Sermons

This last chapter of 2 Samuel teaches us that God uses even Man’s failure to demonstrate his surpassing grace.

As we read about King David’s mighty men who fought bravely in battle, we are reminded that all believers are enlisted in Christ’s service and called to fight for him.

As David sums up his life in these final words, he doesn’t want to be known as the mighty warrior or the great king, he wants to be remembered as the sweet psalmist.

Four simple lessons here: call on God for deliverance; obey his word; go into the battle with faith; give thanks to Christ before unbelievers.

As the leader of Israel, King David is compelled to respond to Saul’s earlier crimes against the Gibeonites as well as the request to avoid risky personal combat.

When the tribes of Israel meet at Gilgal, there is not peace and covenant renewal as with Samuel’s meeting but rather rivalries and dissension. David’s silence allows critical divisions to form.

We see in the many attempts to diffuse rivalry and division in Israel after the defeat of Absalom’s rebellion that it is God who keeps the nation from failing and not the rule of the king alone.

The nature and events of Absalom’s death foreshadow the crucifixion and the arrival of the Gospel.

As the events of Absalom’s rebellion unfold, we can find lessons to teach us about prayer and how to live a life of prayer as David did.

In the midst of the betrayal of Absalom and many of his close associates, one great question arises: Will King David remain loyal to God and his covenant?

David’s power and influence as King begins to quickly disintegrate as Absalom’s well-planned rebellion exploits almost every one of his father’s shortcomings and weaknesses as ruler of Israel.