God’s Call Realized

Presented to:

Bethel Chapel Pentecostal Church

Auditorium Sunday School Class

Granite City, IL

22 September 2019

Updated: September 22, 2019

By:

Boyce Belt

God’s Call Realized

Opening:

• Prayer

Text:

2 Samuel 2:1-11 (KJV) 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. 6 And now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. 7 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.

8 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. 11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

2 Samuel 5:1-5 (KJV) Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.

4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

Introduction:

In chapter 31 of 1 Samuel and chapter 1of 2 Samuel we read of the death of Saul; a tragic ending to a self-centered life.  The king of Israel has been struck by an arrow in battle.  Ancient archeological findings indicate that often rival kings were often treated severely.  One tells of a king who was flayed alive.  Out of fear for how he will be treated, Saul request his armor bearer to kill him.  The armor bearer refuses to do so and Saul then falls on his on spear in a suicide attempt.

An Amalekite comes to David in the next chapter bringing Saul’s crown and bracelet, symbols of royalty, with him and reveals the death of Saul and Jonathan to David.  This messenger adds that when he came upon Saul that he was still alive and asked the young man to kill him which he does.  The Amalekite expected to be rewarded by David for this.  Some believe that the young man fabricated the story of his involvement in hopes of reward while others conclude that Saul’s suicide attempt had failed and that he was not yet dead when the Amalekite arrived on the scene.  In either case David holds the man responsible for the death of the king.

1. David’s Respect

1. Honor the Office

1. Even though Saul sought to kill David, David would not lift his hand against Saul because he had been placed in his position by God. We read earlier in the book of 1 Samuel of two occasions in which David was given opportunity to take the life of Saul and was encouraged to do so by those around him but he refused.  David honored the position that Saul had as God’s representative.^[1]
2. David’s execution of the Amalekite was a strong testimony to those under his command that he had no part in Saul’s death and did not reward it in any way.^[2]
3. Since all authority comes from God, how we relate to God-ordained and God-appointed authority can reveal much to us about how we, in fact, are relating to God.  Whether we submit or rebel will test our true character.^[3]
4. Romans 13:1-7 (KJV) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
5. 2 Samuel 2:5-6 (KJV) 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. 6 And now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.  David was grateful to the men who had shown kindness to Saul.  This acknowledgement was not an act of politeness, but came from David’s own heart of compassion.^[4]

2. Mourns the Fallen

1. David does not rejoice at the demise of his enemy but rather mourns
2. The man of God mourns the fall of those in leadership even when they are aware of the leader’s shortcomings.  The tendency of many is to rejoice or gloat over fallen leaders saying, “I told you so.”

2. David’s Patience

1. Waiting on God

1. David did not rush to take control of the entire nation.  He inquired of the Lord and was willing to be king over one tribe until the Lord opened the door for him to be king over all Israel.^[5]
2. Far too many only want to do the big and important things for God and are not willing to be faithful in the small things until God opens the door for greater things.
3. When God closes a door do not look for a window!  Wait on Him to open another door.
4. An important question had to be settled: Is the king chosen by God? Or is the one who seizes the power the king?  David knew he had to establish himself both politically and militarily, but he wanted to show, even in battle, that he trusted God to establish his kingdom.^[6]

2. Seeking Direction

1. 2 Samuel 2:1 (KJV) 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. His future as king seemed assured but the task of uniting the nation would be very difficult.^[7]

3. Making Preparation—as David had opportunity he strengthened his political alliances
4. Failing Father

1. As part of his political alliances, David married more wives.  The Scripture makes no commentary on polygamy at this juncture though the law of Moses forbade kings from multiplying wives to themselves.
2. During his seven-year occupation with civil war, David had six sons born in Hebron, of six different wives.  This was an unhealthy home situation at best, and it is sadly significant that at least three of these sons (Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah) later brought great grief to David and his family.^[8]

3. David’s Anointing

1. Anticipation—anointed by Samuel
2. Acknowledgement in Part—anointed by Judah
3. Acknowledgement in Full—anointed by Israel

Conclusion:

Next Week: A Place of Peace—2 Samuel 5

Prayer