Four Stages of Salvation
Surprise
2 Samuel 13: 21 “But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth." [1]
I. Satisfaction
A. Routine
B. Rut
II. Surprise
A. Ready
B. Realization
III. Surrender
A. Release
B. Relief
IV. Serenity
A. Righteousness
B. Relationship
Introduction: To understand the account of David and Absalom fully we must first understand the genealogy of David’s sons. I recently heard someone in a TV show say that they were offended by the term half sibling when talking about families of multiple parents. Having a very personal understanding of this I absolutely agree that siblings are siblings and that is that.
In ideal families brothers and sisters are brothers and sisters and there are many many ideal families. Unless someone brings the point out that is enough said.
In the case of David however that is not enough said. In his family there was disgusting depravation that led to hatred in the family. David’s own actions were known by everyone, especially his children. God used David even though his sin with Bathsheba allowed his family to be torn apart and the hurt continued through many generations until finally God sent Jesus.
This is the genealogy in 2 Samuel 3:2-5 of David’s sons born in Hebron; “2 And aunto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, bof Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 And his second, ||Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king cof Geshur; 4 And the fourth, dAdonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.” [2]
Last week we considered the satisfaction which caused David to become insensitive to the feelings of others. Here is the truth! God is never insensitive to your feelings. A pastor might become insensitive but Jesus cares! Bad things are allowed to happen when we start caring more about ourselves than others in our family.
Looking back to the genealogy of the sons we know that Amnon was actually the first born son of David. Being the first born son has significance especially with Jews. Perhaps this is why David took such care for Amnon’s needs though he missed the perversion of Amnon’s wants. Had things been different Amnon would have been the one to inherit the throne. Now Amnon had seen a father who was so incensed to the rest of his family that he might have felt useless. Who knows what goes through the mind of one who thinks his parents don’t care?
We are living in a time when there are so many children who are taught that stuff is all there is. They see governments that teach aborting children is just a choice. There are parents who really cherish their children and want to show them love. There seem to be more parents that are like David though. If I give the kid what he/she wants I will be free to do what I really want to do. Kids know parents motives. Don’t we?
Scripture: The scripture today is 2 Samuel 13:21. Please stand if you can for the reading of God’s Word.
Prayer: Please be seated.
Message: After Nathan reminded David how far he had removed himself from God’s will the baby that came from his adulterous relationship was allowed to be born but only lived for a few days. It seemed that David was ready for his punishment but he was beside himself when he learned that the baby would suffer the consequence for David’s sin. He pleaded with God to spare the child. He knew that he had done a terrible thing and was ready to suffer the penalty for the sin committed but God please, not the innocent child.
Isn’t that amazing as we know the hearts of people today? If you as a Christian could take the penalty that is due you and prevent someone else from hardship that you yourself caused, would you? I think about those who suffer from addictions, whose families suffer because of the actions of those that are supposed to love. If someone had a Nathan to remind them of their sin, do you suppose a person would learn that they are hurting others and stop? What do you think?
David’s eldest son was Amnon. Amnon’s mother Ahinoam was the first of David’s wives to give birth to a son. How do you suppose she felt when David acted like he did before the death of Bathsheba’s baby? For that matter what affect do you suppose all this had on the rest of David’s wives and children? Could it be that David was attempting to make amends with his eldest son when he sent Tamar to comfort Amnon in his fake sickness? We earlier read the account of Absalom’s sister and what Amnon did. Today we consider the response from David when he heard what happened to Tamar.
After the baby’s death David seemed to settle into the idea that what was done was done and now he would have to wait until later to see the baby that was taken too young. Here is that account, 2 Samuel 22:18 "And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then †vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? 19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and qwashed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and rworshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: sfor I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but the shall not return to me." [3]
David accepted his guilt and understood that his actions caused the death of the baby but now this other thing happened! A son raped a daughter! David surely was not ready for this. How could anybody be ready for such a thing? David’s depravity was known by the kingdom and now the depravity of his children was known too. This man was chosen by God to lead God’s chosen people. How could this be allowed to happen? David was surprised but the surprises would not be over.
The family was torn apart. Look at the next verses after our focal verse for today. 2 Samuel 13:22 "And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon oneither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
23 *And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had psheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.” [4]
Absalom waited a full two years for someone to avenge this terrible thing that was done to his sister and nobody did, not even their father. There would be many more terrible surprises.
Only David would understand some of his actions about the surprises that changed his attitude. It seems that nobody understood David when his first child with Bathsheba died. They misunderstood his pleading with God that the child might be spared yet later he seemed to accept the death so quickly. They didn’t understand the anguish David felt as he understood that his own actions were the cause of the child being taken away from him. They didn’t understand David’s faith in the future with God in heaven where he would be reunited with the child he never got to know. They didn’t understand such a strong relationship with God that David had where there was such trust even though David had such great weaknesses.
Prayer: Let us pray.
Invitation: Reading on we know that Absalom took matters in his own hands. He had Amnon killed and went into hiding. It was told to David that Absalom had killed all of David’s other sons. Remember the nephew Jonadab that conjured the idea that Amnon used to abuse Tamar? He might have had a change of heart too. Jonadab went to David and told him the truth that Absalom had not killed all those people after all. Only Amnon was dead.
Here’s another surprise that David wasn’t ready for; 2 Samuel 13: 36 “And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept †very sore. 37 But Absalom fled, and went to zTalmai, the son of ||Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled, and went to aGeshur, and was there three years. 39 And the soul of king David ||longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was bcomforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.” [5]
There are those words there in verse thirty-seven, “And David mourned for his son every day.” David realized his two sons lost as it were. But look at that last verse of chapter thirteen again. David longed to go to Absalom. He was comforted about Amnon knowing that Amnon was dead. What does that mean? Remember the words that he used to describe the comfort he felt after that first son with Bathsheba had died? Where he is I cannot go but I will see him again one day? He was not worried about his sons that were gone. He was concerned for the sons that he had lost a relationship with. It took many years and someone to intercede before David would see Absalom again. We will talk about that next time God willing.
Why did God send Jesus here? God sent Jesus to save those who had lost their relationship with Him. God sent and Jesus went because God so loved us that He wanted to save us who would return from a lost relationship. It took Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for us to have the option of returning to our relationship with God. Have you truly decided to finally humble yourself and return?
[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 2 Sa 13:21). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
a To ver. 5, 1 Chr. 3:1–4.
b 1 Sam. 25:43.
|| Or, Daniel, 1 Chr. 3:1.
c See Deut. 3:14. Add ch. 14:23, 32. & 15:8. 1 Chr. 2:23.
d 1 Kin. 1:5, &c.
[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 2 Sa 3:2–5). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
† Heb. do hurt. So Num. 20:15.
q Ruth 3:3.
r Job 1:20.
s Jonah 3:9. Comp. Isai. 38:1–5.
t So Job 7:8, 9, 10.
[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 2 Sa 12:18–23). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
o Gen. 24:50. & 31:24.
* B.C. 1030.
p Gen. 31:19. & 38:12, 13. 1 Sam. 25:4, 36.
[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 2 Sa 13:22–23). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
† Heb. with a great weeping greatly. Comp. ver. 15.
z ch. 3:3. 1 Chr. 3:2.
|| Or, Ammihur.
a See ch. 3:3.
|| Or, was consumed. Comp. Ps. 73:26. & 84:2.
b Gen. 38:12. So Gen. 24:67. & 37:35.
[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 2 Sa 13:36–39). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
