Many times the BREAKING NEWS is about:
• Some deranged person who came into a building and started shooting innocent people.
• The news of a flood, hurricane or an earthquake is often breaking news.
• The breaking news about an explosion that has taken place.
If we had been living in the days of David and they had television the life of king DAVID WOULD HAVE BEEN BREAKING NEWS at least twice.
(1)IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BREAKING NEWS WHEN ABSALOM KILLED HIS HALF BROTHER AMNON.
The investigators would have reported some of the details of the life of Absalom.
What they would have discovered:
A. ABSALOM WAS A VERY ATTRACTIVE INDIVIDUAL
HOW DO WE KNOW THIS?
Look at II Sam. 14:25, we read, “But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for HIS BEAUTY: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.”
This was a good looking dude!!!
Notice, the Bible tells us NONE in Israel was better looking than Absalom…None!!!
And when this BREAKING NEWS tell us of the story Absalom killing his half-brother a few days later some more BREAKING NEWS is brought to our attention by Absalom. That is…
(2)ABSALOM TRIES TO OVER THROW HIS FATHER AND TAKE HIS FATHER’S THRONE.
Now the investigators would want to find out…WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED ABSALOM TO TURN ON HIS FATHER THE WAY HE DID?
Some believed the reason that Absalom turned against his father was because of his grievance with his father about an injustice to his sister Tamar.
Tamar was a beautiful young lady but her half brother Amnon and Jonadab tricked her into a situation and Amnon raped her.
Tamar’s brother Absalom was very close to his sister Tamar and he felt that his father should had punished him severely for what he did to her.
Many reasons have been suggested why David did not deal with this injustice as he should have...
(1)That is, one reason that David went light on punishment was because David had been guilty of sexual sin himself with Bathsheba and in this case he felt inadequate to judge Absalom.
(2)Another possible reason is that there was no witness to the crime. Amnon’s friend Jonadab had carefully orchestrated the crime to avoid the possibility of witnesses to please Amnon; therefore, there was no way to prove the crime according to Jewish law.
Regardless of the reason, Absalom took matters into his own hands. He avenged Tamar by killing his half-brother Amnon.
Look at II Samuel 13:28-29, Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
The reason that Absalom now tries to overthrow his father as king was because it is evident he had lost all love and respect for him.
But let us investigate the scriptures some more about Absalom.
Absalom knew how to get his way by using his position and looks to convince people to agree with him.
When people came to Jerusalem to bring their grievances before the King look at what he would do.
Look at 2 Samuel 15:1-6, “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man assigned of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”
This man knew how to PROMOTE HIMSELF.
Look at some of the things he did:
When he arrived in town in his chariot, he had fifty men run before him so that people would think someone important was coming to town.
Also, he would get out of his chariot, and talk to those who were going to court for justice, and ask:
• Them where they were from, and why they were there?
• They would tell him where they were from, and about some injustice that had been done to them, and say that they were taking this person to court for justice.
• He then would say, “Too bad this has happened to you, and too bad my dad (King David) will not help you, but if I was king I would help you get justice.”
King David probably to start with had no idea that this good looking son was trying to overthrow him behind his back.
ABSALOM WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL IN RECRUITING OTHERS TO FOLLOW HIM.
Look at 2 Samuel 15:13, “And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”
Can you imagine how ridiculous this must have felt to David. This did not make any sense at all!!!
His own son was doing this to him.
Let’s see what happens to a man who tries to overthrow the plans of God almighty.
Let me show you three things in Psalm 3.
First, we see that things got so bad for David that he had to flee for his life.
I. HE WAS A TROUBLED MAN
In Psa. 3:1-2, we read, “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.”
Verse 2 closes with the word “Selah”.
There are three SELAHS in this Psalm.
The word “Selah” means to pause and think about that!
David had reached that place in his life that he FELT HE did not have a friend left.
He said, “Many are they that rise up against me.”
He does not mention the devoted men and women who would die for him. All he could think about were the many that “…Rise up against me.”
• Now it is good that David recognized that there were men and women who came together to destroy him.
• We must know who our enemies are, but we must also know who our friends are!!!
WHY WOULD THEY DO SUCH A THING?
David goes down in history as the greatest king that ever reigned on the throne of Israel.
This did not make sense for David to have such enemies.
But it does make sense when we read,
John 15:18-21 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also
Listen, if you are not being attacked by satan it is PROBABLY because SATAN FEEL THAT YOU ARE NO THREAT TO HIS KINGDOM.
But if you:
• Take a stand against sin
• Start winning people to the Lord
• Start spending time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study
The devil will consider you to be a threat against his kingdom and he is not going to set idly by and not try and stop you.
Now this is beginning to make sense why people rose up against Israel greatest king.
Christians today are being told just the opposite of what the Bible teaches.
For example, today we hear these false teachers and preachers on television who are wanting people to send them money PLANTING A SEED and becoming HEALTHY AND WEALTHY.
That is what these false teachers and preachers are saying but the Lord Jesus said, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Anytime someone like this is chosen by God, he can expect the relentless attacks of Satan.
David is acknowledging these “nonsense attacks” that were being made on him by others and his own son.
HE WAS A TROUBLED MAN
But we need to look at one more thing…
II. HE WAS A TRUSTING MAN
Look at verses 3-5, we read, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. He triumphs over his fears, and gives God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”
When you read of the life of David, it is easy to see that this man was trusting the Lord. Look at-
A. HIS SHIELD
Look at verse 3, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me…”
Look at the word “Shield.” This is the word “magen” which means A PROTECTOR.
It also means “SCALY HIDE”.
Illus: A crocodile has a scaly hide that protects him. God has given him a hide that is so tough that it makes it virtually impossible to hurt him.
David is surrounded by people that want to literally destroy him. But the Lord is his shield.
Illus: God has this to say about touching one of his little ones in Luke 17:1-2 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
David’s enemies made life rough for David, but when all the dust was settled, many of them were defeated and buried, while David went on to be the greatest king that ever reigned.
David recognized Who his Protector was. He said, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me…”
David is acknowledging that God is his bodyguard.
WHO COULD WE GET THAT WOULD BE BETTER TO PROTECT US?
Absolutely no one!
When you are living a godly life and doing everything you know to please the Lord the devil and the devil’s crowd will attack you!
We have looked at HIS SHIELD but now let us look at…
B. HIS SORROW
Look at verse 4, we read, “I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.”
We see another “Selah” here, THINK ABOUT THS...
WHAT DO WE NEED TO PAUSE AND THINK ABOUT?
We need to think about David. He said, “I cried unto the Lord…”
It is good to have a friend whose shoulder we can cry on, but it is much better when we recognize that we can cry unto the Lord.
None of us should be a cry baby and cry all the time. But even this great man of God call David…HE SAID HE CRIED UNTO THE LORD.
But we can cry out to the Lord and he said, “and he heard me cry out of his holy hill”
Illus: There is a song called, “Just a little talk with Jesus,” that tells us that a conversation with Him will make things right.
(Look at the chorus of that song)
“Now let us have a little talk with Jesus,Let us tell Him all about our troubles,He will hear our faintest cry, And He will answer by and by”
It concludes by saying, “You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right!”
C. HIS SLEEP
Notice what he said in verse 5, “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”
One of the ways you can tell that you are trusting in the Lord is that you can SLEEP at night.
If you are laying in the bed tossing and turning all night it is because you are trying to carry a load God never meant for you to carry.
You can put your problems in the Lord’s hands and say, “Lord, you never slumber nor sleep, so there is no need for the both of us to stay up all night. You take these problems in your hands, because I am going to sleep tonight.”
But notice something else-
III. DAVID WAS A TRIUMPHANT MAN
Look at verses 6-8, we read, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”
We come to our third “Selah” in this psalm.
David wants us to “pause” and think about something else. Think about…
A. GOD’S STRENGTH
Verse 6 says, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.”
If David would have said, “I will not be afraid of ten people,” that would have been impressive.
But notice, he said, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people…”
Why did David tell the lord he would not be afraid if ten thousand turned against him?
Because he knew if he stayed right with the Lord, God COULD and WOULD take care of him.
Illus: Did you know that if everyone on the face of the earth were to turn against you for serving the Lord, they would be no match for you and God?
Any time God chooses to do so, he can bring them all down to their knees.
Because David knew His God was that big and powerful, he said, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about,” because he knew God could pull the plug on all of these anytime He chose to.”
B. GOD’S STRIKING
Look at verse 7, we read, “Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.”
Notice, David has put his trust in the Lord to take care of his enemies, and now it seems like God is beginning to deal with his enemies.
This is past tense, “…For thou hast smitten all mine enemies.”
As far as David God has already taken care of them.
He points out two ways God has dealt with them.
(1) GOD HAS THROWN THE SUCCESSFUL PUNCH
“For thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone.”
Illus: If you watch boxing, you know that every boxer puts his arms up so he can protect his face. Every boxer knows that to get his opponent to drop his guard, he throws body punches. And soon, if he can crack a rib, the boxer will use his arms to protect his ribs. Once he drops his arms to protect his ribs, that leaves his face open for the opposition to draw back and land one on the cheek bone. When they do this, it rattles the brain so much that they are temporarily knocked out.
Many of the enemies of God have attacked the work of God, and it looks like they have won the fight. They might have won a few rounds, but one day when God is ready, God will throw the knockout punch, and they will never know what hit them.
(2) GOD HAS THROWN THE SHAMING PUNCH
God not only throws the knockout punch on the cheek bone, He also throws the punch that knocks their teeth out. Now when you see someone with their teeth knocked out, you know someone has gotten hold of them and dealt very firmly with them.
The phrase “broken the teeth” simply means He rendered them powerless.
When God breaks the teeth of our enemies, they become powerless to hurt us.
Look at verse 8, we read, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”
THINK ABOUT THAT!!!
Conclusion:
It must have been a painful experience for David to have his own son rise up against him.
Look at how God dealt with this nice-looking, conniving, back stabbing young man.
It looked like everything was going his way for a long time.
Look at 2 Sam. 18:9-15, we read, “Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? And I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.”
I Titled this sermon on HOW TO DESTROY OUR ENEMIES!!!!
The Bible teaches two things:
(1)Sometime God has to destroy them.
But there is another way of destroying our enemies.
(2)Pray for them.
Hebrews 1:3 tells us that, when Jesus ascended into heaven, "he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
But let me show you something here.
In the book of Acts we are told Stephen, the 1st Christian to die for his faith.
As he lay dying, we’re told that his last words were: "Father forgive them, they do not know what they’re doing."
This is exactly what the Lord Jesus did when His enemies viciously attacked him.
But notice as Stephen is being attacked during this travesty?
Remember, the Bible tells us that the Lord is seated at the right hand of the father…but look what Stephen said Stephen said: "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56).
The Lord is seated but when Stephen faced these enemies and prayed the same prayer He prayed the Bible tells us he saw the Lord STANDING!!!
So, why would Jesus be standing now?
My suspicion is, Jesus - knowing that Stephen had determined to forgive his killers - took this opportunity to show him and us that this is the type of attitude He honors.
• Absalom died in disgrace.
• David died trusting the Lord.
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
I want to challenge you not only do good to those who do good to you, but find someone that is saying bad things about you and say something good about them.
Find someone that has done you some harm and find someone who has hurt you and do something help them.
You know what might happen…The Lord know the reason we should do good to our enemies we destroy them with goodness and they will become the best friends you have ever had.
I. DAVID WAS A TROUBLED MAN
II. DAVID WAS A TRUSTING MAN
A. HIS SHIELD
B. HIS SORROW
C. HIS SLEEP
III.DAVID WAS A TRIUPHANT MAN
A. GOD’S STRENGTH
B. GOD STRIKING
