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”
Tag Archives: king david
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”
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”
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”
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”
Engaging Scripture 