Category: 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, and Psalm 30

~ Patricia ~ 5 Comments

Today we end 2 Samuel.  Can you believe it!  You have been reading for 144 days.  That’s crazy!

This can be confusing if you just read 2 Samuel and not 1 Chronicles with it at the same time.  1 Chronicles starts with:

“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.”

There are many reasons to take a census: organizing a battle, taxing the people, BUT David’s motives were neither.  I am not sure if Satan incited a lack of trust in David that the Lord would win his battles for him regardless of his military size or pride in David’s accumulation.   Either way,  God allowed Satan to test him and he failed.   Even ruthless Joab said “What??” But David ordered him anyway.  As a leader, David’s actions brought a consequence to Israel.  God gave David an option for the consequence:

‘Take your choice:

  1. three years of famine, 
  2. three months of being swept away before your enemies, with their swords overtaking you,
  3. or three days of the sword of the Lord—days of plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord ravaging every part of Israel.

Now then, decide how I should answer the one who sent me.

  • Option 1 would put David/Israelites’ survival in the hands of men, merchants, and farmers to survive
  • Option 2 would put David/Israelites’ survival in the hands of his enemies
  • Option 3 would put David/Israelites’ survival in the hands of God

Who is more merciful: men or God?

David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” (He chose Option 3)

God took the very thing that David put his confidence in his “70 units” of military strength.  God is a God of mercy and He relented.

David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Lord my God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.” There it is!  David is back.  The man after God’s own heart! ❤️

OK, are you ready for this??   

BIG MOMENT!! 

The Temple Location is Chosen.

  • Back in Deuteronomy 12:5 (Before the Hebrews even entered the Promised Land), God said “But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go”
  • Wait it gets better!  I am a bit unglued already with excitement.  God always knew where His Temple would be built…Go back even further to Genesis 22.  Abraham’s testing.  He was told to sacrifice his son (his one and only son), but a substitute was provided.  Where was that incident??2 Gen 22: Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
    • If you do not remember this OR jumped in late.  PLEASE go back and read it.  God was giving a complete foreshadow of the Cross.  Click here for that reading.  Even if you remember it…revisit it!
    • The region of Mt. Moriah is the region of Mt. Zion (Zion means “marked”).  God always marked the spot!
  • In 2 Samuel 7 (The Davidic Covenant) David was told by God- “And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.”

I digress!  Back to today’s reading:  2 Sam 24:18: “On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” So David went up, as the Lord had commanded through Gad.”  King David bought that land, under the instruction of God, and it was on that site the first temple was built. The threshing floor of arauna

This is where the Temple will be built:

The Dome of the Rock stands in its place today, see picture below.  The rock inside the dome is where Islamic people believe Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac….but it is also the same rock where Islamic people believe Muhammad transcended to Heaven to hang out with prophets like Moses and Jesus, so they built a Mosque there until he, Muhammad,  returns).  Anyway, back to facts…😉, the Bible…not fiction 😂)

Western Wall with the Dome of the Rock in background | Flickr

God chose a Threshing Floor.  Threshing is essentially dividing – separating the wheat from the chaff. Threshing is weaved throughout the whole Bible.  Even in the Psalms, we read about the contrast between the wicked and the righteous.  But my favorite is in the Gospel when John the Baptist is baptizing believers he says:

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

1 Chronicles 22- David begins collecting an enormous amount of material to build the Temple so the Ark of the Covenant could dwell there.  But we call it Solomon’s Temple (not David’s Temple) for a reason.

‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.  But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

But….keep reading…a big IF is coming.  verse 13:
 so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

Well, what’s your prediction?  Will Solomon observe the decrees and laws??

Don’t forget to read Psalm 30!

2 Samuel 22-23 and Psalm 57

~ Patricia ~ 2 Comments

We began 1 Samuel with Hannah’s Song of Praise, it is only fitting we end Samuel with David’s Song of Praise.  This song is almost identical to Psalm 18.  We haven’t read it yet so I posted I attached it.   OK, I wrote a section-by-section cross-reference post and deleted it because each person is going to read a particular stanza and it will be JUST for them.

Chapter 23:  David’s last words:   We have been reading about David since April 12th.  We took a 40 day Journey on David. Here are his last words:

“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
    the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
    the hero of Israel’s songs:

2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
    his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke,
    the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
    when he rules in the fear of God,
4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise
    on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
    that brings grass from the earth.’

5 “If my house were not right with God,
    surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,
    arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
    and grant me my every desire.
6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,
    which are not gathered with the hand.
7 Whoever touches thorns
    uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
    they are burned up where they lie.”

David’s last words centered with a prophecy of the Messiah.  Similar prophecies are recorded in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah. However, a beautiful confession from David is in verse 2 where he gives all his credit to God who used him as a vessel.

David’s Mighty Men:  We know that the Lord fought his battles for him, but David knew the value of his warriors.  Thirty-Seven of his men deserved special credit for their commitment to David (and the Lord), but The Three were singled out above the rest.

  • Josheb-Basshebeth killed 800 men at one time
  • Eleazar single handily struck down the Philistines
  • Shammah refused to flee and stood his ground and was successful.

Verse 23-39

Thirty heroes are mentioned that were picked from many parts of Israel including Saul’s capital city.  Now that we have read, I am betting you might recognize some of the names at the end 😁.

Psalm 57.  When I read this Psalm I went to my computer and tried to find a worship song that went with it and I just couldn’t find the right feel to it.  What song did you think of?

10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

 

 

(Here is the Psalm that matched David’s Song of Praise

Click here to see Psalm 18

2 Samuel 19-21

~ Patricia ~ 2 Comments

Chapter 19 starts mid-story with David finding out Absolom has been killed.  Although David’s response is understandable as a father, he ignored his responsibility to the ones that put their lives on the line for him.  Joab gives him a reality check because he feared if David continued mourning him publically he would lose his supporters as King. Joab was really being selfish because if David loses rank it will affect Joab’s high position.   Even though the rebellion started in Judah, by naming Amasa the new commander, it brought peace back into Judah.

You may have picked that the Hebrews are referred to as one of two categories.   Think of it as North and the South.  Eventually, the kingdom will divide in TWO, the two sides will be named Judah and Israel.  This book was written later in history so the writer refers to them as Judah OR Israel.  (We are not divided yet, but we are getting there soon) 😢. This is what it WILL look like:

History in the Bible Podcast | The Two Kingdoms of Israel and Judah

As we read, we can see seeds that the nation is already dividing.  The split between David and Absolom is a major event that truly never healed and it is obvious that David favors the South.

In chapter 19 a man named Shimei asked for forgiveness.  He was the guy who threw rocks at David in chapter 16!  David sees Saul’s grandson (Jonathon’s son) Mephibosheth who admits his servant lied to David; David acts kindly and splits Saul’s estate anyway.

Chapter 20-Sheba a Benjaminite.

Notice that it specifically says Sheba was a Benjaminite, so you have to ask yourself…does that matter?  Yes.  Saul was a Benjaminite so we are still seeing the ripple effect in the tribes from when Saul lost his kingship.  There is a phrase in chapter 20 that I picked up on several times “Joab’s men”. Wasn’t it David’s men??  Take note to these small details as you read.  David’s lack of decisive leadership has caused men to be faithful to Joab so much so that they are referred to as “Joab’s men”.

“A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. “Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”

The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”  You go girl!  (I added that last part)  

Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

I could hang with this woman!

Chapter 21-  We begin the LAST four chapters of 2 Samuel.  The last 4 chapters are like an appendix and not in chronological order.  (Arggg, that makes it tough for us) So if it all made sense to you, you can stop reading here.  Otherwise, I will recap some of this if you were as confused as I was this morning.

In these chapters, there are 2 incidents describing God’s wrath against Israel mixed in with some victories of David.  We will read one of them today.

  • Back in Joshua 9 (seems forever ago), Joshua was attempting to conquer the Promised Land and he was tricked into making a treaty with the Gibeonites,  located in the Benjaminite territory.
      • However, Saul violated this treaty attacking them and killing a bunch.  As a punishment for breaking the treaty, the Lord afflicted the land with a famine for 3 years during David’s reign.  When David discovers the reason for this famine he meets with the surviving Gibeonites and agrees to the request that seven of Saul’s male descendants should be killed in Saul’s capital.

Remember David will ALWAYS keep his covenant with Jonathon so his son Mephibosheth is spared.  The seven were put to death in April (how do I know? It’s Barley season baby) and the LINE OF SAUL IS WIPED OUT!  YIKES!

Normally the dead were buried quickly but not in this case.  The bodies were exposed until God lifted the famine and rain fell.  Then respectfully, the bodies were all gathered as a family and buried with Saul and Jonathon.

verse 15-22 is a series of battles between the Philistines and the Israelites (not necessarily in chronological order).

I found this reading complicated.  Maybe it’s just me.  😉 We are rounding the corner to introduce Solomon and some major historical events!  Hang in there.

2 Samuel 16-18

~ Patricia ~ 3 Comments

Your handout that looks like this will help you today if you look for some of the names.

David 18+ wives david_s_family_tree.gif (963×731) Polygamy family | Bible family tree, Family bible study, Bible genealogy

Names in the reading:

  • Ziba- he was originally Saul’s servant but then became his grandson’s (Mephibosheth) servant.  Ziba is a liar!
  • Shimei– the stone thrower (from Saul’s tribe)
  • Absolom- the third son of King David, (proclaimed himself king)
  • Abishai- Joab’s brother.  He is loyal to the king.
  • Ahithophel-originally David’s councilor but betrayed him and went to team Absolom.
  • Joab- David’s nephew, army commander (lacks self-control)
  • Hushai-a servant of David sent to Jerusalem as a spy for David against Absalom
  • Zadok-Priests carrying the Ark
  • Abaithar– priest, loyal to Daivd.   (he was the one that told David that Saul had all the priests of Nob killed)
  • Amasa-David’s nephew to go out in place of Joab. (Joab’s cousin).  I am still unraveling this one in my head.
  • Ittai (I love this guy)- he was the foreigner that was more loyal to David than his own people a few days ago.
  • Ahimaaz-Zadok’s son

There are a few others but these are most of them.

I had to read the beginning several times (I kept getting confused).  In short, David runs into 2 people from Saul’s family.  First, Ziba, the servant to Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth.  (He was the one with the disabled legs we read about a few weeks ago).  Ziba brings David supplies and cons him into giving him Sauls’ estate.😠

Then he runs into Shimei who threw stones at David (I bet David wrote some Psalms about this horrible day)  He calls him a murderer, a scoundrel, and that his son Absolom is now the king (ummm no he is not!)  Abishai (who I like!) says “Put me in coach! I will cut off his head”. But David leaves it in the Lord’s hands and spares his life.

Let’s go back to Chapter 12 when Nathan the Prophet said to David after sleeping with Bathsheba:

11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

We discussed the calamity…now the underlined portion of the prophecy.

Ahithophel tells David’s son to sleep with his concubines for everyone to see.  Usually, a king’s concubines belonged to the successor, so by this action, Absolom asserts his kingship.  Now all of Israel thinks he is the new king. (Ummm, no he’s not)

The other day in Chapter 15 David was upset and he prayed to the Lord (2 Sam 15:31)

“Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”

And that is exactly what the Lord did!  His advice was not taken (which is rare for a man in his position) and when the advice was not followed he hanged himself. (Such Pride!)

Absolom continues to build an army.  The parallel position of Joab (David’s top commander) was replaced by the very man that had married David’s first wife Abigail, and David summoned her back.  Clearly, he does not like David so it was a strategic move on Absolom’s part.    David went to battle, and unlike his mistake in the past, he says in chapter 18:2: “I myself will surely march out with you”. (But tenderhearted David tells his troops to be gentle with his son Absolom).

However, Joab was done with this tomfoolery of protecting Absolom, and the physical characteristic of Absolom that showed his strength and his good looks was the very thing that got him killed: his lush hair!

An encounter with Yeshua: Absalom's death: a Phyrric victory for King DavidAbsalom: Caught by Head or Hair? – Crossroads Bible Church

They buried his body under a monument of rocks mocking his own monument to himself he had previously erected called “Absolom’s monument”.

For all the reasons the Lord loves David, we do too,  because even after everything Absolon had committed against him, David always had a heart. ❤️

If you feel like reading ahead the Psalms that follow this read for tomorrow are:

Click here

2 Samuel 13-15

~ Patricia ~ 3 Comments

(I highlighted it for you)

 

Amnon is the firstborn son, (important to note) fell in love lust with his sister (from another mother).  (God told them not to take more than 1 wife for a reason).  Amnon’s cousin (David’s nephew) advises him to concoct this horrible plan to sleep with her and it ends in rape.  Unlike the rape of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, Amnon hated her after rather than loving her more.

Verse 21: don’t miss it:  “When King David heard all this, he was furious.”  And???  Where is the David that followed the Law of Moses?  Where is the David that inquired of the Lord?    He did nothing!  Oh, David!!

Absolom avenged the death of his sister (just like Simon and Levi did for Dinah).  Obviously, they have been circumcised already, so Absolom used drunkenness to plan his attack and killed Amnon.  Absolom knew that he would be brought to trial at a city of refuge and found guilty so he fled.

David’s reluctance to disciple is a major character flaw in David which has set in motion the “calamity” that was prophesied after his own adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband Uriah.  I can only assume, his own past is what is keeping him from dealing with these situations.  How can he find others guilty for the same sins he himself committed.

Well, he is the appointed King…that is his job!

So what is the undercurrent in all this?  THE THRONE!  The heir has been killed and next in line will be Absolom.  In this court case, we just established a motive (I feel like Perry Mason).  If Absolom becomes king, his right-hand man will be his advisor: Jonadeb!

Calamity!

(If you had to read that more than once, join the crowd…too many names.  The printout will help)

Before we go any further can we recall that we are not supposed to have an earthly king?

Back in Deuteronomy 17 God gave instructions for a King.  Click here if you want to read it.

Summary: A king…

  1. He must be the one the Lord chooses
  2. He must not multiply his horses for military purposes
  3. He must not acquire many wives
  4. He must make a copy of the Law and have it with him at all times.  He will read it every day.

Chapter 14-  Since David responded so well when Nathan told the parable of the rich man/poor man/ewe (a few days ago in our read), Joab uses the same tactic to shed light on the situation to David. David rules “not one hair will fall to the ground”  What??? The parable allows David to make a judgment on the consequence RATHER THAN following the Law of Moses (wasn’t that #4 in the list from above).  Absolom is spared any discipline and he and his gorgeous thick hair that weighed 5 pounds when cut “that not one will fall to the ground” return to Jerusalem but are not permitted to see David.

Absolom is turning into a real “donkey”!  He is like a child and wants his own way, and burns Joab’s field to make it happen.    Chapter 14 ends with:

33 So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom.

The kiss represents a sign that he has been forgiven.

Chapter 15- Finally, Absolom gets the ball rolling to make himself the king!  For 4 years he and his lush hair become very popular and wins the hearts of the people (betraying David).

4 And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”

5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

Up to this point, David has never been defeated in a battle against his enemies, yet he flees Jerusalem because of his beloved son, Absolom!

10 Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’” (keep looking at the list above)

He has more support from a foreigner named Ittai, who he just met,  than his own family.21 But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.”

When David flees he takes the ark with him (and the Priest: Zadok)

14 Genealogy of Jesus ideas | genealogy of jesus, bible, bible study

Lots of names today:

“Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”

Ahithophel WAS originally David’s counselor. Benedict Arnold!!

So David put spies in place as he hides. 😢3 7 So Hushai, David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city.

Calamity with a capital C.

Comment question:  Why is this a 2 Samuel read-only and omitted from Chronicles?  Answer in comments.

Are you behind? You are not as far as you think!

~ Patricia ~ Leave a comment

I posted this the other day.   Take this weekend to get caught up.  Listen to it in the car.  Read a few chapters in-between loads of laundry.  Wake up early in the morning.  Turn your phone off.  Just some ideas. ❤️

OK, ARE YOU BEHIND???  Yup.  Most of you are slipping because it is a BUSY time of the year.

You have 2 options! 

  1. You can throw in the towel and you will regret it!
  2. Read the schedule below…..(Find where you left off).
    • If it was WAY before April 8, this is your JUMPING IN SPOT!!
Apr 8: 1Sam 1-3
Apr 9: 1Sam 4-8
Apr 10: 1Sam 9-12
Apr 11: 1Sam 13-14
Apr 12: 1Sam 15-17
Apr 13: 1Sam 18-20;
Apr 14: 1Sam 21-24
Apr 17: 1Sam 25-27
Apr 19: 1Sam 28-31;
Apr 21: 2Sam 1-4
May 1: 2Sam 5:1-10;		 May 4: 2Sam 5:11-6:23; 

May 7: 2Sam 7;
May 9: 2Sam 8-9;
May 11: 2Sam10;

This will keep you historically up to date.  THEN you will do 2 things:

  1.  When you are cleaning the house, folding laundry, pulling weeds….You will click here and listen to 1 Chronicle which is a REPEAT read so it will be a great recap.  It will be fun to do because you will be like “Oh my stars, I get it!!”
  2. Promise that you will sit outside one day and read the Psalms.

2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20

~ Patricia ~ 3 Comments

As much as I would love to make the application of this read I won’t.   As you read, let the Holy Spirit pull out the lesson YOU need today.

I was just doing research and it said “This is the 2nd most notorious sin in the Bible next to the Fall”.   I had a funny memory hit me: I was at a conference and the speaker: Kay Arthur,  was teaching on this scripture and I was sitting next to a “very marinated in Jesus” woman who heard this story all her life so she was talking to me and I hushed her and I said “I have got to hear how this ends!” and she said, “It’s David and Bathsheba!” I looked at her and said, “I have no idea who these people are!” (First time ever hearing this “notorious” story).  Then I said, “I just wish the woman in from of me didn’t have such big hair!”.  She laughed and did not tell me it was the next speaker:  Beth Moore.  😳

Disobedience to God’s will results in a lack of blessing.

Verse 1 “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.”

David’s problems began when things were going too well for him! Our most difficult times are not when things are going bad. Hard times make us dependent on God. You don’t get proud when you’re dependent on God. Survival keeps you humble. Pride happens when everything is going your way!

Verse 2: Seeing Bathsheba was not a sin.  Sending someone to find out who she was: Sin.

Clearly, I want to break this down verse by verse but I think you would all kill me for that so let sum it up by saying:

SIN leads to SIN

For David, lust led to adultery.  Adultery led to deception.  Deception led to entrapment.  Entrapment led to Murder.  I want to say “all from inquiring about her”, but truly if he was at war where he was supposed to be, none of this would have happened.  (oh,  the life application I could make here!).

Do you remember back in 1 Samuel 8 when the Israelites said “We want a king”, and Samuel basically said, ” if you ask for a king…here are all the wrong things he will do and TAKE from your family”.  Well, he used his royal position to “Take” what wasn’t his just as predicted.

I know the men will cringe, but underlining that she was “purifying” and that she just had her “monthly uncleanliness” is so important.  It proves that she was not already pregnant when David took her.

David compounded his sin by trying to cover it up rather than confessing it. He tried three cover-ups:

  1. a “clean” one (vv. 6-11), (go sleep with your wife…clearly you have missed her)
  2. a “dirty” one (vv.12-13), (let’s get him drunk…all drunk men want to sleep with their wives…keeping it real folks!) 😂

Uriah drunk proved to be a better man than David sober!  Ouch! David was setting up this soldier to cover his own sin. However, King David underestimated Uriah’s commitment to him.  Though Bathsheba’s husband was a Hittite, he appears to have been a godly believer in the Lord,  as well as a dedicated warrior. Uriah’s name means “Lord is my light”.

3. and a “criminal” one (vv. 14-17) (sadly the plan worked, and Uriah died, but so did a few other men along with him)

Chapter 12

As a prophet, Nathan was required to confront sin, even the sin of a king.  Nathan used a parable:

  • The Rich man-is David
  • The Poor man-is Uriah
  • The Ewe-is Bathsheba

Ohhh how easy it is to recognize the sin of others over our own!  (It’s like when I sit in church and I say in my head “Ohhhh I wish Karen (made up name) could hear this sermon…she needs it).  Yikes!  Am I the only one that does that??

Not only did David recognize the sin, but his emotional ungodly reaction to it was also ridiculous! Let’s look at the Law, shall we?

  • Exodus 22:1 ““Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.
  • Leviticus 20:10 “‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.”
  • Leviticus 24:17  “‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death”

What sentence did King David hand down…did he follow the Law?  On the contrary….He hands down the penalty HE should receive.  Ohhh the humanity!

David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die!”

 God’s response: (Notice the word “I”)

  • I anointed you king over Israel,
  • I delivered you from the hand of Saul
  • I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms.
  • I gave you all Israel and Judah.
  • And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.

Now notice the word “You”

  • Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes?
  • You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own.
  • You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.
  • Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.

Verse 13:  “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Notice that God’s forgiveness followed immediately after David’s confession.

GRACE!!!!

The Lord removed the guilt of David’s sin (forgiveness) he did not remove the consequences of it (discipline). Someone told me once: you hammer a nail in a board you may remove the nail, but the hole remains.

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight.  You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.”

Shut up!!! Is this really going to happen??  Umm Hello….it is the Bible and God is speaking, so of course, it is going to happen.  You will have to wait for it but here are some clue words: 1.rooftop 2. orgy (and as much as I know the  many of you roll your eyes at my genealogy charts…you’re gonna need it when we get there.

As a result of David’s slope of sins, his firstborn will die.  David accepts the judgment of the Lord and takes responsibility for the result.  The heir to the throne is born: Solomon (his name comes from the Hebrew word shalom, peace, and means “Peaceable” or “Peaceful”), was a blessing from the Lord. It demonstrates that God’s grace is greater than all our sins.  Solomon had another name, “Jedidiah” (I will always picture Owen Wilson from Night of the Museum).  In spite of David’s sin, God’s covenant remains. 

The chapter ends circling back to the first verse we read today, with David going out to war with his warriors like he was supposed to in the first place (this all could have been avoided).  He took a crown weighing about 75 pounds and returned home to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 20.  (very different read) Remember the purpose of the Chronicles was to encourage the Hebrews returning after the captivity to rebuild Jerusalem.  Ezra, the writer,  wanted to write about the victories of their ancestors…soooo no point in retelling the transgressions. 😂  Sooooo, the author leaves out the whole Bathsheba incident on purpose., but highlights these enormous battles fighting giants with 12 fingers and 12 toes they were so big!

YOU KNOW THE PSALMS ARE GOING TO BE AMAZING FOLLOWING THIS.  FEEL FREE TO READ AHEAD!

Click here for tomorrow’s reading

 

Are you behind? You are not as far as you think!

~ Patricia ~ Leave a comment

I just had the coolest night.  A small group in Arkansas just let me sit in their Bible Study via Facetime!.  They meet to discuss the reading.  How humbling that almost all the questions they asked me I didn’t know.  😂. Keeping it real.

OK, ARE YOU BEHIND???  Yup.  Most of you are slipping because it is a BUSY time of the year.

You have 2 options! 

  1. You can throw in the towel and you will regret it!
  2. Read the schedule below…..(Find where you left off).
    • If it was WAY before April 8, this is your JUMPING IN SPOT!!
Apr 8: 1Sam 1-3
Apr 9: 1Sam 4-8
Apr 10: 1Sam 9-12
Apr 11: 1Sam 13-14
Apr 12: 1Sam 15-17
Apr 13: 1Sam 18-20;
Apr 14: 1Sam 21-24
Apr 17: 1Sam 25-27
Apr 19: 1Sam 28-31;
Apr 21: 2Sam 1-4
May 1: 2Sam 5:1-10;		 May 4: 2Sam 5:11-6:23; 

May 7: 2Sam 7;
May 9: 2Sam 8-9;
May 11: 2Sam10;

This will keep you historically up to date.  THEN you will do 2 things:

  1.  When you are cleaning the house, folding laundry, pulling weeds….You will click here and listen to 1 Chronicle which is a REPEAT read so it will be a great recap.  It will be fun to do because you will be like “Oh my stars, I get it!!”
  2. Promise that you will sit outside one day and read the Psalms.

 

2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalm 20

~ Patricia ~ 2 Comments

Has anyone ever asked you something, and the best answer you can think of is: it’s complicated.  Well, that is my best answer on this one. 😂.

I had to read this several times because I kept getting confused.  Finally, I took a step back and looked at the bigger picture.  David…is he doing what he is supposed to be doing?  Why didn’t he go to Hanum himself? What was David doing?  Did David fight in these battles?   Should we be fighting the Ammonites?

Duet. 2:19 When you come to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them to war, for I will not give you possession of any land belonging to the Ammonites. I have given it as a possession to the descendants of Lot.”

Go way back in your genealogy and look at the Abrahams’ family tree.  His nephew (Lot).  ☹️

Well, it’s complicated.  After all, a long time ago the Annonites (Moabites)  tried to hire Balaam (on the Donkey) to curse Israel.  They also made Israel slaves in Judges.  Then when Saul was king, they tried to take the Transjordan tribes…

King David managed to maintain friendly relations with Nahash but encountered renewed hostilities when his son Hanun became king of Ammon. Hanun enlisted military aid from Beth Rehob, Zobah, Maakah, and Tob.  David’s army under Abishai and Joab overpowered Ammon, took the capital city of Rabbah, and subjected the Ammonites to forced labor.

I will say this is a personal read for me this week.  😢. In an attempt to show kindness, Hanun took it wrong and it caused a major blow up.  And to make matters worse…I am not nice like David…I have a bitter root in my heart about it! 😞

In ancient times, shaving one’s own beard was done only during deep mourning from a national catastrophe.  They were sending quite the message.    The Israelites were humiliated by having their beards shaved, their garments cut and their body exposed.

FreeBibleimages :: David battles with the Ammonites :: When ...

David’s kingdom was thriving and it appeared nothing could stop the nation from growing.  Today’s read puts us at the turning point for Israel.

Psalm 20 is a wonderful prayer as David’s men prepare for battle.  Notice the words “you” and “we”:

1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

6 Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call!

2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18

~ Patricia ~ 1 Comment

This read is bittersweet only because I know what is on the horizon. These chapters sum up a series of battles that grow the land that was conquered from 6,000 sq. miles to 60,000 sq miles.  “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went”

10. David's Rise, Fall, and Punishment (2 Samuel 8-12). Life of David: Discipleship Lessons, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

I spent quite a bit of time in my research chasing rabbits and something new I learned is that conquering this land gave David’s kingdom many mines, specifically copper.  Mining will be instrumental to David’s vision of building a “House” for God instead of the current tent.

Chapter 9:   This chapter highlights the character and integrity of David.  Typically a new king seeks and kills any heirs from the former King.  In this case, David finds Saul’s grandson Mephiboshen and honors the covenant he made with Jonothan before he died.

1 Chronicles 18

14 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.”

Happy Mother’s Day. 😉