2 Samuel 15-18
To say that David was a “faulty father” might just be an understatement.
Yesterday, I reminded us that David’s son, Amnon took advantage of his half-sister, David’s daughter, Tamar. The Bible says that “David was furious” about this (2 Samuel 13:21), but nowhere do we read that David ever did anything about Amnon’s sin!
David’s son and Tamar’s brother, Absalom, took note of this. After two years, taking matters into his own hands, he arranged for Amnon’s murder. Though Absalom fled, he needn’t have worried; David would not have held him accountable for his actions. Absalom, who was said to be exquisitely handsome, (2 Samuel 14:25) was David’s favorite.
So, after three years, Absalom returned and began to undermine David’s rule. After a few more years, he garnered enough support to attempt a coup, forcing David to evacuate Jerusalem. There is a vivid picture of David leaving the city, climbing the Mount of Olives, weeping. (This is the same place from which Jesus would enter Jerusalem weeping on Palm Sunday—Luke 19:37-44.)
David’s exile and Absalom’s revolt led to civil war. David did everything he could to fight the war without injuring his rebellious son, but, in the end, Absalom was mercilessly speared to death while hanging in a tree by his long beautiful hair.
David, a failed father, was inconsolable. Lord, help us to learn from David’s mistakes!
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
MARCH 28 2 SAMUEL 11-14
2 Samuel 11-14
We knew it couldn’t last. David had trusted the Lord as a young shepherd, a giant-slayer, a court musician and a warrior. He had been faithful to God’s word, even when the king turned on him, tried to spear him to the wall, and chased him all over the land. Twice, he could have killed that king, and twice he refused to harm the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 26:11). When Saul and Jonathan were killed, he did not strive for power; he waited. First, the tribe of Judah anointed him king; ythen, all the rest. He saw success after success on the field of battle. He conquered Jerusalem and established it as the political and religious center of the kingdom. He successfully defended Israel from all attacks.
And then, one day...
David sent the troops out to fight, and he stayed in Jerusalem. “Idle hands…” the old saying begins. Though he had a number of wives, he lusted for the one belonged to one of his soldiers. He compounded this adultery by arranging the murder of her husband. And he took her for his own.
Two things saved David: 1) He had a friend (Nathan) who was willing to speak God’s truth to him, and 2) he had a heart-felt repentant response of faith. He and Bathsheba lost their first child, but God had regained his child, David, as he returned to the Lord’s house and worshipped (2 Samuel 12:20). When confronted with our sin, may we respond as David did!
Though David was restored, though he and Bathsheba bore another son, Solomon, David’s indiscretion seems to have set loose a sin virus in the royal family. Nothing would be as it was; the innocence was lost. In chapter 13, David’s nephew, Jonadab, encourages David’s son, Amnon, to have his way with his half-sister, David’s daughter, Tamar. Absalom, Tamar’s full brother, bides his time and, after two years, murders his half-brother, Amnon. Absalom flees Jerusalem until everything calms down.
But tomorrow, it will boil over again.
Until then,
Pastor Gary
We knew it couldn’t last. David had trusted the Lord as a young shepherd, a giant-slayer, a court musician and a warrior. He had been faithful to God’s word, even when the king turned on him, tried to spear him to the wall, and chased him all over the land. Twice, he could have killed that king, and twice he refused to harm the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 26:11). When Saul and Jonathan were killed, he did not strive for power; he waited. First, the tribe of Judah anointed him king; ythen, all the rest. He saw success after success on the field of battle. He conquered Jerusalem and established it as the political and religious center of the kingdom. He successfully defended Israel from all attacks.
And then, one day...
David sent the troops out to fight, and he stayed in Jerusalem. “Idle hands…” the old saying begins. Though he had a number of wives, he lusted for the one belonged to one of his soldiers. He compounded this adultery by arranging the murder of her husband. And he took her for his own.
Two things saved David: 1) He had a friend (Nathan) who was willing to speak God’s truth to him, and 2) he had a heart-felt repentant response of faith. He and Bathsheba lost their first child, but God had regained his child, David, as he returned to the Lord’s house and worshipped (2 Samuel 12:20). When confronted with our sin, may we respond as David did!
Though David was restored, though he and Bathsheba bore another son, Solomon, David’s indiscretion seems to have set loose a sin virus in the royal family. Nothing would be as it was; the innocence was lost. In chapter 13, David’s nephew, Jonadab, encourages David’s son, Amnon, to have his way with his half-sister, David’s daughter, Tamar. Absalom, Tamar’s full brother, bides his time and, after two years, murders his half-brother, Amnon. Absalom flees Jerusalem until everything calms down.
But tomorrow, it will boil over again.
Until then,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, March 27, 2014
MARCH 27 2 SAMUEL 8-10
2 Samuel 8-10
These chapters solidify the impression we readers should have by now that God has indeed found in David, “a man after His own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14)
In chapters 8 and 10, we read of his military victories; his faithful defense of God’s people against the godless nations around them.
But it’s in chapter 9 that we see in David a mercy, a loyalty and a faithfulness so deep that Jesus (David’s descendant) shines through.
Because of the civil wars and political intrigues of the northern tribes, nearly all of King Saul’s descendants had been killed. Only one, Mephibosheth, a grandson of Saul and a son of Jonathan, survived. And he had been crippled since childhood. David had made a promise, a blood covenant, with Jonathan to show “steadfast love” to Jonathan’s family forever. (1 Samuel 20:15)
Here in 2 Samuel 9, David seeks any of Saul’s family that might have survived these perilous times, and learns of Mephibosheth. When Mephibosheth is summoned to King David, there’s no telling what he thought would happen to him. But David returns his ancestral lands to him and invites him to eat at the King’s table for the rest of his life. Mephibosheth is dumbfounded, but manages to squeak, “Who is your servant, that you should show favor for a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8)
Many have seen in David’s actions, a picture of Christ’s. We are like Mephibosheth, crippled by sin and undeserving of Christ’s kindness. But, just as David was faithful to the blood covenant he made with Jonathan, so Jesus is faithful to the blood covenant He made with us. Though crippled by sin, Jesus forgives us and invites us to eat with Him at the King’s table forever!
Tomorrow, we discover that David is not perfect!
Pastor Gary
These chapters solidify the impression we readers should have by now that God has indeed found in David, “a man after His own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14)
In chapters 8 and 10, we read of his military victories; his faithful defense of God’s people against the godless nations around them.
But it’s in chapter 9 that we see in David a mercy, a loyalty and a faithfulness so deep that Jesus (David’s descendant) shines through.
Because of the civil wars and political intrigues of the northern tribes, nearly all of King Saul’s descendants had been killed. Only one, Mephibosheth, a grandson of Saul and a son of Jonathan, survived. And he had been crippled since childhood. David had made a promise, a blood covenant, with Jonathan to show “steadfast love” to Jonathan’s family forever. (1 Samuel 20:15)
Here in 2 Samuel 9, David seeks any of Saul’s family that might have survived these perilous times, and learns of Mephibosheth. When Mephibosheth is summoned to King David, there’s no telling what he thought would happen to him. But David returns his ancestral lands to him and invites him to eat at the King’s table for the rest of his life. Mephibosheth is dumbfounded, but manages to squeak, “Who is your servant, that you should show favor for a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8)
Many have seen in David’s actions, a picture of Christ’s. We are like Mephibosheth, crippled by sin and undeserving of Christ’s kindness. But, just as David was faithful to the blood covenant he made with Jonathan, so Jesus is faithful to the blood covenant He made with us. Though crippled by sin, Jesus forgives us and invites us to eat with Him at the King’s table forever!
Tomorrow, we discover that David is not perfect!
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
MARCH 26 1 SAMUEL 5-7
1 Samuel 5-7
These are the steps David took, which allowed him to reign for forty years as Israel’s greatest king:
David is anointed king. After Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s son, had been murdered, the leaders of all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and asked him to be their king. So David was anointed king for the third time; the first was when Samuel anointed him as a boy, the second was when his tribe, the tribe of Judah, anointed him. Here, at last, all Israel, all 12 tribes, anoint him king!
David conquers Jerusalem. It’s not that Hebron was a bad place, but that Jerusalem was a neutral place, not belonging to any of the tribes. David conquered the arrogant Jebusites who lived there, took Jerusalem, and called it “the city of David.”
David defeats the Philistines. In his first test, he defeats Israel’s arch enemies, the Philistines, the same ones who were once represented by the mighty Goliath. David does to them what he did to him.
David brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. It was essential that David not just be the military and political leader of Israel, but their religious leader as well. After an aborted attempt to bring the Ark into the city (They had placed it on a cart, rather than carrying it, as the law instructed, and a man died), they finally brought in the Ark and placed it inside a makeshift tent (the old tabernacle had long been separated from the Ark). David danced before the Lord with all his might along the way.
David receives a renewal of the Covenant from the Lord. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had received the Covenant (promise) from the Lord. God led Moses and Joshua to renew the Covenant in their day. Here, God sends David’s trusted counselor, Nathan, with a fresh formation of the Covenant designating David’s house and his offspring’s kingdom will “endure forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). From our vantage, we can see Christ’s Kingdom promised!
Tomorrow, David continues to prove himself worthy of God’s anointing!
Pastor Gary
These are the steps David took, which allowed him to reign for forty years as Israel’s greatest king:
David is anointed king. After Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s son, had been murdered, the leaders of all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and asked him to be their king. So David was anointed king for the third time; the first was when Samuel anointed him as a boy, the second was when his tribe, the tribe of Judah, anointed him. Here, at last, all Israel, all 12 tribes, anoint him king!
David conquers Jerusalem. It’s not that Hebron was a bad place, but that Jerusalem was a neutral place, not belonging to any of the tribes. David conquered the arrogant Jebusites who lived there, took Jerusalem, and called it “the city of David.”
David defeats the Philistines. In his first test, he defeats Israel’s arch enemies, the Philistines, the same ones who were once represented by the mighty Goliath. David does to them what he did to him.
David brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. It was essential that David not just be the military and political leader of Israel, but their religious leader as well. After an aborted attempt to bring the Ark into the city (They had placed it on a cart, rather than carrying it, as the law instructed, and a man died), they finally brought in the Ark and placed it inside a makeshift tent (the old tabernacle had long been separated from the Ark). David danced before the Lord with all his might along the way.
David receives a renewal of the Covenant from the Lord. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had received the Covenant (promise) from the Lord. God led Moses and Joshua to renew the Covenant in their day. Here, God sends David’s trusted counselor, Nathan, with a fresh formation of the Covenant designating David’s house and his offspring’s kingdom will “endure forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). From our vantage, we can see Christ’s Kingdom promised!
Tomorrow, David continues to prove himself worthy of God’s anointing!
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
MARCH 25 1 SAMUEL 1-4
1 Samuel 1-4
At the end of 1 Samuel, both Saul and Jonathan lie dead, Jonathan from battle wounds, Saul from falling on his own sword.
Now David has a clear path to power; he should be king in no time, right? Wrong!
Only one of the 12 tribes is loyal to David; the other tribes anoint Ish-Bosheth, a son of Saul, as their king. And these first four chapters of 2 Samuel deal with the dark and disturbing series of events that take place during the time when God’s people have two kings.
When a man comes to David, taking credit for killing Saul; David asks, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand against the Lord’s anointed?” and executes him on the spot. There follows David’s poignant lament for his king and his friend.
David’s tribe anoints him king, and civil war breaks out. There is intrigue between David’s general, Joab. And Ish-bosheth’s general, Abner. Abner killed Joab’s brother in battle, but when he is falsely accused by Ish-bosheth of an indiscretion, he switches sides and comes over to David. Joab wastes no time in murdering Abner, and David laments how “strong and strong-willed” his general is (2 Samuel 3:39).
Finally, Ish-bosheth is murdered, and the murderes report to David expecting a reward. (Apparently, they hadn’t heard about the messenger who had reported Saul’s death!) Daivd has them executed as well!
Murder, lust for power, intrigue and civil war; it’s an inauspicious beginning to David’s reign.
Tomorrow, David centers his power in Jerusalem!
Pastor Gary
At the end of 1 Samuel, both Saul and Jonathan lie dead, Jonathan from battle wounds, Saul from falling on his own sword.
Now David has a clear path to power; he should be king in no time, right? Wrong!
Only one of the 12 tribes is loyal to David; the other tribes anoint Ish-Bosheth, a son of Saul, as their king. And these first four chapters of 2 Samuel deal with the dark and disturbing series of events that take place during the time when God’s people have two kings.
When a man comes to David, taking credit for killing Saul; David asks, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand against the Lord’s anointed?” and executes him on the spot. There follows David’s poignant lament for his king and his friend.
David’s tribe anoints him king, and civil war breaks out. There is intrigue between David’s general, Joab. And Ish-bosheth’s general, Abner. Abner killed Joab’s brother in battle, but when he is falsely accused by Ish-bosheth of an indiscretion, he switches sides and comes over to David. Joab wastes no time in murdering Abner, and David laments how “strong and strong-willed” his general is (2 Samuel 3:39).
Finally, Ish-bosheth is murdered, and the murderes report to David expecting a reward. (Apparently, they hadn’t heard about the messenger who had reported Saul’s death!) Daivd has them executed as well!
Murder, lust for power, intrigue and civil war; it’s an inauspicious beginning to David’s reign.
Tomorrow, David centers his power in Jerusalem!
Pastor Gary
Monday, March 24, 2014
MARCH 24 1 SAMUEL 27-31
1 Samuel 27-31
In Chapter 27, for the second time, David takes refuge in Philistia. The first time (in 1 Samuel 21:10-14) he pretended to be insane. Here in 1 Samuel 27, he pretends to be loyal to the Philistine leader. He doesn’t leave Philistia, until tension brings Israel and Philistia to the brink of war. The Philistine leaders don’t want a Jew in their midst while at war with Jews, so they ask David to go (1 Samuel 29). After leaving Philistia, David and his men fight and destroy the Amalekites, who had attacked and destroyed a Judean town, Ziklag.
While David is occupied there, Saul is so fearful of war with Philistia that he consults with a witch in Endor (1 Samuel 28), who “brings up” Samuel to speak to Saul. Samuel is as forthright with Saul in death as he was in life, and the encounter only heightens his fears. When war erupts (1 Samuel 31), Saul is mortally wounded and commands his armor-bearer to finish the job. When his servant refuses, Saul falls on his own sword and dies; a tragic end to the life of Israel’s first king.
How did Saul, the man with so much going for him, end up jealous, paranoid, murderous, and suicidal? It all began with his impatience and partial obedience back in 1 Samuel 13. Remember, it’s the little foxes that spoil the grapes (Song of Solomon 2:15).
Until tomorrow, when we begin Second Samuel,
Pastor Gary
In Chapter 27, for the second time, David takes refuge in Philistia. The first time (in 1 Samuel 21:10-14) he pretended to be insane. Here in 1 Samuel 27, he pretends to be loyal to the Philistine leader. He doesn’t leave Philistia, until tension brings Israel and Philistia to the brink of war. The Philistine leaders don’t want a Jew in their midst while at war with Jews, so they ask David to go (1 Samuel 29). After leaving Philistia, David and his men fight and destroy the Amalekites, who had attacked and destroyed a Judean town, Ziklag.
While David is occupied there, Saul is so fearful of war with Philistia that he consults with a witch in Endor (1 Samuel 28), who “brings up” Samuel to speak to Saul. Samuel is as forthright with Saul in death as he was in life, and the encounter only heightens his fears. When war erupts (1 Samuel 31), Saul is mortally wounded and commands his armor-bearer to finish the job. When his servant refuses, Saul falls on his own sword and dies; a tragic end to the life of Israel’s first king.
How did Saul, the man with so much going for him, end up jealous, paranoid, murderous, and suicidal? It all began with his impatience and partial obedience back in 1 Samuel 13. Remember, it’s the little foxes that spoil the grapes (Song of Solomon 2:15).
Until tomorrow, when we begin Second Samuel,
Pastor Gary
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