Learning from the Lives of the Kings
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FEBRUARY 2020 Vol. 18, No. 5 IBT Founder (Late) Rev. Prof. S. Panneer Selvam WORD OF TRUTH - Annual Subscription : Rs. 100/- PUBLICATION OF INDIAN BIBLE TRANSLATORS Single Copy : Rs. 10/-. LEARNING FROM THE LIVES OF THE KINGS Introduction Now the obvious question would be, are all my troubles due to my sins? Certainly In the last article of Part V of our study not! Hear what Jesus said in Lk. 13: 2,3 ".. of the kings of Israel, we saw David take Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were over as the king of both Israel and Judah. sinners above all the Galilaeans, because There are three things that stand out among they suffered such things? I tell you Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." other qualities in David's life that we have In the verse following He gives them another seen so far. He is a man who does not fail to example regarding Lazarus who was sick. give praise to God and exalt his name. Jesus said in Jn. 11: 4, "This sickness is not David's Psalms speak to our hearts to unto death, but for the glory of God, that the encourage, comfort, strengthen, enlighten us Son of God might be glorified." Again, Jesus and they also reveal God's love, care and saw a man who was blind from birth and His protection for us. Secondly, we see David as disciples asked Him whether this was another human being who could fall just like because of his sin or his parents' sins. Here any other person. Thirdly, David was a man is what Jesus said, in Jn. 9: 3, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the who acknowledges his sin and repents. When works of God should be made manifest in we repent of our sins, God forgives. There him." Yes, even when we pass through were consequences for David's action, but difficult times, we still have a joy and peace even more than that, could be the personal that the world cannot give and others who anxiety, worry and sorrow that these incidents see us may learn from it and give God the caused. glory. SATHTHIYA VAARTHAI 1 FEBRUARY 2020 Remember also that Satan was able to Just as prophet Nathan was associated withstand the angel Gabriel till Michael the with David in his younger days, prophet Gad arch-angel came to his aid. Paul declares that was involved at this time in David's life as "we wrestle not against flesh and blood but God was displeased with what David did. against principalities and powers and against Now David felt guilty about what he did. The the rulers of the darkness of this world and passage says that, "David's heart smote him against spiritual wickedness in high places." after he had numbered the people." David In his Epistle, Peter warns that "the devil is a immediately repents to God for what he had roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour." done (II Sam 24: 10). No wonder when Lord Jesus taught the Lord's prayer He said, "lead us not into Here is a great lesson to learn. David temptation, but deliver us from evil." does not wait, but acts immediately after he was convicted for his error. How long does it David's Kingdom Restored take for you to repent? Do you wait too long? Finally David is comforted regarding the The longer we wait, the greater the fall. To death of Absalom and regains his kingdom. get back to where we were becomes more He organizes his cabinet (II Sam 20: 23-26). difficult. Is it not easier to climb down a Sheba revolts against David and recalls all mountain than climbing up? So is this too!! Israel to be against David and is slain (II Let us not entertain sin for too long. David Sam 20: 14-22). Joab kills Amasa, the had learnt his lesson and did not want to military chief of Absalom (II Sam 20: 10). II repeat it. Sam 21 describes a famine and the burial of the bones of Saul and his sons, through The Lord spoke to Gad. Gad now comes to which the famine ended. The rest of the convey God's message to David. The Lord chapter deals with the war with giants and gives three options to David to choose from. David being persuaded not to go to war The choices were - either seven years of anymore as he had become weak physically. famine, or flee three months from his enemies David's cabinet of rulers is in II Sam 21: 23- while they pursue him, or three days' 26. pestilence in his land. Gad asks David to tell Census and Punishment him the choice so that he can report back to (II Sam 24: 1- 25; I Chr 21: 1-30) God. David was wise in his choice. David knew God as One who is merciful and loving. The above two passages cover details of Here is what David decided, as recorded in II all that happened when David decided to Sam 24: 14, "I am in a great strait: let us fall number Israel. Joab resists it but conceded into the hand of the Lord; for His mercies are on David's insistence. The Lord was not great: and let me not fall into the hand of happy with David's decision to number Israel. man." SATHTHIYA VAARTHAI 2 FEBRUARY 2020 This is a great principle to learn. You may to serve Him? I am reminded of an old hymn already have experienced the attitudes of attributed to Howard B Grose: men. They can be brutal at times, they can misunderstand you, and also, they can cause 1. Give of your best to the Master; much trouble to you. However, God is a Give of the strength of your youth; merciful God, full of compassion and great in Throw your soul's fresh, glowing ardour mercy. If God judged us for everything we Into the battle for truth. did, none of us could exist in this world; but Jesus has set the example, we still do exist, because God is always good Dauntless was He, young and brave; to mankind. He gives rain both to the just and Give Him your loyal devotion; the unjust says the word of God. Knowing all Give Him the best that you have. the qualities of God, David would rather that Refrain: God judged him than man. Give of your best to the Master; David chooses to fall into the hands of Give of the strength of your youth; God and chooses the third option of Clad in salvation's full armour, pestilence. So the pestilence starts and at the Join in the battle for truth. end of the appointed time, the "angel of the 2. Give of your best to the Master; Lord was by the threshing place of Araunah, Give Him first place in your heart; the Jebusite, in Jerusalem and David saw the Give Him first place in your service; angel. David pleads with God and the prophet Consecrate every part Gad comes to David and tells him to build an Give, and to you will be given; altar at the threshing floor. Araunah offers the God His beloved Son gave; land free to David, but David's answer was , Gratefully seeking to serve Him, "Nay, but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: Give Him the best that you have. neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which cost me nothing.." 3. Give of your best to the Master; (II Sam 24: 24). David buys the place. Naught else is worthy His love; He gave Himself for your ransom, What a great lesson to learn from David's Gave up His glory above. action. How many of us count the cost of Laid down His life without murmur, giving to the Lord and His work? We are You from sin's ruin to save; responsible for our time, talent and treasure Give Him your heart's adoration; that the Lord has given us. We often talk Give Him the best that you have. about giving one-tenth or tithe to the Lord. How about giving Him one-tenth of 24 hours Significance of Mount Moriah to Him, in prayer, meditation reading the Bible and serving Him in showing your love and David then builds an altar unto the Lord concern for your neighbour? Are we too busy and offers up burnt offering and then we read SATHTHIYA VAARTHAI 3 FEBRUARY 2020 in I Chr 21: 17-27, when David saw the angel construction. The reason that he himself did standing between heaven and earth at this not build it is given in I Chr 22: 8. The Lord site and after David gave the burnt offering, spoke to him, "Thou hast shed blood the Lords asks the angel to put away the abundantly, and hast made great wars; thou sword and the pestilence was stayed. shalt not build a house unto My name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the This site is of great importance and this earth in My sight." incident of buying it resulted in Israel now owning this piece of land. In II Chr 3:1 we Struggle for Succession (I Kg 1) read, "Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount Now David was old and he was provided Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David a nurse to take care of him day and night, his father, in the place that David had and her name is Abishag.