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David’s Last Words (2 Samuel 23:1-7) *Verses in NKJV* – Last Words
– Read 2 Samuel 23:1-7
– Last week, Pastor Matt preached from Chapter 22 about “worshipping through the battle”, as David sang psalms of thanksgiving to the Lord for delivering him from the hands of his enemies.
– This week in Chapter 23, David is at the end of his reign, and reflects back on his kingship.
– These are not literally the last words David ever spoke out loud, but more like the final public expression of what he thinks is important for others to know and remember about him.
– Example: Like, “You got any last words?!” It’s what the cowboy in the old western movies would ask before they shoot the guy. It’s the moment to tell everyone listening what is important to you.
– The Lord spoke to David, and now David is speaking to you. You should listen!
Point #1: Rule your kingdom justly, and fear the Lord. – Last Words
– 2 Samuel 23:2-4, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. 3 The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.’
– “Justly” means: According to what is morally right or fair. We get that standard from God’s word.
– Proverbs 28:5, Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.
– Psalms 106:3, Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times!
– Proverbs 21:3, To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
– When the Bible refers to “the fear of God,” it means having a deep respect, reverence and awe for God’s power and authority. This leads to commitment and love, not to be scared and ashamed.
– Proverbs 1:7, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
– David was the leader of his kingdom, but YOU are a leader of your own little kingdom too!
– You have a sphere of influence, and area you must step up and be godly. Even if it’s just you.
– Example: I have many to lead, in different ways, as a father to a daughter and a son, husband, pastor, Captain, brother and friend.
– Each requires something purposeful from me, but ALL require me to act justly, and lead godly.
– YOU are an employee, friend, boss, roommate, and a child of God. Whatever role you play, you must always act justly, and live godly in your dealings with others. That is God’s will for you!
– Proverbs 3:27, Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.
– God created you for this work, and this is what Godly leaders do, no matter the size of the territory.
– We should be ruling over our sphere of influence justly and with the fear of God.
– It is not enough to simply “do no wrong”. We must actively and purposely “do right”.
– If you live like this you will be a blessing to others, like the sunrise, and a morning without clouds. Halleluiah!
Point #2: Your rebellion is worse that sticker bushes! – Last Words
– 2 Samuel 23:6-7, But the sons of rebellion shall all be as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands. 7 But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, and they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place.”
– This says that rebellious people are like sticker bushes, and you can’t pull them out by hand or they will tear you up. You have to metaphorically cut them off and burn the branches that are left.
– Example: Sin and rebellious people are both like blackberry bushes:
– They grow quickly and get out of hand fast, wrecking everything else around them.
– They look like they will have fruit but often only offer painful thorns, and hurt people.
– You must cut them off at the root before they take over your life. (even my neighbor’s ones!)
– Get REBELLIOUS people out of your life!
– 1 Cor. 15:33, Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
– Proverbs 13:20, He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
– Rebellion can look different than other sin. It is sneaky and not obvious. It is an act of the will. It is rooted in pride, which is rooted in self worship, which is the opposite of “the fear of God”.
– When someone has chosen to rebel against God and his people, you won’t get them back with rational talk. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. They will eventually ensnare you in their thorns.
– Get your own SIN and rebellion out of your life!
– Haggai 1:5,Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!”
– To kill sin, you must examine your own heart. Look at it through the lens of scripture.
– 2 Cor. 13:5, Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
– You must actively dig out the roots of your sin, or it will just grow right back up.
– A righteous life makes you a sunrise. A rebellious life makes you a sticker bush!
– Psalms 1:1-6, Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. (“Test yourselves”!)
Point #3: God made you a promise, and He intends to keep it.
– 2 Samuel 23:5, “Although my house is not so with God, Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; Will He not make it increase?
– David admits here that his kingdom and leadership have not always been carried out with “justice” and “the fear of God”. He is reflecting on his life and mistakes.
God promised David a legacy, an everlasting kingdom. This culminated in Jesus the Savior being born in the line of David.
– 2 Samuel 7:15-17, But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” 7 According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
– What were Saul’s sins leading to his removal from King, and from the will of God? He became prideful and rebellious! He thought he knew better than God, and, in fear of losing power, ended up attacking his own people!
– David wasn’t perfect, but he was humble, and had fear and reverence of the Lord. He always came back to repentance!
– When God told David his “throne shall be established forever”, that is talking about the coming King, Jesus! Jesus is David’s descendant, and reigns on the throne as our God and King!
– God has a promise of salvation for you that comes through Jesus Christ.
– YOU haven’t led a perfect life, but there is redemption through Jesus Christ.
– 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
– Eph. 2:8, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
If you are rebellious, you need to come back to repentance.
If you don’t know the Lord, you need to know him today. -prayer –
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