{ Purpose over Problems & Prosperity II Samuel 1 and 2

II Samuel is the story of David   the establishment of his kingdom,   his reign as king,   his successes and failures,   his last days and death,   his succession by his son Solomon.

II Samuel starts with David in Ziklag - - Ziklag was in ruins, destroyed by the Amalekites - - The same Amalekites who were spared by Saul in I Sam 15? - - David and his men gone to see Achish, king of Gath, who wanted David to join him in battle against Israel - - The Amalekites had taken their women and children

David in Ziklag - - David and his men able to pursue them and recover everything they had taken - - While David battled the Amalekites, Saul and his sons and the Israelite army were battling the Philistines, and Saul and his sons were killed - - Meanwhile, another Amalekite, fleeing from the battle, brings Saul’s crown to David, having claimed to have killed him

II Sam 1 10: So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord. - - He knew David was interested in Saul and Jonathan - - He assumed David would be happy with Saul’s death - - He did not know David did not like Amalekites - - He could have been an opportunist and a liar - - He knew Saul was God’s anointed, yet claimed to kill him

II Sam 1 12: They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. - - The grief was genuine - - The grief was shared - - Even God would have grieved - - Ez-18:23 – Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

II Sam Why thank Jabesh-Gilead? - - Ish-Bosheth a 40-y old son of Saul who did not go to battle? - - David ruled 7½ y but Ish- Bosheth 2 y? - - Did Abner run the kingdom?

  Ziklag represents David’s current situation:   Persecution – running from Saul   Loss or Ruin – Amalekites raid   Alienation – In a foreign, enemy land   Unrest – Homesick   What is my current situation?

  As we begin our stories for 2015, what is my current situation, how was my 2014?   What does Ziklag or 2014 represent for you?   Just Survived?   Great Reward?   Something in-between?

  David somewhere in-between, but in his moment of opportunity, he sought God.   David submitted to God in time of both Problems and Prosperity   But more than rescue from Problems or the blessing of Prosperity, David sought the Purposes of God! Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. – Ps 63:3 In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth. Ps 119:88

God led him to Hebron; Hebron was a City of Refuge – - Sanctuary – a place of peace - - Rest – a place of joy – fulfillment, contentment, happiness - - Home – in Judah, among their own people – where God wanted them to be

  This year, in 2015, would we look beyond rescue from problems or blessings of prosperity and seek God’s Purpose for our Life?   We could have all our prayers answered and still be unfulfilled   We could have all the problems imaginable and still be joyful

  The greatest blessing is to Know and Fulfill the purpose of God for your life   God will bless your life (with purpose) to the extent that you allow him to – by Spending Time with him to know him and to allow him to Transform you to his likeness!

 Being prepared---transformed to fulfill your purpose as important as fulfilling your purpose!  That’s why David spent those years in the pasture, the desert, Ziklag  Time of preparation, time of incubation, before realizing your calling

 Both Saul and David were anointed with the promise that their kingdom would be established forever – had equal opportunity  Both knew their calling  Saul became disconnected, God was grieved  David remained connected, and showed Christ

 What is showing Christ, if not the fruit of the Spirit? - Love - Joy - Peace - Patience - …  All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. – 2 Sam 5:36

 Transformation takes time - Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long – Ps 119:97 - Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us - To pray is to change – Celebration of Discipline – David Foster

 With David focused on God’s purpose, God:   fought his battles   established his reign   secured his family and fortune   blessed his legacy; Jesus his descendant   And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel – 2 Sam 5:12

  Peace   Prosperity   Health   Transformation   Purpose   To be like Jesus  In 2015, what do we want? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matt 6:33