And we have started by looking at David, the life of David. We're going to continue that today. Likely it'll spill into next week as well. We left off with looking at Psalm 89, which is a confirmation of the Davidic covenant. And today we're going to move forward and we're going to talk about David and his great sinning. But before we do that, we're going to take a look at one of the examples of David's goodness. Let's take a look down here. Let me roll this down a little bit. And we're looking at David's kindness toward Mephibosheth, who is Jonathan's son. Mephibosheth was about five years old when both Jonathan and Saul and the other brothers of Jonathan were killed in battle on Mount Gilboa. There was great fear, particularly in the nurse that was caring for Mephibosheth, because the thinking was that David would be vengeful. So she fled with the young boy, and in the process of fleeing, he fell and he was injured, and he became lame as a result. Years passed, and David was in a frame of mind where he wanted to actually do some good things for people, generally speaking. And the word went out that Mephibosheth could return to the kingdom without concern for his life. And in 2 Samuel, which we'll scroll down here for, 2 Samuel 9, 7, we see the following. And David said unto him, fear not, for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. So David is honoring, honoring this young man, We know, again, that David and Jonathan were incredibly loving toward each other. And so David did this very, very good thing for Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson and Jonathan's son. We start with that, and then we're going to move into some of the things that most of us are very familiar with. And we're going to talk about what David did in regard to his great sins. In 2 Samuel 11, as you have there before you, verses 2 to 5, we can read this very fateful moment. which began a domino effect, not a good one either, but this is how it began. And it came to pass in an evening tide 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. And David sent and inquired after the woman, and one said, is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? Now, David had other wives and concubines, none of which was favored by the Lord, because if you were to look at Deuteronomy 17, 17, But very clearly the Lord says, do not multiply wives. And yet David did exactly the opposite of what God desired him to do. And this was the beginning of just an awful string of events, all caused by David. Now Uriah, a Hittite, likely had been in battle against Israel because the Hittites were enemies of Israel. He may have surrendered at some point, or he may have been taken prisoner, and then over some period of time, it's not defined, he became loyal to Israel and to the worshiping of God. We can go back all the way to Genesis 26 where it says in verses 34 and 35 that Esau took a Hittite wife, which was, oh my, an absolutely horrible event as far as Isaac and Rebekah were concerned because it caused them grief of mind. It was really difficult. So there obviously was a change over some period of time with Uriah. He was an incredibly loyal person, likely a very fine soldier, loved his men, cared deeply about other people as we'll see. And so now we see here that In four and five, it says that David takes, let me roll down here so we can keep up. Right here, four and five. David takes Bathsheba, she becomes pregnant, and she tells this to David. She tells him. So now what is he to do? He really wants it to appear that the child is clearly not his, and that it is Uriah's child. So he thinks he has a solution. You see in the third bullet down, David wants Uriah to go to his house to be with his wife Bathsheba. Because if that happens, then it will be masked. No one will ever know that the child was David's. but something occurs because Uriah says the following in 2 Samuel 11, 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 I so live, I will not do this thing. He's an honorable man. He can't abide going home and being comfortable when the Ark and his men are out there in the field, living in tents or in open air, so he won't do it. He refuses. David gets him drunk, not good enough. Uriah's a determined man, again, very honorable. He won't do it, he won't go home. So, David crafts a plan, a horrible plan, and this is what happens. 2 Samuel 11, 14 to 15. And it came to pass in the morning that David wrote a letter to Joab, Joab is his general, captain of the guards of his military, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. How even more horrible. Uriah is delivering the letter to Joab that will seal Uriah's fate. 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. So put him at the forefront in the most intense part of the battle and then leave him. Likely he was not alone. There would have been other soldiers with him. And it came to pass when Joab observed the city that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. Now, they were in a battle here with the Ammonites, and the city they were trying to take and they were besieging was Rabah, which is now in what would be current Jordan or Amman, same location. 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. Well, David has accomplished his objective. He has ordered Uriah to the battle, in the hottest part of the battle, and Uriah has, as David wanted, died. So, what happens now? Nathan, a prophet in the court of David, knows exactly what happened. The Lord has spoken to Nathan. Nathan knows of this horrible scheme that David hatched, and he confronts David. We're going to go to 2 Samuel 12. It's on page 366. You don't necessarily have to turn there. It's not on the screen, but I am going to read it because it speaks to exactly what Nathan wants to communicate. 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. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds, 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 out of his own meat, and drank out of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveler 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." So what happened? The poor man wouldn't use his own, so he saw to it that they took the lamb from this poor man, killed it, and dressed it for eating. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, the rich man. And he said to Nathan, as the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die. Incensed, David was incensed. He knew that was so wrong. He knew it. And he shall restore the lamb fourfold because he did this thing and because he had no pity. And Nathod said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed the king over Israel and I delivered the out of the hand of Saul. 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. The Lord blessed David more than David really deserved. And if David wanted more, he likely could have gotten more. And yet, it wasn't enough. 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 has taken his wife to be thy wife, and has slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from thine house, because thou hast despised me and has taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house. Out of thine own house, that's important. And I will take thy wives before thine eyes and give them unto thy neighbor, 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. 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. Important. Thou shalt not die. What does that tell us? We're gonna just digress for a second. David was saved. He was a believer. Right? Having eternal life, pretty clearly. Okay, that is important too. And we're gonna see why that's important. All right, so again, very summarized. The rich man took, the sin was clear. Let's go down here. So now what happens? He said he sinned, he knows that. The Lord hath put away the sin, thou shalt not die. Now, 2 Samuel 12. Verse 13, you see it right there. I'll explain that if you don't know what that is. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And he repeats that. And then in 12.23, it says, 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. That is David's reaction to learning that the baby that Bathsheba is carrying is going to die, and the baby does die. The most interesting thing about, one of the most interesting things about this is David's statement. Can I bring him back again? He knows he can't. But then he says, I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. I think it's clear to David that he knows that this baby is going to heaven and he's going to see him there because he says, I shall go to him. So I shall go to him. Five words. You could read right through it and not pay much attention, but it's really a very important statement. Very important. That's only a fraction of a statement. Very important. Okay. Let's keep going here. Let's see. Tamar. Absalom and Tamar are children of David. They are brother and sister. They both have the same mother. Amnon is another one of David's children. He's a half-brother. David the father again, but Amnon has a different mother than Tamar and Absalom. So if we've got that straight, Absalom, Tamar, same mother and father. Amnon, same father, different mother. Amnon has a great attraction, he finds Tamar very attractive to him and unfortunately for her and for other people involved Amnon rapes Tamar. Absalom tells Tamar not to speak about it or he says in 2 Samuel 13 20 not to say anything about it. But this is seething within Absalom. He wants to protect Timor, to kind of tell her not just to calmly just not divulge this to anybody. But the anger in Absalom is building intensely. He loves his sister. It's a horrible thing, of course, that's happened. So ultimately, Absalom, as you see in the last bullet, After two years of planning and thinking and seething and this growing in him, he murders Amnon. Well, he does know, of course, that Amnon is one of David's children. So he's very, very afraid, Absalom is. And what does he do? In 2 Samuel 13, 37 and 39, We'll scroll down here a little bit. He flees. In 37, as it says, but Absalom fled and went to Talmai, the son of Amahud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. Now, which son is David mourning for? Well, let's see. Amnon was just killed. Is that who he's mourning for? No, he's mourning for Absalom. That's the mourning, not the child that died, the murderer. Because David understands what happened and why. In 39 it says, and the soul of King David longed to go forth unto Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. David was glad that this happened to Amnon, deserved it as far as he was concerned. I mean, it's possible that if David had learned of what had happened to Tamar, he might have had his son executed on his own. We don't know that. Moving down to 2 Samuel 14.24, we see that it says there in 24, and the king said, let him turn to his own house and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house and saw not the king's face. So they stayed away from each other for a couple of years when Absalom came back. And then we see in 2 Samuel 14, 33, Joab comes to David. and told him, and he says, so Joab came to the king and told him, and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom. David loved him very, very much. However, Absalom has other issues. that were not apparent when everything began with the raping of Tamar. There is a growing desire for control, for power, for other reasons in Absalom. And he is going to begin doing things that would have never been foreseen by David. And we're gonna see what those are. Chapter 15. Chapter 15 of 2 Samuel. We see that Absalom has begun his quest to be a politician. And he demonstrates it this way. in verses two to six. And Absalom drove up early and stood beside the way of the gate. The way of the gate, the gates, of course, this is the ancient city of the old city of Jerusalem. We've talked about this before. There are many gates in Jerusalem. I'm thinking that somewhere down the line in these Sunday school sessions. I have a session that I did a long time ago, years ago, for our Iron, Sharpeneth Iron class that we have, the Men's Bible Study, and it's about the gates of Israel, so I'm thinking I might sprinkle that one in, because I think you'll find it interesting. It's a good one. It's a good one. It actually will probably take a couple of sessions, but it's probably worth it, so maybe I'll do that. Probably not next week, but when we finish David, maybe I'll just jump over to that, and we'll take a look at that, not to think about that. I just realized I have that. Okay, so it says, 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 one of the tribes of Israel. So in this particular case, the man who came was a member of one of the tribes. It's not defined which one. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right, but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. So he's saying, well, he's starting to say, look, you know, you can talk to me. Absalom said, you can talk to me, because the king doesn't have anybody that's going to really listen to you. Hard to get to the king, so if you can't talk to the king, and you can't talk to anybody else that the king may provide, then you can talk to me. In four he says, and 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. So, if I was a judge, I could help you. I would listen to you. And I would provide justice. You're not going to get that by trying to talk to King David. But you can talk to me. 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. So he was, just as we know today, a handshaking politician. I can help you, don't worry about those people. I'm the guy you need, all right? As it says down here, he did a really good job. The literature about Absalom says that he was an incredibly stunning looking man. There are some accounts that he was one of the handsomest men in all of Israel. He was obviously a very glib talker, really good at it, smart. When you put it all together, he was perfect for the job, just perfect for the job. And he took full advantage of this. Now realize, everyone who's coming into Jerusalem is coming through those gates. And if they're coming through a gate that is the entrance to where King David is living within the city, then they're all going to go past Absalom. And of course, they knew who he was. And of course, they also know he's the king's son, and likely know that he's favored, that David loves him. So perfect. You don't have to go any further. Just talk to me. As it says in 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. He accomplished what he was after. Okay, in 2 Samuel, let's scroll up here. Okay, get a little bit, just didn't quite get there, there we go. I'll bring it to the top. Okay, 2 Samuel 15, 12. And Absalom sent for Hithophel, the Gilanite, David's counselor, from this city, even from Gilo, while he offered sacrifices, and the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom. So more ears are hearing him, more people are beginning to believe him and follow him. And, you know, word spreads fast, you know, no Internet, but word spreads fast. And he is strengthening. He is strengthening. Second Samuel 15, 13 and 14, this is a very momentous point. And there came a messenger to David saying, the hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. realizing that David has no direct contact with people, generally, not the average citizen, not the member of a tribe. That's not happening. There are counselors, there are lesser people. Just like any person in a high office, you don't get to talk to that person easily. So there's no contact that way. But Absalom's available all the time. He's standing right there at the gate. You can talk to him whenever you want. I can imagine there were times when, clearly, crowds are forming around Absalom. He's got a great audience now. His notoriety is growing like crazy. 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 deport, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. Wow. Have things changed. David is on the run again. Here we go. On the run again. But this time, why has it happened? He brought it on himself. He brought it on himself. God promised that he would chastise him, and he has. He has. It's gotten very, very horrible. God's judgment has come down on David, as was promised. And David knows this. It's not, you know, some, oh really, I didn't realize that that's what this was all about. No, that's what this is all about. So Absalom, who had committed a murder, is feared because he may commit another one. David has no, there's nothing in David's makeup that thinks that Absalom won't kill him. He knows this. Chapter 18, Civil War. The people have advised David to stay behind. Second Samuel 18.5, and the king 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. So what is he saying? Look, we're going to be at war, but I don't want my son harmed. I do not want him killed. You are to be careful with him because he loves him. He loves him. I think that David clearly understood that because he brought this on himself, okay, that these events were turning because of that and that harm should not come to Absalom because it's my fault that this has all happened. Okay. We're cutting through a lot of this because it would take us far too long. But in the midst of the battle, as you'll see in 2 Samuel 18, 12, which is right here, Absalom is cornered. He's treed, literally treed. And Joe Abb, the captain, is saying, well, he's there. He's right there in the tree. How come you haven't killed him? I mean, obviously, you got him to this point where he climbed a tree. He's still alive. And it says right under that, and the men 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 in a tie saying, beware that none touch the young man Absalom. So they heard David, and they are listening to David. They're paying attention and they're abiding by what he said. Don't hurt him. Don't hurt Absalom. That's why nobody killed him. Because the king said don't touch him. Clear. Very clear. What happens? What happens? Somebody didn't get the message. That's what happens. Somebody didn't hear. I mean, if you're standing in front of the king, I mean, right in front of the king, And he tells you not to do this. There wasn't any question. Joab, don't, let's not forget Joab, one of the most trusted men that David knows what happens. Look at the bottom there. Joab and others kill Absalom. Okay. Let's get to, slow down, slow down. Sorry, make your eyes crazy. Okay, so then in 2 Samuel 18, 33, David is told that Absalom is dead. 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. His grief, David's grief, is so compounded, it is enough to lose a child and to grieve just horribly over it, but to know that he is really the responsible party. This is because of him that this has happened. So his grief is just, you know, many-fold greater. In 2 Samuel 19 and 4, We see that he continues his grief and it says, but the king covered his face and the king cried with a loud voice, oh my son Absalom, oh Absalom, my son, my son. I was going to take us a little further today, but we're not going to get into the next one. So we're a few minutes early, and we're going to pick up on this next time around. Thank you very much. I'd like to close in prayer, though. Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for gathering us together to learn what we can from your word. We know that you are the ultimate authority in everything. We saw that David paid a great price because of his defiance. We know that all of us are sinners. We try, many of us, so hard to live by your word. Sometimes we're successful. We so much appreciate the opportunity to learn from you. We pray that all of us will have a wonderful day, and we thank you for everything you provide, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.