King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, April 21, 2024
Chapters: II Samuel Chapters 1-3, Psalm Chapter 18
Message: The Fools Death
Hello My Friend,
I apologize for being so late getting this out, I have still been struggling with this dizziness and unease and today is the first day that I can type and not get sick. I do not care what age we were born into, salvation has never been about our works, it is our works after we are saved that we will account for. And I do not mean that we risk our salvation should our account be pretty wretched, I mean that we will have a very rough life should we remain pretty wretched. David’s life is a perfect example of the suffering we face for unrepentant sin as well as how merciful He is. Psalm 18, has so much good stuff in it, that I have taken much of it as part of the study.
[Psalms 18:30-35 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.]
The Book of II Samuel contains twenty-four chapters, it is probable that David wrote it because it only contains his life, and it was first addressed to Israel. The timeline for these events took place approximately 1056 BC to 1017 BC. The purpose of the book was to record David’s forty year reign as king and how God dealt with him and all His people during that time. What we are to learn from the book is that God carries out His plan through those who are obedient to Him despite their occasional mishaps, [2 Samuel 22:7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.]
2 Samuel begins right after 1 Samuel ends, as we recall the tragic death of three of Saul’s sons, and the end of his life when killed himself, [1 Samuel 31:3-6 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. 4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. 6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.]
It had now been three days since Israel battled the Philistines, during the battle between the Philistines and Israel, David, was in Ziklag for two days resting from his victory with the Amalekites. It was no secret that the entire nation knew of Saul’s hatred for David and that he and Johnathan were good friends. Someone who had witnessed what happened to Saul decides to pay David a visit, but watch how he tells the story.
[2 Samuel 1:1-4 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; 2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. 3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.]
[Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.] This is the tip off right here to show that this man was up to something as he specifically mentioned Saul and Johnathan only. When David asked him how he knew that Saul and Johnathan he goes on and tells this lie.
[2 Samuel 1:6-10 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. 8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. 10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.]
[Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me:] This man made the mistake that so many others do, he thought that he could profit from this tragic event. Perhaps he thought that since no one would actually knew what happened that he might as well see if he can receive some kind of reward for taking credit for killing Saul. If he really did do what he said, then he would have been guilty of treason. Well, that lie would be the last thing he said as although he may have thought to get some kind of recognition for it, all it got him was his own death.
[2 Samuel 1:14-19 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed? 15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. 16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’S anointed. 17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) 19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!]
[The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places:] The high mountains of Gilboa, where Saul their king, and Jonathan his son and natural heir to the crown, and multitudes of young men, were wounded and slain. David, goes on with his eulogy.
[2 Samuel 1:23-26 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. 25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. 26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.]
[thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.] Next to the love between Christ and His people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship one that surpasses the love of anyone else, [2 Corinthians 5:13-15 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.]
Now, with Saul out of the picture, David could rightfully become king of all Israel, instead of just showing up and taking the throne, he asked God what he ought to do, and God sent him to his own land, Hebron, which was Judah territory, was quick to make him their king, but at this point that the rest of the nation did not. His very first act as king was honoring the men who had taken Saul’s body from the Philistines and buried them.
[2 Samuel 2:1-5 And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. 2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. 3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. 5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.]
[that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul,] God, was about to win the people’s trust in David so that he would be king in all of Israel. In order to do that, he first had to establish his kingdom in Judah territory. Our respect toward our leaders, regardless of how good or bad they lead our nations is more important than winning their favor or retaliation. Let me tell you, it is not an easy task to lead a nation, and it takes an all God fearing government to rule it the right way together. Since that will never happen, we can expect a lot of influence from liars and cheats working on whatever side will benefit them. That is exactly what Abner, Saul’s captain of his army was intending to do when we learn that Saul had another son, Ishbosheth.
[2 Samuel 2:8-10,12-14 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10 Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. 12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.]
[Let the young men now arise, and play before us.] Abner, was Saul’s cousin, being general of his army while Joab was David’s cousin, and this was no friendly play, each one had their own agenda. In an attempt to find out Abner’s plan, Asahel, a brother of Joab and promising young man in David’s army, was killed by Abner.
[2 Samuel 2:17-19,22-23 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. 18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. 19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? 23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.]
[Howbeit he refused to turn aside:] Asahel, proud of his relation to David and Joab, eagerly pursues Abner to his dying death. And now with Asahel out of the picture Abner thought he was in the clear, but things were about to unravel for him as king Ishbosheth called him out. There was a constant battle between the house of Saul and the house of David. Abner, would soon get called out be Ishbosheth when he decided to have an affair with one of Saul’s concubines.
[2 Samuel 3:1,6-9 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. 6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. 7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine? 8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;]
[Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul] Now, Abner goes on to suggest that Ishbosheth is comparing him to a leader of a pack of dogs, and dead one at that. He neither confirms nor denies this accusation, but kind of confesses that he is with the justification that since he did so much for his family, including making him king of Israel, that he deserves it. Is that not what the majority of Christians do who are living in sin? They attempt to justify their sin with the backing up of their accepting Christ as their Saviour and have been faithful in serving God? Well, our salvation by grace has never been justification for continuing to live in sin, [Romans 6:2-4 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.]
Now, since Abner was called out by Ishbosheth, he thinks that he can run to David, and it did work for a little while. Fearing for his life, he ran to David, deceiving him also. The only good move that this man made was to put an end to this war between the Benjamin and Judah.
[2 Samuel 3:12-16 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee. 13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face. 14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.]
[except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter,] Why David even wanted Michal back after all this time is beyond question, but the only explanation may be that there was real generosity both to Michal and to the memory of Saul, in David’s retrieving her, remembering probably how once he owed his life to her affection, and knowing that she was separated from him partly by her father’s authority. However, by doing this she would come to despise David. Nevertheless, Abner and David were able to come to an agreement, although Joab was not too happy about it.
[2 Samuel 3:21,23,25-27 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. 23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. 26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. 27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.]
[Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee,] Is that not just like the wicked when their plans are not working out, and people start catching on to them? They try to deceive someone else. This would have been a very wrong move on David’s part, even though he did not know what happened. We must be careful not to be too quick to accept partnerships with anyone, we must always take the time to look into everything, so that we will not be fooled by the wicked. When Joab got word that David had let Abner go, he was angry with David, and killed Abner himself. When Abner’s death was brought to David’s attention, he had the same response as he did when it was told of Saul’s death. In fact, he even ordered a day of mourning and fasting.
[2 Samuel 3:31-34,36-37 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. 36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. 37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.]
[Died Abner as a fool dieth?] David, did not condone what the Abner did, but he knew that it is God who gives and takes life, not man. You know, as much as we mess up trying to be faithful Christians, there is something we often forget, grace. God’s wonderful and amazing grace, it is more than God saving us from what we deserve, it is faith, meekness, humility, patience, favor, mercy, pardon, good will, kindness, the list is endless. Grace, is the source of all the benefits received from God, our Rock and our Fortress.
[Psalms 18:1-6 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [2 Samuel 3:31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.]
Today’s Prayer: God, You are the giver and taker of life, and no matter how wicked someone is, You will deal with them Your way, and in Your time. You have proven time and time again that lying, cheating, stealing, or deception of any kind will not get us anywhere, but killed, ourselves. However, with a little bit of patience, some perseverance, and faith, we will prevail. Thank You for giving us Your Son so that we might be saved from the punishment of eternal death and hell through our faith in Him alone. You truly are our KING, and we can rejoice in knowing that our salvation is in You alone, and not of our own works. I pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Read Previous Devotions: http://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Read The Bible: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2024 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.