind him, 357 00:19:43,079 –> 00:19:46,140 he goes down the other side so it’s no longer in view, 358 00:19:47,239 –> 00:19:49,479 and he’s going to be heading north and east 359 00:19:49,479 –> 00:19:50,979 over the River Jordan to a place 360 00:19:51,619 –> 00:19:53,780 called Mahnim that’s right up in the northeast, 361 00:19:53,780 –> 00:19:57,479 an exile, really, outside beyond the River Jordan. 362 00:19:59,339 –> 00:20:02,160 He has to pass through the territory 363 00:20:02,160 –> 00:20:05,739 that was given to the tribe of Benjamin, 364 00:20:05,739 –> 00:20:07,719 and the significance of that, of course, 365 00:20:07,719 –> 00:20:12,160 is that King Saul was off the tribe of Benjamin, 366 00:20:12,160 –> 00:20:15,239 and so he was going through hardcore Saul country, 367 00:20:15,239 –> 00:20:16,540 so to speak. 368 00:20:16,540 –> 00:20:18,900 This is where the Saul loyalists were. 369 00:20:18,900 –> 00:20:22,219 These were the people who were least likely 370 00:20:22,219 –> 00:20:25,939 to be supportive of King David, 371 00:20:25,939 –> 00:20:27,939 the ones who had been hardest to win, 372 00:20:27,939 –> 00:20:32,739 as you remember the story from earlier in our series. 373 00:20:34,420 –> 00:20:39,420 Now, some issues seem never to go away. 374 00:20:40,060 –> 00:20:41,359 You know how this is. 375 00:20:42,640 –> 00:20:44,500 It can be like this in a family. 376 00:20:46,040 –> 00:20:48,219 Certainly can be like this in a country. 377 00:20:49,380 –> 00:20:51,540 I think we experience this a great deal. 378 00:20:51,540 –> 00:20:53,839 Hurts from our history, 379 00:20:54,979 –> 00:20:57,619 wounds from the past 380 00:20:57,619 –> 00:21:00,660 may in some degree be covered over for a time 381 00:21:00,660 –> 00:21:02,079 and there’s an unsettled piece, 382 00:21:02,079 –> 00:21:04,939 it doesn’t take much for old wounds to open 383 00:21:04,939 –> 00:21:06,500 and for things to flare up 384 00:21:06,500 –> 00:21:10,260 and for old hurts to be raw right there on the surface. 385 00:21:10,260 –> 00:21:14,000 Don’t we see that time and time and time again 386 00:21:14,000 –> 00:21:16,839 in our country and in our culture? 387 00:21:17,839 –> 00:21:20,160 And I think that’s how it was 388 00:21:20,160 –> 00:21:23,839 with the extended family of the House of Saul 389 00:21:23,839 –> 00:21:25,280 when it came to David. 390 00:21:26,260 –> 00:21:29,959 David was the King, anointed by God. 391 00:21:30,880 –> 00:21:32,839 The House of Saul may not have liked it 392 00:21:34,020 –> 00:21:37,459 but really there was nothing that they could do about it 393 00:21:37,459 –> 00:21:39,599 and so they got on with their lives. 394 00:21:40,959 –> 00:21:42,520 But you see what happens here, 395 00:21:42,520 –> 00:21:45,780 as soon as Absalom leads a rebellion 396 00:21:45,780 –> 00:21:49,119 all the old wounds are thrown up 397 00:21:49,119 –> 00:21:52,619 and all the old hurts come back out into the open. 398 00:21:54,339 –> 00:21:57,079 And we see this particularly in this man Shimei, 399 00:21:58,160 –> 00:22:03,160 a man who clearly was filled with hatred towards David, 400 00:22:03,260 –> 00:22:06,199 no doubt had been festering for all of these years 401 00:22:06,199 –> 00:22:08,739 but now is the moment when David is weak 402 00:22:08,739 –> 00:22:10,400 and David is humiliated 403 00:22:10,400 –> 00:22:12,819 and David is having to flee his own palace. 404 00:22:12,819 –> 00:22:15,260 He’s off the throne, there’s no crown on him now 405 00:22:15,260 –> 00:22:19,619 and now’s the opportunity for this hatred to vent itself 406 00:22:20,699 –> 00:22:22,439 on God’s anointed king. 407 00:22:24,819 –> 00:22:27,060 And we’re told that when David came to Bahrim, 408 00:22:28,859 –> 00:22:31,239 Shimei came out, verse five 409 00:22:31,239 –> 00:22:33,579 and as he came 410 00:22:33,579 –> 00:22:36,640 he cursed 411 00:22:36,640 –> 00:22:37,719 continually. 412 00:22:39,300 –> 00:22:43,280 So this is a man with an absolutely foul mouth 413 00:22:43,359 –> 00:22:46,040 and you may know someone like that, 414 00:22:46,040 –> 00:22:49,400 you may have to endure working alongside someone like that, 415 00:22:49,400 –> 00:22:51,780 they can hardly string two sentences together 416 00:22:51,780 –> 00:22:53,939 without the most foul language 417 00:22:53,939 –> 00:22:56,180 just peppering everything they say. 418 00:22:56,180 –> 00:23:00,459 They seem incapable of doing anything other than that. 419 00:23:02,540 –> 00:23:07,319 And this foul mouth spewed out hatred 420 00:23:07,319 –> 00:23:11,439 that was targeted on God’s anointed king, 421 00:23:12,400 –> 00:23:13,660 on David himself. 422 00:23:15,619 –> 00:23:19,300 And not only did he spew out this invective 423 00:23:19,300 –> 00:23:22,839 and this foul language and this relentless cursing, 424 00:23:24,500 –> 00:23:26,319 he not only cursed continually, 425 00:23:26,319 –> 00:23:29,599 but, verse six, he threw stones at David, 426 00:23:31,079 –> 00:23:33,420 and all the servants of King David, 427 00:23:33,420 –> 00:23:35,380 notice the title there, he’s still the king 428 00:23:35,380 –> 00:23:39,040 even though he is now evicted from Jerusalem. 429 00:23:39,979 –> 00:23:42,199 Rejected, still the king. 430 00:23:43,479 –> 00:23:45,099 So think about this. 431 00:23:45,099 –> 00:23:48,540 Zeba came bearing gifts, 432 00:23:49,979 –> 00:23:51,959 Shimei comes throwing stones. 433 00:23:53,040 –> 00:23:55,420 One is a liar, the other is an accuser, 434 00:23:55,420 –> 00:23:58,900 both of them are clearly enemies of the king. 435 00:24:00,880 –> 00:24:02,579 Now, it would have been bad enough 436 00:24:02,579 –> 00:24:07,040 if David had been subjected to this humiliation 437 00:24:07,040 –> 00:24:10,280 when he passed by this town, Barahim. 438 00:24:11,660 –> 00:24:14,479 But Shimei was a man on a mission 439 00:24:15,780 –> 00:24:18,660 and he was relentless and he would not give up 440 00:24:18,660 –> 00:24:20,500 and he stalked David. 441 00:24:21,500 –> 00:24:22,619 He followed him, 442 00:24:23,939 –> 00:24:26,920 wouldn’t let him go. 443 00:24:26,920 –> 00:24:30,140 And so picture David walking along the path 444 00:24:30,140 –> 00:24:33,079 with the loyal supporters who have stayed with him, 445 00:24:33,079 –> 00:24:34,180 they’re walking along a path, 446 00:24:34,180 –> 00:24:35,739 they’re heading the many miles 447 00:24:35,920 –> 00:24:37,800 towards the river Jordan, 448 00:24:37,800 –> 00:24:41,880 and on a ridge parallel to that path, 449 00:24:41,880 –> 00:24:45,760 there’s Shimei and he’s on the ridge. 450 00:24:45,760 –> 00:24:48,079 And he’s shouting out these curses 451 00:24:48,079 –> 00:24:49,979 down into the valley below, 452 00:24:49,979 –> 00:24:54,979 the sound of it echoing in the ears of David. 453 00:24:54,979 –> 00:24:56,560 And he’s throwing stones. 454 00:24:56,560 –> 00:24:58,280 And if you look down at verse 13, 455 00:24:58,280 –> 00:25:00,280 this is an extraordinary detail, 456 00:25:00,280 –> 00:25:02,819 he’s even told to aggravate everything, 457 00:25:02,819 –> 00:25:04,819 he’s flinging dust. 458 00:25:04,839 –> 00:25:06,719 Can you imagine this? 459 00:25:06,719 –> 00:25:10,640 Flinging dust on this little party 460 00:25:10,640 –> 00:25:12,239 walking along the pathway 461 00:25:12,239 –> 00:25:14,000 so that you can understand why it says 462 00:25:14,000 –> 00:25:16,839 by the time David arrived at Jordan, 463 00:25:16,839 –> 00:25:20,920 he and his people were just absolutely exhausted, 464 00:25:22,560 –> 00:25:27,760 covered in dust, bruised with stones. 465 00:25:29,439 –> 00:25:32,739 Foul words of cursing and condemnation 466 00:25:32,739 –> 00:25:34,900 ringing in their ears. 467 00:25:37,839 –> 00:25:39,979 Put yourself in David’s shoes. 468 00:25:41,380 –> 00:25:43,180 He’s lost the love of his own son, 469 00:25:43,180 –> 00:25:45,699 he’s lost the support of his own people, 470 00:25:45,699 –> 00:25:48,339 he’s lost his job, he’s lost his home. 471 00:25:50,300 –> 00:25:53,020 And on top of that, he has the sound of cursing 472 00:25:53,020 –> 00:25:56,420 and of condemnation ringing in his ears. 473 00:25:56,420 –> 00:25:58,199 He hears this, verse seven, 474 00:25:58,380 –> 00:26:01,959 get out, get out, you worthless man. 475 00:26:04,459 –> 00:26:06,880 There’ll be some here in the Congregation this morning 476 00:26:06,880 –> 00:26:08,979 and you know what it is to have the sound 477 00:26:08,979 –> 00:26:11,479 of condemnation ringing in your ears. 478 00:26:12,660 –> 00:26:14,959 Remember, Shimmy is an echo of the voice 479 00:26:14,959 –> 00:26:16,319 of the great accuser. 480 00:26:18,060 –> 00:26:19,680 You worthless man. 481 00:26:21,160 –> 00:26:22,839 You worthless woman. 482 00:26:22,839 –> 00:26:27,839 And the accusation of the enemy is always at its worst 483 00:26:30,040 –> 00:26:32,719 when you are at your most vulnerable 484 00:26:32,719 –> 00:26:34,760 and some will know what this is like 485 00:26:34,760 –> 00:26:38,099 and what David experienced. 486 00:26:40,359 –> 00:26:43,099 Now, David had security, of course. 487 00:26:44,400 –> 00:26:47,300 We’re told in verse six that all the mighty men 488 00:26:47,300 –> 00:26:49,560 were on his right hand and on his left. 489 00:26:49,560 –> 00:26:51,439 I mean, he did have a bodyguard, 490 00:26:52,280 –> 00:26:54,540 and so Abishai, not surprisingly, 491 00:26:54,540 –> 00:26:57,619 and he was one, by the way, of the three hotheaded brothers 492 00:26:57,619 –> 00:27:02,319 we met earlier in the story who headed up David’s security. 493 00:27:04,280 –> 00:27:07,900 Abishai says, in effect, well, verse nine, 494 00:27:07,900 –> 00:27:12,060 why should this dead dog curse my lord, the king? 495 00:27:12,060 –> 00:27:13,439 David, you’re the king. 496 00:27:13,439 –> 00:27:15,839 Nobody speaks to God’s anointed like this. 497 00:27:17,859 –> 00:27:19,760 Let me deal with it. 498 00:27:20,060 –> 00:27:22,020 I’ll put an end to it right now. 499 00:27:22,020 –> 00:27:24,500 No more dust, no more stones, and no more cursing 500 00:27:24,500 –> 00:27:26,540 and condemnation coming down from that ridge. 501 00:27:26,540 –> 00:27:27,660 Just let me go get him. 502 00:27:29,459 –> 00:27:34,459 How tempting it must have been for David to say do it. 503 00:27:36,500 –> 00:27:39,060 Can you feel that, how tempting that must’ve been? 504 00:27:39,939 –> 00:27:42,079 We can be done with this in a moment. 505 00:27:44,199 –> 00:27:46,979 He only needed to say the word 506 00:27:46,979 –> 00:27:49,699 and it would have been all over for Shimmy. 507 00:27:49,699 –> 00:27:50,540 Gone. 508 00:27:53,219 –> 00:27:57,020 But what David actually says is absolutely extraordinary. 509 00:27:57,020 –> 00:27:58,380 Will you look at it in verse 11? 510 00:27:58,380 –> 00:28:01,300 David said to Abish, I leave him alone. 511 00:28:02,380 –> 00:28:05,319 And then, here’s the really extraordinary bit. 512 00:28:05,319 –> 00:28:10,319 And let him curse for the LORD has told him too. 513 00:28:11,660 –> 00:28:12,680 Wow. 514 00:28:14,020 –> 00:28:17,760 David says God is in even this. 515 00:28:18,739 –> 00:28:22,060 You feel like you gotta let that settle in your mind. 516 00:28:23,199 –> 00:28:25,140 God is in even this. 517 00:28:27,319 –> 00:28:29,959 Now, let me then make three applications 518 00:28:29,959 –> 00:28:32,319 directly from this as we try and process 519 00:28:32,319 –> 00:28:34,239 the remarkable response of David 520 00:28:34,239 –> 00:28:36,319 when he had the opportunity to see it ended 521 00:28:36,319 –> 00:28:39,020 and he says, no, the hand of God is even in this. 522 00:28:40,439 –> 00:28:42,680 And the first obvious application to us 523 00:28:42,680 –> 00:28:45,280 is that we should learn to recognize the hand of God 524 00:28:45,459 –> 00:28:48,020 even in what is most painful in our lives. 525 00:28:49,780 –> 00:28:51,680 Let him alone. 526 00:28:51,680 –> 00:28:56,239 Let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 527 00:28:56,239 –> 00:29:00,239 See, David saw the hand of God 528 00:29:00,239 –> 00:29:02,140 even in the cursing of Shimeh. 529 00:29:03,939 –> 00:29:06,339 He knew that it was God who had called him 530 00:29:06,339 –> 00:29:09,219 to walk through this valley of humiliation 531 00:29:09,219 –> 00:29:12,479 and that God was at work in his life as he did. 532 00:29:12,479 –> 00:29:17,479 And sure, the accusation that Shimeh 533 00:29:18,619 –> 00:29:22,119 poured out against David, which is in verse eight, 534 00:29:22,119 –> 00:29:24,439 he says, the Lord has avenged on you 535 00:29:24,439 –> 00:29:26,599 all the blood of the house of Saul, 536 00:29:26,599 –> 00:29:29,219 that was a completely false accusation. 537 00:29:29,219 –> 00:29:31,859 David did not have the blood of the house of Saul 538 00:29:31,859 –> 00:29:32,780 on his hands. 539 00:29:32,780 –> 00:29:34,979 He had only ever shown mercy and grace 540 00:29:34,979 –> 00:29:36,400 towards the house of Saul. 541 00:29:36,400 –> 00:29:39,140 So what he was accused f was completely untrue. 542 00:29:39,160 –> 00:29:44,160 But I think David is reckoning like this, 543 00:29:44,680 –> 00:29:47,119 well, I may not have the blood of Saul on my hands. 544 00:29:47,119 –> 00:29:48,500 That’s not a true accusation, 545 00:29:48,500 –> 00:29:50,760 I do have the blood of Uriah on my hands. 546 00:29:52,500 –> 00:29:56,800 And so he’s able to say, I did not do what I am accused of, 547 00:29:56,800 –> 00:29:57,839 but you know what? 548 00:29:59,479 –> 00:30:03,459 I have sinned enough in my life to be cursed and banished, 549 00:30:03,459 –> 00:30:07,160 as Shimeh says, forever and forever. 550 00:30:09,280 –> 00:30:11,500 And he humbles himself at the knowledge 551 00:30:11,500 –> 00:30:16,020 that even if what he’s accused of is not true, 552 00:30:16,020 –> 00:30:20,359 there’s enough that he could be accused of, that is true. 553 00:30:23,099 –> 00:30:24,699 You know, it’s very interesting thinking 554 00:30:24,699 –> 00:30:27,500 of how is it possible for this man to curse 555 00:30:27,500 –> 00:30:31,020 and then to have the hand of God being seen in it. 556 00:30:32,780 –> 00:30:35,160 Well, think about this in the New Testament, 557 00:30:35,160 –> 00:30:37,500 Paul speaks about a thorn in the flesh, 558 00:30:37,500 –> 00:30:41,060 something so aggravating, so painful in his life. 559 00:30:41,060 –> 00:30:43,060 Oh he would so have been so glad 560 00:30:43,060 –> 00:30:45,160 if he could have been without it and have got rid of it. 561 00:30:45,160 –> 00:30:49,099 He said it was a messenger of Satan to buffet me. 562 00:30:50,219 –> 00:30:53,660 But then he says this about the messenger of Satan, 563 00:30:53,660 –> 00:30:56,660 he says it was given me 564 00:30:58,180 –> 00:31:01,520 and clearly he means it was given by God. 565 00:31:03,140 –> 00:31:04,420 And for what purpose? 566 00:31:04,420 –> 00:31:07,579 Because in and through this the messenger of Satan 567 00:31:07,579 –> 00:31:11,619 that buffeted me, I came to a fresh discovery 568 00:31:11,619 –> 00:31:14,660 of God’s grace and of his strength 569 00:31:14,660 –> 00:31:17,300 that I only could have found in the place 570 00:31:17,300 –> 00:31:18,939 of my own weakness. 571 00:31:20,079 –> 00:31:21,900 God was at work even in this 572 00:31:24,260 –> 00:31:27,239 and do you not see the same at the very heart 573 00:31:27,239 –> 00:31:30,660 of your own faith in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. 574 00:31:31,520 –> 00:31:36,520 Here’s wickedness, lies, false accusation, betrayal, 575 00:31:37,300 –> 00:31:40,880 ridiculed, poured out on the Lord Jesus Christ, 576 00:31:40,880 –> 00:31:42,920 nailed to a cross, the Bible’s clear 577 00:31:42,920 –> 00:31:45,040 this is the work of wicked men. 578 00:31:47,739 –> 00:31:50,300 Then we read that it was in the very purpose of God 579 00:31:50,300 –> 00:31:51,819 and that God’s hand was at work 580 00:31:51,819 –> 00:31:54,400 even in this darkest and most painful thing, 581 00:31:54,400 –> 00:31:57,439 he’s bringing about the very redemption of the world. 582 00:31:58,380 –> 00:32:02,839 I think David has something of that testimony here. 583 00:32:02,839 –> 00:32:07,599 He might say, shimmy was a thorn in the flesh to me, 584 00:32:07,599 –> 00:32:10,099 but you know what, God used even his hatred, 585 00:32:10,099 –> 00:32:12,400 his lies and his false accusation 586 00:32:14,180 –> 00:32:18,479 to advance his own redeeming work 587 00:32:19,640 –> 00:32:20,479 in my life. 588 00:32:23,119 –> 00:32:25,479 That’s why Jesus said when he’s in the garden 589 00:32:25,479 –> 00:32:30,439 and remember, just as Abishai says to David, 590 00:32:30,439 –> 00:32:32,040 let me deal with him, we’ll be done with it. 591 00:32:32,040 –> 00:32:33,479 Remember in the Garden of Gethsemane, 592 00:32:33,479 –> 00:32:35,479 you have exactly the same thing. 593 00:32:35,479 –> 00:32:37,959 Jesus was betrayed and he’s arrested. 594 00:32:37,959 –> 00:32:39,239 And what does Peter do? 595 00:32:39,239 –> 00:32:41,199 I’ll deal with it, draws the sword. 596 00:32:42,280 –> 00:32:43,199 And what does Jesus say? 597 00:32:43,199 –> 00:32:46,819 It’s like David and Abishai all over again, it’s amazing. 598 00:32:46,819 –> 00:32:49,400 And Jesus says, you put your sword away, why? 599 00:32:49,400 –> 00:32:53,640 Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given to me? 600 00:32:53,640 –> 00:32:55,579 God is at work even in this, you see. 601 00:32:57,199 –> 00:32:59,839 And you see all of that in anticipation 602 00:32:59,839 –> 00:33:04,839 when David says, let him alone, let him curse. 603 00:33:06,640 –> 00:33:09,380 The Lord has told him to. 604 00:33:11,680 –> 00:33:16,680 Second, always remember to focus on the main problem 605 00:33:16,739 –> 00:33:21,140 and not the frustrations that will soon pass. 606 00:33:21,140 –> 00:33:23,239 Verse 11, David said to Abishai, 607 00:33:23,239 –> 00:33:24,719 this is the reason he gives 608 00:33:24,719 –> 00:33:28,180 for not finishing off Shipme here, he says this, 609 00:33:28,180 –> 00:33:29,660 not only because God’s at work 610 00:33:29,660 –> 00:33:32,079 but secondly, because Shipme’s not the main problem. 611 00:33:32,079 –> 00:33:34,479 Behold, my own son now seeks my life. 612 00:33:34,479 –> 00:33:35,439 That’s the problem. 613 00:33:37,459 –> 00:33:40,540 Shipme as thorn in the flesh. 614 00:33:40,540 –> 00:33:42,099 My life would be so much easier 615 00:33:42,099 –> 00:33:46,439 if he wasn’t here right now, but he isn’t the main problem. 616 00:33:47,459 –> 00:33:49,739 If Shipme is gone, the main problem remains. 617 00:33:49,739 –> 00:33:50,819 The main problem is that 618 00:33:50,859 –> 00:33:52,380 there is a rebellion in place, 619 00:33:52,380 –> 00:33:54,819 there’s a mass deception among the people of God, 620 00:33:54,819 –> 00:33:58,040 and that isn’t changed one bit if Shipme is taken away. 621 00:33:59,579 –> 00:34:02,359 The real problem is Absalom’s rebellion. 622 00:34:02,359 –> 00:34:06,119 The real problem is that the king has been rejected. 623 00:34:07,979 –> 00:34:09,520 David, to his great credit, 624 00:34:09,520 –> 00:34:11,620 keeps his eye on the main issue 625 00:34:11,620 –> 00:34:14,679 and refuses to be distracted to a frustration 626 00:34:14,679 –> 00:34:16,739 that will soon pass away. 627 00:34:18,179 –> 00:34:20,739 Whenever you find yourself in a situation 628 00:34:20,739 –> 00:34:22,360 where you are deeply troubled 629 00:34:22,360 –> 00:34:24,820 and someone becomes an aggravation to you 630 00:34:24,820 –> 00:34:27,899 and pressures are upon you in one way or another, 631 00:34:27,899 –> 00:34:31,300 ask this question, what really matters here? 632 00:34:32,739 –> 00:34:34,939 What will matter in five year’s time? 633 00:34:35,780 –> 00:34:38,159 What will matter in 10 year’s time? 634 00:34:39,020 –> 00:34:41,459 And that will bring focus to your thinking 635 00:34:41,459 –> 00:34:42,939 and to your priorities. 636 00:34:42,939 –> 00:34:46,139 You’ll come up with answers like this, no doubt. 637 00:34:46,139 –> 00:34:49,100 What matters here is that I honor Jesus Christ 638 00:34:49,100 –> 00:34:51,100 and maintain my testimony. 639 00:34:52,060 –> 00:34:54,719 What matters here is that this marriage stays together 640 00:34:54,719 –> 00:34:58,500 and that it does not break, that this family is protected. 641 00:34:58,500 –> 00:35:01,760 What matters here is that the Church is made strong, 642 00:35:01,760 –> 00:35:03,939 that the gospel advances around the world, 643 00:35:03,939 –> 00:35:05,699 look at what really matters 644 00:35:05,699 –> 00:35:08,260 and what will matter in five and 10 year’s time? 645 00:35:08,260 –> 00:35:11,219 Don’t get caught up in the frustrations 646 00:35:11,219 –> 00:35:14,060 of the immediate aggravation of a shimmy 647 00:35:14,060 –> 00:35:16,379 who’s here today but will be gone tomorrow. 648 00:35:17,379 –> 00:35:20,699 Third, when you find yourself 649 00:35:20,699 –> 00:35:25,520 in a situation like this of such aggravation, 650 00:35:25,520 –> 00:35:29,419 never stop hoping and trusting in God. 651 00:35:29,419 –> 00:35:31,100 David says Verse 12, 652 00:35:31,100 –> 00:35:33,699 it’s maybe that the Lord will look on the wrong 653 00:35:33,699 –> 00:35:36,219 that is done to me and that the Lord will repay me 654 00:35:36,219 –> 00:35:39,139 with good for his cursing today. 655 00:35:40,679 –> 00:35:43,360 In other words, and David’s hope was vindicated, 656 00:35:43,540 –> 00:35:47,500 when Shimei and Zeba’s lies and curses 657 00:35:47,500 –> 00:35:50,360 did not have the last word in David’s life, 658 00:35:51,699 –> 00:35:54,560 the Lord wonderfully restored him. 659 00:35:55,780 –> 00:35:58,520 And in that we have a marvelous anticipation 660 00:35:58,520 –> 00:36:01,459 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 661 00:36:01,459 –> 00:36:04,159 Lies and insults were hurled at him, 662 00:36:04,159 –> 00:36:06,100 but he did not send them back. 663 00:36:06,100 –> 00:36:09,300 He trusted himself to the Father who vindicated him 664 00:36:09,320 –> 00:36:13,360 by raising him up on the third day. 665 00:36:15,780 –> 00:36:18,120 Now the very last thing is simply this. 666 00:36:19,320 –> 00:36:21,820 And again I need to give you just a little bit 667 00:36:21,820 –> 00:36:25,239 of a spoiler allert, but I can’t end the message 668 00:36:25,239 –> 00:36:28,000 without telling you the end of the story of these men. 669 00:36:29,320 –> 00:36:32,939 Because again, spoiler alert, when the rebellion is ended 670 00:36:32,939 –> 00:36:35,879 and David comes back and is restored as the king 671 00:36:35,879 –> 00:36:38,080 and the tribes of God’s people say, 672 00:36:38,300 –> 00:36:41,520 again they bring back the king, it’s a wonderful story. 673 00:36:42,360 –> 00:36:44,399 And David comes from Mahanaim and he gets 674 00:36:44,399 –> 00:36:46,399 to the river Jordan and he’s about to cross 675 00:36:46,399 –> 00:36:48,419 back into the promised land. 676 00:36:50,199 –> 00:36:51,840 Who do you think were the very first people 677 00:36:51,840 –> 00:36:53,100 to meet him at the river? 678 00:36:54,679 –> 00:36:55,600 You’ve guessed it. 679 00:36:57,320 –> 00:37:01,520 Second Samuel chapter 19 and verse 16 and shimmy. 680 00:37:02,560 –> 00:37:06,500 The son of Geirah the Benjamite from Bahurim 681 00:37:07,000 –> 00:37:08,780 and he hurried to come down to the men, 682 00:37:08,780 –> 00:37:11,780 with the men of Judah to meet King David. 683 00:37:11,780 –> 00:37:14,899 And with them he’s brought 1000 men 684 00:37:14,899 –> 00:37:17,159 who now are going to pledge their loyalty to David 685 00:37:17,159 –> 00:37:19,780 and they’re all from the tribe of Benjamin. 686 00:37:19,780 –> 00:37:23,219 Amazing, verse 17 of chapter 19. 687 00:37:23,219 –> 00:37:24,659 And with them was guess who? 688 00:37:24,659 –> 00:37:29,659 Zeba with his 15 suns and mon with his 20 servants. 689 00:37:30,679 –> 00:37:35,239 This is amazing the liar and the accuser 690 00:37:35,260 –> 00:37:37,500 who brought such pain to David 691 00:37:37,500 –> 00:37:39,639 on the darkest day of his life 692 00:37:39,639 –> 00:37:41,379 are the first to greet him 693 00:37:41,379 –> 00:37:45,340 and to actually to bring him back over the river, Jordan. 694 00:37:46,560 –> 00:37:48,459 And verse 18 tells us the story. 695 00:37:48,459 –> 00:37:50,560 Shimei, the son of Girah. 696 00:37:50,560 –> 00:37:52,040 He fell down before the king 697 00:37:52,040 –> 00:37:54,459 and he says let not my lord the King 698 00:37:54,459 –> 00:37:58,520 hold me guilty or remember how your servant wronged you 699 00:37:58,520 –> 00:38:00,540 on the day that you left Jerusalem. 700 00:38:01,479 –> 00:38:03,639 Don’t let the king take it to heart for your servant. 701 00:38:03,820 –> 00:38:07,800 Shimei says, I know that I have sinned 702 00:38:07,800 –> 00:38:10,959 and therefore I have come out to meet you this day. 703 00:38:12,239 –> 00:38:17,239 Of course, Abishai was ready to go with a sword again. 704 00:38:17,239 –> 00:38:19,199 Hey, we ain’t having any of this now. 705 00:38:21,080 –> 00:38:23,340 And I just love what David says 706 00:38:23,340 –> 00:38:24,959 and I want you to see this. 707 00:38:24,959 –> 00:38:29,360 David says to Shimei, you shall not die. 708 00:38:29,399 –> 00:38:34,360 Verse 23, and the King gave him his oath. 709 00:38:39,620 –> 00:38:43,600 You can never predict what God will yet do 710 00:38:43,600 –> 00:38:46,679 in the life of someone who brings you pain 711 00:38:46,679 –> 00:38:48,620 and causes you harm. 712 00:38:51,600 –> 00:38:53,719 I had someone come up to me after the message last night 713 00:38:53,719 –> 00:38:56,159 and say, I should rename myself Shimei 714 00:38:56,959 –> 00:38:59,479 because I was foul mouthed 715 00:39:01,000 –> 00:39:04,360 and I was full of bitterness and hate 716 00:39:05,520 –> 00:39:08,439 and the Lord Jesus has completely changed my life. 717 00:39:10,159 –> 00:39:13,120 He can transform a zebra, a habitual liar, 718 00:39:13,120 –> 00:39:14,459 a compulsive liar, 719 00:39:16,959 –> 00:39:20,320 and he can transform a hateful Shimei 720 00:39:21,320 –> 00:39:26,479 and I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever in my mind 721 00:39:26,479 –> 00:39:29,199 that Shimei had a genuine change of heart. 722 00:39:29,199 –> 00:39:32,080 You know there are some commentators who say, 723 00:39:32,080 –> 00:39:33,840 oh, this was just about getting 724 00:39:33,840 –> 00:39:35,679 on the right side of the king. 725 00:39:37,120 –> 00:39:39,280 Of course, who doesn’t want to be 726 00:39:39,280 –> 00:39:41,260 on the right side of the king? 727 00:39:41,260 –> 00:39:46,260 Somewhere along the line conviction came to Shimei’s heart. 728 00:39:47,280 –> 00:39:49,520 I have been cursing the king 729 00:39:49,520 –> 00:39:52,959 and if he comes back in triumph, I’m done for 730 00:39:52,959 –> 00:39:54,560 and here’s the only thing I can do. 731 00:39:54,560 –> 00:39:57,560 I can’t wait for him to get back on his throne in Jerusalem. 732 00:39:57,560 –> 00:39:59,300 I gotta go out to meet him. 733 00:39:59,300 –> 00:40:00,719 I’ll meet him at The Jordan. 734 00:40:00,719 –> 00:40:03,459 I’ll meet him before he comes back to his throne 735 00:40:04,679 –> 00:40:06,760 and I’ll cast myself upon his mercy 736 00:40:06,760 –> 00:40:09,719 and I’ll tell him I know that I have sinned 737 00:40:09,719 –> 00:40:11,520 and I’ll ask if he will forgive me 738 00:40:11,520 –> 00:40:14,360 and if he will show me grace, 739 00:40:14,360 –> 00:40:16,919 I will cast myself on his mercy. 740 00:40:17,040 –> 00:40:20,860 Let me end with this Jesus Christ is the King of Kings. 741 00:40:22,040 –> 00:40:24,639 All power and glory belongs to him 742 00:40:26,520 –> 00:40:28,739 and friend if you have resisted him, 743 00:40:29,679 –> 00:40:31,399 if you have hated him, 744 00:40:32,560 –> 00:40:35,800 if you have become embittered towards him, 745 00:40:35,800 –> 00:40:38,500 if you have lied to him, 746 00:40:38,500 –> 00:40:40,600 if you have falsely accused him, 747 00:40:40,600 –> 00:40:42,500 if you have insulted him, 748 00:40:42,500 –> 00:40:44,280 what does that mean for you 749 00:40:44,280 –> 00:40:47,219 when he comes in power and in glory? 750 00:40:48,560 –> 00:40:52,399 Learn from Ziba and learn from Shimei. 751 00:40:53,959 –> 00:40:58,040 Go out to meet him now before his return 752 00:40:59,159 –> 00:41:02,219 and cast yourself upon his mercy. 753 00:41:03,300 –> 00:41:04,919 Ask for his forgiveness, 754 00:41:04,919 –> 00:41:08,260 seek peace and reconciliation with him. 755 00:41:09,399 –> 00:41:11,600 And I tell you on the authority of the Bible 756 00:41:11,600 –> 00:41:13,600 that if you will do that, 757 00:41:13,639 –> 00:41:15,820 Jesus gives you his word, 758 00:41:15,820 –> 00:41:20,439 whoever believes in him shall not perish, 759 00:41:20,439 –> 00:41:22,080 but have everlasting life, 760 00:41:22,080 –> 00:41:23,439 you will not die. 761 00:41:24,919 –> 00:41:28,520 And when Jesus gives his word, 762 00:41:28,520 –> 00:41:33,399 he never breaks his promise. 763 00:41:33,399 –> 00:41:34,360 Let’s pray together. 764 00:41:35,719 –> 00:41:38,000 Father in your great mercy, 765 00:41:38,979 –> 00:41:42,360 grant that the transformation 766 00:41:42,360 –> 00:41:45,419 that was seen in Ziba and Shimmy 767 00:41:47,060 –> 00:41:49,239 may be seen in us by the grace 768 00:41:49,239 –> 00:41:51,479 and for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ 769 00:41:51,479 –> 00:41:52,679 in whose name we pray. 770 00:41:53,840 –> 00:41:54,679 Amen.