Kings of the Divided Kingdom. I kings 15

 

I Kings 15- Kings of the Divided Kingdom

 

Every time a king is mentioned, his mother is also mentioned. It is because each mother had a great deal to do with influencing the life of her son. Every time we have a bad king, his mother’s name is given. If he was a good king, his mother’s name was also given. She will get credit for that.

Abijam walked in all the sins of his father – he followed his father’s pattern. Abijam was not brought up in a good home. He was a rotten, corrupt king, and his father and mother are responsible to a certain degree. “His heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as his heart of David his father.” David had become the standard for these kings. The line of David never ends until

you come to the Lord Jesus Christ. David did not turn aside from anything that God commanded except in the matter of Uriah the Hitite. In every other matter he obeyed God. David did not live in sin. The King of Babylon did. What David did one time, the king of Babylon did every day.

This was a time of civil strife. It was a time of brother fighting against brother, and it seriously weakened the kingdom.

Abijam did nothing outstanding during his reign. He was buried with his fathers. Asa was the first good king. He reigned during the last two years of Jeroboam’s reign. Asa reigned for forty-one years. He had one of the longest reigns of any king. The only two kings who reigned longer than Asa were Azariah and Manasseh.

Asa did not go for the idea that we should be soft on homosexuals. He was opposed to it. God gives up any people who have a permissive society, openly allowing homosexuality. It is a mark of gross degradation; we are going down as a nation. We need to recognize it as a sin. Asa dealt with the problem, and he is called a good king. God has not changed His mine on this issue at all. Asa sent Ben-hadad presents of God and silver to appease him. To keep him from invading his kingdom. Asa made a treaty with him. This is the one thing that he did that was wrong.

Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, reigned in the second year of Asa, King of Judah. Nadab ruled for two years over Israel.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Jeroboam's child - I Kings 14

 

I Kings 14 – Jeroboam’s child

 

Jeroboam sent his wife to inquire of Ahijah the prophet because their son is very sick. The Lord’s reply was that the child will die.

 

God saw true devotion in the son and would not permit him to grow up in such an evil home. The boy was the only male to have a decent burial and be mourned.

 

Under King Rehoboam, Solomon’s great kingdom lost both the tribes and their treasures. The costly golden shield was replaced by bronze shields, but the guards and the king went through the same ceremony.

 

In today’s time everything looks the same, but value has vanished. All is left is keeping up appearances.

 

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Jeroboam, Josiah. I Kings 13

 

I Kings 13, Jeroboam, Josiah

 

In the Northern kingdom, every king was bad. There wasn’t a single good one in the lot.  There were only eight kings on the southern kingdom over a 200-year period who could be called good. The rest of them could be called bad kings.

 

The two books of Chronicles cover the same ground as the books of Kings with one difference: In Kings you have man’s viewpoint and in Chronicles you have God’s viewpoint.

 

Josiah was a good king and he reigned thirty-one years. Josiah led in one of the five great revivals that took place during the period of the kings. These revivals are not mentioned in Kings but in Chronicles, which gives God’s viewpoint. Revivals are always from God’s viewpoint.

 

The prophet of God prophesied against the altar, saying that God was going to raise up a man who would destroy such altars. Josiah was that man. Jeroboam was by the altar when the man of God prophesied. He was making a sacrifice to a golden calf. When the man of God was finished speaking, Jeroboam put out his hand against him. Jeroboam’s hand dried up, withered, and became paralyzed. The king then changes his tune and begs the man of God to ask the Lord that his hand might be restored. The King’s hand is restored to him, and in appreciation he offers to take the man of God home with him and reward him. The man of God refuses but is later deceived by another prophet into disobeying the Lord and suffered the sad consequences by his death

 

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Division of the Kingdoms. I Kings 12

 

I Kings 12. Division of the Kingdoms

 

Solomon had carried on a tremendous building program at great cost. Solomon had kept building and in order to do it, he had to increase the taxes. After his death the people asked for their taxes to be lowered. If Rehoboam had done that, the people would have followed him. Instead, he first turned to the wise men in the kingdom who had counseled Solomon his father. Their advice was good, but Rehoboam did not follow it. Then he asked the young men who had grown up with him what they would advise. They gave him advice, but it was foolish. Rehoboam heeded what the young men told him rather than what the wise older men said. “Instead of decreasing the taxes, he increased them. Instead of being less severe with the people, he became more severe.

This was the beginning of the division and Jeroboam becomes Israel’s king.

All Israel stoned Adoram. That is the way they got rid of the tax collector. And when Rehoboam heard what happened, he fled to Jerusalem.

Jeroboam put a golden calf in Beth-el and one in Dan. He put them there for the people to worship so that they would not go to Jerusalem to worship in the temple.

Rehoboam is the king of the Southern kingdom following the line of David. Jeroboam is the king of the northern kingdom.

There is a division and soon civil war was to break out. It will continue until the northern kingdom goes into captivity. And eventually the Southern kingdom will also go into captivity.

 

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The Shame and Death of Solomon. I Kings 11

 

I Kings 11- The Shame and Death of Solomon

 

As far as women were concerned, Solomon was patterning his life after his father David. He collected women of all nationalities. These women turned the head of Solomon, causing him to go into idolatry and to permit it in the land. He violated God’s prescribed law.

 

The Lord did not approve of what Solomon did and He was angry with him. The Lord said that he would not tear away all the kingdom from Solomon. That one tribe was Benjamin. So, Benjamin and Judah were in the division that will go with the family of David. The other ten tribes in the north will follow Jeroboam.

 

Solomon enjoyed peace. Now for the first time during his reign there was to be a warfare.

 

Jeroboam was the son of a servant, Solomon recognized that he was a young man of considerable ability and talent. Solomon elevated him to a high position and made him overseer of his public works.

 

Ahijah the prophet took Jeroboam’s new garment and tore it into twelve pieces. He gave him ten pieces and said to him, “God is going to give you ten tribes. The Kingdom is going to be divided.”

For David’s sake, God will not take the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, but He will take it out of the hand of Solomon’s son and give ten tribes to Jeroboam.

 

“And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David, his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.”

 

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The Queen of Sheba I Kings 10

 

I Kings 10. The Queen of Sheba

 

The Queen of Sheba came to Solomon because of what she had heard. She had heard of a temple where man could approach God- she wanted to know about that. She had heard of Solomon’s wisdom; so, she came to test him with difficult questions. Her first witness was of Solomon approaching God with a burnt offering. It was a testimony to the Queen of Sheba.

She was also impressed with the wisdom of Solomon and with his building program: The palace, the temple, and other buildings. All around were bounty, luxury, and temporal prosperity. For a moment in time, God’s people were faithful and true witnesses of Him.

She had not believed half of what she had been told and came to find that the half had not been told her. She brought a great amount of wealth and gave it to Solomon. There were thousands of people who came to know God through the temple in Jerusalem and the witness of the people of Solomon’s day.

As he gathered horses and horsemen, he expanded in a department in which God had forbidden him to expand.

Solomon had built up tremendous wealth in the kingdom. At that time, he cornered the market on gold, silver, and precious metals.

 

What is it that you are busy doing today? Are you getting out the Word of God or are you in the business of gathering material things? Are you so busy making money that you have no time left for the Lord? We are called to witness to the world. God have mercy on us if we are not putting Him first in our life.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Solomon's Fame I Kings 9

 

I Kings 9 – Solomon’s Fame

 

God is saying to Solomon, “I will meet with you here at the temple. This is the place for you to come, for the people to come, and for the world to come. This is the meeting place.” “And if you will walk before me as David, thy father walked.. Then I will establish the throne of your kingdom upon Israel forever.”

 

David walked before God in integrity of heart. When he sinned, he confessed it and asked for cleansing. As long as Israel had a king, he was in the line of David. And there is One today in David’s line whose nail-pierced hands hold the scepter of this universe.

 

When Hiram saw the twenty cities, he felt that he had not been given full payment for all that he had done for Solomon in the building of the temple.

 

Solomon just about cornered the gold market in that day. He also had quite a navy.

 

The visit of the queen of Sheba reveals that Solomon had succeeded in witnessing for God to the world of that day. Solomon’s fame had spread, and multitudes were coming to Jerusalem to worship the living and true God.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

Dedication of the Temple. I Kings 8

 

I Kings 8 -Dedication of the Temple

 

When the ark is brought from the tabernacle and installed in the place prepared for it in the holy of holies, the glory of the Lord fills the temple.

In Solomon’s prayer of dedication, he says that this temple is to be a place for the name of God, and a place where God’s people are to approach Him. Solomon understands that the temple is, as David had said, the footstool of God.

Solomon said, “the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee.” God is omni-present – He is everywhere. He is also transcendent, above His creation.

This is what they are to do when their temple is destroyed, and they are captives in a strange land. He will open his window toward Jerusalem and pray toward that temple, confessing the sins of the people and his own sins.  God will answer this prayer.

The altars in the temple could not accommodate all the animal sacrifices mentioned in this passage.  Therefore, temporary altars were erected to handle the large number of animals which were sacrificed at this time. After the animals were offered, they were taken off the altars and divided among the people. It was a time of great celebration and picnicking.

The temple was a place of testimony, bearing witness that God keeps His word. It was a place of prayer. Solomon was concerned that God hear the prayers of his people and of strangers. It was a place of blessing and sacrifice. The two goes together, we give our best to the Lord and share our best with others. It was a place of witness to the world. Solomon had a missionary vision to share with the Gentile nations.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Solomon's Building Projects. I Kings 7

 

I Kings 7 – Solomon’s Building Projects

 

Solomon also built the house of the forest of Lebanon. That was his lodge, his second house.

Hiram, King of Tyre, furnished the stone and the cedars, which were the cedars of Lebanon. He built a house for Pharaoh’s daughter – he seems to have put her in a favored position. Hiram, the artisan, was a skilled worker in brass.  He was the one who made all the delicate pieces of statuary and the items that were made from iron, brass, and gold. His work was highly ornamented, which is what Solomon wanted. It is during an era of peace and prosperity that the arts develop.

Jachin means “God shall establish,” Boaz means “in its strength.” Strength speaks of salvation – God can deliver those who are His. Beauty speaks of the beauty of worship. We are to worship God in the beauty of holiness. When we come into the presence of God, sense His presence, and realize our inadequacies, then we can see Him in all His beauty and glory.

Music which does not lift you into the presence of God is not music for the church. The worship of God is based on the fact that He is high, holy, and lifted up.

The huge laver was supported on twelve oxen cast in brass, three oxen looking in each direction. The brim of it was ornate with lilies. The laver was for the priest to wash in. The purpose of these ten lavers was to cleanse such things as they offered for the burnt offering. All the lavers in the world cannot cleanse one from sin. It is the water in the laver that cleanses. The water represents the Word of God. To wash in the Word of God is to apply the Word to the life.

In the tabernacle there was one lampstand which spoke of Christ.  In the temple there were ten. Christ is the only One whom we worship and adore. He is the One before whom we fall upon our faces.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

The Temple. I Kings 6

 

I Kings 6 – The Temple

 

The temple was three times higher than the tabernacle, which had been nothing but a tent. The temple was surrounded by a three-story building. This was the place where the priests lived during their course of service. There were ten lampstands to replace the one of the tabernacle. There were ten tables of showbread rather than one. There were 30,000 Israelites used in the construction. The temple was completed in seven years and six months. The temple was made of stone, and the sound of a hammer was not heard during the building. The cost of the building was estimated around five million dollars. The cherubim were made of olive wood. They were ten cubits high, but they were no longer made of solid gold.

 

This is the temple that was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. However, God honored it with His presence and the place was filled with the Shekinah glory.

We are living in a day when the emphasis is put on methods rather than on the Word of God. The important thing is obedience to God. God is not impressed with our buildings. He provides everything we put into them. When we are obedient, He makes our buildings a blessing.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

Preparation of Temple. I kings 5

 

I Kings 5 Preparation of Temple

                                  

Only God can give peace, whether it is world peace or peace in the human heart. God alone can give the rest that the human heart needs.  “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden.”  That is, burdened with sin- “and I will give you rest.”  Matt. 11:28.

Now God has given Solomon rest from warfare. There was peace on every side.

Now King Hiram, out of his love, esteem and respect for King David has contracted with Solomon for cedar, and fir timber for the construction of the temple. The temple Solomon built was never as a house God would live in. It was an approach for man to God and an access to God through sacrifices. It was to be His footstool.

The building of the temple was first in David’s mind, although God would not let him build it. David was given the blueprint of the temple and he gave it to Solomon. David also gathered all the material. Solomon executed the construction of it.  

In addition to the workmen from Tyre, Solomon employed a large work force of Israelites. This was a tremendous enterprise. After Solomon had built the temple, he went on to build other things. He had a building project that was too big, and he overtaxed his people.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

Solomon's Renown I Kings 4

 

I Kings 4 – Solomon’s Renown

 

Solomon had eleven princes. Some of them were apparently the sons of David which would mean they were Solomon’s nephews. He had twelve officers. Each officer came from the tribe of Israel. They were in charge of providing the needs of the king and his household. This was Solomon’s method of taxation.

 

This was a time of security and safety, something which we do not have in this world today. “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isa. 57:21. But peace is coming on the earth when the Prince of Peace comes.

 

Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses.  The horse was the animal of war, and God had forbidden the multiplication of horses. Solomon had multiplied both horses and wives.

 

Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs. We have only a few hundred recorded in the Bible. His songs were a thousand and five. We have only one of his songs, The Song of Solomon.

 

Solomon gained a worldwide reputation for his wisdom, and many came to hear him.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom. I Kings 3

 

I Kings 3 Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

 

One of the first things Solomon did after he became king was to marry a daughter of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. His marriage formed an alliance with Egypt. Solomon’s marriages to heathen women were terrible mistakes which became his undoing. He did, however, recognize his shortcomings. After he married the Pharaoh’s daughter, he went to the Lord and asked for wisdom. The Lord had appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. “Ask what you will. I will grant it to you.” Says the Lord. The Lord is wanting to do something through Solomon. Solomon felt incapable of governing this great nation.

All of us are wholly inadequate in our service to God.

Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge God’s people. He did not pray for spiritual discernment. In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes Solomon wrote how we will find wisdom to guide us in this world. Proverbs is a good book to read daily. In the Song of Solomon, he reveals spiritual discernment. Solomon prayed for political wisdom and this God gave him throughout his life.

In our thoughts we should all be saying, “I don’t have the wisdom; I recognize my inadequacies. But I am going to depend on God to lead and guide me.” It is obvious that God through Solomon is giving the highest of human wisdom, making it clear that mere human wisdom is totally inadequate to meet the issues of life.

Two women came to Solomon, they had one child between them that each claimed to be hers. Solomon knew that the woman who was willing to give up her child to save its life was the real mother. This is only one example of many wise decisions Solomon was able to make during his reign.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

David Encourages Solomon. I kings 2

 

1 Kings 2 David Encourages Solomon

 

David said, “I go the way of all the earth, be thou strong and show yourself a man.”

Solomon was not quite like his father. David was a man. Solomon was not much of a man. David was rugged. Solomon had been brought up in the palace.  All Solomon knew about was women.

David urges Solomon to stay close to the Lord and to the word of God. What David left to him enabled Solomon to become one of the great kings of the earth. Solomon is probably one of the best-known kings who has ever lived. The peace that Solomon enjoyed during his reign was a peace that had been made by David during his reign. Now David has died and gone to be with his child.

Shimei was still alive. David told Solomon to keep a watchful eye on him and if he reveals any treachery, Solomon was to deal with him accordingly. Solomon deals with Shimei, but only after he disobeys and reveals that he is a traitor.

Even though Solomon is now on the throne, Adonijah has not given up about wanting to be king. He comes to Bathsheba still harboring this thought. He says, since the kingdom has been taken away from me, I have only one small request. “I would like Abishag for my wife.”  She was the one that nursed David during his last days. Bathsheba in her simplicity, felt that Adonijah’s request for Abishag was reasonable, Solomon’s wisdom instantly sees the plot. Adonijah’s death was brutal, but if he lived, he would have continued to connive and plot in an attempt to seize the throne.

Abiathar, was removed from his priestly office and sent home in disgrace because he had participated in the rebellion. This ended the line of Eli.

When Joab heard about what happened to Abiathar and Adonijah, he ran to the tabernacle of the Lord and caught hold of the horns of the altar for sanctuary. Benaiah, went after Joab and asked him to come outside but Joab refused. Therefore, he was executed because of his part in the rebellion.

Solomon had removed most of the contenders to the throne. Now he could reign in peace.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

Solomon Anointed King. I Kings 1

 

I kings 1. Solomon Anointed King                                                                                                                                                                                      

David is now an old man who needs nursing care. His son Adonijah takes advantage of him in this condition, He attempts to put himself on the throne and make himself king. Adonijah was David’s fourth son, born to him in Hebron. His mother was Haggith, one of David’s wives. Adonijah was a very proud young man with a high regard for himself. He was conceited.

David never had a reputation of disciplining his family. He had a disorganized family life; organized chaos ran in David’s palace.

Joab, who had been loyal to David gives his allegiance to Adonijah. David is old, and in a short time he will be gone. Joab wants to be on the winning side.

Adonijah’s intention was to announce at the banquet that he was king. He knew that Nathan would be on Bathsheba’s side. Nathan was the one who guided David during that awful period of David’s great sin. David had made a promise to Bathsheba that their second son, Solomon, would be the next king.

When Nathan heard of Adonijah’s plan, he said to Bathsheba, “We had better alert David to what is taking place. You tell David what is happening, and I will enforce your words.”  Both Nathan and Bathsheba wanted to know if David had chosen Adonijah to reign after him. David, knew nothing about it. 

The donkey or mule is what Kings rode upon in those days. David tells Nathan to bring out his own royal mule and put Solomon upon it. Solomon is to be the next king and David put his seal of approval upon Solomon.

Adonijah’s supporters were afraid and got out of there in a hurry. They knew they would be recognized as traitors. Adonijah, fearing for his own life ran to the tabernacle and caught hold of the horns of the altar for sanctuary.

Solomon was fair to Adonijah and told him if he stays a loyal subject nothing will happen to him. Adonijah submitted himself to the new king and he was dismissed in peace.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

The Census II Samuel 24

 II Samuel 24 The Census

 

In God’s sight, David’s numbering the people was just as bad as his other sins. When you are guilty of breaking one part of the Law, you are guilty of all. His actions evidenced a lack of trust in God.

Faith is not a leap in the dark. It is not a gamble. Faith is not even a “hope so.” Faith is a sure thing. God never asks you to believe something that is not true. Faith rests upon a rock, a sure foundation. David knows that God has put a foundation beneath him and he knows he can overcome the enemy, He does not need to number the people.

God gives David a choice of punishment. David failed, he committed sin, but down beneath that faith that failed was a faith that never failed. Basically, David did trust God. David did not choose any of the choices. Instead, he told the Lord that he did not want to fall into the hands of man. He was willing to fall into the hands of God because he knew how to trust God.

The Lord decided to send a pestilence upon Israel. David knew he would be all right in the hands of God. This is the way you and I should feel when God punishes us. Those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines.

 

David wants to build a temple for the Lord. Araunah was a Jebusite, not an Israelite. David explained his reason he wanted the threshing floor. Araunah wanted to give it to David, but David said, “you can’t give it to me. I am going to pay for it.” “Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.”

Are we attempting to give to God that which costs us nothing? May we give as David gave – David, the man after God’s own heart.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

David's Mighty Men. II Samuel 23

 

II Samuel 23 – David’s Last Words

 

David was “the son of Jesse.” A farmer in Bethlehem. God lifted David “up on high”. He placed him with the great men of the world. David was “the anointed of the God of Jacob.”

He is the same God who saved me and the same God who saved you. He is gracious, good, and loving.

David was also “the sweet psalmist of Israel.” He was a musician. He wrote music that thrills the soul and has always contributed something beautiful to man’s worship of God.

God made a covenant with David upon which the future king of Christ was to be founded, provided for David the promise of posterity in his house, a royal throne of authority, and a kingdom on earth established forever. God promised that the Messiah would come through the line of David. God has made a covenant with us too. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. He did not make it because of who we are. He made it because of who He is. God’s covenant with me is my salvation. It should be the desire of every believer’s heart.

 

David’s mighty men came to him during the time that he was in exile. They did many remarkable things. Shammah drew his sword and defended a patch of lentils. One man against a troop of Philistines! “And the Lord wrought a great victory.” David longed for water from the well of Bethlehem. Three of his mighty men broke through the Philistine lines to get it for him. That is the way they became mighty men. Benaiah killed a lion. Uriah the Hittite was one of David’s mighty men. This is the man David sent to the front of the lines to be killed. This is a blot on the life of David.

 

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

David's Song. II Samuel 22

 

II Samuel 22 – David’s Song

 

This is a song that David wrote at the end of his life. It speaks of God’s loving care for David in the past and it gives him confidence in the future.

Christ is the rock of our salvation- He is the foundation. He will deliver us in the time of temptation. He is the rock of my faith. He is the object of my faith. He protects us from the enemy. He is the One in whom we can rest for our salvation.

How monotonous life is when God is left out of it. David recognized God in all the experiences of his life, and his poetic expression of gratitude is a masterpiece of literature.

David was a rough and rugged man. But God is gentle. David’s association with God had quieted him. It had made David a gracious man. It is only when we come into a right relationship with God that we are enabled to really live.

David did not take credit for any of his victories; he gave the glory to God. Nor was he ashamed to admit that he cried out to God for deliverance and strength.

Your life today may seem hard, but keep trusting and obeying, one of these days, God will give you your own victory song, and you will experience greatness from the gentle hand of God.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Gibeonites Take Revenge. II Samuel 21

 

II Samuel 21 – Gibeonites Take Revenge

 

Then there was a famine in the days of David three years. The Lord said it was because of Saul, for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.

In the days of Joshua, the Gibeonites deceived him into making a treaty with

them. Joshua 9. Joshua made a treaty with the Gibeonites, but Saul broke it. David attempted to make amends for Saul’s actions, and he succeeded by giving to them seven sons of Saul. The three years of famine came upon them as a judgement.

It cannot be said that any nation is a Christian nation or a nation in obedience to God. But God does deal with nations; he does judge nations. God judged Egypt; God judged Babylon. God judged Assyria, Greece, and Rome; and God will judge America. America is guilty of lawlessness and gross immorality, and God judges nations for that.

David is getting up in age. The leaders recognize this and tell him he is too old to engage in battle.

When David was young he killed the Giant Goliath, now there is a battle with Goliath’s four sons. They were part of the Philistine army. If Abishai had not come to David’s aid in this final battle with the Philistines, one of Goliath’s sons, Ishbi-benob, would have had his revenge.

In a marvelous way, God has delivered David from all his enemies.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Revolt in the Kingdom. II Samuel 20

 

II Samuel 20. Revolt in the Kingdom

 

After all the troubles that had come to David, you would think the Lord would let up on him; but as He promised, the sword will not depart from the house of David. Through all of this we don’t hear a complaint from David.  He recognizes it as the just punishment of his sin.

Another revolt erupts, led by Sheba of the tribe of Benjamin. The ten tribes of Israel followed Sheba in his rebellion.

Amasa was the captain of the rebel forces under Absalom. Amasa is the son of Abigail, the sister of David. This would make him cousin of Absalom. After the defeat of the rebels under Amasa and the death of Absalom, David made Amasa captain of his army in the place of Joab. Amasa did not move fast enough for Joab, so Joab leads the army in pursuit of the rebel, Sheba. Joab slays Amasa believing he is a traitor to David. When Sheba sought refuge in the city of Abel, and the army was preparing to attack the city to get to him, a wise woman intervened. Sheba is slain by the people of Abel and ends the rebellion.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

David Restored to the Throne. II Samuel 19

 

II Samuel 19 – David Restored to the Throne

 

The news of Absalom’s death was a real heartbreak to David. He was not sure of Absalom’s salvation. David also recognized that trouble had come because of the sin he had committed.

David’s army should have been rejoicing because they had won the battle. Instead, they left the battlefield after the victory and retreated to Jerusalem as if they had been defeated.

Joab was responsible for the death of Absalom. Joab is pushing this situation to the opposite extreme. Joab rebukes David because he is so grieved about the death of his son who had become his enemy and would have killed David given the opportunity. After Joab talked to the king, David went up to the gate to let his men know that he deeply appreciated their loyalty to him.

There were those who had gone over to Absalom’s side and now that he was dead, they decided that the best thing was to bring the king back. David rebukes them for their action. It was unanimous to return David to his throne.

Shimei had cursed David when he went out. Now he wants to be the first one to welcome the king back. David was a generous man, who could forgive. David is satisfied that God had restored him to his position.

Are you having problems with a troublemaker? Forget it, you are serving God. God is on your side. Live above the small irritation and serve the Lord.

Mephibosheth remained loyal to David, and during all this time he fasted and prayed for the king.

Barzillai the Gilleadite, was a patriarch from another nation who had been generous to David and his men during the rebellion. David wanted him to go back to Jerusalem with him but because of his age, he said things like that do not tempt him anymore and he didn’t want to slow the king down. He had helped David because he knew David was God’s man. He had confidence in the king. This was his motivation to assist David.

 

 

Civil War. II Samuel 18

 

II Samuel 18 – Civil War

 

David wanted to go into battle with his men. The army refused to let David go. Instead, David takes his place at the side of the gate as the army marches out. It marches out under three leaders: Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. David charges all men to deal gently with his son. All the men heard him. David did not want his son to die.

David was a strategist and a general, and Absalom did not have anyone in his group who could match David’s ability or the ability of David’s three captains. Therefore, the children of Israel lost the battle.

The forest became the cause of death for many of them rather than the sword. They had picked the wrong place to battle. Absalom’s head got caught in the forks of an oak tree while he was riding his mule through the woods. When he got caught in the tree, his mule kept going, leaving Absalom hanging. A certain man saw it and said, “I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. The man is shocked that Joab would want to the prince, the son of David killed. The soldier said, “The king told us not to touch his son, and if I had done anything to him, you would have punished me yourself.” Joab did not take the time to argue with him. He took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was still alive in the oak.

When Absalom was dead, the rebellion was over, Joab had no right to kill Absalom, especially after David had told them not to touch him. Joab was weary of all the trouble Absalom caused.

David was siting at the gate of the city, waiting for word to be brought back to him. The only question he had was if Absalom was safe. Ahimaaz came to the king, but he did not know Absalom was dead. He reports all is well.

There are many messengers today telling everyone that God says all is well – but all is not well. Man is a sinner. He needs a Savior. Man needs to know that Christ died on the Cross for him. Man needs to be born again.

Cushi came with the correct information. He gently told David that Absalom is dead. Then David mourns for his son.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

 

The Liar, Accuser, Avenger, Traitor. II Samuel 16

 

II Samuel 16 – The Liar, Accuser, Avenger, Traitor

 

In times of crisis, people respond in different ways:

 

First, there was the liar. Ziba was an opportunist who took advantage of both David and Mephibosheth. He thought he could get something out of the estate of Mephibosheth and in his scheming can regain the throne for the house of Saul. Proverbs 18:13 “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” David fell for Ziba’s scheme and put Mephibosheth’s estate into Ziba’s hands.

 

The accuser was Shimei. He was related to Saul and blamed David for the destruction of Saul’s family and kingdom. David patiently “took it” and left it in God’s hands.

 

The Avenger was Abishai. He was usually quick to declare war, but David had a better approach.

 

The traitor was Ahithophel who was David’s esteemed counselor. He sided with David’s son Absalom. David prayed “Just as long as I know that things are right with God, I will bear these burdens that come upon me.” In Psalm 55:12-15 David wrote, “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in the throng.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Absalom Rebels. II Samuel 15

 

II Samuel 15- Absalom Rebels

 

Absalom is back in Jerusalem, beginning to move secretly to plot David’s overthrow. He stationed himself at the busiest gate of the city. When men with complaints came to the gate requiring justice, he listened to them with a great show of sympathy. He was clever, crooked, subtle, and sly.

This is the way many men get elected today. From the Word of God that is the way the anti-Christ will come to power.

Absalom was saying, “If you vote me into office, I can solve all your problems. I will be able to take care of all the foreign and domestic affairs.”

 

Hebron is where David began his reign. He was king over Judah for seven years in Hebron. Absalom obviously did not go to Hebron to pay a vow. He went there to begin his rebellion. This is a rebellion that gains momentum. Even Ahithophel, David’s counsellor, is a partner in all of this. Before David realizes what has happened, the rebellion surfaces.

“And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he was barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.”

David loved Jerusalem. He did not want it to be a place of battle. He was more concerned about his relationship with God and with his son than his life.

David had many followers. There were many men willing to lay down their lives for him. When David heard of Ahithophel’s defection to Absalom he induced Hushai to go over to Absalom to defeat the counsel of this now dangerous` enemy. Hushai was David’s friend and would risk being a spy for him.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Absalom Returns - II Samuel 14

 

II Samuel 14 – Absalom Returns

 

Joab grew up in the vicinity of` Tekoah and may have known this woman from earlier days. He had her play upon the feelings of David by telling him her sad story. Just as David had used deception, he was now being deceived.

David grants her imaginary son a full pardon. Then she makes the application to David and Absalom.

The widow of Tekoah was putting David in the place of her imaginary prosecutors. What her prosecutors could do to her remaining son, David was doing to God’s people by punishing Absalom for the crime he had committed. She is representing the people of Israel as the widowed mother. She claims to be speaking in the name of all Israel.

It is unfortunate that David did not want to see his son. It set the stage for Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom was a bad boy, but he was a great politician. Absalom’s action of setting Joab’s standing grain on fire to force Joab to come to him is another revelation of Absalom’s personality. This prank succeeded in persuading Joab to bring him to his father for reconciliation and restoration of Absalom’s position as the king’s son, it was given reluctantly. The fact that his father did not give him instant, wholehearted forgiveness rankled in his soul.

God had not forgiven David half-heartedly. When God forgives, He forgives completely. David should have forgiven Absalom.

There are times when the truth should be spoken, when forgiveness is asked for, it should be extended immediately. In not forgiving his son as God had forgiven David, He will live to regret it.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.