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.?
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Chapter 10 and 11
May 12, 2016
In chapter 10 David continues to consolidate his power and to enlarge the territory for the Jews. He was trying to show kindness to one of his neighbors (Ammonites) but they mistook his gesture as one of aggression. They took the people David had sent and shaved half of their hair and beards and also cut their clothes to expose their buttocks !! David put Joab is charge of going to fight with the Ammonites. The Ammonites hired Syrians to fight with them to defeat the Jews. After the Jews had defeated both of them, the Syrians and the Ammonites were both made slaves and David disabled their military by killing horses and horsemen and also by disabling chariots.
The spiritual lesson here is simple and powerful !! No matter how bad things look if God is on your side you will always win !! Joab was up against two very large armies and he put the outcome of the entire battle on God.Not only did they win the battle but were given many slaves and tribute from both nations ! God is good all the time.
Chapter 11 is one of the most famous stories in the bible. This is the story of David and Bathsheba.The Kings of different nations would go off to fight in the spring of the year. This particular year David did not go but sent Joab instead. As he stayed home he saw Bathsheba bathing from his porch and summoned her to the castle. Bathsheba became pregnant and told David. David summoned her husband from the war and tried to manipulate him into sleeping with his wife to make it look like the baby was Uriah's. When this failed David had Joab put him in the heaviest fighting and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba then became David's wife.Up to this point, David has committed adultery and murder. The chapter ends by saying , " But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord."
This chapter could be summed up by saying that idle hands are the devil's workshop. If David had been doing what he should have been doing and where he should have been, none of this would have happen ! However, remember that God called David a man after my own heart. We should take comfort that a man of God can fall and stumble. Do not judge David because we all stumble and fall short in God's eyes every day ! The good news is that God will restore us if we repent of our sin and short comings. We will see in the next chapter that there are consequences to be paid but we can be put back in good standing with our God !!!
In chapter 10 David continues to consolidate his power and to enlarge the territory for the Jews. He was trying to show kindness to one of his neighbors (Ammonites) but they mistook his gesture as one of aggression. They took the people David had sent and shaved half of their hair and beards and also cut their clothes to expose their buttocks !! David put Joab is charge of going to fight with the Ammonites. The Ammonites hired Syrians to fight with them to defeat the Jews. After the Jews had defeated both of them, the Syrians and the Ammonites were both made slaves and David disabled their military by killing horses and horsemen and also by disabling chariots.
The spiritual lesson here is simple and powerful !! No matter how bad things look if God is on your side you will always win !! Joab was up against two very large armies and he put the outcome of the entire battle on God.Not only did they win the battle but were given many slaves and tribute from both nations ! God is good all the time.
Chapter 11 is one of the most famous stories in the bible. This is the story of David and Bathsheba.The Kings of different nations would go off to fight in the spring of the year. This particular year David did not go but sent Joab instead. As he stayed home he saw Bathsheba bathing from his porch and summoned her to the castle. Bathsheba became pregnant and told David. David summoned her husband from the war and tried to manipulate him into sleeping with his wife to make it look like the baby was Uriah's. When this failed David had Joab put him in the heaviest fighting and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba then became David's wife.Up to this point, David has committed adultery and murder. The chapter ends by saying , " But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord."
This chapter could be summed up by saying that idle hands are the devil's workshop. If David had been doing what he should have been doing and where he should have been, none of this would have happen ! However, remember that God called David a man after my own heart. We should take comfort that a man of God can fall and stumble. Do not judge David because we all stumble and fall short in God's eyes every day ! The good news is that God will restore us if we repent of our sin and short comings. We will see in the next chapter that there are consequences to be paid but we can be put back in good standing with our God !!!
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Chapter 8 And 9
May 5, 2016
Chapter 8 continues to tell us how God has consolidated David's power through military conquests ! David subdues the Philistines then he defeats Moab. Half of the Moabites he kills and the other half he makes slaves. As his servants, they bring tribute to their master. Then David defeats Hadadezer the King of Zobah, David took 1,700 horsemen and hamstrung all the chariot horses save 100. When the Syrian's came to help King Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of the Syrian's.. The Syrians then became servant's to David and brought him tribute. David then put garrisons in Syria, Damascus, Moab, and Edom.
God was working through and for David ! He was defeating all the enemies of the Jews, enlarging their territory, and giving the new nation peace. In addition he was providing wealth and servants for the new nation. The spiritual lesson is the same for us as believers today !!! When we get saved and accept Jesus as our savior, God provides many things for us and takes care of us ! As an example He gives us the Holy Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit, He forgives our sin, softens our hearts, gives us all at least one spiritual gift. This and so much more are we given by our creator when we get saved !
Chapter 9 is a short chapter but contains so many spiritual truths ! It is about the kindness that David shows to Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. As discussed earlier, it was customary in those days to kill the entire line when one took over a kingdom. David was going out of his way to find any survivor of Saul's family to show them kindness. When they found Mephibosheth, this is what David did for the crippled grandson of King Saul : Let him eat at the Kings table for life, restored all property, money, land, animals that used to belong to the family, and gave him servants to work all the land for him. Wow that is awesome !!!
This chapter continues the same spiritual lesson that we learned in the last. Jesus goes about looking for people to be kind to ( dying on the cross ), then when he finds them and they accept His sacrifices, He give eternal life and allows us to eat from His table for ever !! There are so many gits, and actions that we owe thanks and praise to Jesus for just as Mephibosheth owes to David ! Just as he owes his life and livelihood to King David, so do we owe our life and eternity to King Jesus !! Praise Jesus !!
Chapter 8 continues to tell us how God has consolidated David's power through military conquests ! David subdues the Philistines then he defeats Moab. Half of the Moabites he kills and the other half he makes slaves. As his servants, they bring tribute to their master. Then David defeats Hadadezer the King of Zobah, David took 1,700 horsemen and hamstrung all the chariot horses save 100. When the Syrian's came to help King Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of the Syrian's.. The Syrians then became servant's to David and brought him tribute. David then put garrisons in Syria, Damascus, Moab, and Edom.
God was working through and for David ! He was defeating all the enemies of the Jews, enlarging their territory, and giving the new nation peace. In addition he was providing wealth and servants for the new nation. The spiritual lesson is the same for us as believers today !!! When we get saved and accept Jesus as our savior, God provides many things for us and takes care of us ! As an example He gives us the Holy Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit, He forgives our sin, softens our hearts, gives us all at least one spiritual gift. This and so much more are we given by our creator when we get saved !
Chapter 9 is a short chapter but contains so many spiritual truths ! It is about the kindness that David shows to Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. As discussed earlier, it was customary in those days to kill the entire line when one took over a kingdom. David was going out of his way to find any survivor of Saul's family to show them kindness. When they found Mephibosheth, this is what David did for the crippled grandson of King Saul : Let him eat at the Kings table for life, restored all property, money, land, animals that used to belong to the family, and gave him servants to work all the land for him. Wow that is awesome !!!
This chapter continues the same spiritual lesson that we learned in the last. Jesus goes about looking for people to be kind to ( dying on the cross ), then when he finds them and they accept His sacrifices, He give eternal life and allows us to eat from His table for ever !! There are so many gits, and actions that we owe thanks and praise to Jesus for just as Mephibosheth owes to David ! Just as he owes his life and livelihood to King David, so do we owe our life and eternity to King Jesus !! Praise Jesus !!
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Chapter 6 And 7
April 21,2016
The title of Chapter 6 is, " The Ark Brought To Jerusalem." Now that David had united all the tribes of Israel into a single country, he now wanted to unite the country behind God. The Ark had been built by the Jews at the instruction from God as a place where God would come to meet with His people.However the Jews had fallen away from God and had lost the Ark to the enemy ! So, David gathered all the men and people who were with him that totaled about 30,000, to bring back the Ark from the house of Abinadab. They had put the Ark on a cart pulled by an ox and were pulling it. At one point the Ark looked as if it were going to fall and Uzzah reached out to keep it from falling and kept it steady. God was angry and killed him instantly. David was scared that day and left the Ark at the house of Obed-Edom.
The spiritual lesson here is God's house is a holy place. Weather it is the Ark or heaven ! God makes the rules and failure to obey God's word leads to death. This message is the same for us today !! If you want to get to heaven, you must do as God says. The same is true if someone comes to your house.... YOU get to decide who comes into your house.
God had blessed Obed-Edom and when David saw this he went back and got the Ark and took it to Jerusalem. As he was bringing it into the city, David's wife Michal, saw David with his shirt off in the street dancing and celebrating the return of the Ark to Jerusalem and the return of God to the Jews !! She chastised David for this display and David put her right in her place. God showed all that David was right because from that moment on Michal never had any children !!!
Chapter 7 starts out that David wants to build a house for the Ark and ends by God blessing David !! David wanted to do the right thing for God and had planned on doing it. However God steps in through the profit Nathan and reminds David of all that God had done for the Jews and never had a house and never asked for one ! David then prays and gives thanks and prays to God. God answers by making a promise to David that will last forever and still is being work out by God. God makes many promises but one of them was to always have a seed of David on the throne.....Jesus is on the throne in heaven at God's right hand !!! Also he promises David that David's son will be the most famous and blessed king the world will ever know...the sons name was Solomon !!! The chapter ends with David in prayer saying to God let it be as you have said !!! This story has many similarities to the story in the New Testament of when Mary was told of her coming son and the promise of his life !!!
The title of Chapter 6 is, " The Ark Brought To Jerusalem." Now that David had united all the tribes of Israel into a single country, he now wanted to unite the country behind God. The Ark had been built by the Jews at the instruction from God as a place where God would come to meet with His people.However the Jews had fallen away from God and had lost the Ark to the enemy ! So, David gathered all the men and people who were with him that totaled about 30,000, to bring back the Ark from the house of Abinadab. They had put the Ark on a cart pulled by an ox and were pulling it. At one point the Ark looked as if it were going to fall and Uzzah reached out to keep it from falling and kept it steady. God was angry and killed him instantly. David was scared that day and left the Ark at the house of Obed-Edom.
The spiritual lesson here is God's house is a holy place. Weather it is the Ark or heaven ! God makes the rules and failure to obey God's word leads to death. This message is the same for us today !! If you want to get to heaven, you must do as God says. The same is true if someone comes to your house.... YOU get to decide who comes into your house.
God had blessed Obed-Edom and when David saw this he went back and got the Ark and took it to Jerusalem. As he was bringing it into the city, David's wife Michal, saw David with his shirt off in the street dancing and celebrating the return of the Ark to Jerusalem and the return of God to the Jews !! She chastised David for this display and David put her right in her place. God showed all that David was right because from that moment on Michal never had any children !!!
Chapter 7 starts out that David wants to build a house for the Ark and ends by God blessing David !! David wanted to do the right thing for God and had planned on doing it. However God steps in through the profit Nathan and reminds David of all that God had done for the Jews and never had a house and never asked for one ! David then prays and gives thanks and prays to God. God answers by making a promise to David that will last forever and still is being work out by God. God makes many promises but one of them was to always have a seed of David on the throne.....Jesus is on the throne in heaven at God's right hand !!! Also he promises David that David's son will be the most famous and blessed king the world will ever know...the sons name was Solomon !!! The chapter ends with David in prayer saying to God let it be as you have said !!! This story has many similarities to the story in the New Testament of when Mary was told of her coming son and the promise of his life !!!
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Chapter 5
April 9, 2016
There was no class last week, so there was no posting. If you came and found none I am sorry ! This week we will take a look at chapter 5.
At this point, David has consolidated his power and is anointed by the elders of Israel in the city of Hebron. David reigned a total of 40 years. In Hebron he ruled over Judah for 7 1/2 years and in Jerusalem he ruled over Israel for 33 years. At this point David went up to Jerusalem and conquered it from the Jebusites. This became the Capitol for David and was called " City of David ". The way that he motivated his people to conquer it was to promise who ever did would become the leader of his military. By establishing this as the capitol, he was able to unite all of Israel together in the land and to get rid of any wedge between them. From this point forward God prospers Israel and makes David a great King and God makes Israel a country that was feared.
When the Philistines had come down to fight Israel, David did something that was to be a life long practice : He inquired of God on every move he made !! This is a great example for us today. So may times we get an idea and then go do it and ask God to bless it. Here, David shows us to ask God what to do and God will always bless it. They attacked twice. First time God said attack and David and his men won. The second time God said no, circle around and attack from behind. Again they were victorious. With all the sins that David (and us) commit, God called David a man after my own heart! Why ? Because no matter what David always tried his best to do God's will. This is the number one lesson we can take away from chapter 5.... Strive always to listen and obey God's word, and you shall be a man or woman after God's own heart !!!
There was no class last week, so there was no posting. If you came and found none I am sorry ! This week we will take a look at chapter 5.
At this point, David has consolidated his power and is anointed by the elders of Israel in the city of Hebron. David reigned a total of 40 years. In Hebron he ruled over Judah for 7 1/2 years and in Jerusalem he ruled over Israel for 33 years. At this point David went up to Jerusalem and conquered it from the Jebusites. This became the Capitol for David and was called " City of David ". The way that he motivated his people to conquer it was to promise who ever did would become the leader of his military. By establishing this as the capitol, he was able to unite all of Israel together in the land and to get rid of any wedge between them. From this point forward God prospers Israel and makes David a great King and God makes Israel a country that was feared.
When the Philistines had come down to fight Israel, David did something that was to be a life long practice : He inquired of God on every move he made !! This is a great example for us today. So may times we get an idea and then go do it and ask God to bless it. Here, David shows us to ask God what to do and God will always bless it. They attacked twice. First time God said attack and David and his men won. The second time God said no, circle around and attack from behind. Again they were victorious. With all the sins that David (and us) commit, God called David a man after my own heart! Why ? Because no matter what David always tried his best to do God's will. This is the number one lesson we can take away from chapter 5.... Strive always to listen and obey God's word, and you shall be a man or woman after God's own heart !!!
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Chapters 3 And 4
March 24,2016
At this point in time the Jews are separated by Tribe. When David becomes King he is made King over Judah and Ishbosheth was King over the other eleven tribes. Ishbosheth was the son of King Saul and became King when Saul was killed. The leader of his military was Abner. Now Abner knew that David had been chosen and anointed King by Samuel on the word of God. So in an effort to be on the right side he approached David and was willing to deliver the eleven tribes under David and to unite Israel. David agreed and sent him on his way to bring the tribes to him so he can be anointed King. After he left, David's head of the military named Joab was upset that David was negotiating with this man !! Why ? Because Abner had killed Joab's relative. So, Joab went out and killed Abner. At this point David's men, unknown to David went out to kill Ishbosheth and all relatives so there could be no heirs to David's throne. They beheaded Ishbosheth and brought it to David as proof of his death. David had these men killed and mourned !! Why ? For the same reason he did not kill King Saul when he had the opportunity..... You do not mess with God's anointed !!!
David uses the opportunity of Ishbosheth's funeral to strengthen his hold and to consolidate his power over all 12 tribes of Israel. He writes a lament and reads it at the funeral and mourns loudly so all would know he had nothing to do with the murder. From this point on God will expand and protect Israel in land and power. The Jews will go on to defeat their enemies and for the first time they will become a single nation united in all ways and do God's will !!!
At this point in time the Jews are separated by Tribe. When David becomes King he is made King over Judah and Ishbosheth was King over the other eleven tribes. Ishbosheth was the son of King Saul and became King when Saul was killed. The leader of his military was Abner. Now Abner knew that David had been chosen and anointed King by Samuel on the word of God. So in an effort to be on the right side he approached David and was willing to deliver the eleven tribes under David and to unite Israel. David agreed and sent him on his way to bring the tribes to him so he can be anointed King. After he left, David's head of the military named Joab was upset that David was negotiating with this man !! Why ? Because Abner had killed Joab's relative. So, Joab went out and killed Abner. At this point David's men, unknown to David went out to kill Ishbosheth and all relatives so there could be no heirs to David's throne. They beheaded Ishbosheth and brought it to David as proof of his death. David had these men killed and mourned !! Why ? For the same reason he did not kill King Saul when he had the opportunity..... You do not mess with God's anointed !!!
David uses the opportunity of Ishbosheth's funeral to strengthen his hold and to consolidate his power over all 12 tribes of Israel. He writes a lament and reads it at the funeral and mourns loudly so all would know he had nothing to do with the murder. From this point on God will expand and protect Israel in land and power. The Jews will go on to defeat their enemies and for the first time they will become a single nation united in all ways and do God's will !!!
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Chapters 1 and 2
March 17, 2016
The star of 2 Samuel opens with the death of King Saul and his son Johnathan being told to David by the person who killed Saul. When David hears the whole story he calls for this person to be killed ! Even though the man thought he was doing the right thing by protecting him from being taken and abused by the enemy. This is a very important spiritual lesson that applies to all of us today ! In verse 14 of chapter 1, David says, " S David says to him," How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed ?"" This is true of ALL of God's anointed !! Weather you like or agree with them or not, never mess with His anointed ! They belong to Him and it is His responsibility to care for them.....not yours !!!
Jonathan was David's best friend. Yet the rest of chapter one is David's lament over King Saul and his best friend Johnathan. This lament was in the form of a poem and was made into a national war song. It was taught to all of Israel and was written by David in memory of King Saul and Johnathan.
Chapter 2 is about David being anointed in public as King of Judah. The leader of King Saul's army anoints another of Saul's boys as King of Israel. His name was Ishbosheth. At this time the Jews were spread out and were mostly a rag tag bunch of people. So here we have divided mostly into two groups, the small group makes David King and the largest group makes Saul's son their King !.Rather than an all out war, the House of David and the House of Saul had a mock war with the best fighters from each side to fight. Winner take all !They fought to a draw, but the battle got everyone excited and the House of David chased after and killed many from the House of Saul. This war lasted for several years and as time went on David got much stronger and Saul's house became much weaker !
The star of 2 Samuel opens with the death of King Saul and his son Johnathan being told to David by the person who killed Saul. When David hears the whole story he calls for this person to be killed ! Even though the man thought he was doing the right thing by protecting him from being taken and abused by the enemy. This is a very important spiritual lesson that applies to all of us today ! In verse 14 of chapter 1, David says, " S David says to him," How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed ?"" This is true of ALL of God's anointed !! Weather you like or agree with them or not, never mess with His anointed ! They belong to Him and it is His responsibility to care for them.....not yours !!!
Jonathan was David's best friend. Yet the rest of chapter one is David's lament over King Saul and his best friend Johnathan. This lament was in the form of a poem and was made into a national war song. It was taught to all of Israel and was written by David in memory of King Saul and Johnathan.
Chapter 2 is about David being anointed in public as King of Judah. The leader of King Saul's army anoints another of Saul's boys as King of Israel. His name was Ishbosheth. At this time the Jews were spread out and were mostly a rag tag bunch of people. So here we have divided mostly into two groups, the small group makes David King and the largest group makes Saul's son their King !.Rather than an all out war, the House of David and the House of Saul had a mock war with the best fighters from each side to fight. Winner take all !They fought to a draw, but the battle got everyone excited and the House of David chased after and killed many from the House of Saul. This war lasted for several years and as time went on David got much stronger and Saul's house became much weaker !
Saturday, March 12, 2016
2 Samuel ... Introduction
March 10, 2016
This book of the bible covers a period of about 135 years. It starts when the Jews were just a rag tag group of people being led by Judges and ends with the Jews being a firm nation ruled by King David. There are 24 chapters in this book, and we will break this blog down by week and by chapter. Each week we will write the notes from our study. We do not have any dead lines or goals of when to get done. Doing so tends to keep the Holy Spirit out of our study and our wish is that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth.
As we go through the bible we will set up a new blog for each book and each study we do. This will help you to locate what you want to study easily. Since there are 66 books in the bible and allowing for other studies, we could easily end up with around 70 different blogs ! That scares me to death ! I may not be an old man yet, but that will take many years to do. BUT..If I'm going to be old any way, I may as well grow old doing what I love.... teaching, reading, writing, and learning about Jesus and God's word !!!
I just hope you will enjoy using this blog as a tool to help you grow closer and learn more about our Lord and Savior Jesus !! I pray you will be blessed by this labor of love and will share it with your friends. I always try to use easy and simple language so that it is easy to understand.
This book of the bible covers a period of about 135 years. It starts when the Jews were just a rag tag group of people being led by Judges and ends with the Jews being a firm nation ruled by King David. There are 24 chapters in this book, and we will break this blog down by week and by chapter. Each week we will write the notes from our study. We do not have any dead lines or goals of when to get done. Doing so tends to keep the Holy Spirit out of our study and our wish is that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth.
As we go through the bible we will set up a new blog for each book and each study we do. This will help you to locate what you want to study easily. Since there are 66 books in the bible and allowing for other studies, we could easily end up with around 70 different blogs ! That scares me to death ! I may not be an old man yet, but that will take many years to do. BUT..If I'm going to be old any way, I may as well grow old doing what I love.... teaching, reading, writing, and learning about Jesus and God's word !!!
I just hope you will enjoy using this blog as a tool to help you grow closer and learn more about our Lord and Savior Jesus !! I pray you will be blessed by this labor of love and will share it with your friends. I always try to use easy and simple language so that it is easy to understand.
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