The Pleasing King

Q: What does the Bible say about the treachery of human sin?

The Bible reveals the ugliness of human sin through stories like that of Joab and Abner, showing how sin leads to deceit and destruction. In the narrative of Joab and Abner, the Bible illustrates the treachery and destructiveness of human sin. Joab, consumed by bitterness over his brother's death, sought revenge against Abner, who had killed Asahel in self-defense. This incident underscores a key aspect of Scripture's teaching: God does not shy away from depicting the ugliness of sin. Through such accounts, the depth of human depravity is revealed, heightening the understanding of God's grace and mercy. Just as a jeweler places diamonds against a black backdrop to highlight their brilliance, the acknowledgment of human sin accentuates the glory of God's grace, which shines even brighter amidst darkness. This narrative not only reflects the consequences of sin but also points towards the need for a greater king and the redemptive work of Christ, whose sacrifice ultimately addresses the sinfulness of humanity.

Q: Why is understanding sin important for Christians?

Understanding sin is crucial for Christians as it highlights the need for God's grace and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. For Christians, understanding sin is fundamental because it reveals the true condition of the human heart and the necessity of divine grace. Scripture defines the human heart as deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), showcasing that apart from Christ, all are guilty of sin. The events surrounding Joab's murder of Abner serve as a vivid illustration of how unchecked anger and vengeance can lead to devastating outcomes. This insight into our sinful nature helps believers grasp the greatness of God's grace; acknowledging our lost condition points us directly to the salvation found in Jesus Christ. His sacrificial death magnifies the seriousness of sin while simultaneously offering hope and forgiveness to all who believe. Only by recognizing our own sinfulness can we fully appreciate God's mercy and the profound love demonstrated through Christ's atonement.

Q: How does the story of David and Abner connect to the gospel?

The story of David and Abner illustrates themes of injustice and grace, ultimately pointing to the gospel message of Christ's redemptive work. The narrative of David mourning Abner's unjust death serves as a poignant illustration of themes central to the gospel. David, though anointed as king, could not prevent the evil of Joab's actions. This foreshadows the greater reality of Christ, who, as the sinless King, suffered the ultimate injustice at the hands of those He came to save. Just as David publicly vindicated the integrity of Abner, God validated the righteousness of Christ by raising Him from the dead, demonstrating that He was innocent and the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation. Moreover, the Scripture reminds believers that, like Abner, Jesus faced betrayal, yet His death resulted in the reconciliation of sinners to God. Thus, the account not only emphasizes God's justice in addressing sin but also showcases His mercy in providing a Savior who was both willing and able to bear the sins of humanity.

Q: Why is it important for Christians to recognize the character of Christ?

Recognizing the character of Christ is vital as it reassures believers of His perfect obedience and ability to save. Understanding the character of Christ is crucial for Christians as it provides the foundation of their faith and assurance of salvation. Jesus is portrayed as the perfect and pleasing King who fulfills the Law flawlessly. Unlike earthly rulers, whose imperfections affect their leadership, Christ's obedience and righteousness never falter. His actions are always aligned with the will of the Father, clearly demonstrated at moments such as His baptism, where the Father declared His pleasure in the Son (Matthew 3:17). For believers, this assurance of Christ's purity and faithfulness instills confidence in their salvation. He willingly took upon Himself the sins of the elect, allowing them to be justified before God. By recognizing Christ's character, believers find hope and encouragement in whatever circumstances they face, knowing that their King will always operate out of perfect wisdom and love.

If you would, go ahead and turn back with me to 2 Samuel chapter 3 again tonight. I believe this will finish us up for chapter 3. I titled this message, The Pleasing King. 2 Samuel chapter 3, we'll begin in verse 21, we'll pick up where we left off. last week. 2 Samuel 3 verse 21, And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go and will gather all Israel unto my Lord, the King, that they may make a league with thee and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth.

And David sent Abner away and he went in peace. And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop." The civil war is still going on. And they came from pursuing a troop and brought in a great spoil with him. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away and he was gone in peace.

And when Joab and all the hosts that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner, the son of Ner, came to the king and he sent him away and he's gone in peace. Then Joab came to the king and said, what hast thou done? Behold, Abner came unto thee. Why is it that thou sent him away and he is quite gone? He's left.

Thou knowest Abner, the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner. which brought him again from the well of Sirah, but David knew it not. And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly." That word means peaceably, and yet with deception.

And he smote him there under the fifth rib that he died for the blood of Asahel, his brother. You remember that Asahel, in that battle that they had back in chapter 2, had pursued after Abner, and Abner told him, said, is that you, Asahel? And he said, it is. And he said, you need to back off. He said, it's going to end bad if you don't. And it ended bad. And Abner killed him.

And we say this very often in the scriptures, God never hides the ugliness of sin. And I'm glad in one sense of the word that he doesn't because sin is ugly and I've got plenty of it. And yet God lets us see these things and it causes the beauty of the God's grace and the gospel to shine forth even brighter. Kind of like we've mentioned before, the jeweler's black backdrop behind the diamond and the pearl, it just, the beauty of grace brilliantly shines in comparison when we see sin like this revealed in the scriptures. Just makes grace that much brighter and glorious.

Now Abner, the commander of Saul's army had just come to David in peace, you remember, how that came about, and he pledged to unite all Israel under David's rule, and he's leaving to go do that. The civil war, as I said, is about to end. It's still going on, but it's coming to an end.

But one man, well, maybe two, counting his brother, could not let his bitterness go. Joab murdered Abner in cold blood. In these verses, we see something of the cruelty of human sin. You look at all the cruelty that's going on in this world today. It all is for one reason, because of one thing, and that's sin. The impotence of men, even earthly kings, we see the sorrow of righteous judgment and the hope of a greater king. And again, all this points us to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of scripture does. If God gives us eyes to see, we'd see Christ in every verse. So the first thing we have is the treachery of human sin.

Joab returned from battle, this civil war, and he learned that David had received Abner and sent him away in peace. Now listen, Joab hated Abner. He killed his brother. You would have difficulty loving someone that killed someone or getting along with someone that killed someone you love. Joab was furious, and he accused David, who's the king, that was no light matter.

And he accused David of inexperience, and he secretly summons Abner to come back to Hebron. Undoubtedly, he sent the messenger saying, David wants to talk to you. He forgot to tell you something. He wants to tell you something. And under the pretense of having an additional word from David, Joab stabs him under the fifth rib.

Now, this was not justice. This was revenge. That's the only way you can put it. That's all it was. Abner had killed Joab's brother, Asahel, in battle, but he had done so reluctantly, as I said a moment ago, and he did so in self-defense. And Joab nursed his grievance until he found the opportunity to strike. This had been building up in his heart. We do that, don't we? We let things build up and build up, and then we just Fixed plot war?

That's what sin does. Sin smiles while hiding a dagger. Sin speaks peace while plotting murder. And sin remembers injuries and refuses forgiveness. I think about Cain and Abel. Cain communicated with Abel, his brother, and then he killed him. Why? God said, sin lieth at the door. You let it lie, it'll fester and it'll manifest itself. Judas kissed the Lord Jesus Christ and then betrayed him.

The human heart, I don't think we really can fathom just how capable it is of such great hypocrisy. Jeremiah said it best, and we read it and we know it so, but we still can't fathom the depth of it. Jeremiah said, the heart is deceitful. How deceitful? He said, above all things. There's nothing more deceitful than our hearts. Jeremiah said, the heart is wicked. How wicked? Desperately wicked. So much so that you and I can't know it. We can't know what it's capable of.

That's what Jeremiah said. Who can know it? No one but the Lord. But the Lord does. And Jeremiah went on to say that the Lord searches the heart and He tries the reins to give every man according to his ways and the fruit of his doings. Listen, we're not putting anything past God here. We're not getting anything over on God.

He knows every sin that we commit. He knows every evil thought that we make, every evil word that we say. All things are naked and open unto the God with whom we have to do. God sees what we don't see. He searches the heart where we can't. And our hidden motives and our desires and our reasoning and our self-justifications, they're not hidden from God. They're all naked and open, exposed unto Him.

And God evaluates man truthfully. People can look righteously outwardly while being corrupt inwardly. Oh, there's a lot of folks that put on the pious, holier-than-thou attitude and nothing but corruption within. God's judgment is based on what a person is, not just what they let you see. We're all on our best behavior in front of others, aren't we?

And this means that God is just and right, and men and women reap what they sow. That's just a fact. Joab's heart revealed what was in his heart. His actions proved what was in his heart. And he reveals what is in our hearts by nature. There's no difference in any of it. Really, when we get right down to it. Our hearts are deceitful, desperately wicked. Look at verse 28.

And afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord forever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner. and let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house. And let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread."

In other words, he's pronouncing a curse here upon Joab. And Joab's his nephew. It's his sister's son. In verse 30, so Joab and Abishah, his brothers, slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. Now, the text here is clear that Joab is the one who murdered Abner at the gate of Hebron. And the story consistently singles out Joab as the killer. Yet, in verse 30 here, Abishael is not completely detached from the situation.

It says that they both did. And whether he helped Joab or not, or whether he did in this statement, goes to show us that even when we've not engaged in a specific sinful act, the sinful inclinations of our heart still render us guilty before God. Listen, if we haven't done it, we've thought about doing it. If we haven't done it, we've desired to do it.

And no doubt Abishah wanted Abner dead also. And I have no doubt that the two talked this over before this happened. In chapter 2, both brothers pursued Abner until the sun set, and they couldn't pursue him any further. And these brothers were bound together in motive.

And let me just say this, so are each of us in the murder of Christ. Now, I know people don't like to think about that, and I've heard people say silly things like, if I'd have been there, I would have prevented the crucifixion of the Lord. The truth of the matter is, according to Scripture, according to man's wretchedness and deceitfulness of heart, you and I would have cried, crucify Him just the same as everyone else would have. When David heard of Abner's death, he declared, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord ever from the blood of Abner. And as he pronounces this curse upon Joab's house, he's confessing here that though he's the anointed king, he couldn't restrain evil.

No earthly man can. Not in others or in ourselves. But the God-man can. The Lord can. And that's why We should wake up every day and ask the Lord, Lord, help me. Don't let me do anything that would bring dishonor to your name. We're going to sin, but I think a lot of times we have not because we ask not. Lord, help us. Lord, help us. That's a good prayer to pray, isn't it? Lord, help us.

Secondly, we see the helplessness of earthly kings. David would wear the crown, but wickedness would still flourish. No earthly ruler can save us. Governments can't change the heart. Laws can't remove hatred. That's why there's people in prison. Kings cannot conquer sin. The best leaders are men at best.

We have said that so many times, and it is so true. Why, even later, as we'll see in 2 Samuel, we'll see the sin of David, who is the king. And again, he points us to a greater king. How many times have we said that in these studies of 1 and 2 Samuel? He points us, David does, though a man at best.

He points us to the God-man. The Lord Jesus Christ wasn't weak. He was the King of kings and He rules every heart. He restrains evil. He judges perfectly. He saves completely. Where David was limited, Christ is omnipotent. I said this past Sunday, thank God we have a Lord and Savior who's sovereign. who can do all things, who works all things after the counsel of His own will. That's the kind of Savior we've got to have because we are wretched and only an omnipotent God can save us. Then we see the grief of the righteous. Look at verse 31.

And David said to Joab and to all the people that were with him, wring your clothes, and guard you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And King David himself followed the buyer. He followed the coffin. And they buried Abner in Hebron, and the king lifted up his voice, and he wept at the grave of Abner. And all the people wept. And the king lamented over Abner and said, died Abner as a fool died? As a wicked man dies?

That's what that means. He said, thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters, as a man felleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David swore, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread or ought else till the sun be down." He's lamenting. He's grieving over Abner, who was his enemy for a time.

And all the people took notice of it. and it pleased them. It is whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. Now, David commanded the nation here to mourn over Abner. And he himself follows Abner's funeral. procession, and he wept at Abner's grave. And some are going to say, but Abner, why, he killed Joab's brother.

Yeah, but it was in self-defense. He tried to avoid the confrontation. And David here laments Abner's death with the words, did Abner die as a fool die? He tried to avoid, as I said, the conversation. And what he means confrontation, and what he's saying here is, Did he die a shameful, dishonorable death? Did he deserve to die that way? This is proposed as a question, as you'll notice there, with David declaring that Abner shouldn't have died this way.

And he immediately explained what he meant. He said his hands were not bound, nor his feet put in fetters. Abner's death was not justifiable. He wasn't arrested as a criminal. He wasn't standing trial to be put to death. He wasn't condemned by a court. He was not executed for some wrongdoing.

David is declaring here that Abner was murdered unjustly and deceitfully in cold blood. And he's asking if Abner should have died this way. The question emphasizes his protest. And David declares the injustice of this act against Abner. And he laments for Abner.

And that points us to Christ. Listen. Christ's death was the biggest injustice that was ever committed. A perfect man. Perfect. He knew no sin. He did no sin. He thought no sin. And though His hands were not bound by guilt, and though He had committed no sin, He was betrayed by those who were closest to Him. He was treated as a criminal, as the greatest criminal that ever lived. And He was perfectly righteous. As Isaiah wrote beforehand, He had done no violence, neither deceit was found in His mouth.

Sure can't say that about us. The sinless Son of God was numbered with the transgressors. Why? So the transgressors like you and I might be set free, made free. Yes, Abner died unjustly, so did Christ. But the great difference is our Lord died voluntarily. The innocent one took the place of the guilty so that the guilty might be declared righteous. The term's called substitution. And I thank God that He took my place. God did. God the Son took my place, your place, those who trust in Him. Now the words of David assure us that God sees injustice. He does. He doesn't overlook it. David publicly vindicated Abner.

And in a greater way, our Lord God vindicated Christ by raising Him from the dead. When the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, there was no doubt that He was innocent. And by raising Christ from the dead, the Father declared before heaven and earth and hell that Christ was exactly who He claimed to be. God the Son, the promised Messiah, the spotless Lamb of God. the all-sufficient Savior of sinners. And when the Lord Jesus rose from the grave, God was announcing and vindicating that the sacrifice that the Lord Himself made was accepted and justice was satisfied. And what appeared to be a shameful death of a condemned man was the very means of God's elect salvation.

For those who trust in Christ, your sins aren't simply hidden. They're not simply excused. Your guilt was taken by another, God Himself. Your Savior was treated as a fool and a criminal so that you might become kings and princes. He became what we are that we might become what He is. That's the greatest news a sinner ever heard. Christ died the just for the unjust. Why? That He might bring us to God. And that's how we are accepted as being righteous. We're accepted in Christ the beloved.

Now look at verse 38, And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a A prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel. And then David says this in verse 39. And I am this day weak, though anointed king, and these men, the sons of Zeruah, be too hard for me. The Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. Now here in verse 39, David is saying that Joab is Abner's murderer, should be put to death according to justice. But David loved Joab. He was his nephew.

And David here is not just grieving Abner's death, he's grieving at his own weakness as king. You know, I grieve often at my own weakness as a believer. You ever do that? A prince had fallen. Abner was a prince, but he was still mortal. The greatest among men fail and they fall. Every human leader eventually dies.

You know, I was reading in Genesis 5 today, the list of Adam's descendants. You ought to read that sometime. Tells how long each of them lived. But after each one, Except for Enoch, it says this of each, and he died, and he died, and he died. But there's one prince who fell into debt and rose again, and he's called the Prince of Life, according to Acts chapter three, verse 15.

And men slew him. You know, people talk about, you know, if I could just get my hands on Jesus, I'd hug up to Him and all this. No, you wouldn't. No, you wouldn't. Men, by their wicked hands, took and crucified the Lord of glory. Men slew Him and God raised Him. He was delivered for our offenses and He was raised again for our justification. Men thought they'd silenced Him. But death couldn't hold him. He rose triumphant over the grave.

Abner's blood cried out for justice and Christ's blood cries out for mercy. Okay, David, what is the gospel in this passage? Well, as all scripture does, it points us to Christ somehow, some way. David was innocent regarding Abner's death. He didn't have anything to do with it. He didn't know Joab was going to do this. But our Lord Jesus Christ was absent of all sin. He knew no sin. Yet He willingly bore the sin and the guilt of others. Aren't you glad He did? I sure am. There'd be no hope for any of us if He didn't. Tonight, I believe the greatest picture of the Gospel is seen back in verse 36. Look at it again.

And all the people took notice of it. And it pleased them as whatsoever the King did pleased all the people. I'm reminded of a story in Mark chapter 7 where the Lord gave a deaf man hearing. And He charged all that were there that they shouldn't tell anyone. His time had not yet come. He knew when word got out on him that the Jewish leaders would be more out to get him, and he'd charge them not to tell anybody. Don't tell anybody. And they told everyone.

And so what have we? Let me tell you what I saw today. I saw a man called Jesus Christ give a deaf and dumb man ears to hear and a voice to speak. Our Lord Jesus Christ did everything well. That's what they said. They said, He does all things well. Everything He does is pleasing and good. All things well. He done all things well. He make it both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.

And at this point in time, at the beginning of David's reign as king, David's response to the murder of Abner brought about his acceptance as king over the whole nation, not just Hebron. They watched David here at Abner's death. They saw his compassion. They saw how he responded. And they said, He's pleasing. He's the king that we've been wanting. He's pleasing to us. He publicly mourned Abner. He fasted and demonstrated that he had no part in the conspiracy. And the people recognized his sincerity and his integrity. And they said everything that the king did pleased all the people. Now here's the gospel picture. Everything Christ did was pleasing to His Father. Everything. Unlike David, whose obedience was mixed with failure, the Lord Jesus could say, I do always those things that please Him. And He did.

John 8.29. At our Lord's baptism, and it's the transfiguration that I read about in 2 Peter, God said from heaven, this is my beloved son, and who I am what? Well pleased.

David pleased the people because they saw integrity in him, but Christ pleased the father because he was perfectly obedient and perfectly righteous, and that he came to bear the sin of his people. All that the father giveth me shall come to me, he said. He's going to die for all that God gave Him. Everything Christ did ought to please His people. Are you pleased with Christ? Oh, my.

His teachings were perfect. His providence was wise. His judgments are righteous. His sacrifice was sufficient. His reign is gracious. He truly does all things well. He wins the hearts of His people. David's actions persuaded the nation that he was the rightful king. But Christ conquers His people, not by force, but by grace, by love and truth and power. And at the cross, He demonstrated. No greater place can we see the demonstration of His innocence and His compassion and His devotion to those that He came to save. Does this move you?

One day everyone's going to acknowledge the beauty of the King of Kings. David eventually united all Israel under his rule. And one day, friends, every knee is going to bow and every tongue is going to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, Savior, and King. And as we've said so many times, it's what the Old Testament is and all the types of the Old Testament are just shadows and pictures. David was just a shadow of the true King. And that's why every believer can say everything that the King does pleases us because He pictures the King who is pleasing to His Father and His people. He's pleasing to us in a way that saves.

He saves well, He intercedes well, He shepherds well. Oh, God's sheep got the best shepherd. They've got the great shepherd. He provides well, He protects well. Well, He does all things well. And all things work together for the good of them that love God.

Our Lord and King's gonna see to it. So, what's my encouragement to you and me? When providence is dark and the heart's troubled, often is, isn't it? The believer can look to the throne of God And say, everything my King does pleases His Father and pleases me. Because everything my King does is done in perfect wisdom and perfect love and perfect faithfulness and for our eternal good. That's why He's King, Cain. That's why He's the Lord of all lords. in whose law is our delight.

The Pleasing King

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the treachery of human sin?

Why is understanding sin important for Christians?

How does the story of David and Abner connect to the gospel?

Why is it important for Christians to recognize the character of Christ?

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About David Eddmenson

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The Pleasing King

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the treachery of human sin?

Why is understanding sin important for Christians?

How does the story of David and Abner connect to the gospel?

Why is it important for Christians to recognize the character of Christ?

Sermon Transcript

About David Eddmenson

Comments

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