Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev20030105.htm

1 AND 2 SAMUEL: GOD'S SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IN OVERSIGHT
Part LVI: Learning To Be Strengthened In The Lord When Subordinates Rebel
(2 Samuel 17:24-29)
  1. Introduction
    1. When oversight trials occur, they can drain the overseer out of all sorts of mental and spiritual energy.
    2. 2 Samuel 17:24-29 is a lesson in learning to rest in the Lord under oversight pressure:
  2. Learning To Be Strengthened In The Lord When Subordinates Rebel, 2 Samuel 17:24-29.
    1. David faced great pressure and wear from Absalom's rebellion against his oversight as Israel's king:
      1. When Absalom rebelled, David crossed the Jordan to escape Absalom's lethal opposition, 17:21-22.
      2. However, Absalom and the bulk of Israel's forces pursued him across the Jordan and camped in Gilead just to David's north, 2 Samuel 17:24; cf. Aharoni and Avi-Yonah, The Macmillan Bible Atlas, p. 71.
    2. In this time of pressure and wear, God strengthened David from this wear by encouragements as follows:
      1. God provided a Biblical reminder for David of His past protection for Jacob from similar trials as his!
        1. After he crossed the Jordan, David made his way north to settle in the city of Mahanaim along the Jabbok River, 2 Samuel 17:24a, 27a; Ibid., The Macmillan Bible Atlas.
        2. Not only was this a well-fortified city (Ibid.), but it was a location rich in Biblical history of God's help for those troubled over encounters with family members as David faced in Absalom: (a) When Jacob fled from his uncle, Laban to return to Canaan, he was afraid about encountering his brother, Esau from whom he had initially fled from the land, cf. Gen. 32:3 with 31:55 and 32:2b. (b) To alleviate his fear, God sent some angels to meet Jacob at the spot he camped upon entering Canaan, Gen. 32:1-2a; hence, Jacob named the place "Mahanaim," meaning "double camp" to picture a camp of God's protective angels along with his own vulnerable human group, cf. Genesis 31:17-21.
        3. Hence, David fled to Mahanaim where his faith could be rekindled in God's help with the city's rich Biblical memorial of God's help regarding encounters with difficult relatives.
      2. At that significant spot, God also miraculously provided help in an encouraging way, 2 Sam. 17:27-29:
        1. One of the men who provided much-needed livelihood needs was one who was could have been the least likely to want to do so: he was Shobi, the son of Nahash of Ammon, a man who was the brother of Hanun; Hanun, we recall, had started a war with David by humiliating his counselors who had come to give their sympathies at his father's passing, 2 Sam. 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-19 & 17:27a!
        2. Another man bringing provisions was Machir, the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, a man of doubtful loyalty to David as he had hid Mephibosheth for fear or distrust of David, 2 Sam. 9:3-4 & 17:27b!
        3. The third supporter, Barzillai of Gilead, was a very feeble, aged and wealthy man who went to unusual lengths to make the trip and bring the provisions to David, cf. 2 Samuel 17:27c; 19:31-35!
        4. Hence, God arranged for three unlikely helpers -- a potential enemy, a potential traitor and a feeble, aged man -- to supply much-need livelihood needs at Mahanaim! This would have encouraged David that God could give him supportive subordinates in contrast to Absalom and his forces!
      3. Their livelihood needs included quality and practical items like "bedding, bowls, (and) pottery" along with foods like "wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey, curds, and sheep and cheese," Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament, p. 473; 2 Samuel 17:28-29 NIV.
Lesson: When David faced great pressure and wear with his very rebellious son, Absalom, GOD stepped up to give David much-needed encouragement and direction: (1) at Mahanaim, He provided a Biblical reminder of His help with another party who once had similar needs in antiquity; (2) He gave David help from UNLIKELY sources as ENCOURAGEMENT He could supply helpful subordinates in the midst of rebels, and (3) God met David's livelihood needs with quality, practical provisions!

Application: When facing unusual pressures in oversight from very rebellious people, (1) may we recall Biblical precedents of God's help to others in similar straits for rekindling of our faith and hope; (2) may we notice the UNUSUAL help God supplies from UNUSUAL parties as encouragement God will be our All-Sufficiency in the conflict with the rebellious, and (3) may we take heart in the quality and practical provisions of God in the crisis. In doing so, may we REST in heart with the Lord!