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 - Faith
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…
In complete despair David finds strength in God: 1 Samuel 29 and 30
The fact that God had blessed David while he dwelt with the Philistines becomes apparent when he and his men follow Achish with the Philistine army. When the lords of the Philistines noticed David and his men traveling with Achish they instantly did not trust them. Did God soften Achish’s heart to give favor to David, his men, and their families allowing them to dwell in Ziklag for over a year? The lords of the Philistines gave orders to Achish to send David and his men back to their homes. The renown of David was known to the lords of the Philistines and they didn’t want such a skilled man with them who may turn against them to fight for Israel in the thick of battle. Continue Reading…
At the end of your life who is your advocate: 1 Samuel 27 and 28
Is it true that the enemy of your enemy is a friend? When David seeks out refuge and shelter from Saul in the land of the Philistines why did Achish, the king of Gath, trust David? In 1 Samuel chapter 27 and 28 David, his men, and all their families take refuge in the land of the Philistines. David was the one who killed Goliath the champion of the Philistines so why are they now are willing to let him dwell in their land? Why do the Philistines allow David safe harbor? What was the catlyst of this unusual alliance of enemies? Continue Reading…
David fights Goliath as a jealous Saul looks on in 1 Samuel 17 and 18
Is it easy to become too familiar with stories in the Bible causing us to not reread them to discover the truths they hold. In 1 Samuel 17 the story of David fighting Goliath is retold but it was easy for me to want to read the story with less attention to detail because I know the story? The story of God using a small shepherd by to kill the champion of the Philistines exemplifies God using strength found in weakness to bring down the powerful but what else is conveyed in the story of David and Goliath? What were the thoughts and feelings of the men in the army of Israel as they were facing Goliath? What changes are evident in Saul’s leadership of the people? Did Saul’s lack of dependance upon God transfer into the men he led causing them to become fearful? Continue Reading…
