2 Samuel #03: an exposition of 2 Samuel 2:1-11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, February 17, 2013.
Intro:
Do you ever get frustrated with the will of God? Are you ever impatient with God’s timing? No? Do you lie about other things too? We’ve all had those times when we’ve cried out, “How long O’ Lord?” The Bible promises God will never leave or forsake His own. It promises that God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. It says the God will not be mocked – you will reap what you sow and that righteousness will prevail. Yet, there are times when it seems to me wickedness marches on unabated while righteousness is flushed down the drain! Imagine what it must have been like to be told, by God, that you are king and yet you live in hiding for years while the rejected king lives in luxury. Add to that the fact you have gracious spared his life on a couple of occasions while he has made numerous attempts on your life. Yes David said the kingdom was God’s to give and not his to take. I understand that. I appreciate that. But don’t you think David said more than once, “When is this guy going to die?” Don’t you think David grew weary? Faith does not eliminate frustration. David was a man after God’s own heart but he was a man.
Finally word comes that Saul is dead. What is David’s response? Profound grief. He writes a lament and demands that it be taught to all the people. “How the mighty have fallen,” he cried. Okay, grieve. That’s a good thing but now you are king! Assume the throne. What’s your first order of business? How do you proceed? But there is a problem. Not everyone is on board. David is anointed king but only over one tribe – Judah. The other tribes unite around Ish-bosheth the son of Saul. It will be another seven years before David is king over a united Israel. Our text this evening is found in 2 Samuel chapter 2 as we consider the early days of David’s reign as king.
Text: 2 Samuel 2:1-11
- This is not the most exciting text.
- It seems it is just the tale of political struggle in the ancient Near East.
- But it is far more than that.
- This is the beginning of the reign of Israel’s greatest king.
- The establishment of the Davidic Kingdom.
- Messiah will one day take the throne of David.
- Don’t despise small beginnings this is the start of something big!
As we work our way through these 11 verse we will find that…
Thesis: The opening days of David’s reign as king provides us insight for seeing God’s will accomplished in our own lives.
We are so accustom to instant access and quick fixes we want what we want now.
The thought of something taking time to develop is not at all appealing.
For David, it has already been a long time.
Let’s watch the drama unfold before us and see if we can draw some lessons from it.
- David seeks to establish the kingdom through Divine guidance rather than assuming his “rightful” place. (2:1-4)
- David seeks to build his kingdom through diplomacy and grace rather than brute force. (2:5-7)
- Abner seeks to maintain control through defiant rebellion against the will of God. (2:8-11)
As we seek to see His kingdom extend to the ends of the earth.