David’s Followers and Foes

Bible Text: 2 Samuel 15:13-16:14 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2 Samuel, 2001

Nov. 25, 2001                                                                                           Northwest Bible Church

 

2 Samuel 15:13- 16:14

David’s Followers and Foes

 

 

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.

 

 

DAVID’S FOES.

 

Absalom, a member of the ____________ (2 Samuel 15:1-12).

 

 

Ahithophel, a trusted _____________ (2 Samuel 15:31).

 

1) His counsel was like highly regarded (2 Samuel 16:23).

 

 

2) He was Bathsheba’s grandfather (2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34).

 

 

3) His loyalty was to whomever sat on the throne.

 

 

 

Ziba, the deceptive _______________ (2 Samuel 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 (2 Samuel 16:4).  David should have kept to the law which requires 2 or 3 witnesses to condemn a man (Deut. 19:15).

 

 

Shimei, the continual _____________ (2 Samuel 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 (2 Samuel 16:8).

 

 

2) Shimei is like a human tornado: casting rocks, cursing, throwing dirt (2 Samuel 16:5-6, 13).

 

 

DAVID’S FOLLOWERS.

 

David has loyal servants in 2 Samuel 15:18: Cherethites, Pelethites, Gittites.

 

Ittai the Gittite, the loyal ____________ (2 Samuel 15:19-23). “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

 

1) Ittai was a recent follower (2 Samuel 15:20).

 

2) Ittai shows his commitment with a double oath (2 Samuel 15:21).   “As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives”.

 

3) Ittai shows his commitment even unto death (2 Samuel 15:21).

 

What an example of following Christ:  Revelation 12:11; John 6:66-69.

 

 

Zadok and Abiathar, the faithful ____________ (2 Samuel 15:24-29).

 

1) Zadok was a prophet (2 Samuel 15:27).

 

2) They were to return and be David’s informers.

 

 

Hushai the Archite, the committed _____________ (2 Samuel 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 (2 Samuel 15:34).

 

2) He was to gather intelligence (2 Samuel 15:35-36).

 

 

 

III.  FOLLOWERS AND FOES OF JESUS CHRIST

 

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.

 

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