“The Life of David – 23” 2 Samuel 15: /23/1009 Dr. Dane Boyles

“The Life of David – 23” –David’s world is tottering as he faces his fate with honesty and realism. –In actual fact David re-finds himself and his dignity in necessity. –Our text today drives home the lesson of how to be a man, how to be a true human being when you face the loss of everything you hold dear.

“The Life of David – 23” –From that lowest place David now rises, lifts his head, and makes his ascent to the summit of the Mount of Olives. –Our text today reveals how to ascend to that mysterious place of worship that is to be found in the midst of deepest sorrow.

“The Life of David – 23” Rise with no Props (15:23-29). –The Backdrop: A Miniature Universe of Mourning (15:23)

“The Life of David – 23” 23 The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the desert. (2 Sam. 15:23)

“The Life of David – 23” At the center of the verse is the king, around whom everything revolves. This concentric structure reveals that everything in life is integrated; nothing occurs in isolation.

“The Life of David – 23” It is at that moment that David raises his head out of dust of mourning and beholds the priests coming to meet him.

“The Life of David – 23” –The Individual Encounter: Zadok the Priest (15:24-29). 24 Zadok was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city. (2 Sam. 15:24)

“The Life of David – 23” Here is the entire priesthood giving their fugitive king their full weight of trust and their most valuable gift.

“The Life of David – 23” 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. (Joshua 3:17)

“The Life of David – 23” The juxtaposition of these two scenes deepens David’s sorrow. What should David do? David surrenders unconditionally to the hands of God.

“The Life of David – 23” 25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the LORD’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. (2 Sam. 15:25)

“The Life of David – 23” 26 But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.” (2 Sam. 15:26)

“The Life of David – 23” –His faith enables him to fully accept his fate. –He allows God space in the relationship. –This leaves God complete freedom to act in grace.

“The Life of David – 23” 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Aren’t you a seer? Go back to the city in peace, with your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan son of Abiathar. You and Abiathar take your two sons with you. (2 Sam. 15:27)

“The Life of David – 23” 28 I will wait at the fords in the desert until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there. (2 Sam. 15:28-29)

“The Life of David – 23” Lifting the Head to Pray (15:30-37) –The Backdrop: A World Ascending in Mourning (15:30).

“The Life of David – 23” 30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. (2 Sam. 15:30)

“The Life of David – 23” Out of this mini-universe, a cameo of national mourning, emerges David’s next personal encounter.

“The Life of David – 23” –The Individual Encounter: Hushai the Arkite (15:31-37). 31 Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “O LORD, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.” (2 Sam. 15:31)

“The Life of David – 23” 32 When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be a burden to me. (2 Sam. 15:32-33)

“The Life of David – 23” 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel’s advice. (2 Sam. 15:34)

“The Life of David – 23” 35 Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king’s palace. 36 Their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear.” (2 Sam. 15:35-36)

“The Life of David – 23” 37 So David’s friend Hushai arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city. (2 Sam. 15:37)

“The Life of David – 23” Reflections: The Divine Dance. –A Royal Dance of King and People.

“The Life of David – 23” This is the resonant energy of love that enables David to ascend so that by the end of the day he will be lifted up to the mount where God is worshiped. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).

“The Life of David – 23” –A Divine Dance of God and Humanity, This is a dance that is played out in an exquisite harmony and balance that defies orchestration.

“The Life of David – 23” –The Dance Memorialized in a Poem. He incorporated the divine dance into a poem, which became Psalm 3.

“The Life of David – 23” –A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. 1 O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah (Psa. 3:1-2)

“The Life of David – 23” 3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. 4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah (Psa. 3:3-4)

“The Life of David – 23” 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. (Psa. 3:5-6)

“The Life of David – 23” 7 Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. (Psa. 3:7)

“The Life of David – 23” 8 From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah (Psalms 3:8) –If your world is falling apart today, and if you have to exit the city, do not miss this dance.

“The Life of David – 23” 2 Samuel 15: /23/1009 Dr. Dane Boyles