Questions for 2 Sam 16-17.
1. Do you find it uncomfortable that you can't get your head around how God can be in control of this world? Or Do you find it a great comfort that God is very powerful and since you are not able to control the smallest things are you willing to trust God for your ultimate security?
2. It is not a great comfort to hear that you are more sinful, more wicked, more evil than you realised. However how do you respond to the God who pursues you and demonstrates that you are more loved than you could ever imagine?
3. How are you likely to respond when you hear God call you to repent. Will you turn back to the God who has never turned his back on you?
2 Samuel 1:1-27. The King Has Fallen
Do you know a faithful forgiving friend? Someone on whom you can count. Someone who will forgive you for the same sin, over and over again. Someone who is self - sacrificing in your service?
- Faithfulness – David expressed God’s own heart as he was faithful in his attitude to his sworn enemy. Even after his enemy died!
11 Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. 12 They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan…2 Sam 1:11
- Forgiveness – David expressed God’s own heart as he evidenced a will to forgive his enemy, again and again!
17 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, 18 and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow… 2 Sam 1:17-18
- Friendship – David and Jonathan both expressed God’s own heart as they extended self-sacrificial service to a dear friend. Nothing weird going on here, just a high view, a heavenly view of friendship, in contrast with the very shallow view of friendship our culture offers!
How the mighty have fallen in battle!
Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother;
you were very dear to me.
Your love for me was wonderful,
more wonderful than that of women.
27 ‘How the mighty have fallen!
The weapons of war have perished!’…2 Sam1:25-27
Will you be a faithful forgiving friend? Someone on whom others can always count. Someone who will always forgive another for the same sin, over and over again. Someone who is self-sacrificial in their service for the sake of another.
