Sermon Tone Analysis

In 1632, at the Battle of Lutzen during the 30 year’s war, King Gustavus Adolphus was shot in the back while leading his cavalry in a charge against the Catholic armies of the Holy Roman Empire.

Who actually killed him remains an unanswered question.

However, many historical authorities insist that Gustavus must have been killed by one of his own men, if not accidentally them, intentionally by a traitor.

Were they manipulated into doing it?

Was there a threat of physical assault?

Or was it just plain betrayal?

Today it is true that we have enemies all over the place and it is not unusual for us to be either unaware of them, aware but being patient, or betrayed.

Yet it remains, Sometimes we are manipulated.

Sometimes we are verbally assaulted and Sometimes we get shot in the back.

Many times we find that our enemies come out in droves especially to kick us when we are down.

When we are truly suffering.

And when we are struggling, again, we are manipulated, assaulted, or betrayed.

If this is the case… What do we need to see before we recognize that an enemy is before us?

Do we know how to recognize an enemy?

But it still remains… We have enemies.

And again, we may not be aware of it.

Aware but patient, or betrayed.

Jesus knows a thing or two about this.

In our passage, today, we find in a precarious and suffering situation; the king of Israel, David.

Because of Absalom's rebellion, David was forced to flee the kingdom and he headed toward the mount of Olives.

When he was a little past the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was waiting for him with supplies.

"What are these for?",

asked David.

The supplies were well thought of and well thought out... it would be perfect for their plight.

David however responded suspiciously, why in the world would one from the house of Saul want to help me?

And...

Where is he?

Ziba the manipulator was his servant.

Why was Mephibosheth not here to accompany his gift?

He stayed in Jerusalem, because he thinks the kingdom will come back to the house of Saul.

After all I’ve done for him... well everything that is Mephibosheth's is now yours.

And of course Ziba (the Manipulator) was thankful for getting it all.

And what was Mephibosheth the cripple really gonna do about it?

Then David approached Ba hu rim and another person from the house of Saul appeared.

Shimei (the curser) cursed them, verbally and physically assaulted them... he told them that David is only getting what he deserves for stealing the throne from Saul.

God is punishing him.

One of David's men wanted to kill him, but David stopped them.

In comes two of David's trusted men, Ahithophel and Hushai(the betrayers), who just betrayed David to be in league with Absalom.

Even Absalom was surprised that they betrayed David.

We are loyal to the Lord's man... and now that is you Absalom.

What should I do now?

Ahithophel the betrayer, one of David's trusted men, told Absalom to go and sleep with all of the wives and concubines of David's.

Then the people will see that you and your father will never be reconciled and they will support you even more.

They set up a tent on the roof of the palace so that everyone could see and he had his way with them.

And the author sarcastically tells of the wisdom of Ahithophel the betrayer was as if it were the very voice of God... but remember, it probably was.

2 Samuel 16:

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

1. Ziba the Manipulator

2. Shimei the Curser

3. Ahithophel and Hushai the Betrayers

4. Christ our Sympathizer

Today as we go through this text, I will first discuss the enemy of manipulation.

Second, we will look at the enemy of cursing and assaults.

Third, we will feel the hurt from the enemy of betrayal.

And Finally, we will look at how all this that David experienced was a picture of what our Lord experienced and how he turned manipulation into faith, cursing into blessing, and betrayal into betrothal.

Thesis: Though sin and the pattern of this world may cause us to become discouraged by the assaults of our enemies, we can rejoice today because Christ has overcome the world and in the presence of our enemies he prepares a place for us.

I. Ziba the Manipulator

- Manipulation: a deceptive means to get our own way."

A. It has been said that..."Manipulation is the art of reworking something.

It is a skillful operation ... an artistic ability applied toward changing objects.

It is also a deceptive means to get our own way."

Did Ziba get his way... deceptively?

How could he be?

He was there for David giving him food to sustain them as they flee to safety.

He did something good for David right?

Well it would be if the motive was right.

Remember I said a couple weeks ago that the difference between leadership and manipulation is motive.

B. Let’s look a bit more careful.

David became suspicious.

Where is Mephibosheth?

Why? Ziba was just a servant... all that he was giving to David belonged to Mephibosheth.

Why was he not there to present the gifts?

David was in haste, in confusion, in desperation and Ziba used the opportunity to not be generous, but to be greedy.

C.

He threw Mephibosheth under the bus.

He said he wanted to stay in Jerusalem because he believed that the kingdom was coming back to his family... the house of Saul?

He is betraying you king David.

But how will this happen under a son of David?

Has Mephibosheth lost his mind.

What are we to make of this ?

Dr. Davis writes, It’s simple: Ziba lied through his teeth.

It was a bit risky, but in the present hyper-situation he knew David had no opportunity to check his story.

And Ziba was obviously pro-David; the loaded donkeys were tangible evidence of that.

And in the pressure of the moment David made an impulsive decision.

D. Well ok then.

If that is the way he is gonna be after all I have done for him.

I am giving everything I gave to Mephibosheth to you.

"Oh thank you my king," Ziba responded.

Considering this, was David manipulated?

Yes.

Ziba was not out to help David, but to line his own pockets.

Motive right!!! Another instance of one taking advantage of one casting about in a moment of stress.

E. In robert leckie's the wars of America.

There is an account of the horrible winter during the battle of valley forge.

The soldiers kept themselves awake all night moving because they were afraid to fall asleep and freeze to death.

Some of the soldier’s legs were so frost bitten that they turned black and they were sent to get them amputated.

Why all the suffering?

Was it because it was a terrible winter.

Leckie says that it was a mild one.

The reason why many suffered and died was because the farmers wanted to sell to the British who was gonna pay cash and many men were half naked in the winter because stores refused to sell to anyone for less than 1000 percent profit.