2 Samuel Chapter 2:1-32

Damon in the camp of the enemy turns the guidance is God Joe I got any of the cities of Judah want to know something God doesn't turn a David's a thing where you been human capital in they believe in doing Yemen listen to me by God through prayer, your loss that will gotcha go up as it were only got us is beautiful picture of grace welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee Senior Pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina. As David McGee teaches through second Samuel to today find some interesting insights into here to share with you some of that is deal he's assisting pastors thanks Bob, humble to be here with you today and you know what God is keeping that God is a leading God and we get the opportunity to follow his lead and so Bob I'm asking you the question I'm asking our listeners. The question you have to ask myself the question is will look in the Scriptures, they hate God is leading Arlene following great question right into the teaching McGee sharing verse by verse through second Samuel chapter 2, so were looking at. The second book of Samuel. Now what's happening is Saul now as God was killed in battle. After a long, long time, but just not listen to the Lord disregarding the Lord billing against the Lord and and against Samuel, who was the spiritual leader of Israel and also trying to kill David when David was probably the best friend the Sauber had had a heart to serve Saul and so last chapter. David was lamenting the death of Saul which you know we we looked at the fact that last statement of David's character that he would mourn the death of his enemy says a lot about David so that brings us into chapter 2 verse one it says it happen after this.

David inquired of the Lord, saying, shall I go out to any of the cities of Judah and the Lord said to him, go up and David said, where shall I go up and he said that he brought so Damon went up there and his two wives also and I know I'm the judge or lightness and Abigail the widow of the ball. The Carmelite and David brought up the men who are with them. Every man with his household, so they dwelt in the cities he brought in the men of Judah came in there they anointed David king over the house of Judah, and they told David saying the men of Jacob � Gilead were the ones who buried Saul verse five. So David sent messengers to the men of Jabez, Gilead, and send them you are blessed of the Lord for you shown this kindness to your Lord to Saul and buried.

And now may the Lord show kindness and truth to you also will repay this kindness because you have done this thing now therefore let your hands be strengthened and be value for your master Saul is dead and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them, but the son of their commander of Saul's army took issue. Moshe, the son of Saul and brought them over to Matt man name and he made him king over Gilead over that she writes over Jezreel over Ephraim over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

Verse 11 in the time that David was king and he brought over the house of Judah, seven years and six months now and the son of nerves and the servants of this vicious son of Saul went out from man name to Gibeon in July, the son of Sarah and the servants of David went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon so they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool. Verse 14. Then Abner said to Joab, let the young men now arise and compete before us and Joab said let them arrive so they arose and went over by number over Benjamin followers of fish per shift in the son of Saul and 12 from the servants of David again.

They're not asking God or just doing what they wanted to verse 16 and let's see the result. Verse 16 each one grasp his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side so they fell down together, therefore, that place was called the field a sharp sword which is in Gibeon when you don't talk to the Lord, you just plod ahead. People get hurt people get hurt what was gained here sometime simply by fighting we lose there some fights that we we don't need to be fighting, and there are some fights that we need to be fighting the pray for God's guidance about what fights the flight fights not defined. Verse 17 so there was a very fierce battle that day and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David now understand Abner and his men over the past few years and been in a lot of combat landmen in the some battles. But think about David's men all David's men and know over the past few years was fine was fighting them when you engage in the battle look for some people have been in battles before. Look for some people been victorious in battle to our experience when war breaks out that some people you want around you people who have been fighting in a week. Sunday we had the elders and deacons. So many of these guys have been in the trenches with me for years we we locked arms and some pretty serious battles and so I know their experience. I know that the will fight when there is a fight to be fault David's men they were experiencing.

They want verse 18. Now the three sons of their Iowa were there. Joab and Abba Schein asked and asked how was his fleet as fluid as the wild gazelle was there was a half-sister to David so Joab was his nephew, as well as Abba Schein asked. They were David's nephews can be come important and what happens. So as a help pursued Abner and in doing need not turn to the right hand to the left following Amber.

Then Abner looked behind him and said you asked Helen he said he answered Diane and Abner send him turn aside the right energy left and lay hold on one of the young men take his armor for yourself.

But as hell would not turn aside from following. So Anderson again asked him turn aside from following me. Why should I strike into the ground.

How then could I face your brother Joab. So there's kind of in a dilemma because he realizes the if he taken if he thinks I fail out. He's made a real enemy of Joe because their brothers and Joab is the leader of David's army. Verse 23. However, he refused to turn aside.

Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the blunt end of the spear, so that the spear came out of his back and he fell down there and died on the spot so it was that as many as came to the place where is Phil held down and still this part of problem with division people get hurt when division comes in.

People get hurt in an obscene I've seen here in this church. It breaks my heart to know that the end result is somebody getting hurt. And even if that person meant me harm or spoke evil of me. It's it's still saddening to see them get hurt messed up and up in a dry place before the Lord, but Abner was on the news on thing and it will hurt people over and ask what happens when you quit listening to God you doing your own thing in your own your own way you start to not care about who gets hurt in the process. That's what happens with but what really see is when the people it ends up getting hurt in the process is Abner himself for needing to remember that that is you demand your own way and try to not listen to God that you're gonna leave bodies in one of the bodies that very well may be left in your wake is your own, you probably end up hurting yourself more than anybody here we have Abner's China manipulate an interesting when you look at the three main personalities and you've got issue a shift which is yet he's kind of been thrown into this simply because of his connections in IEP Saul's son so he's kind of thrown into this thing and you know if you have been a real real strong man in Gendler's questions as you read really think about the stories couple from the why wasn't he about I think was his dad knew he was a very strong soldier said you stay home, left him in a weird position and I think he knew as well as Jonathan's brother that David was to be king. I didn't care. So he's having a shot of manipulators connections. He's a week later is without the anointing of God and you got Abner's China manipulate everything make it work to his own benefit doesn't care what the will of God is you got David is anointed call appointed but is willing to wait on God's timing. David's not involved in this battle. I want you to notice his absence. I think he had anything to do with. I think his men went off on the stand think David was waiting on the Lord open up the doors and God does open up the door. Verse 24 Joab and I wish I also pursued Abner the sun was going down when they came to the hill of law which is before you buy the road to the wilderness of Gibeon, not the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner became unit took their stand on top of the hill. Then Abner called Joab and said shall the sword devour forever. Do you not know that in the that it will be better in the latter in how long will it be that into you tell the people return from pursuing your brother let's review verse 14. At this point go back to verse 14 with me.

Then Abner said to Joab, let the young men now arise and compete before us this whole thing was Abner's idea. When Abner starts losing in his life is in danger. These all estimate the piece. Let's not fight people will get hurt another little realization on the character of Abner. We don't we don't yet he starts his whole mess needs like Ola still fighting more life lesson here when there is division in the body of Christ, people get hurt when there is division in the body of Christ. People get her Joab skinny again.

He's going to be her.

These are been hurt. He's lost his brother Abner is going to suffer very much in the next chapter. People get hurt is a high price for division of the New Testament talk so harshly about the vision division in the body Christ speaks very partially against loser be in the vice to be careful. Be careful what you say with your mouth and those sorts of things and be in the vice asked God what he wants to do and God anoints a certain person you don't agree with you submit yourself to God.

You're listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be back with more in just a moment but first, if you haven't been to our website@crossthebridge.com yet what are you waiting for go to cross the bridge.com to learn more about how listeners like you are helping get the life-changing truth of God's word to more people to the radio, Internet and mobile technologies across the bridge.com you can also check out our broadcast schedule.

Listen to more teaching from Pastor David and sign up for Pastor David's free daily devotional and there's more thereto, so visit cross the bridge.com today. Now here's Pastor David as he continues showing verse by verse, verse 28 so Joab blew a trumpet all the people stood still did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore. Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plane crossed over the Jordan and went through all of the throne. And they came to men them.

Verse 30. So Joab returned from pursuing Abner when he and gathered all the people together.

There were missing of David's servant.

19 men in SA verse 31, but the servants of David struck down a Benjamin and Abner's men 360 men to die. David's group they were blast and even then they were engaged in something that was questionable they were victorious and and you know the 20 people Diane against 360.

I understand why Abner Suleman was not hurt one another. They were losing big time. This division is going to continue but really David's men. They lost David's nephew, Joab was going to have the difficult task of going back to David and San. We got engaged in this battle and and your nephews that brother Joab is actually going to alienate himself from David from some of some of Zach Joab is, he's a real harsh guy. He, warmonger. He's visa is kind of a hard man battle hardened. If you but David's men have come they had been through battles they been strengthened in these bowel understand that some of you going to battle some of you in the middle of battle. Some of you just got gruesome battles that would be getting ready to start in life. Everything will battles of the worst thing that could happen to his mother not because battles they give you strength and they give you experience that you don't have before your engage in that battle you get on the other side of that battle, you can turn to somebody that is engaged in that same battle and encourage them in the Lord say no and I was in the midst of this battle, God brought me that God delivered me from this guy deliver me from drugs and alcohol families. Everything in that person is encouraged and that you have experience and have faith in you have Street because God brought you through those battle and remember that if you're in the midst of the battle tonight, remember that God can bring you through and on the other side of the year and have more street and more experience and be able to encourage someone else in about. That's if you learn from about understand. Sometimes we going to battle and we don't learn the lesson and we have to go through the same battle again same opportunity to learn a lesson but we don't learn it again.

So we do the same about some of us get stuck in a circle. God's like I want you to learn this lesson and then we go through the same battle, eight, nine, 10 times when God never wanted us to do that but were not learning what God has designed us to learn and we just keep repeating the same battles over and over verse 32. Then they took a passing hill and buried him in his father's tomb, which was in Bethlehem and Joab and his men went all night and they came and brought debris since Joab's brother skin become important in the next chapter battles and wounding. So let's talk about woundings your attention please.

I would read last verse. But there's more.

If you wanted somebody asked him to forgive you why still have a chance. You never know when that person my going to be with Jesus. Or you might go home to be with Jesus, and you left something unresolved. Or maybe you've been wounded by somebody and you're carrying it around like some weird battle. Scarlett you trying to be little look what so-and-so did to me like no you enough hardened and calloused to keep doing that. Let it go. Forgive the person were often experts at how other people should act and how other people should forgive other people materialize as you sit here tonight. You cannot make a personal application of this study anybody else except yourself. So I person you can do that.

So we said sometimes we hear messages we all hope for this.

I wish Rosa was here unit we elbow our spouse. This one's for you. I'll get you a copy of the CD version for you this once for each person that sent because you can't make the application for anybody else.

You don't know another person said as much. As you know your own C somehow makes us feel better .0 people on a you need to hear this dimension. Verse one again. David inquired of the Lord say in Chillicothe any of the cities of Judah, the Lord said in go up Davidson. Where shall I go and he said that he economists a point and end. To be honest, it was late in studying the chapter where I saw Nancy question. Where is David Ben he's been in thick black in the camp of the enemy. He went there without inquiring of God and gotten a whole mess of trouble.

He did it on his own accord. He didn't ask for God's leadership God's direction goes in there. Things get messed up he gets messed up. His family gets messed up his children and his wife get kidnapped things go horribly and he still in this place. When the man in chapter 1, since I saw him and kill and David in the camp of the enemy in the wilderness turns the goddesses God Joe I got to any of the cities of Judah want to know something God doesn't turn a David's a thing where you been human capital in they believe in doing Yemen listen to me you are even willing to fight against it came thing you been terrible, even a bad person talking to answer your prayer.

Your lost double got taxes go up. This is were only go unnoticed again and I didn't care what you will be demand and asked me anything before this is beautiful picture of grace.

Do you realize we find ourselves messed up in the enemy's camp and we and we spent we go to talk to God. I will have been there before.

I know what you think when you're there when you mess up even a little bit, maybe messed up today or last week and I and you like I can go to God I go to God first things can be doing is in the point.

Now everything I'm done wrong. Could God have pointed out what David did wrong all year.

He could give a long list date. No is even mentioned. No, why friend listen this is just happy Davis, no issues happy Davis coming back to Israel when he should've never left. I think there's a joy in God's heart is Davidson Scott what you want me to do should go up in the Lancaster go where should I go, she friend on matter where you been, in some ways it doesn't matter where you are denying is where you're going and if you'll take the time to say God, what is it you want me to do. Where is it you want me to go. I'm sure you've wasted some time I wasted some time. Sure, you've done things that you should have done.

I'm done things a shipment done and I fully expected. Sometimes, when I came back to God for God. Say no that's it. You cross a line.

I'm done and God to provide this long list of the things I've done wrong and he never did. Just always really glad I was coming back.

There's a good friend of mine. He started up custom guitar thing they handmade guitars was pretty cool because you could go and you could tell them every unit what types of woods you wanted, what types of pickups in France and in design and from the ground up and I got the opportunity to get him to design some guitars and and I was a believer and Ken knew I was a believer and has my musical career took off. I fell away from the Lord, and I needed to go in to see Ken to get him to work on my guitars and I was to read. I was dreading it because I knew I knew when I sat in front and Kenny was is a link to your successful but you're wasting your life and your God-given talent and all these things and that was I was just and I went into that shop start talking to Ken about the guitars that me back in the repair shop and start getting the guys working on the stuff I kept waiting for him to drop the bomb you know start finger-pointing and any and he never did. And then I got ready to leave and I was likewise good to get out of here. He's not going to yell at me and stuff and I and I got to the door and he said payment and said yeah so just want to say to I love you and I miss you and tear started coming to us and I knew I had to get out quick left as I was walking to the car realize that was God's heart towards me. Not that he was welcome to get my face point his finger he loved me and he missed me because I was choosing to wander away from friend.

Are you choosing the 109, come home God who created the universe misses your company.

If you're not spending time with the Lord.

He misses that time that you spend with in life. Life without the Lord comes very hard, comes very dry.

People get hurt, including yourself. And if you're here tonight maybe you wanted a little.

Maybe you've wondered a lot. Or maybe you're here in the middle of a battle.

You just need to be reminded God's going to bring you through. Or maybe a beer in a time of life. We are trying to demand your own way with God friend don't do it. Let God have his way with you ask I got what you want me to do where you want me to go and he'll tell you. Even if you been in the enemy's camp been far from home.

That's his tinnitus,, is Mr. more than you've missed him put the past behind all your mistakes are your mess up so your wanderings God's will in the forgiving of all those things. Or maybe you you've never asked the Lord to forgive you of your sins, you have that opportunity. Not because you've been basically good person because God loves. He sent his son to die for you that all your sins could be forgiven if you'll just call on him and ask him to forgive you and ask him to give you the power to live for him.

He's well to declare all your sins all your mistakes to be as white as snow, printing those you a seizure struggles a seizure pain is calendar tears to cry. He's calling to you tonight to come home. My prayer is Joe come home to him as your heavenly father is called friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Legion a short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now.

Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend if you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again, so congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you prayed that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ.

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