Walter Beuttler preaches on the book of II Samuel, highlighting David's deep aspiration to conform his will to God's, despite his failings, and his God-centered life. The key phrase 'before the Lord' reflects David's attitude of soul. The message of the book emphasizes how human failure can lead to a deeper usefulness for God and the reciprocal relationship between man's and God's attitudes. The sermon delves into David's rise, reign, and conquests, showcasing his relationship with God and the divine providence at work.

A. THE HOOK OF II SAMUEL 1. The book of II Samuel relates the history of David’s forty year reign 2. David is seen to be the man after God’s own heart, not because he was without sin, but because he had a deep aspiration to conform his will to the will of God, notwithstanding his failings 3. Even when sorely chastened by God, he ever acknowledged the sovereignty and justice of God 4. The key phrase of the book is “before the Lord,” 7:18, and shows the attitude of soul in David’s God-centered life 5. David had a great awareness of God which is seen throughout his life, e.g., (1) He inquired of the Lord, 2:1 (2) He made a covenant before the Lord, 5:3 (3) He danced before the Lord, 6:14 (4) He played before the Lord, 6:21 (5) He sat before the Lord, 7:18 (6) He lay (repentent) before the Lord, 12:16 (7) He spoke unto the Lord, 22:1; 24:17 B. THE MESSAGE OF THE BOOK 1. Human failure may make possible a usefulness for God impossible without such failure. Had David been a man of unblemished morality, many of his psalms could never have been written and others would never be able to strike the deeper note of a human heart blighted by sin and suffering 2. “Man’s opportunity is created by the attitude of God toward him. Man may become what God offers him to be” 3. “God’s opportunity is created by man’s attitude toward him. God is to a man what a man is to God” 4. “God’s measure of a man is based on the attitude of his soul toward him, not by the failings of the moment; by what a man wills to be, rather than by what he seems to be” (With due acknowledgment to G. Campbell Morgan – Living Messages of the Books of the Bible) DAVID’S RISE, 1-10 A. DAVID’S ENTHRONEMENT, 1:1-5:25 1. Comment on Saul’s death in 1:1-27 from: (1) 1:6 – The spear which was aimed at David, the Lord’s anointed, ultimately and providentially found its mark in the one who sent it (2) 1:7-10 – Saul was slain by an Amalekite (type of sin), the result of Saul’s failure in I Sam. 15:15 (3) 1:13-16 – David respects the anointed of God as such, regardless of his failings (4) 1:17-2:7 – David’s greatness is evidenced by his attitude toward his enemy 2. What is the significance of the turbulent events in 2:8-5:5? God is exercising his providence to turn the kingdom over to David 3. Note the significant statement in 3:1: During the long war “David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker” 4. David’s success in 5:6-25 is accounted for by what, 5:10? By the fact that “the Lord God of hosts was with him” B. DAVID’S REIGN, 6:1-7:29 1. Uzzah’s error in 6:1-11 teaches us what? (1) That right motivation is no guarantee of divine blessing (2) That expediency is no excuse for breaking the law of God (3) That God’s service must be rendered according to God’s law 2. What does 6:12-23 show concerning David? (1) His great delight in the presence of God (2) His great confidence in the might of God 3. What may be learned from (1) 6:14, 16? That there is place in worship for our emotions, even if it is in an unconventional manner (2) 6:21? That acceptable worship must be “before the Lord” in motivation (3) 6:16, 20, 23? That there is a risk of divine displeasure by viewing the sincere worshipper with a censorious attitude 4. How is David’s love for God demonstrated in 7:1-3? By his desire to build God a house 5. How is God’s appreciation of David’s desire demonstrated in 7:4-17? In that God rewards David by promising to build him: (1) A “house,” i.e., a posterity, a family (2) A “throne,” i.e., royal position and authority (3) A “kingdom,” i.e., a sphere of rule (4) “Forever,” i.e., without cessation 6. The summary of what God has done for David thus far is given in 7:8-9 and shows that he was: (1) Chosen by God (2) Appointed by God (3) Accompanied by God (4) Preserved by God (5) Promoted by God (6) Honoured by God 7. Show how God’s love is revealed in 7:14-15: (1) In a filial relationship with his people (2) In a filial responsibility toward his people 8. Point out the essence of David’s reply to God from: (1) 7:18-20 – David expresses his unworthiness of all the mercies of God (2) 7:21-24 – David expresses his high regard for the greatness and supremacy of God (3) 7:25-29 – David prays with confidence in the veracity of the promises of God C. DAVID’S CONQUESTS, 8:1-10:19 1. Note the key statement of chapter 8: “And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went,” 8:14 2. Comment on David from 9:1-13 in the light of the events in chapters 8 and 10: The importance of national events did not keep David from acts of kindness to a single individual 3. Note the working of divine providence in 10:1-19: God brings David’s enemies into subjection through the misinterpretation of his kindness DAVID’S FALL, 11-20 A. DAVID’S GREAT SIN, 11:1-12:31 1. What, apparently, would have saved David from temptation, 11:1-4? If he had gone to war instead of staying at home 2. The gravity of David’s sin was heightened by his efforts regarding Uriah in 11:5-11. Wherein? (1) In that he recalled Uriah from the war to send him home in order to make Uriah appear to be the father of the coming child (2) When Uriah refused, David made him drunk in order to cause him to go home (3) He deliberately killed Uriah by exposing him to danger so that he could be misrepresented as the father of the child 3. Observe the stunning effect of Nathan’s brilliant parable in 12:1-7: David was caused to pass judgment upon himself without knowing it – until it was too late to defend himself 4. How did God regard David’s sin, 12:9-10? As despising him and his commandments 5. The personal consequences of David’s sin were what, 12:1-12? (1) Perpetual conflict (2) Evil from his own house (3) Public humiliation 6. In determining David’s punishment, what must God take into consideration, 12:14? The effect of David’s sin upon God’s enemies 7. Comment on 12:24: The fact that the Lord loved Solomon reveals the goodness and justice of God 8. Read Psalm 51 in the light of the aforegoing events B. ABSALOM’S REBELLION, 13:1-20:26 1. Absalom’s rebellion is the fulfillment of what? Nathan’s prophecy in 12:11 2. What is Absalom doing in (1) 15:2-6? He steals the hearts of the people (2) 15:7-12? He conspires against David (3) 15:13-37? He causes David to flee 3. What attitude does David take in 15:26? He meekly submits to God’s chastisement 4. Shimei’s cursing of David, 16:5-13, produced two kinds of attitudes. Point them out: (1) Desire for revenge by the man of the flesh (2) Submission by the man of the Spirit 5. What takes place in: (1) 16:20-23 – Nathan’s words in 12:11 are fulfilled (2) 17:1-23 – David’s prayer in 15:31 is answered (3) 18:9-18 – Absalom’s asset becomes a snare 6. Two kinds of messengers are represented in 18:19-32. What are they? (1) Ahimaaz – One who runs on his own initiative and without a message (2) Cushi – One who is a commissioned messenger with a message 7. What takes place in (1) 19:1-8? David’s grief over Absalom jeopardizes the fruit of his victory (2) 19:9-15? In the providence of God, sentiment “to bring back the king” rises in the hearts of the people (3) 19:16-23? Shimei is the first to welcome the king back 8. Comment on 19:20: Those who hurt us the most may yet become a comfort in time of need 9. What is evident in 19:41-20:26? That God was with David in overcoming the hostility of men DAVID’S LATER YEARS, 21-24 A. RETRIBUTION AND VICTORY, 21:1-23:39 1. Comment on: (1) 21:1-9 – God is a God of revenge (2) 22:26-27 – God is to a man what a man is to God (3) 22:1-23:39 – David is the demonstration of this truth B. DAVID’S SIN IN NUMBERING THE PEOPLE, 24:1-25 1. What motivated David in 24:1-4? Pride 2. Explain 24:1 in the light of I Chron. 21:1: God used Satan to provoke David because of his pride 3. Comment on David’s choice of punishment, 24:10-17: David knew the unmercifulness of man and the compassion and justice of God 4. Wherein is the truly godly nature of David seen in 24:18-25? In that he refused to sacrifice to God without personal cost to himself