Sin always has consequences. Few people knew that better than David, whose once robust kingdom declined into a shadow of its former self, marked by instability and injustice. Focusing on the final verses of 2 Samuel 20, Alistair Begg draws a line between David's sin with Bathsheba and the ultimate failure of his dynasty. But as we consider David's failure, we also turn our eyes to the one perfect King, Jesus, who promises to restore what sin destroys.

As King David returned to his kingdom after Absalom's defeat, tragedy overshadowed triumph. His grief over the death of his enemy-son impacted those around him- foolish arguments erupted between the tribes of Judah and Israel, and lives changed as people scrambled to align themselves with the victor. Shimei sought clemency, Mephibosheth declared his loyalty, and Barzillai faced his mortality while recognizing God's providential purpose. Alistair Begg compares and contrasts David's fragile, divided kingdom to God's kingdom, which will be perfect and united when Jesus, the true King, returns.

King David's son Absalom was also his enemy. So should love have set aside justice- Should justice have prevailed at love's expense- David strategized to defeat his enemies while preserving his son's life-yet the message of victory was accompanied by the announcement of Absalom's death, and the king was consumed with guilt-laden grief. Examining God's providential role in tragedy as well victory, Alistair Begg points us to the one place where perfect love and perfect justice meet- at the cross of Christ.

The Reformation marked a pivotal event in church history-namely, a return to the apostolic Gospel. In this Reformation Day message, Alistair Begg examines the good news of salvation as proclaimed in Romans 3- that a right standing with God is not something that we are called to produce but something which God has chosen to provide to us as a gift by faith in Jesus. Only the cross of Calvary can bring undeserving sinners into a living relationship with a holy God.

After rebelling against his father, King David, Absalom sought counsel from David's former servant, Ahithophel. A traitor to the crown, Ahithophel entreated Absalom to grant him permission to kill David himself. But the Lord had ordained to defeat Ahithophel's counsel by causing Absalom to seek secondary advice. This interplay between the sovereignty of God and human responsibility, notes Alistair Begg, is the divine fulcrum upon which life hinges, showing us that God is at work in everything to bring about His good purposes.

God's providence is often fulfilled in unexpected ways and with seemingly insignificant people. Looking to 2 Samuel 17, Alistair Begg explains how the actions of two spies and a quick-thinking woman at a well helped save David's kingdom. Strange as it may seem, God used their bravery as well as their deception-and even the suicide of the defector Ahithophel-to fulfill His plan for King David. As believers in Christ, we can rest on the promise that nothing, not even our sin, can thwart God's purposes for those He loves.

God uses all things for His glory-even as He used Absalom's insurrection against His anointed king, David. In this sermon from 2 Samuel 16, Alistair Begg explains how Hushai the Archite, David's loyal friend and spy, and Ahithophel, a traitor to the king, both acted under God's sovereign hand. A thousand years later, Jesus would face a similar betrayal, and in His death, God's ultimate plan-our redemption-would be fulfilled.

Forsaken and opposed by those closest to him, including his traitorous son Absalom, King David sought refuge in the wilderness. But evil pursued him. David was deceived by a trusted servant and then cursed by Shimei, a relative of Saul. As Alistair Begg explains, David understood Shimei's cursing in light of Nathan's prophecy that God would discipline David for his sin-though He would also never remove His steadfast love and mercy. God does not offer grace begrudgingly. Rather, it is freely given to all who come to Him in repentance and faith.

After some measure of reconciliation with King David, Absalom began to build his public image. For four years he sowed a spirit of discontent among the Israelites and offered himself as their hope for resolution. Absalom's persona fed his political objective-namely, to usurp David's throne. In response to his son's rebellion, David fled Jerusalem-a decision, notes Alistair Begg, made not out of fear but in the wisdom and knowledge that no manmade plot can overturn God's steadfast love and faithfulness toward His people.

Intervening on behalf of David's kingdom, Joab conspired with a wise woman to resolve the conflict between the king and his son Absalom. When David acquiesced, Absalom returned to Jerusalem unpunished, unforgiven, and unashamed-and the saga of alienation and disruption within David's family and kingdom continued. Reminding us that sin always ends in tears, Alistair Begg directs our gaze forward to the cross, where, with open arms, King Jesus graciously welcomes believers out of the chaos and shambles of rebellious lives.