“CAN YOU OVERCOME YOUR DESPAIR?”
2 Samuel 15-19
Series: “Heart of a Champion: A Study of David”
Pastor Rusty Russell
New Day Christian Church, SW Florida
November 9-10, 2024
INTRODUCTION
In today’s passage, David again hits a low point in his life. At first, he’s so upset he can’t function. But David in his lowest moment responds with great faith, courage and selflessness. If you’ve been battling despair, you came on the right day.
I. ABSALOM REBELS
A. ABSALOM STEALS THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE (15:1-6)
In 2 Samuel 14, David and his prodigal son Absalom kissed and made up. But Absalom was unrepentant.
2Sa 15:1 In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him.
For the next four years Absalom politicked, working the line every morning at the city gates of Jerusalem.
15:6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
B. ABSALOM DECLARES HIMSELF KING (15:7-12)
This evil young man Absalom decides to forcibly take over Israel. He plans a coup to oust his own dad and become king. Suddenly Israel is on the brink of a civil war. There are two kings!
C. DAVID FLEES JERUSALEM (15:13-17:27)
15:13 A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.” 14 Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.”
The next three chapters of 2 Samuel describe this sad day as they flee the palace. The narrative slows way down so you can feel the emotion. Three chapters detail one day’s events. Several interactions between David and leaders in Jerusalem are detailed for us as David evacuates the city. The Bible describes people who support him and people who curse him. It describes David and his family weeping, barefoot, with their heads covered in grief, as they trudged up the famous Mount of Olives. This is one of David’s darkest moments. But this is when David wrote Psalm 3.
[Psa 3:1-8 NIV] 1 A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” 3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
In his darkest moment, David begins to call again on the name of the Lord.
D. ABSALOM AND THE ISRAELI ARMY ARIVE IN JERUSALEM (15:16-16:23)
Absalom takes over the palace. On the advice of his political strategist, his first action is to _________________________________.
This fulfilled the prophecy of Nathan. On the very rooftop where it all began, where David leered at Bathsheba, the prophecy came true. It was disgraceful.
II. ABSALOM AND DAVID FIGHT A BRIEF CIVIL WAR IN THE WOODS OF EPHRAIM (18:1-18)
A. DAVID’S ARMY ROUTS ABSALOM’S ARMY
B. ABSALOM IS KILLED
There’s a moment of dark comedy involving Absalom. Absalom fled on a ________.
He got caught by his __________.
Joab knew that dealing “gently” with David’s ________ was like dealing gently with David’s __________.
III. DAVID MUST OVERCOME HIS GRIEF
A. DAVID GRIEVES ABSALOM’S DEATH (18:19-33)
18:33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you–O Absalom, my son, my son!”
19:2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. 4 The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”
B. JOAB CONVINCES DAVID TO TURN THINGS AROUND (19:1-8)
19:5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. 6 You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 7 Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”
C. DAVID GETS UP
19:8 So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway….
D. DAVID REUNITES THE COUNTRY (19:8b-43)
19:14 He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.”
David soon unites the entire nation. For the rest of his life there is peace in the nation and in his family. This horrific season of pain and tragedy has finally come to an end.
IV. APPLICATION
There are great lessons here for anyone battling depression,
but especially for leaders who must lead despite legitimate feelings of grief.
When David was tempted to despair…
A. He grieved his loss.
[1Th 4:13 NIV] 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
[Mat 5:4 NIV] 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
A healthy person grieves in a healthy way.
B. He praised his God.
As he was fleeing for his life, trudging up the Mount of Olives, he wrote that song of praise to God, Psalm 3:
Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” 3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
C. He “got up” and returned to his duty.
[Gal 6:9 NIV] 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
God has a job for you to do. No matter how tough it may get, get up and return to your duty.
Heb 12:3: Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
CONCLUSION:
One thousand years later, the Son of David – Jesus – walked up that same Mount of Olives…
What David wanted to do for Absalom, Jesus did do for you and me.
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