David is made king of Israel and breaks through the Jebusite stronghold to rule from Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 4: Ish-bosheth Murdered
1 When Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed.
2 Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of raiding bands; the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon a man of Benjamin from Beeroth (for Beeroth also is counted part of Benjamin;
3 the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there to this day).
4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
5 Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest.
6 And they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
7 When they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and put him to death and beheaded him. They took his head and went by the way of the Arabah all night,
8 and brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, "Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. The LORD has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring."
9 But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity,
10 when one told me, 'Behold, Saul is dead,' and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.
11 How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?"
12 And David commanded his young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hanged them beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.
2 Samuel 5: David Anointed King of Israel
1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh.
2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'"
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, "You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off"---thinking, "David cannot come in here."
7 Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.
8 And David said on that day, "Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack 'the lame and the blind,' who are hated by David's soul." Therefore it is said, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house."
9 And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward.
10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house.
12 And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13 And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.
14 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
19 And David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the LORD said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand."
20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, "The LORD has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood." Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.
21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
23 And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.
24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines."
25 And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
Things to think about…
1. While the story outlined in 2Sam 4 is brutal, it also displays the wisdom of David and the fact that he feared God’s order more than personal gain or ambition. These two men Rechab and Baanah who thought they were bringing good news to David, just as the Amalekite did two chapters earlier, were deceived in believing that David was a man driven by his own ambition. David lamented that the house of Saul, ‘God’s anointed’ had fallen from grace. David’s title to the throne and his rule was blessed to the point that he is seen as a type of Christ. David’s greater son Jesus would be given the throne through humility, sacrifice and grace. All other kingdoms will submit to his rule of ‘God’s anointed’ – Yeshua the Messiah.
2. David by cutting the hands and feet off these two men - Rechab and Baanah to show that their actions (hands) were wicked and their pursuit (feet) to tell their news was abhorrent in David’s eyes. David again shows that he had no part or joy in the news or actions of these men. As such David shows himself to be a king who rules with integrity and a character worthy of honour. Christ says to pluck out an eye or cut off a hand if it sins or offends. Rather we enter life maimed than not at all. What needs cutting out of your life?
3. It’s interesting that while the Jews had been in the land of Israel for many hundreds of years and David had been the king of Judah for seven years at this point, Jerusalem was still in control of the Jebusites, 2Sam 5:6. The jewel in the crown of the land was taken in the time of Joshua but had to be retaken. It would be done via the water shaft, 2Sam 5:8. It is even more interesting that Joab was the one who led the charge and took Jerusalem from the hand of the Jebusites by climbing up this water shaft 1Chr 11:6. This shaft is observable today as Warren’s shaft. It is incredibly steep, vertical in fact. It was an incredible feat to know that men had to climb up this shaft with their armour to take the city. They would have done so at night, in single file, being adept climbers – all while carrying their armour and swords.
4. David’s kingdom was established, and he began ruling from Jerusalem and building his empire with the support of Hiram king of Tyre – a Gentile, 2Sam 5:11. But it is here we start to see more moral cracks in David’s character - David began to add concubines and wives, 2Sam 5:13. This was also a strategic move to build peace with the surrounding nations. But would be the source of much grief to David. It would be a bad example to Solomon would take this idea to a whole new level – to his detriment of course and to the detriment of the nation. The sins of the fathers follow through to the sons. A very sobering truth to the heads of Christian homes.
Do not go out and fight the Philistines until you hear the voice of the Lord. David asked the Lord both times and the Lord led him in battle and to victory, 2Sam 5:19, 23. As Christians we all have enemies of the cross around us. If we are to fight we need to seek the counsel and guidance of the Lord. In our vision statement we use the word ‘intentional’. We should only be involved in ministry that has a purpose and a leading from the Lord. Unless the Lord builds the house the labourers labour in vain, Ps 127:1.
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.
Lockdown is the likely reality for the next two weeks. If you can gather virtually, go for it.
The reading for Sunday came from Psalm 59.
1. A lot of what we are experiencing impinges on our freedoms and people are struggling with what should be considered fair and reasonable. How are you coping at the moment, both mentally and spiritually?
2. David had been promised the kingdom and yet here he is 10 or so years after being anointed by Samuel and is being harassed by Saul (the current king of Israel). Explain what you remember to be going on and the context of Psalm 59. Remember David had just married Saul’s daughter Michal.
3. What has God promised you. We know all those who desire to live godly lives will suffer persecution, that is a promise, 2Tim 3:12. But this is also countered with other promises like the fact that “he will grant you the desires of your heart” Ps 37:4. That if you “Call unto me and I will answer you” Jer 33:3, and of course the promise by Jesus “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do” Jn14:13. How do you reconcile these texts with the reality that not all our prayers or perhaps things that are promised are always given?
4. We certainly don’t want what is fair? Jesus was sent to the cross by the Father. This was certainly unfair. But if our sin is paid for as a result, it is just. As such our names are written in heaven and in the Book of Life. Explain this exchange in your own words.
Prayer Points
1. That there would still be fellowship and blessing through the Lockdown.
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. Ability to meet, albeit it virtually online.
2. The unity and grace on display at CBC.
Announcements
1. Members’ meeting 15 Aug – assuming no lockdowns, which seems unlikely at this stage.
2. PlayPatch for toddlers at church, Fridays 9:30-11am. Please get the word out. See Maddison for details. Not this week due to lockdown.
3. Recharge Youth – 6:30-8:30pm. Noty this week due to lockdown.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
