1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 1: Let us pray. So the king returned and came to Jordan, 2 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:08,319 Speaker 1: and Judah came to Gilgal to go to meet the 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 1: king to conduct the King over Jordan, Second Samuel nineteen fifteen. 4 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:20,319 Speaker 1: My Lord, when thoughts try to invade my mind with 5 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 1: tenacity and grit, I will drive them out, like Joe 6 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:29,159 Speaker 1: ab and Abeshi in Second Samuel nineteen, I will not 7 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 1: give the negative thoughts and ungodly beliefs the time and 8 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: space to overthrow the truth of God's word in my heart. 9 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:41,559 Speaker 1: I decree and declare that, like David's mighty men, I 10 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: will speak the word of God over those limiting beliefs 11 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: and watch them crumble under the weight of your power 12 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:53,240 Speaker 1: and your glory. Lord, When the thoughts seem like too many, 13 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: when they seem to come unrelenting, I will not stop 14 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 1: in my pursuit to speak life over my myself and 15 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:05,679 Speaker 1: my loved ones. Like King David, you have set me 16 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:09,480 Speaker 1: in this new life, God, and through the power of 17 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:14,320 Speaker 1: your Holy Spirit, I will conquer and subdue all ungodly 18 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:20,960 Speaker 1: thoughts and beliefs in my mind. In Jesus' name, Amen, 19 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 1: thanks for making prayer a priority in your life. To 20 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: hear the Bible Come to Life. Stay tuned for the 21 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 1: Bible in a Year, brought to you by Bible in 22 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 1: a Year dot Com. 23 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:50,360 Speaker 2: David returns to Jerusalem. In our last story, we witnessed 24 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 2: the short lived coup of Absalom, having just taken over 25 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:58,560 Speaker 2: the throne of David. Absalom's army was defeated in battle 26 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 2: by David's mighty men. Their skill was unmatched, and Absalom 27 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 2: died hanging on a tree. David was so busy mourning 28 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 2: his son's death that he did not comfort or encourage 29 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:14,639 Speaker 2: his people. Joe abb as a good friend, should rebuke 30 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:19,520 Speaker 2: to David. In this story, David's kinship is restored, but 31 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:23,840 Speaker 2: not without resistance from within. Inspired by the Book of 32 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 2: Second Samuel. 33 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 3: This is Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 34 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 3: in a Year podcast. In yesterday's episode, Absalom's army was 35 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 3: quickly defeated by David's men, and Absalom hisself met an 36 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:42,239 Speaker 3: early end as he tried to flee from capture. David 37 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:45,160 Speaker 3: was devastated by the death of his son, even though 38 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 3: Absalom had sought to take away his throne and kill 39 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 3: his father. When David's commander in closest friend, joe Ab, 40 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 3: saw how David's sorrow overshadowed his gratitude for all that 41 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 3: his people had done to restore their king. He called 42 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 3: him out, recognized that Joab was right, and finally rose 43 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 3: up to speak to his people. Today, we'll hear about 44 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:09,920 Speaker 3: David returning to Jerusalem to restore his kingship. It would 45 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 3: not be all smooth sailing, as the effects of the 46 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:16,520 Speaker 3: divisions Absalom had brought about continue to be felt throughout 47 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 3: the kingdom. But David will demonstrate what a good king 48 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 3: is like seeking peace with those who opposed him. So 49 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 3: once again, let's listen to God's word. Today. 50 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 2: Absalom was dead, but the discord and doubt he sewed 51 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 2: into the people was not yet killed. People grumbled and 52 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 2: quarreled among themselves as to whether David should be king 53 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 2: or not. David knew that the only way to settle 54 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 2: the hearts of the people was to settle the hearts 55 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 2: of Absalom's closest followers. He spoke kindly with Absalom's priests 56 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:54,080 Speaker 2: and generals and greeted them with compassion. He spoke with 57 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 2: them about having a place in his ranks and counsel 58 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 2: by his side. Although David was a man of war 59 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 2: or his default was always peace. So David was welcomed 60 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 2: back into Jerusalem, having the full support of those who 61 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:12,120 Speaker 2: were once loyal to Absalom. This function and sorrow still 62 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 2: hid in the shadows of Israel. Slowly people began to 63 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:18,880 Speaker 2: emerge and fall at the feet of David, ashamed of 64 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 2: their treachery. The first among them was a man named Sheemai. 65 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 2: He begged David to forgive him for serving Absalom. Abeshei, 66 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 2: one of David's mighty men, encouraged David to put him 67 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:34,799 Speaker 2: to death. However, David looked at him with compassion and said, 68 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,720 Speaker 2: this is not a day for death and execution. Today 69 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:42,760 Speaker 2: I am king of Israel again, so David spared him. 70 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:48,600 Speaker 2: Next was a man named Mephibusheth, Jonathan's son. Aphibusheth was 71 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 2: a crippled boy who used to dwell in the palace 72 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 2: of David. David cared for him deeply and was grieved 73 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:57,360 Speaker 2: when he did not join him when he escaped the 74 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 2: Phibisheth was grieved as well, and said that he was 75 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 2: kept from doing so. David forgave him and restored to 76 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:08,600 Speaker 2: him some land. Some of this land would reside in Bethlehem, 77 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:11,240 Speaker 2: where a certain inn where the stable would be built. 78 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 2: Small disputes continued to arise among the people. The ten 79 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 2: tribes of Israel were angry with Judah because they felt 80 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 2: they had special privileges to the king. So David continued 81 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:27,919 Speaker 2: to navigate the messy politics of pleasing people. He rallied elders, 82 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:32,160 Speaker 2: made treaties, and spoke with clansmen. David was originally a 83 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:35,159 Speaker 2: man made for battle, However, this was a time for 84 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 2: him to be a governor. The nation continued to squabble, 85 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:43,159 Speaker 2: but slowly the people began to heal and experience unity 86 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 2: once again. However, a remnant of rebellion lurked in the shadows. 87 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 2: A man named Sheba waited for his moment to strike. 88 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 2: In the tribe of Benjamin. A loud trumpet could be 89 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:59,279 Speaker 2: heard blowing throughout the streets. Sheba and a small band 90 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 2: of rebels chanted down with the dynasty of David. Rally O, 91 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 2: you men of Israel, down with David. His words began 92 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 2: to catch fire, and men began to join Sheba and 93 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 2: his rebellion. Dozens became hundreds and hundreds became thousands. David 94 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 2: dwelled in Judah, continuing his work among the city. David 95 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 2: sent Amesa, Absalom's old general, and asked him to assemble 96 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 2: an army in Judah. Amesa left immediately, However, he did 97 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 2: not get to Judah in time. David beckoned Abishai and said, 98 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:37,280 Speaker 2: Sheba has the potential to do far more damage than Absalom. 99 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 2: Assemble my troops and drive him out at once. We 100 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:45,479 Speaker 2: must reach him before he fortifies himself. So Abishai and 101 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 2: Joab bended together with David's mighty men. They gathered warriors 102 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:53,039 Speaker 2: and set out to go after Sheba. When Abishai and 103 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 2: Joab reached the outskirts of Judah, they saw Amesa. Amesa 104 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 2: was asked to assemble an army for David, but did not. 105 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 2: This enraged Joab. Joab could see right through Amesa. His 106 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:10,360 Speaker 2: neglect would sabotage David. Joab faked a smile and hit 107 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 2: his dagger under his belt. Joab walked towards Amesa, saying, 108 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 2: Greeting's brother, how are you. The two of them hugged, 109 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 2: and Amesa felt a sharp jolt in his stomach. Joab 110 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 2: whispered in Amesa's ear traitor, and Emesa fell to the 111 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:29,640 Speaker 2: ground with a dagger in his side. Joab and Abershire 112 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 2: left Amesa there to bleed and die. With intent and drive, 113 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:40,679 Speaker 2: they continued their march towards Siba. 114 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 3: As we begin today, Absalom is gone. His illegitimate reign 115 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 3: was short lived, and David is now returning to the throne. 116 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 3: But though Absalom is dead, the ripple effects of the 117 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 3: lies that he told are being felt. There is division 118 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 3: among the people as to whether David should return to power. 119 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:03,119 Speaker 3: How would King David handle these divisions, the questions about 120 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 3: his own legitimacy as ruler of God's people. There was, 121 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 3: of course, the option of force. David and his mighty 122 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 3: men had shown their power in battle. He could have 123 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 3: easily punished those who doubted his authority. But that wasn't 124 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 3: David's way. It wasn't what was in his heart. David's 125 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 3: heart sought peace with those who opposed him. So he 126 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 3: spoke to the priest in generals who supported Absalom, easing 127 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 3: their concerns and assuring them that they would have a 128 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 3: place at the table. His wisdom and kindness paid off, 129 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:36,000 Speaker 3: and David was able to return to Jerusalem, counting on 130 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 3: the support of those who had backed Absalom. There were others, though, 131 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:43,680 Speaker 3: who had remained in Jerusalem, many of whom had sided 132 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 3: with Absalom, and with David back in the city, they 133 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 3: began to approach begging for forgiveness. One of these men 134 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:54,359 Speaker 3: was a man named Semi, who had chosen to serve Absalom. 135 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 3: We hear his words to the king and second Samuel nineteen, 136 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 3: verse nineteen. Let not, my lord hold me guilty, or 137 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 3: remember how your servant did wrong on the day my 138 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:08,320 Speaker 3: lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king 139 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 3: take it to heart. Can you imagine the memories that 140 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 3: must have flooded David's mind as he heard these words, 141 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 3: for they sounded so much like the words that he 142 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 3: had cried out to God after sins of adultery and 143 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:24,679 Speaker 3: murder came to light. Had not God forgiven him? How then, 144 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 3: could he not show grace and forgiveness to someone who 145 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 3: responded with repentance towards him. Still, David's men urged him 146 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 3: to put to death the traitor, but David stood firm 147 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:40,239 Speaker 3: and forgave this man. His quest for peace and reconciliation continued. 148 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 3: He understood what his son Solomon would one day write 149 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:48,200 Speaker 3: in Ecclesiastes, that there is a time for everything, a 150 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 3: time to kill and a time to heal, a time 151 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:53,840 Speaker 3: for war and a time for peace. This was a 152 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:57,200 Speaker 3: time for peace and restoring peace, and David knew the 153 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 3: future of the nation depended upon it. Others came to David, 154 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 3: and he forgave them, one after another, signaling to the 155 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:09,080 Speaker 3: people that he would not be a vindictive king. In 156 00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 3: this new era of his reign, David navigated disputes on 157 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 3: the home front rather than fighting battles with foreign foes, 158 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 3: and slowly the nation began to experience unity once again. 159 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 3: But not all were eager for peace. In Benjamin, there 160 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 3: was a man named Sheba who was sowing dissension, rallying 161 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:31,479 Speaker 3: people to his side. The king understood that his opposition 162 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:34,680 Speaker 3: posed a far greater danger than his son Absalom's ill 163 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:39,679 Speaker 3: conceived coup. David sent joeab Abashi and his other mighty 164 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:43,320 Speaker 3: men to shut down the insurrection brewing in Benjamin. He 165 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 3: also called on Amasa, one of his generals who had 166 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 3: served Absalom but had been pardoned by David. Staying true 167 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 3: to his word that these men too would have a 168 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 3: place in the kingdom. But Amasa was treacherous and had 169 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 3: it in his heart to sabotage the king. Joeab, however, 170 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 3: saw right through it and put Abessah to death. Still 171 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:06,320 Speaker 3: Sheba remained and had to be dealt with swiftly, and 172 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 3: we'll hear more about that the next time. Dear God, 173 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 3: we thank you for forgiveness, your forgiveness of us, that 174 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 3: when we repent and turn from our sins, that we 175 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 3: find complete and total forgiveness because of what you have 176 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 3: done for us in sending Jesus to dial on the 177 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 3: cross for our sins to rise again, that we would 178 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:32,679 Speaker 3: have eternal life. May we not only be forgiven, but 179 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 3: offer forgiveness to others, and may we live in the 180 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:39,320 Speaker 3: grace and the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, in 181 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:43,920 Speaker 3: whose name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to 182 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 3: today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham, 183 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:51,480 Speaker 3: and we appreciate so very much your interest, your prayers, 184 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 3: and your involvement in this wonderful effort to walk through 185 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 3: the Bible. I would encourage you to download thepray dot 186 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 3: Com app and make prayer a true priority in your life, 187 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 3: along with the study of God's Word. If you appreciate 188 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 3: and have enjoyed this podcast, it would be very helpful 189 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 3: if you would share it with someone you love because 190 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 3: it will make a huge difference in their lives. And 191 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:16,839 Speaker 3: if you want to know more about how you can 192 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:20,160 Speaker 3: know Jesus and follow him how you can live the 193 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:23,920 Speaker 3: Christian life, be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. 194 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 3: Thank you and God bless you.