2 Samuel 22 – 2 Samuel 24

Our reading through the book of 2nd Samuel comes to a rather anti-climatic ending. For all of the joys and struggles that David faced throughout these readings, 2 Samuel seems to dwindle away with out any major to do. Some of that might be intentional. If we look back to when we started 1 Samuel, I made mention that what we know as 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings are each a part of what was once a much longer single composition. Perhaps the best way for us to think of the rather lack luster ending it by turning the page to keep on reading.

One other note to highlight as David takes a census. Did you notice the mention of “Israel” and “Judah”? (2 Samuel 24:1-9) The nation of God’s people is divided, even while under the single rule of King David. This is a key fact to hold on to as we begin reading 1 & 2 Kings . Division is coming and its not going to be pretty. Then of course we have the kings . . . and lets just say their are going to be a lot of dark days ahead.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 1 Kings 1-2

2 Samuel 19 – 2 Samuel 21

As 2 Samuel is about to come to a close, I’ve realized that we haven’t listened in to our friends over at thebibleproject.com for a while. Let’s check out their summary on 1 and 2 Samuel. Hope you enjoy!

One more thing, before we close our thoughts for today . . .

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Samuel 22 – 24

2 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 18

The horrendous acts of Absalom come to a horrendous end. Even with David now back upon the throne, he laments the loss of Absalom, and the rest of his family, as he returns to Jerusalem with very little. I would imagine our great and mighty king, feels a bit small at the moment. Yet his faithfulness is still to be commended.

On the lighter side of things how about we turn to the Brick Testament for there version of Absalom’s death. Be sure to use the arrows at the top of their page to navigate the rest of the story.

Our next reading: 2 Samuel 19 – 21

2 Samuel 13 – 2 Samuel 15

Things for King David are going great! The angst experienced by the nation of Israel has come to an end for the most part. The people have a leader they have learned to trust. The aggressors nations that surround Israel have taken note of David’s might and have laid down their arms. The whole world seems to be at peace. Almost . . . .

Except for David’s family. Within the walls of David’s own palace, there is unrest that has lasting consequence!

• A step brother (Amnon) lust for his step sister (Tamar)
• Tamar experiences great harm and violation
• Her natural brother (Absalom) seeks revenge upon his step brother Amnon
• His revenge turns to shear anger as he kills all of his bothers and step brothers
• There is exile, banishment, and shame for Absalom
• While in exile, his angst continues to grow until he tries to over power the throne of his father!

I know my sister and I didn’t always get along, but this is a bit extreme! Why can’t we all just get along!!

Meanwhile, David is forced to live in hiding, spending his days on the run. He now lives in fear. Might I add, again. In many ways this time is not peaceful for David and it is strikingly similar to the early days of David when he lived in fear of Saul. Still, David remains faithful. You’ve got to give him credit for that! If only we could be as faithful!

If there is anything to take away from today’s reading it would be this. Together, we realize how fragile family relationship really are and that power, whether physical or emotional, has the potential to destroy the strongest of relationships, even that of the greatest king!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Samuel 16 – 18

2 Samuel 4 – 2 Samuel 7
2 Samuel 8 – 2 Samuel 12

Its been long over due! Long over due for David. Long over due for God. By the time we reach 2 Samuel chapter 6, I think we could all admit that a time of celebration is long over due!

For David, his oppressors seem to be behind him. The long drawn out time of transition and bitterness from King Saul is over, and Jerusalem is captured and made into the capital city. David now has a palace. David now has a throne. David’s rule now has a sense of prominence among God’s people.

For God, the Ark comes home. What was once a the most important image and dwelling of God during their time in the Wilderness seems to be nearly forgotten. What happened to the tent and tabernacle? Did is waste away? Was it destroyed? Where did it go? And the Ark? It’s been captured, changed hands and returned to Shiloh. But it’s prominence among the people, seems to imply it wasn’t that respected at all.

That is until today . . . as the Ark makes it way to Jerusalem. As it does, the trumpets sound, the people rejoice and David dances. It’s a time of celebration that was long over due. The stress the people have been under are all set aside. For today is a day to dance!

Reminds me of a song, you probably know. Sung by Leigh Ann Womack, written by Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers: “I hope you dance”

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin’
Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin’
Don’t let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin’ out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance

As hard as life was for David he still took the time to dance. So I hope and pray that you might be able to dance as well!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Samuel 13 – 15

2 Samuel 1 – 2 Samuel 3

The long awaited throne is now David’s. However things still don’t come easy do they? Those loyal to Saul, try to secure the throne for Saul’s son Ishbaal. He rules to some of Israel . . . while David rules to the others.

Strive and warfare continue, but now it is within the nation of Israel, rather than with the nations surrounding Israel. In many ways this is a foreshadowing of what is to come as Israel is split after King Solomon. Sadly, these are not pretty times for the people of God. Sadly, David’s long awaited accent to the throne begins with a dark shadow upon it. Yet one glimmer of hope, even in David’s trying times he continues to turn to God!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Samuel 4 – 7

1 Samuel 28 – 1 Samuel 31

1 Samuel comes to a close with the death of King Saul. The long awaited King of Israel is anointed, reigns, and comes to a tragic ending. What can we say of the first King of Israel.

Did Saul leave a legacy?
Did he built a mighty palace?
Did he make a name for Israel?
Did he secure peace and freedom for God’s people?
Did he he restore the people’s faith in God?
Did he do anything?

The simple answer to all of those questions is NO!

Looking back on Saul’s reign, he battled day in and day out with the Philistines. He had limited success in taking down this mighty oppressor. Limited only because he was distracted by David who was promised to take the throne from him. He was so distracted, he left no legacy, he established no peace, and he did more to tear apart the Israelites than he ever did to build it up.

Let us hope, that as we turn the page on a new book in the Bible, and as a new king takes the throne, that David will become the king the Israelites need and deserve.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 2 Samuel 1-3

1 Samuel 21 – 1 Samuel 24
1 Samuel 25 – 1 Samuel 27

David lives in fear & David learns to love. If I was asked to summarize these two days of reading (sorry I missed one day on the blog) I would have to give them these titles.

David lives in fear:
Our newly appointed king, although not yet on the throne, is on the run. His life is in jeopardy as the current King seeks to destroy David and secure is throne. Needless to say its not going well for either one of them. There are threats. There is danger. There is living in hiding deep in a cave. There are several chances to seek life and death.

Within these few chapters David has two different moments where he could have ended the hardship. In chapter 24, David sneaks out of the cave, and carefully cuts off the corner of Saul’s robe. Then, in chapter 26, David approaches Saul’s tent in the dark of night and steals his spear and water jar. At either moment, Saul’s life could have been taken. Yet, David later approaches Saul, reveals the fragment of material , the spear or water jar, and shows him just how close he was to loosing his life. Saul always response with thanksgiving, yet the hunt goes on.

An interesting note to highlight, while David fears for his life he writes many of the Psalms, which we’ll get to in July. Take for instance Psalm 34: “I sought the LORD and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Or Psalm 27: “The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid.” In these darker times, David always seems to return to the LORD in song, pouring out his heart, seeking strength and protection in his time of need. If only we could be so bold as well!

David learns to love:
I should add to that title . . . again! It wasn’t too long ago that Saul was going to give David his daughter Merab, but instead David married another daughter Michal. Michal, if we remember offered David some much needed aid while initially on the run. Yet we read in Chapter 27, David’s heart is taken with Abigail, to whom he later marries, and then with Ahinoam, whom he marries as well. So enter wives 2 & 3. Oh, and exit wife 1, As Saul has now given Michal to someone else to marry.

If you are following all of this, you realize that David and his love life is a bit complicated. Friends its only going to get worse. In the end, its going to cause trouble. Then we’ll realize, like father like son, as the next generation takes the throne. At least it keeps things interesting.

On to finish 1 Samuel tonight. Our next reading 1 Samuel 28 – 31.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

1 Samuel 18 – 1 Samuel 20

And so the story of David continues, as we hear of David’s love. We won’t go into a lot of details, but it is important for us to remember that David’s ability to love eventually gets him in trouble. I’ll say no more than mention the name “Bathsheba.”

For now, we can celebrate the gift of God’s love that David finds in Jonathan, Meraba, and Michal. Each has a story of their own, and their stories will continue to weave in and out of the rest of David’s story as they offering guidance and protection. Certainly their assistance is needed Saul becomes relentless in his attacks against David. In fear, David lives on the run, seeking help along the way from Samuel and Jonathan until the time will come that David can inherit the throne now held by Saul.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 1 Samuel 21 – 24

1 Samuel 15 – 1 Samuel 17

These three chapters are packed with good things.

• The future of the kingship is torn away from Saul
• David is anointed as the future king
• David ends up as Saul’s servant
• Goliath threatens the Israelites
• And David takes on the giant

Each and every one of these could deserve a blog in and of themselves. Yet, I’m going to go in a totally different direction. Not because it’s April Fool’s Day, but because it is worthy of a few minutes to reflect on the version (translation) of the Bible you are reading.

Personally, for our Year of Scripture, I’ve been relying on the NIV. However, from time to time I’ve been flipping back and forth to the NRSV and the Message. Each as their own merit and adjust the language to best suit their intended reader. Sometimes, these changes make things a bit interesting.

Take for instance, Saul’s health and well being in Chapter 16:14-23. I found it troubling to read in the NIV, “an evil spirit from the LORD.” I asked, does God send evil spirits? So then out of curiosity, I turned to some other sources. The Message, calls it a “Dark Mood” (my personal favorite). The NRSV states “an evil spirit from God” and the NKJV calls it a “distressing spirit.” Either way things weren’t well for Saul as he turned from God, but to call the spirit of God evil, I had to turn the page and look else where.

Another instance came with the death of Goliath. How did the giant actually die? As youth we always think it is with the stone that David slung, yet as we read we hear things a bit differently. The NIV tells us after David killed him, he drew his sword and cut off his head. The NRSV says, he drew his sword, killed him, and then cut of his head. The NKJV, David took Goliath’s sword, killed him, and then cut off his dead. Lastly the Message says, David finished off the job by cutting off his head.

Details I know, but still details that tell the story. Did David kill Goliath with his stone, stab him after he was knocked out with the giant’s sword, or was death achieved by cutting off his head? Guess we might never know, but how did you read the story?

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: 1 Samuel 18 – 20