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Start a Civil War- 2 Sam 19:40-43

• We are still dealing with King David returning to Jerusalem- Now we have the Kingdom of Judah and Israel arguing about who has more influence with the King- Who is the king here for and who has the rights to David as King
• There are two factions arguing- The 10 tribes of Israel with the men of Judah. They both
• They are grumbling against each other. Israel is mad at Judah for leading David. Jealousy and Envy are in their hearts. Israel is like “Who does Judah think they are? Why are they leading?
• Judah’s answer is simple- “we are his kin- and you’re not- so shut it” We’re related but we didn’t benefit from it
• Israel – We represent 10 tribes- you only represent one- so we have 10 times as much of a claim
• Apparently it goes from bad to worse with the mouth talk- so bad the author simply says- the men of Judah’s words were fiercer- ‘sharper’ harsher
• Here’s the issue- eventually, after david dies and Solomon takes over- there will be an embattled civil war between these two groups and this is the root of it.
• All division has a root somewhere- relationships, businesses, churches, families, countries
• We’re seeing a lot of division in the country right now- lots of it- even in this church
• Racial division, disease division, masks, politics, schools, sports, there really isn’t any nuance anymore its only all or nothing. People are looking for a reason to be divisive.
• So the title of this message is “How to start a civil war” now no war is ever civil- but that’s the term you use when people who are supposed to be on the same team fight each other
• Your marriage- family- church- business- country. All supposed to be on the same team
• Here’s how you start one- its futile- and you shouldn’t do it- Start with yourself and look outward

How to start a civil war

1. Forgetting who’s team you’re on

• 41 Just then all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brethren, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king, his household, and all David’s men with him across the Jordan?”
• These are their countrymen and blood realtives of Israel- it shouldn’t matter- the king is back
• But people want what they want for their own benefit
• The foundation of this war is forgetting “our brethren” and focusing on “stolen you away”
• Israel, Judah- they are both Israel. They are on the same team. There is no reason for their fighting. THEY HAVE FORGOT THE TEAM THEY ARE ON.
• Team Israel is God’s team. They are supposed to be fighting the enemy- not each other.
• Psalm 133:1  Behold, how good and how pleasant it isFor brethren to dwell together in unity!
• “who will be the greatest in your kingdom”
• Deuteronomy 20:1-4 READ. How have they forgot this is who they are and who’s team they on
• No different in your life- People forget who they married, who is their family, who is their work, their church, their countrymen, their country. Somehow- they get sucked into it.
• What does it mean to you?
• Have you forgot who’s team you’re on? Have you been battling with your spouse when you are one flesh? Family? Church? Neighbors? Countrymen? We’re all on the same team here folks
• Some people frankly love to argue and cause division. I’ve seen it. No convincing them.

• 1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all ^[a]speak the same thing, and that there be no ^[b]divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
• 1 Peter 3:8 ⁸ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; Phil 2:2  fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 2 Cor 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Eph 4:3  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Rom 15:6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 12:16  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Phil 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
• I’m not sure how much clearer that scripture could be that division and disunity in the church is not God’s design.
• When you cause, take part in, or fan the flames of division you are being used as tool of Satan
• Satan LOVES division- He LOVES fighting, discord, anger, fear, retribution, destruction.
• As Christians we are called to be peace-makers- Those that step in or away from division
• Many times when I’m talking to married people who are fighting I make them stop and look each other in the eyes and remind themselves of their vows. WHOS TEAM YOU ON
• Romans 14:19 ⁹ Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may ^[a]edify another.
• Crystal and I fight sometimes- Can’t remember why or what- but after a couple hours one of us apologizes and says something to the effect of “Why are we doing this- Im sorry” Then forward
• No team can win, unit can have cohesion, family can flourish, church, city, nation without unity

2. Being Selfish

• 42 So all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative of ours. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense? Or has he given us any gift?”
• “because the king is a close relative of ours”- Really? He’s a relative of Israel- He’s OUR relative
• Its really selfishness- Its saying who I am is more important than you are. Its self first.
• At the root of this is self- He is our relative- (He’s yours too technically- but MORE ours)
• Ps 119:36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to covetousness. (some say selfishness)
• This is one of the reasons why the Bible is such a timeless book- It speaks directly to the heart condition of men. It doesn’t change with the times- People are selfish then they are now
• James 3:16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
• Selfishness can ruin you and others- I know its real because its in me- I have to fight it.
• Selfishness is self preservation- it says “what I need and want is more important than you”
• And it starts wars! It’s the root here with Israel- And if you were honest it a root in your life.
• 1 Corinthians 10:24 ²⁴ Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
• What does it mean to you
• Are you constantly checking your selfishness? Ask yourself- why is this so important to me?
• Typically we try to protect ourselves from embarrassment, pain, misery, to get what we want
• But that’s not the way of Jesus- Its not what he desires for us.
• Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
• Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,2 Pe 3:3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

3. Being argumentative

• 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten shares in the king; therefore we also have more right to David than you. Why then do you despise us—were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?”
• “we have ten shares” “we were the first to advise bringing back the king”
• Basically- we have more people, we said it first- therefore- we get more and deserve more
• Its argumentative- It’s a means by which Israel is trying to redirect to make an argument
• People do this all the time- But but but- THIS- NOW WHAT? Again, its not to come to unity to accomplish anything- its to put forward a forgetful selfish mindset to get what the individual wants.
• I was hired first, I was at the church first. I am older, more education etc. etc.
• Proverbs 15:1  A soft answer turns away wrath,But a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Watch how argumentative you are and watch how your relationships are.
• I hate arguing- I don’t enjoy it. It makes my stomach hurt- but some people feed off it.
• 2 Timothy 2:23-24 READ
• Proverbs 3:30 Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
• What does it mean to you
• Are you a quarrelsome person? Do you enjoy a good fight?? Do you carry on with it?
• The bible actually teaches that its ok if you don’t get what you want- its ok.
• James 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
• Some of yall never even heard that scripture- You refuse to yield- you want to fight.

• Romans 14:19 ¹⁹ Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace.
• Arguments start wars- that’s what they do- and people lose their composure!
• And a contributing factor is in the midst of it- People lose their composure and say things they shouldn’t have said “The words of the men of Judah were fiercer” v 40
• Often times the words you say will make it difficult to get back to where you need to be.
• Being louder doesn’t make you right- you can say it as loud as possible and still be wrong
• This is not a good thing- The writer of Samuel doesn’t describe what happens here because the words they said were not worth repeating- But people do that in arguments and it starts WAR
• Pr 21:23 ³ Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. Psa 37:8 ⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. Eph 4:26-27 ²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give ^[a]place to the devil. Col 3:8 ⁸ But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Eph 4:29 ²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
• Don’t start a war. Don’t forget who you are, be selfish, argumentative
• God wants to do great things through you and me- but if we’re fighting each other it wont happen- Check yourself- seek edification of others. Push for love and unity.
• Pr 29:11 Pr 15:18 Pr 13:3 Pr 12:18  Js 3:5 Col 4:6 

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