Through the Valley

Through the Valley

2 Samuel 15:1-37 

 

Illus. The Lord of the valleys.

 

The definition of a valley is a low point, a situation filled with fear, gloom, or despair. What we know from this life is that there are ups and downs, highs and lows, mountain peaks and valleys. David’s life displays it all.

David greatest victory was in a valley. It was the valley of Elah, where David found a giant named Goliath. With his faith and trust in the Lord, David was victorious. When David became king of all of Israel, the Philistines came and overran the valley of Rephaim, David inquired of the Lord as to whether he should go up against them and the Lord told him to go…There again, the Lord led David to victory in the valley.

Throughout David’s story we have seen many peaks and valleys. We have seen victories, tragedies and everything in between. This morning as we turn to 2 Samuel 15, however, we will see him in the deepest and darkest valley he may have ever been in up to this point. It is a valley we will see him walk through physically, but his journey through the valley is due a deep dark valley he is going through personally and in his family.

One of the most famous Scriptures in the Old Testament, if not the entire Bible was written by David about a valley. Psalm 23:4,  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me…” We don’t know for sure which valley David was referring to when he wrote of the valley of the shadow of death, but many scholars believe it is a reference to the Kidron valley, which is a valley he walks through here in chapter 15 of second Samuel. The name “Kidron” means “gloomy,” “dark,” or “darkness.”  Biblically, it is a location associated with sorrow, judgement, or death…

It is a valley on the east side of Jerusalem, and David will journey through that valley in an attempt to escape his son Absalom who had turned on and was set against him. It is sad to see and up until just a few chapters ago, unless someone knew his whole story, they would not have seen this coming. David was associated with victory, even in the valley of his life, but there is quick descent that took place in his life over the past few chapters, and we have been studying it all in detail.

After  we saw many seasons in his life as a shepherd, servant, warrior, and man after God’s own heart, we are given the details surrounding his great sin. His sin would have consequences in his family. From there we are made aware not only of his sin, but the sins of his sons, and a great whirlwind has been stirred up.

David’s sin was the sin of adultery with Bathsheba, and then, in a cover up effort, he plotted the murder of her husband. David was confronted and he confessed his sin and was forgiven, he would not die, however, we learn that there would be consequences and fallout in his family. In the very next chapter, we see one of his sons, Amnon, rape his half-sister, Tamar. David then, seemingly paralyzed by his own sin, does nothing in response…No correction to his son Amnon, and no compassion or care for his daughter Tamar. After two year of inaction, Tamar’s brother Absalom took matter into his own hands and devised and plan to have Amnon murdered. Once this happened, he left town and went to his grandfather’s house who was a king in a distant country. Absalom would stay there for three years.

We studied Absalom’s return last week which came after his army commander put a plan together to compel David to bring him back. David did have him brought back, however, when giving orders for his return, David said, “he shall return to his own house, but he shall not see my face.” In other words, David said bring him back, but I don’t want to see him…For two years Absalom would live in Jerusalem without seeing, or speaking with his father David.

Through that time, we noted that Absalom, was growing bitter and frustrated. Neither David, nor David’s army commander Joab, would speak or respond to him. We noted that David was growing more and more bitter by the day and finally, with nobody responding, he set Joab’s field on fire.

That got Joab’s attention and it was then that he set up a meeting for Absalom to see David. We ended chapter 14 with Absalom bowing before David and king David then kissed the hand of Absalom which was a picture mercy and reconciliation…But it wasn’t enough and we will see that it was too late. Great damage had been done, and David’s son Absalom, as we continue into chapter 15, will begin conspiring to take David down.

Absalom will go on a mission to overthrow David and attempt to make himself king of Israel. When David learns of Absalom’s conspiracy, and that he is coming to wage war on David and the city, David will end up fleeing. As he leaves, we will see David going back through the valley. Here is chapter 15, David is in a deep, dark valley. As David walks through this valley, we gain insights from his life to help us when we are going through valleys we walk through in our own lives and story.

 

1. Listen to the Lord, Not the Lies

 

• In Psalm 3, David describes the situation he was in as an increase in enemies, many rising against him. And people telling lies about him.

 

• It all started with Absalom’s conspiracy. He had risen against David, and the beginning of the chapter paints the picture quite clearly. From verse 6, we learn that Absalom stole the hearts of all the people of Israel…Let’s see how it all went down…

 

2 Samuel 15:1, Now it came about after this that Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run ahead of him.

 

• Verse one gives us the image Absalom was building in the city.

 

• He was the son of the king, the next in line at the time to take over, and so he decided to beginning riding in style.

 

• He put it all in place so that he would look impressive. There was a big procession when he rode around town. Chariots, horses and fifty men running ahead of him. Wherever he went, a big parade, “here comes Absalom!”

 

• Prior to the first king Saul being put in place, Samuel was the judge over the nation, however, the people said they wanted a king like the other nations, and he warned the people (1 Samuel 8), if you get a king like the other nations, he will have chariots and horseman run before him.

 

• This is in contrast to king David, who we never see riding in chariots, or going around town like that. Surely that was the way of other nations, but not the display God desired for his chosen king.

 

David wrote…

 

Psalm 20:7, Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.

 

• Absalom not only boasted through chariots, but also of himself.

 

2 Samuel 15:2, And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the road to the gate; and when any man who had a lawsuit was to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out to him and say, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”

 

• The city gate was the site of public hearings on various civil matters. Typically, the elders of the would resolve them, however, if a person did not believe that a local court gave them justice, the would appeal to the king to issues a judgement or justice.

 

• When a person sought an audience with the king, Absalom would call out to them…

 

2 Samuel 15:3-4, Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but you have no one to listen to you on the part of the king.” Moreover, Absalom would say, “Oh that someone would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has a lawsuit or claim could come to me, and I would give him justice!”

 

• As people began telling Absalom about their case, he would listen and then give them a favorable response without looking into the case, he would say to everyone, “your claims are good and right, but the king is too busy to listen to you.

 

• “Oh, if only I were king, then every man who had a claim could just come to me and I would give justice”

 

• Absalom certainly had his own issues with David not bringing justice in the case of his brother and sister. He had issues that the David would not listen to him, so he is applying his story to everyone he could in the city.

 

Illus. Whatever you need…

 

2 Samuel 15:5-6, And whenever a man approached to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom dealt this way with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

 

• Absalom’s plan was working. We also know from chapter 14 that he had the right look to be the people’s choice as well.

 

2 Samuel 14:25-26, Now in all Israel there was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; from the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no impairment in him. And when he cut the hair of his head (and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, because it was heavy on him, so he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels by the king’s weight.

 

• His hair weighed over 5 pounds and there was no one as handsome as him in all the land.

 

• Absalom was ingratiating himself with the people, and leading the people to believe he was a better choice than God’s appointed king.

 

Titus 1:10-11, For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not…(NKJV)

 

Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. (NKJV)

 

• That is what Absalom was doing, subverting the house of Israel, and sowing discord among the brethren.

 

Illus. Promoting it.

 

2 Samuel 15:7-12, Now it came about at the end of four years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have made to the Lord, in Hebron. For your servant made a vow while I was living in Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’” The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he got up and went to Hebron. But Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’” Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, who were invited and went innocently, for they did not know anything.

 

• Some translations of verse seven read “forty years,” while others read “four.” Most have settled on four as Absalom was four years back in Jerusalem at this point, but others, stick with forty in reference to Absalom’s age at the time.

 

• NASB 20’ reads “four,” which fits, after four years on the campaign trail, Absalom finally has enough support to proceed with his plan to attempt to overthrow the throne of David.

 

• He uses the excuse of vow he made to the Lord that he would go back to Hebron to pay the vow. He brought the Lord into his lie.

 

• He was going to go to Hebron which was his birthplace, and a famous place biblically. It is where Abraham, Isaac, and Jabob were buried. It had a rich history.

 

• He was also likely headed there because there were likely some people there who weren’t so happy with David already. David once had his headquarters in Hebron, but after being anointed king of all Israel, he moved the capital from Hebron to Jerusalem.

 

• It seems likely that Absalom may be able to get some unhappy people on his side over there, and that is what will happen.

 

• Absalom sent spies throughout the land setting it all up, when you hear the trumpet, say “Absalom is king in Hebron!”

 

2 Samuel 15:12, And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people continually increased with Absalom.

 

• In sending for Ahithophel, David was sending for another person who was likely already unhappy with David.

 

• Ahithophel was one of David’s key counselors, a strategic member of his cabinet and a trusted friend. But Ahithophel was also the grandfather of Bathsheba.

 

• David had an affair with her granddaughter and had her husband murdered to cover it up.

 

• In an increasing conspiracy against David, Ahithophel seems like a prime candidate.

 

• David is going to hear about all of it. And when he does, he will go on the run heading first to the valley.

 

• As we understand the details and depths this valley in David’s life, it is worth noting that there are several Psalms associated with this valley in his life. Psalm 41, 61, 62, and 63 are all Psalm that many believe are associated with this part of David’s story.

 

• And there is another Psalm associated with this part of David story that we know with more certainty, that is, Psalm 3.

 

• Superscription: A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.

 

Psalm 3:1-2, Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.”

 

• David learns of the situation, that his enemies had increased, that there were many rising up against him.

 

• Absalom was saying many things about David. Speaking many things against David, from verse 12 we know the conspiracy against him was strong, the people were increasing with Absalom and against David. Absalom had stolen the hearts of the people with his lies.

 

• People were saying that David could not be saved, there was no way forward for him. But that is when he listened to the Lord, not the lies. And as he remember the Lord, he remembered some important truths.

 

Psalm 3:3, But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.

 

• David had failed and had fallen, but the Lord was the lifter of his head.

 

Illus. In the Valley.

 

Illus. “But You, oh Lord!”

 

Illus. Strike.

 

John 8:32, And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

 

• Many rising against David were saying there is no salvation for him…But God would tell him a different story. A story of protection, one of His glory, and His help to him.

 

1. Look to Him for Your Direction

 

2 Samuel 15:13-16

 

• Hearing the news, that Absalom had stolen the hearts of the men of Israel, David immediately tells his servant and family that they need to leave.

 

• In verse 15, we get a powerful scripture spoken to David by his servants after he told them the direction he wanted them to head in. They told David, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my Lord the king choose.”

 

• Oh that this would be the prayer and posture for us as the Lord’s people.

 

• The posture is seen again as the story continues.

 

2 Samuel 15:17-18, The king went out and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house. Now all his servants passed on beside him, all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had come with him from Gath, passed on before the king.

 

• Though many had risen against him, we get a picture of the procession of those who were with him. Many from foreign lands, 600 who came alongside him while he was in Gath, enemy territory. Many of them were resolved to follow him wherever he went.

 

• The people were marching past David, but David would stop and attempt send some of them back…

 

2 Samuel 15:19-22, Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why will you also go with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place. You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander with us, while I go where I will? Return and take back your brothers; mercy and truth be with you.” But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.”  Therefore David said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” So Ittai the Gittite passed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

 

• Ittai the Gittite had only recently come to Jerusalem, not he was fleeing with David. David tell him to return, and remain with the king…

 

• But Ittai the Gittite responds, “but you’re the king, and wherever you go, whether death or lie, there I will be.”

 

• This reminds us of the book of Ruth, When Naomi says to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, why should you go with me, return, go!” but Ruth responded, “do not plead with me to leave, or turn back from following you, where you go I go, and where you sleep I sleep, your people will be my people…” (Ruth 1)

 

• Oh that we would respond to the Lord our king as Ruth did Naomi and Ittai the Gittite approached King David.

 

John 6:66-68, As a result of this many of His disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him.  So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to leave also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.

 

Matthew 16:24-25, Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

 

• In valley, finding direction can be challenging. Looking for the way out can be hard to find.

 

Psalm 139:9-10, If I take up the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will take hold of me.

 

• In the deepest, darkest of valleys, the Lord will lead you, He will guide you through. Look to Him for direction.

 

Illus. No way out.

 

• At some point, David was crying out to the Lord, and the Lord answered Him…

 

Psalm 3:4-6, I was crying out to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.

 

III.   Lean on Him All the Way to the End

 

2 Samuel 15:23, While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people passed over. The king also passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over toward the way of the wilderness.

 

• As David leaves the city and crosses the Kidron valley, all the country was weeping with a loud voice.

 

• It was a far different scene than when David came into the city with the ark of the Lord while singing and dancing joyfully.

 

• It was a different seen in the valley. Leaving the city in sorrow, heading back into the wilderness where he had spent many years on the run for his life from Saul before becoming king.

 

• He was back in the valley again.

 

• In verses 24 to 26, two priests named Zadok and Abiathar, brough the ark of covenant, which represented God presence to David. David directed them to return it to the city.

 

2 Samuel 15:25-26,  “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then He will bring me back and show me both it and His habitation. But if He says this: ‘I have no delight in you,’ then here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.”

 

• David put his trust in God personally. He was not leaning on the things of the Lord, or what represented the Lord, but he was leaning on the Lord, knowing the Lord was with Him, and the Lord would do what was best for him.

 

• Perhaps he remembered when the Philistines and the children of Israel were having a battle during the days of Eli the High Priest. And the Children of Israel said, bring the Ark from the Tabernacle into the encampment of Israel. And God will give us favor. If the Ark, the presence of God is with us, then we’ll have the victory.

 

• Of course, they didn’t have the victory because they were looking for representation of God, not the reality of God with them.

 

1 Samuel 15:30-37, And David was going up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, and his head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. Then all the people who were with him each covered his own head, and they were going up, weeping as they went. Now someone informed David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “Lord, please make the advice of Ahithophel foolish.”

 

• What a prayer, the situation was out of control, there was not much David could do, but he could pray.

 

• And when you are in the valley, you can pray, Lord do what only you can do. Make the advice of that person, make it foolish. Show them Lord, do what only you can do!

 

• As the chapter closes, another counselor of David comes to him. Hushai the Archite.

 

• He was grieved over what was happening, and as he comes to David, David advises him to head back into the city. He needed a friend there, to foil the advice the counselor who had turned on him, and to report to David all he heard since David was not in the city, he needed a friend to head into the city to do all he could do to foil the plan and advice of the enemy.

 

• The valley David was in is again a famous valley biblically. The Kidron valley.

 

• It is seen in various stories throughout Scripture but the similarities here between the stories of David and the one who would later be called the Son of David, Jesus Christ, are striking.

 

• The Kidron valley is just outside Jerusalem, in between the city and the mount of Olives.

 

• And it was the Kidron valley Jesus crossed on the night of his arrest when he went out with his disciples…

 

John 18:1(b)-2, He went away with His disciples across the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden which He entered with His disciples. 

 

• It was in that garden at the Kidron valley that Jesus prayed to the Father, knowing he was going to be betrayed by a friend.

 

• It was in that valley that He prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not as I will, but as you will…” (Mt. 26:39) and he prayed again a second time, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done.” (Mt. 26:42)…and He prayed again a third time saying the same thing once more (Mt. 26:44).

 

• God sent His only son over that valley and into that city, to make the way to salvation. David sent a friend as he left, God sent His only Son.

 

John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

 

Psalm 3:7-8, Arise, Lord; save me, my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; may Your blessing be upon Your people!

 

• David, in the darkest valley turned to God and trusted in Him for Salvation.

 

Illus. Unknown.

 

Matthew 28:20, Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (NASB 95’)

 

2 Samuel 15:1-37