WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.400 Good evening, everybody. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:07.339 Wish we could just keep singing. 00:00:10.580 --> 00:00:14.320 If you don't know me, my name is Peter Almo, a member of the church. 00:00:15.140 --> 00:00:17.940 I've been going here at least two years now. 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:19.960 I've preached once before. 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:22.080 I'm excited to preach again tonight. 00:00:24.240 --> 00:00:27.219 Please pray with me briefly before we start. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:31.239 Lord, I thank you for those here tonight who are gathered. 00:00:31.399 --> 00:00:36.840 And I pray that you would prepare all of our hearts, Lord, to hear what you have to say here in 2 Samuel. 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:43.780 Please allow the sermon to be glorifying to you, edifying to us here, Lord. 00:00:44.239 --> 00:00:45.659 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:53.140 So I think this has been a really crazy time to be an American, especially if you're interested in politics. 00:00:53.140 --> 00:01:01.000 This really has been an election cycle to remember, very unique, one that we haven't seen before. 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:02.359 I doubt we'll see it again. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:05.760 And my plan is not to get too political up here. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:14.359 But it is clear that both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, they're upending traditional norms in American political life. 00:01:15.859 --> 00:01:24.040 And in so doing, they're raising fundamental questions about the country we were, the country we are now, and the country that we might become. 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:32.520 And one area that is front and center this election cycle, particularly on the Republican side, is immigration. 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:41.800 And more abstractly, how do we process the history of this nation in regard to the immigrants who shaped it? 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:46.780 And how, as a nation, do we think about our immigrants moving forward? 00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:56.819 Now, a lot of ink has been spilt over the economic implications of immigration, especially illegal immigration, as well as the threat to national security, 00:01:57.039 --> 00:02:04.000 to say nothing of the cultural implications and the ever-evolving demographics of the melting pot we call our home. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:13.419 And out of this deeply complex issue has come an unfortunate level of xenophobia, frankly, out of the right side. 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:21.099 And I think that this is problematic for some of us in Christian circles, where conservatism is the predominant political position. 00:02:21.580 --> 00:02:23.099 Though, not all the time. 00:02:24.259 --> 00:02:33.719 We hear pledges to make America great again, without making a direct connection, suggesting that immigration has played a role in America's un-greatness. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:38.620 And will perhaps be pivotal in deciding whether America becomes great again. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:45.080 I can only speak for myself, but as a conservative Christian, I do have a high view of this nation. 00:02:45.419 --> 00:02:49.080 Its history and its role in the world's geopolitical future. 00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:55.039 All the while, being savvy to what our country has done, some of the actions it's taken in the past. 00:02:55.039 --> 00:03:04.479 Having said that, I have a bit of a recoiling to the idea that America is more or less a source of injustice in the world. 00:03:06.139 --> 00:03:11.299 But, as a Christian, I find myself at odds with some in the conservative camp, 00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:16.580 when considering our posture towards the others in our country. 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:21.040 The people or groups that traditionally have been seen as non-American. 00:03:22.020 --> 00:03:28.840 Surely, we as Christians must have a kingdom view of the world, over and above a nationalistic one. 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:40.120 Jesus certainly compels us to embrace the others of the world, as we seek to show the world who he was and what he was like. 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:45.400 Now, at this point, you're probably asking, what does this have to do with the end of Samuel? 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:47.340 Pretty much nothing. 00:03:49.200 --> 00:03:50.620 No, that's just a joke. 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:54.039 There is a lot to glean here. 00:03:54.340 --> 00:04:03.219 And as we approach the end of 2 Samuel, we find King David reflecting on the greatness of the nation of Israel and his role in it. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:10.879 And if you would, please read with me our sermon text tonight, which is 2 Samuel 23, verses 8-39. 00:04:11.740 --> 00:04:14.939 I'm going to do my best to get through the names. 00:04:15.420 --> 00:04:18.120 I apologize if some of them are weird. 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:22.199 This is sort of a rite of passage, I guess, when you preach. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:24.100 You have to be able to get through things like this. 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:26.399 Starting in verse 8. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:30.220 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had. 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:35.100 Josheb, Bashabeth, a Tekemanite. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:36.879 He was chief of the three. 00:04:37.379 --> 00:04:40.840 He wielded his spear against 800 whom he killed at one time. 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:47.519 And next to him, among the three mighty men, was Eleazar, the son of Dodo, son of Ahuai. 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:51.600 He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle. 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:53.560 And the men of Israel withdrew. 00:04:54.199 --> 00:05:00.000 He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary and his hand clung to the sword. 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:02.860 And the Lord brought about a great victory that day. 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:06.660 And the men returned after him only to strip the slain. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:11.320 And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agi, the Hararite. 00:05:11.960 --> 00:05:16.520 The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:18.620 And the men fled from the Philistines. 00:05:19.020 --> 00:05:23.680 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines. 00:05:24.220 --> 00:05:25.720 And the Lord worked a great victory. 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:32.160 And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Agilom, 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:35.620 when a band of Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim. 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:38.360 David was then in the stronghold. 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:41.520 And the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. 00:05:42.280 --> 00:05:43.860 And David said longingly, 00:05:44.460 --> 00:05:49.020 Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate. 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:56.519 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, 00:05:56.979 --> 00:05:58.519 and carried and brought it to David. 00:05:59.219 --> 00:06:00.419 But he would not drink of it. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:02.899 He poured it out to the Lord and said, 00:06:03.419 --> 00:06:05.779 Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this. 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:09.319 Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives? 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:11.539 Therefore he would not drink it. 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:14.639 These things the three mighty men did. 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:20.539 Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. 00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:26.300 And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:32.079 He was the most renowned of the thirty and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three. 00:06:33.159 --> 00:06:38.639 And Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was a valiant man of Kabziel, a doer of great deeds. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:41.120 He struck down two aerials of Moab. 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:45.920 He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:49.340 And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:53.759 The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:58.000 and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:03.560 These things did Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and won a name beside the three mighty men. 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:07.579 He was renowned amongst the thirty, but he did not attain to the three, 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:09.840 and David set him over his bodyguard. 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:13.739 Asahel, the brother of Joab, was one of the thirty. 00:07:14.219 --> 00:07:16.159 Elhanan, the son of Dodo of Bethlehem. 00:07:16.579 --> 00:07:17.519 Shammah of Herod. 00:07:17.799 --> 00:07:18.879 Aleikah of Herod. 00:07:19.239 --> 00:07:20.379 Helez, the Paltite. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:22.379 Ira, the son of Ekesh of Tekoa. 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.579 Abiezar of Anatoth. 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:26.819 Mebunai, the Hushatite. 00:07:27.339 --> 00:07:28.539 Salmon, the Ahawite. 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:30.120 Mahari of Natopha. 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:33.579 Hileb, the son of Banna of Natopha. 00:07:34.099 --> 00:07:37.239 Etai, the son of Rebi of Gibeah, of the people of Benjamin. 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:39.139 Benaiah of Pirithon. 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:41.560 Hidai, of the brooks of Gash. 00:07:42.280 --> 00:07:44.019 Abialbon, the Arbitite. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:46.060 Asmaveth of Baharim. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:50.560 Eliabah, the Shalbanite, the sons of Jashen. 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:53.240 Jonathan, Shammah, the Herorite. 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:56.759 Ahayam, the son of Sharar, the Herorite. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:08:00.459 Eliphelet, the son of Ahazbi of Maka. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:04.180 Eliam, the son of Atathophel of Gilo. 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:06.379 Hezro of Carmel. 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:07.819 Parai, the Arbite. 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:10.199 Egal, the son of Nathan of Zobah. 00:08:10.740 --> 00:08:11.839 Bani, the Gadite. 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:13.620 Zelech, the Ammonite. 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:18.620 Nahari, of Beiroth, the armor-bearer of Joab, the son of Zeruiah. 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:20.259 Ira, the Ithrite. 00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:22.019 Gareb, the Ithrite. 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:24.219 Uriah, the Hittite. 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:26.040 37 in all. 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:28.080 Wow. 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:38.440 If ever a true treasure trove of deep theological truths and possibilities, this was it. 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:51.320 I slogged through that to kind of drive the point home that, frankly, this text is a nightmare to approach when you're writing a sermon. 00:08:51.320 --> 00:09:02.000 At first glance, simply the names of David's mighty men, his generals and lieutenants, and brief glimpses of some of their exploits. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:18.419 What I will attempt to do while staying exegetical without completely putting you to sleep is take a step back, put on a wide-angle lens, and look at this passage within the larger context of what's going on at the end of 2 Samuel. 00:09:18.419 --> 00:09:22.019 Namely, the ending of David's reign. 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:36.759 David's reign, when considered across the long line of Hebrew history, a tumultuous history to be sure, was the apex of the socio-political grandeur of the nation. 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:40.799 Which means that it was a good time. 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:47.980 If you look at the overall line that Israel took, it's a lot of bad times. 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:55.559 And though David went through a lot and will continue to go through a lot, comparatively speaking, this is kind of a high point. 00:09:55.559 --> 00:10:02.299 Further bolstered after David, when his son Solomon completed the temple. 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:11.839 And we tend to view the Old Testament, in general, as Israel's time. 00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:17.399 When God was working exclusively with and through his nation. 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:34.919 If the New Testament is largely about God's covenant blessings and promises going out to all the nations, that is salvation, 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:39.899 then the Old Testament is surely about one and only one nation. 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:46.539 Israel's history starts slow and ends slow, with a high point in the middle. 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:49.379 David's kingship over God's people. 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:59.860 If we look back, we come across a number of key events that provide a framework for how the entire Old Testament informs the New. 00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:06.539 If I were to quickly summarize it for you, it begins with God's covenant with Abraham. 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:10.720 Then on to the exodus, out of Egypt and out of slavery. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:16.600 To David's anointing and reign, and Solomon's building of the temple, where God dwelt with man. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:21.139 Then they go back into a kind of slavery with the exile in Babylon. 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:26.699 They leave exile, are able to come back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. 00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:31.579 After a long time, we call that period the second temple period. 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:38.120 And finally, to the crucifixion of Jesus and the going out of the Holy Spirit to all nations. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:44.759 And what I want to focus on for the moment is the beginning of the framework and the end of the framework. 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:50.440 Something incredibly important characterizes both that beginning and end. 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:59.140 And that is a lack of the nation of Israel being central to what God is doing there. 00:12:00.540 --> 00:12:04.920 It's buttressed at both ends by others, outsiders. 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:09.500 Not an Israeli-centric event. 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:12.200 First, consider Abraham. 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:14.940 Formerly Abram. 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:17.159 Who was in no way Hebrew. 00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:18.799 Abraham was not Hebrew. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:19.500 He was not Jewish. 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:20.840 He was not part of the nation of Israel. 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:24.740 In fact, and I'm pretty sure most of the people here tonight are aware. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:30.120 It wasn't until Abraham's grandson, Jacob, wrestled with God. 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:33.080 That God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:38.160 And with his sons, do we only start to think about a nation of God's own people? 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:45.120 And why that is so noteworthy can be found in the book of Genesis, chapter 15. 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:46.500 I am going to look there. 00:12:47.520 --> 00:12:49.940 Genesis, chapter 15, verses 4 through 6. 00:12:50.020 --> 00:12:51.240 You can read along if you want. 00:12:51.320 --> 00:12:52.060 I'm going to read it. 00:12:53.400 --> 00:12:54.580 Starting in verse 4. 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:59.280 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, Abram. 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:04.139 This man, Eleazar of Damascus, shall not be your heir. 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:06.500 Your very own son shall be your heir. 00:13:07.199 --> 00:13:13.100 And he brought him outside and said, look toward heaven and number the stars, if you are able to number them. 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:16.799 Then he said to him, so shall your offspring be. 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:22.019 And he believed the Lord and counted it to him as righteousness. 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:31.480 It's interesting that God's referencing of Abram's true heir begins with Isaac, of course, 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:36.939 but is also looking forward to both David, the future anointed king of God's people, 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:41.960 and finally Jesus, the future anointed king of God's people. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:49.179 And this covenant isn't established with, isn't sealed in, the nation of Israel or the Ten Commandments, 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:50.960 but in the faith of one man. 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:58.840 Then Abram's faith in the Lord, the faith of a Gentile, to be frank, was accounted to him for righteousness. 00:13:59.180 --> 00:14:06.320 And that righteousness, through faith, is the foundation of the security that we have today as believers in Christ. 00:14:07.280 --> 00:14:10.920 All from the mouth of an outsider, another. 00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:15.740 And if we can briefly examine the other end of this framework, 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:18.680 I believe we can start bringing things into focus. 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:21.559 The going out of the Holy Spirit. 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:24.399 This is after Jesus' resurrection and ascension. 00:14:24.859 --> 00:14:27.500 It's chronicled by Luke in the book of Acts. 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:30.699 First the Spirit is poured out onto the apostles. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:35.939 Then Peter goes out to the huge crowds gathered in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. 00:14:36.319 --> 00:14:39.979 Crowds made up of Hebrews from all nations of the modern world at that time, 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.859 which would have been the Roman Empire. 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:49.759 And Peter begins to preach to them on what are essentially the promises of God's covenant with Abram. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:54.919 Coming to full realization in Jesus and what he's just accomplished. 00:14:55.300 --> 00:14:57.419 And this is all found in Acts chapter 2. 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:59.740 And I'm going to go there. 00:15:00.680 --> 00:15:01.620 Acts chapter 2. 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:03.180 I'm going to look at verse 17 first. 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:05.960 Peter is quoting the minor prophet Joel. 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:14.120 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of my spirit on all flesh. 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:20.340 Jump from there to verse 34, if you will, if you're following along. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:25.139 Peter curiously brings someone into this sermon. 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:28.440 Someone who is so central to God's framework of salvation. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.560 And that person is David. 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:33.479 Verse 34. 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:00.539 Verse 34. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:22.439 So we've looked at the beginning of our framework. 00:16:23.239 --> 00:16:25.759 Righteousness through the faith of another, an outsider. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:28.139 And our end of the framework. 00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:31.679 The Holy Spirit being poured out onto all who put their faith in Jesus. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:35.819 Not just the in crowd, the nation of Israel, the house David built. 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.360 But to all the others. 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.460 So why go through all that? 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:42.000 Why take the time to look at that? 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:45.299 Well, it's so that we can now wheel back to 2 Samuel. 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.639 And really contextualize what's going on in our sermon text. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.720 At least one part of the sermon text. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:56.160 So David is now at the end of his life. 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.460 At the end of his reign. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:03.540 And it's a reign that has seen an unprecedented flourishing of God's people. 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:10.720 Into not just a people of God, but an economic, military, and cultural power in the world. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:15.460 From as far north as Syria to as far south as Egypt. 00:17:15.600 --> 00:17:17.720 At the time that David ruled Israel. 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:19.279 People now knew his name. 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:23.860 And how grand that nation of the one true God had become. 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:26.160 And so we find David here at the end. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.460 Taking stock. 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.240 Of what the Lord has done. 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.819 And what he has accomplished. 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:35.700 And part of that stock taking is an account of his mighty men. 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:44.480 Recognition, to be sure, for the warriors who were instrumental in helping David achieve victory after victory. 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:47.500 And solidifying Israel as a real world power. 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:53.819 If David is the glorious throne at the center of this shining nation. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:59.299 Surely these men are the host that adorns the throne with valor and glory. 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:02.759 And what do we find tucked away in this host? 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:04.779 Or rather, who do we find? 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:08.059 You'll find him at the very end of the list. 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:08.960 Surprisingly. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:11.579 Or as we'll see, not so surprisingly. 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:13.899 And he is an other. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.039 He's an outsider. 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:17.200 And not just any other. 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:21.039 But a man who serves as David's greatest blemish. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:21.839 Really. 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:24.079 The man who causes us to pause. 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:27.700 When we think of David as a man after God's own heart. 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:30.700 And that is Uriah the Hittite. 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:34.600 You might be thinking, why Uriah? 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:37.700 Why is this man, last on the list, so important? 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:40.600 Well, believe me, I think he's immensely important. 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:49.380 And I think there are three distinct and significant points that make Uriah's place of prominence among David's mighty men significant. 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:53.520 I would like to briefly refresh our memories. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.240 Then look a little closer. 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:59.260 So we're going to stay in 2 Samuel, but we're going to go back to chapter 11, if you will. 00:18:59.540 --> 00:19:00.620 Verses 6 through 17. 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.620 This is where we're introduced to Uriah. 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:06.160 So David sent word to Joab. 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:08.540 Send me Uriah the Hittite. 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.960 Excuse me, this is not where we're introduced to Uriah. 00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:16.920 This is after David has done the deed, if you will. 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:18.980 So David sent word to Joab. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.220 Send me Uriah the Hittite. 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:22.320 And Joab sent Uriah to David. 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:28.779 When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab was doing and how the people were doing and how the war was going. 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:33.440 Then David said to Uriah, go down to your house and wash your feet. 00:19:34.300 --> 00:19:39.200 And Uriah went out of the king's house and there followed him a present from the king. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:46.180 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord and did not go down to his house. 00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:53.960 When they told David, Uriah did not go down to his house, David said to Uriah, have you not come from a journey? 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:56.120 Why did you not go down to your house? 00:19:56.119 --> 00:20:07.259 Uriah said to David, the ark and Israel and Judah dwell in tents and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. 00:20:08.199 --> 00:20:12.299 Shall I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:15.819 As you live and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing. 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:22.479 Then David said to Uriah, remain here today also and tomorrow I will send you back. 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:26.339 So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:31.680 And David invited him and he ate in his presence and drank so that he made him drunk. 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:37.460 And in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house. 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:43.420 In the morning, David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:52.460 In the letter he wrote, set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting and then draw back from him that he may be struck down and die. 00:20:52.480 --> 00:21:01.019 And as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men. 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:07.980 And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab and some of the servants of David among the people fell. 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:10.579 Uriah the Hittite also died. 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:17.139 First point of the three and the obvious one, Uriah was not an Israelite. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:25.179 He was a Hittite, which is a kingdom at that time occupied by most of what is now the country Turkey. 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:28.500 And the Bible often refers to it as Asia Minor. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:33.539 And the Hittites actually had a strong working relationship with Israel. 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:38.200 They were trade partners and for the most part, congenial neighbors. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:45.899 So on a surface level, it isn't hugely scandalous that David enjoyed the company of a Gentile among his entourage. 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.619 And I'm using Gentile here. 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:52.680 I mean, this is a term that wouldn't have been used then, but we'll just understand it as a non-Israelite. 00:21:52.680 --> 00:22:01.060 But to recap a point previously touched on, there are times when you get the job done by any means, 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:04.620 and there are times for formality and decorum. 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:09.700 And David is giving an account of himself in our sermon text, his kingdom and his champions. 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:13.640 There's an air of both formality and finality to it. 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:19.940 Might it be fitting to scrub certain things out, to clean up the record a little bit? 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:25.360 But this is a moment to step back and bask in the ending of a full and kingly life. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:29.140 So it is significant that Uriah is an outsider. 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:36.460 And much more than that, and this is our second point, Uriah is the source of David's shame. 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.920 It's not the only source of his shame. 00:22:39.580 --> 00:22:41.980 David has made a number of mistakes. 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:45.600 And if you read through the whole chapter, he just was dealing with his son Absalom. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:47.620 So there are certainly things that have shamed David. 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:51.799 But I think Uriah represents David's lowest point. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:57.679 David debased himself and betrayed God in so many ways, so quickly. 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:05.199 I personally will never believe it is anything other than pivotal for how we interpret David, his dealing with Uriah. 00:23:05.979 --> 00:23:08.539 Consider the events and the sins that rapidly accumulate. 00:23:09.719 --> 00:23:14.339 During the time that kings go out to battle, which is the quote from the text directly, 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:18.539 David was curiously and inappropriately at home. 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:22.859 Now, I'm sure, you know, the sermon was preached on that. 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:29.119 Whole sermons can be preached on just the fact that at the time when kings went on to battle, David was not doing battle. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.139 David was at home. 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:32.659 It's a hugely problematic thing. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:35.699 It's a very sinful thing that he was at home. 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:48.039 He then lusts after Bathsheba, commits adultery with Bathsheba, engages in lies and deceits to cover his sin and conspire to murder, and finally murders Uriah. 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:51.140 This is the low of low. 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.819 This is not backsliding. 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:56.980 This is very evil behavior. 00:23:56.980 --> 00:24:05.220 And Uriah's memory is clearly a locus or a focal point for this entire heinous act. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:10.000 And yet his name is included in this list and honored. 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:13.240 And finally, the third point. 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:18.240 Uriah is the true servant of Israel in that moment. 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:21.039 This is my words now. 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:22.339 This is my interpretation. 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:25.839 He's the true man after God's own heart. 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:30.480 The one who truly acted like the anointed king of a people. 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:35.139 It's not just that Uriah is a reminder of David's shame. 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:41.459 He is the placeholder for what David should have been but wasn't at that time. 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.740 Consider the text again. 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:45.159 You look back at verse 9. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:52.839 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord and did not go down to his house. 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:58.319 When they told David Uriah did not go down to his house, David said to Uriah, 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.879 Have you not come from a journey? 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:01.559 Why did you not go down to your house? 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.379 Uriah said to David, 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:06.419 The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in tents, 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:10.000 and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:13.579 Shall I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:18.000 As you live and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing. 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:22.139 I will not do this thing. 00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:26.019 Not only is Uriah the better man, 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:29.720 the godlier man, 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:32.740 having not even been an Israelite, 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:37.079 he keeps shame upon shame on David 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:42.460 as he points out that God himself dwells on the battlefield in a tent. 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:45.460 How could he seek creature comforts? 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:48.039 And that's what David does. 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:50.819 While God is with his people on the field, 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:52.579 David is at home lusting, 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.720 fornicating, 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.019 and plotting murder. 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:59.620 Uriah becomes the prophet, priest, and king in that moment, 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:01.400 and David the outsider. 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:03.980 So again, I ask you, 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:06.680 why include Uriah's name in this list? 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:11.720 Well, at this point, I hope it has become clear. 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:14.960 I believe God deemed it quite fitting 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:18.800 to have Uriah honored here among the list of David's mighty men, 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:21.720 because Uriah was a true servant of God. 00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:24.780 A true servant when David was not. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.980 David, who was anointed, 00:26:28.300 --> 00:26:30.040 which gives him great authority, 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:31.579 who was king, 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.619 the great psalmist, 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:36.539 and Uriah, the outsider, 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.559 the other, 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.339 a Hittite, 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.899 a nobody, really, 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:42.940 in terms of the nation of Israel. 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:46.799 I believe strongly that God was the same yesterday, 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.519 he is the same today, 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.799 and he will be the same tomorrow. 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:56.200 I believe that a strong connection or continuity exists between what we find in the Old Testament 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:58.200 and what's going on in the New Testament. 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:04.819 There's a continuity that runs through salvation that we find in Scripture, 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:08.059 or who God redeems and how he redeems them. 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:15.500 And Uriah must be a glaring example for us to remember that God's plan, 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:18.259 going all the way back to his covenant with Abram, 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:22.639 was to call the nations of the world to himself and redeem them. 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:24.360 So here, 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:28.220 at one of the highest points of Israel's military and cultural might, 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:30.140 under its most celebrated monarch, 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:34.080 does God show that his grace will go out to all people. 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:39.900 At a time when Israel should be celebrated most of all as a unique nation of God, 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:42.680 for a unique people that are God's, 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:47.780 God is raising up an other to bless and be a blessing. 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:54.259 And if you still doubt that I'm overplaying my hand, if you will, 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:58.339 if you doubt that Uriah is a godly figure meant to be acknowledged and remembered, 00:27:58.879 --> 00:28:01.319 turn with me, if you will, to the Gospel of Matthew. 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:04.240 If you are following along, this is definitely worth turning to. 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:07.339 This is the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 1, verse 1. 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:13.480 Matthew opens with the genealogy of Jesus, his ancestry, 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:19.120 wanting first and foremost to establish for his mostly Jewish audience, 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:23.240 the foundation of Jesus' ancestry, 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:27.279 his first-rate royal Jewish pedigree. 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:30.819 Starting in verse 1, just going to verse 6. 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:35.579 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, 00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:38.980 the son of David, the son of Abraham. 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:42.680 Son of David, son of Abraham. 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:49.360 Matthew is following that salvific, that framework I outlined earlier. 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:52.240 These two are clearly the most important names, 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:54.259 certainly to a Jewish audience, 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.980 so he establishes them first. 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.980 Verse 2. 00:28:58.720 --> 00:29:00.599 Abraham was the father of Isaac, 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:02.299 and Isaac the father of Jacob, 00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:05.000 and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:08.480 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:10.460 and Perez the father of Hezron, 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:12.019 and Hezron the father of Ram. 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:14.639 And Ram the father of Amminadab, 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:16.940 and Amminadab the father of Nashon, 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:19.059 and Nashon the father of Salmon, 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:21.960 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:24.759 and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.879 and Obed the father of Jesse, 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:30.940 and Jesse the father of David the king. 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:37.640 And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of who? 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:40.220 You guessed it. 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.360 It's Uriah. 00:29:42.600 --> 00:29:48.840 Uriah's name is here listed in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus. 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:52.480 Do you doubt that God, 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:54.619 in the inspiration of his holy word, 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:57.220 intended for Uriah to be understood, 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.639 honored, and remembered? 00:29:59.659 --> 00:30:04.459 It's strange enough that Uriah would be honored and remembered at the end of David's life, 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:07.099 having been such a source of shame to David, 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.039 and an outsider, 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:11.579 but to be included in the genealogy of our Lord and Savior? 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:14.420 It is a glorious thing, 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.440 I think, 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:20.139 to see God's loving grace remain constant from beginning to end, 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:22.899 from Abraham to the cross, 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:26.099 to see how important it was to God 00:30:26.099 --> 00:30:30.839 to have Uriah's word and deed carried out through history, 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:33.059 so that even the gospel writer Matthew 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:35.119 saw it as solely incomplete 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:38.039 to provide an ancestry for the Messiah, 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:40.980 leaving the name of Uriah unmentioned. 00:30:42.699 --> 00:30:44.199 And I do think that's true. 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:46.719 I think if it simply said, 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:49.959 in Solomon, 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:52.079 the son of David and Bathsheba, 00:30:53.439 --> 00:30:54.379 and, you know, period, 00:30:54.380 --> 00:30:56.580 it doesn't have to be, 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.000 and again, 00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:58.380 I don't want to get into the, you know, 00:30:58.880 --> 00:31:01.000 how the gospel writer chose to write, 00:31:01.060 --> 00:31:02.320 but it doesn't have to be 00:31:02.320 --> 00:31:04.200 David and Bathsheba, 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.920 comma, the wife of Uriah. 00:31:06.020 --> 00:31:07.080 He didn't have to include that, 00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:07.640 but it's there, 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:09.380 and I think it's there for very important reasons. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.900 So what can we take away from it? 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.240 What can be gleaned? 00:31:13.860 --> 00:31:15.120 What's our application? 00:31:15.260 --> 00:31:16.260 We always want to have an application. 00:31:16.800 --> 00:31:17.000 Well, 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:20.200 my hope is that first and foremost, 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:23.500 for God so loved the world, 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:25.619 is not just a New Testament truth. 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.759 We should all now see, 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.500 I hope, 00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.720 that God, 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:31.059 from the beginning of creation, 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:34.000 planned to redeem all people, 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:36.440 and was redeeming all peoples, 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:38.920 even at the height of his own nation, 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.680 Israel, 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:42.319 a nation meant to be set apart, 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:44.200 to be the example to the world 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:45.240 of what God was like, 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.619 but oh so often failed 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:49.460 spectacularly at doing that. 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:51.519 while the quiet, 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.319 humble, 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:53.900 and pious Uriah 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:55.920 exemplified more than any other 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:56.720 at that time 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:58.240 the character of God. 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.840 And so more broadly, 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.380 my hope 00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:04.140 is that we understand 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:05.160 that we are not immune 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:06.980 to the follies of Israel today. 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:10.079 And I speak more of us 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:12.779 as a nation of Christian believers, 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:14.100 American Christian believers. 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:16.240 We are very much falling 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:18.079 into the same sinful habits, 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:18.659 malaise, 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.980 and atrophy, 00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:21.079 in my opinion. 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:22.679 American Christians 00:32:22.679 --> 00:32:24.240 have fancied and honored themselves 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:25.839 the Christians of Christians, 00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:28.019 part of a nation charmed 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.679 and blessed, 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:30.480 a nation of promise, 00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:32.259 a city on a hill, 00:32:33.199 --> 00:32:34.439 and as such, 00:32:34.959 --> 00:32:35.959 how we have treated 00:32:35.959 --> 00:32:37.379 the others of our society, 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:39.279 how we have thought of them, 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:41.119 has been downright shameful. 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:44.119 Let us remember Uriah. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:46.139 We're not him, friends. 00:32:46.459 --> 00:32:47.000 Too often, 00:32:47.139 --> 00:32:48.339 we're the David of the equation. 00:32:49.199 --> 00:32:50.500 I'm speaking in broad strokes 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.339 right now, of course. 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.579 I know that most of you 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.899 don't fall into this camp. 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.500 But for better or worse, 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:57.119 we are part of a larger 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:59.159 American evangelicalism 00:32:59.159 --> 00:33:01.000 or evangelical body of believers 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:02.639 that is sending a message 00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:03.439 to outsiders, 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.839 both unbelievers 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:05.719 and other Christians. 00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:07.779 God's salvation 00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:09.399 is for all nations, 00:33:09.739 --> 00:33:11.019 and our kingdom family 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:12.779 is of all nations. 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.940 So let our daily lives 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:15.639 reflect that. 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:17.240 Let our daily cares 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:18.200 embrace that. 00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:21.160 Please pray with me 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:21.960 as we close. 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.900 Lord, I thank you 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:26.059 for this text 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:27.019 in 2 Samuel. 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:29.700 It is a difficult text. 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.740 It is at first glance 00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.819 simply a list of names. 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:34.299 How do we possibly 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:34.940 come to it 00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:36.119 and preach a whole sermon 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:36.519 from it? 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:38.019 You have provided, Lord, 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:38.940 and I thank you 00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:40.740 that Uriah, 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:42.440 you know, 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:44.119 I believe was picked 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:44.799 by you, Lord, 00:33:44.859 --> 00:33:45.980 was raised up by you 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:47.000 to be an example 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.799 of your character 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.879 when David was not. 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.920 And I pray, Lord, 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.059 that we saw that tonight. 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:53.000 I pray that 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:54.619 I was faithful 00:33:54.619 --> 00:33:55.319 to the text 00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:56.259 and I pray 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.299 that those here tonight 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:59.259 learn from it. 00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:00.700 Please apply it 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.180 to their hearts, 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:02.099 increase them in wisdom 00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:02.700 and love, Lord, 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.819 as we go out this week 00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:06.539 continuing to serve you. 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.839 We pray this 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.579 in Jesus' name. 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.079 Amen.