Rev. Ivan Foster reprised his series from 2000 on bringing King David back after the rebellion of Absalom, and how it shows us the required method of revival. This three part series was preached at special meetings in Mourne FPC.
CONDITIONS RESULTING IN THE KING’S REMOVAL
The topics we hope to look at over the next three nights.
The Conditions resulting in the king’s removal.
The Concern for the king’s return.
The Circumstances of his restoration.
A very good definition of what true revival is ‘Doing things amongst God’s people as they were ordained to be done.’
Jeremiah declared God’s will to backslidden Judah: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls,” Jeremiah 6:16.
How often the Lord’s people have had to ‘seek to return to the old paths’? Wandering is endemic amongst sheep and it is certainly so amongst the ‘sheep of the Lord’. Isaiah 53:6.
The division that had arisen between David and his people pictures for us just what ‘backsliding from the Lord’ entails and results in. There is also a picture of the procedures that need to be adopted if we are to see the King restored amongst us today.
We must begin by considering what it was caused King David’s removal. This is what overtakes a backsliding people, Hosea 5:5-6, 15.
I. REBELLION WITHIN THE KING’S FAMILY CAUSED HIS REMOVAL
Not an invasion from an enemy but a domestic dispute. What a day of shame and sorrow was the result! “And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. . . . . And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up,” 2 Sam 19:17, 30. It is a day that pictures one so OFTEN repeated, Rev 3:20. Laodicea ceased to TRADE, v18, HEAR, v 20 or FELLOWSHIP, v 20, with the Lord.
Backsliding, which leads to the loss of the presence and power of King Jesus, is the result of OUR sins!
II. THE REBELLION HAD ITS ROOTS IN THE APPEASEMENT OF SIN
Ten years earlier – 2 Sam 12:11 – judgment against David. That judgment was wrought out through David’s folly.
David neglected his kingly duties. 11:1. Different spirit in 21:15-17. He had been given over to ease, 11:2.
David neglected his personal duties. He failed to maintain his walk with the Lord. Matt 26:41, Pro 4:23.
David neglected his parental duties. Amnon, 13:21.
No discipline of Amnon for what was a capital crime!! This neglect led to another, 2 Sam 13:39-14:1. It was this lack of justice that Absalom made the basis of his complaint, 15:1-6. Sin spreads into every corner of a person’s life – heart, family, acquaintances.
III. IT WAS A REBELLION THAT PROMISED A MORE PLEASING REGIME
“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!” 15:4.
Such is the promise of the devil and sin, Genesis 3:5! Having been deceived, we don’t like acknowledging it!
1. The appeal of Absalom was his appearance. “But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him,” 14:25. The vileness of sin is always well camouflaged!
2. His appearance was accompanied by smooth words. “Absalom said moreover . . ”, 15:4. Psa 55:21; Rom 16:17-18; 1 Tim 4:1-2; Eph 4:14. Absalom played-up on the peoples’ desires, 15:2-3. Promised them what they wanted!
Lying words are the devil’s chief weapon against God’s people, John 8:44.
3. He thus stole the hearts of the king’s people. 15:6. He took possession of that which was not his! The people transferred their loyalties, Gal 1:6, 3:1.
If you find a similarity in events of recent years in Ulster the reason is simple! This has ever been the way that God’s people have been deceived and robbed and led into error and rebellion against God!
IV. IN TRUTH THE REBELLION BROUGHT MUCH SUFFERING AND SORROW
We have but to consider the disgrace, disorder, distress and death which followed see this. 2 Samuel 16:5-13; 21-22; 18:6-8, 32-33. The spirit of rebellion and disorder continued even after Absalom’s death. 19:41-20:2, 9-10. When wickedness is unleashed it not easy to capture and subdue it again!
This all stemmed from one man’s folly and sin!