The Great Fall

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Good morning! Today we continue our series on King David. I want to start by reviewing where we’ve been the last month or so. Back in Chapter 7, we saw that because of the Lord, things were beginning to go quite well for King David and for the kingdom. David, living in a fine palace had had built, thought about how the ark and other priestly objects were in a tabernacle, a tent, and he thought it was inappropriate. David decided to build a fine Temple for the Lord, and he told a prophet of the Lord about this. God responded to the prophet, who explained to David that God did not want him to do this; someone who would come after David would be the one to do this.

Kindness Spurned

2 Samuel 10:1-19

Happy Father’s Day! Father’s Day, a day to celebrate dads and the influence they have had on our lives. A day to honor them with our time and gifts to try to thank them for all they have done for us. But too often, even in our churches, we always miss a dad. He is always quiet, never seen, working without much notice. But, He teaches us kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control, and love. Though quiet, he has a gentle strength. Though never seen and working silently, His actions roar with His power. Too often, we forget to honor the best dad of all. You see all over social media people proclaiming to have the best dad of them all. But this dad never gets any accolades on Father’s Day. Yes, we should honor our father as we are commanded to in Scripture, and not just on his respective Sunday. But we often honor our earthly fathers at the expense of our heavenly Father. He loves us with an everlasting love. The heavens declare His glory. The skies proclaim His handiwork. If we do not sing His praises, the rocks will. So, be sure to sing His praises today, and tell of all His wondrous deeds as you honor your earthly fathers today!

Kindness of the King

2 Samuel 9:1-13

In his message last time, Carl applied an honor-shame perspective to the idea of King David building a temple for the Lord. In our passage today, it will be important for us to use that same kind of honor-shame lens to better understand the story of Mephibosheth, a rather sad character whom David treated with honor when no one else did. It’s this kindness of the king that will be our focus today. Why did it matter that David showed kindness to such a person?

Dedicated to the Lord

2 Samuel 7:18-8:16

Good morning! Today we continue our series on King David. I want to start by reviewing a bit of last week’s message and passage, delivered powerfully by Fred. Last week’s message focused on the first half of 2 Samuel 7. The passage begins by describing King David as at last able to rest, as the neighboring lands are not attacking Israel at present. He is resting comfortably in his palace and realizes that, meanwhile, the ark of God remains in a tent. He realizes that this is not right, and so he mentions this to Nathan the prophet. Nathan tells him to go do as he sees fit about the problem, but that night God came to Nathan to tell him that no, this was not to be a task for David. Instead, it would be a task for one to come after him.

I believe David’s heart was absolutely in the right place. But God had a different plan for David. Here is what He told David through Nathan:

Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. – 2 Samuel 7:9-11a

God told David, you want to build a house for Me, but no, I am going to build a house for your people, for the people I have set you to lead.