Could you imagine if a peace delegation from the USA went to North Korea, and the North Koreans forcibly shaved the heads of the men and women in our delegation, and then cut off their garments at the waist and kicked them out of the country? What kind of response do you think the USContinue reading “What happened when David’s peace delegation was shamed by the Ammonites – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 3”
Tag Archives: military
Leadership that does what is just and right – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 2
Ancient Israel was a theocracy. A theocracy is a nation that is organized around a religious system. For Israel, God was their true king, and his law was the law of the land. God was the true Shepherd of the people. David was only an undershepherd. Great Britain had some similarities to theocracy. The KingContinue reading “Leadership that does what is just and right – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 2”
How abandoned buildings help us understand the Conquest of Canaan – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 1
When you go on vacation, you lock up your house, and you expect to return after a week or two to a house that is just as you left it. But what would happen if you were gone for a lot longer than that? At what point does property get condemned and given or soldContinue reading “How abandoned buildings help us understand the Conquest of Canaan – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Part 1”
Human approaches to justice are often convoluted, but what about God’s approach? – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Preview
I am an adjunct professor, and in class recently I did something that the students were not prepared for. I raised my hand. Let me explain. I am teaching the Gospels, and one of the projects the students do is a group presentation on a section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Each week aContinue reading “Human approaches to justice are often convoluted, but what about God’s approach? – 2 Samuel 8, 10, 21, Preview”
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”
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”
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”
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”
The end of 1st Samuel is like a military thriller – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 3
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. I love sci-fi like Star Trek and Star Wars. Think with me about the Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi. At the end of thatContinue reading “The end of 1st Samuel is like a military thriller – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 3”
How could David slaughter men and women…and lie about it? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 4
In the previous post, we read something very dark about David, who was supposed to be a man after God’s own heart. In 1st Samuel 27, we learned that David and his men go out on raids, slaughtering people. Men and women. Also, David clearly didn’t want his new king, the Philistine, Achish, to knowContinue reading “How could David slaughter men and women…and lie about it? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 