Remove Stringholds 04.12.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday April 12, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of II Samuel. Please read chappters 3-5 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Samuel%203-5&version=9

In today's study we will read and learn about Abner deserting Ishbosheth to join David; Abner's murder by Joab; Ishbosheth's murder by his guards; David being declared king of all Israel; and the city of Jerusalem being captured. Today's message focuses on the importance of removing strongholds.

As we learned in the last message following the death of Saul, Abner, the powerful commander of Saul's armies, proclaimed Saul's son Ishbosheth as king of Israel. He then controlled both the puppet-king and his kingdom of eleven tribes. About seven years later, there was a fierce quarrel between Abner and Ishbosheth and Abner seeked King David to join forces with him. "And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.....So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba. And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee." (II Samuel 3:6,9-12).

Abner contacted the elders of Israel, reminding them that David will deliver them out of the hands of the Philistines. "And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies." (3:17-18).

A short time after Abner met with David, he was murdered by Joab, the commander of David's army. "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, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother." (3:26-27).

Then Ishbosheth was murdered by two of his own guards, "And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night." (4:5-7). These guards thought that they were going to be rewarded by killing Ishbosheth, but they soon realized that no reward comes by revenge. "And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?" (4:9-11).

Now the The time had come for David to reign over Israel and the elders anointed him as King. "Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel." (5:1-3).

David's first act after his anointing by the assembled tribes was to become head of his army and lead the war against the stronghold of the Jebusites (Jerusalem). The Israelites defeated them and Jerusalem became the capital of the United Kingdom. "In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David." (5:5-7).

There could never have been a Temple for the dwelling place of God in the place that He had chosen until the Jebusites, who held the central position in the promised land, were cast out. This strong hold of Zion is symbolic of strongholds which lie deep within our minds and which may not be known to anyone, either by our conduct or by our conversation. They depict secret thoughts that keep Christ from becoming Lord of our lives. These secret strongholds may not conflict with giving the Lord our time, talents, or tithes, but the fleshly mind with its physical impulses subtly demands to remain within our hearts. It is overcome as we daily read and obey God's Word. "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians 1:9-13).

In today's study Jesus Christ is revealed through David, the anointed king over Israel (II Samuel 5:3). Christ is the Lord's Anointed. "Christ" is Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah, "Anointed One". Jesus is the King of the world. "And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin." (John 19:19-20).

Today's Psalm: 1:3
"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

Have a wonderful Saturday and enjoy your weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

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