The twelve tribes of Israel are embroiled in civil war. It is one tribe versus the other eleven. David is king of the one tribe, Judah. Ish-Bosheth is king of the other eleven. We learned in the previous post that assasins take Ish-Bosheth’s life, cut off his head and bring it to David, claiming thatContinue reading “David’s example of waiting the right way – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 2”
Monthly Archives: September 2024
When waiting seems to have no end – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 1
What are you waiting for? On the blog we have been studying the life of ancient Israel’s great king, David, through the Hebrew Bible’s books of 1st and 2nd Samuel. We met David is 1st Samuel chapter 16 when God sent the prophet Samuel on a secret mission to anoint David to be the nextContinue reading “When waiting seems to have no end – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 1”
What are you waiting for? – 2 Samuel 4—5, Preview
When I was fifteen years old, like most of my peers, I wanted my driver’s license so badly. It seemed like it took forever to turn sixteen. When my wife Michelle and I got engaged, our wedding day was about nine months away, an impossibly long time. When we discovered that Michelle was pregnant withContinue reading “What are you waiting for? – 2 Samuel 4—5, Preview”
How to be truly sorry, even when you don’t feel like it – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 5
This week on the blog, we’ve been studying the tragic events of a civil war in ancient Israel, and of palace intrigue that led to murder. Think about the numerous themes in these chapters. Weak versus strong leadership. The downfall brought about by fear and jealousy. Of course, lying, deceit and murder. What weContinue reading “How to be truly sorry, even when you don’t feel like it – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 5”
Can we learn anything from the story of David letting a murderer go free? – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 4
Civil war has torn Israel apart. David is king of the tribe of Judah. Ish-Bosheth is king of the other eleven tribes of Israel. It is one versus eleven. Though David’s side is only one tribe, they are beating the other eleven. To make matters worse for the eleven tribes, their king, Ish-Bosheth, makes aContinue reading “Can we learn anything from the story of David letting a murderer go free? – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 4”
Was David right or wrong to make a peace deal contingent on getting his ex-wife back? – 2 Samuel 2:9-3:39, Part 3
In the previous post, Abner, the top general of the eleven tribes of Israel, has just been dishonored and shamed by his king, Ish-Bosheth. Deeply angered, Abner not only threatens to reach out to David, who is now king of the other tribe Judah, but also Abner begins organizing a massive defection to David. HowContinue reading “Was David right or wrong to make a peace deal contingent on getting his ex-wife back? – 2 Samuel 2:9-3:39, Part 3”
Civil war, polygamy, jealousy and palace intrigue – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 2
We resume the story of civil war in Israel from the previous post. The story in 2nd Samuel chapter 2 is one of a fierce battle between the single tribe, Judah, and the other eleven tribes of Israel. Azahel of Judah is chasing down the top general of the army of Israel, Abner. Abner callsContinue reading “Civil war, polygamy, jealousy and palace intrigue – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 2”
The horror of war in ancient Israel – 2 Samuel 2:8—3:39, Part 1
Have you ever been playing the game of Risk, when you had a much larger army than another player, so you attack them? You are very confident that you will defeat them. Even if they roll well, you will win a war of attrition. But then it happens. They roll sixes over and over, slowlyContinue reading “The horror of war in ancient Israel – 2 Samuel 2:8—3:39, Part 1”
Sorry, not sorry! – 2 Samuel 2:8—3:39, Preview
“Sorry, not sorry!” Have you heard someone use that phrase? People say “sorry” and then in very quick succession, with no gap, they tack on “not sorry!” Almost like recruits at boot camp saying, “Sir, yes sir!” really fast. What do people mean when they say, “sorry, not sorry”? Are they sorry or are they not sorry? When peopleContinue reading “Sorry, not sorry! – 2 Samuel 2:8—3:39, Preview”
My TV show idea that should replace election debates – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7, Part 5
I have a TV show idea that I think would be a hit. I would call it The Padded Room. Here’s how it would work. The set would be a padded room filled with hidden cameras. Real people will volunteer to enter the room. Once inside, they cannot leave. They can’t get hurt because theContinue reading “My TV show idea that should replace election debates – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 