Second Samuel, please meet me in your Bibles in that precious
book that we began last week. Second Samuel.
Chapter 1. And beginning, here in verse 17.
Pray with me. Lord, we thank you again for
this time and we thank you for your word.
We know that this word is your voice.
It is god-breathed and we pray that you would breed this word
into our hearts, it would bring life to us.
It would blow away all the things that should not remain in
the heart of your temple. We ask Lord that you would
sanctify us edify us build our faith.
Lord in this, in this time, where things are so unknown,
Lord, we We stand on the Promises of God.
We come to your word for wisdom for Christ to be seen and for us
to be conformed Into His Image. In Jesus name, we pray, amen.
Last week we learned about the astounding response.
Of David and his men when they received the news of Saul's
death and to our surprise, what we saw was a man and his his
fellow Warriors Express, genuine sorrow, genuine grief when that
amalekite came and announced the death of Israel's King.
And what we saw with David was morning, we saw that there was
even fasting until the evening. We saw that there is this
Contrition the sense of Brokenness over the humiliation,
even if they're sworn enemy, And if you and I were perplexed by
the honour that David showed in that moment with his men
prepared to be challenged further as we discover what he
will do in the rest of this chapter.
David's honor of Saul will exceed that of emotional
distress as heartfelt as that is.
He will, he will come to a point now where he will make his, his
pain and his love for saw and for Jonathan, and for Israel
public. He's going to make it known.
He's actually going to etch it in a way that it would.
It would remain as a memorial for generations and that is
significant concerning the history that Saul and David had.
So, as you come to this portion of the book, you will see that
David writes, a, an elegy, a type of poem that is a
reflection of deep deep meditation concerning, someone's
death, and it's a lament. It's a formal way of expressing
a genuine thing going on in the heart, concerning someone, or
some people. And that's what the rest of this
chapter is really dedicated to this song.
And it's a unique one in the Old Testament.
So unique that it is it is it is written in a book.
As you see here in verse 18 called The Book of Jewish are
That's a book that's not found in our Bibles but it's reference
more than once in our Bibles. And it's really this this type
of book that holds accounts of significant moments in Israel's
history and one of those moments of Israel's history that is to
be remembered and to be meditated upon is Saul's death.
Saul and his son Jonathan's downfall.
So this is important. It's so important to God that he
didn't just leave it in the Book of Joshua, that's not in the
Canon of scripture. He takes that out of all the
things that are written that book and he includes it in holy
writ. There's something that the Lord
wants us to learn from this personal lament by David for the
people of Israel for you. And I today and this time of
History, That's what God wants us to know.
And so we look at this and we think to ourselves before we
even enter into the text, That there is something about David's
character here already. I mean, let's just read the
first two verses verse 17 and David lamented with this
limitation over Saul and Jonathan his son and he said it
should be taught to the people of Judah.
Behold it is written in the book of just char.
Why did they do this? Any idea?
Why David is doing this? and he Clues any Potential
motives to why David would actually take the time to write
not about not. Okay?
If it was just Jonathan, I would understand.
But what's all really you actually going to write a
tribute to Saul? Yes.
There's something to learn about Saul and his downfall that would
be beneficial to the people of God.
I agree with that. Yes.
Okay, very good. So there's something to learn
from David's interaction, which saw throughout his time with
Saul, that he thinks the people of God can actually learn and
grow from, I think there's something there.
Anything else any reasons? There's a genuine love that he
has for Saul. I think that's a legitimate
motive. It might be a surprise, anyone,
but it is a legitimate one and the other reason and the other
ideas. Yes.
The position.
Yes, so there's there's a prophetic element to this very
likely, very good answers. Any other one before we move on
into this taxed, Anything else? Yeah, yes.
Very good point. I mean, David was an interesting
figure. You'll notice David, whenever it
came to to death people's death. He really, he was really broken
over those deaths and you're going to see in second Samuel,
one portion. I believe the reason why David
was so sensitive to the death of others is because he had an
understanding of Eternity. I believe that we see it in the
Psalms he was a prophet, he had he had a I believe he was a New
Covenant type of believer, living in the old Covenant, he
had a revelation of that and so there is something there that we
should be broken over the death of the wicked.
We should be broken over that. Yes, very good, very great
perspective action. Anything else?
Well, look. Some might say that this is a
strategic thing that this is David trying to make his heart
known to his own people. So that there would be no
confusion about the fact that he has anything against all on a
personal level saw might have had personal things against
David, but David wants to make sure that there is no harbored
bitterness. There's no anger.
There's no malice toward Saul, he actually he actually wants to
show. This is a man that I truly loved
and cared for But I believe it's not merely that I don't even
think. That's the main reason though.
That could be one reason I believe.
The simple fact is that he is sincerely broken.
He's sincerely remorseful about what happened to the king and
what happened to his friend and what happened to the glory of
Israel. And so he is about to express
that in a very beautiful way, but think about it in this way,
as well, what did Saul's death mean for David's future?
You become king. I mean the red carpet is laid
out. The one obstacle in your way is
now removed. You are right there at the
threshold of God's promise and your destiny.
The very thing that has been prolonged for so many years is
now. Here Saul is gone.
Your throne is now vacant. It's available.
You can have it now, when you think about it, that way, we see
the character of this, man, because instead of rejoicing in
that fact, he is, he is weeping. He's crushed, he smashed.
And the reason why is because this man instead of celebrating
at the opportunity that this tragedy created for him.
He steps back and laments, the loss of a man who was created in
the image of God. He steps back and he realizes
the contempt that will come to God's people because of the
failure of the leader over God's people.
See what you see here about. David is a man who has his
priorities right more than his ambition more than his comfort
more than his position. He had the good of man and the
glory of God before him. That is the mark of the greatest
men and women of God in this book and throughout church
history, whether they are known or unknown, you see it with
Moses when they break that law, that wasn't even delivered.
On those tablets yet, they were dancing around a golden calf.
God, expresses his anger to Moses and he tests Moses, at the
same time he goes, hey, I'm paraphrasing.
Why don't we just get rid of these guys once and for all and
I'll make it people out of you. That's, that's a pretty
remarkable offer. In essence, what God is saying
is I'm willing to remove Abraham as the father of this people and
make you the father of a new people.
How does that sound Moses? You know what?
Moses says, no way. Because the Nations will say you
only brought these people out to destroy them, the Nations will
think that you weren't able to bring them through that, you are
able to preserve them. I will not accept because I have
your glory in mind more than my own.
And here, you see, David showing at least by this moment of
reflecting upon Saul reflecting upon his friend and the glory of
Israel, the glory of God, that Thrones and palaces there in the
backseat, there are not priority in my life.
They don't mean to me as much as God's reputation means to me.
And so I'm going to be broken. And this is something that you
and I should reflect on our own lives and our own Outlook in
life. Where is man's salvation?
And my priority list, where is God's glory and my priority
list. Does it affect me?
If something offends me, or is removed from me?
More than what would offend God? And remove him from being
glorified and exalted? You'd be amazed to know, be
amazed to know, what would offend people.
And how it relates to their lack of concern for what offends God?
So we come into this text and what do we read in verse 17
David lamented with this limitation over Saul and
Jonathan his son and he said that it should be taught to the
people of Judah. I love that.
It should be taught. He wants the men of Judah.
Those are men from whose tribe. His tribe.
He's teaching the closest ones to him.
I'm going to show you what it looks like to honor even your
enemies. I'm going to show you what it's
like to respect. I'm going to show you what it's
like to be a true lover of people.
And so he's going to teach them and though this man was deeply
broken over the death of this, man.
Of this royal family, really it's so obvious that there was
some soul reflection during this morning.
It's so obvious that he was contemplating and he was putting
things together and he arrived at certain conclusions.
He arrived at certain conclusions with this tragic
event and he desired for his people to learn from his Lament.
And I think that's an incredible point when you really meditate
on it. Because if you are a child of
God then this is your assurance. That pain that sorrow that grief
that Affliction has something to teach you as well.
If you're willing to believe it, if you're willing to believe it,
then the loss great loss no matter what kind of loss it is,
can actually be great gain when you're walking hand-in-hand with
the Lord Jesus Christ. David learned some things during
this time as our brother said and he wants to teach it.
And I want to tell you today, that one of the great privileges
of walking with the Lord is that even in the most miserable
moments, there is something to be gained, there is something to
be received. There's something to learn and
it is incredible. What kind of Revelation that you
and I can arrive at when we endure tragedy?
You know, in my own life, I can tell you that certain truths in
the word of God, that may have been kind of irrelevant.
That the didn't seem to kind of speak to me suddenly became very
loud and applicable Because now my heart has been opened.
My ears are now our signal to certain promises and principles
that seem to have no significance when things were
going very well. A lot of us want to know.
Jesus personally be careful. Be careful of that request
because when we say we want to know Jesus we want to know him
in the way. Paul said he was wanting to know
him and the power of his resurrection.
But remember there was a second part, The Fellowship of what his
sufferings we want the good stuff, we want the testimonies,
we want the glory, And there's another dimension, which Jesus
will pull you into suffering so that you can do a fellowship
with him. You want to know what?
It's like to be like me. You want to know what?
It's like to know me. Then here's some suffering.
Here's some betrayal. Here's some accusation.
Here's some, here's some loss. And in those moments things in
the scriptures promises principles become very real.
You think about it to the sincerity of our trust in God,
is often tested is a not. When we try to withstand certain
things that try to overwhelm us and sweep us off our feet in
those moments. There's that question.
Become more real than any other time do.
I really believe God. Do I really believe God you'd be
amazed to know how kind of what kind of Revelation comes with
idolatry and suffering that when things are removed from us or
things are taken or whatever the case may be, oftentimes what is
revealed is an is an over-dependence or attachment to
that thing. And then we realized this wasn't
just something, I love this was something I worshiped.
This is something that I adored more than God.
And it's in Lost. Sometimes it's it's in tragedy
where those things are revealed. What about the comfort of God?
The comfort of God, a special touch from the Lord that only
deep pain can make you available to where he finds very
incredible. Ways of embracing you mysterious
means by which he makes his his attention towards you known.
And you know that God is holding you.
There is indeed much gain to have in pain.
This man learned some things and he wants to teach some things
based off his pain and for a wise, then we also will learn
The laments of others. We will learn from the tragedies
that others have experienced so that we too would be better
prepared when it comes our way or we too will learn how to
avoid when people experience self inflicting pain because of
sin or other things in life that is wisdom.
And because we want to be a wise people, we will look at a text
like this and position ourselves to learn what God has taught
David to teach us. So that we can, we can be better
prepared. And so let's learn and verse 19.
What are we read? Your glory, Your Glory, our
Israel is slain on your high places.
How the mighty have fallen. That is the chorus of the song.
That is the refrain. How the mighty have fallen.
Look at verse 25, how the mighty have fallen?
Look at verse 27, how the mighty have fallen?
That's the theme. That's what that's what the holy
spirit is trying to hammer in the hearts of God's people.
Now, what's incredible about this song is that David does not
go. The route of disclosing Saul's
sins. You will not find one place in
this text where he tries to expose any faults.
That came from Saul quite the opposite, he's covering it.
He is he is he is putting it behind a veil of Of commendation
and praise and honor. So when we read, how the mighty
have fallen David doesn't tell us necessarily how because
that's not his intent but you and I know how you and I know
how and this is extremely beneficial for us.
Because what we learn from this song immediately, is that it is
possible. Listen, that the mighty of the
mightiest can fall Can fall. They have fallen, they can fall,
and it is possible to avoid a fall.
Saw was mighty for different reasons.
Look at verse 23. It says here in the second part
they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than than
than Lyons speaking about a military prowess.
This is speaking about an agility in a strategy that is
that is unmatched. And he is trying to trying to
show that they were successful and what they were called to do
to a certain extent. But here's the point, no ability
or agility of body and mind can overcome The destructive
consequences that's in Longs to bring upon the children of God.
Sin does not respect your position.
I could care less sin does not care about your achievements.
Sin does not hesitate to do what it wants to do.
When it realizes your, your wonderful family life.
What kind of ministry you have? or even how theologically sound
you may be sin has one desire and that is to destroy and to
destroy to the uttermost and the mighty of the mightiest have
been victims to sin, though. It could have been avoided.
It could care less again of anything else.
Other than a heart that knows God and fears.
God, it is Relentless. It is Relentless to destroy your
reputation. It is Relentless to destroy your
relationships. It is Relentless to destroy even
your resources. It wants to burn it all down.
And the mighty have fallen. And if we are aware of the goal
of sin, we won't be so comfortable with it.
If we see that it is this deceiving and has destructive
force, then we will not be so comfortable with it.
And the Bible gives us so many clear examples of how the mighty
over the years have indeed fallen and solves case it was
Pride. Can I give you another one that
has littered history? Of Mighty Men, Mighty woman to
be slain. Here's one example, it's in the
Book of Proverbs. It's in Chapter 7 It's in verse
25. The Bible says in Proverbs 7:25
let not your heart. Turn aside to her ways, do not
stray into her paths. For many of victim, she has laid
low and all her. Slain are a mighty throng.
Understand what that means, right?
A throng simply means a multitude of assembled peoples.
And here's what the holy spirit is saying.
The context is adultery, the context is lust being satisfied.
And the scripture is clear, mistresses.
Have brought down geniuses. Have brought down record
Breakers. Have brought down strongman
Heroes and even theologians there.
Have been a wreckage over time both for men and women.
My teeth wrong, not even just Unknown People, But Mighty
people. Famous people, loved people have
been slain by this, and this is just one example.
And, you know where it all began.
Look at the verse. Clearly in verse 25, let not
your heart, turn aside to her, that's where it all starts.
That's where it all starts. No matter how a mighty a man is
externally, no matter what kind of Feats he has done, no matter
what kind of accolades he has no matter what he has done with
these hands, with this mind with, with his feet with his
strength, if he doesn't know how to conquer the Heart, by the
power of the Holy Spirit. He will be a victim soon enough.
Let not your heart those who are giving to the sin of lust.
Those are given to the sin of adultery those who are given to
the sin of pornography. They don't have a hormone issue,
they have a heart issue. One hundred percent of the time.
And if if a man doesn't have the Revelation that I must inwardly
subdue Myself by God's power, then there is no telling where I
will go outwardly. If a man does not realize that
Great Falls begin within before they happen outside.
Then they will indeed fall. And the mightier, they are the
greater the fall. It happened, the song, it all
started with a jealous thought and I went downhill from there.
Happened to David, it started with one glance, and he didn't
kill that thing. When it was a suggestion, it
became illicit sex. And it led to his fall as well.
How the mighty have fallen how sad it is to think about that.
There would be those whether we don't see it necessarily but How
we would say the same of him years later.
After this point, And so the mighty can fall, that's the
first lesson but we move on to verse 20.
Tell her not in gath publish it, not in the streets of Ashkelon
less, the daughters of the Philistines Rejoice less the
daughters of the uncircumcised exalt.
He goes on to say, Do not publicize.
What just took place? We have to censor this.
We can't let it be known in the cities.
The main cities of the Philistines Ashkelon in gath.
We cannot let it come to the streets so that they would
parade and they would celebrate what just happened to our
leadership, and, to our people. And this is David giving a wise
charge to the people of God. Not to give the news of the
mighty who have fallen to the enemies of our God.
For what reason. So that.
So that the daughters of the Philistines which is a
synonymous way of understanding the world would be able to
Rejoice over And have greater reason to.
Be strengthened in their unbelief and in the might of
their idols and their gods. We want to avoid that David
saying there's no reason to fuel it.
There's no reason to give him more ammunition to work with and
this is for our instructions, some Christians foolishly, bring
the issues and the Affairs within the church to the
unbelieving. Before dealing it with the
people of God before, dealing it among the saints.
And in 1st Corinthians 6, Paul gives clear instructions about
that and he actually calls such Behavior shameful shameful.
It's shameful for the people of God, to bring the problems
within the household of God to those who do not belong to God.
And he's very clear Whenever there are difficulties among
members and then lawyers are contacted, and then court dates
are set, no matter what a brother may have one over
another brother. No matter what kind of Victory,
he may claim to have in the natural know this.
It is always a win for Satan. Every time I mean, Paul is so
concerned about the testimony of the church that he says might as
well, even if you are in the right 100%, even though you can
counter-attack, even though you can gain something lose it, just
give it up. Just just let them have it for
the sake of Christ, name for the sake of his glory.
Because what we do when we when we actually make what has
happening in here, public and I'm not saying on the news, I'm
saying, even just in our own worlds, we testify to the world
that we are unable to resolve and reconcile.
According to the principles of God's word, it doesn't work.
God's word doesn't work to bring situations to rest.
We need the world's wisdom and the world's courts to deal with
ours issues. What kind of testimony puzzle?
What kind of testimony is that might, as well give it all Go
away for the sake of Christ name, unfortunately, many, many
Believers. Don't even think about it like
that. It's about me.
It's about me being, right? It's about me being satisfied,
but me, having gained, but so many things are solved.
Listen, so many things in life can be solved.
So many issues can be avoided when God's glory is our most
desire. So many fights can be avoided.
So much money can be saved. So many phone calls can be
avoided if we just give it to God's glory.
But I don't think that's the main point of what he's saying
here, when he says tell it not in gath because do we really
believe that David didn't know that the Philistines knew about
Saul's death? Is it really think that they're
not going to know about it and not just know about it but
celebrate him and make a whole hoopla about it?
No, he is fully aware of it. So then why is instructing his
Brethren not to say anything about it.
And I believe it's this, that the Israelites though this would
become public knowledge. Must be aware of how of how they
speak. About the fall of their leaders,
more than not mentioning it at all.
Yes, primarily we want to be very careful, not to share the
sins of the church when it doesn't warrant it.
But that is that is that is not always the case.
There are some sins that are so serious and they become so known
and so public that they cannot be ignored.
And when it comes to that from within and from outside,
Believers must know how to communicate and express such
issues and Redemptive ways. And Redemptive ways.
What do I mean by that? Unfortunately, there are some
professing Christians that are just as exhilarated by the news
of a recent Scandal than the unbelieving world.
They're just as quick to share that.
Then the gospel maybe even more than the gospel.
And for some, they find personal benefit in that, there's some
kind of Glee to know that somebody has fallen and pointing
people to the failures of others because there's something to, to
be known in that. And our day, I think it's
YouTube views. I look at some YouTube stuff and
I said if these channels were just as eager to share the
glories of Jesus Christ, instead of just updating the world about
how, the how the church is inconsistent and failing.
We probably see much more fruit but oh, we want the, we want the
fame and we want, we know what what brings people in and I
won't even get into that. There are others who are
envious. There are others who are jealous
of other ministers Ministries. People.
And so whenever there is a sin issue, they take advantage of it
to smear those names further and to destroy their credibility.
So that they would be the sought-after ones and they would
be the ones. I would be seen as holy and they
would be the scene, the ones as the ones that are to be
reliable. It's a scary world.
We live in. It's a scary world.
We live in. And the reason why I bring these
as outlandish as that might sound, then explain to me the
scriptures that call the believer to cover sin.
And to forgive, and Jesus instruction to go one by one.
Then two to that same person or three and, and make it as
private as possible before the sin becomes more known.
It's incredible how God's mind is and we have to align
ourselves by the, by the grace of God, tell it not in gath,
don't publish this to the world, but let us be wise.
And if it does come to that point, let us let us be broken
over it. And let us let us declare the
gospel through it and let us point to the Perfection of Jesus
if it does happen. Look at verse 21 you mountains
of gilboa. Let there be no do nor rain upon
you nor fields of offerings for their The Shield of Mighty of
the mighty was defiled. The Shield of Saul not Anointed
with oil. So David.
This something interesting. Now, he turns his attention to
the mountains of gilboa. Why?
Mountains of gilboa That's where Saul died.
That's where his men died. That's where his sons died.
And he looks to the mountains and it's almost as though he's
pronouncing a curse. And it's not really a literal
curse. Some say it is, but I think it's
a poetic way of calling the mountains of gilboa to mourn.
The tragedy of what took place on their Hills. see, David is
even Desiring creation to reflect to physically reflect
the baroness and the loss that Israel has experienced by the
death of Saul and his sons and so there's an appeal even to
Creation to join in the Brokenness that Israel is
experiencing and it's bigger than just a picture of the
magnitude of this event. Listen, what he's asking for on
the mountains of gilboa is a reflection of the consequences
of what took place in Saul's life with his sin.
Think about it. You mountains of gilboa, let
there be no Dew or rain upon you nor fields of offerings first.
Here's what we understand that. If you and I or anybody
persistence in persists in are wrong and we're stubborn and we
ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit, Saul did we to
become Barren and desolate we close ourselves off to the
blessings of Heaven that make us fruitful and and make us give
something to those around us. Just like the vegetation, the
life of these Hills would offer to the people of Israel.
And so we see here that early on in Saul's life, we enjoy the
fragrance of his humility. We saw something of his
peacemaking ability and we were blessed by that but over time
since eroded his soul and those things, shriveled up, dried
died. And in all for a sudden, there
is a void of the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the presence of
desolation dust. Death.
And so, even the mountains of gilboa being Barren and being
empty, of fruit, is a reflection of what happened to Saul and his
life. And that's because sin enters
in, and it does that too not just saw, but all of us but,
secondly, look at this. We learned something else here
when he says the fields of offerings, Are those for men or
for God? Gilboa was obviously a location
that offered crops corn and wheat and then and then those
things would play a part in funding, the sacrificial system
in the Tabernacle because there were grain offerings that were
given and look what David is saying.
Let there be such a curse upon the mountains of gilboa.
That there would be nothing to even offer to the Lord.
That there would be nothing to offer in the Tabernacle that God
would not receive anything from it.
Now, why would that be? Why would that even be a
request? And it's because there's a
connection. There's a connection between the
mountains of gilboa, not being able to bear fruit.
And Saul's life being a failure to walk with the Lord uprightly
and not being able to give him. What is his due?
And that is true worship. You see what David is trying to
communicate. Is this the gravest consequence
that comes from our sin? Is that it robs god of the
worship and honor that he deserves.
That's the primary thing. And in the same way that this
mountain has nothing to offer God because it's Barren sin
dampens, our ability to offer the Lord true worship from our
lives. That was true saw.
That is true of us. She got what he wants to do is
what he what he intended for the mountains of gilboa.
That rain would come from heaven.
And what would come from Heaven, would then produce something in
those mountains, and those mountains would bless men and
bless God and return. That is a picture of our
relationship with the Lord. That is a picture of what true
Holiness is. It's not trying to muster up
strength to produce something. It's God pouring out his Spirit
on us as we open our hearts to him, as we become God's Abode
and the Holy Spirit is not grieved.
But richly, dwells in us and then fruit is produced and man
and God are blessed. Unfortunately, the ugly picture
here is the sad fate of song. Barren, empty void, nothing to
offer. Then we read on, do we not?
Next to versus look at this. From the blood of the slain,
from the fat of the Mighty, the bow of Jonathan turn, not back
and the sort of Saw return not empty Saul and Jonathan beloved
and lovely in life. And in death, they were not
divided, they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than
Lions you Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you
luxuriously in Scarlet? Who put ornaments of gold on
your repairable apparel? Listen up to this point.
There have been many That are important to very many things
that are even touching but there is nothing to me that is more
startling than the words that we just read.
And only those who have studied over the week's maybe in your
personal life or with us who have studied the relationship
between Saul and David can understand why.
Because David now turns to Saul and he Praises him.
He Praises him in a way that almost doesn't make sense.
You almost get the immediate impression that maybe David is
exaggerating a little bit. If he said those things about
Jonathan amen that's a touching tribute but he's including
sullenness. Think about it.
You've heard about saw week after week for months.
I don't know about you but the two first words that come to
mind about salt are not What, beloved, lovely.
Are you sure? Is this, like some facade?
Something that you do at a funeral where you just say nice
things because you got it, the guys in the casket.
And there are morning people and so you want to make them feel
good. Can you say that?
Not only that in life and in death, they were not divided.
I can point you to a scripture where they were, David.
I don't think David is exaggerating here.
I don't think he's telling a lie.
I don't think he's trying to put some makeup on this.
I believe what David is doing is he is choosing to focus on the
earlier part of Saul's life where he was effective as a king
and where his character did shine brighter than it did in
his latter years. And he wants to turn people's
attention to what he has done instead of what he's failed to
do. There was a point where he was
lovely. There was a point where he was
beloved. And yeah, David and Jonathan
although they were there were hiccups in their relationships
significant ones, I mean they died on the battlefield
together. And they were connected in their
lives to certain extent. And even calls A Daughters of
Israel, verse 24 to weep over Saul because there was a time
where his success is a leader, personally affected them.
He even had a he had an effect on the economy of Israel where
they were able to live luxuriously.
And so he's calling everybody, turn your attention on the good
that this man has done. Focus on what he was able to do
not what he failed to do. But I think the lesson is deeper
than that. What I learned from this.
Especially with the backdrop of Solomon David's relationship
with one. Another is that in, David's
mind, respect was not only measured by his unwillingness to
murder saw when he had the chance.
But it was also manifested in his refusal.
To slaughter his reputation with his words.
Being a righteous man. You know how David thinks how
true righteous person thinks? He knew that his speech was just
as sharp as an actual sword. He knew that he was equally
responsible. To manage the tongue.
Then to not wield the sword at the wrong time.
And you see, just because something is true about a person
doesn't mean that it's always beneficial or necessary.
To speak those truths out or to rehearse them in our own lives.
David here understands the situation and in great wisdom,
he knows how to reserve certain things and that is what it means
to be a person of Honor. That is what it means to be
christ-like with this muscle and between our two sets of teeth.
What a Mighty example to the men of Judah.
And what a revelation that David presents to us.
You don't have to kill a man with a gun.
You can do it over Twitter. You don't have to destroy a
person with a sword. You can just do it with a few
sentences. And maybe this is a time to be
very practical to some people in here who can't stop rehearsing
the pain caused by other people. Who can't stop talking about it
with others. In fact, there are some people
today, even in the church, that once that person who has
offended them early on in life, pass on, they still talk about
them. The guy is dead.
They've moved on. Why don't you why don't you?
Why don't why don't, you know, the freedom of being able to
even honor somebody when they are not necessarily worthy of
it? To respect as our sister said
Somebody's position. Especially that's what David is
really doing. He's honoring the position, how
God anointed this man. And he sees it through that
lens. You know, the Bible is deep.
Do you agree with that? I believe it's so deep.
I've been swimming in it for 10 years and I haven't reached the
shore. And you will to every person
will if they really did legitly study.
But there are some times where the Bible is so straightforward
and I thank God for that. So practical, so in your face,
that you just look at it and you're not saying, wow, because
there's something deeply like, wow, that was pretty
straightforward. Can I show you one scripture
that that attest to that reality?
It's a simple verse. I read it the other week
actually and I looked and I said, oh wow, that's that's
pretty interesting. Lord, you are wise.
You are so insightful and it deals with just details of life
that you. And I wouldn't think there's a
verse about. Let me show it to you.
It's in Ecclesiastes 7. And verse 21.
Look how this verse even relates to what we're speaking about.
Ecclesiastes, 7 verse 21. I'll give you a few seconds to
turn there. Maybe you'll have the same
reaction I did. Do not take to heart.
All the things that people say we can have Revival right now.
Do not take to heart. I'm going to counseling
sessions. You have based on this failing
to be observed. Do not take the heart.
All the things that people say, why lest you hear your servant
cursing? You well that's what we want to
know. I want to know who curses me.
I want to know who says one thing to me in my face and
another thing behind my back, Why not Lord Lee tells us your
heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed, others?
Isn't that humbling? Do you know why?
Because you've done it in your own heart.
You might have not done with your lips, you might have not
posted about you. Not might not written a nasty
email, but your own heart. You've expressed frustration.
You've said some things. How about this one?
Something happened and then like two weeks later, you think about
something like I wish I said that I wish I said it that way.
What it got him. Don't don't take to heart all
the things that people say let it go.
Don't be so offended. Don't Harbor it don't meditate
and rehearse it remember, what was, what was Saul's issue with
David? Not just him trying to kill him.
There was slander about David, that fueled Saul's hatred, this
man was so set free from it. I'm not saying it's because of
what's Happening Here in Ecclesiastes.
I believe this matter genuine love for Saul but but even for
those That we may find very difficult to love and get along
with this still applies. Just let it go.
It's possible for the Holy Spirit to do such a work in you
where you can bury the offenses of man.
Forever. Like, in a real way, and I
believe David is arrive there. It's so obvious in this song and
at the same time, David does not speak about Saul in a way where
he exaggerated his goodness, either yet, he overlooks his
faults, but there is not one place in the song where he
speaks about Saul spirituality, He doesn't want to say, what a
man of God saw was and all the Psalms that he wrote, none of
those things existed. Very realistic, very honest yet.
At the same time, he was still able, he was still able to
overlook the offense in this man.
I think that's so powerful because you you can't even
imagine the bondage that people are in. the bondage that people
are in in their walk with the Lord because they can't just be
free from that and they can't really forgive David forgave.
David was free out of the abundance of the heart, the
mouth speaks. And he still honest.
So honest that he's he ends by giving a special tribute to
Jonathan, not this all anybody who read this in Israel's
timelines. You and I would read an hour
with see that there is obviously a connection that David Howard,
Jonathan that he did not have with Saul, and that's just the
reality of it. And so, it look how he ends in
verse 25 down. How the mighty have fallen in
the midst of the battle. Jonathan lies.
Slain, on your high places. I am distressed for you.
My brother Jonathan very pleasant.
You have been to me. Your love to me was
extraordinary surpassing the love of women, how the mighty
have fallen and the weapons of war perished.
Let me end by asking you a question.
What do you get out of that verse?
What do you get out of Jonathan lies?
Slain on your high places and the rest of it?
What speaks to you? What Revelation comes to you
with these truths? Here's what comes to my mind.
At least three things 1. That we can know meaningful.
And satisfying relationships with other people.
David really meant it when he says that very pleasant you have
been to me this man. After God's heart was still able
to enjoy and know a delight in others whose Hearts were also
connected to God. That's why he writes in psalm 16
3 asks for the Saints of the land who are the excellent ones
in whom is all my delight. All my delight are in the Saints
of the land. Not to say that they exceed that
of my delight in God, but that I recognize God in the Saints.
And I am able to Relish in them and enjoy them and praise God
for them and Jonathan was one of those Saints.
You should not feel guilty of knowing deep pleasure from
horizontal relationships with others.
It's a gift. Jonathan the name was what does
anybody remember? That should have been a quiz
question. Who remembers what Jonathan
means. Pastor.
Given by God. Given by God. and David felt the
loss of this gift when that gift was taken from him, And you and
I have the permission. To praise God for people and I
hope you have people in your lives that bring much delight to
you. Secondly, not just that we can
do meaningful. And gratification and horizontal
relationships, but we can Know Rich relationships outside of
marriage. Wow.
Who would have thought life? Doesn't begin.
When you get married? It's Jonathan espouse the David
know Jonathan is a friend. And his own words.
He confesses that the love. He knew from Jonathan surpassed
that of woman. Now, there is unfortunately.
A warped mind and many. As you've heard me say before
that come to this text to say that, for David to say these
things about, Jonathan must mean that they had a romantic
relationship. And this is where the homosexual
Community often go to as a proof text.
Many obvious reasons why that is wrong.
But for them to give that commentary for this text is
actually commentary on our culture that our culture is so
overly sexualized, that it cannot comprehend the
possibility of knowing meaningful relationships, unless
it is sexual. It has to be sexual for it to be
impactful. It has to be sexual if it's
going to be meaningful. And so for the eyes of the
flesh, to read that into this text is a testimony of the fact
that man apart from God does not know true love.
And I think this is an encouraging point for those who
desire, the gift of marriage but are not realizing the other
gifts outside of marriage. You can know.
Binding, wonderful blessings from those who are not wearing
the wedding ring that you gave him.
And if you are married, that person should be the most
significant person in your life. The friendship that you enjoy
the most, but for those who are outside of that Covenant, can
you see here that it is possible to know someone else?
To know someone else and to be so blessed by them.
That you can sing about it. David proves that.
And I think there's another thing to say to is that I must
say, doesn't help that David wasn't walking in God's will in
the context of marriage, right? How many wives did he have up to
this point? To, he's going to add more later
on. And so, I wonder if David didn't
know the true fulfillment of marriage because he didn't honor
God's blueprint for marriage. I think there's something to say
about that. Whenever you and I do anything
that God has a blueprint for. And we dishonor that blueprint,
we know, Less of what God intends for us to know we enjoy
less of what God wants us to enjoy.
And perhaps David could not see the true satisfaction in
marriage because he did not honor God's principles for
marriage and that is true for every facet of Life.
Lastly, if David could describe such pure and holy genuine Joy,
With a person that was in his spouse with a person that wasn't
in any way. Sexual with then, what makes us
fail to believe that we can know Supreme satisfaction in our
relationship with our creator. What makes you and I so hesitant
to trust that I can know Christ in such a way that it can super
extend any relationship in this life.
For some people, it's a Jesus Is My Savior but I really enjoy my
wife. More than Jesus.
I love my kids and their presence and what they offer to
me and my life more than Jesus. If such a man, can say this
about another man then what is possible with my relationship
with the one who made my heart? I want to know it.
I want to know it and I hope you would want to know it as well
because as good as the gifts of friendships are marriage.
Are even the gift of physical intimacy within the context of
Covenant, The Giver is so much better than the gifts.
That's coffee cup stuff to a lot of people.
That's Hobby Lobby, portrait frame stuff for a lot of people.
I'm saying it can be real. A word that scary among
Christians. It can be experiential.
If it's not experiential, then we're just wasting our time and
talking about Theory. Like a real satisfaction in
Christ. I hope you want to know God and
that way. It's amazing.
Listen, I don't mean to offend anybody, but it's true.
It's amazing. How many people who know a lot
of Bible. Don't know what I just said.
Like they memorize plenty of scripture.
They can argue pre-trib mid-trib post-trib Calvinism arminianism
and yet, they don't know how to drink deeply in the fellowship
that Christ wants to have in a personal way.
They don't know what true worship looks like, they don't
know what enjoying prayer is like.
That's not God's will for us. I understand note.
Notice house. All sins are not mentioned in
this eulogy. Even if you would like You know
what? Thought came to mind even as we
were worshiping now. That in Saul's death.
David refused to bring up his sins.
And in Christ, though we have a great resume of sin Christ.
Will not bring up our own faults.
He will Overlook all of it and he will not speak about our
goodness. He will speak about Christ,
goodness. Christ goodness that we have
covered ourselves. With there is a commendation for
the people of God who have put their faith in the person and
work of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have no reason to fear what
the son of David will save me, because the son of David died
for me and he took my place. And so, when I stand before the
father, he will look at me and he will not see what I've done
with my mouth, with my eyes, with my mind, with my hands, or
my feet. He will see the pierced hands,
and the Pierce feet and the pier side and the broken forehead,
and the width back of the Savior perfection.
Perfection. And I will be rewarded, though.
I cannot fathom it. I will be rewarded based on
that. You will be rewarded based on
the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Only if you have put your faith in him, listen to what I'm about
to say outside of Christ, there is not, there is not one sin
that he will not bring before your attention and before the
presence of his angels and his elders.
Is not one sin that he has failed to record, and to indict
you for at the end of the road. but in Christ, By faith in him,
applying the blood. There is not one sin that he
will bring up. There's not one fault that he
will. Even communicate.
On that day. He will see nothing but
faultless, blemishless perfection.
Put your faith in Christ. Let's pray.
Louis, thank you for the word. Thank you that through this
lament. We have been taught things about
life. Things about you Lord.
We pray that our hearts would be elated and edified we would see
the goodness of God. We would see the preciousness of
Christ. We will see the gifts in Jesus
Christ. Lord, we ask that in this time,
you would renew a love for you. Take us to new heights, to be
able to sing of a fellowship with you, that cannot be
compared to any other relationship in this world.
And yet at the same time, Lord, let us know.
The maximum joys of relationship with one.
Another relationship, with our spouses relationship, with our
Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Lord, please, we want to be in
your perfect will in all things, in all.
Things will God. Bring us into your perfect will
Because we only have so much time to enjoy it in this world.
Lord, we worship you and light of the wisdom of this text.
You were the author of it and we give you your glory in Jesus
name. Amen.
Let's stand and worship him and closing.