Adullam & Hebron

1 撒母耳記上 22:1大衛就離開那裡、逃到亞杜蘭洞。他的弟兄和他父親的全家聽見了、就都下到他那裡。2. 凡受窘迫的、欠債的、心裡苦惱的、都聚集到大衛那裡．大衛就作他們的頭目．跟隨他的約有四百人。

1 Samuel 22 Adullam
1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there.
2 All those who were in distress (kol is’ mar neres – all people with bitter spirit)* or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About 400 men were with him.(*Note; the same word used 3 times in OT –Judge18:25 Hannah, 2Sam 17:8)

2 Samuel 2 Hebron (Hebron means alliance or "join forces")

3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. (See Also 1 Chron 12:38)

Introduction:
There are 2 point in the lives of King David that can teach us many lessons both as a church and a Christian. When we chart our life, we will also have highs and low points.

A. The First is Adullam (about 160m 500ft ).
– Geographically Adullam is a low valley in Palestine. It has very rugged rock and dotted with caves that can accommodate 200-300 people. It is often a good place for fugitives and bandit to hide. It was during the low point of David‘s life when King Saul was after his life that he hid there. 1 Sam 21:11-15.
How low was David? David the fugitive had to play madman in fear of being killed.
May I draw your attention to one very interesting fact of life. That is - we always attract those who are like us. (The abusive daughter gets a abusive husbands) Here we note that those who gathered around David were about 400 needy people. The bitter type, the debtors etc. Generally A very discontented bunch. A fugitive attract fugitives. And often the vicious cycle continues.

But the similarity stops here. David is a man of Destiny, impact & influence.
Are you the mould or the moulded? Do you allow the circumstances to press you in or you shape the people around you?. Like young people – all your friend have cool mobile phones must I? They have pierced navel or nose rings so must you?
David has a sense of destiny- he managed to change the fugitives into warriors.
Jesus is in the business of changing Victims into Victors! Losers into winners!

I want to die in my Destiny and not just history. David was such a man. In his pursue of the God of destiny, he found his own Destiny. And eventually, the destiny of all mankind – being the ancestor of Jesus the Messiah.

And because David was a man of destiny, we have the privilege to see the next stage of his life. This is recorded in 2Sam 2:3-4 when he arrives at Hebron. Or more precisely, The Lord told him to go there. His enemy King Saul is now dead. The people were of one mind to anoint him king!

The timing, the appointed time, the Chairos moment arrives!

B. Ascending the throne in Hebron
The purposes of God are for us not just surviving, but thrives, and fruitful!
Hebron means united or joint force
Hebron is a city on the hill top – 972 m(3050ft)above sea level. High and wide, you can see for miles on clear day!

Hebron people are keen to join Hebron Church.
What is a Hebron Church?
And who are Hebron people?
A Church whose ultimate goal is to anoint the King! To lift King Jesus High! We gather here this morning with many purpose and needs, But the one and only overriding purpose must be – to anoint the king Jesus? You see, the Lord name Jesus Christ actually means “The Anointed Saviour. He is the anointed! He need not be anointed again. But we must come with a heart of adoration to worship and adore him. Worship is not an option!, not a peripheral add-on! It is the core of our being.

The contrast of the Adullam and Hebron is that – Adullam is NEED driven but Hebron is PURPOSE(of God) driven.

Jesus said that when I am lifted up- I will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32)

Are we lifting the Lord up for the world to see? Are we walking a life of transformation? Not just in knowledge, but the grace and favour of Jesus.

But the contrast does not stop there. There is a great difference. When God is in the place there is always multiplication! In 1 Chon 12:38 it says that there is now more than 400,000 man from every tribe of Israel! 400 to 400,000. 1000 fold increase!

The principles of Multiplication = 1x0 =0
1x1 =0 but 1 x God is infinity!

The point is that when you are consumed with doing the purpose of God, consumed with exalting Jesus, God will draw people into your midst. Hebron people won’t come to Adullam churches. Yes, There is a time and place for meeting the needs of those in need. Even Jesus said. You will always have the poor. But there is time to anoint the Lord, like the Mary in bethany, quite a wasteful used of the expensive perfume to Judas' eyes. But there is time and season for everything. Get a right perspective.

I want this to be a Hebron church.

The same principle can be applies in our personal life. There is a time and place for valley experience. (Ps 84 Valley of Baca) Adullam season is valid. But don’t just KEEP STAYING there! Now may be the time to move on!

Aim to be Hebron peopleWhen we keep remaining in Adullum, the Hebron people, the people of destiny and influence will leave you.
If we persist in being
- Need centred, small minded and self –centred, we will attract only the people who are bitter in heart.
- Adullum is not a place for those whom God has redeemed, God intends that we grow up, Move on, move forward to Hebron!

Move on to the purposes of God in your life. Forget the past, forget the hurt and disappointment. As long as you have today, redeem it, use it to the full, expand on it, invest all you have in it. (Eph 5:15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”

Let us make full use of ALL the opportunities that God has sent our way.

When you are purposeful, God will bring those of like mind to you. Like 2 Chron 12:23-40 they will come to you and say. “Use me, I have my sword, my shield and bow and arrows”. “We are ready. We like what you are on about – the business of the King! “I do not want to attract people by our charisma or empty rhetoric, we must be here to build lives, and exalt the king!

Conclusion:
Are you in Adullam or Hebron right Now?
Do you want to remain in Adullam? Then Go to the king, He will lead you to Hebron.
Do you know that God want us to go on to Hebron. We are to live a life constantly exalting the King?
I am determined to be a Hebron people and build a Hebron church.
I want to see God sending people to help us build it.
I want to see Adullum people being transformed through obedience, shifting and changing our mindset by feed on the word to become Hebron people.
We want to see Multiplication – not just addition!

Let us sing the closing song “Jesus we enthrone you”