II SAMUEL 8-9 Lesson # 9.

KEEPING OUR PROMISES

I. Introduction:

Q How important is it to keep one’s promises?

Q How does a child learn to keep one’s promises?

An = We can tell them to do so, and we can correct them when they do not. We can show them the benefits of keeping one’s word and show them the negative consequences of not keeping their word. We can say it directly, and we can tell stories of relatives or friends to illustrate the truth. Both need to be done.

Note: Seeing you keep your word can deeply hlep a child. It should be modeled by the one teaching in their actual dealings with the child. So let us see how God deals with David in this regard.

II. The Lord Blesses as He Promised: II Samuel 8:1-18.

A. The Promise.

>>>> Have two different people read II Samuel 7:11 & 3:17.

Q What has God promised to David?

An = Military success against his enemies, particularly against the Philistines. Lets see if God comes through with His promise, if God keeps His Word.

>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 8:1-8.

Note: Remember, this was the nation that just a few short years before could not even defend itself against the Philistines and was overrun on Mt. Gilboa.

>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 8:9-14.

Q What is David doing with all the silver, bronze and gold he is capturing?

An = He is dedicating it to the Lord. No doubt this is the beginning of the stock piling of materials that he was so famous for, so that Solomon could build the Temple.

Q Does God keep His Word?

An = Yes, >>>> Have someone read II Samuel 8:6 and 8:14. “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went”.

>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 8:15-18.

Q What are these verses about? Why are they here?

An = It is one thing to win a war but another thing to rule in peace.

Q How did David rule, according to verse 15?

An = He did what was just and right.

III. Keeping One’s Promises or Being Like The Master: II Samuel 9:1-13.

A. David’s Attempt: II Samuel 9:1.

>>>> You read to them Matthew 10:24-25 a.

Jesus taught us this proverb….

“A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher and the servant like his master.”

Note: Our goal is to be like our Teacher, Master and Lord. Our Lord keeps His Word, and so should we.

Lets see if David is like His Lord….

>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 9:1.

Q Is it dangerous to have the heirs of the former king around? Why?

An = The moment there is a lull in one’s popularity or something goes wrong your detractors can use the “former king’s heirs” as a tool for a coop. Ancient Near Eastern kings often totally eliminated the heirs and family of the former kings.

Q What is David’s purpose in finding Jonathan’s heir?

An = To show them kindness for their father’s sake. The Hebrew word behind the English word “kindness” is the famous word for loyal, consistent love: hesed. David wants to show hesed, loyal love, kindness based on a promise of loyalty. David will use this word three times in this short chapter: 9:1,3,7.

>>>> Have everyone turn to and have someone read I Samuel 20:14-17.

Q What had David promised to do for Jonathan?

An = When David got the upper hand in affairs, which Jonathan foresaw, David was made to promise that he would be good to Jonathan’s heirs. (This vow was repeated in I Samuel 23:18 and David promised Saul the same thing in I Samuel 24:21-22. If time allows have someone read these two passages)

Q To keep his word is David taking a risk?

An = Yes. As long as such heirs exist they are always a threat to the throne.

Q Is it costly to keep our word sometimes, or at least is it a risky business?

Q Why should we risk our well being just to keep our word?

An = Let them give their answers and then remind them that if God is our Lord that is our most important reason for doing so. We are His sons and “like father, like son”. We show who we are by how we keep our promises. We show that we are Christians if we keep our word.

Q Does the Bible say this anywhere?

An = Let them give their answers and then if they did not remember the following texts let them look at them with you.

>>>> Exodus 20:16. The Ten Commandments

>>>> Leviticus 19:11 The Old Testament version of what is “holiness” (Lev. 19).

>>>> Psalm 15:4 This is the famous list of those who are worthy to enter God’s Holy Presence. The Old Kings James version used to put it: “swears to his own hurt” or “keeps his word even when it costs him.

Note: If you need a memory verse to put on your desk or to put on the dash of your car, the last half of Psalm 15:4 is a good one. In fact, the whole verse is good!

Q Can we be pleasing to God if we are not men or women of our Word?

An = The Old Testament says: “No”!

Note: There are some of you here today who did not know how important this is to God. I hope it is of help to you. Some here do not take serious this issue and to not do so is dangerous, and you need to know that. For others of you this can remind you to “keep on, keeping on”. Do not get discouraged. You are being very “righteous” in the Lord’s eyes. Some people may not respect you, but if you keep your word you respect not only yourself, but you also respect God.

Q Does Jesus agree with what His Father says on this issue? What is the New Testament attitude?

An = Jesus says His Father and He are one. Let me give you an example of this.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:33-37.

Q What is Jesus saying here?

An = He is going above and beyond the Old Testament. He says not only should you keep your “oaths”,but that you should be so honest that you keep your word even when you do not “swear to”. John 8:44 reminds us that if we are liars our father is not God but the devil. The devil is the “father of lies” (II Thessalonians 2:9-12).

B. The Further Blessing: The Joy of Giving. II Samuel 9:2-13.

>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 9:2-5.

Q Do you think this young man was a bit nervous?

An = He probably was extremely nervous. He knew he was a threat. His grandfather had repeatedly tried to murder David. Most oriental kings would have eliminated him on the spot.

Let us see if we can picture this interaction….

>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 9:6-8.

Note: Notice the opening speech of David. He merely says Mephibosheth’s name.

Q What is the second thing David says to Mephibosheth? What does he authoritatively tell this young man?

An = “Do not be afraid.” He then gives Mephibosheth three reasons why he should not be afraid. 1) I intend to show you kindness for your father Jonathan’s sake. 2) I will restore your family lands. 3) I will provide for you off my own table. The ultimate sign of friendship and communion.

Q How does the young man Mephibosheth refer to himself in 9:6 and 9:8?

An = With humility. He calls himself David’s servant and shows humility with his body language in 9:6.

Q Is there joy in giving to someone who is disadvantaged?

An = If we give anything to anyone, we are only borrowing from God, to give what already belongs to God. If we forgive it is because we have been forgiven. If we help others, it is because we have been helped of God.

>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 9:9-13.

Q Does David just talk a good game or does David act it out?

An = I believe these verses clearly show us that David acted out his resolve and did not just talk about it.

Note: We should do the same. We should pick out something we have promised to do and get to work on it, as David aggressively did. Maybe we did not know we could be doing something like this; but like David, we begin to remember that we can fulfill now a vow we made long ago. What extra joy the Lord allows when we remember such things.

As we pray, let us ask God to help us to remember what vows we can keep.