On the Run, Again
II Samuel 16-17
February 25, 2001

            Was God finished with David?  Though he had sinned greatly, David was still loved deeply.  What we see is both God's promised discipline, which is evidence of his love, and God's revelation of himself in David's life, which is evidence of His rule.  David was still king - Yahweh's anointed.  To rebel against him was to rebel against Yahweh.  Though the Lord uses all of this to refine David, He also stems rebellion in the kingdom.  David had much to learn as the Lord brought him to running again. 

I. Beware of Dangerous Enemies

1.      Ziba - the manipulator

Recount the story and why it could not be true.  Ziba was a political opportunist:  if David won out, Ziba was protected; if Absalom won out, Ziba was protected; if Ziba was discovered by David, what could he say since he provided for him?  A tired, weary David makes a quick decision (v. 4), one that would be amended later.  Problem:  David was being manipulated while in weakness. 

Illustration:  quote Davis 164 on Zibaism

2.      Shimei - the theological exaggerator

He gave theological reasons of why all the bad was happening to David.  Never mind that he was inaccurate - David was caught in a fix!  Would he bear it or do the very thing Shimei accused him of?  David broke from Shimei's reasoning to look for a solution from the Lord.

3.      Ahithophel - the betrayer

He is called the Judas Iscariot of the Old Testament.  In contrast is Hushai the Archite who gave very truthful answers to Absalom (quote verse 16).  Since a king's harem was passed to his successor, Ahithophel gave counsel to Absalom to burn his bridges with David by having relations with his concubines.  Ironically, Absalom is doing the very thing he sought revenge for in his brother Amnon.  Apart from God's intervention, David was kept merciless before Absalom by Ahithophel's word.  

 

II. Be Mindful of the Hidden Sovereign

1.      A different glimpse of God

David doesn't deny deserving the curse v. 9-11.  He believed God was working.  But, in v. 12, "Perhaps the Lord" shows that David knew something of God's character and ways that would keep him going forward. 

"David has a deep-seated confidence in a God of unguessable grace, who has a tendency to replace cursing with goodness.  He assures that Yahweh has this strangely wonderful way of looking upon guilt and yet returning blessing instead of cursing.  He senses that though the mouth of God has declared punishment (12:10-12), the eye of God may long to spare him from it" (Davis 167).

Application:  Maybe you've made a royal mess of your life.  So how do you see God?

2.      A distinct overshadowing by God

Set stage:  Ahithophel's counsel.  Why does Absalom ask Hushai?  V. 5-6; v. 7 Hushai almost blows it.  He strokes Absalom's ego in his reply.  Why did Absalom change his mind?  Verse 14 - God's quiet work.  "He is not absent but neither is he obvious.  Sometimes we must be told that lest we become too enamored with our Hushai's" (Davis 176).

3.      A delightful providence of God

Before Hushai knows what Absalom will do he gets the secret messenger on the road to David.  "Sovereignty is hidden, but providence brings sovereignty out where we can see it" (Davis 176).

(1)   Protection 17:17-20

(2)   Deliverance 21-22 (also from Ahithophel's threats, v. 23)

(3)   Provisions 28-29

(4)   Faithful friends v. 27

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