Welcome to a new Carter Report series, 00:00:01.36\00:00:03.90 The Game Changers. 00:00:03.93\00:00:05.77 These rare individuals appear once in a lifetime. 00:00:05.80\00:00:09.44 Like a blazing meteor across the night sky, 00:00:09.47\00:00:12.44 they change the course of history. 00:00:12.47\00:00:15.21 They show us the way forward. 00:00:15.24\00:00:18.21 Welcome to The Game Changers. 00:00:18.25\00:00:22.35 Welcome back to The Game Changers, part two. 00:00:25.75\00:00:28.82 The hero today is King David, 00:00:28.86\00:00:33.09 and we are talking about his harem 00:00:33.13\00:00:36.30 when he became the king. 00:00:36.33\00:00:38.60 Some of the women in his life, 00:00:38.63\00:00:40.70 Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, 00:00:40.74\00:00:45.44 Haggith, Abital, Eglah, and Michal 00:00:45.47\00:00:51.38 and he had at least ten concubines. 00:00:51.41\00:00:55.48 Apparently, he was influenced by the customs of the times, 00:00:55.52\00:01:00.96 but if this tells me anything, it tells me 00:01:00.99\00:01:03.83 that God must be very, very patient. 00:01:03.86\00:01:08.90 But apparently, one was not enough 00:01:08.93\00:01:12.23 because one day, 00:01:12.27\00:01:14.47 David had a little nap and the Bible tells me 00:01:14.50\00:01:18.14 that he is looking out the window. 00:01:18.17\00:01:20.88 2 Samuel 11:2 says this, 00:01:20.91\00:01:24.91 "Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed 00:01:24.95\00:01:28.95 and walked on the roof of the king's house. 00:01:28.98\00:01:32.25 And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, 00:01:32.29\00:01:37.43 and the woman was 00:01:37.46\00:01:40.20 very beautiful to behold." 00:01:40.23\00:01:45.47 I might remind you today that the first look is not sin, 00:01:45.50\00:01:51.01 but the second one is. 00:01:51.04\00:01:53.51 I've been to that very location in Jerusalem, 00:01:53.54\00:01:56.91 her house was just below the palace. 00:01:56.95\00:02:00.82 Apparently, his 16 or 17 wives, 00:02:00.85\00:02:04.89 including concubines, 00:02:04.92\00:02:06.99 were not enough. 00:02:07.02\00:02:08.56 The carnal heart always wants more. 00:02:08.59\00:02:11.83 I saw a movie a number of years ago 00:02:11.86\00:02:14.43 and this villain in the program, 00:02:14.46\00:02:17.47 he's the member of the mafia, 00:02:17.50\00:02:19.20 he's asked this question, 00:02:19.23\00:02:21.50 "What do you want, Rocco?" 00:02:21.54\00:02:24.41 "What do you want, Rocco?" 00:02:24.44\00:02:25.77 Rocco says, "What do I want? 00:02:25.81\00:02:28.78 I want more!" 00:02:28.81\00:02:32.18 That's the cry of the carnal heart, 00:02:32.21\00:02:34.68 "Give me more. 00:02:34.72\00:02:36.69 Give me more." 00:02:36.72\00:02:38.05 "What do you want?" "I want more!" 00:02:38.09\00:02:41.12 Now 2 Samuel 11:3, 4, 5, 00:02:41.16\00:02:45.89 "So David sent and inquired about the woman. 00:02:45.93\00:02:48.40 Someone said, 'Is this not Bathsheba, 00:02:48.43\00:02:51.03 the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?' 00:02:51.07\00:02:56.50 Then David sent messengers, and took her, 00:02:56.54\00:02:58.87 and she came to him, and he lay with her, 00:02:58.91\00:03:01.58 for she was cleansed from her impurity, 00:03:01.61\00:03:04.58 and she returned to her house. 00:03:04.61\00:03:07.15 And the woman conceived, 00:03:07.18\00:03:10.45 so she sent and told David, and said, 00:03:10.49\00:03:13.62 'I am with child.'" 00:03:13.66\00:03:17.43 "And of course, nobody knew about it, 00:03:17.46\00:03:21.96 did they? 00:03:22.00\00:03:23.77 Now who was Uriah? 00:03:23.80\00:03:25.67 He was one of the king's bodyguards, 00:03:25.70\00:03:28.07 one of David's mighty men. 00:03:28.10\00:03:30.57 Was Bathsheba already known to the king? 00:03:30.61\00:03:33.54 I think so 00:03:33.58\00:03:34.98 because all the bodyguards would get together 00:03:35.01\00:03:37.61 with their wives and have parties. 00:03:37.65\00:03:41.32 So was she a sweet, innocent little thing 00:03:41.35\00:03:44.72 as I have been taught? 00:03:44.75\00:03:47.16 Did she have a choice? 00:03:47.19\00:03:48.62 I've had people say to me, "She had no choice at all." 00:03:48.66\00:03:52.36 I believe, my friend, in the power 00:03:54.16\00:03:58.67 and the potency of saying no. 00:03:58.70\00:04:03.24 If you read the Book of Esther, 00:04:03.27\00:04:04.87 you read there about Vashti and she said no. 00:04:04.91\00:04:09.84 And this woman 00:04:09.88\00:04:11.21 could have said no also. 00:04:11.25\00:04:14.48 Then David sends for Uriah, he gets him drunk, and says, 00:04:14.52\00:04:19.25 "Go home to your wife." 00:04:19.29\00:04:22.22 But he won't do it. 00:04:22.26\00:04:25.23 I wonder how many really knew about this. 00:04:25.26\00:04:28.53 And then what the king does, 00:04:28.56\00:04:30.80 he writes a letter 00:04:30.83\00:04:33.30 and the letter becomes 00:04:33.34\00:04:38.71 the execution of a good man. 00:04:38.74\00:04:43.48 He says, 00:04:43.51\00:04:44.85 "Put him in the front of the battle 00:04:44.88\00:04:46.55 and then withdraw and let him be killed." 00:04:46.58\00:04:51.65 And that's what happens. 00:04:51.69\00:04:53.96 All is good. 00:04:53.99\00:04:55.52 Bathsheba, the disloyal wife, who was hungry for power, 00:04:55.56\00:05:01.16 moves into the palace. 00:05:01.20\00:05:04.70 I guess, it is true to say, 00:05:04.73\00:05:07.04 she was not the first person 00:05:07.07\00:05:08.97 to sleep away to the top 00:05:09.00\00:05:12.01 and to get into the palace, 00:05:12.04\00:05:14.61 it's happened before, it may even happen again. 00:05:14.64\00:05:19.38 If you notice 2 Samuel 11:26, 00:05:19.41\00:05:22.95 and 27, 2 Samuel, 00:05:22.98\00:05:27.72 "When the wife of Uriah heard that 00:05:27.76\00:05:30.09 Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband, 00:05:30.13\00:05:34.63 And when her mourning was over, 00:05:34.66\00:05:36.36 David sent and brought her to his house, 00:05:36.40\00:05:40.47 and she became his wife and bore him a son. 00:05:40.50\00:05:45.41 But the thing that David had done 00:05:45.44\00:05:49.44 displeased the Lord." 00:05:49.48\00:05:51.58 There was somebody who was watching, 00:05:51.61\00:05:56.05 just as somebody is watching you 00:05:56.08\00:06:00.16 and watching me. 00:06:00.19\00:06:02.16 A church leader in Southern California, 00:06:02.19\00:06:04.83 discussing somewhat of a scandal in the church, 00:06:04.86\00:06:08.16 said this, "We must never forget 00:06:08.20\00:06:11.53 that the tape recorder is always running. 00:06:11.57\00:06:16.40 It's always running." 00:06:16.44\00:06:18.21 There's a record kept of every life 00:06:18.24\00:06:22.28 and there is a judgment day 00:06:22.31\00:06:24.88 and you can fool everybody, including your spouse, 00:06:24.91\00:06:29.78 but you can't fool God. 00:06:29.82\00:06:34.22 The Prophet Nathan goes to David, 00:06:34.26\00:06:36.09 he tells the story of two men, 00:06:36.12\00:06:38.29 one very, very rich 00:06:38.33\00:06:39.69 who's got lots and lots of sheep 00:06:39.73\00:06:41.50 and a poor man 00:06:41.53\00:06:42.86 who's only got one little baby ewe lamb. 00:06:42.90\00:06:47.64 And there is a visitor coming and the wealthy man needs 00:06:47.67\00:06:51.14 to put on a feast and so what he does, 00:06:51.17\00:06:54.11 rather than take one of his sheep, 00:06:54.14\00:06:57.15 he goes and steals from the poor man. 00:06:57.18\00:07:01.15 He tells the story to King David 00:07:01.18\00:07:03.55 and David becomes righteously indignant 00:07:03.59\00:07:07.06 and he says, 00:07:07.09\00:07:08.42 "The man who did this must die." 00:07:08.46\00:07:13.50 And the prophet said to him, 00:07:13.53\00:07:16.16 "You are the man." 00:07:16.20\00:07:20.10 Just as well, it was David and wasn't King Saul 00:07:20.14\00:07:25.04 because for all of his sins, 00:07:25.07\00:07:28.88 David had a heart for God 00:07:28.91\00:07:31.31 and David repented 00:07:31.35\00:07:34.58 and his repentance was sincere. 00:07:34.62\00:07:37.49 You can read about it in Psalm 51:1-4, 00:07:37.52\00:07:42.06 and David wrote most of the Psalms, 00:07:42.09\00:07:43.73 "Have mercy upon me, O God, 00:07:43.76\00:07:45.43 According to Your loving kindness, 00:07:45.46\00:07:47.13 According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, 00:07:47.16\00:07:49.56 Blot out my transgressions. 00:07:49.60\00:07:51.60 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, 00:07:51.63\00:07:53.97 And cleanse me from my sin. 00:07:54.00\00:07:56.47 For I acknowledge my transgressions, 00:07:56.50\00:07:59.04 And my sin is always before me. 00:07:59.07\00:08:01.61 Against You, You only, have I sinned, 00:08:01.64\00:08:04.81 And done this evil in Your sight 00:08:04.85\00:08:06.68 That You may be found just when You speak, 00:08:06.72\00:08:09.45 And blameless when You judge. 00:08:09.48\00:08:12.42 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean, 00:08:12.45\00:08:16.16 Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." 00:08:16.19\00:08:21.73 David had in the midst of his sin, 00:08:21.76\00:08:25.93 a heart for God 00:08:25.97\00:08:28.90 and God can save a man or a woman, 00:08:28.94\00:08:32.67 if they will repent. 00:08:32.71\00:08:36.88 But if David can be saved, 00:08:36.91\00:08:38.25 there's hope for every one of us 00:08:38.28\00:08:40.12 because of God's amazing grace. 00:08:40.15\00:08:43.15 However, listen to this, 00:08:43.18\00:08:47.32 while sin may be forgiven 00:08:47.36\00:08:49.66 as it was in the case of David... 00:08:49.69\00:08:52.56 God does not remove the consequences. 00:08:56.67\00:09:00.00 Well, you say, "No, no, no. I can't believe it." 00:09:00.04\00:09:02.20 While sin may be forgiven, God does not remove 00:09:02.24\00:09:04.87 the consequences. 00:09:04.91\00:09:07.08 Uriah, a good and a brave man dies. 00:09:07.11\00:09:11.95 What did Bathsheba think in the palace? 00:09:11.98\00:09:15.68 The baby dies. 00:09:15.72\00:09:18.05 David prays for the baby for seven days, 00:09:18.09\00:09:22.69 he won't eat, he's on the floor, 00:09:22.72\00:09:25.03 they think he is going to die. 00:09:25.06\00:09:29.16 But on the seventh day, the baby dies. 00:09:29.20\00:09:34.10 Why does the innocent suffer? 00:09:34.14\00:09:37.91 The innocent often suffers because of the sins of others, 00:09:37.94\00:09:42.74 not always, of course. 00:09:42.78\00:09:46.31 Now listen to this, 00:09:46.35\00:09:48.38 David had a number of sons. 00:09:48.42\00:09:51.85 One son is a young man by the name of Amnon, 00:09:51.89\00:09:57.13 he has a half-sister by the name of Tamar 00:09:57.16\00:10:01.93 and she is beautiful, a half-sister. 00:10:01.96\00:10:06.84 2 Samuel 13:1, 2, look at it in the Bible, 00:10:06.87\00:10:12.47 "After this Absalom 00:10:12.51\00:10:15.14 the son of David had a lovely sister, 00:10:15.18\00:10:18.91 whose name was Tamar, 00:10:18.95\00:10:21.72 and Amnon the son of David loved her." 00:10:21.75\00:10:24.95 Had no right to love her. 00:10:24.99\00:10:27.56 "Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar 00:10:27.59\00:10:31.09 that he became sick, for she was a virgin. 00:10:31.13\00:10:35.40 And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her." 00:10:35.43\00:10:41.34 But Amnon is a schemer and a conniver. 00:10:41.37\00:10:44.74 He says to the king, "I'm sick, 00:10:47.41\00:10:51.25 have my sister come and give me something to eat." 00:10:51.28\00:10:54.42 So the king sends the beautiful Tamar 00:10:54.45\00:10:58.59 and she cooks him some food 00:10:58.62\00:11:01.12 and she feeds him with her own hand. 00:11:01.16\00:11:06.19 And Amnon says, 00:11:06.23\00:11:07.56 "Have everybody leave the room." 00:11:07.60\00:11:11.50 And the Bible says, 00:11:11.53\00:11:13.03 "Because he was stronger than she, 00:11:13.07\00:11:18.34 he raped her." 00:11:18.37\00:11:22.28 Now I've heard people say to me, 00:11:22.31\00:11:24.45 "But it was only his half-sister 00:11:24.48\00:11:27.38 and it was okay back then to have relationships 00:11:27.42\00:11:32.25 with family members, sort of." 00:11:32.29\00:11:37.23 That is not true, read the Book of Leviticus, 00:11:37.26\00:11:42.20 where it is the curse of God. 00:11:42.23\00:11:45.47 Not only did this man violate his sister, half-sister, 00:11:45.50\00:11:50.51 by the act of rape, 00:11:50.54\00:11:52.54 he committed incest, 00:11:52.57\00:11:57.61 an unnatural sin. 00:11:57.65\00:11:59.81 It is an ugly story but it's not over. 00:12:04.29\00:12:08.99 The king hears about it, 00:12:09.02\00:12:11.36 the king is angry as anything, he's fighting mad. 00:12:11.39\00:12:16.26 But you know what he says? 00:12:16.30\00:12:20.80 He's mad 00:12:20.84\00:12:24.34 but he says nothing, 00:12:24.37\00:12:26.51 how can he? 00:12:26.54\00:12:28.28 He's lost his moral authority. 00:12:28.31\00:12:31.41 And look at 1 King 2 00:12:31.45\00:12:33.42 or rather 2 Samuel 13:21, 22. 00:12:33.45\00:12:39.22 2 Samuel 13:21, 22 00:12:39.25\00:12:42.12 "But when King David heard of all these things, 00:12:42.16\00:12:45.53 he was very angry." 00:12:45.56\00:12:48.10 Oh, isn't that good? 00:12:48.13\00:12:50.67 "And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon 00:12:50.70\00:12:53.67 neither good nor bad. 00:12:53.70\00:12:56.60 For Absalom hated Amnon, 00:12:56.64\00:12:59.01 because he had forced his sister Tamar." 00:12:59.04\00:13:02.21 Now Tamar's brother 00:13:02.24\00:13:05.91 was the best-looking man 00:13:05.95\00:13:07.58 in Israel, Absalom. 00:13:07.62\00:13:13.42 What should the king have done? 00:13:13.46\00:13:15.22 Now let me remind you of this, 00:13:15.26\00:13:18.19 the king had a dual role. 00:13:18.23\00:13:21.53 He was a father 00:13:21.56\00:13:24.47 and a father loves his children, 00:13:24.50\00:13:27.40 but that's not enough. 00:13:27.44\00:13:29.77 As the king, 00:13:29.80\00:13:31.17 he was the upholder of the law of God, 00:13:31.21\00:13:35.61 and therefore he should've upheld 00:13:35.64\00:13:38.35 the law and punished 00:13:38.38\00:13:41.02 the violator of Tamar. 00:13:41.05\00:13:46.19 You see, God has got a dual role too. 00:13:46.22\00:13:47.66 Did you know this? 00:13:47.69\00:13:49.02 He's a father 00:13:49.06\00:13:50.39 but he is the upholder of the law. 00:13:50.43\00:13:52.46 Thank God that God did a better job 00:13:52.49\00:13:56.20 of his dual responsibilities than did King David. 00:13:56.23\00:14:01.77 Why is David so silent? 00:14:01.80\00:14:04.71 Now we think for a moment of the tragedy of silence. 00:14:04.74\00:14:10.81 David is silent because of his double sin, 00:14:10.85\00:14:14.95 because of his adultery and his murder. 00:14:14.98\00:14:19.49 He has lost his moral authority and therefore, 00:14:19.52\00:14:23.09 his lips are sealed. 00:14:23.12\00:14:25.06 Have you ever wondered 00:14:25.09\00:14:27.56 why all the lying that goes on 00:14:27.60\00:14:31.17 in the world is not rebuked? 00:14:31.20\00:14:36.37 Because it's hard for liars 00:14:36.40\00:14:38.04 to rebuke liars, that's why. 00:14:38.07\00:14:42.94 No moral authority. 00:14:42.98\00:14:44.58 The adulterer and adulterer 00:14:44.61\00:14:46.48 will not condemn an adulterer. 00:14:46.51\00:14:51.25 You just apply that to your own times, please. 00:14:51.29\00:14:54.92 An adulterer will not condemn an adulterer. 00:14:54.96\00:14:58.49 A pedophile will not condemn a pedophile. 00:14:58.53\00:15:03.37 And I've sat on boards 00:15:03.40\00:15:06.10 where people have been slow to speak 00:15:06.13\00:15:09.40 and I have wondered 00:15:09.44\00:15:11.07 what dirty secrets 00:15:11.11\00:15:13.48 are they covering themselves? 00:15:13.51\00:15:17.85 So the king won't say anything, didn't say anything 00:15:17.88\00:15:21.45 about the rape of his daughter. 00:15:21.48\00:15:25.32 A liar won't condemn a liar. 00:15:25.35\00:15:28.92 Bathsheba had silenced the king. 00:15:28.96\00:15:33.96 And David was forgiven, I want you all to know this. 00:15:37.73\00:15:40.90 David was redeemed, 00:15:40.94\00:15:43.41 but the clock of consequences was ticking. 00:15:43.44\00:15:47.94 This is not something we want to hear. 00:15:47.98\00:15:50.48 I've been a pastor for more than 50 years 00:15:50.51\00:15:53.95 and virtually every person in all of my churches 00:15:53.98\00:15:57.12 has not accepted the truth 00:15:57.15\00:15:59.62 that even though we may be forgiven, 00:15:59.65\00:16:02.09 God doesn't stop the clock of consequences. 00:16:02.12\00:16:05.09 People say, " Oh, no, no. 00:16:05.13\00:16:07.00 God takes away the consequences too." 00:16:07.03\00:16:08.83 Now that is not so. 00:16:08.86\00:16:11.67 God will forgive 00:16:11.70\00:16:14.94 but He doesn't stop the consequences. 00:16:14.97\00:16:18.54 The Apostle Paul said these words, 00:16:18.57\00:16:22.21 "Whatever a man sows 00:16:22.24\00:16:25.18 that he will also reap." 00:16:25.21\00:16:29.05 And David was reaping, 00:16:29.08\00:16:32.95 David was now about to do a lot of reaping. 00:16:32.99\00:16:37.53 Amnon rapes his sister Tamar, David remains silent, 00:16:37.56\00:16:43.13 Absalom is righteously indignant. 00:16:43.16\00:16:46.23 Has he got a reason to be angry? 00:16:46.27\00:16:50.57 Yes, he does. 00:16:50.61\00:16:51.94 Little while later, Absalom, the brother of Tamar, 00:16:55.48\00:16:59.45 takes the law into his own hands. 00:16:59.48\00:17:02.82 There's a big feast. 00:17:02.85\00:17:05.45 Absalom, the most handsome man in Israel 00:17:05.49\00:17:08.56 goes to the king and says, 00:17:08.59\00:17:10.33 "Will you come to our great feast?" 00:17:10.36\00:17:12.39 He says, "I can't come, my son." 00:17:12.43\00:17:14.40 He says, "Then can this king's sons come?" 00:17:14.43\00:17:17.23 "All right" All the king's sons come 00:17:17.27\00:17:20.94 and then when they are all 00:17:20.97\00:17:22.97 well fed and drunk, 00:17:23.00\00:17:27.11 the command is given by Absalom, 00:17:27.14\00:17:31.08 kill Amnon, 00:17:31.11\00:17:33.21 and the swords are out 00:17:33.25\00:17:36.72 and the rapist 00:17:36.75\00:17:39.09 is put to death. 00:17:39.12\00:17:40.46 The clock of consequences. 00:17:44.23\00:17:48.03 Now if you look at 2 Samuel 13:37, 00:17:48.06\00:17:52.87 it says this, 00:17:52.90\00:17:55.47 "But Absalom fled and" he runs away, 00:17:55.50\00:17:59.44 "Went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. 00:17:59.47\00:18:04.85 And David mourned for his son every day." 00:18:04.88\00:18:09.28 Now David is good at mourning 00:18:09.32\00:18:12.22 and he's good at getting mad, 00:18:12.25\00:18:16.19 but he has become a very indulgent father 00:18:16.22\00:18:21.26 and every time he goes to bed at night, 00:18:21.30\00:18:25.93 he's got a reason 00:18:25.97\00:18:28.24 to feel a little bit guilty. 00:18:28.27\00:18:32.07 David had two roles, I want you to learn this, 00:18:32.11\00:18:34.48 I want to teach this to you. 00:18:34.51\00:18:36.28 He was a father, therefore a father should love. 00:18:36.31\00:18:41.58 You're not a good father 00:18:41.62\00:18:43.18 unless you really love your children. 00:18:43.22\00:18:46.82 He's also the upholder of the law of God. 00:18:46.86\00:18:50.73 He's like God, when the human race sinned, 00:18:50.76\00:18:54.96 God had a problem. 00:18:55.00\00:18:56.33 He was our father, He loved us 00:18:56.36\00:18:59.37 but He also had to uphold the law. 00:18:59.40\00:19:02.47 You know how He does it? 00:19:02.50\00:19:05.01 Christ loves us and He goes to the cross 00:19:05.04\00:19:10.45 and He bears the curse of the law, 00:19:10.48\00:19:13.82 that's what kills Him. 00:19:13.85\00:19:15.18 So the son of David 00:19:18.12\00:19:19.72 did a much better job than David. 00:19:19.75\00:19:23.02 Absalom is allowed to return to Jerusalem after a while. 00:19:23.06\00:19:27.16 He's a very good-looking boy, 00:19:27.20\00:19:30.80 his hair weighs six pounds when it's cut. 00:19:30.83\00:19:35.57 When they cut off his hair, 00:19:35.60\00:19:39.17 the locks weigh six pounds. 00:19:39.21\00:19:43.45 In 2 Samuel 15:5, 6 tell us this, 00:19:43.48\00:19:47.95 "And so it was, 00:19:47.98\00:19:49.68 whenever anyone came near 00:19:49.72\00:19:53.46 to bow down to him," 00:19:53.49\00:19:55.66 This is Absalom, 00:19:55.69\00:19:57.03 "That he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 00:19:57.06\00:20:01.80 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel 00:20:01.83\00:20:06.10 who came to the king for judgment, 00:20:06.13\00:20:08.24 so Absalom stole the hearts 00:20:08.27\00:20:12.87 of the men of Israel." 00:20:12.91\00:20:15.11 He's a con artist, 00:20:15.14\00:20:17.61 and there are many con artists today, 00:20:17.65\00:20:21.12 and many people are taken in 00:20:21.15\00:20:23.18 by smooth talk. 00:20:23.22\00:20:27.72 So when people come, he puts his arms around 00:20:27.76\00:20:30.36 and he smooches them, he kisses them, 00:20:30.39\00:20:32.66 he hugs them, he says, 00:20:32.69\00:20:34.03 "You know, if I was only the king, 00:20:34.06\00:20:35.50 things would be so much better." 00:20:35.53\00:20:38.87 And people are so gullible and we are all gullible 00:20:38.90\00:20:43.17 without the common sense that comes 00:20:43.20\00:20:45.57 from the reading of Scripture. 00:20:45.61\00:20:49.24 And almost all of the Israelites 00:20:49.28\00:20:52.75 forsake David and want Absalom as king. 00:20:52.78\00:20:56.32 Did you know, you can't be too hard on human beings, 00:20:56.35\00:20:59.62 one-third of the angels 00:20:59.65\00:21:02.52 joined against God in rebellion 00:21:02.56\00:21:05.56 through the Absalom, who was called Satan. 00:21:05.59\00:21:10.30 Only God, my friends, can give us wisdom, 00:21:10.33\00:21:13.40 and wisdom is a gift 00:21:13.44\00:21:15.34 from God given to people who search the scriptures. 00:21:15.37\00:21:21.04 Most of Israel joined Absalom in rebellion against David. 00:21:21.08\00:21:24.78 It all started when David slept with Bathsheba 00:21:24.81\00:21:30.02 and murdered Uriah. 00:21:30.05\00:21:32.62 What goes around comes around. 00:21:32.65\00:21:35.42 David flees for his life. 00:21:35.46\00:21:37.23 Absalom comes into Jerusalem, 00:21:37.26\00:21:39.16 he goes in to the king's concubines. 00:21:39.19\00:21:42.20 There is war. 00:21:42.23\00:21:43.93 And then there is a tremendous battle 00:21:43.97\00:21:47.37 out in the forest. 00:21:47.40\00:21:49.40 The soldiers of King David, they think he's going to lose. 00:21:49.44\00:21:53.88 Absalom comes out with a tremendous army. 00:21:53.91\00:21:58.95 But at the end of the day, 00:21:58.98\00:22:00.35 the rebellion is over 00:22:00.38\00:22:01.98 and there are 20,000 men killed, 00:22:02.02\00:22:07.26 there are 20,000 widows 00:22:07.29\00:22:09.46 and probably 40,000 children 00:22:09.49\00:22:13.09 without fathers. 00:22:13.13\00:22:16.10 Absalom, the charmer, is riding a mule. 00:22:16.13\00:22:20.54 He rides under a terebinth tree. 00:22:20.57\00:22:23.30 He's caught up in the oak tree, 00:22:23.34\00:22:26.81 hanging there with his long hair. 00:22:26.84\00:22:29.11 Joab he's about... 00:22:29.14\00:22:30.51 Joab goes out and David has said, 00:22:30.55\00:22:35.38 "Deal kindly with the young man Absalom." 00:22:35.42\00:22:38.85 But Joab says, "I don't care." 00:22:38.89\00:22:40.86 He takes three darts and he throws them, 00:22:40.89\00:22:43.89 one, two, three into the heart of Absalom. 00:22:43.93\00:22:48.46 They cut him down, they find a big hole, 00:22:48.50\00:22:51.00 and they throw him into the hole, 00:22:51.03\00:22:53.13 and cover it over with stones. 00:22:53.17\00:22:54.94 How did this start? 00:22:58.17\00:23:00.71 20,000 plus widows. 00:23:00.74\00:23:03.65 God forgave David, 00:23:03.68\00:23:07.35 but let the consequences work out, 00:23:07.38\00:23:09.32 that's what he does with you and me. 00:23:09.35\00:23:12.52 Uriah was dead, the baby was dead 00:23:12.55\00:23:15.89 Tamar was raped, Amnon was murdered, 00:23:15.92\00:23:20.10 Absalom was executed, 20,000 soldiers were killed 00:23:20.13\00:23:25.27 and it started with an affair 00:23:25.30\00:23:27.77 that started with a look out of the window. 00:23:27.80\00:23:33.31 But Romans 5 gives us hope. 00:23:33.34\00:23:38.45 Romans 5:20, 00:23:38.48\00:23:41.62 "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. 00:23:41.65\00:23:45.75 But where sin abounded, 00:23:45.79\00:23:49.82 grace abounded 00:23:49.86\00:23:52.89 much more." 00:23:52.93\00:23:55.86 The mercy of God, 00:23:55.90\00:23:58.93 David was restored. 00:23:58.97\00:24:02.10 Romans 4:6, 7 say these words, 00:24:02.14\00:24:06.54 "Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man 00:24:06.57\00:24:10.78 to whom God imputes righteousness 00:24:10.81\00:24:13.31 apart from works, 00:24:13.35\00:24:15.22 'Blessed are those 00:24:15.25\00:24:16.58 whose lawless deeds are forgiven, 00:24:16.62\00:24:19.35 and whose sins are covered.'" 00:24:19.39\00:24:22.96 In spite of these terrible sins, 00:24:22.99\00:24:27.06 he was saved. 00:24:27.10\00:24:28.43 His son Solomon, by Bathsheba, 00:24:28.46\00:24:33.07 became the king after him and through his line, 00:24:33.10\00:24:37.41 the messiah was born. 00:24:37.44\00:24:40.04 Amazing, isn't it? 00:24:40.08\00:24:42.94 God knew how to handle His dual responsibilities. 00:24:42.98\00:24:45.61 As a father, He loves, as a law-giver, 00:24:45.65\00:24:49.32 He upholds the law. 00:24:49.35\00:24:51.82 On the cross, 00:24:51.85\00:24:54.06 all of David's sins and mine were laid on Him, 00:24:54.09\00:24:59.13 so the Son of God did much better than David. 00:24:59.16\00:25:02.60 He is the ultimate Game Changer. 00:25:02.63\00:25:05.60 So if you feel, look at me, 00:25:05.63\00:25:08.47 if you feel there's no hope for you, 00:25:08.50\00:25:13.74 remember this, 00:25:13.78\00:25:16.44 if God could save David, 00:25:16.48\00:25:19.91 He can save anybody. 00:25:19.95\00:25:23.15 When I was a boy at college a few years ago, 00:25:23.18\00:25:28.09 I learned this wonderful song. 00:25:28.12\00:25:31.29 Wonderful Grace of Jesus 00:25:31.33\00:25:34.90 Greater than all my sin 00:25:34.93\00:25:37.97 How shall my tongue describe it 00:25:38.00\00:25:41.84 Where shall its praise begin? 00:25:41.87\00:25:45.64 Taking away my burden 00:25:45.67\00:25:49.34 Setting my spirit free 00:25:49.38\00:25:53.05 For the wonderful grace 00:25:53.08\00:25:55.28 of Jesus reaches me 00:25:55.32\00:26:00.46 Remember, 00:26:00.49\00:26:02.16 where sin did abound, 00:26:02.19\00:26:06.03 grace did much more abound. 00:26:06.06\00:26:08.80 If God could save David, 00:26:08.83\00:26:12.37 He can save you 00:26:12.40\00:26:14.97 and He can save me. 00:26:15.00\00:26:16.81 Jesus said, 00:26:24.61\00:26:25.95 "All authority has been given to Me 00:26:25.98\00:26:27.92 in heaven and on earth. 00:26:27.95\00:26:30.09 Go, therefore, 00:26:30.12\00:26:31.45 and make disciples of all the nations, 00:26:31.49\00:26:34.69 baptizing them in the name of the Father, 00:26:34.72\00:26:37.13 and of the Son, 00:26:37.16\00:26:38.69 and of the Holy Spirit." 00:26:38.73\00:26:42.43 John Carter reports 00:26:42.46\00:26:44.13 we have seen God's power 00:26:44.17\00:26:45.83 as the Gospel of Christ 00:26:45.87\00:26:47.47 has been proclaimed in Africa, 00:26:47.50\00:26:51.24 India, 00:26:51.27\00:26:53.84 Russia, 00:26:53.88\00:26:56.41 Ukraine, 00:26:56.44\00:26:59.21 Cuba, 00:26:59.25\00:27:02.18 El Salvador, 00:27:02.22\00:27:03.62 and many other places. 00:27:03.65\00:27:05.95 We invite you to partner with us 00:27:05.99\00:27:08.89 in proclaiming Jesus Christ. 00:27:08.92\00:27:11.13 To God be the glory. 00:27:14.60\00:27:17.67 Great things He has done. 00:27:17.70\00:27:22.30 Write today to the Carter Report, 00:27:22.34\00:27:25.34 P.O. Box 1900 00:27:25.37\00:27:27.78 Thousand Oaks, California 91358. 00:27:27.81\00:27:32.61 That's the Carter Report, 00:27:32.65\00:27:34.88 P.O. Box 1900 00:27:34.92\00:27:37.22 Thousand Oaks, California 91358. 00:27:37.25\00:27:41.92 In Australia, write to the Carter Report, 00:27:41.96\00:27:45.63 P.O. Box 861 Terrigal, 00:27:45.66\00:27:48.86 New South Wales 2260. 00:27:48.90\00:27:52.47 That's the Carter Report, 00:27:52.50\00:27:54.64 P.O. Box 861 Terrigal, 00:27:54.67\00:27:57.97 New South Wales 2260. 00:27:58.01\00:28:01.84 Thank you for your generous support. 00:28:01.88\00:28:04.15 We look forward to hearing from you soon. 00:28:04.18\00:28:06.65 May God richly, bless you. 00:28:06.68\00:28:09.18 For a copy of today's program, 00:28:25.93\00:28:27.97 please contact us at P.O. Box 1900 00:28:28.00\00:28:31.57 Thousand Oaks, California 91358 00:28:31.61\00:28:35.81 or in Australia, contact us at P.O. Box 861, 00:28:35.84\00:28:40.68 Terrigal, New South Wales 2260. 00:28:40.72\00:28:45.09 This program is made possible through the generous support 00:28:45.12\00:28:48.22 of viewers like you. 00:28:48.26\00:28:49.79 We thank you for your continued support. 00:28:49.82\00:28:52.79 May God richly bless you. 00:28:52.83\00:28:54.76