How Will You Meet The King

Background: This chapter finds David returning to Jerusalem after a forced exile caused by Absalom his son. Absalom is now dead and King David is returning to retake his rightful place on the throne, Israel. David’s return finds the people of Israel in various states of mind and in various states of preparedness for his return. In this chapter, and in the first verse of chapter 20, we find preparedness for his return.

We are presented with 5 different people who met the king. Each one meets him with a different attitude and from a different point of view. Needless to say, before we are done, we will see that not everyone was happy to see the king.

This morning I want to intertwine this story with the story of another returning King. The Bible tells us that there is a king named Jesus who left this earth one day to go back to heaven from where He originated. Before He left, He gave His people some promises, that stand as glorious hope for the people of God, but that also stand as a solemn warning for those outside Jesus. Let’s notice a couple of those glorious promises:

John 14:1-3 – “(1) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Acts 1:9-11 – “(9) Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, (11) who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Revelation 22:20 – “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

The truth of the matter is, not everyone will meet Jesus the same way when He returns. Some will be excited and happy, others will be caught off guard, still others will be found lost, and undone and will find that an eternity in hell is all they have before them. The question I have for you this morning is this: How will you meet the King?

This morning I would like to look at the lives of 5 men who met King David when he returned from exile and I would like to show you, from the accounts of these men, how many will meet King Jesus when He returns some day.

Keep thinking of this question throughout the message: HOW WILL YOU MEET THE KING?

1. Vs. 16-23: WILL YOU BE WORRIED? When David returned, two of those who met him, were named Ziba and Shimei. Both of these men had reason to be worried when they saw the king coming. Notice what they had done:

Ziba: When David left Jerusalem, Ziba came to the king and brought him food and other necessities (2 Samuel 16:1-4). In the process of giving food to the king, Ziba took the time to slander the name of Mephibosheth, and by doing so, he obtained all the property that belonged to Mephibosheth under false pretenses. In short, Ziba lied to the king and attempted to deceive him. Therefore, Ziba was worried, and rightly so, when he saw the king coming.

Shimei: When David was about four miles outside the city of Jerusalem, on his way into exile, he passed a village named Bahurim. As he & his men passed by a man named Shimei came out and ran along the hillside cursing David and throwing rocks at him and his men (2 Samuel 16:5-13).

By cursing David, Shimei was guilty of blaspheme against the Lord’s anointed. By doing so, he was worthy of death, yet he received mercy in that David refused Abishai permission to kill Shimei. Shimei had enjoyed freedom while David was away but when he saw the king returning he certainly had reason to worry.

By their actions, these men paint a picture of many of those who name the name of Jesus. That’s right. Not everyone who says that they are saved is living for the Lord, nor will they be ready when He comes. Sadly, many are guilty of hypocrisy like Ziba because they refuse to live like the Lord wants them to.

Others are guilty of pure blaspheme in that they claim to love the Lord, but live lives that deny Him. When the Lord saves a soul, He takes possession of that life. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “(19) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” The saved person loses all rights & control over his/her life. As a result, we are expected by the Lord to live for Him.