A few years ago Prince Harry wrote Spare, a sometime lurid memoir that deeply upset some in the British royal family. It’s not just royals or famous people. Who wants their personal struggles on the headlines? I would venture a guest that hardly anyone wants that kind of negative publicity. Even after a loved oneContinue reading “Why the King David tell-all memoir is a good thing – David’s heart after God, Part 1”
Tag Archives: monarchy
Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2
I hate confrontation. When I have to say something the least bit confrontational to a person, I get shaky and nervous and often say far less than I ought to. Do you know the feeling? I suspect that the majority of people do not enjoy confrontation, even those who are confident enough to confront. IContinue reading “Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2”
David is cold, can’t get warm. What his attendants do to help him is a shocker. (Or is it?) – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 1
My wife recently purchased a new comforter for our bed. The floral print on the comforter is very nice, and the comforter stuffing is fluffy. It’s a great-looking comforter. It is not a warm comforter. We heat our home with a wood stove, which is located in our living room. We love our wood stove.Continue reading “David is cold, can’t get warm. What his attendants do to help him is a shocker. (Or is it?) – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 1”
Famous last words – 1 Kings 1—2, Preview
We often use the phrase “famous last words” in the wrong context. For example, if your spouse is doing a home improvement project, they might say to you, “I am going to run over to the store, get what I need, and then the project should take a couple hours.” You’ve been down this roadContinue reading “Famous last words – 1 Kings 1—2, Preview”
When drama erupts in David’s family – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 4
Tamar sees the lust in her half-brother Amnon’s eyes, and she feels his tight grip around her. She is scared and as we learned in the previous post, Tamar makes a desperate plea for marriage. Does it work? In 2 Samuel 13, verse 14, we read “But he refused to listen to her, and since heContinue reading “When drama erupts in David’s family – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 4”
People of God act to decrease drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15 – Part 2
In some cultures, particularly in the ancient world, kings sometimes purge their nations of any contenders to the throne. Some even have members of their own extended family killed, just to preserve their lineage. That kind of purge is the epitome of family drama. In 2 Samuel 9, however, David does the opposite. David isContinue reading “People of God act to decrease drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15 – Part 2”
King David was a drama magnet – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Preview
Are there people in your life who seem to attract more than their fair share of sickness, accidents, strange situations, or relational brokenness? Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s me.” Whether you or other people, some people seem like magnets for drama. When I think of a drama magnet, I think of King David, who is famouslyContinue reading “King David was a drama magnet – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Preview”
The important difference between contract and covenant in our relationship with God – 2 Samuel 7, Part 5
When David gets the news from God that God is covenanting with David to turn David’s monarchy into a dynasty, David responds to God in prayer. In 2 Samuel chapter 7, verse 18, we learn that David went in and sat before the Lord. Went where? Probably to the new special tent where the ArkContinue reading “The important difference between contract and covenant in our relationship with God – 2 Samuel 7, Part 5”
How David’s dynasty actually did last forever – 2 Samuel 7, Part 4
But what about a king? As we learned in the previous post, God promised David that his dynasty would last forever. But 400 years later, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, and there were no more Davidic kings. It sure seemed that God didn’t keep his promise. Except that God did keep his promise. This is why theContinue reading “How David’s dynasty actually did last forever – 2 Samuel 7, 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”
Engaging Scripture 