July 14, 2016
This will be the last entry for this blog !! We will be starting a new blog soon for another book of the bible. In chapter 22 we see David praising God with a psalm (song) that he has written. This psalm is several pages long and is written towards the end of David's life. In this long psalm David goes back over his life and talks about his relationship with God and how God has been awesome to him !!
Chapter 23 is also some last words (oracle) written and recorded as David's last words. In this he realizes that all of the psalms he has written are the divine word of God and inspired by the Holy Spirit. He also talks about leadership and how to be a great leader one must first realize that God is in charge and we are not !! We must ALWAYS put God first and do God's will. When anyone humbles themselves to God, God will lift them up !!! This chapter ends with giving the names and positions of all of David's mighty men.
The last chapter of 2 Samuel talks about the anger of God against David for taking a census. Why was this a sin ? First because God did not tell him to do it, and secondly David did it for prideful reasons. The sin was not the census but pride. When God points this out to David, David repents and God accepts. However, there are still results that must be paid ! God gives David the choice of three punishments. David throws himself on God's mercy and God puts a plague on the people. 70,000 people die and David buys an alter and makes sacrifices to God. God accepts and lifts the plague.The spiritual truth to be seen here is that giving to God that which does not cost you something, is no sacrifice in God's eyes.
We hope you have enjoyed this blog and pray you will join us on our next journey into God's word !!
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Chapter 21
July 7, 2016
This chapter continues to show that God is keeping his promise to David that he shall lead His people but have no peace. Chapter 21 starts with the story of David avenging the Gibeonites. 400 years before, Joshua had made a promise to the people of Gibea that they would never be attacked yet Saul had attacked them and killed many of their people. As the famine went into the third year David learned that the reason for the famine was because this promise had been broken ! So, David asks the people what would satisfy them . They asked for 7 men from the house of Saul so they may be hung. David turned these men over and they were hung. The famine was over !!!
Next was two battles with the Philistines. In the second battle David grows faint and is about to be killed by a descendant of Goliath. At the last second Abishai steps in and saves David by killing the giant. David continues to grow and so does Israel, but David continues to have no peace. The most pressing spiritual truth here is that God ALWAYS keeps His word.
This chapter continues to show that God is keeping his promise to David that he shall lead His people but have no peace. Chapter 21 starts with the story of David avenging the Gibeonites. 400 years before, Joshua had made a promise to the people of Gibea that they would never be attacked yet Saul had attacked them and killed many of their people. As the famine went into the third year David learned that the reason for the famine was because this promise had been broken ! So, David asks the people what would satisfy them . They asked for 7 men from the house of Saul so they may be hung. David turned these men over and they were hung. The famine was over !!!
Next was two battles with the Philistines. In the second battle David grows faint and is about to be killed by a descendant of Goliath. At the last second Abishai steps in and saves David by killing the giant. David continues to grow and so does Israel, but David continues to have no peace. The most pressing spiritual truth here is that God ALWAYS keeps His word.
Monday, July 4, 2016
Chapter 19 And 20
June 23, 2016
Chapter 19 deals with the follow up to the war. It involves healing wounds and making political decisions.Before any of that can happen David mourns for his dead son Absalom. He does it to such an extent that Joab, the leader of the army, confronts him and tells him he is disrespecting the men who had given him this great victory. This confrontation shows how powerful Joab was. He was rebuking the king and threatening him by saying if he did not show his thanks to the people, there would be trouble ! David listened and showed much appreciation to the people. Then David started to make political decisions to get his kingdom back and unite the 12 tribes. He appointed the leader of Absalom's army in a high position in his army, and forgave another man, named Shimei, who admitted he made a mistake and asked for forgiveness. He also restored half of the land to Mephibosheth. This was a poor decision because David had taken away all of his land when he thought he had been disloyal. He was always loyal !!!And for his loyalty he got only half returned to him.Yet David was actively trying to restore peace and unity in Israel. For the most part he was successful.
Chapter 20 tells of yet another rebellion happening in David's kingdom.Sheba, a Benjamite, was leading a rebellion and David recognized how dangerous this one was. He now makes the call he refused to make against Absalom. He got 12,000 men together and started chasing this man down to kill him. They had chased him into a fortified city and began laying siege works against this city. When a woman spokesman yells out and promises to deliver this one man if they will leave the city alone ! Sure enough they threw the head of Sheba over the wall. They had beheaded him !!! David's army kept their word and left the city alone.
Through this all we can see that God is keeping his word to David that he would never have peace in his family or kingdom. Yet God continues to watch over and protect David and still calls him a man after his own heart !! Praise God.
Chapter 19 deals with the follow up to the war. It involves healing wounds and making political decisions.Before any of that can happen David mourns for his dead son Absalom. He does it to such an extent that Joab, the leader of the army, confronts him and tells him he is disrespecting the men who had given him this great victory. This confrontation shows how powerful Joab was. He was rebuking the king and threatening him by saying if he did not show his thanks to the people, there would be trouble ! David listened and showed much appreciation to the people. Then David started to make political decisions to get his kingdom back and unite the 12 tribes. He appointed the leader of Absalom's army in a high position in his army, and forgave another man, named Shimei, who admitted he made a mistake and asked for forgiveness. He also restored half of the land to Mephibosheth. This was a poor decision because David had taken away all of his land when he thought he had been disloyal. He was always loyal !!!And for his loyalty he got only half returned to him.Yet David was actively trying to restore peace and unity in Israel. For the most part he was successful.
Chapter 20 tells of yet another rebellion happening in David's kingdom.Sheba, a Benjamite, was leading a rebellion and David recognized how dangerous this one was. He now makes the call he refused to make against Absalom. He got 12,000 men together and started chasing this man down to kill him. They had chased him into a fortified city and began laying siege works against this city. When a woman spokesman yells out and promises to deliver this one man if they will leave the city alone ! Sure enough they threw the head of Sheba over the wall. They had beheaded him !!! David's army kept their word and left the city alone.
Through this all we can see that God is keeping his word to David that he would never have peace in his family or kingdom. Yet God continues to watch over and protect David and still calls him a man after his own heart !! Praise God.
Chapter 17 And 18
June 16,2016
Just as the last chapter was about mans loyalty to man, this chapter is about God's loyalty to man. In this story Absalom was being advised by two men, one of which was a spy for David, his name was Hushai. Both advisers gave their idea of the next step to take to take over the kingdom from David. God had determined to answer David's prayer and preserve the kingdom for David. Therefore, God put it in Absalom's heart to accept the advice of David's spy Hushai.. His advise was designed to give David and his men enough time to prepare for the army coming at them ! After Hushai found out that his plan was being accepted, he went to the priests to get a message to David telling him of the plan and advising David to flee.
Chapter 18 continues to tell the story of Absalom and his army trying to take over David's kingdom. The battle is rough and 20,000 men were lost. In the end Absalom and his men were fleeing. When the donkey that Absalom was riding on went under a tree and Absalom's hair got caught in a branch and he was hanging there. When Joab heard this he was furious !! He went to him and asked his men why they had not killed Absalom ? The men responded that King David had said not to harm him in any way. Joab was angry and he killed Absalom himself.....he killed the King's son !! Joab was very slick, he devised a plan that would allow David to learn of his sons death without letting him know who had killed him. This whole story shows all about loyalty. Mans lack of loyalty to man and God's loyalty to man !!!
Just as the last chapter was about mans loyalty to man, this chapter is about God's loyalty to man. In this story Absalom was being advised by two men, one of which was a spy for David, his name was Hushai. Both advisers gave their idea of the next step to take to take over the kingdom from David. God had determined to answer David's prayer and preserve the kingdom for David. Therefore, God put it in Absalom's heart to accept the advice of David's spy Hushai.. His advise was designed to give David and his men enough time to prepare for the army coming at them ! After Hushai found out that his plan was being accepted, he went to the priests to get a message to David telling him of the plan and advising David to flee.
Chapter 18 continues to tell the story of Absalom and his army trying to take over David's kingdom. The battle is rough and 20,000 men were lost. In the end Absalom and his men were fleeing. When the donkey that Absalom was riding on went under a tree and Absalom's hair got caught in a branch and he was hanging there. When Joab heard this he was furious !! He went to him and asked his men why they had not killed Absalom ? The men responded that King David had said not to harm him in any way. Joab was angry and he killed Absalom himself.....he killed the King's son !! Joab was very slick, he devised a plan that would allow David to learn of his sons death without letting him know who had killed him. This whole story shows all about loyalty. Mans lack of loyalty to man and God's loyalty to man !!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Chapter 16
June 9, 2016
This chapter deals mostly with politics and intrigue as David is on the run from his son Absalom. Absalom has planned treason against his father and has him on the run. While running, David comes upon Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the one that was left when David became king and the House of Saul was no longer in power. Ziba gave David bad information about the loyalty of Mephibosheth. Ziba told David that he was a traitor and David made a rash decision and gave all of the belongings of Mephibosheth to Ziba !!! In reality Mephibosheth was loyal and a true friend to David.
Also in this chapter David's plan to plant a spy in Absalom's camp comes to fruition. Hushai goes to Absalom and pledges loyalty to him. Absalom asks advice from his closest adviser, Ahithophel. He advises him to sleep with David's concubines for all of Israel to see ! This was a way in those days to show contempt and power to take sleep with the King's women ! So Absalom did.
The one spiritual truth that runs through this chapter is about loyalty ! It is hard to know where people are based on their words and actions. The one that was loyal to David was lied about. The one that was not loyal to Absalom was believed ! The only one that is true and loyal is God and not man !!
This chapter deals mostly with politics and intrigue as David is on the run from his son Absalom. Absalom has planned treason against his father and has him on the run. While running, David comes upon Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the one that was left when David became king and the House of Saul was no longer in power. Ziba gave David bad information about the loyalty of Mephibosheth. Ziba told David that he was a traitor and David made a rash decision and gave all of the belongings of Mephibosheth to Ziba !!! In reality Mephibosheth was loyal and a true friend to David.
Also in this chapter David's plan to plant a spy in Absalom's camp comes to fruition. Hushai goes to Absalom and pledges loyalty to him. Absalom asks advice from his closest adviser, Ahithophel. He advises him to sleep with David's concubines for all of Israel to see ! This was a way in those days to show contempt and power to take sleep with the King's women ! So Absalom did.
The one spiritual truth that runs through this chapter is about loyalty ! It is hard to know where people are based on their words and actions. The one that was loyal to David was lied about. The one that was not loyal to Absalom was believed ! The only one that is true and loyal is God and not man !!
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Chapter 14 And 15
June 2, 2016
Many of us could certainly relate to Absolom who murdered his brother for raping his sister !! If there was ever a case for justified homicide, this was it. However, in this one story we see what a bad parent David was. Out of three kids he had a rape victim, a rapist and a murderer. In chapter 14 as the story continues Absolom has fled out of the kingdom and David lets him go. 3 years later, Joab convinces David by using a female to tell a story to allow Absolom to come back. David discerns what Joab has done and yet allows it to happen. What was the motivation of Joab ? If he was responsible for reuniting David with his son, Joab's position would be strengthened with David ! This was not about helping David but it was about power and control ! Bad parenting always has consequences, and David has found that out and is going to continue to learn this lesson over and over ! At this point David has lost one son and is estranged from the other. David's decision to allow Absolom to return and the only consequence was that he could not see his father, was another example of poor parenting. Let's go to chapter 15 and see how this decision worked out for David.
After David had allowed Absolom to return to the city, Absolom would go to the entrance to the city and meet all the people who came in and out. He was undermining David to all the people so that he could win the hearts and minds of the people. Why ?? Absolom was planning treason on his father and the King, David !!! After the plot is hatched and Absolom is coming to the city with a lot of people and horses and chariot, David finds out about the plot and flees the city ! He takes with him most of his household and the Ark of the Covenant. After David has a chance to prepare and think, does he decide to fight and take back his kingdom ? No !!! He decides to plant a spy in Absoloms inner circle. As the chapter ends we can see that this saga is not over and yet David continues to make one bad decision after another. One observation... David never prays and asks God what to do !! This was not how David operated..... he always asked God what to do.
Many of us could certainly relate to Absolom who murdered his brother for raping his sister !! If there was ever a case for justified homicide, this was it. However, in this one story we see what a bad parent David was. Out of three kids he had a rape victim, a rapist and a murderer. In chapter 14 as the story continues Absolom has fled out of the kingdom and David lets him go. 3 years later, Joab convinces David by using a female to tell a story to allow Absolom to come back. David discerns what Joab has done and yet allows it to happen. What was the motivation of Joab ? If he was responsible for reuniting David with his son, Joab's position would be strengthened with David ! This was not about helping David but it was about power and control ! Bad parenting always has consequences, and David has found that out and is going to continue to learn this lesson over and over ! At this point David has lost one son and is estranged from the other. David's decision to allow Absolom to return and the only consequence was that he could not see his father, was another example of poor parenting. Let's go to chapter 15 and see how this decision worked out for David.
After David had allowed Absolom to return to the city, Absolom would go to the entrance to the city and meet all the people who came in and out. He was undermining David to all the people so that he could win the hearts and minds of the people. Why ?? Absolom was planning treason on his father and the King, David !!! After the plot is hatched and Absolom is coming to the city with a lot of people and horses and chariot, David finds out about the plot and flees the city ! He takes with him most of his household and the Ark of the Covenant. After David has a chance to prepare and think, does he decide to fight and take back his kingdom ? No !!! He decides to plant a spy in Absoloms inner circle. As the chapter ends we can see that this saga is not over and yet David continues to make one bad decision after another. One observation... David never prays and asks God what to do !! This was not how David operated..... he always asked God what to do.
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Chapter 12 and 13
May 26, 2016
Chapter 12 is full of spiritual lessons. Today we are going to concentrate on two of them. The first is that even when we sin God loves us and will make a way for us to come back to him ! That is not to say that there are no consequences. David had committed murder and adultery and yet God made a way back for David through the prophet Nathan. Now the consequences that David would pay would last his whole life and cost him his son !!! Which leads us to the second spiritual truth in this chapter. The whole time David's son was alive , David fasted and wept and prayed. Then when the baby died he got up and ate and cleaned up. This is exactly the opposite that we would expect from a father. When David was asked about his behavior his reply was that as long as the child was alive, maybe God would save his life. After he died there was nothing he could do and besides he would be with him again !!What did David mean ? He meant that his child was in heaven and David would be with him again when he died and went to heaven. This is the spiritual truth ... You do not have to be baptized to go to heaven !!!
This chapter is a very sorted story of incest and murder in the King's family. David's son Amnon lures his half sister to his bed and rapes her. When his brother Absalom hears of this he sets a trap and murders Amnom. When I read this story it makes me wonder what kind of father David was ! He has raised a rapist and a murderer and the scripture says that David was very mad... but had no consequences for the murderer !! Now Absalom runs away and hides but David ends up accepting him back later on... again with no consequences !! It also makes me wonder about David being called a man after God's own heart when he was such a bad father. I know that the reason is the heart and I know that David was passionate for God, but what about the people David touched and his behavior towards them.?
Chapter 12 is full of spiritual lessons. Today we are going to concentrate on two of them. The first is that even when we sin God loves us and will make a way for us to come back to him ! That is not to say that there are no consequences. David had committed murder and adultery and yet God made a way back for David through the prophet Nathan. Now the consequences that David would pay would last his whole life and cost him his son !!! Which leads us to the second spiritual truth in this chapter. The whole time David's son was alive , David fasted and wept and prayed. Then when the baby died he got up and ate and cleaned up. This is exactly the opposite that we would expect from a father. When David was asked about his behavior his reply was that as long as the child was alive, maybe God would save his life. After he died there was nothing he could do and besides he would be with him again !!What did David mean ? He meant that his child was in heaven and David would be with him again when he died and went to heaven. This is the spiritual truth ... You do not have to be baptized to go to heaven !!!
This chapter is a very sorted story of incest and murder in the King's family. David's son Amnon lures his half sister to his bed and rapes her. When his brother Absalom hears of this he sets a trap and murders Amnom. When I read this story it makes me wonder what kind of father David was ! He has raised a rapist and a murderer and the scripture says that David was very mad... but had no consequences for the murderer !! Now Absalom runs away and hides but David ends up accepting him back later on... again with no consequences !! It also makes me wonder about David being called a man after God's own heart when he was such a bad father. I know that the reason is the heart and I know that David was passionate for God, but what about the people David touched and his behavior towards them.?
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