Podcast: Recordings & Scriptures: November 2021

*** God brings about the death of Absalom. David mourns Absalom.

II Samuel 18

5 And the king (David) commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.

6 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 (the captain of David's army), and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.

11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.

12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.

13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.

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.

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Because of the sin committed by David concerning Uriah the Hittite and his wife Bathsheba, God has told David the following:

II Samuel 12 (God says to David)

9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in HIS sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised ME, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house,

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David greatly loved his son Absalom who battled against David for many years.

Absalom was the prophecy against David who God would raise up against David from his own house because of the sin David committed against Uriah and his wife Bathsheba.

Now Absalom is dead ... and they report Absalom's death to David, and David greatly mourns over Absalom.

II Samuel 18

31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.

32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe?

And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.

33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

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*** Shimei curses David as David flees from his son Absalom. Ahithophel gives counsel to Absalom.

David has fled from Absalom, his son, who purposes evil against David. And David and his followers are hiding out in places near the wilderness.

II Samuel 16

5 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.

6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

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.

(David will not allow his men to kill the man who is cursing David.)

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.

(David is saying: My own son is cursing me, what more can this one man do to curse me?)

David says:

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.

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II Samuel 16

13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

The end comes to Shimei:

I Kings 2 (Before he dies, David says to Solomon)

8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

10 So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

(Solomon is king and deals with the wisdom God gives him concerning Shimei.)

36 And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.

37 For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.

38And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do.

And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

39 And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath.

And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.

40 And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.

41 And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.

42 And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.

43 Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?

44 The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;

45 And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.

46 So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

Shimei became an example to others who might disobey the word of king Solomon. Therefore the kingdom was established that the children of Israel obeyed that which king Solomon said.

Solomon acted by wisdom of God in dealing with Shimei, and thus was Solomon's kingdom established.

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II Samuel 16

15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

(Ahithophel had been David's counsellor. Now he counsels against David to benefit Absalom.)

23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

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Ahithophel gives counsel to Absalom:

II Samuel 17

3 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:

3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.

5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.

6 And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.

7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.

(Remember Hushai is David's friend whom David sent to spy on Absalom.)

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.

(Ahithophel killed himself after they turned down his counsel.)

David's spies come to David to tell him what has happened and they counsel David.

16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

God is allowing Absalom to pursue David, up to a point, but God will not allow Absalom to kill David.

22 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.

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God makes provision for David and his men as they are in the wilderness:

II Samuel 16

27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,

29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

God once said to me: "If need be, I could cause Manna to come up into your back yard."

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for HE hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

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*** Absalom tries to take the kingdom from his father David.

Absalom instigates a plan to build a power base among the children of Israel.

II Samuel 15

1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

(Absalom did this for 40 years.)

7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices.

(Absalom even took David's own counsellor to give advise against David.)

And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

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God had raised up evil against David because of that which David did concerning Uriah the Hittite and Uriah's wife, Bathsheba.

God delivers a message to king David by Nathan the prophet of God:

God sends a prophet to pronounce God's judgments upon David for his sins:

II Samuel 12 (God sets a penalty upon king David)

(Penalty:)

10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised ME, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD.

And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

(But the penalty against David will continue upon David as long as David lives. And God said his enemies would be they of David's own household. Absalom, David's son, later tries to take the kingdom from David. And Absalom goes into David's concubines and all Israel knows what he has done, thus fulfilling part of the penalty God set upon David.)

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Then the prophet pronounces another judgment from God upon David.

14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

15 And Nathan departed unto his house.

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Absalom, David's son, is the instrument of evil raised up by God against David and as long as Absalom lives he will be a problem to David.

II Samuel 15

13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

(Later Absalom will have sex with David's concubines to shame David and also this fulfils the prophecy against David where God said: Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. II Samuel 12:11-12)

II Samuel 15

17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

David prayed to God, making his requests to God, as he feared his own son Absalom.

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New Testament church:

Philippians 4

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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David sent spies to Absalom's "court" and they worked behind the scenes on behalf of David.

II Samuel 15

34 (David says) But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house (from Absalom's house), thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. (They will come and tell David that which Absalom is doing.)

37 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

(Hushai will be used to turn the counsel to be ineffective against David.)

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*** Absalom fights against David for many years, as was prophesied by Nathan the prophet for the sins of David.

God pronounced a penalty against David for the killing of Uriah the Hittite and the taking of Uriah's wife.

II Samuel 12

Nathan the prophet said to David:

7 Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD.

And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

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Through David's son Absalom, we see some of the prophecies of God fulfilled.

"The sword shall never depart from thy house," says God to David.

"I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house," says God to David.

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II Samuel 13

1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

(David was the father of Absalom, Tamar, and Amnon ... but Amnon had a different mother and was the 1/2 brother of Absalom and Tamar.)

Amnon forced Tamar to have sex with him and then he hated her after they had sex.

15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.

17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled.

Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing.

So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

Absalom hated his brother Amnon because he had forced his sister Tamar. Absalom planned revenge against his brother.

23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.

26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

(But Absalom had not killed all the king's sons, only one son was killed, Amnon.)

32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur.

And David mourned for his son every day.

38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

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The stage is set for Absalom to rise against David and try to take the kingdom from David, being evil against David's house as God said would happen,

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I Corinthians 10

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

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*** God penalizes David.

God sends a prophet to pronounce God's judgments upon David for his sins:

First God shows David his sin:

II Samuel 12

1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:

6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.

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God sets a penalty upon king David:

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in HIS sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

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Then the prophet pronounces another judgment from God upon David.

And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

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16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died.

And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

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Psalm 51 (David prays)

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to THY lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of THY tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against THEE, THEE only, have I sinned, and done this evil in THY sight:

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8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which THOU hast broken may rejoice.

9 Hide THY face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from THY presence; and take not THY holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of THY salvation; and uphold me with THY free spirit.

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*** David and Bathsheba. David has Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, killed.

2 Samuel 11

1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

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6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.

8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.

10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.

13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he (David) made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

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14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.

17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;

19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,

20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.

23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.

24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.

26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.

27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son.

But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

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*** David tries to move the ark of God.

II Samuel 6

1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.

5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.

9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

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Today, church people do all manner of works which they think are good.

But Jesus said:

Matthew 7

21 Not every one that saith unto ME, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in THY name? and in THY name have cast out devils? and in THY name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity.

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A man came to our house to do extermination work. Immediately he identified himself as a Christian. He started telling us of places that he had gone the previous summer to "minister."

I said to him: "How did God tell you to do this ministry work?"

He was stunned and couldn't answer my question.

Many today do "ministry" works without being told by God to do those works.

Ephesians 4 From heaven Jesus called HIS ministers and ordained them for the work of God in the New Testament church.

8 Wherefore HE saith, When HE ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

11 And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

I Corinthians 14

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church (to work in the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Those who are the called by Jesus for the work of the ministry are ordained by Jesus as was the apostle Paul. Paul was persecuting Christians, when Jesus spoke to him from heaven and called him and put him in the church and into the ministry. Paul was an apostle, teacher, and preacher.

Acts 9

1 And Saul (Paul), yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord?

And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Those men traveling with Paul heard that voice from heaven but they were not called by Jesus for the work of the ministry as was Paul. And notice that Paul (Saul) was called by name by Jesus.

You cannot do the work of the ministry by your own desire. You cannot become a minister by going to a Bible school.

You must be called by Jesus and ordained for the work of the ministry to which Jesus calls HIS ministers.

Jesus' ministers to the New Testament church today are: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers

Concerning ministry, you do things God's way. In the Old Testament when they tried to move the ark of God, they had to do it God's way.

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David moves the ark of God again:

(This time the Levites move the ark of God for they are the tribe appointed by God to do this work. Also instead of moving the ark by cart, they moved the ark by staves upon their shoulders as was commanded by Moses.)

II Samuel 6

13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

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Penalty of God set on Michal, Saul's daughter:

II Samuel 6

20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

If we do right in the sight of God we are blessed by God.

But if we do wrong in the sight of God we bring upon ourselves penalties from God.

So we seek God to know the right way in HIS sight for that which we do on this earth.

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*** Part 2: Moving the ark of God the right way.

David tried to move the ark of God. But he did this in a fatal way to Uzzah.

For when the oxen stumbled and the cart slipped and Uzzah reached up and touched the ark to steady it, the anger of the Lord rose and God struck Uzzah dead!

Errors: They did not handle the ark properly according to the word of God concerning the ark.

* Only the tribe of Levi were appointed for this work.

* They were told by God to move the ark on their shoulders with staves.

You cannot do the work of God by your own thinking. You must be led by God and you must be called by God and you must follow the exact instructions given you by God.

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They had tried to move the ark of God but failed.

I Chronicles 15:2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto HIM for ever.

(By setting up the Levites to move the ark of God, they succeed. Also the Levites carried the ark of God with staves on their own shoulders as commanded by God.)

11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

12 And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.

13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought HIM not after the due order.

(Order of the New Testament Church today: From heaven Jesus called HIS ministers and set them to work in HIS church: Ephesians 4:11-12 And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:)

14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.

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I Chronicles 16

4 And he (David) appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon HIS name, make known HIS deeds among the people.

9 Sing unto HIM, sing psalms unto HIM, talk ye of all HIS wondrous works.

10 Glory ye in HIS holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

11 Seek the LORD and HIS strength, seek HIS face continually.

12 Remember HIS marvellous works that HE hath done, HIS wonders, and the judgments of HIS mouth;

13 O ye seed of Israel HIS servant, ye children of Jacob, HIS chosen ones.

14 HE is the LORD our God; HIS judgments are in all the earth.

15 Be ye mindful always of HIS covenant; the word which HE commanded to a thousand generations;

16 Even of the covenant which HE made with Abraham, and of HIS oath unto Isaac;

17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;

19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.

20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;

21 HE suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, HE reproved kings for their sakes,

22 Saying, Touch not MINE anointed, and do MY prophets no harm.

23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day HIS salvation.

24 Declare HIS glory among the heathen; HIS marvellous works among all nations.

25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: HE also is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

27 Glory and honour are in HIS presence; strength and gladness are in HIS place.

28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto HIS name: bring an offering, and come before HIM: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

30 Fear before HIM, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because HE cometh to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for HE is good; for HIS mercy endureth for ever.

35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to THY holy name, and glory in THY praise.

36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever.

And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

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*** David reigns as king.

II Samuel 5

1 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.

10 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that HE had exalted his kingdom for HIS people Israel's sake.

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David inquires of the Lord:

II Samuel 5

17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt THOU deliver them into mine hand?

And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

21 And there they (the Philistines) left their images (the symbols of the gods they worshipped), and David and his men burned them.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23 And when David enquired of the LORD, HE said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

This is such an important example for us. The first time when the Philistines came and David inquired of the Lord, God said to David, "Go up."

The second time the Philistines came against Israel, David inquired again of the Lord and God gave David another plan.

David didn't presume to know what to do just because God told him the first time. But David inquired of God the second time also!

And David overcame each time by doing that which God showed him to do when he asked God what to do.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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*** Dealing with fear, dread, concern and anything else that can trouble you...through turning to God.

When trouble comes to us, all we have to do is to learn to put our faith in God each time we have a problem or potential problem.

We put our faith in God by turning to God in prayer, asking for help or asking God for wisdom in dealing with the problem.

Each time we call on God asking HIM for help, we put our faith in God.

And we learn to call on God over each concern, each time we are concerned.

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I'm 84 years old. In 2021, one day fearful thoughts began to come to my mind: "If I get to where I can't walk, what will happen to me? What will I do? I won't be able to stay here. I'll have to move somewhere else."

I cried out: "GOD ... HELP ME!"

Instantly the following came into my mind: "God will supply all your need."

"That's right ... God will supply all my need!" (I cried out!)

I completely relaxed and the fearful thoughts vanished.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We submit ourselves to God by calling on God for help!

God brings us HIS Word and by faith in that Word we will not heed the thoughts sent by the devil and the devil will flees from us when he sees we believe that Word sent to us by God.

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We put our trust in God each time we cry out to God.

My 97 year old cousin told me this one day. She said, "I do fine all day but I get so lonely at night."

(Her husband died 10 years ago.)

When she told me this problem, I was so excited for I knew all she had to do was ask God for help and God would help her!

So I said, "Oh this is no problem. When you begin to feel that loneliness, all you have to do is to turn to God immediately, as soon as you begin to feel that loneliness, and ask God to help you. God will help you!"

My cousin had been taken to church as a baby and attended church all her life.

Many church goers do not understand calling on God for help.

And it is a matter of trusting in God.

About two weeks later, this cousin said to me, "I do all right during the day but at night I get so lonely."

She didn't put her trust in God.

I just didn't try to help her after that, knowing there was nothing I could do for her.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

10-11 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

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In 2018, I fell and broke a hip and wrist and after surgery could not put any weight on my leg where the hip had been broken. So they put me into a rehabilitation hospital for 2-1/2 months. The first month I was in "bed rest" for I couldn't try to walk or do anything, according to the doctor.

And I was alone most of the time, having no relatives and only a few visitors.

Often I would awake in the morning and think, "How can I get through this day?"

And then I would remember God and ask God to help me to get though that day.

(The time sort of flew by and before I knew it, evening had come. I thanked God as I realized this.)

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The man who was helping me with my sound system was leaving my house one day and he turned to me and said, "I don't know why I am telling you this but they think I have ALS and I am going into hospital next week for tests."

(At that time, David was 44 years old and had a wife and 2 children, ages 8 and 12.)

I told David every time he was afraid, just ask God to help him.

At one point, he had to go to hospital for an operation. He said he remembered what I had said and he did do this and he was helped so much when he did this.

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When we turn to God and ask God for help, often God will bring us an idea showing us something to do and when we do that, everything falls into place.

By HIS Spirit, the Holy Spirit, God brings ideas to our mind. God communicates with us by giving us thoughts to help us in situations.

When my mother was still living, I would go to cafe daily to get our lunch. It cost $5.30. I would take a five-dollar-bill from my purse and a quarter and a nickle. And I would leave my purse with my mother while I went for our food.

One day I looked in my coin purse and couldn't find a quarter and nickel.

As I dug through the change looking for these coins, I heard, "Three dimes will work!"

(That was the Holy Spirit helping me for I had several dimes in my coin purse but I was in habit of using a quarter and a nickel! The Holy Spirit is a helper to us!)

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We recognize the thoughts sent to us by God, for when we have such a thought, it is "easy to be intreated."

(When thoughts are very complex or overly expensive, I always know those thoughts are not from God.)

Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says: Come unto ME, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take MY yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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God will not fail us nor forsake us when we turn to HIM and call on HIM for wisdom or help in our problems.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in HIM at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before HIM: God is a refuge for us.

Remember: God knows the future! He will lead us in plans that are right for us in our situation.

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