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”
Tag Archives: david
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”
How to honor leaders who are dishonorable – 1 Samuel 31—2 Samuel 2:7, Part 4
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”
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”
How David was shamed by the Philistines, and it turned out to be a good thing – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 4
This week we welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk retired from a long career in pastoral ministry, denominational leadership and theological education. He now works in global fair trade. The armies of Philistia and Israel are gathering, facing off. War is about to erupt. As we reviewed in the previous post, though David and hisContinue reading “How David was shamed by the Philistines, and it turned out to be a good thing – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 