A Divided Kingdom (1Kings 12 - 2 Kings 11)

WARNING: This is going to get political !!

1 Kings 12

Rehoboam, son of Solomon, becomes king.

12:6 Consults with the elders, who advise him to lighten the load on the people (tax cuts for the working people)

12:8 He forsakes the council and consults his peers, opting for big government.

Do we hear what we want to hear?

Did Rehoboam have a choice? [12:15 “...the king did not listen to the people; for it was a turn of events from the Lord, that He might establish His word, which the Lord spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat...”]

Does God rule in the affairs of men?

Result is a divided kingdom, a polarized land.

12:17 Rehoboam is king of the south (Judah and Benjamin)

12:20 Jeroboam becomes king of the north (Israel)

The religious center had been in Ephraim (Jeroboam’s tribe) up until Solomon built the temple.

12:28,29 Jeroboam tries to distract Israel from Jerusalem by setting up 2 golden calves, one in Bethel and one in Dan.

12:31 He also establishes high places with non-Levitical priests.

1, Looking out for self leads to idolatry.

2. Personal desire leads to rebellion and immorality.

1 Kings 13

13:2 A man of God, speaking against the altar, prophesies the birth of Josiah, who will defile the improper altar [comes to pass in 2 Kings 23:15,16].

13:4-6 Jeroboam intends to have him killed, but going counter to God’s intentions, like the Miriam leprosy incident, is not real smart.

13:11-32 Bazaar story of a prophet deceiving the man of God.

Prophet lies to man to get him to go against what God said.

Man disobeys God.

Man killed by lion, which then stands by body and donkey.

Lesson? [Don’t let man twist your thinking when it comes to truth that God has revealed to you - not even prophets]

1 Kings 14

14:1 Jeroboam’s son became sick.

14:2 Jeroboam sends his disguised wife to Ahijah the prophet.

14:4-6 The Lord warns Ahijah that she’s coming.

14:7-20 Ahijah prophesies calamity on not just Jeroboam, but his whole house. [Carried out by Baasha in the next chapter]

Why would God insure that Jeroboam becomes king (12:15) and then wipe out his entire family? Justice?

14:15 Prophesy about scattering Israel beyond the Euphrates (Assyrian captivity).

14:22-24 “...Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy more than all that their fathers had done, with the sins which they committed. For they also built for themselves high places and sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and beneath every luxuriant tree...They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel...”

Don’t do as the nations do!

14:26 The temple is ransacked, just one generation from removed from Solomon.

1 Kings 15

15:1,2 Abijam, king of Judah for 3yrs - did evil.

15:9-14 Asa, king of Judah for 41yrs - was good, BUT the high places were not removed.

15:23 Became diseased in his feet. Look ahead to 2 Chronicles 16:12 for the rest of the story.

15:25,26 Nadab, king of Israel for 2yrs - did evil.

15:28,33,34 Baasha, king of Israel for 24 - did evil.

Wiped out the house of Jeroboam to fulfill prophesy.

1 Kings 16

16:8 Elah, king of Israel for 2yrs - did evil? (not stated, but it appears he was just like his father Baasha - 16:13)

16:15,19 Zimri, king of Israel for 7days, did evil. Killed himself by burning the king’s house down “over him with fire”.

16:21,23,25 Tibni and Omri vie for throne. Omni, king of Israel for 12yrs, did evil.

16:29,30 Ahab, king of Israel for 22 yrs, did evil.

Married Jezebel and worshipped Baal.

16:34 One verse fulfillment of curse from Joshua’s day [see Josh 6:26] Does knowledge of history matter?

1 Kings 17

Elijah the Tishbite comes on the scene.

17:1 Calls for no rain.

17:5-7 Camps for a while at the brook Cherith. Fed bread and meat by ravens. How would you like this?

17:10-16 Lives with the widow of Zarephath, whose bowl of flour isn’t exhausted, nor jar of oil emptied.

Is God the Lord of His creation? Does He interact?

17:17-24 The widows son dies, Elijah prays, life returns.

Does the world need to experience this?

1 Kings 18

18:1 After 3 years without rain, Elijah goes to meet Ahab.

18:17 What does Ahab call him? [troubler of Israel] Who was the troubler of Israel? Are Christians viewed as troublers of the world?

18:21 “...Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word...”

We must still make this choice!

18:22-29 Priests of Baal try to get a response. Did they expect Baal to answer?

18:30-35 Elijah has the sacrifice drenched in water. Did the people expect God to answer? Do we?

How could Elijah be so courageous? [History with God]

Result? 18:39 “...When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God..."

18:40 The Baal prophets are all killed.

18:46 Elijah outruns the chariots to Jezreel.

1 Kings 19

19:3 Elijah runs for his life from Jezebel, who was somewhat irked by his behavior.

19:4 Goes into the wilderness, sits under a juniper tree, and request death. How did he go so quickly from courageous to cowardly? [focus]

19:6-8 An angel gives him sustenance which allows him to go 40 days and nights to Mt.Horeb - 200 miles to the same mountain where God met Moses (burning bush). [Moses and Elijah are linked - the summation of Old Testament history (law and prophet].

19:11,12 Mountain top experience includes rock breaking winds, an earthquake, fire, and a gentle blowing.

19:15-18 God gives him his assignment.

19:19 Elisha is chosen to follow Elijah.

1 Kings 20

Ben-hadad, king of Aram, is the first of three that go after Israel and Judah

20:13-22 Ahab defeats them in the mountains.

20:26 Another victory in the valley, BUT

20:34 Ahab makes a covenant with Ben-hadad, which is a mistake.

20:42 “...Thus says the Lord, 'Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people’... "

1 Kings 21

21:4 Ahab pouts because Naboth won’t give up his land.

21:8-13 Jezebel has Naboth falsely accused and stoned.

21:17-25 God sends Elijah to pronounce judgement on Ahab.

21:20 “...I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord...”

Ahab’s response? 21:27 “...It came about when Ahab heard these words, that he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted, and he lay in sackcloth and went about despondently...”

God’s response? 21:29 “...Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son's days..."

1 Kings 22

Ahab, king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, are trying to decide if they should retake Ramoth-gilead from the king of Aram.

400 prophets are saying “Go for it”, but Micaiah reveals what is going on in the spirit world.

22:20-23 “...The Lord said, 'Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said this while another said that. "Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord and said, 'I will entice him.' "The Lord said to him, 'How?' And he said, 'I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Then He said, 'You are to entice him and also prevail. Go and do so.' "Now therefore, behold, the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the Lord has proclaimed disaster against you."

Is this how it works? Does God rule in the affairs of men?

22:30 Ahab disguises himself.

22:34 Is hit by a random? Arrow.

22:38 His blood is licked up by the dogs in Samaria, just as the word of the Lord had said. [1 Kings 21:19]

22:41-43 Jehoshaphat, king of Judah 25yrs, did good, BUT

22:43 “...doing right in the sight of the Lord. However, the high places were not taken away...”

22:51,52 Ahaziah, king of Israel for 2yrs, did evil.

2 Kings 1

1:1 Ahaziah falls through the lattice and becomes ill.

1:2 Sends messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, god of Ekron.

1:3-4 Elijah intercepts them with the true God’s message -

1:4 “... You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you shall surely die..." then leaves.

1:9-10 Elijah calls down fire on captain/50 men sent to get him.

1:11-12 Elijah calls down fire on another captain and 50 men

1:13-17 The third captain begs for mercy, and Elijah goes with him, Ahaziah dies.

How were Asa and Ahaziah alike? [looked wrong place for help]

2 Kings 2

It’s time for Elijah to be taken.

Elisha dogs him, refusing three times to follow Elijah’s request to stop following him.

2:8 Elijah strikes the Jordan with his mantle and the Jordan parts for them to cross on dry ground.

2:9 Elisha asks for a double portion of the Spirit.

2:11 Chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them - Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.

2:14 Elisha strikes the Jordan, it parts, he crosses over. [just checking? “...where is the Lord, the God of Elijah...”

2:21 Purifies the water supply of what city? [Jericho, the city that wasn’t supposed to be rebuilt, that cost Huttiel the Bethelite two sons )1 Kings.16:34)]

2:23-24 Forty-two lads get torn up by bears after disrespecting Elisha (‘go up you baldhead’)

2 Kings 3

3:1,2 Jehoram, king of Israel for 12yrs, did evil.

3:3 “...he clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin; he did not depart from them...” Heb.12:1 - sin has static cling.

3:12 Three kings go to Elisha (Israel, Judah, Edom) for advice about fighting Moab. They’re concerned because there’s no water for the troops.

3:15 “...But now bring me a minstrel." And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him...” Elisha didn’t use a big worship team, no drums.

Has the kings dig trenches in the valley

Trenches fill with water

Water looks like blood to the Moabites

Moabites march right into a slaughter.

3:27 I don’t understand the human sacrifice that caused “...wrath against Israel...” [God’s anger? Judah’s anger against Israel for the invasion that resulted in their seeing such a repulsive act? Extra incentive for the Moabites?]

The discovery of the Moabite Stone - Mesha’s own record of this battle. On this stone the Moabite king claimed to have been delivered from the Israelites by his god Chemosh on this day.

2 Kings 4

4:1-7 Elisha helps a poverty stricken widow (God’s justice) with a miraculous multiplication of oil. Limited only by? [the number of jars she collected - her part? Her faith?]

4:8-17 Elisha frequents the Shunamite woman’s bed and breakfast, and she has a son by her old husband.

4:18-37 The grown son has a terrible headache and dies.

4:27 “...Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me..." God reserves the right to reveal what He chooses, keeping a person from thinking too highly of himself.

Elisha’s staff to the face didn’t work.

Elisha sprawled over the child twice, and he is resurrected.

4:38-44 Elisha deals with “...death in the pot...” and also multiplies a meal, much like Jesus will do almost 900 years later.

2 Kings 5

Story of Naaman, captain of Aram’s army.

5:1 Valiant warrior, but a leper. Strength but weakness.

Who can help us with our weakness?

5:6 King of Aram sends to the king of Israel requesting Naaman’s healing.

5:7 King of Israel thinks he’s looking for a fight.

Politics goes on at a different level than God’s work. The girl knew! The king didn’t.

5:10,11 Naaman didn’t like Elisha’s recommendation [7 times in the Jordan didn’t seem significant enough].

5:13 The servants save the day [servants are practical, leaders are proud].

5:15 Naaman gets more than a healing - he learns that there is a God of all the earth.

5:16 Elisha refuses compensation.

5:20-27 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, ends up with the leprosy.

Point 1: You can serve a prophet with twice the Spirit of Elijah and still be overcome with greed.

Point 2: To say bodily diseases are all chance events is to forget that there is a God of all the earth. [but 2Kg.13:14]

2 Kings 6

6:6 Elisha floats a borrowed ax head.

6:8 King of Aram warring with Israel [Same king that sent his commander to Israel to be healed?]

6:10 Elisha frustrates the king by relaying battle plans.

6:15 The army surrounds Elisha in Dothan.

6:16,17 Elisha’s servant has his eyes open to what Elisha sees 6:16 “...those who are with us are more than those who are with them..."

6:18 The enemy has their eyes closed to even the natural world.

2 Kings 7

7:1 Following a long siege on Samaria, Elisha promises abundant food.

7:2 The royal officer [the political viewpoint] says ‘no way’.

7:3-7 Four lepers discover that 7:6-7 “...the Lord had caused the army of the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, "Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us." Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents and their horses and their donkeys, even the camp just as it was, and fled for their life...”

7:17 The royal officer is trampled at the gate [no faith, no blessing].

2 Kings 8

8:1 Elisha warns the Shunammite woman of an upcoming 7 yr famine. Why the famine? [the Lord called for it].

She leaves for 7 years, but gets her land back.

8:10 Elisha predicts that the sick king “...will surely recover...” but will “...certainly die...”

8:15 Hazael kills the king.

2 Kings 9

Elsha has Jehu anointed as king of Israel.

9:24 Jehu kills Joram on Naboth’s property [judgement against the house of Ahab].

9:33-37 Then has Jezebel killed to fulfill the Word of the Lord.

2 Kings 10

10:1 Ahab had 70 sons [wonder how Jezebel got along with the other women?]

10:7 Seventy heads are delivered in baskets.

10:11 “...So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men and his acquaintances and his priests, until he left him without a survivor...”

The isolated incidents are gruesome.

The bigger picture is logical in God’s justice.

Who can evaluate as God does?

10:18-25 Destroys all the Baal worshippers.

10:28 Eradicated Baal out of Israel.

Was Jehu doing okay?

10:29 didn’t depart from the golden calf problem.

10:30 “...The Lord said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in executing what is right in My eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in My heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel..."

10:36 Jehu, king of Israel, 28 yrs, evil.

2 Kings 11

11:1-3 Athaliah becomes queen of Judah, destroying all the royal offspring (except Joash, who Jehosheba steals away and hides)

11:4,12 Seven years later, Joash is made king.

11:14 Athaliah cries “treason, treason” [It takes one to know one].

11:21 A seven year old begins what will be a 40 year reign.

The Reign of Solomon (1 Kings 1-11)

1 Kings 1

David is getting old, and cold.

Adonijah decides he is going to succeed his father.

1:6 “...His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, "Why have you done so?..."

Nathan and Bathsheba act quickly to insure that Solomon is anointed king.

How did Solomon come into Jerusalem to become king? 1:38 “...So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule, and brought him to Gihon...” (Gihon was located east of the City of David in the Valley of Kidron just outside the city wall).

Who else came to Jerusalem this way? [Jesus]

1:49 Adonijah’s followers are terrified, and flee.

1 Kings 2

David’s advice to Solomon

2:2-3 “...I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. "Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn,...”

2:5,7,9 Repay Joab for his murders. Show kindness to Barzillai. Punish Shimei.

2:13-18 Adonijah tries to get Abishag the shunamite as his wife, but gets put to death instead (2:25).

2:27 “...Solomon dismissed Abiathar from being priest to the Lord, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord, which He had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh...”

Do you think Solomon knew he was fulfilling the word of the Lord?

Does God fulfill all that He has said, right in the middle of every day life?

Does reading what has been written give us a “heads up” on the future?

2:34,46 Joab and Shimei, like Adonijah, are executed by Benaiah.

1 Kings 3

3:5 The Lord appears to Solomon in a dream, and says “...Ask what you wish me to give you...”

What does he ask for? 3:9 “...So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?...”

3:10,11 Why was God pleased? [Because Solomon wanted discernment to understand justice] Remember that God cares a great deal about justice (widows, orphans, aliens).

What was Solomon’s first test concerning justice? [baby dispute]

1 Kings 4

List of officials.

4:21 Solomon ruled from the River [Euphrates] to the border of Egypt, exactly what God had covenanted with Abraham back in Gen.15:18. (Approximately 1000 years after the promise)

4:25 “...During Solomon's lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig tree...”

4:29 “...Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore...” Solomon was not ‘narrow-minded’, as many Christians are accused of being.

1 Kings 5

Involved in trade, importing cedar and cypress.

Instituted shift work, with 30,000 forced laborers. 10,000 would work at a time, for a month, then have 2 months off.

1 Kings 6

6:1 480 years after the exodus, Solomon begins to build the temple, which will replace the tabernacle.

6:2 Temple is 60x20 cubits (1200 sq cubits ~ 2700 sq.ft) Tabernacle was? Courtyard dimensions 100x50, but dimensions of tabernacle were 30x10. So Solomon doubled the dimensions.

6:7 Stones prepared off site (no on-site modifications).

6:11-13 “...Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon saying, "Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. "I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel..."

6:38 Took 7 years to build.

1 Kings 7

7:1 Solomon’s palace took 13 years to build (almost 2x temple)

7:2 Dimensions 100x50 (5000 sq.cu ~ 11,250 sq.ft.) >4xtemple

Extravagance surfaces in times of peace.

7:10 “...The foundation was of costly stones, even large stones, stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits...”

12-15 foot stones for the foundation. How much do you suppose they weighed?

1 Kings 8

8:6 “...Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim....”

8:8 “...the poles were so long that the ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary...” Were they being extra careful to not touch the ark?

8:9 What did the ark contain? Just the two tablets.

8:11 What does the glory of the Lord do to priests? [Can’t stand to minister]

8:23,27,30 Prayer of dedication: “...He said, "O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing loving kindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart, ... But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!...”Listen to the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive...”

The wisest man recognized the connection between earthly circumstances and heavenly standing.

8:33,34 “... When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy, because they have sinned against You, if they turn to You again and confess Your name and pray and make supplication to You in this house, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers...”

8:35,36 “... When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and of Your people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk. And send rain on Your land, which You have given Your people for an inheritance...”

8:37-39 “... If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locust or grasshopper, if their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, whatever prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart, and spreading his hands toward this house; then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men...”

8:46,47 “...When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near; if they take thought in the land where they have been taken captive, and repent and make supplication to You in the land of those who have taken them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have committed iniquity, we have acted wickedly';...”

Sinning is inevitable.

Must think about repentance and supplication.

Did you notice Solomon’s position change? [8:22 - stood with hands spread. 8:54 - kneeling with hands spread]

Why is there a difference between Solomon’s wonderful prayer and his extravagant sinful life? [Spirit vs Flesh] [Gifting doesn’t insure righteousness!]

1 Kings 9

9:2 The Lord appeared to Solomon a second time.

How much time between the 1st and 2nd appearing?

1st in Chapter 3 after cleaning up unfinished business from his father (Adonijah, Joab, Shimei). He’s given wisdom.

2nd in Chapter 9 after building the temple (7yrs) and his house (13yrs). He’s given a warning:

9:4,5 “...As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, 'You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel...”

9:6-8 “...But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight. So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples ...And this house will become a heap of ruins; everyone who passes by will be astonished and hiss and say, 'Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?'...”

God has expectations, even when He isn’t making regular manifest appearances. How can a person choose right?

1 Kings 10

Queen of Sheba is impressed.

10:14 How much gold did Solomon get in one year? 666 Talents (25 tons, $20,000,000)

Rev.13:18 “...Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six...”

Solomon loads up on gold, silver, ivory, apes, peacocks, garments, weapons, spices, horses, mules, AND wives.

1 Kings 11

How many wives? [11:4 700, plus 300 concubines].

From where? [11:1 - Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, Hittites.]

Why was this a problem? [11:2 - The Lord had said “...You shall not associate with them ...for they will surely turn your heart away after other gods...”

What happened? [11:4 “...when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been...”

11:9 “...Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,..”

God had appeared twice. The women were in his face daily.

How can you keep your head on straight in the face of temptation?

11:12 Who suffers for the mistakes? [the next generation].

Who will suffer for your mistakes?

11:35 “...but I will take the kingdom from his son's hand and give it to you, even ten tribes...”

Ahijah prophesies that Jeroboam (from Ephraim) will rule 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel.

11:41-43 Solomon’s 40yr rule comes to an end.

How old was he? [1Chr.22:5 reveals that he was young and inexperienced when he became king, which leads some to believe he was a teenager. He may have therefore been less than 60 when he died]

The Ups and Downs of David (2 Samuel)

2 Sam.1

Saul, who had been relentless in his attempt to kill David, is finally gone. Is David happy? [He writes a dirge for Saul and Jonathon]

2 Sam.2

Why does David choose to dwell in Hebron? [he asked God]

Take note that asking God before doing anything is a very, very good idea.

Anointing of David:

1 Sam.16:12 - Samuel, and the Spirit of God came on David.

2 Sam.2:4 - The men of Judah, he’s king of Judah for 7yrs 6mos (2:11).

2 Sam.5:3-5 - The men of Israel, he’s king of Israel for 33yrs

2:8 Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, made Ish-Bosheth, a son of Saul who wasn’t killed, king over Israel.

Civil war starts with Joab, commander of David’s army, against Abner, commander of Ish-Bosheth’s.

2:30 Joab loses 19 and his brother Asahel..

2:31 Abner loses 360.

(24 lost in initial contest).

2 Sam.3

Son’s of David by 6 different wives (Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream) Remember Deut.17:14-17.

Were six wives enough for David? [Ish-Bosheth kidnaps Michal from her current husband to deliver her to David (3:14-16)].

Why does Abner decide to take sides with David? [not loyalty to God’s purpose and anointing - he’s upset when Ish-Bosheth questions him about sleeping with Saul’s concubine (3:7,8)].

3:30 Abner tries to bring the people under David’s reign. Joab kills him, as revenge for killing his brother.

3:36 David mourns for Abner and it pleases all the people.

2 Sam.4

Ish-bosheth is murdered. David has the murderers butchered.

2 Sam.5

David is now anointed by the elders of Israel as king.

From 30yrs old, 7 ½ Judah, 33 Israel.

Why did David become greater and greater? [5:10 “...the Lord God of hosts was with him...”

5:17-25 Battled the Philistines, remembering the #1 rule of conduct: 5:19,23 “...David inquired of the Lord...”

Success depends on the presence and direction of the Lord.

2 Sam.6

David decides to bring the ark to Jerusalem.

6:7 “...And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God...”

Why? [He tried to steady the ark. Zeal without knowledge. Ark was to be moved by Levites with poles, not on a cart.

We don’t break God’s laws, we break ourselves upon them.

6:10,11 David leaves the ark for 3 months at house of Obed-edom, and the Gitite is blessed. What do you suppose this looked like, in only 3 months? Did he win the lottery?

6:22-23 The ark is brought to Jerusalem. David danced. His wife winced - disrespected him.

2 Sam.7

God makes a covenant with David.

7:10 "...I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again...”

7:11 “...and I will give you rest from all your enemies...”

7:12 "...your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom...”

7:15 “...My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul...”

7:16 "...Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever...”

Was everything great after this covenant was made?

10 - there were disturbances during David’s reign and after Solomon’s

11 - rest only during Solomon’s reign.

12 - Solomon’s kingdom established (Christ’s eternal reign?)

15 - Solomon blessed even though not perfect.

16 - What does forever mean?

David’s response to the prophesy.

7:25,26,27 “...the word that You have spoken ...confirm it forever ...that Your name may be magnified forever, ...'our words are truth...”

2 Sam.8,9,10

More war, more death.

8:15 David administered justice and righteousness.

Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathon, is shown kindness.

More war.

2 Sam.11

And then it happens - David sees a U.F.O. (unclad female object).

11:5 Gets Bathsheba pregnant.

11:6-13 Manipulates circumstances to try to get Uriah to sleep with his wife (to hide his own sin).

Finally has him placed at the front of the battle so he can assure that he is killed.

11:27 “...David sent and brought her to his house and she became his wife; then she bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord...”

At this point, David didn’t appear to be too concerned about “magnifying God’s name”. What do you think Joab thought about the incident? Bathsheba?

2 Sam.12

God sends Nathan to David. Tells a story of greed and selfishness.

12:7 “...you are the man...”

12:10 “...Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife...”

Do we reap what we sow?

How are selfish actions actually a despising of God?

12:14 “...However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die..."

Bathsheba loses her baby, then gives birth to Solomon

Another amazing entry in the royal line (Tamar-Judah’s daughter-in-law, Rahab-Harlot and Boaz’s mother)

Consequences and Redemption (Justice and mercy) operating together.

2 Sam.13

Another Tamar.

Amnon, David’s son, showing the same problem as dad in controlling his sexual desire, rapes his half sister.

Lust, like other fleshly desires, doesn’t listen to reason. It makes up its own rules. It doesn’t submit to God.

13:23 Absalom waits two years. Bitterness festers as he plans for a murder (13:32).

13:28-29 Absalom has Amnon killed. Was this his responsibility or should he have let God take care of it?

13:38 Absalom spends the next three years in Geshur. Why? Did the law give him the right to kill Amnon, or was this premeditated act a just requirement of the law? Deut.22:28-29 “...If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who is not engaged, and seizes her and lies with her and they are discovered, then the man who lay with her shall give to the girl's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall become his wife because he has violated her; he cannot divorce her all his days...”

2 Sam.14

Joab uses a woman to manipulate David to bring Absalom back.

14:14 "...God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from him...”

Is this the heart of God?

14:23,24 Absalom is brought back to Jerusalem, but he’s still ignored by his father for 2 more years (14:28).

14:27 What did Absalom name his daughter (Tamar)

2 Sam.15

Absalom conspires to overthrow his father.

15:6 “...so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel...”

15:12 “...the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom...”

Could this have been avoided? 12:10 “...Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife...”

Is Cause/Effect a done deal? The done deal is what God says, not what we speculate. We may have to live through a consequence, even though forgiven.

What good came out of all this chaos? Psalms

David flees Jerusalem. The Levites want to bring the ark, but David tells them to leave it in Jerusalem.

15:26 “...But if He should say thus, 'I have no delight in you,' behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him..." (humility)

15:31 David prays that Ahithophel’s counsel to Absalom will be foolishness.

15:34 David sends Hushai to thwart the counsel.

Is this a case of “pray like it all depends upon God, but act like it all depends upon you”

2 Sam.16

Shimei curses David. Abishai wants to put an end to it. David refuses to focus on Shimei, but rather focuses on the One who can bless (16:12)

2 Sam.17

Ahithophel says go get David.

Hushai advises against it.

Ahithophel commits suicide (rash?)

How does Athithophel fit into this story? 11:3 - Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam. 23:34 Eliam, son of Ahtithophel. So Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather.

2 Sam18:5 “...The king charged Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom..."

18:9 Absalom gets caught in a tree, dangling by his hair.

18:14 Joab gently puts 3 spears through his heart.

18:33 David mourns for his lost son. This is the son who he refused to see for years, a rebel who had no desire to do his father’s will. Does this parallel our relationship with God?

2 Sam 19

Joab is replaced with Amasa as commander of the army.

David is returning as king.

19:23 Shimei is not killed ...yet. (1 Kings 2:46)

2 Sam 20

Sheba rallies Israel against David.

David tells Amasa to assemble the army.

Joab kills Amasa, pursues Sheba to Abel, returns with his head.

2 Sam 21

Why was there a three year famine?

Saul had broken the covenant with the Gibeonites (21:2). Remember they were the deceivers back in Joshua’s time, who saved their lives by trickery.

God holds people to their word.

The land is affected by our actions. Can the EPA lobby for legislation to change this.

How did the situation get resolved?

21:6-9 Seven descendants of Saul are given to the Gibeonites to be hanged.

Barzillai, the 80 yr old “great man” who had helped David (19:32) lost 5 grandsons in this incident.

21:14 “...and after that God was moved by prayer for the land...”

What do you think of this? Does the sacrifice seem unduly high? What about the sacrifice of Jesus?

21:15-22 Four more Philistine giants are killed, including another Goliath.

2 Sam 22

22:1 “...And David spoke the words of this song to the Lord in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul...”

22:22 “...For I have kept the ways of the Lord, And have not acted wickedly against my God...”

22:24 "...I was also blameless toward Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity...”

22:36 “...You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your help makes me great...”

22:50 ”...Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the nations, And I will sing praises to Your name...”

2 Sam 23

23:5 “...For all my salvation and all my desire, Will He not indeed make it grow?...”

23:8-39 David’s mighty men (3-elite and 30-special). Would David have been successful without them? Do leaders need mighty men now? For what?

2 Sam 24

24:1 How is David incited to take an inappropriate census? 24:1 says God’s anger incited him. 1 Chr.21:1 says Satan moved David. Can it be both?

24:3 Joab recognized that this was a mistake. Why? Pride in numbers vs draft for war (Num.1:2,26:2). Church attendance numbers? SS numbers?

24:8 It took 9 mos and 20 days to count them.

24:9 800,000 in Israel, 500,000 in Judah (2nd in Num:601,730)

24:10 David is convicted (still sensitive to Spirit).

24:14 Chooses to fall into the hands of God for 3 days.

24:15 How do 70,000 die? [pestilence, angel (v.16)] Should disease be viewed as spiritual or physical? Any plagues in our world?

24:17 David sees the angel, not a cancer cell, parasite, or defect in the genetic code. He then intercedes.