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      June 30, 2009

      Tastes Fruity...

      Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

      This last Sunday I made a smoothie with the nine fruits of the Spirit that the Holy Spirit wants to produce in your life.


      When people taste your life what flavor is most apparent? 
      These, along with the gifts which ill talk about next week, show what we are designed to do with our life. If you are in a place that does not use the fruit in your life then you are in the wrong place.

      Which flavors are you deficient in?
      We can try to manufacture these Fruits. That is called "Legalism, Religion, Works". You may be able to try really hard for a while but it is inevitable you will not see long term improvement. These things have to come out of the depth of who God has shaped you... The Holy Spirit needs t come into the Garden of your Soul and do a work.

      Ask the Holy Spirit to Fill you up and watch as he makes a lasting change in your life. It is like he rewrites the default code in our lives. We lose our angry edge, we grow in our ability to have self control, we find the sadness goes away. Seek the Lord and he will meet you!

      Take it off...

      "Why is it so hard to cut weight? We know how much we're supposed to eat each day, but we just don't do it (or just overdo it). American men consume 113 percent of their daily recommended calories; American women consume 102 percent." -Wired 17.07

      I have lost 46lbs over the past six months using Weight Watchers. The latest issue of WIred Magazine talks about how effective it can be and gives a raving revue of the on-line site that was so effective for me. If you have a few extra pounds on you or more than a few. Give it a whirl. Be serious about it.

      The most important part of this process is to ask the Lord to make a change in you. To help you to see food as a way to accomplish His work not as a way to Satisfy your insecurity. Pray he fills you with Self control and that He helps you to see yourself through His eyes.

      Set a goal... work hard... and Have a friend do it with you! You will see the weight fall off! If you make a life style change you will even see the weight stay off!

      May 29, 2009

      Naked Truth Resources...

      Their are a lot of great resources out their to help you work through Sex and purity issues. Here are a few great books and links for you to use as you study and grow deeper on the issue of Sex and Purity. If you live in shame, guilt, or feel like you need to hide because of some area in your life that is the Holy Spirit pointing out an area you need to uncover and confess about. Please let an accountability partner know and or let one of the Pastors know so we can help you Live Your Potential and have a healthy Robust Life of Sex and Purity.

      At Amazon I have made a list of good books to grab on the issues we have talked about.

      Here are some Great links on the subject...

      XXXChurch.com- A great place to find out about ministering to those in the porn business and those consuming from the porn business. They also have a free and pay web tracking software that can build in accountability. GREAT ministry to check out.

      Community Christian Church in Chicago brought in some experts in the field of Pornography and sex to talk to their Teenagers... this is a great video and link to some fantastic questions about sex and purity.

      Exodus International- This is a great site dedicated to sexual issues and specializing in gay/lesbian/bi/trans gender issues. They have a number of links and books they recommend.

      Sy Rogers- This person has been revolutionary in my understanding of sexual issues and how to find freedom. I highly recommend him and some day hope to have him come in and share with us.

      Joe Dallas-  A great resource for counseling and other resources. Definitely worth checking out.

      Porn Again Christian- Dealing with porn and masturbation- Mark Driscoll is a pastor and author... while I do not agree with everything he says (specifically his stance on women in ministry) I do think he does a great job of dealing with this topic straight and to the point. This is written to men and is blunt about many things.

      Ted Bundy and James Dobson- This is a life changing interview. Read it and notice the slope that Pornography can take you. It is very dangerous.

      *All of these are great resources but not everything they say or link to do i whole heartily endorse. As with everything be discerning and pray. May God bless you as you live in the freedom of Healthy sexual boundaries. If you are in sexual sin... crossing sexual boundaries... embarrassed or uncomfortable with your sexual life... or want to learn how to grow in your sexual relationship... seek help and find freedom!

      May 22, 2009

      Sexual Healing...

      This Last Sunday we talked about Gods perspective on sex. I do not now if you have studied the bible looking for what it says about Sex but i encourage you to do so. The bible is full of material that deals with sex. I plan on making up a whole list of passages that you can use to help you study Gods word about Sex and sexuality.

      I had one person email me and let me know that they plan on giving last weeks message to every Guy their daughter dates. While I think that may be very awkward for the daughter, I wish that every teen could understand these concepts so that they are guarded from the harsh realities of Sex outside of a Marriage covenant.

      This next Sunday we are going to expand our conversation and build off of the fact that Sex is Holy and a bonding experience and talk about what happens  after you have bonded sexually with someone. How do you ever get "Whole and Holy" again?

      My prayer, no matter if the sexual encounter was forced on you or you gave yourself to someone else willingly to another, is that you would experience Gods Healing and that you would feel "Whole and Holy" again.

      See you Sunday!

      April 02, 2009

      Greatness pt. 2...

      What does it mean to be "GREAT"?


      I have been working through a concept that a friend of mine challenged me on a couple weeks ago and want to take some time working through the different elements of it.

      He said...
      "Great men and Women have to learn how to manage their Insecurity and Uncertainty in order to become Great."
      Basically, he was trying to make the point that Great people are lead into places where they do not have what it takes and to places they have never been before. That is part of what makes them great. He also said that not all people would be considered... "Great".

      So what makes a person "Great"? Who do you know who is great? Does the ability to dunk make you great? Maybe... Does a large church, profitable business, private plane or face on the cover of a magazine make you great? Maybe... but If that is all they are or do then I am not sure that constitutes greatness. I am not even sure if their name is in a history book that they are all that great. It seems that we often will hear contradicting or major flaws in the character of some  of the supposedly great men in History. So what makes a person great?

      I consider my grandfather a great man. He died when I was 16 but my family still loves to tell stories of his life and the people he touched. He was not- a politician, a well known person outside of his town and family, an inventor, a crazy wealthy man, His family will tell you he was an awful singer... wasn't all that great looking and was a little over weight. BUT HE WAS GREAT!

      I know what your thinking... he was your grandfather and he died of cancer so you have to honer him and say that... NOPE.

      He was great because he understood a law of God... He understood that God wanted him to use what God had given him (time, talents, money, resources, love, voice, etc.) to his fullest. He maximized his potential.

      Gods word tells a story of a master and his servants in Mathew 25. The master goes away and leaves his servants in charge of parts of his estate. Some had more talents than others but all were given the responsibility Each one used what he had been given to increase it except one. This is how the master responded to the Great Servants.

       
      21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'


      We serve at the pleasure of the King... o
      f our Master... of our God. It is our responsibility to obey what he calls us to do. But that is based on the talents he gives. To some he will give a few and to others he will give a lot. The master didn't expect his servants to all come up with the same amount at the end of the day... he simply asked that they leverage what he gave them to the fullest. One servant was given a little and did nothing with it. NOTHING!

      My Grandfather was great because he shared Christ with people all the time as they were buying a used car at his dealership. He was great because he served at the church, gave to the church, tithed, loved his family, honored his wife, was faithful with the little God gave him and gave His master an amazing return on his investment.


      At my grandfathers funeral... the line of cars from the packed 1200 seat auditorium to the grave site went several miles. People came to honor a great man that left an amazing legacy. He maximized his potential!

      What has God given you? What talents, abilities, gifting, resources has he given you?
      If you are going to be Great. The first thing we have to do is look for opportunities to use them. Pour them out.
      Let me leave you with this thought. A man a of God I respect had been giving a lot of money over the last 20 years to a missionary I respect. The man had made millions in his life and because of this down turn in the economy now has lost millions. He told the missionary... (I am paraphrasing)

      I was rationing out my money, giving what I could at the time because I wanted to have enough until the end. Now, I have lost millions of dollars in this downturn. I could have given that money but now it has disappeared. GONE! I am no longer concerned with having enough at the end... Now is the time to Give all I can while I have it because their are no Guarantees. the end. Millions of


      Give, Lead, Step out in faith... You have 1 life to live, One shot at making the most of your life and so to be Great all you have to do is regularly maximize the gifts God has given you.


      (look for part 3 soon)

      March 25, 2009

      I look Good...

      Is it ok to say that? I think it is...
      I think that we have to figure out how to have a positive healthy self image. We have to find out how to see ourselves in a way that gives us confidence and authority. We can all do something about our self image... We can loose weight/ gain weight, Get a better hair cut, buy some clothes that fit, or just go out and get a picture of you that looks good and look at it until you believe it.
      I grew up with a very negative self image. I saw myself as fat, stupid and clumsy. I don't deal with that anymore. Not because I grew out of it. I worked really hard at breaking out of those lies... I talked with some people and processed it, I prayed through my insecurities and have come out the other side (losing 30 pounds helps too!!!!). I realized that God made me different than i saw myself and that I should be more interested in his picture of me than my picture of myself.
      I still feel insecure at times but now it is about different things than how I look and my weight. Now it is about the bigness of the dreams and visions God has given me. It is now an insecurity like many biblical characters have. I feel under prepared for the task God has called me too. I wouldn't have it any other way because Now in my weakness God gets the credit.
      In celebration of feeling good about myself. I saw this picture of me and really liked it. I thought I would share it with you. Do you have a picture you really like of yourself? How often do you let it remind you that you look GOOD? What would it take for you to feel that way everyday?
      March 09 010

      let loose...

      The great ones let it all hang out... They Let Loose

      I am a fan of good music. As a kid I remember "special numbers" being a big deal at church. One time at kids camp when I was young and much less mature than I am now. A young girl got up and sang along to the song "People need the Lord." SHE SANG ALONG... usually if your signing to a track you sing just to the music. It was so bad and we were so mean the whole camp started to giggle and laugh and then someone in my row started to clap... we all clapped so loud and so hard they just shut the tape off. It was awful! (I don't know why I shared that with you except that I was reminded of it as I was writing this.)

      Great music, great anything really is all about watching people let loose. I love watching great people do what they are the best at. Great Preachers... are so fun to watch. I would love to see T.D. Jakes live (that man is one of the best). I could watch anything at The Olympics, (I watched interpretive dance for an hour... the hoop was unreal.) Pavorati, Bono, The TING Ting girl, Pink, Matt Redmond, Hillsong anything all have one thing in common... They can let loose.

      Phil does it here about half way through...

      U2 Brings it on Letterman last week...

      Mute Math is probably my Favorite live band I have never seen check this out!...

      Everyone in this video Lets loose- Watch as Hillsong United Brings IT!...

      I am convinced that God is looking for people who will LET LOOSE. Let loose in worship. Let loose in life. Let ourselves fully commit to be lost in what we are good at and the moment we are in. I show you musicians because they are easy to visualize when they are letting loose. But what does it look like for you and me to let loose in our daily lives? I felt like I let loose last week a few times in my message. E said when I held up Goliath's head, "I felt like I could see it." Then I asked when does she feel like she let loose. She shared with me a time when she was counseling someone after church and I totally saw what she was talking about.

      Ever let loose while making a sales call? Maybe when you were writing some copy? How about when you were building something and when you were done you knew you gave it all and it was so worth it?

      The great ones... The really exceptional people... The people who are known as Specialists and Masters and Rock Stars... They Let loose! They are consistently on the edge of their gifts and abilities.

      Tomorrow... Let Loose, see what happens. Sunday... Let Loose In worship, experience what God has for you.

      March 19, 2009

      Psalm 26...

      Psalm 26

      Of David.
       

      1 Vindicate me, O LORD,
             for I have led a blameless life;
             I have trusted in the LORD
             without wavering.

       2 Test me, O LORD, and try me,
             examine my heart and my mind;

       3 for your love is ever before me,
             and I walk continually in your truth.

       4 I do not sit with deceitful men,
             nor do I consort with hypocrites;

       5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers
             and refuse to sit with the wicked.

       6 I wash my hands in innocence,
             and go about your altar, O LORD,

       7 proclaiming aloud your praise
             and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

       8 I love the house where you live, O LORD,
             the place where your glory dwells.

       9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
             my life with bloodthirsty men,

       10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,
             whose right hands are full of bribes.

       11 But I lead a blameless life;
             redeem me and be merciful to me.

       12 My feet stand on level ground;
             in the great assembly I will praise the LORD.

      This has been speaking to me lately.

      March 07, 2009

      Carry Us...

      I had a tough time this week letting go of someone esle's problems. As a pastor, and you probably get this too from your friends or family, I get people who (with good intentions) want me to know whats happening in their life. They ask me to pray or to help or to give advice. I do and I love to. I feel honored to share the burden with each and every person who feels comfortable enough to share their burden with me. I share it with the Lord and trust that he will intervene... But...

      I often have a hard time releasing it. I find myself carrying the load. Ill think about it, dream about it, if I get caught in the middle between parties then I feel the irritation of the conflict. I really have been struggling this week with one situation in particular. I have my life and family and extended family's cares and then when I add on other peoples stuff I can't release it can really settle in and cause me to feel low.

      I am praying through this. I realize that lack of sleep the past few days have something to do with it but I think it is a lesson I need to learn. Their has to be a way of releasing it to the Lord and allowing the pain and care and love I have for people wash over me and lay before the Lord. Somehow when I pick up my baby and kiss my wife I have to focus m mind on them and meeting their needs.

      Being a pastor is beautiful... complicated... messy... fulfilling and challenging. My heart is huge for people. I feel compassion for the hurting and the needy and like my daughter who walks up to me and says "UP... UP" with her arms open I feel the need to pick up all of those around me who come to me carrying their burden looking for help. I love what I do... I am learning how to let it go and Let God do the rest. It will do me and everyone else a greater service when I can release more effectively, especially my family.

      Lets pray... maybe your carrying something heavy... a burden of your own or of someone Else's. Lets release it to the Lord right now together. I will pray below and as you read it you pray too and we will let the Lord carry us and take our burden.

      "Lord, you see the hurting of this world, that is why you sent your son Jesus to this earth as one of us. You saw the only way to carry the weight of this worlds pain was through the cross. JESUS, Take these tremendous burdens we carry. Take the pain of lose, the hurt of relationship strife, the fear of job uncertainty, the broke of emotional turmoil, the distress of this world can be overwhelming. YOU GIVE HOPE! You heal the hurting, mend the wounded, carry the burdens of all of the world. Take us into your presence and never let us go. Make me a pastor who can help but who doesn't become weighed down by only the things you can truly carry. Help me to have the words to say and the prayer to pray and the compassion to help those in need. May High Point be a place where true restoration comes and where you take permanently the issues of this world off of us... Carry US through right now and take this burden we are carrying." -AMEN

      February 28, 2009

      The Timeline of DAVID...

      I have found this very helpful in m y study and preparation for our upcoming series and thought you would enjoy it as well. It was prepared by William H. Gross

      Chronology of King David’s Life
      Compiled by William H. Gross – Colorado Springs 2005

      Here is one suggested chronology of David’s life. It is rough, and by no means definitive. Few of the
      commentators agree on dating, but there is substantial agreement on the sequence.

      Of all the lives in Scripture, David’s is the only one that is exhaustively examined from the time of his childhood to his death. It is an open book like no other. Even his state of mind is revealed in the Psalms, like a diary open to our review. How would our own lives look if subjected to this type of scrutiny? I am humiliated to consider that the day is coming when all the hidden things of my life will be revealed. For that reason alone, we should be kind to the memory of David, recognizing in him many of our own failings and weaknesses, but also admiring his strengths.

      1040 BC: Saul reigns from roughly 1040-1000 BC
      1035 BC: David is likely born in Bethlehem between 1040 and 1030 BC.
      1030 BC: Jonathan is a mighty warrior of whom his own father is jealous (1Sam 13-14). He is fiercely
      and loyally defended by his men against Saul’s intent to kill him.
      1025 BC: David is anointed by Samuel (1Sam 16) at age 10-13 - which Saul undoubtedly hears about,
      later choosing to keep David nearby for observation and ready dispatch.
      1023 BC: David, bar-mizvah’d, serves Saul in an ad hoc musical capacity (1Sam 16:17, “provide me a
      man”). He returns to his father's house to tend sheep, but comes to Saul when needed – (1Sam 17:15).
      1020 BC: David defeats Goliath probably at 15-17 years of age (1Sam 17)
      1020 BC: Jonathan, who is much older than David, becomes one in spirit with him (1Sam 18:1).
      1015 BC: Because of his reputation he was appointed armor-bearer to Saul (1Sam 16:21 - it may be
      mentioned in chap. 16, but the actual event is probably later – i.e. "he [later] became…").

      1010 BC: Saul banishes David from his court, yet he makes him commander of a thousand (1Sam 18:13).
      Maybe he hopes David will die in battle. David is perhaps 25 years old.
      1008 BC: His success as a warrior has made Saul offer him the hand of his daughter Michal “as a snare.”
      (1Sam 18:21). Michal marries him, and she loves him (1Sam 18:27-28).
      1007 BC: At Jonathan's warning (and Michal’s), David flees from Saul to Samuel at Ramah (1Sam 19).
      Michal remains behind with Saul. An evil spirit caused Saul to pursue David, but he is stopped by the
      Spirit of God at Ramah. Ps 59
      1006 BC: David and Jonathan covenant together at Ramah (1Sam 20).
      1006 BC: David flees to Nob and is helped by Ahimelech the priest (1Sam 21). He gives David the
      consecrated bread, and the sword of Goliath. Doeg the Edomite is present. Ps 56.

      1006 BC: David flees to Achish, king of the Philistine city of Gath, the first time (1Sam 21:10). He feigns
      madness to protect himself and his men, and he is expelled. Ps 34.
      1005 BC: David hides at the Cave at Adullam (1Sam 22:1-5) where he is joined by 30 chiefs. Three enter
      the camp of the Philistines to get David an off-handed request for a drink of water (1Chr. 11:15). His
      father’s household joins him there. Ps 142.
      1005 BC: David takes his parents to Mizpah of Moab leaving them with the king (1Sam 22:3-4)
      1005 BC: Doeg the Edomite, at Saul’s command, kills Ahimelech the priest who helped David and his
      men. He also kills 85 priests and everyone at Nob for helping David. Abiathar, the son of the priest flees
      to David with the ephod (1Sam 22:6-23). Ps 52.
      1005 BC: David liberates Keilah from the Philistines (1Sam 23:6). Saul hears of it and gathers his forces
      against David at Keilah. Using the ephod, David learns that the people of Keilah will betray him to Saul,
      and so he flees again. Jonathan visits him at Ziph and covenants with him again (23:16). Ziphites betray
      David, but God hides him from Saul in the Desert of Ziph. Ps 63.
      1005 BC: Saul pursues David at en-Gedi. Ps 54. David cuts of a corner of his robe in the cave near the
      Crags of the Wild goats. When Saul leaves the cave, David pleads his cause and his intent not to harm
      Saul (1Sam 24). He returns to his stronghold (Masada?). Ps 57. This is just before Samuel dies (1Sam
      25:1).
      1005 BC: David is living “off the land” as he encounters Nabal and Abigail at Carmel (1Sam 25). His
      men kindly provide protection for Nabal’s flocks expecting to be paid, but Nabal rebuffs them. David
      threatens to kill Nabal for his affront until Abigail diplomatically intercedes with food and praise. David
      has married Ahinoam of Jezreel (1Sam 25:43). When Nabal dies shortly after this incident, David marries Abigail as well. In David’s absence, Saul gives Michal to Paltiel in Gallim, which is probably on the border near Jerusalem.
      1004 BC: David encounters Saul and his 3000 men in his camp at Hakilah, having been betrayed by the
      Ziphites a second time. He spares Saul’s life again (1Sam 26). Saul “repents” of his pursuit of David, but
      David doesn’t trust him.
      1004 BC: David flees to Gath a second time with 600 men and their families. Saul stops his pursuit of
      David (1Sam 27:4).
      1003 BC: After living with Achish at Gath probably for a month or two, David asks to move to Ziklag
      with his men (1Sam 27:6). David “serves” the Philistines for over a year (see 1Sam 29:3). Achish defends David against his officers ((1Sam 29:1-11).

      1000 BC: Samuel dies (1Sam 28:3). Saul solicits the witch of Endor to call up Samuel (1Sam 28:4-7). He
      prophesies Saul will die the next day. In a battle with the Philistines on Mt. Gilboa, three of Saul’s sons
      die; Saul is wounded and falls on his sword (1Sam 31). David’s Lament (2Sam 1:17-27). David’s service
      is “dismissed” by the Philistines. The Amalekites raze Ziklag and take the wives of David’s men (1Sam
      28-2Sam 1). David and 400 men recapture the women, but 200 men cannot go. David shares the plunder
      equally with them, and with the elders of Judah.
      1000 BC: David with the help of his allies assumes control of Judah, and is anointed its king with Hebron as his capital (2Sam 2:7). He reigns for 7 years and 6 months (2Sam 2:11). While there, he marries Maacah, daughter of the king of Geshur. He also marries Haggith, Abital, and Eglah (2Sam 3:1-5) and has sons and daughter by all but Michal (2Sam 6:23).

      David’s Sons:
      Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel
      Kileab by Abigail (Nabal’s widow)
      Absalom by Maacah the Caananite
      Adonijah by Haggith
      Shephatiah by Abital
      Ithream by Eglah

      998 BC: Ishbosheth, with Abner as his general, has liberated the remainder of the Western territory from the Philistines over a two-year period. He is declared king over Israel, the northern kingdom (2Sam 2:9-10). Abner slays Asahel at Gibeon (where the sun stopped for Joshua) which begins five and a half years of war with David (2Sam 2:12-32; 3:1). After Ishbosheth accuses Abner of infidelity with Saul’s concubine, Abner threatens his life and covenants with David, who wants Michal back (3:9-13). Michal is returned to David by Ishbosheth (3:14). Joab, David’s general, murders Abner at Hebron (3:22,27).
      997 BC: David conquers Jerusalem (2Sam 5:6). He rebuilds it, and moves there from Hebron.
      993 BC: Ishbosheth is murdered by two cut-throats. David is publicly anointed king over all of Israel,
      north and south (2Sam 5:17). Battle of Baal Perazim (2Sam 5:17-25; 1Chr 14:8-17; Ps 18). David’s 33-
      year reign at Jerusalem begins (1Chr 3:4). His total kingship lasts 40 years (1Kgs. 2:11)).
      992 BC: Ark returned to Jerusalem to a tent (2Sam 6). The tabernacle remains in Gibeon (1Chr 16).
      David desires to build a temple to house the ark (2Sam 7; 1Chr 17). God sends Nathan to David with the
      Davidic Covenant instead, promising a perpetual throne to his offspring (2Sam 7:12-29). Ps 105, 96.
      982 BC: After 7-10 years of war, David has solidified his empire (2Sam 8). David’s sons become royal
      advisers 2Sam 8:18 (though too young – probably 14-18 years old; it distorts their sense of selfimportance). Mephibosheth is found and David honors his pledge to Jonathan (2Sam 9).

      981 BC: Ammon and Syria conquered by Joab and Abishai after David’s ambassadors are humiliated by
      the young king of Ammon (2Sam 10).Ps 60.
      980 BC: While indulging his children, and allowing his generals to run their own war, David falls prey to
      the temptations of the flesh, of peace, and of plenty: he sleeps with Bathsheba (2Sam 11). Uriah is slain in April. In December, Nathan confronts David and he repents. The child dies (2Sam 11-12; Ps 51).
      979 BC: Solomon is born, youngest of David’s sons, and future heir to the throne. Compare 1Chr 3:5
      with 2Sam 12:24 – if Solomon is Bathsheba’s 4th born, then this may be 975 BC. She may have been
      “comforted” with previous children by David, and then Solomon was born. Perhaps the others were
      unnamed in 12:24, thus giving honor to Solomon over them.
      979 BC: David returns to his duties, conquering Rabbah-Ammon (2Sam 12:26-31; 1Chr 20:1-3;).

      978 BC: Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar, who is Absalom’s sister (2Sam 13:1-22).
      976 BC: Absalom murders Amnon (2Sam 13:23-38). He is banished from the king’s presence to Geshur
      for 3 years.
      974 BC: Absalom pleads for and is returned to Jerusalem via Joab’s intercession and conniving use of the woman of Tekoa (2Sam 14); but he is banished from the king’s presence for 2 more years.

      972 BC: Absalom begs and coerces Joab into interceding yet again that Absalom might see the king’s
      face. He begins his 4-year plot against David. (2Sam 14:28-33; 15:1-7).
      969 BC: Absalom’s revolt steals the hearts of the people from David (2Sam 15-19). David weeps on the
      Mount of Olives ((15:30). Shimei, a relative of Saul, curses David on his way out of the city, but Hushai
      offers to be David’s ally in the palace. Ps 3. Absalom lies with his father’s concubines as Abner had done with Saul’s (16:22). Hushai, against Ahithophel, advises Absalom not to pursue David immediately. As a result, David is able to conquer Absalom’s army. Ahithophel hangs himself. While riding a mule, Absalom’s hair (symbol of his pride) is caught in a tree where he hangs helplessly (18:14) until slain by
      Joab, against David’s wishes. David mourns his son’s death, “Absalom, Absalom!” (19:1).

      969 BC: No sooner has one rebellion been quashed than another arises by Sheba (2Sam 20). Amasa who
      was appointed over the army by Absalom in place of Joab, is considered by David to be a threat in this
      conflict. Amasa is sent on an errand by David, but David also gives orders to Abishai to have Amasa
      killed. Joab kills Amasa at Gibeon and Sheba flees to Abel Beth Maacah. A wise woman of the city has
      his head delivered to Joab to preserve the city (2Sam 20:4:-22).
      968 BC: A three-year famine occurs as a result of Saul’s attack on the Gibeonites (2Sam 21:1). The
      attack violated a covenant made with them by Joshua (Josh 9:16).
      966 BC: David makes amends with the Gibeonites by having seven sons of Saul executed except
      Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, whom he vowed to protect (2Sam 21:2-14).

      965 BC: Battles with the Philistines. David is almost killed by a giant, and he is asked to stay home for
      his own safety. Four giants are killed in these battles (2Sam 21:15-22). They no longer terrorize Israel or mock God as they had in David’s youth under Saul. David’s Eulogy (2Sam 23:1-7).
      964 BC: David takes 9 months to number the people as if to quantify his security (2Sam 24:10). Joab,
      curiously, is the voice of reason here, asking David not to do it. David repents of it, but God demands a
      price: pestilence takes 70,000 (24:15). God then instructs David to buy the threshing floor of Araunah
      (Ornan) for an altar (24:18-25; 1Chr 21:1-17). David offers sacrifices on the threshing floor which God
      accepts with an angel’s fiery sword. David fears approaching God in the tabernacle, because it now sits
      on the high place at Gibeon (1Chr 21:26-30). He begins the preparations to construct the temple around the altar, gathering all the materials according to the pattern God shows him (1Chr 22; 28). Ps 30.

      963 BC: David charges Solomon and the princes with the task of construction (1Chr 22:6-19).
      962 BC: David’s health begins to fail him (1Kgs 1:1-4). A beautiful young woman is sought to serve him
      and keep him warm in his old age (Abishag). Adonijah, 4th born son of David, attempts a coup with Joab. At Nathan’s insistence, Bathsheba convinces David to declare Solomon king-in-waiting (per the promise in 2Sam 11:24-25; 1Chr 22:9), and have him assume the throne (1Kgs 1:5-53; 1Chr 23:1; 26:31). David agrees (Solomon becomes pro-rex).
      961 BC: David calls for a National Assembly, and passes to Solomon his pattern for the temple (1Chr
      28). He exhorts the people to give willingly, in joyful worship (1Chr 29:10-20). Solomon is anointed a 2nd time, publicly, and is now co-rex (1Chr 29:1-25). In private, David instructs Solomon to walk with God, and after his death, to deal with Joab and Shimei son of Gera, the traitors (1Kgs 2:1-98).
      961 BC: David dies a natural death at 70-75. Although David begins to rule at age 30 for 40 years, he
      may be older than 70 if we add Solomon’s over-lapping time of rule. (2Sam 5:4-5; 1Kgs 2:10-11; 1Chr
      29:26-30; see Ps 90:10). David is buried in Jerusalem (2Sam 5:4-5; 1Kgs 2:10-12; 1Chr 29:26-30),
      having served God’s purposes in his own generation (Ac 13:22, 36).