Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 21 June, 2020
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering …” (Col. 3:12)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Kingdom of God Versus the Kingdoms of Man (24)
The Trap Is Sprung! [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Daniel 6:10-28
Text: Daniel 6:12-18
I. The Case Is Water-Tight
II. Two Parties Are Trapped
III. What Darius Is Not
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Scripture Reading: I John 1:1-2:2
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 8
I. Three Divine Persons
II. Three Practical Applications
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart or the elders
CPRC Website: www.cprc.co.uk • Live Webcast: www.cprc.co.uk/live-streaming
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quotes to Consider
H. Rimmer: “In the excavation of the palace at Shushan, an ancient record was uncovered giving a list of four hundred and eighty-four men of high degree who thus died in a den of lions. The name of Daniel was not found among them” (quoted in Bill Cooper, The Authenticity of the Book of Daniel, pp. 52-53).
Christopher Ness: “And what are the new Arminians but the varnished offspring of the old Pelagians, that makes the grace of God to lacquey it at the foot, or rather, the will of man? that makes the sheep to keep the shepherd? that puts God into the same extremity with Darius, who would gladly have saved Daniel but could not (Dan. 6:14)?” (An Antidote Against Arminianism, pp. 2-3).
Prof. Engelsma: “There is, therefore, no other fellowship that is comparable to the fellowship of the Trinity. Whether it be the fellowship of the saint with God or the fellowship of believing husband and wife, all other fellowship is the fellowship of two different beings. In the mystical union with God, the believer is and remains a human being. Although husband and wife become one flesh, they are yet two beings, so that separation can and will occur. Only God is a being of fellows. Only God is a family being … The Father seeks the Son in begetting him as his image, in breathing out the Spirit to him, and in indwelling him. The Son seeks the Father by imaging him, by breathing forth the Spirit to him and by indwelling him. The Spirit seeks the Father and the Son by being the fellowship between them. The life of the Holy Family is other-seeking rather than self-seeking” (Trinity and Covenant: God as Holy Family, pp. 84-85).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Monday catechism class on the manse patio (weather permitting):
5:30 PM – Angelica, Bradley, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Seniors NT)
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM on the manse patio (weather permitting) will continue our consideration of faith as trust.
Rev. Stewart will be interviewed on Iron Sharpens Iron Radio on “Regeneration: God’s Gift of a New Heart” this Thursday from 9-11 PM (UK time, which is 4-6 PM Eastern Time).
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Spriensma is entitled, “O Zion, That Bringest Good Tidings” (Isa. 40:9).
The next Council meeting is scheduled for 6 July at 7 PM by video conference.
Offerings: General Fund: £1,150. Donations: $200 (Missouri), $25 (Michigan), $1,000 (New Jersey), $602.55 (Hudsonville PRC).
Translation Additions: 3 Indonesian, 1 French and 1 Romanian.
PRC News: Rev. Haak declined the call to Kalamazoo PRC. Edmonton PRC called Rev. N. Langerak. Unity PRC called Rev. Eriks.
Abner Sides with David
Brian D. Dykstra
II Samuel 3
God chose David to be king of His people. However, David did not take over Israel by brute force. He waited patiently for God. Scripture tells us that over the course of several years David gradually grew stronger but the house of Saul became weaker.
We read of six sons born to David while he was in Hebron. Three of these sons are infamous. The Bible is silent on the other three. We must note the beginning of David’s harem. God warned Israel’s kings not to multiply wives as did the kings of heathen nations. David knew about this law, but he chose to live this aspect of his life in the manner of the kings of his time and place. David would suffer the consequences of this sin.
A disagreement boils over between Abner, captain of Saul’s army, and Ishbosheth, the man who ruled much of Israel after Saul. Although Ishbosheth possessed the crown, he did not possess the qualities required of a king. Abner was the real power and Ishbosheth knew it.
Abner took for himself a woman named Rizpah who had been part of Saul’s harem. The harem was an important symbol of royalty. Its size and the social standing of its women would reflect the greatness of the king. When the king died, how the harem was treated revealed what the new king thought of his predecessor. If the new king left the harem intact and untouched, this showed great respect for the late king. If the new king were to take some of the harem for himself, it was disrespectful and announced that the new king felt he was greater and more powerful. When Abner openly took one of Saul’s former concubines, it was an act of open mockery of Ishbosheth for it showed Ishbosheth’s weakness. How could a king protect his kingdom when he could not even protect his harem? Abner’s action was open treason. Ishbosheth should have dealt with it accordingly. He did not. All Ishbosheth could do was to question Abner about Rizpah and even that was done mildly.
Abner becomes very angry with Ishbosheth and resolves to turn the kingdom over to David. Abner knew Ishbosheth was a lost cause. It’s possible Abner’s relationship with Rizpah was not the result of sinful, sudden passion, but was calculated to offend Isbosheth and provide Abner with a reason to help David become king. Abner thinks David would then owe him a favour. Abner needs to do something for David. After all, Abner had a part in Saul’s pursuit of David. Perhaps David would keep Abner as captain to reward him and to assure his new kingdom of some loyalty from Saul’s tribe since a man from Benjamin would lead the army.
During the heated discussion between Abner and Ishbosheth, Abner reveals his heart. Abner admits his knowledge of God having sworn to David that David would rule all of His people. What did Abner do with that knowledge? When Saul died in battle, Abner did not acknowledge David as Israel’s king. Abner fought against God’s will and tried to keep the throne in the tribe of Benjamin. Only when Ishbosheth’s cause was utterly hopeless did Abner finally give his support to David.
Abner makes arrangements to meet with David for the purpose of recognizing David as king of all Israel. David refused to meet with Abner until his first wife, Michal, was returned to him. Saul had insulted David by giving Michal to another man when David fled from Saul. David understood that having his first wife living with another man would make him appear to be weak. He had to have her back.
Abner negotiates with David with the result that David will soon be king of all Israel. David hosts a feast for Abner and the twenty representatives of Israel who had come with him. The war between the houses of Saul and David is over. It is a time of peace.
Joab, captain of David’s host, was not involved in this. He led part of the army on a successful raid. Joab is surprised to hear the news of peace. Joab sees Abner as a threat who needs to be eliminated. Abner was older and had more experience in battle than Joab. Joab anticipates how David could pacify part of Israel by having Abner lead the host, thus leaving Joab with a reduced role in David’s kingdom. Joab speaks to David disrespectfully as he accuses Abner of spying on David so he could return later and kill David.
Joab now shows himself to be the equal of Abner in cunning. Joab calls Abner to a private meeting. When Abner returns to Hebron, Joab takes Abner aside by the gate and kills him. City gates were busy places. Business was conducted there as well as disputes involving the law. There were people there. Joab announces to the astonished witnesses that he killed Abner to avenge Abner’s murder of Joab’s brother Asahel. It was part of the Old Testament law for family members to avenge murder. However, Abner was not guilty of murder. Abner killed Asahel during a time of war and in self-defence. The war is over and Joab cannot claim he killed Abner in self-defence. Joab is the real murderer.
David proclaims himself to be guiltless in Abner’s death. David pronounces a curse on Joab’s house and takes a leading part in mourning for Abner. David also insists that Joab rend his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourn for Abner. David refuses to eat when dinner is served and insists on fasting until sundown. All of Israel is pleased with David’s behaviour for it is evident he had nothing to do with Abner’s murder.
However, as the Lord’s anointed, David was to execute God’s law for the people. David should have punished Joab as a murderer. David did not. Abner’s family understands that, with Joab having the influence he does, they cannot take justice into their own hands. From an earthly point of view, David thinks he needs Joab. Joab leads his men to victory. The men may not love Joab—we will see evidence of this in later chapters in the Bible—but they do love winning battles and sharing in the spoils of victory. David should have carried out God’s justice and trusted Him to provide another man to lead the army. Although David has his flaws, he is the man after God’s own heart and is a picture of Christ as King of His Church on earth. David is a godly king.
Our Father has told us that Christ shall return to rule as King. We had better not be as Abner. We must confess Christ to be our King and live in obedience to Him. We shall share the spoils of Christ’s victory over sin in perfect peace and unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
