Now Then Do It! (2 Sam 3:17-18)
2 Samuel 3:17–18 (KJV 1900)
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
The Story…
This text here takes place when the kingdom of Israel was divided after the death of Saul. Abner had helped to establish one of Saul’s sons by the name Ishbosheth as an opposing king to David. Support was divided at that moment between the anointed king David and the appointed king Ishbosheth. Abner has now changed allegiances and is campaigning before the elders of Israel to make David king over the entire nation. His words here are striking, because he was once a rebel against David, but now he is promoting Davids’s rule before these leaders. He reminds his audience here that they had once desired David to rule over them, but they had never committed to the cause and followed through with this action. Now with a sense of urgency he tells them; “Now then do it”, make David king and he will save us from all our enemies as the Lord has promised!
The Application…
1st- David, the anointed and rightful king is the picture of who Christ is unto all who believe today! The king over all, whose rule has been established by God alone! He has proven himself triumphant over all of our enemies.
2nd- Abner is an example of all believers! We were once rebels against the righteous cause of Christ, but now we have come under his rule, and we proclaim that He alone is the rightful King of all!
3rd- The elders of Israel are picture of those who have not yet surrendered to the rule of Christ. Many have thought about it, others have imagined it, but never followed through. Christ is in fact, “King of kings and Lord of lords”, but he chooses to exercise his rule only at our invitation! Some have looked for a Saviour, but they have not embraced the KING!
The Challenge…
1st To the Abners
Once rebels turned proclaimers of the kingdom. Continue to communicate the message, Jesus is the only worthy King and able Savior!
2nd To the undecided “elders”
Perhaps you have considered Jesus; listen to His message, longed for His peace, but you refused His rule! What are you waiting on? You will find none as worthy as the lowly Jesus to be LORD of ALL! As Abner said to the elders; “Now then do it!” Make him King of your life and let Him rule in righteous peace!! Because until you do, you will be under another king, namely the Devil, and he is a terrible master!
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
The Story…
This text here takes place when the kingdom of Israel was divided after the death of Saul. Abner had helped to establish one of Saul’s sons by the name Ishbosheth as an opposing king to David. Support was divided at that moment between the anointed king David and the appointed king Ishbosheth. Abner has now changed allegiances and is campaigning before the elders of Israel to make David king over the entire nation. His words here are striking, because he was once a rebel against David, but now he is promoting Davids’s rule before these leaders. He reminds his audience here that they had once desired David to rule over them, but they had never committed to the cause and followed through with this action. Now with a sense of urgency he tells them; “Now then do it”, make David king and he will save us from all our enemies as the Lord has promised!
The Application…
1st- David, the anointed and rightful king is the picture of who Christ is unto all who believe today! The king over all, whose rule has been established by God alone! He has proven himself triumphant over all of our enemies.
2nd- Abner is an example of all believers! We were once rebels against the righteous cause of Christ, but now we have come under his rule, and we proclaim that He alone is the rightful King of all!
3rd- The elders of Israel are picture of those who have not yet surrendered to the rule of Christ. Many have thought about it, others have imagined it, but never followed through. Christ is in fact, “King of kings and Lord of lords”, but he chooses to exercise his rule only at our invitation! Some have looked for a Saviour, but they have not embraced the KING!
The Challenge…
1st To the Abners
Once rebels turned proclaimers of the kingdom. Continue to communicate the message, Jesus is the only worthy King and able Savior!
2nd To the undecided “elders”
Perhaps you have considered Jesus; listen to His message, longed for His peace, but you refused His rule! What are you waiting on? You will find none as worthy as the lowly Jesus to be LORD of ALL! As Abner said to the elders; “Now then do it!” Make him King of your life and let Him rule in righteous peace!! Because until you do, you will be under another king, namely the Devil, and he is a terrible master!