"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HUMILITY, AND HOPE IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HUMILITY, AND HOPE IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY"

2nd Samuel 16:10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”

2nd Samuel 16:11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.

2nd Samuel 16:12 “It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:

This portion of 2nd Samuel details the culmination of King David's son, Absolom's rebellion against his father David. Absolom had steadily worked to steal the kingdom from his father. Absolom was a wicked man, and a treacherous son to his father. He wound up stealing the kingdom from his father, and ushering his father out in shame from Jerusalem. It was like a modern day coup if you will. What is so interesting and inspiring is to see the way that David acted in the midst of this tragic and painful event. Let's see what he did. He is a tremendous example of humility in the midst of adversity.

1. David understood that God was still in control, even though this terrible event was taking place.

2nd Samuel 16:10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”

2nd Samuel 16:11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.

David was restraining one of his own men from retaliation against one of his son's Absolom's men. You will notice that David said, "So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”

In other words, David realized and stated openly, that the LORD had ordered all of this. David did not want to fight against what God was doing. He accepted this most painful and shameful experience as being ordered by the LORD. What an example of trust in God in the midst of adversity.

2. David also had hope and trust in the LORD for the days ahead. He had hope that God would still bless him.

2nd Samuel 16:12 “It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”

It's interesting to watch this man after God's own heart act when he was suffering. He had of course sinned greatly with Bathsheba, and had already suffered greatly as a result. He had repented of his sins, and was clear with God. But, David had a very wicked son, this Absolom. And, now Absolom was kicking his own father the king out of the city of Jerusalem, and stealing the kingdom from him, and shaming his father, and allowing his father to the king to be cursed at.

But, David had hope in God. Notice what he said. “It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”

Some things to note here.

(1) He was completely humble and making no demands upon God.

(2) He was not complaining about what was happening to him.

(3) He was wondering if God might not bless him in the future.

(4) He knew that God could repay him in the future with blessing, for all the cursing that was taking place.

Some questions/statements:

1. It's not an easy thing to accept adversity from the hand of God.

2. David knew that his sin had brought this trouble into his own life.

3. Don't you think that David was now realizing the great cost of his sin?

4. But, don't you admire the way David was humble and trusting in God in this adversity.?

5. And, finally, isn't it encouraging to see that David had a hope of future blessing from God.

6. Do you know that God did indeed bless David down the road, He restored the kingdom to Him.

7. By the way, David's rebellious son Absolom came to a dreadful end, as all the proud and wicked do.

A prayer:

Father, You have given us these stories from the OT to teach us lessons, to teach us how to avoid making the same mistakes, and falling into the same sins. Unfortunately Lord, we often do not heed Your Word, and we are just as stubborn and disobedient as anyone else. But, Father, it does not have to be that way. You do not want that for us. You desire that we live our lives in complete surrender and obedience to Your will. And, that is what we also want, deep down in our hearts. Give us the humility of heart that we see in King David, who accepted Your chastening towards Him, but also maintained a hope that You might bless him in the days ahead. Thank You for being so gracious to him. And, be gracious to us Lord, for we also have sinned, and are no different than so many of the people we see in the Bible. Make us humble, and hopeful Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.