Disciplined and Dearly Loved

Follow Along with the Message

"Now it came about after this that Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him. (2) Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way to the gate; and when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, 'From what city are you?'  And he would say, 'Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.'  (3) Then Absalom would say to him, 'See, your claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.' (4)  Moreover, Absalom would say, 'Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has a suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.' (6) In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgement; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel. (10) But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, 'As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, "Absalom is king in Hebron" '. (13) Then a messenger came to David, saying, 'The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.'  (14) David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, 'Arise, and let us escape from Absalom.  Go in haste, or he will overtake us quickly and bring down calamity on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.' (19)  Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, 'Why will you go with us?  Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place. (20) You only came yesterday, and shall I today make you wander with us, while I go where I will?  Return and take back your brothers; mercy and truth be with you.' (21) But Ittai answered the king and said, 'As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely wherever my the lord the king may be, whether for death or life, there also your servant will be' " (2 Samuel 15:1-4, 6, 10, 13-15, 19-21). 

DISCIPLINED 

Saddest chapter of David's life.  "I will raise up evil against you from your own house" (2 Samuel 2:1).  God's DISCIPLINE 

paideia--training a child, including the use of pain or consequences as incentive for learning 

"My son, do not regard lightly (minimize the experience or pretend that it will never happen to you) nor faint when you are reproved by Him  (quit or collapse or complain, rather submit and learn).  For those whom the Lord loves He DISCIPLINES" (Hebrews 12:5-6). 

Absalom--proud prince.  Handsome.  Vain.  Ambitious.  

David not Himself.  Distant.  Indecisive. 

Coup.  The protection of God removed from his life.  Troubles come. 

DEARLY LOVED 

People--Ittai the Gittite.  "I am going with you" (v. 21).  A rock of faithfulness in a sea of fickleness.  Zadok and Abiathar and Husai. . . 

Prayer life--a new freshness and honesty.  "O Lord, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness" (v. 31). 

"Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have returned again, strengthen your brothers"      Luke 22:31-32). 

"Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7). 

DAVID EMERGES WITH STRENGTH--Psalm 3, Psalm 55, Psalm 51 

"Thou, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the lifter of my head" (Psalm 3:3). 

Comes a deep assurance that things will be alright.  Deep confidence of God's forgiveness and mercy and help. 

_________________________________ 

"The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14).