2 Samuel
2Sa_10:12
Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
There are places in the ministry where you must risk or run.
In verse 11 two brothers commit to help each other in the fight. They turn from there and yell " Let the games begin". Joab had made a strategic decision and was not sure how it would turn out. He made a decision based upon the wisdom that God had given him. He made a decision and handed the results over to God. We see this same scenario with Esther when she says " If I perish I perish" and with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they proclaim "and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods" In the New Testament we can see this as people plead with the Apostle Paul to stay and not to continue on because his life would be in danger. He would respond with "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (Act_21:13-) He didn't know this would happen but He was ready to take the risk. TLC
2Sa_12:20
Worship is not something that we do when all is going well. We are to worship in the good times as well as the bad times. David has just lost his child. He has asked God to save his son but God has refused. Can it be real worship if you only magnify the Lord when He does what you want? We must prostrate ourselves before Him in the good as well as the bad. That is true worship. After having begged God for a week with fasting and prayer David first went to the house of the Lord and worshipped which almost assuredly means that he gave an offering, praised the Lord, and thanked Him. As a missionary you are going to find that many things just do not work out the way you wanted them to or had figured them to work out. There will be no church meetings to encourage you. You must know how to worship God before you start out or you will never make it. Learn to give thanks in all things now. Learn to love and serve Him no matter how things turn out. He is God you are but the servant. WAG
2Sa_15:1
Leadership principles
How not to raise or create an Absalom!
1. Take a stand against and discipline sin when you see it 2Sa_13:22Ecc_8:11
2. Don't allow a wall or division even if there has been a failure 2Sa_13:37
3. Express what you feel, your love 2Sa_13:39
4. Don't make the discipline too hard 2Sa_14:24
5. Praise character not physical characteristics 2Sa_14:25
6. Keep open lines of communication 2Sa_14:32
7. Don't wait too late to kiss 2Sa_14:33
8. Forgive and teach to forgive so that the root of bitterness doesn't spring up and defile many
9. Don't wait too late to deal gently 2Sa_18:5
WAG
2Sa_16:3
Leadership Principle
Much of what is happening to David right now could have likely been avoided had he handled a family problem right and at the right moment. Since he didn't things have only proceeded to get worse. A much smaller issue left unattended has caused the rebellion and now Ziba rebels against his master also. Every leader must consider dealing with the little foxes before they get big enough to do so much harm. Jesus said that if you were being taken to court you should fix it on the way to court if at all possible. Mat_5:25WAG
2Sa_17:10
An amazing commentary is given here about David and his men. They know that David is a mighty man and they know that those that are with him are also mighty men. Everyone should question what is known about us. What reputation or testimony do you have? Are you a mighty man? Do you surround yourself with mighty men? There is a leadership principle that says; "If he is not strong enough to hurt you if he would neither is he strong to help you if he will." Too often we surround ourselves with weak "yes men" who are unable to help us. Let everyone know that God is doing a work in your life and ministry and that many mighty men are with you. WAG
2Sa_18:15
Joab had ten young men as armor bearers. Joab was a great man of war and general. Imagine the training that these young men received. Imagine the men that they had the opportunity to see and hear just from being so close to Joab. They start as young armor bearers that will later be valiant men. Discipleship is all through the Bible. As they carried the armor and prepared things they would see how Joab fought from dressing himself, preparations he made for the battle, how he ordered his men, how set the battle, how he cared for his weapons and many other things that would prepare them for leadership. WAG
2Sa_20:6
Leadership principle. David did not fight to save his kingdom when Abaslom raised himself up but now he is quick to send his men to seek the head of Sheba. It is not clear why David would react differently on two different occasions. Obviously we will need to be careful not to draw a hard and fast conclusion when David does not defend his kingdom with Absalom. There must be times to stand and fight and other times when we should not defend ourselves. Both are tragedies and I do not presume to say what should be the way we handle an attack but we do need balance in what we do under these severe attacks. WAG
2Sa_21:16
Amazing what a new sword can do for a man! In this story it can get a man killed. Having a new sword or a strong arm is no guarantee that you will win the battle obviously. But maybe we could motivate our people to do great battles as we train our disciples in how to use a sword and then provide them with new and good tools to do the battle with. It is amazing what will happen when you motivate a man to do something with his life. WAG
2Sa_21:17
Giant killers didn't hardly exist before David killed Goliath but now even his nephew and one of his right hand men is killing giants. Men will do what they see you do. This giant had a new sword and carried spear that weighed about 9.5 pounds. He came from a family of giants. He had no idea that a little man like Abishai could defeat him. Satan can not comprehend what God can do with men who have been trained, motivated, and Spirit empowered. Let's train men. WAG
2Sa_21:22
Four giant killers in a row. From no giant killers to a giant killer roll what a transformation. Could it be that the world could be transformed and His name lifted high if we would but become giant killer trainers? We must train leaders of leaders. We must make it the object of our life to find and train men for His honor and glory. For too long we have done our ministry and tried to develop ourselves into a world class leader but have not concerned ourselves with the preparation of others. Joab had 10 armor bearers learning every move from him. How many do you have? How many are you preparing to go further than you ever have? How much have you invested into the lives of others, no so much in money but in TIME? WAG
2Sa_23:10
Hold on to your sword. You might get tired in the work but never of the work. Hold on to your sword and he will win a great victory. Use all your strength. Work until you are tired. WAG
2Sa_23:37
Naharai the armor bearer gets into the list of the mighty men. He has been Joab's armor bearer. Although Joab is not in the list of mighty men one of his men does make the list. Joab has hurt himself with some of his foolishness but is able to lift a man above himself. Joab had ten armor bearers. There are only thirty something men in the list yet one of Joab's men could become so great a man of war that he could make this hall of fame. That is the result of true discipleship. Teach a man. Train him to become more than you are. Get him to the right trainers. Let him make the list even if you can't. Who are you investing time and life into right now? WAG | 
