Rebel heartABSALOM

1 Chronicles 18:13,14,17b

And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

So David reigned over all Israel and he administered

justice and equity to all his people.. And David’s sons

were the chief officials in the service of the king.

Rebel heart: Absalom

• A rebel born – taking things into his own hands

• A rebel affirmed – “getting away with it”

• A rebel grows – arrogance and desire grows

• A rebel’s end – a legacy wasted

A rebel born: Absalom

Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me

and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house.. 2 Sam 12:11-13

• An example set: Deut 17:17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself

• A prophecy fulfilled – “evil out of your house”

• Took things into his own hands

• Forgiveness and release, let God judge Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God Rom 12: 19

A rebel affirmed: Absalom

I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love

will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 2 Sam 7:14-15

• Davidic covenant included discipline• Our role as parents – discipline in loveFor the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields

the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Heb 12:11

A rebel grows: Absalom

• Prophecy fulfilled – “impurity exposed in your house”

• Sin unchecked “matures” and pride grows– James 1:15

And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel

and before the sun. 2 Sam 12:11-13

A rebel’s end: Absalom

• Prophecy fulfilled – “the sword in your house”

• A lost legacy and wasted life – 2 Sam

• The opportunity to repent of rebellion is now!

Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised

me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ Thus says the LORD,

‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house.. 2 Sam 12:11-13

Reflection

• Are we living lives of purity and setting an example?

• Are we leaving room for God’s justice and accepting his grace?

• Are we applying loving discipline to those who God has put under our care?

• Are we heeding and growing under Gods discipline?

• Are leaving a godly legacy or will there be nothing to show of lasting value at the

end of our lives except that which we have erected in our own honor?

Be strong and show yourself a man and keep charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you

turn. 1 Kings2:2-3