February 16, 2024 • 43 mins
Chapter 29 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 2 Samuel 21-24.
The Heart of a King - David marches into battle once more as a weary and old king. His hands tremble when he holds his sword, but the God of all creation goes before him to secure his legacy.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Therefore, if any one is in Christ, the new creation
has come. The old has gone, The new is here.
Second Corinthians five seventeen. Thank you God that in Christ
I am a brand new creation. The old has gone.
(00:23):
Old thinking, old habits, old attitudes and behaviors, It's gone forever.
You have set me free from my past, free from
my failures and mistakes, free from any obstacles that would
stand in my way. Hallelujah. I am forgiven. I am free.
(00:44):
Then I am ready Lord for anything and everything you
have for me. I am ready to do great things
for you and for your kingdom. Now is the time,
This is my moment in history. This is when I
give everything I have and everything I am to live
the life you have called me to, to accomplish amazing
(01:08):
things in your power and for your glory. I declare
to day that I will not let anything stop me.
I will not let any one discourage me, and I
will keep my eyes on the prize and press on
until I achieve victory. Lord, remind me as I pursue
(01:31):
the goals and dreams you've given me, that the success
I seek is not for me, not for my own sake.
My success is meant to be a beacon of hope,
a sign or signal, a light that draws others to you.
May they too become new creations and be made new
(01:55):
in you in Jesus name. Amen. Stay tuned to immerse
yourself in the greatest stories ever told from prey dot
COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Hello. My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Prey
dot com, and before we start today's episode of Heroes
in the Bible, I wanted to ask do you know
what your bank does with your money? At America's Christian
Credit Union, your everyday banking helps grow churches, expand the
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(02:32):
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Speaker 3 (02:51):
Hi. I'm doctor Tony Evans and I'm excited for you
to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be
sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify K
so you get the newest episodes right as they come out.
Welcome to the epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(03:12):
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
few know about David the man. In this episode, the
aging David suffers an identity crisis. Through famines, political unrest, wars,
and broken promises, David feels himself losing control. Loss of
control is not always a bad thing. When our fragile
lives are shaken up, it can draw us closer to
(03:34):
the Lord. In this episode, David wrestles with that process.
He struggles with the loss of his youthful strength, and
the weight of the crown is heavy on his head.
Even as David's bones become brittle and his voice loses
its volume, we still get glimpses into his remaining inner strength.
In this episode, David deals with famines, broken covenants, and
(03:56):
a mounting Philistine attack. Although he may some mistakes, we
will be coveted to hear David's honest and courageous heart.
Before we dive into the episode, we will have a prelude,
a story taken from another time when the Israelites were
wondering in the wilderness. The people had multiplied. The victories
under Joshua had made them feared in the ancient world.
(04:19):
They made a covenant under false pretenses, but it was
a covenant all the same. This episode will remind us
that God is serious about keeping promises. He holds his
people accountable to their word. We are reaching the end
of our hero's journey. We only have two episodes left.
Let's enjoy this time together with episode twenty nine, The
(04:40):
Heart of a King.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Prelude to chapter twenty nine. The Israelite slaves have been
freed from the clutches of Egypt by the mighty power
of their Lord. The Egyptians were crushed, and all who
sought to harm the children of God were vanquished. The
Israelites walked with the grace of God before them. In
every battle, the Lord upheld them. In every storm, the
(05:08):
Lord covered them by night. The Lord guided them, and
when they were hungry, the Lord fed them. After forty
years in the wilderness, being upheld only by the mercy
of God, it was time for the Israelites to take
the land promised to them. They had grown massive and numbered,
and the smaller kingdoms of the east feared them greatly.
(05:28):
Among those small nations was Gibeon. They had heard of
God's mighty fist toppling down the walls of Jericho and trembled.
The Gibeonites were afraid of Israel. They were great in
number and had the military leadership of Joshua. We do
not stand a chance against Israel, they said.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
If they choose to storm our gates, we will be
consumed in a matter of seconds.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
The elders were stirred greatly. They knew they needed to
gain the favor of the Israelites. However, they did not
want to be seen as threats, so the inhabitants of
Gibeon acted on their cunning. They wore worn out sacks
and only carried weathered supplies. They exited their villages and
post as lowly travelers. In need of safety, they ventured
(06:10):
to Gilgal, where the millions of Israelites were camping. They
held their heads low and groaned as they spoke. Men
of Israel, They shouted.
Speaker 6 (06:19):
Please show your servants grace.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Joshua and the other warriors sprang up immediately and drew
out their swords. Not a step further, Joshua shouted, who
are you, and why have you come into our camp?
The Gibionites raised their hands in the air and bent
down in submission.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
Please do not harm us. We have come from a
distant country. Please make a covenant with us so we
might dwell together in peace.
Speaker 7 (06:45):
How are we supposed to know you aren't dwellers of
this land and out to kill.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Us, Joshua replied, with his sword still directed at them.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
Please, we are at your service.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
They said.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
We are from a distant country, and we heard a
report of your god and what he did in Egypt.
So the elders of our lamb sent us to you
so that we might dwell.
Speaker 6 (07:05):
With you and make a covenant with you.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
If you do not believe us, just look at our supplies.
Our bread was warm when we left, but now it
is dry and crumbling. Look at how clothes they are
tattered and worn from a long journey.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
Joshua turned to his commanders. They retreated for a time
to discuss what to do, but they did not inquire
of the Lord. They worked off of instinct and their
own knowledge, a mistake they would later regret. Joshua went
back and said.
Speaker 7 (07:33):
We will make peace with you. Stay here, and we
will make a covenant to protect you and exchange for
your service.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
So the Israelites and the Gibeonites made an unbreakable covenant.
Israel was now bound to care for and protect the
Gibeonites despite their deception. When the truth about the Gibbeanites
came to life, the people were enraged, but Joshua was confused.
Speaker 7 (07:56):
Why did you deceive us like this? Before you were
your own small nation, independent and free, but now you
are servants, woodcutters and drawers of water. I sacrifice your
freedom to be.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
Here because we know God has given you all of
this land to inhabit. You outnumber us one hundred to one,
and if you desired to conquer us, we would have
no chance to defend ourselves. We choose to live as
your servants rather.
Speaker 6 (08:25):
Than die as your enemies.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
But if you see fit to destroy us anyways, do it.
We are at your mercy.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Joshua was taken back by the gibei Knights honesty. He
sympathized with their situation. He shook his head and said.
Speaker 7 (08:42):
Now we've made a covenant with you. As the Lord lives,
the people of Israel will not harm the Gibeonites. You
will be more than servants, but less than brothers. Our
people may quarrel at times, but rest assured that you
will be protected under us.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
So the Gibeonites served the is Relites until they inhabited
the land. For years, they co existed in harmony, mutually
benefiting from each other, until King Saul came to the throne.
Chapter twenty nine. The heart of a King cursed. Was
the ground of Israel lighted by famine for three years.
(09:20):
The people were beginning to starve. King David gripped the
edge of his balcony, deep in thought regarding the soory
state of his nation. His hands shook in the cold.
He was getting old and his bones ached. He was
now over the age of sixty and not sure how
much more tragedy his old heart could handle. What shall
(09:41):
I do, he whispered into the cold night, Lord, why
is this happening? He sought the wisdom of God. Famines
were a common occurrence and a natural dip in the
rhythm of life. However, it was not common for a
famine to last more than two years. The reserves were run,
and David feared for God's people. So we stayed up
(10:04):
all night seeking God and inquiring for answers. David was
at a loss and knew the Lord was their only hope.
The frigid night air filled the King's lungs, the stars
peppered the knight sky, and David could feel the still
and quiet voice of God. Blood guilt, he whispered. The
King's eyes were shut desperately trying to listen.
Speaker 8 (10:27):
There is blood guilt on soul and on his house.
That is why there is famine.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
David perked up.
Speaker 9 (10:37):
Who is all wrong to warrant such a famine?
Speaker 4 (10:42):
How can it be made right? God spoke, saying, during.
Speaker 8 (10:46):
The red of Saul, he ravaged the dwellings of the
Gibbea knights and smaltered members of the family, thus breaking
the ancient promise made between.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Them and yes her. It all made sense now, David remembered,
hearing long ago that Saul had taken the sword to
the Gibeonites, slaughtering their men and a few of their children. Saul,
in his nationalistic zeal, persecuted the gibe Kites and left
them even more poor than before. God desired justice for them.
(11:25):
David sighed and lifted his head to the heavens. I
will make this right. He whispered, but I do not
like what may come of it. The next morning, David
called for the leaders of the gibe Kites to visit
his home. The elders wore traditional Gibeonite clothing. He noticed
the frowns on their faces and how they wore their
sorrow for all to see. He gathered them around his table.
(11:48):
There they enjoyed wine and a few figs. However, there
was nothing lavish for the king to offer. The famine
had affected even him. He placed his hands on the
table inside.
Speaker 9 (12:00):
Ah, my friends, he began. The memory of Saul's crimes
against you have been recently brought to the forefront of
my mind. His slaughter of your people was a hideous
break in the covenant between us. Please tell me what
(12:21):
I can do for you. How shall I make atonement?
How can we make things right so that you might
once again trust in the heritage of the Lord.
Speaker 4 (12:34):
The elders were taken back by David's sincerity. His aged
voice was gentle and sweet. Their chief leaned over the
table and looked the king in the eyes.
Speaker 5 (12:43):
There is no gold or silver that can bring back
our people, King David, he said, nor is there any
land that will satisfy the desires of our hearts.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
What did David replied, in a frustrated voice. Do we
allow the people of Israel to starve? Would you rather
I just kill them now? Not at all, my king,
the Chief said.
Speaker 5 (13:05):
Far be it from us to put any of your
people to death. However, there is blood that was spilled,
and blood is required.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
David winced. He hated revenge. He thought it was beneath
God's people to hold grudges. However, he understood that when
a covenant is broken, blood is required to reconcile. What
shall I do for you, then, David asked calmly. The
Chief rose to his feet and said.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Saul is the one who consumed us, destroyed us, and
ensured that we had no home in Israel. He owes
us a debt.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
He is dead. David replied, So who shall pay this debt?
Speaker 5 (13:46):
Seven of his descendants?
Speaker 4 (13:48):
He said, plainly, give us.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
Seven male descendants of Saul, so that we might hang
them for their grandfather's crimes. It is the only way
we will be satisfied. We will hang them before the Lord,
and then it shall be over.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
David paused for a long while. There were several descendants
of Saul still alive, mostly illegitimate children and grandchildren from concubines.
Yet they had done nothing wrong. The crime was their fathers,
not theirs. It was yet another example of the generational
turmoil caused by the sins of a father. David considered
(14:23):
his own sins and how his children would be forever
blighted with bloodshed because of them. The king sighed and replied,
I will give them to you. I will find Saven
who Saul's descendants, and bring them before you. The elders
bowed their heads and left. When the door closed, David
(14:45):
buried his face in his hands. Life was more simple
when he fled from Saul in the wilderness. There were
enemies to be vanquished and villages to be saved. He
knew who his enemies were, and they deserved to die.
Now life was more complicated as a king. No one
was merely an enemy, and no one was merely an ally.
(15:06):
All was blurred and confused. There was a knock at
David's door. Come in, he said in a weary voice.
Vanya entered the room and bowed. However, the king did
not turn to him. He was gazing into the fire,
watching its light slowly fade as the coals turned to ash.
Thank you for coming, Benya, David said, his face was
(15:29):
still facing the flickering light.
Speaker 9 (15:31):
I am afraid I need to ask you to do
something for the kingdom, something that may seem cruel.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
David looked down, unwilling to make eye contact. Nyah took
a deep breath and replied.
Speaker 10 (15:47):
I am at your service until the very end, King David,
what would you have me do?
Speaker 4 (15:51):
There was a long pause.
Speaker 9 (15:53):
Find me seven remaining descendants of Saul, he commanded. I
know there are some who were born to risba is concubine.
There are others born from Merab, Saul's daughter. Find them
and give them over to the Gibeonites.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Beniah was silent. He had questions, but he also had
faith in his king.
Speaker 10 (16:16):
Is there anything else?
Speaker 9 (16:18):
He asked, solemnly, spammphibishe Jonathan's son. I shall not break
the covenant I made with Jonathan. Broken covenants are how
we got into this mess.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Benigah bowed and left the room. The door closed, and
David finally let the tears out. He leaned over his seat,
weeping over the fading flames. The clouds covered the morning
sun and fog rolled in from the west, slithering through
the forest leading up to the mountain. The Gibeonites marched
up the mountain with seven of SAAL's descendants behind them,
(16:54):
bound and rope. There were no trumpets of victory or
loud processions of praise, only a silent and ominous hike
up the mountain. They reached the summit and there stood
a tree that was darker and more foreboding than the others.
Its branches were jagged, thick, and stretched over the earth below.
No light broke through its leaves, leaving everything below covered
(17:17):
in darkness. The elders tied nooses around the men's necks,
then threw the ropes over the branches. The men struggled
and yelled to be free, but the Gibeonites remained silent.
The cries of the Suns of Saul dissipated into the wilderness.
No one could hear their screams, no one would come
to their aid. The nooses were secured around their necks,
(17:40):
and platforms were erected underneath the branches to keep the
men standing. The elders looked up at the Suns of
Saul and said blood for blood and With those words,
they removed the platforms supporting them. One by one. The
descendants wiggled and swung in place, gasping for breath, until
finally losing air. The seven descendants perished together in the shadows,
(18:03):
and the Gibeonite blood was avenged. It was hardly a
victory for King David. The constant blood shed and revenge
weighed heavily on his soul. For nearly forty years he
had reigned as king, and the accumulated lives that had
been slain by him or his men were uncountable. He
understood why the Lord would not allow him to build
(18:24):
the temple. His hands were stained with the blood of
many enemies and even some friends. David longed for relief,
and he prayed for peace within his soul. He looked
out the large window of his room, overlooking the horizon.
The clouds were still heavy in the sky, hovering over
the blighted land. As the winds began to pick up
(18:45):
and the new rains began to fall, David strummed his
lyre and played a new tune. His voice was not
as smooth as it once was. It was soft, like
worn in leather, but still just as beautiful to the Lord.
You visit the earth and water, you enrich the ground below.
(19:08):
The river of God is filled with water, ready to overflow.
Your water furrows a abundantly, settling its riches. You soften
the earth with showers and bless it as it grows.
(19:29):
You crown the year with bounty, and your love overflows.
The pastures of your wilderness stretches forevermore. The hills gird
themselves in joy, and it is you they adore. The
(19:51):
meadows clothe themselves with flocks abundantly. The valleys are filled
with rain. They shout for joy and sing together for
your gracious summer rain. There was great mourning from the
(20:12):
family of Saul from the loss of their sons. David
could not bring them back, nor could he console the family. However,
there was one final act David could do to honor
the king and his son. He mounted his horse and
left with a few of his men. The rain continued
to pour abundantly, refreshing the scorched earth below. They had
(20:32):
gone long without rain, and the entire nation was outside
celebrating the faithfulness of God. David continued to ride, not
taking time to stop or eat. He rode from Jerusalem
to Jabishkilad. He rode through the city, ignoring the onlookers
watching him pass. Finally, he came to a small cave
carved out of a hill on the outskirts of the city.
(20:54):
He dismounted and approached the tomb. A stone was placed
in front of the cave. He and his men pushed
the stone away, feet sliding in the mud. David knelt
down and looked inside, lying in the small opening with
the bones of Saul and Jonathan. Their bodies had been
mocked by the Philistines and their corpses had hung for
(21:15):
months in the hot sun.
Speaker 9 (21:16):
They never received a proper burial.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
David whispered. He had his servants wrapped the bones in
cloth and strapped them to their horses. They rode back
to the land of Benjamin and prepared the ceremony. Saul, Jonathan,
and their seven descendants were brought to the home land
of Saul and buried in the tomb of Kish, his father.
The stormy skies opened up for a moment, allowing for
(21:40):
a brief ray of sunlight to shine down. David turned
his cheek to the sky. The reassuring presence of God
was upon him. God had responded to the faithfulness of David.
God was going to heal the land and would continually
uphold his chosen king. Peace was elusive for the Kingdom
(22:01):
of Israel. Every few years, another large nation would mount
an attack against them. David, even in his aging years,
was on high alert for the safety of God's people.
In the many years since David's victory over Akish, the
Philistine nation had quietly prepared itself for another attack. David
welcomed the challenge, knowing that the Lord would provide victory.
(22:25):
He gathered his men and marched with them to face
the horde of uncircumcised fiends. As they marched, David could
feel the discomfort of age creeping up on him. His
armor weighed heavier on his shoulders, and as steps dragged
more than they did in his youth. Abshid took notice
of this and made sure to stay close to the king.
They had finally made it to the place of meeting.
(22:48):
David stood in front of his army, postured opposite of
the Philistines a couple hundred yards away. The jagged and
rocky valley between them would serve as the battleground. This
was David's sacred space. This is where he truly felt
like the King of Israel. David unsheathed his sword and
pointed it at the enemy. His hands shook as he
(23:08):
held up the sword.
Speaker 9 (23:10):
These Philistines have been a plague to our people for generations.
Let us remind them that we are a people protected
and empowered by the God of all creation.
Speaker 4 (23:23):
The army yelled behind him, fueled by their king's passion.
The Philistines roared on the other side, banging on their
shields and swung to the beat of a drum. David
knew this rich woman. He recognized it from years ago
when he was just a boy. The hordes scoffed and
spat in Israel's direction. Then the army parted to make room.
(23:45):
From the middle of the Philistine ranks immerged a giant
ish by Beanop. He was the infamous descendant of the
Giants of Old, a remnant of Goliath's tribe. Flashbacks of
Goliath rushed in David's mind, his massive frame, his thundering roar,
in his look of complete hatred. His spear weighed three
(24:06):
hundred sheckles and bronze and hung on his back. His
armor was hewn from the fires of gaff, made of
steeled and refined bronze. His sword was the size of
a man's abdomen and hung securely on his belt, ready
to be used at any moment. David's heart began to
pound heavily.
Speaker 9 (24:25):
I will remind them of my name, giant slayer.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
He whispered to himself. His sword was still held up
his hand trembling in place. David turned to his men
and said.
Speaker 9 (24:38):
With the glory of our God and the love of
our nation.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
And as he yelled this, the king burst forward with
all his might. The old king ran towards the enemy,
without regard to who was behind him. The children of
Israel followed and quickly caught up to him. Word the
two armies clashed against one another. Blood poured out onto
the jagged rocks below, and the screams of young men
could be heard from the voice. David was thrilled to
(25:04):
be back in battle. Although his body ach two philistines
kin at him, but David toppled them with two swift
steps of his blade. Three more philistines approached, and David
fought them tooth and nail, slowly gaining the advantage with
his superior swordsmanship. He kept his foundation low and slashed
their legs while keeping his shield over him. Then, like
(25:26):
a bolt of lightning, striking from above, David was hit
and thrown in the air. He landed on his back
and the air flew out of his lungs. David gasped
and tried to regain his composure. He looked up and
tried to focus. His vision was blurry, but he could
make out the massive frame of Ishbay beinop running towards him.
(25:48):
The giant yelled as he ran forward. He launched his
spear at David. He ducked, but the spear grazed his
shoulder and tore his armor. He screamed in pain, but
had no time to tend to it. The giant was
close to striking. David held up his shield just in
time to block east by being out's first glow. He
felt his elbowed crack under the pressure, and his arm
(26:10):
gave out. David screamed and slashed at the giant's ankles,
but he was quickly met with a kick to the side.
The king was sent flying through the air again, landing
in a pile of rocks. The giant was filled with
bloodthirsty rage. He roared like a ravenous lion and leapt
forward as David again. This time, David jumped forward and
(26:32):
deflected the giant's sword. He parried the next attack, attempting
to slash the giant in his dennet. However, every time
David attacked from weaker in the earth, his head became
heavy with lack of oxygen and his entire body burned
from the afrom the giant swung down with his sword
and David blocked it again with a shield. He stumbled
(26:53):
onto the ground and lifted a shield again to block
another strike. The giant was like a hand swinging down,
car in something on David's broken body. This is the it,
David thought to himself, this is where I fall. The
giant swung his sword to the side and David's shield
was knocked on his arm, but David would not give up.
(27:14):
He threw his body at the giant, trying to knock
him down, but the giant grabbed hold of his throat
and began to squeeze. David felt a life slowly leaving
his body. He didn't have the strength to straggle, his
body hung limp as the giant clapped down on his throat.
Is by Bina brought his sword in close and placed
the tip on David's armor. I'm going to kill you, though,
(27:37):
giant slayer, he said, your.
Speaker 6 (27:40):
Name will forever be hated by this.
Speaker 4 (27:46):
By Bina popped his shoulder back to drive the sword
into David, but his movement was interrupted by a swift
slash to the catsh by Bino's should. He dropped David
to the ground and turned around. As his head turned,
Abishid delivered a punch to the jar, knocking the giant down.
(28:06):
Ish By Banam stood up and left at abershot, and
the two thought among the sharp rocks. David crawled out
of the way, watching his young commander fight to protect him.
Abishi still had the flame of youth burning within him.
He ferociously stepped forward, keeping the giant on his heels.
His sword would swipe and his shield would strike continually,
(28:27):
keeping the giant backing away. He backed near a pile
of large stones stacked higher than the giant's head. Ishbah
Binab was frustrated and threw his sword downward at Abshot.
He dodged it, leapt onto one of the stones, then
launched off it to strike the giant from above. His
sword drove downward through the giant's shoulder and into his heart.
(28:49):
Abishi fell with the giant onto the ground and rolled away.
He stood up, embraced himself for another strike. That the
giant lay lifeless in the dirt. Abersha immediately took his
sword out of the giant and ran back to David.
Are you all right, by king, he shouted. David shook
his head and winced in pain. Ah, I am not sure.
(29:11):
David tried to get up, but his body was too exhausted.
Abishi lifted him up onto his shoulders and ran for safety.
He finally laid him down behind a few stones, and
the two of them watched Joe, ab and the others
overwhelm the Philistines. The army of Israel had once again
been saved by the faithfulness of the Lord. David steadied
(29:32):
his breathing and propped himself up. Thank you, Abishai, he whispered.
Abishi turned to him and smiled, you.
Speaker 6 (29:42):
Shall no longer go out with us into battle. If
you die, the flame of Israel will be snuffed out.
Speaker 4 (29:50):
David nodded in agreement. He was unable to finish his
final war. The young men trained up by him would
go on to slay their own giants. David was no
longer a warrior, the thought echoed in his mind.
Speaker 9 (30:04):
If I did not have the thrill of battle or
the ministry of the sword, what do I have?
Speaker 4 (30:14):
He limped onto his balcony, still feeling the lingering pain
of his near death experience against ishbay beinab. He held
his ribs and winced. He looked out onto the great
city of Jerusalem, the city of David. Perhaps one of
his greatest victories was claiming this city. He breathed in
deeply and considered his legacy. If he was not a warrior,
(30:36):
then how was he to measure himself as a king?
The enemy began to creep into his mind and whisper
words of insecurity. David felt the temptation many kings felt,
the temptation to be known as great. If he could
not measure his greatness through conquest or battle, he wanted
to measure it by the people who dwelled within his nation.
(30:58):
It was out of this misplaced identity that David had
the idea for a census. A census was clearly forbidden
in the law of Moses, especially without some sort of ransom.
If David counted the people, he would be expressing ownership
over them. Moses warned that plagues and pestilence could be
sent as a result, and as David knew, they were
(31:19):
not ultimately his people anyways, they were the lords. Yet
the king still had within him a burning desire to
be validated as king. He wanted to measure his greatness,
so he sent for Joab, the old and grizzled commander
of Israel. Stepped into the presence of the king. David
propped himself up and said.
Speaker 9 (31:38):
Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba,
and number the people. I desire to know how my
country has grown, and how many able men have been
added to our ranks. I want the world to know
how large we are.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
Joab tilted his head to the side and peered at
the king. He cleared his throat and spoke softly, saying.
Speaker 10 (32:03):
My King, it is my prayer that God adds to
the people a hundred times as many as there are now,
and I pray you live long enough to see this
country multiply beyond all imagination.
Speaker 4 (32:15):
Joe Ab paused and contemplated how to ask his question.
Speaker 10 (32:19):
Why would this delight you? Are you not content with
what the Lord has provided?
Speaker 4 (32:24):
Thus for the King shrugged off Joab's question, I am king, Joeab,
I desire to know how many men I am commanding.
Joab did not protest again. He bowed his head and
left the room. He gathered the commanders of the Lord's
armies and sent them far across the country. They crossed
the Jordan to a Roar, from a Rower to Gad,
(32:47):
from Gad to Yazir, from Yazir to Gilead, and from
Gilead to Kadesh. They crossed the entire country, passing through
all the tribes, villages, and cities. Not one able bodied
man was left on counted. Joab finally returned to the
King and gave him the count of eight hundred thousand
valiant men from Israel and five hundred thousand from Judah.
(33:09):
The word pleased the king. However, the act of insecurity
and blatant disobedience did not go unnoticed by the Lord.
A reckoning would be required of him. One morning, David
perused the law of the Lord. He meditated on its
statutes and took in its commands. However, he was cut
to the heart when he stumbled upon a word from
(33:30):
Moses saying.
Speaker 5 (33:32):
When you take the census of the children of Israel
for their number, then every man shall give a ransom
for himself to the Lord when you number them, that
there may be no plague among them when you number them.
Speaker 4 (33:44):
The King's heart began to pound heavily. He realized the
sin he had committed, and he was struck with conviction.
David knelt before the Lord and said, I have sinned greatly.
Oh Lord, please.
Speaker 9 (33:59):
Take away my iniquity, for I have acted foolishly.
Speaker 4 (34:05):
David's prayer, as honest as it was, did not blot
out the consequences stored up for him. Early the next morning,
David walked among the garden, still reeling over his failure.
His anxious thoughts kept him from enjoying the newly bloomed
flowers and freshly grown saplings. He walked the gardens distracted
(34:26):
and consumed with his own guilt, until finally, passing by
the olive trees. Underneath a tree stood the prophet Gad.
He was an old man, more wrinkled and weathered than David.
The king knew that his presence did not signal good fortune.
Gad had brought a word from the Lord. David was
silent as he approached him. He knelt down before him
(34:47):
and awaited the word from the Lord. Gad placed a
hand on his shoulder and said.
Speaker 6 (34:53):
Thus says the Lord, three things I offer you as penance.
Choose one of them that I may act.
Speaker 4 (35:03):
God held out three fingers and said.
Speaker 6 (35:05):
One, three years of famine shall blight the land. Two
you will flee for three months while your enemies pursue you.
And three there shall be three days pestilence in the land.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
Gad paused and looked down at David.
Speaker 6 (35:29):
Consider which you shall choose.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
David's heart sank as he considered his options. He shook
his head in shame and lifted his hands to heaven.
Speaker 9 (35:39):
This is too much for my heart to bear. Let
the Lord do as he wills, for I know his
mercy endures forever. However I asked this, did I not
fall by the sword or by the hands of men?
Speaker 4 (36:00):
And so it was by David's word the Lord sent
to pestilence on Israel. The next morning, sickness and death
scoured the earth like a flood. The great nation that
the King basted over was diminished by seventy thousand in
just a matter of three days. David regretted ever counting
the people. They were not his, they were the Lord's,
(36:21):
and this was a gross reminder of that. On the
third day, David opened his arms to heaven and yelled
to God.
Speaker 11 (36:29):
Behold, I have sinned. Look at me and my iniquity.
I have done wickedly in your sight. But these poor sheep,
what have they done? They are innocent. Please, Lord, put
your hand against me. Instead, kill me and wipe out
(36:49):
my household. Leave the people alone.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
David built an altar for the Lord and made a
sacrifice for the sins he committed against the Lord. He
prayed and sought the heart of the Lord. David embraced
the struggle in his relationship with God. He leaned into
the difficulty and engaged in the darker parts of his heart.
Although he stumbled, sinned, and fell continually, he continued to
(37:12):
repent even in his old age. He never dug his
heels deeper into his own pride. He lifted his voice
in repentance. He made his sacrifice, and he continued in faith.
This was the heart that God saw in the small
shepherd boy so long ago, a heart that was after
the heart of the Lord, a heart of a king.
Speaker 3 (37:37):
Something David has not had to deal with yet is famines, hunger,
and poverty. He has been a man of war for
so long that the other aspects of governance have not
been on the forefront of his mind. That we know
of the length of his famine comes as a surprise
to David, and since he is attuned to the voice
of God, he receives insight. God is withholding his blessing.
(38:00):
Since there is still unpaid debt for what Saul did
to the Gibeonites, it is up to David to correct
the mistakes made by his predecessor. This is an important
thing to consider. The consequences of our sin do not
disappear when we die. What we have done can sometimes
live beyond us and affect the next generation. Saul's mistake
(38:22):
caused suffering for Israel decades after his death. David, who
is getting older, needs to consider this seriously. His decisions
will affect his son Solomon, and Solomon's decisions will affect
his son rare born. The success of our children can
be undermined by our poor decisions. So we are to
seriously consider what we are passing down as a heritage.
(38:45):
David does what he needs to do. When covenants are broken,
blood is required. This is why sacrifices were made for
the people's sins, and while the blood of Jesus covers
our sin. When a promise, may be for God or
to God is severed, it must be taken seriously. David
doesn't take any pleasure in giving up the descendants of Saul,
(39:05):
but he does so because being the king requires sacrifice.
David is someone with firm convictions and a black and
white view of righteousness, and it must be exhausting for
him to constantly live in this gray area between what's
right and what's wrong. David pined, after the simpler times
in the wilderness, there were enemies to be vanquished and
(39:26):
villages to be saved. He knew who his enemies were,
and they deserved to die. Now life was more complicated
as a king. No one was merely an enemy, and
no one was merely an ally. All were blurred and confused.
This is a sad reality that comes with the complex
life of a king. Life becomes less black and white,
(39:47):
and David is tired with the nuance. David was a
man of war, and a man of war can have
trouble when he isn't certain who the enemy is. The
battlefield was less nuance. The enemy is on one side
and you are on the other. David drew a lot
of comfort from the fact that he knew who the
enemy was. In this episode, the enemy was another giant,
(40:12):
ish Banab. His features resembled Goliath, calling us back to
episode six, when David was just a shepherd. The presence
of another giant is purposefully placed in this story. The
age David is face to face with the same foe
that thrust him into prominence. Being the giant slayer is
what made him great, and if he can still defeat
(40:34):
a giant in battle, that means David can still be great.
The battle initially goes well, but it becomes a parent
that David is outmatched against ish b Banab. He is
nearly killed, but Abaisha comes to the rescue. Abisha is
now a giant slayer and David has a hard time
coming to terms with his defeat. We all deal with
(40:55):
crisis of identity in different ways. Some people change the
way they dress, look for a new job. Some people
take radical measures like move cities in relationships or change names.
David is going through his own identity crisis. He is
wrestling with his legacy and what he will be known for.
If he is no longer the Giant Slayer, then who
(41:18):
is he. This would have been a perfect time for
David to seek God and be reassured of his calling. However,
David looks elsewhere for validation. He disobeys the law of
Moses and an acts a census. You may be wondering
why that was so wrong. Well, to have a census
back then was to declare ownership over the people, and
(41:39):
they were not David's to own. But David desperately wanted
to measure his greatness based on how many people were
in his kingdom. The people of Israel are punished, and
David begs the Lord to punish him. Instead, he reveals
the true heart of a king at the end of
the episode, repented before God and accepting responsibility for his mistakes.
(42:00):
The end of the episode is a beautiful homage to
David's relationship with God. It says David embraced the struggle
in his relationship with God. He leaned into the difficulty
and engaged in the darker parts of his heart. Although
he stumbled, sinned, and fell continually, he continued to repent.
Even in his old age. He never dug his heels
(42:21):
deeper into his own pride. As we age, we can
become more set in our ways, immovable in our opinions
and habits. David was a wonderful example of someone who
grew softer and more correctible as he reached the end
of his life. May we all be so faithful to
end even more humbly than we began. In our next episode,
(42:43):
the end finally comes for David, and we end our
series with a glimmer of hope. But that hope is
not in whoever succeeds David is king. We know better
by now. The hope we find is in the promised
successor to David's throne. Only this descendant will exchange his
throat for a cross. Join us next time for our
final episode, The Death of a Hero. For more inspiring stories,
(43:07):
daily prayers and wisdom to last the lifetime, go to
pray dot com and to expand your heroes in the
Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at
Tonyevans dot org forward slash heroes. Follow the podcast on
Apple or Spotify to get the newest episodes right as
they come out, and always be inspired by the Bible.
(43:30):
God bless
Therefore, if any one is in Christ, the new creation
has come. The old has gone, The new is here.
Second Corinthians five seventeen. Thank you God that in Christ
I am a brand new creation. The old has gone.
(00:23):
Old thinking, old habits, old attitudes and behaviors, It's gone forever.
You have set me free from my past, free from
my failures and mistakes, free from any obstacles that would
stand in my way. Hallelujah. I am forgiven. I am free.
(00:44):
Then I am ready Lord for anything and everything you
have for me. I am ready to do great things
for you and for your kingdom. Now is the time,
This is my moment in history. This is when I
give everything I have and everything I am to live
the life you have called me to, to accomplish amazing
(01:08):
things in your power and for your glory. I declare
to day that I will not let anything stop me.
I will not let any one discourage me, and I
will keep my eyes on the prize and press on
until I achieve victory. Lord, remind me as I pursue
(01:31):
the goals and dreams you've given me, that the success
I seek is not for me, not for my own sake.
My success is meant to be a beacon of hope,
a sign or signal, a light that draws others to you.
May they too become new creations and be made new
(01:55):
in you in Jesus name. Amen. Stay tuned to immerse
yourself in the greatest stories ever told from prey dot
COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Hello. My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Prey
dot com, and before we start today's episode of Heroes
in the Bible, I wanted to ask do you know
what your bank does with your money? At America's Christian
Credit Union, your everyday banking helps grow churches, expand the
reach of missions agencies, and supports fellow believers across the country.
(02:32):
Learn more about specials for switching to ACCU and their
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slash Prey plus the peace of mind knowing that this
credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
Hi. I'm doctor Tony Evans and I'm excited for you
to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be
sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify K
so you get the newest episodes right as they come out.
Welcome to the epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(03:12):
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
few know about David the man. In this episode, the
aging David suffers an identity crisis. Through famines, political unrest, wars,
and broken promises, David feels himself losing control. Loss of
control is not always a bad thing. When our fragile
lives are shaken up, it can draw us closer to
(03:34):
the Lord. In this episode, David wrestles with that process.
He struggles with the loss of his youthful strength, and
the weight of the crown is heavy on his head.
Even as David's bones become brittle and his voice loses
its volume, we still get glimpses into his remaining inner strength.
In this episode, David deals with famines, broken covenants, and
(03:56):
a mounting Philistine attack. Although he may some mistakes, we
will be coveted to hear David's honest and courageous heart.
Before we dive into the episode, we will have a prelude,
a story taken from another time when the Israelites were
wondering in the wilderness. The people had multiplied. The victories
under Joshua had made them feared in the ancient world.
(04:19):
They made a covenant under false pretenses, but it was
a covenant all the same. This episode will remind us
that God is serious about keeping promises. He holds his
people accountable to their word. We are reaching the end
of our hero's journey. We only have two episodes left.
Let's enjoy this time together with episode twenty nine, The
(04:40):
Heart of a King.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Prelude to chapter twenty nine. The Israelite slaves have been
freed from the clutches of Egypt by the mighty power
of their Lord. The Egyptians were crushed, and all who
sought to harm the children of God were vanquished. The
Israelites walked with the grace of God before them. In
every battle, the Lord upheld them. In every storm, the
(05:08):
Lord covered them by night. The Lord guided them, and
when they were hungry, the Lord fed them. After forty
years in the wilderness, being upheld only by the mercy
of God, it was time for the Israelites to take
the land promised to them. They had grown massive and numbered,
and the smaller kingdoms of the east feared them greatly.
(05:28):
Among those small nations was Gibeon. They had heard of
God's mighty fist toppling down the walls of Jericho and trembled.
The Gibeonites were afraid of Israel. They were great in
number and had the military leadership of Joshua. We do
not stand a chance against Israel, they said.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
If they choose to storm our gates, we will be
consumed in a matter of seconds.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
The elders were stirred greatly. They knew they needed to
gain the favor of the Israelites. However, they did not
want to be seen as threats, so the inhabitants of
Gibeon acted on their cunning. They wore worn out sacks
and only carried weathered supplies. They exited their villages and
post as lowly travelers. In need of safety, they ventured
(06:10):
to Gilgal, where the millions of Israelites were camping. They
held their heads low and groaned as they spoke. Men
of Israel, They shouted.
Speaker 6 (06:19):
Please show your servants grace.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Joshua and the other warriors sprang up immediately and drew
out their swords. Not a step further, Joshua shouted, who
are you, and why have you come into our camp?
The Gibionites raised their hands in the air and bent
down in submission.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
Please do not harm us. We have come from a
distant country. Please make a covenant with us so we
might dwell together in peace.
Speaker 7 (06:45):
How are we supposed to know you aren't dwellers of
this land and out to kill.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Us, Joshua replied, with his sword still directed at them.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
Please, we are at your service.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
They said.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
We are from a distant country, and we heard a
report of your god and what he did in Egypt.
So the elders of our lamb sent us to you
so that we might dwell.
Speaker 6 (07:05):
With you and make a covenant with you.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
If you do not believe us, just look at our supplies.
Our bread was warm when we left, but now it
is dry and crumbling. Look at how clothes they are
tattered and worn from a long journey.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
Joshua turned to his commanders. They retreated for a time
to discuss what to do, but they did not inquire
of the Lord. They worked off of instinct and their
own knowledge, a mistake they would later regret. Joshua went
back and said.
Speaker 7 (07:33):
We will make peace with you. Stay here, and we
will make a covenant to protect you and exchange for
your service.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
So the Israelites and the Gibeonites made an unbreakable covenant.
Israel was now bound to care for and protect the
Gibeonites despite their deception. When the truth about the Gibbeanites
came to life, the people were enraged, but Joshua was confused.
Speaker 7 (07:56):
Why did you deceive us like this? Before you were
your own small nation, independent and free, but now you
are servants, woodcutters and drawers of water. I sacrifice your
freedom to be.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
Here because we know God has given you all of
this land to inhabit. You outnumber us one hundred to one,
and if you desired to conquer us, we would have
no chance to defend ourselves. We choose to live as
your servants rather.
Speaker 6 (08:25):
Than die as your enemies.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
But if you see fit to destroy us anyways, do it.
We are at your mercy.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Joshua was taken back by the gibei Knights honesty. He
sympathized with their situation. He shook his head and said.
Speaker 7 (08:42):
Now we've made a covenant with you. As the Lord lives,
the people of Israel will not harm the Gibeonites. You
will be more than servants, but less than brothers. Our
people may quarrel at times, but rest assured that you
will be protected under us.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
So the Gibeonites served the is Relites until they inhabited
the land. For years, they co existed in harmony, mutually
benefiting from each other, until King Saul came to the throne.
Chapter twenty nine. The heart of a King cursed. Was
the ground of Israel lighted by famine for three years.
(09:20):
The people were beginning to starve. King David gripped the
edge of his balcony, deep in thought regarding the soory
state of his nation. His hands shook in the cold.
He was getting old and his bones ached. He was
now over the age of sixty and not sure how
much more tragedy his old heart could handle. What shall
(09:41):
I do, he whispered into the cold night, Lord, why
is this happening? He sought the wisdom of God. Famines
were a common occurrence and a natural dip in the
rhythm of life. However, it was not common for a
famine to last more than two years. The reserves were run,
and David feared for God's people. So we stayed up
(10:04):
all night seeking God and inquiring for answers. David was
at a loss and knew the Lord was their only hope.
The frigid night air filled the King's lungs, the stars
peppered the knight sky, and David could feel the still
and quiet voice of God. Blood guilt, he whispered. The
King's eyes were shut desperately trying to listen.
Speaker 8 (10:27):
There is blood guilt on soul and on his house.
That is why there is famine.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
David perked up.
Speaker 9 (10:37):
Who is all wrong to warrant such a famine?
Speaker 4 (10:42):
How can it be made right? God spoke, saying, during.
Speaker 8 (10:46):
The red of Saul, he ravaged the dwellings of the
Gibbea knights and smaltered members of the family, thus breaking
the ancient promise made between.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Them and yes her. It all made sense now, David remembered,
hearing long ago that Saul had taken the sword to
the Gibeonites, slaughtering their men and a few of their children. Saul,
in his nationalistic zeal, persecuted the gibe Kites and left
them even more poor than before. God desired justice for them.
(11:25):
David sighed and lifted his head to the heavens. I
will make this right. He whispered, but I do not
like what may come of it. The next morning, David
called for the leaders of the gibe Kites to visit
his home. The elders wore traditional Gibeonite clothing. He noticed
the frowns on their faces and how they wore their
sorrow for all to see. He gathered them around his table.
(11:48):
There they enjoyed wine and a few figs. However, there
was nothing lavish for the king to offer. The famine
had affected even him. He placed his hands on the
table inside.
Speaker 9 (12:00):
Ah, my friends, he began. The memory of Saul's crimes
against you have been recently brought to the forefront of
my mind. His slaughter of your people was a hideous
break in the covenant between us. Please tell me what
(12:21):
I can do for you. How shall I make atonement?
How can we make things right so that you might
once again trust in the heritage of the Lord.
Speaker 4 (12:34):
The elders were taken back by David's sincerity. His aged
voice was gentle and sweet. Their chief leaned over the
table and looked the king in the eyes.
Speaker 5 (12:43):
There is no gold or silver that can bring back
our people, King David, he said, nor is there any
land that will satisfy the desires of our hearts.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
What did David replied, in a frustrated voice. Do we
allow the people of Israel to starve? Would you rather
I just kill them now? Not at all, my king,
the Chief said.
Speaker 5 (13:05):
Far be it from us to put any of your
people to death. However, there is blood that was spilled,
and blood is required.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
David winced. He hated revenge. He thought it was beneath
God's people to hold grudges. However, he understood that when
a covenant is broken, blood is required to reconcile. What
shall I do for you, then, David asked calmly. The
Chief rose to his feet and said.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Saul is the one who consumed us, destroyed us, and
ensured that we had no home in Israel. He owes
us a debt.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
He is dead. David replied, So who shall pay this debt?
Speaker 5 (13:46):
Seven of his descendants?
Speaker 4 (13:48):
He said, plainly, give us.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
Seven male descendants of Saul, so that we might hang
them for their grandfather's crimes. It is the only way
we will be satisfied. We will hang them before the Lord,
and then it shall be over.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
David paused for a long while. There were several descendants
of Saul still alive, mostly illegitimate children and grandchildren from concubines.
Yet they had done nothing wrong. The crime was their fathers,
not theirs. It was yet another example of the generational
turmoil caused by the sins of a father. David considered
(14:23):
his own sins and how his children would be forever
blighted with bloodshed because of them. The king sighed and replied,
I will give them to you. I will find Saven
who Saul's descendants, and bring them before you. The elders
bowed their heads and left. When the door closed, David
(14:45):
buried his face in his hands. Life was more simple
when he fled from Saul in the wilderness. There were
enemies to be vanquished and villages to be saved. He
knew who his enemies were, and they deserved to die.
Now life was more complicated as a king. No one
was merely an enemy, and no one was merely an ally.
(15:06):
All was blurred and confused. There was a knock at
David's door. Come in, he said in a weary voice.
Vanya entered the room and bowed. However, the king did
not turn to him. He was gazing into the fire,
watching its light slowly fade as the coals turned to ash.
Thank you for coming, Benya, David said, his face was
(15:29):
still facing the flickering light.
Speaker 9 (15:31):
I am afraid I need to ask you to do
something for the kingdom, something that may seem cruel.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
David looked down, unwilling to make eye contact. Nyah took
a deep breath and replied.
Speaker 10 (15:47):
I am at your service until the very end, King David,
what would you have me do?
Speaker 4 (15:51):
There was a long pause.
Speaker 9 (15:53):
Find me seven remaining descendants of Saul, he commanded. I
know there are some who were born to risba is concubine.
There are others born from Merab, Saul's daughter. Find them
and give them over to the Gibeonites.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Beniah was silent. He had questions, but he also had
faith in his king.
Speaker 10 (16:16):
Is there anything else?
Speaker 9 (16:18):
He asked, solemnly, spammphibishe Jonathan's son. I shall not break
the covenant I made with Jonathan. Broken covenants are how
we got into this mess.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Benigah bowed and left the room. The door closed, and
David finally let the tears out. He leaned over his seat,
weeping over the fading flames. The clouds covered the morning
sun and fog rolled in from the west, slithering through
the forest leading up to the mountain. The Gibeonites marched
up the mountain with seven of SAAL's descendants behind them,
(16:54):
bound and rope. There were no trumpets of victory or
loud processions of praise, only a silent and ominous hike
up the mountain. They reached the summit and there stood
a tree that was darker and more foreboding than the others.
Its branches were jagged, thick, and stretched over the earth below.
No light broke through its leaves, leaving everything below covered
(17:17):
in darkness. The elders tied nooses around the men's necks,
then threw the ropes over the branches. The men struggled
and yelled to be free, but the Gibeonites remained silent.
The cries of the Suns of Saul dissipated into the wilderness.
No one could hear their screams, no one would come
to their aid. The nooses were secured around their necks,
(17:40):
and platforms were erected underneath the branches to keep the
men standing. The elders looked up at the Suns of
Saul and said blood for blood and With those words,
they removed the platforms supporting them. One by one. The
descendants wiggled and swung in place, gasping for breath, until
finally losing air. The seven descendants perished together in the shadows,
(18:03):
and the Gibeonite blood was avenged. It was hardly a
victory for King David. The constant blood shed and revenge
weighed heavily on his soul. For nearly forty years he
had reigned as king, and the accumulated lives that had
been slain by him or his men were uncountable. He
understood why the Lord would not allow him to build
(18:24):
the temple. His hands were stained with the blood of
many enemies and even some friends. David longed for relief,
and he prayed for peace within his soul. He looked
out the large window of his room, overlooking the horizon.
The clouds were still heavy in the sky, hovering over
the blighted land. As the winds began to pick up
(18:45):
and the new rains began to fall, David strummed his
lyre and played a new tune. His voice was not
as smooth as it once was. It was soft, like
worn in leather, but still just as beautiful to the Lord.
You visit the earth and water, you enrich the ground below.
(19:08):
The river of God is filled with water, ready to overflow.
Your water furrows a abundantly, settling its riches. You soften
the earth with showers and bless it as it grows.
(19:29):
You crown the year with bounty, and your love overflows.
The pastures of your wilderness stretches forevermore. The hills gird
themselves in joy, and it is you they adore. The
(19:51):
meadows clothe themselves with flocks abundantly. The valleys are filled
with rain. They shout for joy and sing together for
your gracious summer rain. There was great mourning from the
(20:12):
family of Saul from the loss of their sons. David
could not bring them back, nor could he console the family. However,
there was one final act David could do to honor
the king and his son. He mounted his horse and
left with a few of his men. The rain continued
to pour abundantly, refreshing the scorched earth below. They had
(20:32):
gone long without rain, and the entire nation was outside
celebrating the faithfulness of God. David continued to ride, not
taking time to stop or eat. He rode from Jerusalem
to Jabishkilad. He rode through the city, ignoring the onlookers
watching him pass. Finally, he came to a small cave
carved out of a hill on the outskirts of the city.
(20:54):
He dismounted and approached the tomb. A stone was placed
in front of the cave. He and his men pushed
the stone away, feet sliding in the mud. David knelt
down and looked inside, lying in the small opening with
the bones of Saul and Jonathan. Their bodies had been
mocked by the Philistines and their corpses had hung for
(21:15):
months in the hot sun.
Speaker 9 (21:16):
They never received a proper burial.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
David whispered. He had his servants wrapped the bones in
cloth and strapped them to their horses. They rode back
to the land of Benjamin and prepared the ceremony. Saul, Jonathan,
and their seven descendants were brought to the home land
of Saul and buried in the tomb of Kish, his father.
The stormy skies opened up for a moment, allowing for
(21:40):
a brief ray of sunlight to shine down. David turned
his cheek to the sky. The reassuring presence of God
was upon him. God had responded to the faithfulness of David.
God was going to heal the land and would continually
uphold his chosen king. Peace was elusive for the Kingdom
(22:01):
of Israel. Every few years, another large nation would mount
an attack against them. David, even in his aging years,
was on high alert for the safety of God's people.
In the many years since David's victory over Akish, the
Philistine nation had quietly prepared itself for another attack. David
welcomed the challenge, knowing that the Lord would provide victory.
(22:25):
He gathered his men and marched with them to face
the horde of uncircumcised fiends. As they marched, David could
feel the discomfort of age creeping up on him. His
armor weighed heavier on his shoulders, and as steps dragged
more than they did in his youth. Abshid took notice
of this and made sure to stay close to the king.
They had finally made it to the place of meeting.
(22:48):
David stood in front of his army, postured opposite of
the Philistines a couple hundred yards away. The jagged and
rocky valley between them would serve as the battleground. This
was David's sacred space. This is where he truly felt
like the King of Israel. David unsheathed his sword and
pointed it at the enemy. His hands shook as he
(23:08):
held up the sword.
Speaker 9 (23:10):
These Philistines have been a plague to our people for generations.
Let us remind them that we are a people protected
and empowered by the God of all creation.
Speaker 4 (23:23):
The army yelled behind him, fueled by their king's passion.
The Philistines roared on the other side, banging on their
shields and swung to the beat of a drum. David
knew this rich woman. He recognized it from years ago
when he was just a boy. The hordes scoffed and
spat in Israel's direction. Then the army parted to make room.
(23:45):
From the middle of the Philistine ranks immerged a giant
ish by Beanop. He was the infamous descendant of the
Giants of Old, a remnant of Goliath's tribe. Flashbacks of
Goliath rushed in David's mind, his massive frame, his thundering roar,
in his look of complete hatred. His spear weighed three
(24:06):
hundred sheckles and bronze and hung on his back. His
armor was hewn from the fires of gaff, made of
steeled and refined bronze. His sword was the size of
a man's abdomen and hung securely on his belt, ready
to be used at any moment. David's heart began to
pound heavily.
Speaker 9 (24:25):
I will remind them of my name, giant slayer.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
He whispered to himself. His sword was still held up
his hand trembling in place. David turned to his men
and said.
Speaker 9 (24:38):
With the glory of our God and the love of
our nation.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
And as he yelled this, the king burst forward with
all his might. The old king ran towards the enemy,
without regard to who was behind him. The children of
Israel followed and quickly caught up to him. Word the
two armies clashed against one another. Blood poured out onto
the jagged rocks below, and the screams of young men
could be heard from the voice. David was thrilled to
(25:04):
be back in battle. Although his body ach two philistines
kin at him, but David toppled them with two swift
steps of his blade. Three more philistines approached, and David
fought them tooth and nail, slowly gaining the advantage with
his superior swordsmanship. He kept his foundation low and slashed
their legs while keeping his shield over him. Then, like
(25:26):
a bolt of lightning, striking from above, David was hit
and thrown in the air. He landed on his back
and the air flew out of his lungs. David gasped
and tried to regain his composure. He looked up and
tried to focus. His vision was blurry, but he could
make out the massive frame of Ishbay beinop running towards him.
(25:48):
The giant yelled as he ran forward. He launched his
spear at David. He ducked, but the spear grazed his
shoulder and tore his armor. He screamed in pain, but
had no time to tend to it. The giant was
close to striking. David held up his shield just in
time to block east by being out's first glow. He
felt his elbowed crack under the pressure, and his arm
(26:10):
gave out. David screamed and slashed at the giant's ankles,
but he was quickly met with a kick to the side.
The king was sent flying through the air again, landing
in a pile of rocks. The giant was filled with
bloodthirsty rage. He roared like a ravenous lion and leapt
forward as David again. This time, David jumped forward and
(26:32):
deflected the giant's sword. He parried the next attack, attempting
to slash the giant in his dennet. However, every time
David attacked from weaker in the earth, his head became
heavy with lack of oxygen and his entire body burned
from the afrom the giant swung down with his sword
and David blocked it again with a shield. He stumbled
(26:53):
onto the ground and lifted a shield again to block
another strike. The giant was like a hand swinging down,
car in something on David's broken body. This is the it,
David thought to himself, this is where I fall. The
giant swung his sword to the side and David's shield
was knocked on his arm, but David would not give up.
(27:14):
He threw his body at the giant, trying to knock
him down, but the giant grabbed hold of his throat
and began to squeeze. David felt a life slowly leaving
his body. He didn't have the strength to straggle, his
body hung limp as the giant clapped down on his throat.
Is by Bina brought his sword in close and placed
the tip on David's armor. I'm going to kill you, though,
(27:37):
giant slayer, he said, your.
Speaker 6 (27:40):
Name will forever be hated by this.
Speaker 4 (27:46):
By Bina popped his shoulder back to drive the sword
into David, but his movement was interrupted by a swift
slash to the catsh by Bino's should. He dropped David
to the ground and turned around. As his head turned,
Abishid delivered a punch to the jar, knocking the giant down.
(28:06):
Ish By Banam stood up and left at abershot, and
the two thought among the sharp rocks. David crawled out
of the way, watching his young commander fight to protect him.
Abishi still had the flame of youth burning within him.
He ferociously stepped forward, keeping the giant on his heels.
His sword would swipe and his shield would strike continually,
(28:27):
keeping the giant backing away. He backed near a pile
of large stones stacked higher than the giant's head. Ishbah
Binab was frustrated and threw his sword downward at Abshot.
He dodged it, leapt onto one of the stones, then
launched off it to strike the giant from above. His
sword drove downward through the giant's shoulder and into his heart.
(28:49):
Abishi fell with the giant onto the ground and rolled away.
He stood up, embraced himself for another strike. That the
giant lay lifeless in the dirt. Abersha immediately took his
sword out of the giant and ran back to David.
Are you all right, by king, he shouted. David shook
his head and winced in pain. Ah, I am not sure.
(29:11):
David tried to get up, but his body was too exhausted.
Abishi lifted him up onto his shoulders and ran for safety.
He finally laid him down behind a few stones, and
the two of them watched Joe, ab and the others
overwhelm the Philistines. The army of Israel had once again
been saved by the faithfulness of the Lord. David steadied
(29:32):
his breathing and propped himself up. Thank you, Abishai, he whispered.
Abishi turned to him and smiled, you.
Speaker 6 (29:42):
Shall no longer go out with us into battle. If
you die, the flame of Israel will be snuffed out.
Speaker 4 (29:50):
David nodded in agreement. He was unable to finish his
final war. The young men trained up by him would
go on to slay their own giants. David was no
longer a warrior, the thought echoed in his mind.
Speaker 9 (30:04):
If I did not have the thrill of battle or
the ministry of the sword, what do I have?
Speaker 4 (30:14):
He limped onto his balcony, still feeling the lingering pain
of his near death experience against ishbay beinab. He held
his ribs and winced. He looked out onto the great
city of Jerusalem, the city of David. Perhaps one of
his greatest victories was claiming this city. He breathed in
deeply and considered his legacy. If he was not a warrior,
(30:36):
then how was he to measure himself as a king?
The enemy began to creep into his mind and whisper
words of insecurity. David felt the temptation many kings felt,
the temptation to be known as great. If he could
not measure his greatness through conquest or battle, he wanted
to measure it by the people who dwelled within his nation.
(30:58):
It was out of this misplaced identity that David had
the idea for a census. A census was clearly forbidden
in the law of Moses, especially without some sort of ransom.
If David counted the people, he would be expressing ownership
over them. Moses warned that plagues and pestilence could be
sent as a result, and as David knew, they were
(31:19):
not ultimately his people anyways, they were the lords. Yet
the king still had within him a burning desire to
be validated as king. He wanted to measure his greatness,
so he sent for Joab, the old and grizzled commander
of Israel. Stepped into the presence of the king. David
propped himself up and said.
Speaker 9 (31:38):
Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba,
and number the people. I desire to know how my
country has grown, and how many able men have been
added to our ranks. I want the world to know
how large we are.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
Joab tilted his head to the side and peered at
the king. He cleared his throat and spoke softly, saying.
Speaker 10 (32:03):
My King, it is my prayer that God adds to
the people a hundred times as many as there are now,
and I pray you live long enough to see this
country multiply beyond all imagination.
Speaker 4 (32:15):
Joe Ab paused and contemplated how to ask his question.
Speaker 10 (32:19):
Why would this delight you? Are you not content with
what the Lord has provided?
Speaker 4 (32:24):
Thus for the King shrugged off Joab's question, I am king, Joeab,
I desire to know how many men I am commanding.
Joab did not protest again. He bowed his head and
left the room. He gathered the commanders of the Lord's
armies and sent them far across the country. They crossed
the Jordan to a Roar, from a Rower to Gad,
(32:47):
from Gad to Yazir, from Yazir to Gilead, and from
Gilead to Kadesh. They crossed the entire country, passing through
all the tribes, villages, and cities. Not one able bodied
man was left on counted. Joab finally returned to the
King and gave him the count of eight hundred thousand
valiant men from Israel and five hundred thousand from Judah.
(33:09):
The word pleased the king. However, the act of insecurity
and blatant disobedience did not go unnoticed by the Lord.
A reckoning would be required of him. One morning, David
perused the law of the Lord. He meditated on its
statutes and took in its commands. However, he was cut
to the heart when he stumbled upon a word from
(33:30):
Moses saying.
Speaker 5 (33:32):
When you take the census of the children of Israel
for their number, then every man shall give a ransom
for himself to the Lord when you number them, that
there may be no plague among them when you number them.
Speaker 4 (33:44):
The King's heart began to pound heavily. He realized the
sin he had committed, and he was struck with conviction.
David knelt before the Lord and said, I have sinned greatly.
Oh Lord, please.
Speaker 9 (33:59):
Take away my iniquity, for I have acted foolishly.
Speaker 4 (34:05):
David's prayer, as honest as it was, did not blot
out the consequences stored up for him. Early the next morning,
David walked among the garden, still reeling over his failure.
His anxious thoughts kept him from enjoying the newly bloomed
flowers and freshly grown saplings. He walked the gardens distracted
(34:26):
and consumed with his own guilt, until finally, passing by
the olive trees. Underneath a tree stood the prophet Gad.
He was an old man, more wrinkled and weathered than David.
The king knew that his presence did not signal good fortune.
Gad had brought a word from the Lord. David was
silent as he approached him. He knelt down before him
(34:47):
and awaited the word from the Lord. Gad placed a
hand on his shoulder and said.
Speaker 6 (34:53):
Thus says the Lord, three things I offer you as penance.
Choose one of them that I may act.
Speaker 4 (35:03):
God held out three fingers and said.
Speaker 6 (35:05):
One, three years of famine shall blight the land. Two
you will flee for three months while your enemies pursue you.
And three there shall be three days pestilence in the land.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
Gad paused and looked down at David.
Speaker 6 (35:29):
Consider which you shall choose.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
David's heart sank as he considered his options. He shook
his head in shame and lifted his hands to heaven.
Speaker 9 (35:39):
This is too much for my heart to bear. Let
the Lord do as he wills, for I know his
mercy endures forever. However I asked this, did I not
fall by the sword or by the hands of men?
Speaker 4 (36:00):
And so it was by David's word the Lord sent
to pestilence on Israel. The next morning, sickness and death
scoured the earth like a flood. The great nation that
the King basted over was diminished by seventy thousand in
just a matter of three days. David regretted ever counting
the people. They were not his, they were the Lord's,
(36:21):
and this was a gross reminder of that. On the
third day, David opened his arms to heaven and yelled
to God.
Speaker 11 (36:29):
Behold, I have sinned. Look at me and my iniquity.
I have done wickedly in your sight. But these poor sheep,
what have they done? They are innocent. Please, Lord, put
your hand against me. Instead, kill me and wipe out
(36:49):
my household. Leave the people alone.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
David built an altar for the Lord and made a
sacrifice for the sins he committed against the Lord. He
prayed and sought the heart of the Lord. David embraced
the struggle in his relationship with God. He leaned into
the difficulty and engaged in the darker parts of his heart.
Although he stumbled, sinned, and fell continually, he continued to
(37:12):
repent even in his old age. He never dug his
heels deeper into his own pride. He lifted his voice
in repentance. He made his sacrifice, and he continued in faith.
This was the heart that God saw in the small
shepherd boy so long ago, a heart that was after
the heart of the Lord, a heart of a king.
Speaker 3 (37:37):
Something David has not had to deal with yet is famines, hunger,
and poverty. He has been a man of war for
so long that the other aspects of governance have not
been on the forefront of his mind. That we know
of the length of his famine comes as a surprise
to David, and since he is attuned to the voice
of God, he receives insight. God is withholding his blessing.
(38:00):
Since there is still unpaid debt for what Saul did
to the Gibeonites, it is up to David to correct
the mistakes made by his predecessor. This is an important
thing to consider. The consequences of our sin do not
disappear when we die. What we have done can sometimes
live beyond us and affect the next generation. Saul's mistake
(38:22):
caused suffering for Israel decades after his death. David, who
is getting older, needs to consider this seriously. His decisions
will affect his son Solomon, and Solomon's decisions will affect
his son rare born. The success of our children can
be undermined by our poor decisions. So we are to
seriously consider what we are passing down as a heritage.
(38:45):
David does what he needs to do. When covenants are broken,
blood is required. This is why sacrifices were made for
the people's sins, and while the blood of Jesus covers
our sin. When a promise, may be for God or
to God is severed, it must be taken seriously. David
doesn't take any pleasure in giving up the descendants of Saul,
(39:05):
but he does so because being the king requires sacrifice.
David is someone with firm convictions and a black and
white view of righteousness, and it must be exhausting for
him to constantly live in this gray area between what's
right and what's wrong. David pined, after the simpler times
in the wilderness, there were enemies to be vanquished and
(39:26):
villages to be saved. He knew who his enemies were,
and they deserved to die. Now life was more complicated
as a king. No one was merely an enemy, and
no one was merely an ally. All were blurred and confused.
This is a sad reality that comes with the complex
life of a king. Life becomes less black and white,
(39:47):
and David is tired with the nuance. David was a
man of war, and a man of war can have
trouble when he isn't certain who the enemy is. The
battlefield was less nuance. The enemy is on one side
and you are on the other. David drew a lot
of comfort from the fact that he knew who the
enemy was. In this episode, the enemy was another giant,
(40:12):
ish Banab. His features resembled Goliath, calling us back to
episode six, when David was just a shepherd. The presence
of another giant is purposefully placed in this story. The
age David is face to face with the same foe
that thrust him into prominence. Being the giant slayer is
what made him great, and if he can still defeat
(40:34):
a giant in battle, that means David can still be great.
The battle initially goes well, but it becomes a parent
that David is outmatched against ish b Banab. He is
nearly killed, but Abaisha comes to the rescue. Abisha is
now a giant slayer and David has a hard time
coming to terms with his defeat. We all deal with
(40:55):
crisis of identity in different ways. Some people change the
way they dress, look for a new job. Some people
take radical measures like move cities in relationships or change names.
David is going through his own identity crisis. He is
wrestling with his legacy and what he will be known for.
If he is no longer the Giant Slayer, then who
(41:18):
is he. This would have been a perfect time for
David to seek God and be reassured of his calling. However,
David looks elsewhere for validation. He disobeys the law of
Moses and an acts a census. You may be wondering
why that was so wrong. Well, to have a census
back then was to declare ownership over the people, and
(41:39):
they were not David's to own. But David desperately wanted
to measure his greatness based on how many people were
in his kingdom. The people of Israel are punished, and
David begs the Lord to punish him. Instead, he reveals
the true heart of a king at the end of
the episode, repented before God and accepting responsibility for his mistakes.
(42:00):
The end of the episode is a beautiful homage to
David's relationship with God. It says David embraced the struggle
in his relationship with God. He leaned into the difficulty
and engaged in the darker parts of his heart. Although
he stumbled, sinned, and fell continually, he continued to repent.
Even in his old age. He never dug his heels
(42:21):
deeper into his own pride. As we age, we can
become more set in our ways, immovable in our opinions
and habits. David was a wonderful example of someone who
grew softer and more correctible as he reached the end
of his life. May we all be so faithful to
end even more humbly than we began. In our next episode,
(42:43):
the end finally comes for David, and we end our
series with a glimmer of hope. But that hope is
not in whoever succeeds David is king. We know better
by now. The hope we find is in the promised
successor to David's throne. Only this descendant will exchange his
throat for a cross. Join us next time for our
final episode, The Death of a Hero. For more inspiring stories,
(43:07):
daily prayers and wisdom to last the lifetime, go to
pray dot com and to expand your heroes in the
Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at
Tonyevans dot org forward slash heroes. Follow the podcast on
Apple or Spotify to get the newest episodes right as
they come out, and always be inspired by the Bible.
(43:30):
God bless
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