KEY SCRIPTURE:2 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.”

Absalom had taken over Jerusalem and have sought counsel which instructed him to go after his father David to kill him. In our key scripture, David instructed his generals, Joab, Abishai and Ittai not to kill Absalom. Was David right in making this suggestion or instruction.? Absalom was his son yet he had become the very weapon of Satan to destroy David’s life. There are certain habits, actions and situations that work to destroy us. We must make sure that those things do not live. Every sin in your life is a direct weapon of Satan to destroy you, don’t let it live.   Absalom had become like sin in the life of David and must be destroyed if King David was to be at peace Proverbs 14:34 says “Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people”. A reproach is that which causes shame, or it will put you down. The scripture says it is a reproach to ANY people. Every sin must be destroyed from your life. It will destroy you if you allow it.

David set up his men for the battle with Absalom’s men by dividing them into three groups, and he had wanted to join in the battle, but was stopped by his men. They argued that   he would be the target of attack if he was seen. David listened to his men. Every leader must have a listening ear. It is not everything your people suggest that you have to follow, yet you have to think through whatever they suggest. You take your decision after a sober consideration of what was said.

During the battle Absalom’s men were slaughtered (2nd Samuel 18:7). Absalom realized the odds was against him, so he attempted running away. His hair which was so much got caught up to an oak tree. He hanged on the tree till Joab came and killed him. (2nd Sam 18:14) Absalom had no personal knowledge of God. He was a man pursuing a selfish ambition. He was acting against the will of God and was bound to fail.

Why could Absalom be so rebellious and fearless as to attack his own father seeking to kill him.? This problem was caused by his father David. He did not raise Absalom in the fear of God. With so many wives, concubines and children how could he have had time to attend to his children. Parents, remember the scripture that says “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it”(Proverbs 22:6). Every parent is the first sufferer from a bad son or daughter. Never leave your children to be raised by the society. They are your responsibility. Remember, what you do affects your children so much.

          PRAYER

O father let every parent know that they play a big role in what their children become. May all parents give their best to raise godly children?

FURTHER STUDIES.

Ephesians 6:4 ” And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”.

Proverbs 22:6 ” Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 16:2 “And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, the asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink”.

King David left his palace in Jerusalem to avoid any open confrontation with Absalom. On his way he was met by Ziba who brought food on a couple of asses saddled for king David’s men. This man was Mephibosheth’s servant. Would Ziba had come out to show kindness to David, if David had also not shown some kindness to Mephibosheth? May we always learn to show kindness to one another. God is the rewarder of a kind deed done others. Some people may not return a kind deed done to them, but don’t be worried about those who will not reciprocate a kind deed. Always know that whatever good thing you do for somebody, you do it unto the Lord. Matthew 25:44 “Then shall they also answer Him saying, Lord when saw we thee an hungered, or thirst or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them saying, verily I say unto you, in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Our heavenly Father is the final receiver of every good or bad deed we render to one another. Be very careful how you treat people. Some have entertained angels unawares.

As David and his men were going to their new destination one Shemei who is also a Benjamite from the house of Saul came up and rained insults on David. He even cast stones at him. Abishai one of David’s men requested from David to go and discipline Shemei. David was furious at him and said “And the king said, what have I to do with you ye Abishai, sons of Zeruiah? So, let him curse because the Lord has said unto him curse David. Who shall then say where fore hast thou done so?

David was ready to accept God’s discipline to the limit. He never wanted to act against God’s way. David also knew that it is God who enthrones and dethrones He was not going to act according to his will any longer. David also said further in verse 12 as follows “it may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day”. May we always learn to let God have his way in our lives.

   CONFESSION

My will is subjected to the will of God. Pleasing Him in everything I do is all that positive living entails.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Colossians 3:17 ” And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him”.

Psalms 119:30-31” I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2nd Kings 12:10. “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.”

More trouble continues to erupt in the house of David. His son Absalom plans and kills Amnon David’s eldest son. (1st Samuel 13:29). When King David heard it, he was very sad and mourned for him… Absalom ran away from his house and stayed at Talmal with the King of Geshur. Many people go through certain conditions that are as a result of their own actions. None of these would have come upon David if he had not allowed his lust to lead him and have subsequently killed Uriah.  

This earth is ruled by laws and principles. Let everyone be very careful how he or she leads his life. Galatians. 6:7 “Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” You always reap what you sow (NOTE; this does not mean everyone’s experience is as a result of something he has done. Job had afflictions yet he did not directly cause it.)

David’s son Absalom became the very instrument Satan used to torment him. Despite all these David never became bitter against Absalom. Trials will certainly come in one’s life at a point in time. The important thing, is how you respond to the situations as they unfold.

In 2nd Samuel 14:33, Joab David’s military general brought Absalom who David had not seen for two years because he killed Amnon and bolted away. David did not reject him, but kindly accepted him

In 2nd Samuel 15, Absalom planned a conspiracy against David. He stole the hearts of all Israel and then caused the people to proclaim him king in Hebron. David immediately did not raise a resistance to fight back.  King David’s focus was to win God’s approval. His focus was not just to fight back. In 2nd Sam 15:25, the following is said about him. “And the king said unto Zadok; carry back the ark of God into the city: If I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again and show me both it and his habitation: “But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold here am I, let him do to me that which seemeth good unto him”. David was an amazing man of God. He was not primarily concerned about sitting on the throne. He was concerned about the will of God being done in his life. (note: David had sinned and so was under God’s judgement and must allow His will to be done) He always sought to please God in all life’s situations not what people will say or what appears good to him.

David went after God’s heart. God never forsook him.

Prayer: Father help us to always seek to please you.

Further Study

Proverbs 3:5-6 ” Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.

Romans 8:28  ” and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 13:21” But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth”.

Evil began brewing in the house of David. One of the sons of David, that is his first son called Amnon raped his own sister called Tamar. A demon of immorality has entered into the house of David. It is right, describing how this happened to accuse Ammon for this error. Without holding brief for him yet he was under a great influence of evil without any support or assistance to overcome. His father by his actions had permitted the ‘enemies of God’ into his house. Now the David who enjoyed a life of peace and victories all around is having his home and life in deep trouble.  For a life of peace and a continual stream of successes decide to honour God and his word no matter the situation.

What do you do when you faulter and the enemy turn the heat against you? God our Father is never happy when things go that way, but has made a way in Christ for victory.  It is when the child of God allows   guilt to fill his mind that the enemy freely rain a barrage of attacks upon attack on him. The Bible says there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit”. (Romans 8:1). Some versions omit the second part that says “those who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit”. This part cannot be taken out because the subsequent verses teach that to walk in the flesh is death. When you walk in the flesh you are condemned. What does it mean to walk in the flesh? It simply means to walk according to the senses. One simple word for this is unbelief. Unbelief means you walk according to what you can see or feel. Faith is to believe what God has said although you don’t see or feel it. When you act and live this way nothing can defeat you.

Jesus was punished for us. (Isaiah 53:4-5). Be strong to stand your ground on the finished work of Jesus. Tell the devil he cannot punish you for whatever has happened. Jesus was punished for our sins and you don’t have to suffer for it. The scripture claims that the man who takes a stand on what the scripture had said has no condemnation. God does not condemn you, and Satan cannot condemn and afflict you because you are walking and trusting in Jesus’ finished work.

Please note that the strength of sin is the law. Don’t place yourself under the law. Take advantage of the great sacrifice and penalty Jesus suffered for us. In such occasions Satan would not easily give in. Do hold your ground and fight your way to freedom. Speak out the promises of scripture and rest on them.

 PRAYER

O God open the eyes of all Christians to walk in the Spirit and consistently take their stand against the enemy. May the body of Christ grow into its full stature, that is like Jesus.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Ephesians 6:10 ” Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”.

1 Timothy 6:12 ” Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 12:9 “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”.

David’s life reveals to us the two main aspects of life.

1. Total victory

2. Total trouble.  

 A life that is committed to God and always pleases God will bring to you, Total victory (means overcoming every opposition or difficulty that comes at you) and avoid what brings total trouble (being helpless and defeated by the opposition and difficulties that come at you.). Reading through 2nd Samuel 12 we see that the prophet Nathan brought God’s word to David. He exposed his sin unto him. David did not attempt to defend himself as Saul did. 2nd Samuel 12:13 “And David said unto Nathan I have sinned against the Lord, and Nathan said unto David. The Lord also had put away the sin, thou shalt not die “. The Lord added the following to what He said earlier”. However, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto you shall surely die. ( 2nd Samuel 12:14). Who are the enemies of God that blaspheme the name of God? Satan and his host of devils. 

 When the children of God walk uprightly God praises them to the devil. God is excited when His children are faithful unto Him. (Job 1:8). When the child of God faulters and fail, Satan also scorns God and blasphemes. Don’t allow the devil to blaspheme the name of God because of your mistakes. Prophet Nathan listed certain punishments that will come on David and his house. All the judgements that was to come on David were the legal attack of Satan that God could do nothing about. The Lord permitted the enemies of his because, they had the legal right. He said the sword will never leave his house. David took Bathsheba in the closet but his wives will be raped openly. All these were done by his own children. Do you think God caused these things? No, it was the right of the enemies of God to attack. Dear child of God give no occasion for the enemies of God to attack you…

 Our Lord Jesus, on the cross bore the full judgement and punishment of God for every sin now and the future. Galatians 3:13 says he Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, for it is written cursed is everyone that is hanged on a tree”. Whenever Satan claims the right to assault you, please turn to Galatians 3:13 and refuse his onslaught against your life. This does not give license to sin. Sin may weaken your resolve to lay hold on God’s provision in Christ.

Don’t give place to sin. Don’t allow Satan to torment you on any grounds. Lay claim on the finished work of our Lord Jesus.

 CONFESSION

My Lord Jesus was made a curse for me and has blotted out every ordinance that opposed me and nailed it to the cross, there is therefore now, no condemnation for me, because I am in Christ and I walk in the Spirit.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Romans 8:1 ” There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”.

Colossians 2:14 ” Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 11:13 “And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he 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.”

King David tries to make Uriah to go to his wife and sleep with her, yet the husband of Bathsheba would not go home to the wife. David has been successful in most of his life because in all those times he acted to honour God. This time he was acting against the word of God and so he has no grace to make him succeed. Dear child of God be sure that any wrong action you undertake will never have God’s approval. If you give bribe to obtain a job, be sure God is not involved.

When all of David’s plans to get Uriah go to his house failed, he decided to use his position as the king to do something God had not asked any man to do. He planned Uriah’s death. David at this moment rebelled against the word of God. No man must take the life of his neighbour. How on Earth could a man like David get to such a extend. He allowed his position as a king to dominate his awareness that he is a king by grace. Dear leader or person of authority never feel your life is more valuable than the life of another human. Position and authority is God’s design to fulfill His (God’s) program. It does not make you a better human than another human.

Did David have to go that far? No, he should have admitted his sin before God and then informed the elders of Israel who would have handled the case in the light of God’s law as well as David’s position as the king. His main concern was to hide the issue of the baby. TRUTH CAN NEVER BE COVERED. RATHER FACE IT TODAY AND BE AT PEACE TOMORROW.

This act of immorality had been a Waterloo for all kinds of people including pastors. How can the child of God keep himself? The Lord’s answer is an acknowledgement of the work of the cross. Any man who comes to Christ no longer has his old man of sin reigning in him. (Romans 6:6). The very spirit in him is the Spirit of Christ. He becomes a spirit living in a human body. Never lose consciousness of the fact that you are a spirit living in a human body. You are not just a spirit, but your very spirit is the spirit of Christ. As a man you can easily fall. As a spirit you can’t fall. Always maintain that you are a spirit housed in a body. Your body is a house in which you express yourself. Take time to build this consciousness into you. You are a perfect spirit and can’t sin. (1st John 3:9) Say this to yourself daily. Never say I am a man and can easily sin. This is where most men, even great ministers faulter and Satan takes advantage of them. Your words control you.

CONFESSION

My spirit is one with the Spirit of Christ. My spirit is my real self. My body is a house for me. My spirit which is the spirit of Christ cannot sin. I cannot sin. My body never dictates to me for I rule over my body and I am always led by my spirit.

FURTHER STUDIES.

1 John 3:9 ” Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

Romans 6:14 ” For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 11:2 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.

(READ: 2nd Samuel 11:1-27)

David had enjoyed a very good relationship with God and so had nothing putting him down. He overcame all that challenged him.

This chapter reveals the first time in the life of David how real trouble came to engulf him. The Bible said in our key scripture that one day David rose up from his bed and from his roof he saw a woman bathing. The scripture said the woman was very beautiful to look upon. This means he took time to observe the woman very well. David from the earlier stories had shown that he had a big problem with women. Each of his sons had his own mother. After admiring the beauty of the naked woman, he sent his servants to enquire of who she was. In Job 31:1 he said “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid”. Job is saying he has decided or made a vow that he would not look on a woman and then begin to imagine all kinds of ungodly things in his mind or heart. The Lord Jesus also said in Matthew 5:28 that “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart”. Many men fall this way. Sin is not only seen by the actions it is already consummated in the heart before it is seen. You will do yourself a great good if you would do as Job did. He covenanted with his eyes not to look on a woman to lust after her. The great evangelist Dr Billy Graham of blessed memory ones said “You must mind the second look”. James 1:14 & 15 says” but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

David after nursing the desire of having an affair with the woman went ahead, called and slept with her. This act gave the man who Satan could never handle to cheaply enter the corridors of his life and start dancing there. The woman became pregnant.

When David got to know of the pregnancy, he decided to cover it up. He called for her husband to return from the battle field so he could go home and sleep with the wife, and that would close up the scandal. Lies has never succeeded in concealing the truth, it may delay it for a while but truth will *certainly show up.    A lie is a waste of time don’t use it.

 CONFESSION

I will walk in the spirit and will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. I maintain that because Christ is my life, the body is dead because of sin, so the body never dictates to me.

Further Studies

Galatians 5:16” This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

Romans 8:10 ” And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Samuel 10:2 ” Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.”

(Please Read 2nd Sam.10:1–19)

David is a kind-hearted man who decided to show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash king of Ammon, who had also shown kindness to David but had died. There are certain acts that always attracts God’s favour, and one of such acts is to always seek the good of all. The Lord once spoke the following to His disciples   in John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another”. David lived under the law yet he was a man filled with love for all. Love is the perfection of all things.

In this instant the king of Ammon misjudged him. His counsellors told him the Israelites had come to spy on them. Why do people misjudge or wrongly interpret the right actions of others, Titus 1:15 gives us the answer, “unto the pure all things are pure but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their mind and conscience is defiled”. The kind of mindset you carry determines how you see life and people’s action. Let the bases for your actions be motivated by love and an attitude to be a blessing. These Ammonites were very selfish, and cruel. It is bad taste for any Christian to have such a cruel mind.

The king of Ammon disgraced all the men David sent to console him. He drove them out. Their hair was shaved half way and their trousers’ cut. Knowing he had done a bad thing to king David who would definitely attack him, He asked the people of Syria to join him fight Israel on his behalf.

He had a very large number of men to fight the Israelites yet they were defeated. *Standing with God is a sure way to remain victorious always irrespective of the size of the enemy. The size of the enemy did not frighten them. Is there any problem or challenge making you fearful and worried? Please don’t worry any longer, about any condition. All you need is to trust the Lord. You cannot be defeated. 

Considering the history of the Israelites they were never defeated in any context or battle, so long as they maintained their faith in God or honoured God in their lives. Stop being afraid because of the vastness of the opposition. Fear attracts failure and the very thing you are afraid of would come on you. Job 3:25 “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me”.

Dear child of God fear is a sign that the enemy is in control. Refuse to fear. Trust the word of God to prevail over your enemies.

CONFESSION

The greater one lives in me and I am more than a conqueror. His word is my confidence, and that is settled in heaven, declaring my victory always His faithfulness is unto all generations.

FURTHER STUDIES.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Psalms 119:89-90 ” Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 8:14 ” And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went”.

 2nd Samuel 8 talks about the great victories David won over his enemies. Indeed, no enemy could defeat him.

After defeating these enemies, he put garrisons or a military presence to rule over them. He made sure all his defeated ones never rose up against him one day. As children of God we must make sure every enemy or challenge we overcome has no grounds of showing its head again. Anything that could make it show up its head must be taken out of the way. It could be a particular sin to avoid, or you may have to step up your prayer life.

The story of David depicts the life of the Christian. He lived for God’s interest. Whatever the Christian does, is done in the name of the Lord. The Christian should never accept a mind of failure. He can’t fail since the Lord can’t fail. David never for once accepted he could be defeated in any battle. A look at all the subsequent Kings of Israel shows no king was as successful as David was. Why was he so successful? I believe David found the secret to life. Revelation 4:11. “Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”. All creation including man were created for God’s pleasure. We are here for him. We are only living when we live for him. David did nothing for his personal honour, but did everything to honor the heavenly father. God was likewise delighted in defending and promoting him, so he could further honor Him in all he did.

What do we find these days? People do things because of money, fame and even pleasure. Why should a man of God stage manage a miracle? Why should fellow Christians attack one another with slanderous stories that have no root? Muslims are ready to die for their faith, although they are not so sure of their final destination, as Christians know that Jesus died and rose again.

Apostle Paul stated clearly in Philippians 1:20 as follows “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death”. He added that for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. This is the secret to real living that attracts God’s approval and total support. David had God’s approval and total support and so he was exceedingly successful. You can also begin to win all battles around you if you also decide to live for God and not to use God to get what you want.

 CONFESSION

I live for God. It is Jesus who is alive in me. I am more than a conqueror for the greater one lives inside of me

FURTHER STUDIES.

Matthew 16:25 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it”.

2 Samuel 8:11” Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;”