The leader every nation Needs

Read 2 Samuel 23.

These are the last writings of David in this book.  He heard and communicated leadership principles that he received from the LORD.

His character and ability as a leader may be evaluated by those closest to him.  The descriptions of his mighty warriors explain that these men were the best of the best in all of Israel.

What does leadership look like if it is just and done in a way that understands one’s accountability to God?  Here are a few of David’s comments from verse 4.

1. It is like a new day dawning; a fresh start with lots of light on every place.

2. It is like the sun shining on a perfect day.  Everyone enjoys it.

3. It is like a good rain that waters everything for growth.

The opposite is true when leadership is unjust and ungodly.  There is darkness and many things taking place unexposed.  It is not a happy time.  Growth and prosperity are stagnated.

David's testimony of his leadership was: "Does not my house stand so with God?"  May that be the testimony of all our nations' leaders.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."  Proverbs 14:34

He is a personal Savior

Read 2 Samuel 22.

This is one of the Psalms (songs) not in the book of Psalms.  God had delivered David and he could not help but sing.  He wrote this so others could join in and sing with him about who God is and what He has done.

Notice how personal the LORD is to him in just the opening verses.

-my rock

-my fortress

-my God

-my rock

-in whom I take refuge

-my shield

-the horn of my salvation

-my stronghold

-my refuge

-my savior

-you save me from violence

-I call upon the LORD

-I am saved

The God of heaven is interested and involved in every detail of our lives.  He wants us to run to Him and find safety, deliverance, and comfort.

"The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation." (v.47)

Dealing with sin of the Past

Read 2 Samuel 21.

For three years the nation suffered through a famine.  David prayed earnestly to the LORD for relief.  The famine was not the problem, only the symptom.  God used the famine to gain the attention of the nation and its leader.  Once He had their attention, they were then ready to hear His message.  The reason God inflicted them with the famine had to do with Saul's killing of some Gibeonites years prior.  The incident is not recorded in scripture.

In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites used a cunning ruse to make a covenant with Israel in order to spare their lives.  A few hundred years had passed, but a promise is a promise and Saul violated this covenant.  King Saul had been dead for decades, yet this sinful injustice had not been resolved.  God forced the nation to make it right. 

Once David understood the root problem, he took action.  The king asked the Gibeonite leaders, not what would appease them, but what he could do so they would "bless" the people of Israel.  This wisdom goes far beyond a judicial act.  David sought to restore Israel's good name, resolve a broken relationship, and please God in the process.

Their request seems harsh.  It was a different time in a different culture.  The punishment hearkened back to the law in Exodus of "an eye for an eye."  Perhaps, Saul had killed seven of their own.  We have to trust God that He was at the same time dealing with the sin of these seven male descendants of Saul.  The proof that this was what God wanted done is evident in the resulting rain that came.  Finally, they could grow their crops again.

Personal and national lessons to learn:

1. God want us to keep promises.

One of the primary characteristics of God is that He is faithful.  He keeps His word.  He cannot lie, nor violate what He said.  His followers are to be faithful people and to keep their promises to Him and to others.

2. In plenty people play; in pain people pray.

3. God wants us to know His message.

He has always wanted people to know what He wants done.  In times past, He used visions, prophets, and sent the Messiah.  Today, we have the written Word of God and the indwelling Holy Spirit.  The first step is gaining our attention so we will listen.

4. Individuals and nations pay for unresolved injustices in future generations.

This passage in 2 Samuel makes one wonder how much of the world's grief and conflict is the result of unrepented sin of the past.  On one hand, it seems unjust that one generation would pay for the sin of another, but this chapter is an example.  It should drive us to inquire of God like David did.

5. Sometimes, it is not your fault, but it becomes your responsibility.

Psalm 139:23-"Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

First, Identify the Problem

Read 2 Samuel 20.

In spite of a leader's best efforts for unity, there will always be those with their own personal agendas.

After the put down of Absalom's rebellion, this was a perfect time for national healing.  David never lost, because he depended upon the Lord and the Lord guided his victories.  The king, in reestablishing his government, showed great grace and kindness to those who had opposed him.  Yet, at the end of chapter 19, there was no small contention between the tribe of Judah and the other tribes.  David was of Judah, but the other tribes felt some alienation.

Then Sheba rose up.  The scripture refers to him as a worthless man of the tribe of Benjamin.  Remember, Saul, Israel's first king, was from this tribe.  He tried to take full advantage of the rift, probably to make himself the national leader. 

With civil war brewing, David sent Amasa, the new general, to muster Judah's army; Joab having been demoted for his killing of Absalom.   But when Amasa did not return on time, it seemed that he may have joined the opposition.  The king then called upon Abishai to go after Amasa, but Joab followed with his own men.  Joab killed Amasa, one of his own cousins (1 Chronicles 2:16-17), presumably out of jealous revenge for his demotion.

Taking matters into his own hands, Joab laid siege to the city of Abel without telling them why.  One very wise, peaceable woman saved the entire city that day. 

Insights for living:

1. Asking the right person the right question puts people to work on the right solution to the right problem.

It is unthinkable that all these soldiers spent enormous effort and time working on a project that was not needed.  No one thought to communicate first.

2. Peace comes as a result of getting rid of rebellion. 

Today, negotiations continue to be fruitless between contentious nations world-wide.  Why?  At its root is the fact that at least one of the parties, if not both, maintains a spirit of rebellion and demands of superiority over the other. 

Proverbs 22:10-"Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease."

Everyone needs a Friend

Read 2 Samuel 19.

There is perhaps no grief like that of a parent who loses a child.  David was no exception.  A baby son died in chapter 12 and now his handsome and gifted, but rebellious, son was killed in battle.

His grief as a father is more than understandable.  However, he allowed his personal loss to place a pall on the nation's time of celebration.  David's kingdom had been restored.  Men warred and some died on his behalf.  The return to Jerusalem should have been one of triumph.  But instead, the atmosphere was like one of shame and as if the people had done something wrong.

Joab took responsibility to perform the very touchy and difficult task of confronting David to snap out of it.  The leader was sending a message that he loved those who hated him and hated those who loved him.  In short, Joab told David to get up and get back to work.

As David and those with him crossed the Jordan to return from their exile, they were met along the way by those who had both cursed the king and those who had shown kindness.  David forgave Shemei for what he had done in chapter16 and displayed grace to others.

Proverbs 27:6-"Faithful are the wounds of a friend."

We need at least one friend who will speak truth to us.  For personal sin, God sent the Prophet Nathan to David.  For this national concern, God sent Joab, the general of Israel's army.  A trusted friend is a God-send to aid us in sorting out our thoughts, emotions, and decisions.  The result should be personal growth and mature behavior.

When tossed to and fro by circumstances and varying opinions, the LORD provided the church where we may find such friends.  To the church at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul wrote: "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."  Ephesians 4:15-16 

Rebellion has no happy Ending

Read 2 Samuel 17-18.

In the past, Ahithophel had been a source of godly counsel to King David.  When Absalom seized the throne, his loyalties changed quickly.  He suggested that Absalom openly violate his father's concubines to embarrass David.  Ahithophel even devised a plan to kill David.

Absalom then called for David's friend, Hushai, for a second opinion.  Hushai presented a plan even more pleasing to Absalom.  In 15:34, David sent Hushai back to Jerusalem for the very purpose of overthrowing the counsel of Ahithophel.  Once the decision was made that Absalom would lead the battle against his own father, Hushai sent word to warn David.  Ahithophel soon realized that his counsel was no longer of value.  Sensing all was lost, he committed suicide.

David may have been older, but his experience as a warrior and leader proved to be no match for any opposition.  He organized his men and prepared for battle.  In spite of all that had happened, he asked for mercy for his son, Absalom.  Twenty thousand men died.  Apparently it did not take long for Absalom to run from the battle and be killed by Joab.

There is no way that this story could have had a happy ending.  Rebellion against God and God-given authority will always bring punitive consequences.

When Samuel told Saul that God had rejected him from being king due his open disobedience, he said, "For rebellion is as the sin of divination (witchcraft)." (1 Samuel 15:23a)

Humility, submission to and respect for authority are hallmarks of one who lives to please God.

A perspective on painful Problems

Read 2 Samuel 16.

Whenever there is a change in leadership, some are sad, some are mad and some are glad.

Wherever there is a leadership vacuum, a rush to power is sure to come.

Amazingly, none of those who rushed to seize control of the kingdom appear to have consulted the LORD on what He wanted done.  This entire picture is one selfish desire for power and/or revenge.

Ziba feigned sadness at David's departure, even bringing refreshments.  He told David that Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem in hopes to be king.  Remember, he was Saul's grandson.

Shimei, also from the tribe of Benjamin, was mad.  He threw rocks at David as the king journeyed in exile. 

Absalom was glad.  He entered Jerusalem as some conquering hero.  In order to establish himself as the leader and show complete separation from David, he put on a public display of violating his father's concubines.  Nathan prophesied this in 12:11 as one of the consequences of David's sin.

All of this, of course, was enormously painful for David to endure.  The rejection, betrayal, disrespect, abuse and sinful acts against him were unprecedented.  Yet, he demonstrated unusual spiritual insight into what was taking place. 

He could have retaliated.  He could have stayed to fight.  He could have beheaded Shimei.  He could have cursed and blamed the LORD.  Instead, he recognized that all power belongs to God.  It is He who raises up one and puts down another.  David accepted the humiliation as from the LORD's hand.  Then, he expressed his faith that God had a hope and future for him.

"It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his (Shimei) cursing today." (v.12)  This is a strong faith-statement of looking at problems from God's perspective.  Our trust is in Him today to complete His plan in us in His time.