2025 2 Samuel 4, Do Not Rely On Man But God
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2025-04-06 16:14
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Do Not Rely On Man But God
2 Samuel 4
After Saul died, Ishbosheth, Saul's son, became king of Israel. Seven years later, when Abner, the commander of the army, died, two military leaders of Ish-Bosheth assassinated the king and brought his head to David. But David was not happy at all. Rather, he punished those who had brought Ishbosheth's head.
The thing that man must be most wary of is becoming self-centered, that is, to judge everything based on their own standard and benefit. This text shows how self-centered people end up their lives so tragically. King Saul, the Amalekite youth, Abner, Joab, Ishbosheth, and the two assassins of King Ishbosheth all ended their lives miserably because they were self-centered.
Abner knew all about God's will, but he was so self-centered that he made Ish-bosheth a puppet king to seize power. Then, after quarrelling with Ish-bosheth, he betrayed him and surrendered to David. This was a deal for his own benefit; he thought he would gain a high political position in David's new kingdom. He is a person governed by calculation and self-interest. He seems smart, but his castle built on sand collapsed.
On the other hand, David was God-centered. Though Saul and Ishbosheth were political enemies to him, from God's perspective, they were also God's people. Therefore, David thought that he could neither abandon nor kill them.
David considered Israel as one church and believed that they should never kill each other within it, and this was the secret of how he was blessed by God and Israel was able to become one. We should not curse anyone in the church. Though they may be stagnant spiritually and disobedient now, they could repent and be restored later.
David embraces Abner, Joab, and Ishbosheth. Those who have no capability only know how to be with those whom they like and who agree with them. In God's community, we worship God together and do the work of God with those who are different from us and those who are not our favourites. This is power and capability. True ability is to be able to work together with those whom you do not like, and people who even hate you.
A healthy community can be formed when various kinds of people gather in the church of God. People with strong faith and weak faith are together to worship God and serve the will of God. This is a healthy and powerful church.
I pray that you may grow to become God-centered. I pray that you may reject everything that is not God-centered. Otherwise, we have no hopeful future, and our community will be broken.
David was anointed to be king. He lived an absolute life when it came to worship, prayer and obedience for God's glory. He was a man of God-centeredness. Then, did people like him? Did they acknowledge and welcome him as their king. No, that was not the case.
Many people were jealous of David and hated him (Psalm 2:1-3). "David, he is too extreme. He is a fanatic." Generally, people don't like a God-centered life because they think that such a life deprives human autonomy and freedom. This is why people hate Christianity. Christianity says that all the answers are already given in the word of God. People don’t like it. They argue that it is more humane to try various things and live according to their feelings and plans.
Today, people frown at those who faithfully participate in worship, prayer and gospel work, and fight against sin. They say, "Look, that guy is so inflexible. Why does he go to church every Sunday? Isn't this the final period? Why doesn't he go to the library? And during spring break, why doesn't he drink with his friends and go on a trip?"
Those who come to church occasionally dislike being asked to devote themselves to do work of God. They never do anything that seems hard. They don't want to go to hell, so they think they need to attend church from time to time. But they don't want to devote themselves to Jesus and His church. To them, their career, money and worldly pleasures are far more important than faith and devotion. They say they believe, but in reality, they are atheists.
After Saul died, God did not make David the king of Israel right away, but sent him to Hebron and had him restore worship and live a God-centered life for 7.6 years. Why? Under Saul's 40-year reign, Israel had already become accustomed to Saul's power and humanistic rule. Therefore, they felt burdened by David's God-centeredness. Thus, God gave the Israelites an opportunity to compare the two kingdoms for 7.6 years.
Here are two kingdoms. One is the kingdom of Ish-bosheth. This kingdom is ruled by human-centeredness, trickery and manipulation. The other kingdom is David's kingdom ruled by God-centeredness, honesty and morality.
At first, people had high expectations for the kingdom of Ish-bosheth. "Look! Ish-bosheth succeeded Saul. His kingdom rules 11 tribes, and his kingdom has a great general like Abner. Ish-bosheth's kingdom will be prosperous." However, as time passed, they heard a rumour that Abner had an affair with Saul's concubine. Then Ish-Bosheth was furious and challenged Abner though he had no power. At that time, the Israelites felt, "What is this? We have been deceived!" They must have been deeply disappointed. A worldly kingdom ruled by seemingly powerful people through human tactics and manipulation may seem appealing and splendid at first. But soon, we feel deceived and disappointed by such kingdoms.
Israel eventually grew tired of the regime of Ish-bosheth and fell into despair. On the other hand, they discovered that the kingdom of David governed by worship and morality, which seemed inflexible and strict, was actually powerful and fresh. They realized that the kingdom of David, which was God-centered, was the true kingdom.
Brothers, in our veins, the blood of self-centeredness is flowing. In fact, our blood is tainted that it leads us to death and judgment. If you let your tainted blood continue to flow, you cannot but live a self-centered life that you cannot join David’s kingdom representing the kingdom of God. You and I need a new blood, the blood of Jesus. 1 John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.” Then we do not live by our own standard. We do not live for our own benefit sacrificing truth and conscience. We live on every word that comes from the mouth of God. This is true freedom and the way to bear fruit that last everlastingly.
Second, rely only on God.
Look at verse 1. “When Ish- bosheth, son of Saul, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed.” Ish-Bosheth, became king of Israel through Abner's manipulation. In fact, he was a pitiful king who acted as Abner's puppet. Becoming king is not always a blessing. We live in a world where titles and positions are overly valued. However, we must recognize that holding such a position does not guarantee happiness or glory. If someone who should not be in that position takes it, not only will he not be happy, but he may also end in tragedy. Human history is filled with such tragedy.
Ish- Bosheth means "shameful one." Ironically, his name "shameful" became his identity and defined his entire life. He was around 42 years old. He was no longer young. As a king, he should have contemplated what actions to take and what kind of nation he should form. Yet, he relied solely on Abner. Since he became king by Abner, he constantly tried to read Abner's face and check his mood. He was a king, but he did not behave like king. He did not know what to do, even though he held the title.
Are you checking who you are? You must reflect on where you are, what your purpose is, and why you do things. Don’t controlled by men or circumstances.
The reason Ish-bosheth lost his courage was that he relied on Abner seemingly strong, brave and smart. When Abner died, he fell into fear and ultimately perished. We try to find whom we can rely on. However, no one is able to help us. Though you might receive help from those in high positions or wealth, you will have to pay a great price for it.
Psalm 146:3 says, "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." Princes and human beings are those who hold political power and wealth. Do not rely on such people, for they have no power to save you. Faith is not to depend on such people.
Jeremiah 17:5 states, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD."
Why did Ishbosheth end up like this? It was because he relied on the seemingly powerful man, Abner, instead of relying on God. Therefore, though it may be difficult, if you rely on God from the beginning, you can be strong and overcome challenges though man betrays you or dies.
Ish-Bosheth became king. But what good is it to him? He was always on pins and needles for 7.6 years. Though he might enjoy the title of 'king,' it held no meaning, purpose, or mission. We live by faith. What does it mean? We trust in God and rely on Him.
Do not depend on people who seem powerful with good positions. And do not rely on your spouse or friends. They feel powerless, and life is hard for them too. If you demand help from your spouse or friends, your relationship with them will suffer and you will be disappointed and angry. Stop thinking about where to go for help. Instead, rely on God by coming to worship Him, praying, and helping those around you with God's power. This is the path of faith. If you rely solely on God, those who want to help you will come to you.
God gave Ish-bosheth a considerable amount of time: 7.6 years. During this period, he could have discovered God's will, realized his own weaknesses, and acknowledged David's kingdom. He could have sought God's mercy when Abner died. However, he did not pray and did not come up with any countermeasures. What did he do? He took a nap.
Look at verse 7. “They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head.”
Was it acceptable for him to take a nap during such a national emergency? Did he truly understand what was important and urgent? He was killed because he slept when he shouldn't have and was in a place he shouldn't have been. (In a crisis, some eat more, go shopping, drink, sleep, play video game more…) He lived shamefully and died shamefully.
Are we in the place where God has sent us according to His will in times of crisis? Are we listening to God's message when we face an emergency? If Ish-Bosheth had sought God and prayed for his nation and his people, would he have met such a shameful and miserable death?
Now, the economy is facing challenges. The future is uncertain. You and I could be discouraged and afraid. However, if you take a nap in despair and discouragement, you could end up like Ish-bosheth. And when you open your eyes, what if it is hell? Therefore, when you are discouraged, don't take a nap. That is the sleep of death. You should pray. You should rely on God more.
Rekab and Baanah, Ish-Bosheth’s two military leaders planned meticulously to assassinate Ish-Bosheth after Abner's death. They thought Ish-Bosheth's kingdom was in decline. They were daring enough to kill their king. They ran 95 km all night to David with the king's bloody head. They were clever, brave and passionate. But what was missing from them? What didn't they know? They didn't know who David was. If they had studied carefully about what kind of man David was, they wouldn't have acted this way.
Why didn't David kill Saul? Why didn't he start a large-scale war against Ish-Bosheth when his kingdom was much more powerful than Ish-Bosheth's? If these two men had considered these questions, they wouldn't have acted this way.
Look at verse 8b: "This day the LORD has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring." They say to David, "my lord the king." Does this make sense? Until yesterday, they called Ish-bosheth 'my lord,' but today they called David 'my king.' Would David then say, "You did a good job. You are very loyal to me?" They thought David would accept them if they bring Ish-Bosheth’s head to him and call him 'my lord.' But it was their critical lapse in judgment and failure.
Here is the truth: It is not me who choose my king but the king who chooses me. When the king chooses me and calls me his subject, he becomes my lord.
Matthew 7:21 says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Just saying to Jesus, "Lord, Lord," does not mean to go to God’s kingdom. No matter how fervently we try, if the Lord does not accept you and me, it is useless. Not because we call Jesus 'Lord,' but because when we do the will of God, Jesus becomes our King, and we can call Him 'my Lord.'
Let us know who God is. Let us know His will. Otherwise, though we might try hard to come to God, we would be further away from Him. If we do not do the will of God, we cannot become God's people, and we are not allowed to enter His kingdom.
Look at verse 12: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble." David said, "God has delivered me from every trouble." Here, the word "delivered" is synonymous with "redeem." It means to pay the price to buy back a prisoner of war. David knew exactly who God was. “God has paid the price to save me from troubles and dangers. God is the one who saves my life. My life is not taken away by men, diseases or accidents. I will not be killed by Saul, Abner or the Philistines.”
Today, we see two men and two kingdoms. We see the shameful life of Ish-Bosheth and the glorious life of David. Their crossroads are simple. Ish-Bosheth relied on man, but David relied on God. Ish-Bosheth ended his life in the most shameful way, but David lived a life of glory, prosperity, and respect. Romans 2:6-8 says, "God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who, by persistence in doing good, seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking, who reject the truth, and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."
Friends, do not live a self-centered life. Instead, rely on God and live with God's mission. The most blessed thing is to believe in Jesus and to worship, pray, and do gospel work. Then you will prosper and be victorious now and forever.
2 Samuel 4
After Saul died, Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, became king of Israel. Seven years later, when Abner, the commander of the army, died, two military leaders of Ish-Bosheth assassinated the king and brought his head to David. But David was not happy at all. Rather, he punished those who had brought Ish-bosheth's head.
The thing that man must be most wary of is becoming self-centered, that is, to judge everything based on their own standard and benefit. This text shows how self-centered people end up their lives so tragically. King Saul, the Amalekite youth, Abner, Joab, Ish-bosheth, and the two assassins of King Ish-bosheth all ended their lives miserably because they were self-centered.
Abner knew all about God's will, but he was so self-centered that he made Ish-bosheth a puppet king to seize power. Then, after quarrelling with Ish-bosheth, he betrayed him and surrendered to David. This was a deal for his own benefit; he thought he would gain a high political position in David's new kingdom. He is a person governed by calculation and self-interest. He seems smart, but his castle built on sand collapsed.
On the other hand, David was God-centered. Though Saul and Ishbosheth were political enemies to him, from God's perspective, they were also God's people. Therefore, David thought that he could neither abandon nor kill them.
David considered Israel as one church and believed that they should never kill each other within it, and this was the secret of how he was blessed by God and Israel was able to become one. We should not curse anyone in the church. Though they may be stagnant spiritually and disobedient now, they could repent and be restored later.
David embraces Abner, Joab, and Ishbosheth. Those who have no capability only know how to be with those whom they like and who agree with them. In God's community, we worship God together and do the work of God with those who are different from us and those who are not our favourites. This is power and capability. True ability is to be able to work together with those whom you do not like, and people who even hate you.
A healthy community can be formed when various kinds of people gather in the church of God. People with strong faith and weak faith are together to worship God and serve the will of God. This is a healthy and powerful church.
I pray that you may grow to become God-centered. I pray that you may reject everything that is not God-centered. Otherwise, we have no hopeful future, and our community will be broken.
David was anointed to be king. He lived an absolute life when it came to worship, prayer and obedience for God's glory. He was a man of God-centeredness. Then, did people like him? Did they acknowledge and welcome him as their king. No, that was not the case.
Many people were jealous of David and hated him (Psalm 2:1-3). "David, he is too extreme. He is a fanatic." Generally, people don't like a God-centered life because they think that such a life deprives human autonomy and freedom. This is why people hate Christianity. Christianity says that all the answers are already given in the word of God. People don’t like it. They argue that it is more humane to try various things and live according to their feelings and plans.
Today, people frown at those who faithfully participate in worship, prayer and gospel work, and fight against sin. They say, "Look, that guy is so inflexible. Why does he go to church every Sunday? Isn't this the final period? Why doesn't he go to the library? And during spring break, why doesn't he drink with his friends and go on a trip?"
Those who come to church occasionally dislike being asked to devote themselves to do work of God. They never do anything that seems hard. They don't want to go to hell, so they think they need to attend church from time to time. But they don't want to devote themselves to Jesus and His church. To them, their career, money and worldly pleasures are far more important than faith and devotion. They say they believe, but in reality, they are atheists.
After Saul died, God did not make David the king of Israel right away, but sent him to Hebron and had him restore worship and live a God-centered life for 7.6 years. Why? Under Saul's 40-year reign, Israel had already become accustomed to Saul's power and humanistic rule. Therefore, they felt burdened by David's God-centeredness. Thus, God gave the Israelites an opportunity to compare the two kingdoms for 7.6 years.
Here are two kingdoms. One is the kingdom of Ish-bosheth. This kingdom is ruled by human-centeredness, trickery and manipulation. The other kingdom is David's kingdom ruled by God-centeredness, honesty and morality.
At first, people had high expectations for the kingdom of Ish-bosheth. "Look! Ish-bosheth succeeded Saul. His kingdom rules 11 tribes, and his kingdom has a great general like Abner. Ish-bosheth's kingdom will be prosperous." However, as time passed, they heard a rumour that Abner had an affair with Saul's concubine. Then Ish-Bosheth was furious and challenged Abner though he had no power. At that time, the Israelites felt, "What is this? We have been deceived!" They must have been deeply disappointed. A worldly kingdom ruled by seemingly powerful people through human tactics and manipulation may seem appealing and splendid at first. But soon, we feel deceived and disappointed by such kingdoms.
Israel eventually grew tired of the regime of Ish-bosheth and fell into despair. On the other hand, they discovered that the kingdom of David governed by worship and morality, which seemed inflexible and strict, was actually powerful and fresh. They realized that the kingdom of David, which was God-centered, was the true kingdom.
Brothers, in our veins, the blood of self-centeredness is flowing. In fact, our blood is tainted that it leads us to death and judgment. If you let your tainted blood continue to flow, you cannot but live a self-centered life that you cannot join David’s kingdom representing the kingdom of God. You and I need a new blood, the blood of Jesus. 1 John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.” Then we do not live by our own standard. We do not live for our own benefit sacrificing truth and conscience. We live on every word that comes from the mouth of God. This is true freedom and the way to bear fruit that last everlastingly.
Second, rely only on God.
Look at verse 1. “When Ish- bosheth, son of Saul, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed.” Ish-Bosheth, became king of Israel through Abner's manipulation. In fact, he was a pitiful king who acted as Abner's puppet. Becoming king is not always a blessing. We live in a world where titles and positions are overly valued. However, we must recognize that holding such a position does not guarantee happiness or glory. If someone who should not be in that position takes it, not only will he not be happy, but he may also end in tragedy. Human history is filled with such tragedy.
Ish- Bosheth means "shameful one." Ironically, his name "shameful" became his identity and defined his entire life. He was around 42 years old. He was no longer young. As a king, he should have contemplated what actions to take and what kind of nation he should form. Yet, he relied solely on Abner. Since he became king by Abner, he constantly tried to read Abner's face and check his mood. He was a king, but he did not behave like king. He did not know what to do, even though he held the title.
Are you checking who you are? You must reflect on where you are, what your purpose is, and why you do things. Don’t controlled by men or circumstances.
The reason Ish-bosheth lost his courage was that he relied on Abner seemingly strong, brave and smart. When Abner died, he fell into fear and ultimately perished. We try to find whom we can rely on. However, no one is able to help us. Though you might receive help from those in high positions or wealth, you will have to pay a great price for it.
Psalm 146:3 says, "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." Princes and human beings are those who hold political power and wealth. Do not rely on such people, for they have no power to save you. Faith is not to depend on such people.
Jeremiah 17:5 states, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD."
Why did Ishbosheth end up like this? It was because he relied on the seemingly powerful man, Abner, instead of relying on God. Therefore, though it may be difficult, if you rely on God from the beginning, you can be strong and overcome challenges though man betrays you or dies.
Ish-Bosheth became king. But what good is it to him? He was always on pins and needles for 7.6 years. Though he might enjoy the title of 'king,' it held no meaning, purpose, or mission. We live by faith. What does it mean? We trust in God and rely on Him.
Do not depend on people who seem powerful with good positions. And do not rely on your spouse or friends. They feel powerless, and life is hard for them too. If you demand help from your spouse or friends, your relationship with them will suffer and you will be disappointed and angry. Stop thinking about where to go for help. Instead, rely on God by coming to worship Him, praying, and helping those around you with God's power. This is the path of faith. If you rely solely on God, those who want to help you will come to you.
God gave Ish-bosheth a considerable amount of time: 7.6 years. During this period, he could have discovered God's will, realized his own weaknesses, and acknowledged David's kingdom. He could have sought God's mercy when Abner died. However, he did not pray and did not come up with any countermeasures. What did he do? He took a nap.
Look at verse 7. “They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head.”
Was it acceptable for him to take a nap during such a national emergency? Did he truly understand what was important and urgent? He was killed because he slept when he shouldn't have and was in a place he shouldn't have been. (In a crisis, some eat more, go shopping, drink, sleep, play video game more…) He lived shamefully and died shamefully.
Are we in the place where God has sent us according to His will in times of crisis? Are we listening to God's message when we face an emergency? If Ish-Bosheth had sought God and prayed for his nation and his people, would he have met such a shameful and miserable death?
Now, the economy is facing challenges. The future is uncertain. You and I could be discouraged and afraid. However, if you take a nap in despair and discouragement, you could end up like Ish-bosheth. And when you open your eyes, what if it is hell? Therefore, when you are discouraged, don't take a nap. That is the sleep of death. You should pray. You should rely on God more.
Rekab and Baanah, Ish-Bosheth’s two military leaders planned meticulously to assassinate Ish-Bosheth after Abner's death. They thought Ish-Bosheth's kingdom was in decline. They were daring enough to kill their king. They ran 95 km all night to David with the king's bloody head. They were clever, brave and passionate. But what was missing from them? What didn't they know? They didn't know who David was. If they had studied carefully about what kind of man David was, they wouldn't have acted this way.
Why didn't David kill Saul? Why didn't he start a large-scale war against Ish-Bosheth when his kingdom was much more powerful than Ish-Bosheth's? If these two men had considered these questions, they wouldn't have acted this way.
Look at verse 8b: "This day the LORD has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring." They say to David, "my lord the king." Does this make sense? Until yesterday, they called Ish-bosheth 'my lord,' but today they called David 'my king.' Would David then say, "You did a good job. You are very loyal to me?" They thought David would accept them if they bring Ish-Bosheth’s head to him and call him 'my lord.' But it was their critical lapse in judgment and failure.
Here is the truth: It is not me who choose my king but the king who chooses me. When the king chooses me and calls me his subject, he becomes my lord.
Matthew 7:21 says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Just saying to Jesus, "Lord, Lord," does not mean to go to God’s kingdom. No matter how fervently we try, if the Lord does not accept you and me, it is useless. Not because we call Jesus 'Lord,' but because when we do the will of God, Jesus becomes our King, and we can call Him 'my Lord.'
Let us know who God is. Let us know His will. Otherwise, though we might try hard to come to God, we would be further away from Him. If we do not do the will of God, we cannot become God's people, and we are not allowed to enter His kingdom.
Look at verse 12: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble." David said, "God has delivered me from every trouble." Here, the word "delivered" is synonymous with "redeem." It means to pay the price to buy back a prisoner of war. David knew exactly who God was. “God has paid the price to save me from troubles and dangers. God is the one who saves my life. My life is not taken away by men, diseases or accidents. I will not be killed by Saul, Abner or the Philistines.”
Today, we see two men and two kingdoms. We see the shameful life of Ish-Bosheth and the glorious life of David. Their crossroads are simple. Ish-Bosheth relied on man, but David relied on God. Ish-Bosheth ended his life in the most shameful way, but David lived a life of glory, prosperity, and respect. Romans 2:6-8 says, "God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who, by persistence in doing good, seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking, who reject the truth, and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."
Friends, do not live a self-centered life. Instead, rely on God and live with God's mission. The most blessed thing is to believe in Jesus and to worship, pray, and do gospel work. Then you will prosper and be victorious now and forever.
2 Samuel 4
After Saul died, Ishbosheth, Saul's son, became king of Israel. Seven years later, when Abner, the commander of the army, died, two military leaders of Ish-Bosheth assassinated the king and brought his head to David. But David was not happy at all. Rather, he punished those who had brought Ishbosheth's head.
The thing that man must be most wary of is becoming self-centered, that is, to judge everything based on their own standard and benefit. This text shows how self-centered people end up their lives so tragically. King Saul, the Amalekite youth, Abner, Joab, Ishbosheth, and the two assassins of King Ishbosheth all ended their lives miserably because they were self-centered.
Abner knew all about God's will, but he was so self-centered that he made Ish-bosheth a puppet king to seize power. Then, after quarrelling with Ish-bosheth, he betrayed him and surrendered to David. This was a deal for his own benefit; he thought he would gain a high political position in David's new kingdom. He is a person governed by calculation and self-interest. He seems smart, but his castle built on sand collapsed.
On the other hand, David was God-centered. Though Saul and Ishbosheth were political enemies to him, from God's perspective, they were also God's people. Therefore, David thought that he could neither abandon nor kill them.
David considered Israel as one church and believed that they should never kill each other within it, and this was the secret of how he was blessed by God and Israel was able to become one. We should not curse anyone in the church. Though they may be stagnant spiritually and disobedient now, they could repent and be restored later.
David embraces Abner, Joab, and Ishbosheth. Those who have no capability only know how to be with those whom they like and who agree with them. In God's community, we worship God together and do the work of God with those who are different from us and those who are not our favourites. This is power and capability. True ability is to be able to work together with those whom you do not like, and people who even hate you.
A healthy community can be formed when various kinds of people gather in the church of God. People with strong faith and weak faith are together to worship God and serve the will of God. This is a healthy and powerful church.
I pray that you may grow to become God-centered. I pray that you may reject everything that is not God-centered. Otherwise, we have no hopeful future, and our community will be broken.
David was anointed to be king. He lived an absolute life when it came to worship, prayer and obedience for God's glory. He was a man of God-centeredness. Then, did people like him? Did they acknowledge and welcome him as their king. No, that was not the case.
Many people were jealous of David and hated him (Psalm 2:1-3). "David, he is too extreme. He is a fanatic." Generally, people don't like a God-centered life because they think that such a life deprives human autonomy and freedom. This is why people hate Christianity. Christianity says that all the answers are already given in the word of God. People don’t like it. They argue that it is more humane to try various things and live according to their feelings and plans.
Today, people frown at those who faithfully participate in worship, prayer and gospel work, and fight against sin. They say, "Look, that guy is so inflexible. Why does he go to church every Sunday? Isn't this the final period? Why doesn't he go to the library? And during spring break, why doesn't he drink with his friends and go on a trip?"
Those who come to church occasionally dislike being asked to devote themselves to do work of God. They never do anything that seems hard. They don't want to go to hell, so they think they need to attend church from time to time. But they don't want to devote themselves to Jesus and His church. To them, their career, money and worldly pleasures are far more important than faith and devotion. They say they believe, but in reality, they are atheists.
After Saul died, God did not make David the king of Israel right away, but sent him to Hebron and had him restore worship and live a God-centered life for 7.6 years. Why? Under Saul's 40-year reign, Israel had already become accustomed to Saul's power and humanistic rule. Therefore, they felt burdened by David's God-centeredness. Thus, God gave the Israelites an opportunity to compare the two kingdoms for 7.6 years.
Here are two kingdoms. One is the kingdom of Ish-bosheth. This kingdom is ruled by human-centeredness, trickery and manipulation. The other kingdom is David's kingdom ruled by God-centeredness, honesty and morality.
At first, people had high expectations for the kingdom of Ish-bosheth. "Look! Ish-bosheth succeeded Saul. His kingdom rules 11 tribes, and his kingdom has a great general like Abner. Ish-bosheth's kingdom will be prosperous." However, as time passed, they heard a rumour that Abner had an affair with Saul's concubine. Then Ish-Bosheth was furious and challenged Abner though he had no power. At that time, the Israelites felt, "What is this? We have been deceived!" They must have been deeply disappointed. A worldly kingdom ruled by seemingly powerful people through human tactics and manipulation may seem appealing and splendid at first. But soon, we feel deceived and disappointed by such kingdoms.
Israel eventually grew tired of the regime of Ish-bosheth and fell into despair. On the other hand, they discovered that the kingdom of David governed by worship and morality, which seemed inflexible and strict, was actually powerful and fresh. They realized that the kingdom of David, which was God-centered, was the true kingdom.
Brothers, in our veins, the blood of self-centeredness is flowing. In fact, our blood is tainted that it leads us to death and judgment. If you let your tainted blood continue to flow, you cannot but live a self-centered life that you cannot join David’s kingdom representing the kingdom of God. You and I need a new blood, the blood of Jesus. 1 John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.” Then we do not live by our own standard. We do not live for our own benefit sacrificing truth and conscience. We live on every word that comes from the mouth of God. This is true freedom and the way to bear fruit that last everlastingly.
Second, rely only on God.
Look at verse 1. “When Ish- bosheth, son of Saul, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed.” Ish-Bosheth, became king of Israel through Abner's manipulation. In fact, he was a pitiful king who acted as Abner's puppet. Becoming king is not always a blessing. We live in a world where titles and positions are overly valued. However, we must recognize that holding such a position does not guarantee happiness or glory. If someone who should not be in that position takes it, not only will he not be happy, but he may also end in tragedy. Human history is filled with such tragedy.
Ish- Bosheth means "shameful one." Ironically, his name "shameful" became his identity and defined his entire life. He was around 42 years old. He was no longer young. As a king, he should have contemplated what actions to take and what kind of nation he should form. Yet, he relied solely on Abner. Since he became king by Abner, he constantly tried to read Abner's face and check his mood. He was a king, but he did not behave like king. He did not know what to do, even though he held the title.
Are you checking who you are? You must reflect on where you are, what your purpose is, and why you do things. Don’t controlled by men or circumstances.
The reason Ish-bosheth lost his courage was that he relied on Abner seemingly strong, brave and smart. When Abner died, he fell into fear and ultimately perished. We try to find whom we can rely on. However, no one is able to help us. Though you might receive help from those in high positions or wealth, you will have to pay a great price for it.
Psalm 146:3 says, "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." Princes and human beings are those who hold political power and wealth. Do not rely on such people, for they have no power to save you. Faith is not to depend on such people.
Jeremiah 17:5 states, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD."
Why did Ishbosheth end up like this? It was because he relied on the seemingly powerful man, Abner, instead of relying on God. Therefore, though it may be difficult, if you rely on God from the beginning, you can be strong and overcome challenges though man betrays you or dies.
Ish-Bosheth became king. But what good is it to him? He was always on pins and needles for 7.6 years. Though he might enjoy the title of 'king,' it held no meaning, purpose, or mission. We live by faith. What does it mean? We trust in God and rely on Him.
Do not depend on people who seem powerful with good positions. And do not rely on your spouse or friends. They feel powerless, and life is hard for them too. If you demand help from your spouse or friends, your relationship with them will suffer and you will be disappointed and angry. Stop thinking about where to go for help. Instead, rely on God by coming to worship Him, praying, and helping those around you with God's power. This is the path of faith. If you rely solely on God, those who want to help you will come to you.
God gave Ish-bosheth a considerable amount of time: 7.6 years. During this period, he could have discovered God's will, realized his own weaknesses, and acknowledged David's kingdom. He could have sought God's mercy when Abner died. However, he did not pray and did not come up with any countermeasures. What did he do? He took a nap.
Look at verse 7. “They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head.”
Was it acceptable for him to take a nap during such a national emergency? Did he truly understand what was important and urgent? He was killed because he slept when he shouldn't have and was in a place he shouldn't have been. (In a crisis, some eat more, go shopping, drink, sleep, play video game more…) He lived shamefully and died shamefully.
Are we in the place where God has sent us according to His will in times of crisis? Are we listening to God's message when we face an emergency? If Ish-Bosheth had sought God and prayed for his nation and his people, would he have met such a shameful and miserable death?
Now, the economy is facing challenges. The future is uncertain. You and I could be discouraged and afraid. However, if you take a nap in despair and discouragement, you could end up like Ish-bosheth. And when you open your eyes, what if it is hell? Therefore, when you are discouraged, don't take a nap. That is the sleep of death. You should pray. You should rely on God more.
Rekab and Baanah, Ish-Bosheth’s two military leaders planned meticulously to assassinate Ish-Bosheth after Abner's death. They thought Ish-Bosheth's kingdom was in decline. They were daring enough to kill their king. They ran 95 km all night to David with the king's bloody head. They were clever, brave and passionate. But what was missing from them? What didn't they know? They didn't know who David was. If they had studied carefully about what kind of man David was, they wouldn't have acted this way.
Why didn't David kill Saul? Why didn't he start a large-scale war against Ish-Bosheth when his kingdom was much more powerful than Ish-Bosheth's? If these two men had considered these questions, they wouldn't have acted this way.
Look at verse 8b: "This day the LORD has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring." They say to David, "my lord the king." Does this make sense? Until yesterday, they called Ish-bosheth 'my lord,' but today they called David 'my king.' Would David then say, "You did a good job. You are very loyal to me?" They thought David would accept them if they bring Ish-Bosheth’s head to him and call him 'my lord.' But it was their critical lapse in judgment and failure.
Here is the truth: It is not me who choose my king but the king who chooses me. When the king chooses me and calls me his subject, he becomes my lord.
Matthew 7:21 says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Just saying to Jesus, "Lord, Lord," does not mean to go to God’s kingdom. No matter how fervently we try, if the Lord does not accept you and me, it is useless. Not because we call Jesus 'Lord,' but because when we do the will of God, Jesus becomes our King, and we can call Him 'my Lord.'
Let us know who God is. Let us know His will. Otherwise, though we might try hard to come to God, we would be further away from Him. If we do not do the will of God, we cannot become God's people, and we are not allowed to enter His kingdom.
Look at verse 12: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble." David said, "God has delivered me from every trouble." Here, the word "delivered" is synonymous with "redeem." It means to pay the price to buy back a prisoner of war. David knew exactly who God was. “God has paid the price to save me from troubles and dangers. God is the one who saves my life. My life is not taken away by men, diseases or accidents. I will not be killed by Saul, Abner or the Philistines.”
Today, we see two men and two kingdoms. We see the shameful life of Ish-Bosheth and the glorious life of David. Their crossroads are simple. Ish-Bosheth relied on man, but David relied on God. Ish-Bosheth ended his life in the most shameful way, but David lived a life of glory, prosperity, and respect. Romans 2:6-8 says, "God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who, by persistence in doing good, seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking, who reject the truth, and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."
Friends, do not live a self-centered life. Instead, rely on God and live with God's mission. The most blessed thing is to believe in Jesus and to worship, pray, and do gospel work. Then you will prosper and be victorious now and forever.
2 Samuel 4
After Saul died, Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, became king of Israel. Seven years later, when Abner, the commander of the army, died, two military leaders of Ish-Bosheth assassinated the king and brought his head to David. But David was not happy at all. Rather, he punished those who had brought Ish-bosheth's head.
The thing that man must be most wary of is becoming self-centered, that is, to judge everything based on their own standard and benefit. This text shows how self-centered people end up their lives so tragically. King Saul, the Amalekite youth, Abner, Joab, Ish-bosheth, and the two assassins of King Ish-bosheth all ended their lives miserably because they were self-centered.
Abner knew all about God's will, but he was so self-centered that he made Ish-bosheth a puppet king to seize power. Then, after quarrelling with Ish-bosheth, he betrayed him and surrendered to David. This was a deal for his own benefit; he thought he would gain a high political position in David's new kingdom. He is a person governed by calculation and self-interest. He seems smart, but his castle built on sand collapsed.
On the other hand, David was God-centered. Though Saul and Ishbosheth were political enemies to him, from God's perspective, they were also God's people. Therefore, David thought that he could neither abandon nor kill them.
David considered Israel as one church and believed that they should never kill each other within it, and this was the secret of how he was blessed by God and Israel was able to become one. We should not curse anyone in the church. Though they may be stagnant spiritually and disobedient now, they could repent and be restored later.
David embraces Abner, Joab, and Ishbosheth. Those who have no capability only know how to be with those whom they like and who agree with them. In God's community, we worship God together and do the work of God with those who are different from us and those who are not our favourites. This is power and capability. True ability is to be able to work together with those whom you do not like, and people who even hate you.
A healthy community can be formed when various kinds of people gather in the church of God. People with strong faith and weak faith are together to worship God and serve the will of God. This is a healthy and powerful church.
I pray that you may grow to become God-centered. I pray that you may reject everything that is not God-centered. Otherwise, we have no hopeful future, and our community will be broken.
David was anointed to be king. He lived an absolute life when it came to worship, prayer and obedience for God's glory. He was a man of God-centeredness. Then, did people like him? Did they acknowledge and welcome him as their king. No, that was not the case.
Many people were jealous of David and hated him (Psalm 2:1-3). "David, he is too extreme. He is a fanatic." Generally, people don't like a God-centered life because they think that such a life deprives human autonomy and freedom. This is why people hate Christianity. Christianity says that all the answers are already given in the word of God. People don’t like it. They argue that it is more humane to try various things and live according to their feelings and plans.
Today, people frown at those who faithfully participate in worship, prayer and gospel work, and fight against sin. They say, "Look, that guy is so inflexible. Why does he go to church every Sunday? Isn't this the final period? Why doesn't he go to the library? And during spring break, why doesn't he drink with his friends and go on a trip?"
Those who come to church occasionally dislike being asked to devote themselves to do work of God. They never do anything that seems hard. They don't want to go to hell, so they think they need to attend church from time to time. But they don't want to devote themselves to Jesus and His church. To them, their career, money and worldly pleasures are far more important than faith and devotion. They say they believe, but in reality, they are atheists.
After Saul died, God did not make David the king of Israel right away, but sent him to Hebron and had him restore worship and live a God-centered life for 7.6 years. Why? Under Saul's 40-year reign, Israel had already become accustomed to Saul's power and humanistic rule. Therefore, they felt burdened by David's God-centeredness. Thus, God gave the Israelites an opportunity to compare the two kingdoms for 7.6 years.
Here are two kingdoms. One is the kingdom of Ish-bosheth. This kingdom is ruled by human-centeredness, trickery and manipulation. The other kingdom is David's kingdom ruled by God-centeredness, honesty and morality.
At first, people had high expectations for the kingdom of Ish-bosheth. "Look! Ish-bosheth succeeded Saul. His kingdom rules 11 tribes, and his kingdom has a great general like Abner. Ish-bosheth's kingdom will be prosperous." However, as time passed, they heard a rumour that Abner had an affair with Saul's concubine. Then Ish-Bosheth was furious and challenged Abner though he had no power. At that time, the Israelites felt, "What is this? We have been deceived!" They must have been deeply disappointed. A worldly kingdom ruled by seemingly powerful people through human tactics and manipulation may seem appealing and splendid at first. But soon, we feel deceived and disappointed by such kingdoms.
Israel eventually grew tired of the regime of Ish-bosheth and fell into despair. On the other hand, they discovered that the kingdom of David governed by worship and morality, which seemed inflexible and strict, was actually powerful and fresh. They realized that the kingdom of David, which was God-centered, was the true kingdom.
Brothers, in our veins, the blood of self-centeredness is flowing. In fact, our blood is tainted that it leads us to death and judgment. If you let your tainted blood continue to flow, you cannot but live a self-centered life that you cannot join David’s kingdom representing the kingdom of God. You and I need a new blood, the blood of Jesus. 1 John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.” Then we do not live by our own standard. We do not live for our own benefit sacrificing truth and conscience. We live on every word that comes from the mouth of God. This is true freedom and the way to bear fruit that last everlastingly.
Second, rely only on God.
Look at verse 1. “When Ish- bosheth, son of Saul, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed.” Ish-Bosheth, became king of Israel through Abner's manipulation. In fact, he was a pitiful king who acted as Abner's puppet. Becoming king is not always a blessing. We live in a world where titles and positions are overly valued. However, we must recognize that holding such a position does not guarantee happiness or glory. If someone who should not be in that position takes it, not only will he not be happy, but he may also end in tragedy. Human history is filled with such tragedy.
Ish- Bosheth means "shameful one." Ironically, his name "shameful" became his identity and defined his entire life. He was around 42 years old. He was no longer young. As a king, he should have contemplated what actions to take and what kind of nation he should form. Yet, he relied solely on Abner. Since he became king by Abner, he constantly tried to read Abner's face and check his mood. He was a king, but he did not behave like king. He did not know what to do, even though he held the title.
Are you checking who you are? You must reflect on where you are, what your purpose is, and why you do things. Don’t controlled by men or circumstances.
The reason Ish-bosheth lost his courage was that he relied on Abner seemingly strong, brave and smart. When Abner died, he fell into fear and ultimately perished. We try to find whom we can rely on. However, no one is able to help us. Though you might receive help from those in high positions or wealth, you will have to pay a great price for it.
Psalm 146:3 says, "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." Princes and human beings are those who hold political power and wealth. Do not rely on such people, for they have no power to save you. Faith is not to depend on such people.
Jeremiah 17:5 states, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD."
Why did Ishbosheth end up like this? It was because he relied on the seemingly powerful man, Abner, instead of relying on God. Therefore, though it may be difficult, if you rely on God from the beginning, you can be strong and overcome challenges though man betrays you or dies.
Ish-Bosheth became king. But what good is it to him? He was always on pins and needles for 7.6 years. Though he might enjoy the title of 'king,' it held no meaning, purpose, or mission. We live by faith. What does it mean? We trust in God and rely on Him.
Do not depend on people who seem powerful with good positions. And do not rely on your spouse or friends. They feel powerless, and life is hard for them too. If you demand help from your spouse or friends, your relationship with them will suffer and you will be disappointed and angry. Stop thinking about where to go for help. Instead, rely on God by coming to worship Him, praying, and helping those around you with God's power. This is the path of faith. If you rely solely on God, those who want to help you will come to you.
God gave Ish-bosheth a considerable amount of time: 7.6 years. During this period, he could have discovered God's will, realized his own weaknesses, and acknowledged David's kingdom. He could have sought God's mercy when Abner died. However, he did not pray and did not come up with any countermeasures. What did he do? He took a nap.
Look at verse 7. “They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head.”
Was it acceptable for him to take a nap during such a national emergency? Did he truly understand what was important and urgent? He was killed because he slept when he shouldn't have and was in a place he shouldn't have been. (In a crisis, some eat more, go shopping, drink, sleep, play video game more…) He lived shamefully and died shamefully.
Are we in the place where God has sent us according to His will in times of crisis? Are we listening to God's message when we face an emergency? If Ish-Bosheth had sought God and prayed for his nation and his people, would he have met such a shameful and miserable death?
Now, the economy is facing challenges. The future is uncertain. You and I could be discouraged and afraid. However, if you take a nap in despair and discouragement, you could end up like Ish-bosheth. And when you open your eyes, what if it is hell? Therefore, when you are discouraged, don't take a nap. That is the sleep of death. You should pray. You should rely on God more.
Rekab and Baanah, Ish-Bosheth’s two military leaders planned meticulously to assassinate Ish-Bosheth after Abner's death. They thought Ish-Bosheth's kingdom was in decline. They were daring enough to kill their king. They ran 95 km all night to David with the king's bloody head. They were clever, brave and passionate. But what was missing from them? What didn't they know? They didn't know who David was. If they had studied carefully about what kind of man David was, they wouldn't have acted this way.
Why didn't David kill Saul? Why didn't he start a large-scale war against Ish-Bosheth when his kingdom was much more powerful than Ish-Bosheth's? If these two men had considered these questions, they wouldn't have acted this way.
Look at verse 8b: "This day the LORD has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring." They say to David, "my lord the king." Does this make sense? Until yesterday, they called Ish-bosheth 'my lord,' but today they called David 'my king.' Would David then say, "You did a good job. You are very loyal to me?" They thought David would accept them if they bring Ish-Bosheth’s head to him and call him 'my lord.' But it was their critical lapse in judgment and failure.
Here is the truth: It is not me who choose my king but the king who chooses me. When the king chooses me and calls me his subject, he becomes my lord.
Matthew 7:21 says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Just saying to Jesus, "Lord, Lord," does not mean to go to God’s kingdom. No matter how fervently we try, if the Lord does not accept you and me, it is useless. Not because we call Jesus 'Lord,' but because when we do the will of God, Jesus becomes our King, and we can call Him 'my Lord.'
Let us know who God is. Let us know His will. Otherwise, though we might try hard to come to God, we would be further away from Him. If we do not do the will of God, we cannot become God's people, and we are not allowed to enter His kingdom.
Look at verse 12: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble." David said, "God has delivered me from every trouble." Here, the word "delivered" is synonymous with "redeem." It means to pay the price to buy back a prisoner of war. David knew exactly who God was. “God has paid the price to save me from troubles and dangers. God is the one who saves my life. My life is not taken away by men, diseases or accidents. I will not be killed by Saul, Abner or the Philistines.”
Today, we see two men and two kingdoms. We see the shameful life of Ish-Bosheth and the glorious life of David. Their crossroads are simple. Ish-Bosheth relied on man, but David relied on God. Ish-Bosheth ended his life in the most shameful way, but David lived a life of glory, prosperity, and respect. Romans 2:6-8 says, "God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who, by persistence in doing good, seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking, who reject the truth, and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."
Friends, do not live a self-centered life. Instead, rely on God and live with God's mission. The most blessed thing is to believe in Jesus and to worship, pray, and do gospel work. Then you will prosper and be victorious now and forever.