Reaching a new high as king, David’s integrity takes a deep dive. After a shining start, he faces a sudden fall and eventually a stuttering recovery.
Presentation Overview
2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1,2
- Objectives
- A Shining Start
- A Stunning Fall
- A Stuttering Recovery
- Video
- Recap
- Discussion
Hear Audio
Objectives
To:
- Realize that the most faithful believer is vulnerable to fall
- Understand the tripping points in David’s life and avoid them
- Realize what is irrecoverable and what can be recovered in a fall
A Shining Start - Forgave Enemy
Read 2 Samuel 1-4
- Wept over Saul’s death and avenged it (ch 1)
- Kept his promise to his friend Jonathan (ch 4)
- Avenged the death of Ishbosheth (ch 4)
A Shining Start - Feared the Lord
Read 2 Samuel 6
Danced before the ark of the Lord, oblivious of self – ch 6:14,15.
A Stunning Fall - Cover up/ Deceit
- Started with Abimelech (1Sam 21:2).
- Continued with Achish (1 Sam 27:9-11)
- Culminated with Uriah (2 Sam 11:10)
A Stunning Fall - Carnality to Covetousness
- Abigail (1 Sam 25:39-41) – after her husband’s death
- Michal (2 Sam 3:14) – while her husband was alive
- Multiplied concubines and wives (2 Samuel 5:13)
- Uriah’s wife (2 Sam 11:4) – after causing her husband’s death
A Stunning Fall - Cruelty/ Murder
- Angry enough to kill Nabal (1 Sam 25: 22, 39)
- Actually got Uriah murdered (2 Sam 11:17)
A Stunning Fall - Census
- Relied more on schemes – culminating in Numbering the people (2 Samuel 24)
A Stuttering Recovery
David’s Response
- His sin, not God’s punishment Ps 38:4
- His hope, not arguments/ questions Ps 38:14,15
- His confidence in God’s vindication, not doubt (Ps 38:20)
A Stuttering Recovery
2 Samuel 24:14 – “It is better to fall into the hands of God than into the hands of man.”
David’s Restoration
- Kingdom established (Present and future)
- Dies in honour
- Immortalized as “Man after God’s own heart”
Discussion
- How could a man of God fall so hard?
- In spite of his serious lacunae in morals how was David a benchmark for all other kings?