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The Perils of Power--1

CONNIE: Is there such a thing as a true hero anymore? Someone we can look up to without fear of being disappointed? Come with us as we look at the life of one of the Bible's greatest heroes--David the king.
Giving God's trumpet a Certain Sound for more than 70 years, this is the Voice of Prophecy.

CONNIE: Hello, I'm Connie Jeffery,

LONNIE: and I'm Lonnie Melashenko, and today we're continuing our journey through the books of the Bible--looking this time at the action-packed book of 2 Samuel.

CONNIE: We hope you've been enjoying our quick trip through the Bible. As you've probably noticed, if you're a regular listener, we're taking you on a tour of the whole Bible, while keeping a strong emphasis on the Gospel.

LONNIE: Last week we took our topic from a Gospel story, and we will again next week. But on alternate weeks, we take a look at some other biblical book--and we're working our way through the Old Testament right now.We really encourage our listeners to be Bible students, to get involved in our Discover Bible lessons, and to dig in and read the Bible for themselves.

CONNIE: Our goal in these programs is to help you get an overview that brings each Bible book clearly into focus, and see how it applies to life today.

LONNIE: 2nd Samuel focuses on the reign of one of the greatest biblical heroes, King David.

CONNIE: Actually there are two Bible books that tell stories from David's reign. 2 Samuel AND 1 Chronicles, so we'll be covering some of this territory again a few weeks from now. But each book has its own unique slant on the story.

LONNIE: One of the stories that comes up in 2 Samuel concerns David's temporary fall from hero status. His sin with Bathsheba. And there are important lessons to be learned from that experience.

CONNIE: One of the great things about the Bible, to me anyhow, is the fact that it's a very honest book. It doesn't cover up the foibles and flaws of its heroes.

LONNIE: That's certainly true, Connie, and the issues raised by that story are very current in our world today. I've asked Chaplain Richard Stenbakken, a man with a lot of expertise in the field of ethics among leaders, to join us today, as we look at this story.

LONNIE: Colonel Dick Stenbakken, welcome to the Voice of Prophecy.

RICHARD: Thank you Lonnie it's good to be with you.

LONNIE: You're a command chaplain for the U.S. Army troops and at least were for a number of years in Alaska

RICHARD: That's correct, a beautiful place.

LONNIE: Now we are plunging into the heart of 2 Samuel and for many years in your position dealing with leaders you have seen challenges modern as well as ancient in sexuality when it comes to ethics. What would you say about David? How could a person who climbed to this height and knew the Lord so well get so overconfident and have all these lustful thoughts, and down he went

RICHARD: Well Lonnie it's something that happens to people in all walks of life in leaders as well as followers. Typically though people who are leaders find themselves in a very strong almost burnt out thing because they're working out their passion of leading, and that sometimes leads them to ignore their own human needs so there's a little Mneumatic called H A L T. A person who is hungry, that means emotionally hungry. Hungry for feedback that is positive if they don't get it the A is for angry and oftentimes leaders feel very lonely because it's a pyramid and it's very narrow at the top and some people don't know how to approach people at the top. So it gets lonely up there, so L is for lonely. And then the T is for tired so you get a person who is emotionally hungry, angry, lonely and they're just almost a workaholic. They really set themselves up for an emotional spiritual fall and often sexually that's really the precursor to what happens.

LONNIE: Very very interesting. Now this would be almost akin to something we call today sort of a mid-life crisis, but these internal insecurities open the door to step over a threshhold that they would never normally even dream of. How can a spiritual person especially be vulnerable to something like that?

RICHARD: Well I think there's several things. One thing, people who are religiously inclined whether they be leaders or followers tend to say "Oh no that could never happen to me." It's a thing called denial.

LONNIE: yes

RICHARD: When we deny any reality, we put ourselves at high high vulnerability. I think that's what happened with David.

LONNIE: We all have basic needs and we rather than saying "Well I'm happily purring along doing my work here" we need to pay attention to those needs.

RICHARD: Oh absolutely. And I think scripture shows that very clearly. David made some real blunders. First of all, as we look at Samuel and the account there, David was back home when the troops were out in the field. Leaders lead from the front, not from the rear. And I think he was just hungry, angry, lonely, and tired and stayed home to pout. And that set him up for a real fall.

LONNIE: So… designed for disaster right there.

RICHARD: Absolutely

LONNIE: Well, how does this happen? With clergy leaders and hard workers, why are they sometimes the most vulnerable and exposed to toppling?

RICHARD: I think one of the things that come up with religious leaders, particularly is that good religious ministry is very similar to almost a precursor to sexuality. And in some of my studies myself that I kind of come to is that good "pastoral ministry" and "good sexuality" consist of a bunch of things. Number one it meets human needs. So pastoral ministry does that and good sexuality does that. Both are intense. Both are very personal and individualized. In other words, when I'm giving Bible studies to another person, studying Scripture with them, I try to individualize that to their need. Same as true sexuality. There's special attention that's being paid to each other. There's blocked time. There are emotions that get surfaced. There's caring and tenderness. That which is covered gets revealed emotionally as you're working with someone spiritually they don't tell you everything that's on their heart, but little by little mentally they begin to reveal that which is covered. There's an incremental intimacy and this is true of sexuality. Then there's a move to a decision and a move to action and of course all actions have consequences so often times good pastoral ministry or good teaching or legal work or whatever. There's a very thin line between that very intensely personal professional line and that which get to be sexualized so easily.

LONNIE: So a person can work very hard, but somehow these signals can be read as a come on to some people.

RICHARD: That's right, so someone maybe on one hand working diligently and saying I'm doing God's work here and the other person may read that because each has their own need. Typically men need to be very appreciated and if they don't get that from their job and their working, with a woman and a woman shows them appreciation because the male has done something positive for her then all of a sudden things get to be misread. It's not necessarily by design that these things happen it's again that sort of unwitting design for the pastor.

LONNIE: Dick, wrap this up for us in thirty seconds. Bring your special expertise into this area of the power trap.

RICHARD: Well I think anyone who has power needs to be very careful that they set very very clear boundaries for themselves and stay within those boundaries with God's help.

LONNIE: We appreciate your insights. Chaplain Dick Stenbakken.

RICHARD: Thank you Lonnie, God bless

CONNIE: We don't want to focus exclusively on David's foibles and failings later in life. David was a hero, and a number of years ago the King's Heralds recorded this remembrance of one of David's finest hours:

MUSIC 1: "Only a Boy Named David", King's Heralds

CONNIE: Well…what a fun song! Telling one of the favorite stories from the Bible. David and Goliath. Imagery that's often evoked in our world when a small person or underdog sets out to change the status quo.

LONNIE: It's truly a classic confrontation--good vs. evil; small versus big. But Connie, have you ever wondered how this confrontation came about? Who are these Philistines that Saul and David have to fight? Where did they come from, and why are they trying to take over Israel's territory?

CONNIE: I guess there was a lot going on in biblical times that the Bible doesn't tell us about--things happening in other parts of the world that end up having a major impact on the biblical story.

LONNIE: It really helps to see the big picture, and that's why we're offering something very special to our listeners today, courtesy of the producer of our program, Ken Wade. Ken's going to join us in just a moment to tell us more about it, but let me just say right now, if you're at all interested in the Old Testament and the history surrounding the stories we're dealing with, you'll want to take advantage of the free offer we have for you today. Colorful Bible timeline charts that put the Bible story in historical perspective.

CONNIE: Jot down this number right now, 1-800-872-0055, and give us a call, and we'll send you two of these beautiful charts that you'll find invaluable as you study through the Old Testament. That number again is 1-800-872-0055, and these charts are our gift to you.

LONNIE: Ken Wade, you've come in to the studio from behind the glass wall where you're usually directing the program. As the writer and producer of our program, and we hear from your voice from time to time on the air as well. You're known around our offices, among other things, as our resident expert on Bible stories and biblical history.I've been looking over one of your pet projects, and I must say it's fascinating

CONNIE: You know Ken I came in your office the other day and saw these charts that you agreed to give away and they are unbelievable, and I wish we could describe to the listener, but they are just going to have to call in and get them. How did you get started on a timeline chart?

KEN: When I was reading history in the bible, When I was in seminary. I was always confused. I was saying. How does this relate? How does this person relate to that person? So I thought If I could lay it out graphically. But there weren't the computer programs then like there are now. With Coral Draw! program I was able to lay out all these details. Makes it a lot easier to trace what was happening when.

LONNIE: I don't think a person, Connie, out there can imagine what we're looking at right here on this chart.

CONNIE: I wish we were good at describing it Lonnie:

LONNIE: OH! Colors and you see things form China going on at the same time. Jeremiah was prophecying. It's awesome.

CONNIE: And there are symbols and it's beautiful. You know my son has done time lines in school and I'm sure history teachers in school love these.

LONNIE: From left to right Ken what do these charts cover?
KEN: They cover basically all biblical history. They start back in the time before the flood even and run right up to the time of Jesus and the time of revelation. So they focus right in on biblical history in particular. Including what was going on in the rest of the world.

LONNIE: So what interesting thing did you discover by charting this all the way?

KEN: We're talking about Philistines in this program and you look at chart number two you see the Philistines coming to Israel is partly a result of the turmoil around the Trojan war. They spread out; they went they destroyed the Hittite Empire, they attacked the Egyptians and finally settled down and started bothering David and his friends.

CONNIE: Now Ken you sell these on the Internet, but today you're giving away free samples to the listeners. Tell us why.

KEN: Well I just really think it would be helpful as we're going through the books of the Old Testament. If people can get that picture that big picture of what's going on it will help them get more of a blessing out of reading their Bibles. You know I've had Sunday school teachers, home school teachers, history teachers, a lot of people thank me for how I've helped them and their students better understand what's going on in the Bible.

LONNIE: Terrific, thanks Ken.

CONNIE: It's fascinating to get the story behind the stories that we read in the Bible. David is one of the best-loved Old Testament characters, and let's listen now as Lonnie shares today's message, "1 Samuel, The Perils of Power."

Sermon - 1 Samuel: The Perils of Power

LONNIE: The commotion in Jerusalem was earth shaking.

If you've been following the news recently, you know that possession of the city of Jerusalem is an issue that can shake the world.
But we're looking back, 3000 years in history now, and already then, there was a dispute over who should live there. Whose capital it should be.
It was known King David's city. He and his troops had conquered it a quarter-century earlier. But as we zero in on the story told in 2 Samuel 15, we find the city in tumult, with David and his servants hastily packing a few provisions on the backs of donkeys and skedaddling down the eastern slope into the Kidron Valley.

The whole city is in an uproar. David--their king--the man who brought them peace by putting the Philistines to flight--is now fleeing himself. But not from the Philistines or Moabites or Ammonites or Aramaeans. He's fleeing from his own son.

His own son Absalom has planned a coup and had himself crowned king in his father's place. Now word has arrived in Jerusalem that Absalom is on his way. There'll soon be a showdown in the city streets.

But David will have none of it.

He won't see his beloved city go up in flames. He won't hear of a siege that would leave its people starving, its walls fractured and falling into the valleys. He would rather surrender his throne, abandon his palace, and live the rest of his life as a refugee than see Jerusalem in ruins.
So he orders an evacuation.

But why does he flee from his own son? Why won't this great warrior stand and fight for his throne somewhere outside the city?

Well, for one thing, David realizes that what is happening to him is God'srighteous judgment on him.

You see, David was known as a man after God's own heart. But he had his failings. God blessed him with a kingdom and great power. But you know, friend, sometimes it's the blessings that get the best of us. --When we begin to take them for granted. When we begin to think that God has blessed us because we are good and righteous and strong. When we start letting it all go to our heads.

It happened to David. He became a victim of the perils of power. He let his power go to his head, and he abused it. In the matter of Bathsheba, and her husband Uriah. Adultery was only the first step. One thing led to another, then another, until "good" King David was guilty of murder.

When it was all said and done, the prophet Nathan warned him that his sin with Bathsheba would lead to strife within his house. So David recognizes his trouble with Absalom as part of God's righteous judgment on him.

But mostly David abandons his throne and his city because he knows these things belong to him only by the grace of God. And if there is one sterling characteristic of David that comes through in all the stories of his life, it is his trust in God and his surrender to the will of God. Even when he sinned, even when he failed God miserably, still he trusted. When he came to his senses, this man of God always cast himself upon the mercy of God. You don't find him making excuses or trying to justify himself. He just admits his sin and asks forgiveness.

So, notice what happens as David and his household are hurrying out through the gates and down into the valley, on their way to a life of homelessness.
Zadok the priest of God comes out, following David, and he brings along something very special: The Ark of the Covenant of God. He wants David to take it with him out into the wilderness. He wants David to be sure to take God

with him to give him victory!!

Now--stop just a moment.

Did you hear our program two weeks ago, when I spoke about the lessons of the book of 1 Samuel? Let's just take a quick refresher course. Remember, before David's time, when the Israelites were being defeated by the Philistines. What did they do?

They went to Shiloh, picked up the ark, and took it with them into battle.
But did it solve their problem?

No.

Why not?

Because they were trying to take God with them. They were trying to press God into service in their cause, rather than surrendering to God's will and letting Him lead them.
They had it all backward.

And now, as he is fleeing from Jerusalem, fleeing from Absalom, David is confronted with the temptation to do the same. It is fully within his power to take the ark with him.

Will he do it? Will he press God into his service—tell the Lord of the universe where to go and what to do? Listen to the story from 2 Samuel 15:24-26:
Zadok also was there with all the Levites; they were carrying the Ark of the Covenant of God, which they set down beside Abiathar e until all the people had passed out of the city. But the king said to Zadok, ‘Take the Ark of God back to the city. If I find favor with the LORD, he will bring me back and will let me see the Ark and its dwelling-place again. But if he says he does not want me, then here I am; let him do what he pleases with me.' (NEB)
Will David compel God to come with him into battle? Or will David surrender to God's will? That is the question.

As far as running ahead of God. As far as taking matters into his own hands, David has been there, done that. And it has brought nothing but trouble.

He doesn't need any more of that. So this time he entrusts himself into God's hands, rather than taking God into his hands.

He tells Zadok to take the ark back into the city and commits himself into God's care and keeping.

You find this attitude over and over in the story of David. A phrase that occurs again and again is "David inquired of the Lord." David asked God what to do, instead of telling God what he wanted done.

The book of 2 Samuel is full of fascinating stories. In some places it reads almost like a romance novel, in others a war diary. It's a story about a man and his family--and especially about learning to know and trust God.
David's not perfect. But we can learn from him.
What's your kingdom like today? Is it peaceful and prosperous, filled with temptations of the flesh? Now's the time to be on guard. Don't be a victim of the perils of power as David was.

Or is your world full of conflict? Is someone trying to "steal your throne" right out from under you? David's can teach you how to handle that as well. Entrust yourself into God's care every day. Don't give up. Even when the Philistines--or your own family--are on the attack and everything seems hopeless, He will be there for you. Even in your weakest hour, He will be strong for you.

MUSIC 2: "His Strength Is Perfect", American Boychoir

LONNIE:Now, may the Amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, The extravagant love of God,
The intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit,
Be with all of you. Amen.