The sad outworking of David’s sin with Bathsheba continues...
2 Samuel 15: Absalom's Conspiracy
1 After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, "From what city are you?" And when he said, "Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,"
3 Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you."
4 Then Absalom would say, "Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice."
5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.
6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And at the end of four years Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
8 For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, 'If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to the LORD.'"
9 The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron.
10 But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, 'Absalom is king at Hebron!'"
11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing.
12 And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.
David Flees Jerusalem
13 And a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom."
14 Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword."
15 And the king's servants said to the king, "Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides."
16 So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.
17 And the king went out, and all the people after him. And they halted at the last house.
18 And all his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king.
19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home.
20 You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where? Go back and take your brothers with you, and may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you."
21 But Ittai answered the king, "As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be."
22 And David said to Ittai, "Go then, pass on." So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.
23 And all the land wept aloud as all the people passed by, and the king crossed the brook Kidron, and all the people passed on toward the wilderness.
24 And Abiathar came up, and behold, Zadok came also with all the Levites, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God until the people had all passed out of the city.
25 Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place.
26 But if he says, 'I have no pleasure in you,' behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him."
27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Go back to the city in peace, with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28 See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me."
29 So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.
30 But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went.
31 And it was told David, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." And David said, "O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness."
32 While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt on his head.
33 David said to him, "If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.
34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,' then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
35 Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king's house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36 Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, and by them you shall send to me everything you hear."
37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 16: David and Ziba
1 When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
2 And the king said to Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink."
3 And the king said, "And where is your master's son?" Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'"
4 Then the king said to Ziba, "Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." And Ziba said, "I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king."
Shimei Curses David
5 When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.
6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
7 And Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man!
8 The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood."
9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head."
10 But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"
11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.
12 It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today."
13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust.
14 And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.
Absalom Enters Jerusalem
15 Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
16 And when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
17 And Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"
18 And Hushai said to Absalom, "No, for whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain.
19 And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give your counsel. What shall we do?"
21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened."
22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23 Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.
Things to think about…
1. We have the continued outworking of David’s sin with Bathsheba in the conspiracy that Absalom devises in 2 Samuel 15. Absalom undermines his father’s authority by gaining men to support him and setting himself at the main gate of Jerusalem as a self-appointed judge. Be doing this it says “he stole the hearts of the men of Israel”, 2 Sam15:6. The elders of the city were called to sit at the gate and given wisdom, counsel and judgement. David had not done this and as such set up a spiritual and legal vacuum which allowed Absalom a foothold against David. This allowed Absalom to build his plan by lying to his father and remove himself to Hebron. Remember David ruled 7 years at Hebron when he was over Judah before moving to Jerusalem to rule over all Israel. Absalom is setting himself up to do the same. Did David know? Was he blind or ignorant to Absalom’s devises? I believe part of the judgement upon David was that he was still bound up with guilt where he allowed Absalom the opportunity to supplant him. Wilful ignorance and blind hope should never be excuses to ignore sin within a family, church or nation.
2. It’s too late! Those who were with Absalom kept increasing, 2Sam15:12. David flees Jerusalem as Absalom enters. Note those who are with King David. There are the 600 Gittites (from Gath of the Philistines) and their families. These are with David and David’s God. Ittai’s heart is representative of these men, vs 21. Israel was to be a light to the nations. Gentiles were always part of the kingdom of Israel. Modern Israel understands this but are struggling to see that the promises for the Gentiles are only found in David’s greater Son Jesus Christ. Pray for modern Israel that they embrace Jesus (Yeshua) as their Messiah.
3. There are many parallels in David’s flight out of Jerusalem passing the Brook Kidron and up to the Mount of Olives and being betrayed by Ahithophel, 2Sam 15, with Jesus doing exactly the same thing after being betrayed by Judas Iscariot, John 18:1,2. David would return to Jerusalem and receive his kingdom back, Jesus will one day return to Jerusalem and do the same. Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather, 2 Sam. 11:3, cf 2 Sam. 23:34 – Ahithophel was of Gilo, 2 Sam 15:12). Incidentally this is why studying the lists of names found in the scriptures is important and prophitable. Ahithophel felt indignant at David’s treatment of his granddaughter and murder of a beloved grand-son-in-law Uriah. This allowed bitterness to rise up in Ahithophel’s heart. David was not accountable for Ahithophel’s bitterness, but he was certainly the catalyst that brought it about.
4. The Ark of the Covenant comes and then returns to Jerusalem, 2 Sam 15:24-29. God’s presence goes with David as it went with Jesus. But this was a season where the Lord would return to Jerusalem as the Ark would return. David would also return. We also know our Lord Jesus Christ – the true Presence of God, will return and rule and reign in Jerusalem in His Millennial kingdom.
5. Zadok and Abiathar – priests loyal to God and the king return to Jerusalem with the ark, as does Hushai, David’s friend, 2Sam 15:24-29, 37. The Lord uses close friends to support us and help us in times of need. These men would be needed to ensure that David was returned to the throne. David ran away from Saul when God had appointed him as king and now he is running away from his son Absalom while he is reigning as king. Those who seek after the Lord will be saved by the Lord. Positions and appointments have no authority without the Lord’s blessing.
6. Times of trial sadly it brings out lying opportunists - Ziba lies about Mephibosheth whom David had kept at his table in honour of Jonathan. Ziba was Mephibosheth’s servant and left him. Poor Mephibosheth of course could not leave Jerusalem because he was lame. Ziba lies and David offers him Methobosheth’s inheritance. Shimei openly curses David, 2Sam16:5-14. He calls him a “man of blood”. This taunt would have cut David. We know it had some truth to it, even to the point where David was not allowed to build the temple as a result. All manner of personal opportunism is expressed when David’s throne is seen to be in jeopardy. We know that when there are cracks in the leadership of families, churches, businesses and nations the energy normally expressed in promoting order towards a common cause turns to selfish ambition and desire. Continue to pray for God’s peace, especially within the church, so it can carry out its calling to show Christ’s light in the world.
Hushai deceives Absalom, 2Sam16:16-19 so he can be of use to David. David had prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel be turned into foolishness 2Sam15:31. Ahithophel filled with revenge and anger fulfils part of God’s judgement on David’s sin with Bathsheba by offering his counsel to Absalom in 2Sam16:20-23.
Absalom fulfills some of the judgement upon David’s sin with Bathsheba as declared by the prophet Nathan by having sexual relations with David’s concubines, 2 Sam 16:22. Likely occurring on the same roof top where David first looked down and lusted after Bathsheba. Ahithophel counsels Absalom to go in to have sexual relations with his father’s concubines. In the same way that David had sexual relations with Ahithophel’s granddaughter. Revenge must have been sweet for Ahithophel at this point. But bitterness is never blessed as we shall see.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
The reading for Sunday came from 2 Samuel 12:1-15.
1. Often we don’t see things others see. Jay used the example of the “74” in the colour-blind example. He couldn’t see the number distinctly until it was pointed out. We see Nathan convince David of his sin with Bathsheba. What process does he use to convince him? Have you ever employed this style and logic to convince people of something you believe to be true?
2. The immediate effects of David sin as declared by Nathan the prophet start straight away. The child dies. The child was innocent. Yet God took him. Innocent people, especially children feel the affects of the sins of their parents. How do we remedy this? Discuss.
3. Encouraging news is that Nathan had told David in vs 13 “"The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.” This amazing grace is giving to all those who have accepted Christ as their Saviour from sin. There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Do you live in this freedom?
4. We all need spiritual mentors like Nathan in our lives. Do you have one? More than this, do you have someone that encourages you – like a Barnabas, as well as someone you are teaching like Paul did for Timothy?
Prayer Points
1. Clarity of life and freedoms through to the end of the year.
2. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours 😉
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points.
1. Solar on the roof, working very well and saving the church money
2. Ability to meet this Sunday, albeit with masks.
3. New visitors to the church on Sunday.
4. The unity and grace on display at CBC.
Announcements
1. Masks to be worn this Sunday. Freedom in the café.
2. PlayPatch for toddlers at church, Fridays 9:30-11am. Please get the word out. See Maddison for details.
3. Recharge Youth – 6:30-8:30pm. Parents to contact Melinda for details.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
