2 Samuel 11

As I read thru this chapter....it bring up many questions that I have about sexual immorality in the Old Testament.
When I read the story, it seems to me that God is "displeased" with David for his role in making sure Uriah was killed....so he could have Bethsheba.  But, it doesn't saying anything about him getting her pregnant while her husband is away at war.  Doesn't that seem a little strange? hhhhhmmmmmm

I think the real issue here for David is that he took his eyes off of God for his direction.  He let his own selfish desires take him over.  He made his own plan, and carried it out.  Even to the extreme detriment of someone else.  I can see myself making these "plans" everyday.  Something to work on!

2 Samuel 10

¹¹ Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you. ¹² Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight.”


I didn't get much out of this chapter, but these 2 versus made me think of you and also your HR reps comments in support of you you.  Be strong but also encourage and support other Christians in their time of need.  Fight the good fight.

2 Samuel 9

⁷ “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

I find it amazing that David continues to see Saul as "the one God anointed", and therefore all of his offspring.   To give his grandson such a high place in the palace is quite an honor.  Most kings of the day would make sure there were no descendants of the previous king, left alive.  But, David does completely the opposite.  It makes me wonder what the other high officials thought about this.   I bet this was a real example of God's love played out in front of them.

This one is ringing a LOUD bell for me.  I mentioned the work "trouble" that I have been dealing with.....well.....I'm 99% sure I know who caused it all.   It was an anonymous accusation, but its pretty obvious, if you know all the players.  I can probably be a great witness to God's love by treating that person with respect and kindness....rather than how I want to treat him.  hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm
I bet others are watching to see how I handle it.

have a great week.

2 Samuel 8 -knut

¹⁵ David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

This chapter tells us the Lord gave David's victories wherever he went.  It tells us he always take the plunder of the conquered and dedicates it to the Lord.  The versus above tells us how he treated his people.  Somehow he avoid the old saying absolute power corrupts absolutely.  He never lost his connection to God and understanding that all he had was given to him by God not his own doing.  That is a good lesson to remember, I think I'm generally good about remembering how he has blessed me but I know their are times that I probably think and act like I'm in control--that is a dangerous path to head down.

2 Samuel 7 -knut

¹⁴ I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands.


I found this line interesting. It clearly predicts the coming of Jesus but the statement of "When he does wrong" doesn't seem to fit Jesus it feels like it suggests sin by him.  I did some research but haven't come up with anything clear to explain what this might mean.  Do you have any thoughts?  I like researching and understanding statements like this as it builds up my confidence in my faith which aids me when I am speaking with someone who is looking for holes in the Christian faith.  Pre-destination is another area that I never have a great explanation for a non-believer, it is also brought up in this chapter.  More work to be done to increase my understanding of His word.

2 Samuel 6

 ²² I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”


It seems that a message from David is to not worry about what others think of you if you are genuine in your celebration and worship of God.  Saul's daughter called him out for his excessive celebration, David's response in v22 is basically I don't care if I look like a fool to you or others--I'm worshiping God.


have a great day

2 Samuel 5 -knut

²⁵ So David did as the LORD commanded him...


I captured the first few words of this verse because it strikes me how connected and dependent David is on receiving direction from God before takes actions.  I don't ask for direction very often at work or play.  The times I tend to ask for direction are when I am stressed, like when we sought direction before moving to the QC--He clearly told us to go and He blessed our time there.


I'm not trying to be defiant, but I don't make as many conscious requests for direction as I as I could.  I want to get to a place where I am coming to Him for everything not just when I'm feeling stressed and need a safety net.  


Funny after typing the above I just realized God is re-enforcing this with me during Katelyn's bed time devotional.  Last night we read James 4:13-17---

Boasting About Tomorrow

 ¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Just do his will and things will work out.  Not that it will be an easy path but He will take care of you.  Thank you God for speaking directly too me.

2 Samuel 4 -knut

^{David says...11} How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!”


Violent chapter, but David does not condone killing to aid his personal interests--God did not direct these actions and David is not pleased no matter if this helps or hurts his own cause.

2 Samuel 3 -Knut

Live from Chile

 ¹ The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

I thought of you today when reading this.  You have been fighting a war which are hard even for great leaders like David.  But like in this case faithfulness and patience will ultimately prevail.

I keep praying for you.
Chirs

Special Post

Hey Knut - quick heads up.  I've fallen behind lately.....here's why:

I was accused of something at work that could have potentially gotten me fired.  The accuser is a person that blames me for a recent demotion.  It was an "anonymous" accusation, but I'm 99% sure I know who it was.  I've been working through HR with this issue for the past week and a half or so....and I'm exhausted.  I have been grilled 3 times by a non-GM special investigator asking me questions that I cannot even stomach to answer.  Its really been an awful experience....and I feel like a zombie.  I heard from my HR rep tonight that the investigation is complete, and my name is being cleared of any wrong-doing.......THANK GOD!  You never know how those things are going to go, even when you know you're innocent.  The good news is that the Director of HR told me tonight on the phone that he believes that the evil one is working hard to discredit me in the environment that I can have the greatest positive effect.   Yes, you read that correctly.  My HR rep said that to me.  Its been hard, and I haven't stopped reading the blog, and appreciate your writing.
AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

2 Samuel 2

 ⁶ May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.

Even after being appointed king over the tribe of Judah, David shows humility with his pledge to treat those who had buried Saul with kindness and faithfulness.  A great model for those who want to be great leaders to follow.

2 Samuel 1

This is another chapter that I am struggling to gain any insight or learning from.  I find it interesting that when David learns of Saul's death he seems truly stricken with grief and writes a heart felt eulogy to a loss of someone he seems to have loved.  The man that has been trying to hunt him down and kill him has died yet he seems sad.  I can understand the sorrow for losing Jonathon, but not Saul.  Is there a lesson in there, I'm not getting it?

1 Samuel 31

The end of the line for another book.  We are marching right through them.  According to my rough count, we have been doing this for almost 6 months now!!  Can you believe that?  I think its awesome!

⁶ So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.
now that's finality.  The sins of the father will be visited on the sons...

I find the last chapter really sad.  Sauls end was horrible.   And the what happened next was even worse.  To be hung on the wall in the enemies town is about as bad as it gets.  Saul took his life in his own hands when he thought he didn't have a way out.  Once again, not trusting in God to take care of him.  He died how he lived.
One thing keeps bouncing around in my head, about Saul.  God chose him......remember?  I think it was with the direction the cows walked?.....That just convinces me even more that even when God chooses me to do something, I need to continue to trust in him, and continue to ask him for direction in EVERYTHING.

1 Samuel 30 -knut

²³ David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us.


There are probably several points to take away here, but one that jumped out at me is an example of to those who much is given much is expected.  David recognizes what he has recovered in his raids really is not his at all but something God has provided and he should be generous in distributing it not hoarding for just himself or those who were directly involved in the raids.  God has bless our family greatly, we try to be generous but we need to always be guard about thinking our worldly possessions are something we own not God and/or recognizing their limited value in the big picture.


I had another thought when I woke up this morning that made me feel a bit like Saul, not recognizing or thanking God for taking care of me.  I had been struggling to prepare for some meetings at work I was facilitating.  Gina had prayed for me, I had been praying asking God to help things go well.  Then after 2 days of meetings and an outcome I was pretty pleased with, I realized I was patting myself on the back for how it went and hadn't even thanked God.  Well I have now thanked God, but I was ashamed it took until this morning to do it.  Reading the bible everyday is great but if I don't really put what I'm learning into action have I gained anything?  Here's to trying to apply his Word, not just read it!

1 Samuel 28-29

28 was an interesting read, 29 was short and sweet but there is not a message that I am taking away from either--do you have any thoughts on these?

1 Samuel 27

Nothing too heavy here.
Just an ironic twist that David spends considerable time in the land of Goliath's people.  I didn't realize that.  I always pictured David as a sworn enemy of the Phillisitines.  I guess from the Phillistines perspective, they might think that any enemy of Saul, is a friend to them.  That allows David to exist there, without being hassled.

1 Samuel 26 -knut

I don't have any specific takes here.  I wonder what is the significance of telling the story that David spares Saul's life again?  It does show how quickly and easily someone who is not following God will repeat sinful ways, Saul had just acted like he was sorry for trying to kill David yet here he is at it again.

Does anything strike you in this one?

1 Samuel 25 -knut

 ³² David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. ³³May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.


couple quick thoughts--
-We learn of Nabal who is wealthy in worldly things, yet considered a fool---always good to keep that thought in mind.
-As the versus above suggests, even a good and faithful servant of God like David has weak moments and loses his cool sometimes.  We need to be guarded about our motives for our actions--when we are most emotional might be the most important time to slow down and ask God for his direction.