The Makings Of A Great Leader

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King James Bible StudyAnd 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, 2019
Chapters: II Samuel 1-3
Message: The Makings Of A Great Leader

Hello My Friend,

Happy Resurrection Day! The first thing that came to my mind this morning when I woke up, “He Is Risen!” Amen! As I was reading the chapters for today it is fitting that they are about David finally becoming king. Every nation has its share of leaders, some are awesome, some are terrible, but a great leader is one who not only fears God, but also rules their nation under God’s Law. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” – Psalm 33:12.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;” The nation that God leads is none other than His very own, them men and women who have accepted their true KING as their Saviour. We are His chosen inheritance because we believe in His Son. Amen! The Book of II Samuel contains twenty-four chapters, it is uncertain who wrote it, but it is probable that it is David as it only contains his life, and 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 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 fallacy. David was by far a perfect man, but was the apple of God’s eye because his heart stayed on God. The Book of II Samuel continues where I Samuel left off, it had been three days since Saul and three of his sons were killed in a fierce battle with the Philistines. A man finds David and tells him the news of Saul’s and Jonathan’s death.

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. And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? 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. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. 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. And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed? And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.” – II Samuel 1:4-7,14-15.

How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed?” Obviously, the man saw what happened as an opportunity, and took it upon himself to say it was him that killed Saul, when Saul actually killed himself, and he only mentioned Jonathan. This mans lie lead to his death, all because he knew just enough about David to know his relationships with both Saul, and Jonathan, but not enough to know that David was against anyone taking Saul’s life. What David just in what he did? He acted rightly upon the mans testimony, if he took a life then he is just to order his death. Had the man told the truth he would have probably received what he had hoped for. The makings of a great king is knowing how God would handle the situation, and acting upon that. Do you think that God wants to see any soul in hell? He created all of them, He gave His life for all of them, He arose for all of them, but He is a just God, and if they do not come to Him through His Son, then He has no choice, but to deny their salvation. 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, where he became king for them.

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. 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. 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. And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.” – II Samuel 2:1,4-9.

and I also will requite you this kindness,” Our respect toward our leaders, regardless of how good or bad they are at leading our nations, is more important than 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 together. And since that will never happen, we can expect a lot of influence from liars and cheats working on whatever side will benefit them. Remember I said earlier that Abner and Joab would play a big part in David’s life? Well, Abner made Saul’s eldest son, Ishbosheth king of the rest of Israel. Now, Abner was a sly fox who’s intention was to be next in line to the king, there was an actual civil war going on between Israel and Judah, Abner was set on making sure his plan played out, but Joab’s brother, Asahel, caught on to him and kept following him.

And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 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? 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. Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel. And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.” – II Samuel 2:12,19,22-24,30,32.

and he fell down there, and died in the same place:” Asahel, the brother of Joab and cousin of David, was one of the principal commanders of David’s forces, and famous for his swiftness in running. Proud of his relation to David and Joab, his own swiftness, and the success of his party, he eagerly pursues Abner to his death. How sad that this mans life had to end because of one mans evil intention. 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.

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. 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? 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? So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; 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.” – II Samuel 3:1,7-9.

which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father,Abner is basically telling him that if it were not for him he would not even be king. And after Ishbosheth confronts him, and fearing for his life, he runs to David trying to escape death, deceiving him also. However, nothing was able to save him, determined to get vengeance on his brother being killed, Joab killed him the same way he killed his brother.

Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? 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. 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. 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. And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:” – II Samuel 3:24-28,31.

And afterward when David heard it,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. David did not condone what the Abner did, but he knew that it is God who gives and takes life, not man. The makings of a great king is not about things into our own hands, it is about knowing limits, and how to handle things in the way God would. You see, before David would be accepted as king over all of Israel he first had to win their trust, otherwise, there would have been a revolt. By David beginning within his own people it allowed the rest of Israel to see what he was capable of, and his decision to mourn and fast for Abner showed the rest of the nation that he was a man to be trusted.

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. And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.” – II Samuel 3:35-37.

it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.” People often wonder why salvation is granted to the most evil people simply by their faith in Jesus, and why it is denied to those who are good people because they simply did not know Jesus. This is not a matter of whether or not a person is good or evil, this is about a soul. Jesus, our great KING, takes no joy in seeing any soul in hell, He gave His life for each and everyone of us. The punishment for sin of any kind is death, and hell, regardless, if it is a lie told, or taking a life, and no amount of goodness can save us from this punishment. However, Jesus came here in the flesh, lived a sinless life, and died a horrible death to give us a way to be pardoned from this punishment. He also arose, and we are here to celebrate life, eternal life for all who believe in Him. This is not something out of the blue, everyone, from Old Testament to New Testament times, needs the same Saviour. And our Redeemer and KING lives so that we can live eternally with Him upon our faith in Him. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” – Romans 10:9-10.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:” – II Samuel 1:17.

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for giving Your life so that we might be saved from the punishment of death and hell. By Your death, we are redeemed, and by Your resurrection we live with You forever. You truly are our KING, and we can rejoice in knowing that our salvation is in You alone, and not of our own works. Amen!

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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