David:The Shepherd King, #14
Lord of All: Part 1
Click here to view part 2
2 Samuel 3:1-19
By Dave Redick
Hwy 20 Church of Christ, Sweet Home, OR
A track record of great faithfulness or sacrifice in leaders (or even a record of great accomplishment) doesn't excuse sin. Jesus taught, "From everyone who has been given much shall much be required." If someone points out a sin or an oversight in your life, don't stonewall them like Abner did. Rather, humbly submit yourself to the rebuke if it is true and repent.
Introduction
While attending a university in London, Mahatma Gandhi was nearly convinced that Christianity was the one true, supernatural religion in the world. Upon graduation, still seeking evidence that would make him a committed Christian, young Gandhi accepted employment in East Africa and for seven months lived in the home of a family who were members of a prominent evangelical church. As soon as he discovered that fact he decided that there would be the place to find the evidence he sought. But as the months passed and he saw the casualness of their attitude toward the cause of God, heard them complain when they were called upon to make sacrifice for the kingdom of God and sensed their general religious apathy, Gandhi's interest turned to disappointment. His words were these: "No it is not the one, true, super-natural religion I had hoped to find. A good religion, but just one more of the many religions of the world."
What a tragedy that a man who came to set the course of history for the second most populated nation on earth was turned away from Christ by a lukewarm, half-in, half-out testimony! Yet you know as well as I do that it isn't an uncommon thing to find Christians who have only partially surrendered to Christ's lordship. That kind of half surrender is one of several things we are going to talk about in our lesson today from II Samuel chapter 3 in our ongoing study of the life of David.
As we enter this chapter David is a king in Israel, but only over part of his nation. Remnants of the house of the dead king Saul still hold sway in much of the beleaguered state. The enemy Philistines occupy some of the prominent cities and frequent raids on the other cities are not uncommon. David rules over Judah from Hebron and would do so for seven and a half years. A weak son of Saul named Ish-bosheth sits in Saul's former place, the pitiful puppet of Saul's general, Abner who very quickly moved into the power vacuum left by Saul's absence. The writer of Scripture brings us into the times and issues in his statement in verse 1.
(Read v. 1)
That David was strong and secure at Hebron and growing stronger by the day is evidenced in the verses that follow that show
I. David Expanding His Family Along With His Territory.
(Read v. 2-5)
Six wives and six sons are mentioned in these verses. There were probably daughters born as well during this time. The size of David's family expands. But this wouldn't be the end it. Over in II Samuel 5:12-13, after David's was finally made king over all of Israel, we read these words: "Meanwhile David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David."
What are we to say about this polygamy? Did God approve of it? Is it right? Is it wrong? Should we allow polygamy today? Let me say a few things about it.
Firstly, God did not approve of David's polygamy. How do I know that? Deuteronomy 17:17 forbade this very thing David was doing. Speaking of kings of Israel, it said, "Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away..."
Secondly, God never intended polygamy to be among His people. From the very beginning, the terminology regarding marriage was "and the two shall become one flesh." Monogamy is consistent with the picture of Christ and His one bride, the church. The first mention of polygamy in the Bible is that of Lamech, a descendent of the lawless line of Cain.
Thirdly, though God did not intervene and stop David's multiplying wives for himself, from this point on, as the story of David continues, we are going to see that David paid a terrible price for his disregard of God in this matter. Ultimately, his unbridled passion would become a major factor in the breakup of the nation, particularly after Solomon. Watch for it as it unfolds.
Now I know that since polygamy is illegal in the U.S. we really don't have a problem with it here. But you may have had a problem with the misconception that since God did not rebuke David in this area, David got away with it. That is why I mention it here. Believe me, David did not get away with polygamy. From the list of sons and wives in II Samuel 3 alone, we can trace the roots of intense rivalry, rebellion, murder, and treason. No one disregards God's law and gets away with it, polygamy notwithstanding.
A moment ago I mentioned Abner, Saul's general. Abner was a shrewd, self promoting, politically conniving general. He tried at first to gain control of Saul's kingdom through pulling the puppet strings of Saul's weak son, Ish-bosheth. But soon it became apparent that Ish-bosheth wasn't king material and the house of Saul was the losing side to be on. So what did Abner do? He simply switched sides (or at least he tried to). Verses 6-21 tell us how
II. Abner Defected To David.
(Read v. 6)
Abner was maneuvering himself into prominence and influence.
(v. 7)
Saul also had multiple wives and concubines as we see here. When he died he left what amounted to a kings harem of women. Apparently Abner invaded this harem for his own purposes. Some suggest his motive was purely one of selfish lust, others suggest that it was a political ploy to have an excuse to abandon the losing side of Ish-bosheth. At any rate, Ish-bosheth pulled Abner up short about it. Look at Abner's reply to the accusation.
(Read v. 8-11)
So, Abner, in a fit of rage over what was probably a legitimate rebuke, announces his intent to change sides.
I want to take a few moments to consider Abner's response to this accusation because it points out a sin problem that I have seen more than once in the lives of prominent leaders and workers in the church today -a blindness in some cases, if you please. Please listen to what I have to say. If you are any kind of leader in the church, listen even more.
Notice that Abner did not deny the accusation involving the woman. From that we can probably assume he was guilty. Rather, he got mad and said what amounted to something like this: "After all of the great things I have done for the family of Saul and for the nation of Israel, you have the nerve to point out such a dinky thing as this indiscretion with one of Saul's concubines?" In other words, Abner viewed himself as beyond accountability since he was in such an important position.
You see, sometimes leaders develop such a pride regarding their record of faithfulness and sacrifice that they get the idea that they are somehow above accountability for what they view as "minor sins" in their lives. How dare anyone of lesser station point out such a sin!
I know a man who was an excellent evangelist who got involved with a woman not his wife. When he was approached he couldn't deny it, so instead he made a lot of noise about people not appreciating all his work among the lost.
There are several things that need to be said about that. First, that sort of spiritual arrogance flies in the face of the humility Christian people are supposed to have. If you or I possess gifts in certain areas that enable us to accomplish great things for God, perhaps things like money or speaking ability, we need to remember what Paul said in I Corinthians 4:7: "And what do you have that you did not receive?" In other words, "You have accomplished great things because God has gifted you, not as a result of your own greatness. So don't boast." Such gifted people need also to remember Jesus' words: "When you do all things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'" (Luke 17:10).
My point is this: A track record of great faithfulness or sacrifice in leaders (or even a record of great accomplishment) doesn't excuse sin. Jesus taught, "From everyone who has been given much shall much be required." (Luke 12:48). If someone points out a sin or an oversight in your life, don't stonewall them like Abner did. Rather, humbly submit yourself to the rebuke if it is true and repent. No elder, no deacon, no teacher, no preacher, no general in the king's army is above accountability. A track record of faithfulness or sacrifice or accomplishment is great, but it doesn't excuse sin. I believe that a leader who persists in this attitude needs to be removed from his office.
One more thing to notice briefly about Abner's statement before we leave it. According to verse 9&10, Abner was aware that the Lord had determined to put David on the throne of Israel. Did you notice that? Yet, what had he been doing in recent years about it? While Saul was alive he had led the manhunt intended to kill David. After Saul's death he had spearheaded the opposition to keep David from taking charge of the entire country. Abner was a godless man. He had no concern for God's will unless it suited his own selfish designs, which, in this case it did. He had finally realized he was on the losing side and had decided to switch. Now, suddenly, he is acting as if he is a champion of the Lord's cause of putting David on the throne. Indeed, perhaps the one who would be the kingpin in bringing it about! Talk about arrogance!
Two things I want to say on that score. First, submission to the Lord's will only when it is convenient must stink to high heaven before the Lord. It surely stinks in this passage! Second, when God decides it is time to move, He doesn't need anyone to make it happen, most of all he doesn't need a selfish, two-faced, compromiser like Abner! Because his selfish motives, Abner, who can no longer be served in Ish-bosheth's court, suddenly views himself as God's gift to put David on the throne. If you want to know what God thought about it, let me just say this: Abner will be dead before this chapter is through.
Well, Abner wasted no time contacting David about his intention to defect.
(Read v. 12)
There is an arrogant statement for you! "Whose is the land?" "Obviously, it belongs to me," he is thinking. David's response is in the next verses.
(Read v. 13)
Now there is an interesting wrinkle. David accepts Abner's offer to bring the kingdom over to himself, but sees one more important thing that needs to be done first. Remember Michal? She had been David's first wife. She was Saul's daughter who had given to someone else after David was banished from the King's presence. That injustice had never been righted, and now, David hangs the receiving of the kingdom on the relatively insignificant condition that it be made right. Apparently he still cared for Michal but he also cared for what was right.
That illustrates a principle that is important. There are many great things that we would like to do, many of them needing very much to be done. In the doing of those things, sometimes smaller issues of more lasting importance can be overlooked or trampled unless we are persons of integrity.
Let me give you an example. Suppose a certain father has promised time to one of his children to go on a camping trip and then finds out that a certain business deal involving a lot of money can only be closed during the time slot he has already promised to his child. What is he going to do? Well, many Dad's would tell the kid, "Mañana" and take care of the business deal. Perhaps, under certain circumstances that would be alright. But so often it is not. So often it is a part of a track record which the child sees in his parent that says to him over and over again, "Dad's work is more important than I am." Dads, there is a time when it is far more important for you to invest in your family than to invest in your business, even if you have to hold up the receiving of a kingdom to do it. As a matter of fact, and I suppose this is a statement of the lesson I am trying to get across: Faithfulness in those things which seem less important but ultimately are more important is what gives moral strength for other, greater things. God chose David because he had integrity. He was willing to put what was right ahead of the prospect of his own advancement. So, God advanced him. I believe He will do the same for us. If you are faced with a decision to do what is right at the risk of losing some promotion or advancement, I do not flinch in advising you to do the seemingly lesser, right thing. God can hand you the promotion later if He wants you to have it. If He doesn't want you to have it, you're better off without it anyway! Just don't hand your children a legacy of broken promises.
God honored David for risking the kingdom on doing a comparatively small right deed. And it is interesting to me that he did it without Abner, as we will ultimately see.
(Read v. 14-16)
So David gets Michal back. Abner, meanwhile, had called a meeting with the elders of Israel.
(Read v. 17-19)
So, Abner went the length and breadth of the land of Israel saying to the people, "In times past you were seeking for David to be king over you. Now then, do it. It is time to make David king over the entire nation."
What I would like to do with these words of Abner is to present to you a little comparison. Some of you have been, or may even could be now, like those people of Israel to whom Abner spoke. You have sought in times past for David's greater Son (Jesus) to be king over you. You have thought of how wonderful it might be to have Christ rule over your entire life, how great it would be to say you are a Christian and know that it is really true. You have thought these things, but you have also realized that there is opposition to such a decision. It would come with a price. So, there has been a long war in your life that has been going on between the house of your flesh and the house of your spirit, what you want to do and what you know you ought to do. One or the other has grown increasingly stronger. It may well have been the flesh.
Oh, to be sure, you have made Christ lord over a part of your life. You're not so foolish as to believe you don't need Him. You come to church. You sing a little, give a little, pray a little. You may even have been baptized. But you know that those things don't reflect what is really on the inside of you. You know that you haven't really surrendered to His rule. There are other kings in your life. You've allowed Jesus to rule at Hebron, but not over the whole nation of your life. You've considered it a number of times. you've heard much preaching. You've been under conviction. But somehow you have always hesitated. The problems are too great. the consequences might be too serious, the complications too much of an interference with the way you want to run your life.
If I am describing you, then listen while I draw a few parallels in this little allegory.
The first is this: You probably remember from former messages in this series that David did not force his rule over Israel. He took only what the Israelites offered him, which to this date was Hebron. You need to realize that Jesus won't force His rule onto you either. If He comes to rule in your life it will because you asked Him too. That is important to know because you may have been waiting for Him somehow to force his way into your life and in some way make the decision easier for you. He won't. He stands at the door and knocks, but you are the only one who can let him in. If you die without His lordship, the blame will be yours.
A second parallel is this: Because you have never given Christ the whole land of your life, the enemy has had a heyday with you. Israel couldn't resist the Philistines during this time because the nation was divided. In the same way, you have been and will continue to be powerless against the enemy of your soul until your life is united behind one King. Maybe that is the reason why you've never made any headway with spiritual growth. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. I'm convinced that this is behind a great number of the counseling issues we see in the church.
A third parallel is this: Israel was standing at a crossroads at this point in her history. Salvation from her enemies or ultimate defeat and ruin hung in the balance of who she decided would lead her. There could not be two kings. Verse 18 says, "By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies." In the same way today, the New Testament say, "And you shall call His name 'Jesus' for it is HE who will save His people from their sins." You may stand at a crossroad of decision right now just as Israel did.
Let me say something that I know some of you need to hear. Please hear me clearly. According to the word of God, either Jesus must be king over your entire life, or He cannot be your savior. David had to be king over all Israel, or he never could have delivered them from the Philistines. Jesus said it this way, "He who does not gather with me scatters abroad."
I am told that these words hang on the wall of a cathedral in Labeck, Germany. Perhaps they will help you focus on what I am talking about.
Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us:
You call Me Master and obey me not.
You call Me Light and see Me not.
You call Me the Way and walk Me not.
You call Me Life and live Me not.
You call Me Wise and follow Me not.
You call Me Fair and love Me not.
You call Me Rich and ask Me not.
You call Me Eternal and seek Me not.
If I condemn thee, blame Me not.Jesus warned all of us in Matthew 7:21 -
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven."
I ask you to stop right now and answer this question before the God whom you profess to worship by being here. Have you surrendered the rule of your entire life to Christ, or is there another king really on the throne of your life? If you want to go to heaven, then every other king but Jesus has to go. I don't know how to put it any plainer.
Conclusion
A century ago a ship was discovered floating among the icebergs in the Arctic Ocean. The captain of the vessel had frozen solid as he was making the last entry in his log book. The crew was discovered also, each member frozen in some typical position, some in their hammocks and some in their cabins, all frozen solid in their like fate. The last date of the log book showed that the vessel had been moving adrift among the icebergs for thirteen years. The last words recorded in the captain's journal were these: "...a drifting sepulchre, manned by a frozen crew..." That is not unlike the condition of many churches here a the end of the 20th century. It is also the state of many individual Christians. They could have been rescued, but they would not surrender fully to the only One who could rescue them.
Could that be you this morning? Is Christ Lord of all your life or just part? If He isn't Lord of all, He will not be Lord at all. If He isn't lord of all, then you cannot be rescued. If he isn't Lord of all, he cannot be Savior. Along with Abner, I call on you, "Now then, do it." Make Him Lord of all your life.
Dave Redick is Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon and Editor of The Preacher's Study. He may be reached at pstudysupport@comcast.net.
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