Nov. 25, 2001 Northwest Bible Church
2 Sam. 15:13- 16:14
David’s Followers and Foes
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INTRO
In times of adversity, you find out who your friends really are. There are two kinds of people in this section: those who are his true followers of David and those who are not.
This is also true in the Christian realm.
I. DAVID’S FOES.
A. Absalom, a member of the ____________ (15:1-12).
B. Ahithophel, a trusted _____________ (15:31).
1) His counsel was like highly regarded (16:23).
2) He was Bathsheba’s grandfather (11:3; 23:34).
3) His loyalty was to whomever sat on the throne.
C. Ziba, the deceptive _______________ (16:1-4).
1) He lies about Mephibosheth. We learn that this is a false allegation against Mephibosheth from 19:24-30.
2) He gives gifts to David to gain favor. His charity is full of hypocrisy.
3) Ziba returns to Jerusalem. He does not go with David.
4) David makes a rash verdict (v. 4). David should have kept to the law which requires 2 or 3 witnesses to condemn a man (Deut. 19:15).
D. Shimei, the continual _____________ (16:5-8, 13). One positive thing we can say about Shimei, at least he is honest.
1) He never believed David’s innocence in the deaths of Abner and Ishbosheth (v. 8).
2) Shimei is like a human tornado: casting rocks, cursing, throwing dirt (16:5-6, 13).
II. DAVID’S FOLLOWERS.
David has loyal servants in v. 18: Cherethites, Pelethites, Gittites.
A. Ittai the Gittite, the loyal ____________ (15:19-23). “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24).
1) Ittai was a recent follower (v. 20).
2) Ittai shows his commitment with a double oath (v. 21). “As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives”.
3) Ittai shows his commitment even unto death (v. 21).
What an example of following Christ: Rev. 12:11; John 6:66-69.
B. Zadok and Abiathar, the faithful ____________ (15:24-29).
1) Zadok was a prophet (v. 27).
2) They were to return and be David’s informers.
C. Hushai the Archite, the committed _____________ (15:32-37). He served as an advisor to David, thus “friend”. A special confidant.
1) He was to go back and thwart the counsel of Ahithophel (v. 34).
2) He was to gather intelligence (v. 35-36).
III. FOLLOWERS AND FOES OF JESUS CHRIST
A. The true followers go with Christ wherever He goes, the others like Ahithophel, Ziba, abandon Him at the first sign of trouble.
It is the very nature of saving grace that transforms us into __________ who follow the Shepherd, cf. Matt. 4:19; 16:24; 19:21; Mark 4:10; John 10:27.
B. Following Christ means:
1) ________________ His person,
2) _____________ His teachings as the Word of God
3) ____________ His commandments.
4) _______________ the excellency and superiority of being under His rule and authority and we are willing to suffer for the privilege and high calling of being His disciple.
TRUE FOLLOWERS of Christ follow Him in thick and thin.
FALSE FOLLOWERS only follow Christ as long as he leads them into green pastures and quiet waters.
This is developed by John Bunyan in Pilgrim’s Progress in the character of ________________.
CONCLUSION
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