Download the UBF brochure here
Weekly Message | August 10th, 2008
Passage: 1 Samuel 22:1-5, 2 Samuel 23:1-39
Key Verse(s): 2 Samuel 23:1
Through Purdue International Summer Bible Conference (1) we learned that God so loved the world through Jesus Christ; (2) in response to God’s love we commit to World Mission; (3) we strengthen our routines of prayer for 24 student leaders.
For two weeks we will meditate on wonderful and painful part of David’s life. 2 Samuel 23 is about David’s mighty men—the sign of God’s blessings and his glory. 2 Samuel 24 is about David’s sin—the sign of God’s terrible judgment upon his pride. It is interesting to see that the books of Samuel conclude with David’s great achievements and his great failure. This message is about David’s last words. Last words are spoken at the end of our lives. Last words are the summary of life. Our last words reveal who we are and what we do in this world. We don’t have to wait until the last moment. Rather, by examining David’s last words, we may also meditate on our own last words. In doing so, we think about how to live at the present.
First, “These are the last words of David: The oracle of David son of Jesse…”(1-7). It is unclear when David said of these last words. Probably, before his death he wrote his own accounts of his life. In the important moment of life it is good to reflect upon our lives and reflect our thoughts and write them down in crucial moments— before the new semester, at the new year, after high school graduation, before wedding and other major events in life. Yesterday I attended along with our leaders Joshua and Mary Jeon’s wedding in Chicago. This is another beginning. Now children in diapers marry and start new families. Many young leaders attended there. Older generation pass their batons to the new generations. I thought about my focus next ten years and beyond. Conclusion? Remember God and be humble. Keep focus on how to be helpful and bless others. I will spend more time to bless young generation of leaders and pray for them.
Anyway, these are the last words of David. Probably, the whole panoramic view of his life passed through his mind. In his seventy plus years of life he had many ups and downs. As the rule of Israel he had mountain top experiences. In his last words he described himself. Look at verse 1:“ These are the last words of David: The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs:” David always remembered his humble origin. He was the son of Jesse. Jesse was not a man of great influence. David was one of many sons Jesse had. Jesse did not have high regard for David. When the prophet Samuel came to his house, Jesse presented everyone except David (1Sa 16:10-13). Probably, David’s faith thought that his youngest son was not even worthy to attend such an important meeting. He was left alone in the field to take care of sheep. However, God took him from the pasture and from following the flock of sheep and made him a ruler in Israel. God was with him wherever he went (2Sa 7:8-9). God removed his enemies. God exalted him. In joy and thanksgiving David composed many songs. David established traditional of singing in the history of Israel. They are recorded in the book of Psalms.
Look at verse 2 : “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me”. What was so special about David’s life? Many of his human talents? No. It was God who spoke to David. God’s word was in David’s tongue. God made it clear to David in regard to his main mission in life.
Look at verses 3 and 4: “When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.” God spoke through David on many occasions. Even so, David had a clear word of God. It was about the leadership principle. David knew that God wants him to rule in righteousness and in the fear of God. Righteousness is God’s moral requirements (i.e., justice and mercy). The fear of God is the spirit of honoring God in the way he alone deserves. Those who have the fear of God are humble. Such leaders are like the light of morning at sunshine on a cloudless morning. It is bright and clear. What matters is not many words but even one word that governs our life and determines its content. One pastor members Genesis 12:2, “You will be a blessing”, John 10:11, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” and Rom 1:17, “The righteous will live by faith from first to last”. These are the defining words of God in his life.
Look at verses 4-5: “Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?” David’s life was not perfect. His family was not alright in every way. The tragic events in his family (e.g., Absalom’s rebellion and his death) were quite devastating. However, such painful events were not the end of David. Rather, God molded David in a man of God’s own heart through such events. David was right with God. His family was right with God. God’s everlasting love sustained him. He was happy and satisfied with God’s grace and mercy in his life. Therefore, he no longer needed any more blessings. He was deeply happy with God’s love. In his last moment of his life, David said, ““Is not my house right with God? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire? ” These are the words of a happy soul before God.
Look at verses 6 and 7: “But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear: they are burned up where they lie” Evil is fact of life. As the leader of Israel he fought in many battles. Many evil men tried to destroy him. On many occasions these evil people hunted David down. They deceived him. They challenged him. They continued to inflict pains on him. David sometimes fought. Many times he waited upon the Lord. David constantly prayed for strength for himself. He overcame evil with good. In that way David experienced God’s goodness and love all the days of his life (Psalm 23:6). In brief, David’s last words remind us the absolute need of God’s grace in our lives. God makes each of us from humble origin experience his blessings, meaningful role and goodness in this life.
Second, “David refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD” (8-17). The remaining chapter is about David’s men. This is a story of David’s mighty men. The names of top three might men were Josheb-Basshebeth (chief of the three), Eleazar son of Dodai and Shammah son of Agee. Josheb-Basshebeth raised his spear against eight hundred men and killed in one encounter. Eleazor was also a great warrior who fought hard until his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. Shammah defended alone against the Philistines. All these men did not occupy the top positions in David’s army. Yet, they were real leaders.
How did David meet them? David met them when he was on the run for life. He met them when he was in distress. After Samuel anointed David as king, he did not start acting like king. He had to prove himself before God and men. The first critical victory was his defeat of Goliath. Since then, David served King Saul and became very famous in Israel—especially among many young women. Then, King Saul was jealous of David. He decided to kill David in fear of him. He tried to kill him again and again. David had no choice but to do everything to survive. In the Philistine king he acted like a crazy bum and then he managed to escape to the cave of Adullam.
On hearing about this, his family members came to him out of fear for their lives. Then, a couple of hundred others joined David—total 400! Who were they? They were in distress or in debt or discontented. They were 3D (dirty, difficult and dangerous)(1Sa 22:1-4). Under David’s care these people were transformed. God blessed David and these people in distress. They grew up in faith in God. As David welcomed these people in distress, they grew up to be mighty men—if not all of them and certainly some of them!
A story in verses 14-18 suggests how David and these men care for one another. Once David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” Probably David was homesick. He missed a cup of water from the well in his hometown Bethlehem. At that time the Philistines occupied the town. The three might men overhead this and decided to risk their lives. They broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. What was David’s response? Did he thank them and drank the water as was handed to him? No. “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. David refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. David honored his men. David respected them. David loved them. David could have thanked them and drank it anyway. That is the mark of good leadership. But David refused to drink it and instead poured it out before God. This is the sign of godly and great leadership.
A godly leader pours out good things before God. A great leader does not merely dwell and sit on the great respect and honor that people give. Instead, a great leader pours out before God. Why? God is worthy of the honor. The loyalty that David’s men displayed is not something David took for himself. He exalted them and directed their devotion to God. In this way David inspired them to fight for much greater God’s purpose in their lives.
This week one former presidential candidate admitted his failure in the press. We are all prone to failures. So it is good to learn from these experiences. He said this: “In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic…”. What does this mean? He started drinking what others were bringing to them—respect, attention, privileges and all the rest. Then he started thinking that he was special and started ignoring obvious rules of conduct that made him honorable.
In a sense, we all wait to be inspired. Because of the image of God within us we aspire something excellent, wonderful and great. Many are willing to follow leaders that display certain aspects of greatness. A great leader must not direct all the respect and honor of people to himself or herself. Rather, he has to pout it out before the Lord. Are you respected after long and hard work? Do people honor you for your good effort on their behalf? Are people willing to do something difficult for you? Appreciate and honor them. Most of all, learn to pour out before God. Constantly direct people’s attention to God and his larger purpose! Don’t drink people’s praises. Rather, pour it out before God.
Third, “They were thirty-seven in all” (20-39). In the remaining chapter more names of David’s might men are recorded. Abishai was Joab’s brother. It is not clear whether he was also the chief of the Three (Joab’s brothers or the Three mentioned above). If Abishai was the chief of the thee mentioned above (not the chief of his brothers), the position of chief was rotating. Benaiah struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. He also struck down a huge Egyptian and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand. Besides these top leaders other mighty men served David. Only their names are mentioned here. Certainly, these mighty men involved in many battles along with David. Their names are worthy to read: “Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, 27 Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, 30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash, 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan 33 son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, the son of Hagri”.
How was the list of David’s might men compiled? Certainly, it was David who remembered the names one by one. Notice that Naharai the armor bearer of Joab and Uriah the Hittite are included as mighty men, but not Joab. Joab was the top general in David’s army for many years. He fought in so many battles for victory. But he was not one of David’ might men. Why? Joab was his own man. He was not David’s man. In fact, he was against David while working with David.
Throughout David’s life his mission was clear: (1) unite the kingdom of Israel; (2) protect his people from enemies; (3) prosper the nation with God’s blessings. His strength alone was not adequate. God blessed him with these mighty men. Each nation needs mighty men and women for self-defense. Strong armed forces are essential for national well-being. The Church of Jesus Christ also needs godly, strong and influential men and women of God. Such people take care of themselves, serve others and obey God’s mission purpose in this world. Young Christians have reasons to deny pleasure-seeking life and grow up in godly disciplines, competent work habits and mature serving spirit. The strength of a ministry is the numbers of such people.
What can we learn from the last words of David? Some day we all have our final days. In the end we want to remember God’s grace and the people we loved. What would be your last words? Someday may we say, “The Lord is my Shepherd. By his grace I am what I am. His goodness and love followed me all the days of my life”. Such wonderful last words are possible if we remember our humble origin. Consider this timeless hymn, “Rock of Ages”. It expresses the glorious moment of departure of believers in this world: “While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death, When I rise to worlds unknown, And behold Thee on Thy throne, Rock of Ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee”.
At the end of our lives we remember the grace of our Lord Jesus. In the meantime we love God and honor people around us. We refuse to drink honors and respects we receive from people for our own pleasures. Instead, we pour it out before God. As long as we honor God and his people in such spirit, our life will be a success. God speaks through us. God bless this world through us. Through our humble life and labor of love God raises up mighty men and women of God. This is what a good life before God is about!
August 10, 2008. Toledo UBF.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
