My own congregation recently held worship in the park. We do this in a local park pavilion twice each year. It is wonderful to worship outdoors. This most recent time, a toddler in our congregation walked up near the front and was dancing to the music. She did so because her grandmother was helping toContinue reading “What children can teach us about worship – 2 Samuel 6, Part 4”
Tag Archives: 2 samuel
When tragedy strikes in the middle of David’s celebration – 2 Samuel 6, Part 2
In the USA, Presidential Inauguration Day is much more than the outdoor event at the Capitol, during which the president takes the Oath of Office and gives an Inaugural Address. On that day there are also multiple presidential balls, where the president dances with their spouse. It’s all very formal and dignified. Could you imagineContinue reading “When tragedy strikes in the middle of David’s celebration – 2 Samuel 6, Part 2”
How a story from the life of King David inspired my church to experiment in worship – 2 Samuel 6, Preview
What comes to mind when you read the word “worship”? Do you think about your church building, and maybe the room many churches refer to as a “sanctuary”? Does your mind picture the furnishings in the room, such as the pews or chairs, the piano or the band, and the projection screen? Do you thinkContinue reading “How a story from the life of King David inspired my church to experiment in worship – 2 Samuel 6, Preview”
When you have been waiting, cry out to God – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 5
What have you been waiting for? A difficult relationship being healed? A debt paid off? A sickness healed? We can wait, and wait, and it can seem like radio silence from God. That’s what David felt, and I’m so glad he put it into words and someone selected it for inclusion in the psalms. ForContinue reading “When you have been waiting, cry out to God – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 5”
David’s example of trusting in God, when God’s instructions made little sense – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 4
During Israel’s civil war, the Philistines were content to let the Israelites fight amongst themselves. But when David becomes king of a unified nation, they take notice. Why? Because about ten years prior, David was their nemesis. He killed the Philistine hero Goliath, and then David just kept beating them. But things changed when SaulContinue reading “David’s example of trusting in God, when God’s instructions made little sense – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 4”
How can David be a man after God’s own heart and have so many wives? – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 3
Now that the civil war in Israel is over and David is king of all Israel, will he take up the completion of the conquest of the Promised Land? It was a conquest that laid dormant for centuries. We get an answer in the very next passage, 2 Samuel 5, verses 6 through 12. DavidContinue reading “How can David be a man after God’s own heart and have so many wives? – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 3”
David’s example of waiting the right way – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 2
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”
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”
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”
Engaging Scripture 