The story from 2 Samuel 11 through to the end of his life is dominated by troubles that David brought on himself by his own sin and folly. It begins here with the story of David and Bathsheba.

Surely what comes after David committing these two heinous sins—adultery and murder—must be the most profound repentance, but that’s not what happens.

There are some stories in the Bible that should make us weep. This is one of them. It is the story of a woman who was horribly abused and violated. She suffered at the hands of a member of her own family, and it happened in the king’s household.

We are following the story of David in the last chapter of his life. These were the most troubled years in the life of this godly man. David had a son whose rebellion broke his heart. Today we are going to look at the story of how David tried to heal the division in his own family.

We are looking at the story of Absalom’s rebellion. David was still the king anointed by God. But Absalom wants to be the king in his place. In order to make himself king, he had to overthrow the Lord’s anointed.

We are going to meet two men who added to David’s pain and sorrow at this most difficult time in his life. You will be familiar with these men, even if you do not know their names. One of them is a liar, the other is an accuser. As we meet them, I want you to keep in mind that the enemy of your soul, the devil, is a liar and an accuser.

We are going to see what happened in Jerusalem on that same day when David left the city. David and his small band of loyal supporters left Jerusalem heading east over the Kidron, and up the Mount of Olives. A few hours later Absalom arrived, coming from Hebron in the south.

How does God use contrasts in the Bible to shine a light on Jesus Christ? Pastor Colin talks about the contrast between David and Jesus, and how it shows the glory of Christ.

Pastor Colin makes three observations about David. Each of them will point us to our Lord Jesus Christ. The inadequacies of David will highlight the glories of Jesus.

It is possible to serve the Lord with great distinction, and then to undo much of the good you have accomplished. The final chapter of David's life serves as a warning to us that it is possible to accomplish much good, but then for it all to unravel in the later years of our lives because of our own sin and folly.

David was God’s anointed king and we are going to see today that he was deeply hated and dearly loved. The same was true of our Lord Jesus. The same will be true for you as a Christian. You will experience the hatred of the world and the love of God in Jesus Christ.

It is possible to serve the Lord with great distinction, and then to undo much of the good you have accomplished. The final chapter of David's life serves as a warning to us that it is possible to accomplish much good, but then for it all to unravel in the later years of our lives because of our own sin and folly.