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, May 17, 2020
Chapters: II Samuel 16-18
Message: Chastening Is Not Permanent
Hello My Friend,
There is something that I have learned over the years, and God has reminded me of that as we read through David’s fall from God’s good graces and all the things that happened to get him back into His good graces. One, while sin comes with consequence, and we are responsible for our own actions, chastening is not a permanent, [II Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.] And two, we are all sinners and will all stand before Christ, therefore, we need to treat each other with the same dignity and respect. [Romans 14:12-13 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.]
[an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.] While we all have our crosses to bear as God deals with each of our sin as He sees fit, we must never put each other in positions that sin may abound, we will give an account to God for it. Absalom was David’s first son and if he had done everything right he would have rightfully been the next king, but he was not willing to receive the crown by growing in God as David did, he wanted it now, even willing to use God, and kill his father to get it. David on the other hand, more concerned about his people, could have questioned why God used his own son to judge him, but he knew that all it was repercussions of how he handled his sin with Bathsheba. Now, as he made his way up to Mt. Olivet, a man began cursing him, revealing to all the people with him that this was a result of the innocent blood he shed.
[II Samuel 16:5,7-12 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. 9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. 10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? 11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. 12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.]
[The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood] This was both referring to the fact that David brought blood upon the kingdom as Saul did, and it was because of his sin in having Uriah killed. [It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction,] There is one thing that we must understand as saved, born again Christians, we are anointed by the blood of Christ, we cannot be cursed. Now, we will suffer some in our sin, but God will always turn it out for good. You see, it is not God’s intention to destroy His anointed because they are His forever, we are all sinners and He knows that, His intention is to keep us repentant and to go after those who are intent on destroying God’s people. [I Peter 4:16-19 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.]
[Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God] Yes, sometimes God’s will for us includes suffering, that is usually the thing that keeps us faithful. Can you imagine how much pain his unfaithful are in? Well, finally, David is starting to come around and trust God to see him through this as he reminded himself that God is merciful, and the one in control. God had no intention of taking the throne from David or making Absalom the next king because He already told David that Solomon would take over for him. God allowed him to suffer a season, and now it was time for all of this to end. It all started when Absalom heard advice from Ahithophel, who was up to no good himself, but took the advice of Hushai, who was actually there as a spy.
[II Samuel 17:1-2,4-5,11-12 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: 4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. 5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. 11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. 12 So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. 14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.]
[The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.] Remember, Hushai was a dear friend and supporter of David, Absalom took his advice with full confidence in thinking that one of his father’s best men turned on him. Hushai suggested that all the forces of Israel be gathered and that Absalom, the commander-in-chief himself, be at the head of his great army. Doing it this way, gave him a sense that he would gain the recognition of being the rightful king of all Israel while it gave David and his army time to prepare for the battle. Now, David came to his senses, and got his army together. Absalom, full of pride even rides on a mule to distinguish himself as a king, but his pride caught up to him, and he lost his life foolishly.
[II Samuel 18:6-10,14-17 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; 7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men. 8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. 9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. 10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. 14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. 15 And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. 16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. 17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.]
[and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.] How sad is it that so many people lost their lives because of sin. And this was not David’s sin that caused this, this was Absalom, all his pride, and the hatred that he had for his father. David might have sinned, and faced some chastening for what he did, but this went beyond reason, and Absalom’s death was rightly justified. Do you see how David was justified and Absalom was not? And do you understand why? Absalom was an arrogant fool who spent his entire life basking in the glory of being the kings son, who happened to be handsome and cunning. God will always have mercy on His people, even if that means He brings them home so they would not hurt themselves anymore. And if the world were honest, they too would see how merciful God is even to them. I mean, Jesus is not here yet, that is how merciful He is, He will not return until the very last soul to receive Him is saved.
[II Peter 3:9-10 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for Your gift of eternal life, no law is required to be saved from my sins, but that I admit I am a sinner, believe in the Gospel of Your Son, who died to pay for my sin, and accept Him as my Saviour. Not only am I saved, I have become one of yours, and I know that You want me to live the best life I can possibly live until you bring me home, and that includes any chastening in order to keep me repentant and completely dependent upon you through every step I take. I know Your chastening does not last, and through it You teach me, grow me, and turn me into a reflection of Your Son. Lord, Try me, prove me, reveal to me anything that I have not acknowledged that You want me to confess, and if there be anything wicked in me, lead me in the way to repentance. Fill me with Your mercy, grace, and the power to endure any chastening, whether it be of my own doing or in well doing. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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