1. 2 Samuel 19:40 – 20:22

2. 2 Samuel 19:40 – 20:22

3. Background “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.”
The prophet Nathan confronting David
2 Samuel 12:11-14
Chapter 13. Amnon lusts after his sister Tamar
Absalom kills Amnon
Absalom rebels against David
David flees Jerusalem
Absalom is killed by Joab
David returns to Jerusalem

4. 3 stories of wickedness
We have the wickedness of pride and division in the arrangements to bring the king back (19:40-43)
We have the wickedness of Sheba’s rebellion against God’s anointed king (20:1-2)
We have the wickedness of resentment and hatred as Joab murders Amasa (20:4-15)

5. “Where is God in all of this?”
Question for today
“Where is God in all of this?”

6. 1. The wickedness of Israel and Judah
Pride and division
Judah was insensitive to Israel
Israel took the worst possible interpretation of Judah’s actions
Judah responded harshly to Israel’s accusation
Harsh words lead to more harsh words

7. 1. The wickedness of Israel and Judah
Insensitivity
Jumping to the worst interpretations on someone’s motives
Harsh words
Open division
It all sounds familiar … doesn’t it?
Great harm to God’s reputation and mission!

8. 2. The wickedness of Sheba
20:2 Sheba rebelling against the king and Israel following him
David was not on the throne by accident
God has not changed His mind
Any rebellion against David is rebellion against God!

9. 2. The wickedness of Sheba
Not really repented for doing so
No overriding awareness that they had failed God
No confession or repentance
No renewed acknowledgement that David was God’s anointed king
Not a healthy way to start.

10. 3. The wickedness of Joab Joab disobeyed David and killed Absalom
David pledged that Amasa would replace Joab as commander of the army
David’s way of punishing Joab
But Joab was not going to let that happen
What a terrible symbol of the ugliness of Joab’s sin …
And all sin!

11. 2 Samuel 19:40 – 20:22 Judah and Israel engage in a feud Israel rebels
Joab commits murder
Where is God?
He is there, right in the middle of all this wickedness, working out and achieving His purposes.

12. Where is God? God is there when David returns to the throne
Demonstrating God’s grace to David and Israel
Proving that God’s will and rule are ultimately going to be victorious
Remind us that God’s Word always come true

13. Where is God?
God is there when Israel and Judah fight each other and rebel
Refusal to repent of known sin only leads to more sin and more disaster
God is there when the wise woman states that the execution of wicked Sheba is far better than the slaughter of many innocents

14. You and me?

15. You and me?
That rough hill and that cruel cross were the means by which God worked out eternal salvation for all those who believe
Wickedness seemed to have won, but in fact it received its deathblow and paved the way for God to become all in all.

16. You and me?
Abounding wickedness often obscures our view of God and challenges our faith
Wickedness can never defeat God
God works in it and He works through it to achieve His purposes
“For we know, that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.”