‘Ziba – A Cunning Servant.’
a) 2 Samuel 9:2. Was a servant of Saul’s family.
b) 2 Samuel 9:3. Told the Truth to David, but saw it also as a chance to better himself.
c) 2 Samuel 9:4. Directed David to Mephibosheth.
d) 2 Samuel 9:9-11. He was given a new position, having to serve Mephibosheth’s family. This obviously gave thoughts to Ziba of deceiving Mephibosheth, taking advantage of him because he was a handicapped man.
e) 2 Samuel 16:1-4. Ziba lies to David about Mephibosheth and corrupts David with gifts.
f) 2 Samuel 19:17. Came with his men to welcome back King David. Ziba was already enjoying his ill gotten gains.
g) 2 Samuel 19:26-30. David finds out the True story of Mephibosheth and immediately divides what he originally gave to Ziba. He could not take all away from Ziba because Ziba had deceived David into giving the land to him with the Lord’s Blessing. Ziba kept half and Mephibosheth had half.
(This QT causes me to pray for Christian businesspeople, men and women, that they will live honest lives before God and not be cunning like Ziba)
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‘Come Out Of Hiding.’
a) 1 Samuel 26:3; 10:22-23; 22:4. David came out eventually, in God’s time and way, and became the King of God’s People.
b) Deuteronomy 7:20; 2 Chronicles 22:9. Enemies of the Lord and be exterminated.
c) Deuteronomy 33:27; Joshua 8:13-19; 1 Samuel 14:11 & 22. And destroy your enemies. Do not be afraid.
d) Joshua 8:7; Habakkuk 3:14; Judges 7:19-22. The Lord our God will help you.
e) 1 Samuel 23:23. Some people have many places of hiding.
f) Psalm 32:7. And Praise the Lord.
g) Proverbs 26:23. Hateful thoughts and go away.
h) Song of Solomon 2:14. And begin a good relationship that leads to marriage.
i) Jeremiah 36:19. When it is safe to do so.
(Through this Second one I want to encourage God’s People to come out of hiding)
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Chris.
The Lord our God is always ready to help us as we step out in His Will. There is a necessity for us all to be confident about God’s Will for our lives. As we put God first and endeavour to do His Will we can really be assured of His Help and Strength.
