What type of leadership is necessary within your family? How do you react to someone who has hurt you and betrayed your trust? How do you survive through life when trouble, trials, and tribulation seem to engulf you? These are some of the questions of life that are answered in 2 Samuel. The book of 2 Samuel builds upon the previous books of the old testament by showing us what clinging to God looks like in life. I found hope to make it through the difficult moments in life as I looked at the life that David lived. He was far from perfect and marked by many faults and failures yet God was completely faithful to David. Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - 2 Samuel
Hope in God despite trouble, trials, and tribulation: 2 Samuel Summary
Mighty men and their mighty leader David: 2 Samuel 23 and 24
When your epitaph is written how do you want people to remember you? I love how David is described in 2 Samuel 23:1, “David the son of Jesse, declares, the man who was raised on high declares, the anointed of the God of Jacob declares, and the sweet psalmist of Israel.” After your life is spent will you live with regret over the life that you lived? I want to be remembered as David was for his relationship with God because nothing else that can be said would mean anything apart from my faith in God. When the end of life comes your strength and physical prowess will mean absolutely nothing. All the knowledge you have accumulated throughout your life will be foolishness when it cannot bring you help. In the end when life meets death the only factor that will bring hope and assurance will be your faith and foundation in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. Continue Reading…
Impact of sin versus impact of faith in life: 2 Samuel 21 and 22
How do our actions today shape the lives of our descendants?Do choices change how our life is played out? When I choose to act sinfully or choose to follow God how will those choices change the course life? Can we truly know how our choices shape our lives? When I placed my faith and trust in Jesus Christ I started a journey where my life would be changed and transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. How does that work? I am completely clueless as to how and why God chooses to work this transformation in my life but I am confident that the change that is occurring is not sourced in my strength and abilities. Continue Reading…
Contrasting characters of Joab and David in 2 Samuel 19 and 20
How is true restoration after conflict and disagreement achieved? When the bonds of friendship, family, and love have been strained or torn asunder how do you move on towards reconciliation? In 2 Samuel 19 and 20 this question of restoring trust and fellowship is faced by the people of Israel. Joab and David exhibit strong leadership during the conflict between Absalom but one follows his own way to achieve what he deems best while the other shows a consistent dependance upon God in all ways. Continue Reading…
What is the source of David’s hope and strength in 2 Samuel 17 and 18
Who is ultimately in control of the events of life? There are different views that people hold about the catalyst of events that happen in life: Qi the circulating life force, luck is sought out to bring favorable outcomes, fate and destiny direct the course of life, or there simply is no rhythm or reason to life requiring sheer will power to make it through. Do any of the previous ideas listed bring hope? How do we make it through the low and high times of life without losing hope? When a loved one suddenly dies, when you find yourself unemployed, when you are abandoned, when monotony overwhelms life, or when you come to a point where suicide becomes an option will you just hope that there is more to life or will you seek out the true catalyst in life? Continue Reading…
God’s sovereignty in tribulation instills clarity: 2 Samuel 15 and 16
Who is David? As I have read through 2 Samuel I have been getting a better picture of this great leader of Israel. My initial view of David prior to this time of quiet reflection about his character was built upon what I heard in sunday school, church services, and bible studies. I remember hearing that David was a man after God’s own heart but I never wondered about him in a deeper way beyond the touted characteristics repeatedly presented to me. The picture that we are presented in 2 Samuel shapes David into a man plagued with personal problems, family problems, and problems ruling over Israel but the consistent trait that David displays through out his life is total dependance upon God. Continue Reading…
Depravity, sin, death: inherent without Jesus Christ: 2 Samuel 13 and 14
” ‘Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife’ Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, an he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.’ ” 2 Samuel 12: 10-12 The words God spoke to David through Nathan tell of the direst to come within the house of David. Did David’s actions lead to his family thinking that they were above reproach in all of their deeds? How was David as a father? Was David like many men today who give all their effort and skill at work only to reserve nothing for their family where the greatest effort and energy is needed? Continue Reading…
Sin cannot be hidden or cured by our own deeds: 2 Samuel 11 and 12
2 Samuel 11 and 12 recounts the story of David and Bathsheba. This story is one that I have heard taught on many times from various different people. I am concerned that my overfamiliarity with the story can lead to a desensitized view so I have asked questions about the two chapters that helped me think about the text independent from what I have heard before. It can become very easy to look scripture without asking questions that make me think about what God would have me learn if I rely wholly upon what other men have taught me. Continue Reading…
David was to Mephibosheth as Jesus is to me: 2 Samuel 9 and 10
What quality of life and hope for the future was there for a cripple during the time of David’s rule of Israel? After the death of Saul everything happening within Israel was chaotic and in 2 Samuel 4:4 the story of Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth’s flight from danger is given with one simple verse. In all the urgency to flee after the death of Jonathan and Saul he was dropped by his nurse and became crippled in his feet at the age of five. Continue Reading…
To what foundation is your anchor of life tied: 2 Samuel 7 and 8
What does God truly desire from me? What activities do I feel compelled to do for myself, my family, my friends, or God? How may of these self imposed initiatives are truly the desire God has for my life? In 2 Samuel 7 there is a time of rest from war within Israel and David has a desire to build God a permanent Temple. God tells David that he is not the one who will build a temple for the Lord. Was there something wrong with David’s desire to build God a temple to dwell in? What did the people of Israel need most of all at that moment in time? Was a temple imperative for the people of Israel of God? The people of Israel needed a strong leader to shepherd them more than anything else. The people need to learn how to follow God and honor him and that is the task set before David. Continue Reading…
