During the devastating war between Philistia and Israel (1 Samuel 31), King Saul and three of his sons were killed. There is now a vacuum of leadership in Israel. What happens to fill that vacuum? In 2 Samuel chapter 2, verses 1-7, we learn that David finally becomes king! Well…kind of. David inquires of God,Continue reading “How to honor leaders who are dishonorable – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7, Part 4”
Monthly Archives: September 2024
Why David’s glowing eulogy of King Saul is wrong, and how we can do better at funerals – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7
Sometimes I find David difficult to figure out. One moment he has what appears to be a big emotional reaction, going so far as to commanding the capital punishment of the Amalekite, as we learned in the previous post. The next moment, David writes a glowing eulogy for King Saul and Jonathan. Look at 2Continue reading “Why David’s glowing eulogy of King Saul is wrong, and how we can do better at funerals – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7”
Was David’s use of the death penalty just? – 1st Samuel 31—2nd Samuel 2:7, Part 2
Over the past year a friend of mine has been incarcerated. He has many more years to go in his sentence. During my weekly visits, we’ve talked a lot about the question, “What is justice?” How do participants in the criminal justice system know if the punishment fits the crime? In today’s post, as weContinue reading “Was David’s use of the death penalty just? – 1st Samuel 31—2nd Samuel 2:7, Part 2”
The deep pain of losing a loved one – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7, Part 1
I’m going to list some names below, and as I read them, notice the emotion that you feel about them. Read the names, imagine their faces in your mind. What do you feel? George Washington Abraham Lincoln John Wilkes Booth Martin Luther King Jr Richard Nixon Margaret Thatcher Donald Trump Kamala Harris Did you feelContinue reading “The deep pain of losing a loved one – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 