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Gospel Baptist Tabernacle781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741

Where the Love of God abounds, everyone is

welcome.

Children’s Church taught by Paul and Marsha

Davis during preaching.

www.rossvillechurch.com

June 30, 2013

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2 Samuel 15 1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

To make himself appear important.

He put on a big show!Those who put on a big

show are seldom sincere.

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2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

He would intercept them on their way to

King David and pretend to be helpful.

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3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

He lied and said that David was too busy for them, and had

not even appointed anyone to hear them.

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5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. Politics

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7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

Some translations say four years.

Another meaning might be forty years from David’s first inauguration as king.

Hypocrisy

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9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace.* So he arose, and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies* throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

Decent people are easy to fool; they want to believe the best of those they love.

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11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not anything. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

He is gaining followers to help in the revolution.

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13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee*; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

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15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

If David had stayed in Jerusalem to fight Absalom, they were ready.

If he was determined to go into exile –with David they would go.

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We need to be and stay ready to do

whatsoever our Lord, King Jesus would have us

to do.

Ready to believe and accept God’s good and

perfect Will.

Ready to die and go to be with our Lord.

Ready to live and fight the battle.

Even when we don’t understand.

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17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. 18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

David has his personal troops who are mighty warriors, but

they are not many compared to Absalom.

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David wrote this Psalm as he fled from Absalom.

Psalm 3 1 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

David had made mistakes, and he knew it.

But he loves the Lord God, and still has his trust in Him.

Never mind the naysayers.

When they say there is no hope, God is just getting ready to move.

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Psalm 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His Holy Hill. Selah. 5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

David knew from experience as well as faith that God was His Protector;

God had raised him up before and could do it again.

He slept well and woke up refreshed.

That’s faith in time of trouble.

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Psalm 3:6-8 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation (deliverance; victory) belongeth unto the LORD: Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah.

No fear!

David didn’t leave Jerusalem because he was scared of Absalom and his armies.

The Lord would fight his battles as He always had.

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Too many Christians in time of trouble turn away from the Lord.

A time of trouble is a time to worship!David wrote a song of praise unto God.

Lots of people thought God had forsaken him.

But David knew that the Lord was with him.

He would be back.

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Devils are fighting churches all over

the land.

We must not stoop at standing time.

The Lord is the lifter up of our heads.

We can stand tall and walk straight.

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James 5 13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

It’s always time to commune with our Lord.

Either in prayer and worship

Or in songs of praise.

We can be a light on the hill showing the way to the Lord, Jesus Christ.