Topic: Don’t encourage Treachery
Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 4-6; Luke 15:1-10.
Memory Verse: “How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?” 2 Samuel 4:11 (KJV).
Webster’s Dictionary explains Treachery as violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence. The man who betrays his country in any manner, violates his allegiance, and is guilty of treachery. This is treason. The man who violates his faith pledged to his friend, or betrays a trust in which a promise of fidelity is implied is guilty of treachery. The disclosure of a secret committed to one in confidence is treachery. This is perfidy.
So when a man or group of men who were appointed to protect a nation and its leader choose to betray that trust and kill the nation’s leader, just like Baanah and Rechab did to their king, Ish-bosheth, that is Treachery! They did it hoping to gain favour from David. However, David responded differently. He saw their act as wickedness and he said to the people in 2 Samuel 4:11 (KJV), “How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?” And he commanded his young men to kill the two of them and they killed them instantly!
This he did also when a man claimed to have killed Saul and brought the crown to him hoping for a reward, he ordered that he be killed.
So David established a precedence that he did not encourage treachery even against his perceived enemies! (2 Samuel 4:10) Why? Because he knew the law of sowing and reaping. Galatians 6:7 (KJV) says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” What kind of seed are you sowing among your peers or subordinates? Are you encouraging deceitful behaviour? including eye service or even selfishness? It is better to sow the seeds of goodness, righteousness and truth ( Ephesians 5:9) so that you can build a solid foundation in any area you may be operating, for others to follow. David, though made a number of errors but his uprightness, goodness and truth helped him to finish well and God referred to him as a man after His heart. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22 (KJV).
Action point:
Build your home, work, ministry or social network on solid foundation by leading in righteousness, truth and goodness.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero