Scripture: I Samuel 17:41-47

C.I.: David: A Slayer of Giants

In this series… (Matt. 1:1) – We are all familiar with the story of “David & Goliath.”
Yet there were other “giants” in David’s Life. – Today we are going to learn how he deals with these.

I. A Giant Named, “Family Problems”

A. What should We do When It is More than Just “Sibling Rivalry”?!

1. King David had more than one wife – and thus there were numerous step-children.
a. (I Sam. 25:39, 43), “David sent a proposal to Abigail to take her as his wife … David had also taken Ahinoam of Jezreel, and they both became his wives.”
b. Polygamy was never part of God’s plan for marriage – (Gen. 2:24; I Cor. 7:39).
1) In USA – we face a different sort of polygamy – not “Concurrent Polygamy” (various wives at 1 time) – but w/today’s divorce epidemic “Consecutive Polygamy” (1 wife at various times)

2. All children face problems growing up (e.g., sibling-rivalry) – step-children just have it harder!
a. (II Sam. 13:1), “… Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister named Tamar, - and Amnon the son of David loved her.” (They had different mothers but the same dad).
b. Amnon conceived a plan – where he would be alone with Tamar (feigned sickness).
1) (vs. 11-15), “…Amnon took hold of her and said to her, ‘Come lie with me, my sister.’ – But she answered, ‘No, my brother, do not violate me….’ –However, he would not listen to her; since he was stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her. – Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred … and he said to her, ‘Get up, go away!’”
2) Young ladies – how quickly love can turn to hatred!! – Learn the lesson of Tamar!!!
3) The “I love you” of Saturday night – becomes the “Go Away!” of Monday morning.

3. Now that this has transpired – what is to be done? (we read of two wrong ways it could be handled).
a. David’ way: (v. 21), “Now when King David heard all these matters, - he was very angry.”
1) We should never make decisions when angry, Jms. 1:19-20 – but David did nothing!
b. Absalom’s way:
1) Snub: (v. 22), “But Absalom did not speak to Amnon either good or bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister.” – In this he wasn’t different from David.
(i) Today we know that if there is a problem between brethren – (Matt. 18:15f), “If your…
2) Sneak: (vs. 23-27), “Now it came about after 2 full years …Absalom said, ‘Please let Amnon go with us.’ When Absalom urged David, he let him.”
3) Snare: (vs. 28-29), “Absalom commanded his servants, ‘When Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death … And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded.”

4. It is in what happens next – that David shows why God says of him, “A man after my own heart.”
a. (vs. 38-39), “Absalom had fled & gone to Geshur & was there 3 years. – The heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom…”
b. For Absalom, we see David is eager to forgive – (Matt. 6:14-15; Lk. 23:34; Eph. 4:31-32), “If you forgive …” – “Father, forgive them…” – “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger & clamor be put …. And be kind…” – David had experienced God’s forgiveness (cf. Uriah) – now he offers it!!
c. David accepted Life/Death process – “for he was comforted concerning Amnon since he was dead
1) (II Sam. 12:21-23), “‘What is this thing you have done? – While the child was alive you fasted & wept; - but when the child died, you arose & ate food.” – David said, ‘While the child was alive, I fasted & wept; for I said, “Who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me, that the child may live.” – But now he has died; why should I fast? – Can I bring him back again? – I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.’” – (Job. 1:21), “The Lord has given…!”
2) (II Sam. 14:33), “Thus Absalom came to the king and prostrated himself before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.”

B. What are We to Do when It becomes PERSONAL?!

1. His father may have taken him back into his heart, but sadly, Absalom did not take the king into his!
a. (II Sam. 15:2-6), “Absalom arose early to stand beside the way to the gate; and it happened that when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment … Absalom would say to him, ‘See, your claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part if the king.’ – Moreover he would say, ‘Of that one would appoint me to judge in the land, then every man who has a suit or a cause could come to me, and I would give him justice [election year promises?!]. – And in this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for justice; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.”
1) Absalom showed his father one face – another to Israel, (Rom. 12:9), “Let love be without hypocrisy; abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.” – Absalom obeyed none of this verse.

2. In one moment – when the time was right - Absalom deposed the king and broken his father’s heart!
a. (vs. 10-13), “Absalom sent spies throughout Israel, saying, ‘As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ … Then a messenger came to David, saying, ‘The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.’”
1) It can happen in the best of families – even as this series claims - …even in God’s family!
2) To varying degrees there are many homes (some here today?) – who have faced division.
3) Jesus warned us, “A man’s enemies would be the members of his own household,” Mt. 10:36.
b. (vs. 15-16), “Then the king’s servant said, ‘Your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.’ – So the king went out [i.e. left Jerusalem], and all his household with him.”
1) What would you have counseled David? – “Stand & fight! Don’t let him get away with this!”
2) Would you actually counsel a father to seek the life of his son???!!!
3) Running wasn’t what was best for David – it was what was best for Absalom.
4) (Rom. 12:17, 19, 21), “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone … Never take your own revenge … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – So David left Jerusalem.

3. When matters “came to a head,” David shows why he is truly, “A Man after God’s Own Heart.”
a. (II Sam. 18:5), “And the king charged Joab, Abishai, Ittai, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.’ – And all the people heard when the king charged his commanders.”
1) We show our true colors – when we are in the position of power (authority/servanthood?).
2) David’s army prevailed that day – and Joab killed Absalom whose hair was tangled in a tree.
b. (II Sam. 19:4), “And the king cried out with a loud voice, ‘O my son Absalom, O Absalom…!”
1) This story mirrors our own – God’s children fight against each other & Him … He weeps!
2) (Ezk. 18:23), “‘Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, ‘rather than that he should turn from his wicked ways and live?’”

A tale of two families: our physical families & God’s spiritual family; were there lessons for you today??
In this “Man after God’s own heart” – we see an eagerness to forgive – & sorrow over the death of his son!