><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 2 & 3 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Compare David's actions as a public figure (2:4-7; 3: 20, 21, 28-39) with the trouble he was building up in his family life (3:2-5,13,14). Am I in any respect guilty of double standards in my own life? 2 Make a character study of the figures of Abner and Joab from these chapters. Note the relationship of Joab and his brothers to David (Zeruiah was the daughter of David's mother by her first marriage), and David's words in 3:39. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 2 & 3 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 1) 2 Sam 2 and 3 represent the failure of David as a leader. One of the critical responsibilities of a leader is to cast a vision and set values for his followers. David's men are unconstrained and the result is disastrous to the healing of the nation and heart of Israel. It is noteworthy that David's men acted in haste. They did not stop to get direction from the Lord. They relied on the authority of David as the anointed. They did not consult David. It is one thing to delegate but delegation with out guidelines, direction, and constraints is not delegation but anarchy. One wonders what happened to David. He was not leading his men. David's public leadership in these chapters is that of a peacemaker. He appears to seek to bring the people of Israel together through reconciliation rather than force. He regrets that his men did not pursue the same ends. It ends in needless blood shed that struck against reconciliation. On the other hand it appears that David was very busy at home with his six wives. 2) The narrative relating to Abner and Joab provides as interesting a contrast as that of Saul and David. Abner, Saul's chief of staff, now Ish-Bosheth's, sought to avoid killing Asahel, half-brother to David, and avoid civil war. He appeared to have a higher set of values than Joash who was attempting to establish David's kingdom by force and at any cost. In the end, Abner became obsessed with his own importance and used it to leverege power and position with Ish-Bosheth. On the other hand, Joab and his brothers, in acts of what they perceived to be loyal, sought to unite Israel by the sword. Joab acted out of emotion. Abner was more calculating in his actions. He tended to take the long view, saw the consequences of various alternatives. Joab rushed headlong into action, considering only the immediate future. Abner sought reconciliation with David (though having lost respect for Ish-Bosheth, one might question his motives). Joash underminded reconciliation. Joab, flushed with David's success, made war. Abner, the realist, sought peace. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) D. was very political, actually. He made sure to remain clear of the guilt of killing any from Saul's house. He also wanted the people to recognize that he was the Lord's anointed. However, he married women from many different places (king shouldn't do this according to Deut. 17:17). He also brought grief to Paltiel, husband of Michal, by commanding Michal be returned to him as his wife after all these years. This was also a political move to give him stronger ties with the north (Saul's army). I think a lesson we can take is that if we really want to be delivered/healed from fear or sin, we need to do away with sin as much as we possibly can in our own actions. This is our part, our responsibility before we can expect God to deliver us. (2) In v. 39 D. says "the sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me." It seems to show that He is proclaiming how he could not control them from killing Abner or prevent them from sinning. Abner and Joab seemed like two vice-presidents. They were probably the 2nd in power after Ish-Bosheth and David, since they led the armies. Therefore, they had reason to be strongly opposed. However, Abner attempted to make peace earlier by calling an armistice with Joab. Then, Abner also was in the process of helping David's become established as king over all Israel, until he was murdered by Joab. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In his public life, David was gaining recognition, and the admiration of the people. Yet, in his private life, the waters were getting muddied up. The start of David's biggest problems begins here with the taking on of multiple wife upon wife. He in fact orders Michal away from her new husband to be with him in v 14. This would be the first in a line of getting his desires for a wife by questionable means. We must strive to maintain parallelism in our private lives and our spiritual lives, to keep both holy and pure before God and men. 2) A lot of the actions in this section seem to be politically motivated. Abner, who by all rights could claim the throne himself uses Ishbosheth as his pawn gain influence of the throne, this backfires when Ishbosheth's paranoia causes him to fear that Abner wants the throne and has taken Michal. This causes a rift between Abner and Ishbosheth and David, attempting to solidify his rights to the throne tries to get Michal back. Abner and Joab are the central champions, the generals of the opposing armies. They are somewhat similarly motivated men. Both show a loyalty to their kings. Abner is a bold but rash man, his challenge was the cause for the 24 deaths of the young warriors as well as the deaths at Gibeon and Asahel Joab's brother(although he is fair and gives Asahel 2 chances to live). Joab is the nephew of David. He was loyal to follow David, but was motivated by revenge for his brother Asahel's death. He goes behind David's back to murder Abner in a city of refuge. This was a grievous sin and thus the cause for David to be mournful and sorrowful in song and to put a curse on Joab and say in 39 " may the lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds". Joab's sins go unpunished until Solomon's rule. This was probably due to his influence and the general unrest and shaky ruling authority by David. Otherwise, if he had more control over the kingdom, David might have had Joab punished for his sins. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) Welcome Home! David, 2 Samuel 2:2: David came out of Ziklag, the Philistines' territory, back to his home land in Hebron of Judah. At that time, I wonder which of his psalms he prayed to give praise to the Lord. His feeling at that time must be "GOD IS GREAT !!!!! HOME SWEET HOME !!!!" (ii) The Men Of Jabesh Gilead, 2:5-7: The men of Jabesh Gilead were recognized for their kindness and faithfulness. They were the ones of those Saul rescued from the Ammonite's cruel covenant, 1 Sam. 11. Now, they were paying back their respect for what Saul did for them. David challenged them to be strong and brave against their enemies. It implied that even they were in the North Kingdom ( at this time David was the king of Judah only), yet David would support them as brothers against their enemies. (iii) King Of Israel Was Established, 2:8: Saul's commander, Abner, helped to establish Ish-Bosheth to be king of Israel, the North Kingdom. However, there was a power struggle and personal disagreements developed in the leadership. Because Ish-Bosheth suspected that Abner had the ambition to steal his throne by having relation with Saul's concubine, 3:6-12. (iii) The "Wrestling Fights" At The Pool Of Gibeon, 2:18: This fight between the north and south kingdom caused Joab, commander for David, lost his brother, Asahel, who was killed by Abner. However, Abner warned Asahel twice before killed him. (iv) 3:1-5: David was the father of these trouble makers. (v) 3:15-16: A terrible love story that Paltiel had to give up his wife this way! (vi) 3:33-34: In the lament song for Abner, it shows David's fairness. It is also a statement to declare that Joab is a wicked man. 3:39b: mAY THE lORD REPAY THE EVILDOER ACCORDING TO HIS EVIL DEEDS! Amen. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 4:1-5:16 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 In what respects was the crime of Rechab and Baanah worse than that of the Amalekite? 2 David waited for seven years for the decision at the beginning of chapter 5. Why did the Israelites now choose him as king? Cf Dt. 17: 15. 3 How did David succeed in taking the stronghold of Zion, and why? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 4:1-5:16 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 2 Sam 4 -- once again illustrates the difference between seeking to please the Lord and seeking to please man. As we saw in Chapters 2 and 3, David was attempting to reconcile Israel. The act of Recab and Baanah not only set that process back, but was entirely self-serving. R&B were attempting to ingratiate themselves to David. To, perhaps, earn a position at court. The Amalekite in Chapter 1 was an interloper or outsider who may have been looking for nothing more than a reward for his deed. David saw both murders as the killing of God's anointed. They were acts against the order established by God. R&B not only destroyed the political order established by God -- in this case primogeniture, the succession through the eldest surviving son, they struck at the very heart and soul of the nation of Israel. The Amalekite's feigned murder of Saul was external, from the outside. R&B's act was, in a sense, traitorous, destruction from within. 2 Sam 5:2: Notice the difference in the preparation of David and the preparation of Moses for leading the Israelites. Both got their start as shepherds with God's objective for them to shepherd the people. Moses had previous training as an administrator. On the other hand, David's experience was that of a warrior. Of course, the needs were different. Moses led his people through the wilderness for 40 years. David had to rid the Promised Land of the Philistines. In the earlier case the people were wanderers. In the latter they were settled (more or less). 3: David was anointed as king as a child by Samuel. He was next anointed in Judah as a young man following Saul's death. At this point, there was not a general acceptance by the people that he was king. Only after seven years of internal bickering and strife, and civil war did most of the people recognize David as king. David waited patiently, for 15-18 years, knowing that he was God's choice to be king. He waited on the Lord. 8: David directed his army to enter the city through the water system. 1 Chron 11:6 indicates that Joab led the attack. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 4:1-5:16 ---------------------------------- 1) Rechab and Baanah's crime was a premeditated murder of Ishbosheth whereas the Amalekite just happened upon Saul and lied about what happened. They also killed him without warning in a very dishonorable way. Once again we get some characters who think that killing one of David's enemies will get them something. When will these guys get the point? If God has ordained it, don't mess with it. 2) The Israelites finally chose David to be king of all Israel since he was one who had been anointed and all of the direct line of Saul was now gone with the sole exception of Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, but being a cripple, he would never be allowed to take the throne. 3) David was able to capture the stronghold of Zion because the Jebusites were overconfident in their ability to defend the city, claiming even the blind and lame could defend it. David took them by surprise by entering through the water tunnels. Here, David continues the trend of adding more wives, this would be one of his greatest shortcomings that would haunt him later. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- iF gOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? Romans 8:31b: Along the course of reading and studying today's text, this verse is always there to express my praise to my Lord, my God. (i) No Thanks, Baanah and Recab: When they took the head of Ish-Bosheth to David, they did not expect that David would kill them like he did to the Amalekite young man, 4:10. The lesson to me is that "would the Lord give me credit for the things that I am doing?" These two poor guys took the risk of their life for nothing. (ii) The Man Who Was Lame In Both Feet, 4:4: Mephibosheth is a type of the redeemed sinner. It sounds like there were quite a few of this type of people in Jerusalem in David's days, or say more specificly in Jerusalem 5:6. Lord help me to be faithful and be able to walk, move, and be useful and not a paralyzed one like Mephibosheth. (iii) yOU WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE, 5:2: I wish all the kings, rulers and leaders would catch the vision of this statement. It is God's purpose for them to be shepherds of their people. That what David was - shepherd of his father's flocks. David is a victorious king who defeated Goliath, the enemies around him just like Christ did to Satan. Colossians 2:15 - aND HAVING DISARMED THE POWERS AND AUTHORITIES, HE MADE A PUBLIC SPECTACLE OF THEM, TRIUMPHING OVER THEM BY THE CROSS. (iv) The Jebusites, 5:1 They were the natives living between Jerusalem and Hebron, south of Jerusalem and west of the Dead Sea. The reason that David wanted to occupy Jerusalem as his capital city was because Jerusalem was a natural fortress for defending against the attackers in those days. That was also why the Jebusites were having confidence that David would not be able to get there. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 5:17-6:23 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Why was it David won these two battles with the Philistines? 2 Why did Uzzah die? Cf I Sa. 6:19; Nu. 4: 15; I Ch. 15:15. What was God teaching through this incident? 3 What was the real reason for Michal's contempt for David, and what was her pretended reason? Why was it David behaved as he did on this occasion? Can I learn anything from his exuberance 'before the Lord'? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 5:17-6:23 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) David won the battles with the Philistines because he trusted in, first consulted, and even gave praise in victory to the Lord Almighty. In all his actions, although he was the king, we know who the real King is, and D. honors him as thus. He had the proper heart attitude of honor in his military strategy, unlike Saul. (2) Uzzah died because he was not a Levite (whom were designated to carry the ark), and also he touched the ark of the Lord, which is not supposed to be done (Num. 4:15). Another violation was that they carried it on a new cart, rather than on poles (Ex. 25:13-15 - the poles are not to be removed). I believe there is a huge, MEGA lesson we can learn here. We see the character of our HOLY LORD here. He is not to be dealt with lightly - He is Almighty, and to be greatly feared. Additionally, it is very significant that anytime we try to do something, even to honor the Lord like this, but do it in our own way or "out of His perfect will", we are wrong. We should examine our ways to be sure that they are perfect before our Holy and Perfect Father. (However, God is kind; after D. recognized and changed his erroneous ways, the Lord blessed them once again, but not without the sting of losing Uzzah, and perhaps losing popularity for D.) (3) M. did not love the Lord as D. did or else she would have understood his celebration, his pure delight and rejoicing. She probably was also feeling torn out of her life after being transferred back to D. after so many years. Perhaps she still had feelings for her "former" husband and harbored bitterness against D. for not treating her better. In a way, I can really understand how she might have felt - D. did not consider her feelings in doing that. However, her resentment was misplaced here because it was a time for celebrating in the Lord God, and if she truly loved the Lord, joy would have overwhelmed sorrow or bitterness. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) David wins two battles against the Philistines becuase he asked the Lord for direction and sought God's will. Instead of going out on his own might or doing what he thought was the best thing, he instead trusted the decisions to God. 2) Uzzah died because he was not ordained to carry the ark. Only the Levites were to carry the ark of God. God was teaching that a violation of His holiness and orders would be costly and that even if accidental, breaking of His law was inexcusable. My study bible notes that David was probably not angry at God in v8, but rather at himself for not paying more attention to the situation and making sure the Lord's orders were followed. 3) Michal's real reason for contempt for David seems to be because she despised him for his relationship with the Lord and partially because she didn't like the way he was worshipping before the Lord. She makes an excuse of him being uncovered to hide this hatred from him. David was so glad before the Lord that all he could do was let it out and give his praise to the Lord. May we too be so glad in our hearts that His praise is continually on our lips and we rejoice to tell the glad tidings and good news of Jesus Christ our Saviour. -------------------------------------------- *James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) Philistines Full Force Search 5:17-25: In their mind, they would kill David the same way as they did Saul. David's secret to win the battle was - IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE hIM, AND hE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT. Proberbs 3:6 (Extra bonus to the E-Study Group - dO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES; FEAR THE lORD AND SHUN EVIL. tHIS WILL BRING HEALTH TO YOUR BODY AND NOURISHMENT TO YOUR BONES. Proverbs 3:7.) The Philistines even brought their idols to the battle field and finally found those idols were useless. Therefore, they abandoned their gods. 2 Samuel 5:21. (ii) A Very Large Force Was Called In For The Moving Of The Ark, 2 Samuel 6:1: 30,000 were called for this action, for moving the Ark of God to Jerusalem, right after they defeated Philistine . This force was called in to prevent the opposition and obstruction by Philistine during the moving. (iii) Uzzah Was Smitten,6:7, And The Project Was Postponed 6:11: The reason Uzzah was smitten was because it is written in Numbers 4:15: ----- bUT THEY MUST NOT TOUCH THE HOLY THINGS OR THEY WILL DIE. After the death of Uzzah, David delayed the action to observe what God will do. Finally they received a sign 6:11. Then, the work resumed and the mission was accomplished three months later. (iv) Michal's Blindness, 6:20-22: The goal of moving the Ark to Jerusalem was calling the attention to the people of God to focus their lives on God and the City of God. Michal missed the point. She was living a self centered life and thought that David was lost his respect and dignity, as a king, to dance around in the street like a madman. -------------------------------------------- *Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 2 Sam 5:19: The answer is obvious, but David asked anyway 2 Sam 5:21: Why did David and his men carry off the idols???? 23: And again David inquired of the Lord. David prayed first! We should avoid ascribing David's victory to the fact that he went to the Lord in prayer. The Lord gave him victory out of his sovereignly. In fact, the Lord brought victory. We fall into the trap of believing that when we experience victory it is because of something we have done -- the fruits of our labor. We are victorious, first, because the Lord chooses to make us victorious. Secondly, victory is a blessing to those who are obedient and seek first the Kingdom of God. But even obedience is from the Lord and not from ourselves. Even the desire to be obedient is from the Lord. Ultimately, David was victorious over the Philistines because the Lord chose for him to be victorious, not because of anything David did. 2 Sam 6:6: Does the Lord need protecting??? 7: The Ark was holy. Holiness is separation from impurity. When Uzzah touched the Ark he disregarded its holiness. The Lord's anger "burned." The fire of the Lord brings purity. God's holiness separates him from man. Uzzah presumed to bridge that gap. Man can not bridge the gap. Only God can bridge the gap and that through his son Jesus Christ. 16: Michal despised David. He had something she did not possess - an intimate relationship with the Lord. David had the blessing of the Lord. He had joy and peace, and victory! He had the respect and admiration of the people. Michal, remember, had deceived her father with a household idol. This raises the question as to where her heart was. Michal despised David because she was jealous. She pretended to hold him in contempt because he was dancing indecently. 21: David was totally abandoned to praise and adoration of the Lord. He was totally focused on the glory of the Lord. He was oblivious to what was going on about him. The lesson here is not that we are to be disorderly (1 Cor 14) in our worship. Rather, the lesson is worship of God requires our undivided attention. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 7 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 David is eager to build a house for God-God's reply is to make a 'house' for David. List what He has already done, and what He promises for the future. 2 It has been said that what a man is on his knees before God, that he really is. What does David's prayer reveal (a) about himself, (b)about his relation to God? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 7 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 2 Sam 7:6: The Lord lived in a tent just like the people. He moved when they moved. He was with them. 8: The Lord is more interested in establishing the House of David than in David building a house for him. The Lord tells David that he brought him from the pasture to the throne of Israel. He has protected David and given him victory over his enemies. He will elevate David's name. 10: The Lord promises peace and prosperity for Israel. He will remain faithful to Israel has he had from the beginning. 13: David's son will build the house for the Lord 14: David's offspring will be disobedient and suffer the consequences of that disobedience. But, the Lord will not remove his hand from him. v18-29 David pours his heart out to the Lord in love and adoration. He willingly submits to the will of the Lord. Here is a prayer of absolute acceptance. David pours his heart out before the Lord in praise and thanksgiving. Here is a man with a heart that sought after God. The previous pattern of David's prayer life is repeated here. He asked direction from God and then accepted the direction given and followed the Lord's instructions. David asked to build a house for the Lord. The Lord said, "No." David responded by submitting to the Lord's will. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In this chapter, we see the reason that David is called "a man after God's own heart". Here he shows us the side of him that truly understands what God is all about. He is not comfortable building up himself or seeking to enhance his own status, but desires that God should be honored. Others would seek more land and more fame and more kingdoms to conquer, but David turns to the task of what he can do for God. Nathan tells of the many wonders that God has done: from delivering the Israelites from Egypt, to selecting David, to defeating David's enemies. The Lord reveals his plan here not only for Israel, but for each of us too. This is His revelation of the Messiah, of Jesus Christ. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. 2) David's prayer shows us that he realizes that he is nothing and that God has brought him thus far. He realizes that God will provide and that he has set up a special relationship with his house and with him. What a truly marvelous time and special honor it must have been for David to realize that Almighty God had chosen his house as the house from which to send the Saviour of the Universe. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) In response to D.'s desire to build a house for the ark of God, God speaks to Nathan saying that He intended D. to be a shepherd of His people, not a builder of a house for the Lord. The Lord instead says that He will establish a house for David. Already, the Lord has cut off all D's enemies, made him king, and been with Him everywhere he went. He promises also to make D's name great, to provide a home for Israel, and give D. rest from all his enemies. In addition, D's offspring will build a house for the Lord and his kingdom will be established forever. Above all, I think, v. 14-16: "I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. BUT MY LOVE WILL NEVER BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HIM, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom WILL ENDURE FOREVER BEFORE ME; your throne will be established forever." How great - and yes, the kingdom of Jesus Christ from the line of David (Matthew 1) endures forever! (2) D.'s prayer reveals his understanding of how small he is and how great God is. Additionally, I believe it shows the strength of his faith, for he just believes and praises God for His word. He does not question. D. was a man of praise - "the psalmster". He is the servant of the Lord, and the reaper of blessings. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) David's Palace, 7:1 The events in Chapter 7 start from 5:11 - nOW hIRAM KING OF tYRE SENT MESSENGERS TO dAVID, ALONG WITH CEDAR LOGS AND CARPENTERS AND STONEMASONS, AND THEY BUILT A PALACE FOR dAVID. Then, David felt embarrassed to live in such a luxurious palace made of cedar and stone while the Lord was staying in a tent. So he was so kindly thinking of building a temple for the Lord. From this point and on, all the excitements started. The almighty God told him through the prophet Nathan: aRE YOU THE ONE TO BUILD ME A HOUSE TO DWELL IN? i HAVE NOT DWELT IN A HOUSE FROM THE DAY i BROUGHT THE iSRAELITES UP OUT OF eGYPT TO THIS DAY. ----. 7:5-7. After that, the famous Davidic Covenant was given, 7:8-17. (ii) This All-Important Covenant Stated: · David is to have a child, yet to be born, who will succeed him and establish his kingdom; · The son (Solomon) shall build the temple instead of David; · The throne of his kingdom shall be established forever; · The throne will not be taken away from him (Solomon) even though his sins justify chastisement.; · David's house, throne, and kingdom shall be extablished forever. [Willmington's Guide To The Bible] (iii) Temple of God 2 Samuel 7:13 - hE IS THE ONE WHO WILL BUILD A HOUSE FOR MY nAME, AND i WILL ESTABLISH THE THRONE OF HIS KINGDOM FOREVER. I Corinthians 3:16-17 - dON'T YOU KNOW THAT YOU YOURSELVES ARE gOD'S TEMPLE AND THAT gOD'S sPIRIT LIVES IN YOU? * iF ANYONE DESTROYS gOD'S TEMPLE, gOD WILL DESTROY HIM, FOR gOD'S TEMPLE IS SACRED, AND YOU ARE THAT TEMPLE. Since the temple of God, the church, is holy, the materials, the ways, and the efforts by which we build it must also be holy, corresponding with God's nature, Christ's redemption, and the Spirit's transformation. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 8-9 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Use a map to follow the path of David's victories. What reasons does the writer emphasize for David's success? 2 How does David's treatment of the spoils of war differ from way in which he dealt with the gods of the Philistines capture battle (1 Ch. 14: 8-12)? Is there a reason for this? Cf Dt. 7:5. 3 Do you see any parallel between David's treatment of Mephibosheth and God's acceptance of us? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 8-9 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 2 Sam 8:6: The victory was the Lord's! 11: David, again, acknowledged that the Lord brought him victory and spoils associated with victory. By dedicating the spoils of war to the Lord he was recognizing that they belonged to the Lord in the first place. 1 Ch 14:8-12 states that David burned the idols of the Philistines. The idols were of no use to David. He had the Lord. The idols represented the failed pagan beliefs of his enemies. Idolatry was strictly forbidden by the Law. By burning the idols there would be no temptation to bring them in to the homes and lives of David's men. 14: The victory was the Lord's! 2 Sam 9:1: Chapter 9 illustrates, once again David's compassion and is in stark contrast to Chapter 8 where David routes his enemies. David sought Mephiboseth out much as God seeks us out. Next, he adopts him, brings him into his family and palace. He makes provision for Mephiboseth, giving him producing land and servants to operate the land. God adopts us into his family and provides for us. In the caste system that existed Mephiboseth clearly understood his position before David. We would do well to understand our position before God. We are not able to bridge the gap between us and God anymore than Mephiboseth could bridge the gap between himself and David. It is the superior in the relationship that must bridge the gap. Acceptance must come from David. It must come from God. Mephiboseth could not earn or did he do anything to deserve David's acceptance. The same is true in our relationship with God. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) D. succeeded because (v. 6b): "The Lord gave David victory wherever he went." Also, D. dedicated the articles he won by war to the Lord. (2) It is strange - in I Sam. 5:21, it says that D. carried away the Philistine idols, but in I Chr. 14:12 it says he burned them. (If you have the NIV study Bible, you can read note on I Chr. 14:12.) From what we can gather, the Chronicles account that he burned the idols is correct. Deut 7:5 instructs that idols should be burned, with the conditions in that chapter. It seems to me that the Philistine idols were somehow worse (perhaps since they were foreign). (3) Yes, D. accepted Mephibosheth despite his lame condition. M. did nothing on his own to gain or earn D.'s approval. However, unlike the promise D. made to Jonathan to be kind to all his descendants, God chose us because He first loved us, not by obligation. I am sure that D. probably didn't feel it a burden, but after all he had made a promise to Jonathan. That means that technically he had to "fulfill his duty" made in promise to his dear friend Jonathan. God saved us by grace, not by obligation. He has mercy on us. Additionally, another similarity is that God really has no need for us like D. had no need for Mephibosheth. Perhaps we don't like to think that, but it's true -- God is not served by human hands (Acts 17:25). Actually we are all "Mephibosheths" in God's sight - useless to him, "dead dogs" in our sin. However, II Cor. 5:17: " THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION; THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW HAS COME!" Through Christ, we became/become useful (Eph. 2:10): "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) King David's Heart Toward God, 8:11: kING dAVID DEDICATED THESE ARTICLES TO THE lORD, AS HE HAD DONE WITH THE SILVER AND GOLD FROM ALL THE NATIONS HE HAD SUBDUED. (ii) King David's Heart Toward His People, 8:15 dIVID REIGNED OVER ALL iSRAEL, DOING WHAT WAS JUST AND RIGHT FOR ALL HIS PEOPLE. The emphases is FOR ALL HIS PEOPLE. Fairness is the essential quality of a king. (iii) Mephibosheth's Condition: · He hid himself from the king with fear, 9:1-3; · Destitute, 9:4 - --- hE IS AT THE HOUSE OF mACHIR THE SON OF aMMIEL, IN lO dEBAR. Machir means "sold," and Lo Debar means without pasture; · Helpless, lame on bothfeet, 9:3 We can not come to God on our own; He must seek us. Luke 10:10 (out reach verse). (iv) Mephibosheth's Faith: · He believed the message and answered David's call, 9:6; · He humbled himself, 9:6, 8 - Fell on his face; did reverence; confessed himself to be as a dead dog; · He was accepted, 9:7; he was adopted, 9:11; · He was made an heir: 9:7 - David said, "I will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father." [World's Bible Handbook] -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) David's battle victories came from the Lord. v5 says the Lord gave David victory wherever he went. David was capturing territory in the surrounding areas and solidifying the strength of Israel as a nation. 2) David dedicates the gold, silver, and bronze to the Lord. In the past he had burned the gods of the Philistines. Here it seems that they have turned from their gods and he therefore can take the spoil and dedicate it to the Lord. 3) David seeks to keep his convenant made with Jonathan. He wants to make sure that the family of Saul is taken care of. David unconditionally accepts Meph. as God unconditionally accepts us, just as we are lame feet and all. Sometimes we come to God with even less 'useful' qualities than Mephibosheth. We are often not just lame, but blind deaf and dumb as well. May we strive to be useful for the master and give Praise and Thanks that He accepts us despite ourselves. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 10-11 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Why is Hanun's treatment of David's envoys inexcusable? 2 Joab shows up in a better light here. What does this add to we already know of his character? 3 At what stage in his career did David fall? Where should have been at the time? How did the temptation grow? Was he to keep his sin secret? Do your answers to these questions, and reading of the passage, suggest any general lessons about sin? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 10-11 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 2 Sam 10:4: Hanun's actions were inexcusable from two perspectives. First, he mistreated (humiliated) the men sent to him. He acted rashly and without investigating the charges his nobles brought against them. Secondly he humiliated David. Hanum failed to consider the consequences of his actions and he ended up paying the price. 7: Joab is shown here as a skilled tactician. His plan of attach generally routed the opposing army before the first blow was struck. 12: Joab as an encourager, motivator. He understood the the battle was the Lord's! 2 Sam 11:1: In Chapter 2 we saw the battle between the house of Saul and the house of David being fought without David leading the men into battle. Chapter 3 indicates that David was otherwise occupied collecting wives and fathering children. We see a parallel situation in Chapter 11. Instead of being on the battle field, David was at home with little to do. The mind that is empty or not occupied is a vacuum. David began by noticing a beautiful woman much as Eve was enticed by the beauty of the fruit. David had to taste the forbidden fruit. David lost his focus. Losing his focus he lost his balance. The writer of Hebrews says that we are to "Consider Jesus." We must keep our focus. Notice that David did not ask the Lord if he should sleep with Bathsheba. He knew better! -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) Hanun repayed D.'s kindness with evil; not only that, but he disgraced them by shaving half their beards and cutting their garments These were signs of deep mourning and things done to prisoners of war, respectively. (2) Is this the same Joab who murdered Abner?? Yes, it is! It seems impossible, but it's true. He seems to have learned his lesson. Although Joab does not show quite the same strong-faithed will as D. - he doesn't say the Lord will give us victory, but says the Lord will do what is good in his sight. He does have that understanding, and was able to trust God for that. It makes me wonder if D. had some military strategy in mind. He did not have Joab put to death for killing Abner, as he had done to other murderers in the past, but cursed him instead. Perhaps he recognized the value of Joab's military expertise...? (3) D. fell at the height of his career, I feel. He should have been spiritually the strongest/closest relationship with God at this time. To answer the question, I think it is impossible to keep sin secret. After all, God sees all (Psalm 139). What can we hide from God, the God who created us? Ps. 139:23: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Hanun humiliated the messengers from David out of paranoia. His advisors told him to be watchful and he decided to embarass and humiliate the men sent in peace to show kindness. This leads to a losing battle for Hanun. 2) We see a glimpse into the faith of Joab. He states in v12 that the Lord will do what is good in his sight. This shows a respect and fear of God and that he can live with the will of God no matter what the outcome. 3) David fell at the height of his career. A time when all his enemies were subdued, the land was at peace, he was popular and known as a just ruler. He should have been off leading the troops to war. As was custom in this time, there was a period of time when the king himself lead his troops on a 'crusade' to take lands and to demonstrate power. Instead, he sent Joab to lead the armies. The temptation began by seeing, then he thought about how to accomplish his sin, then he acted upon the sinful desire. This is the road that sin comprises. David should have turned away and sought God after the first look, but instead was overcome with lust. We are not told the time frame from when he first looked to the actual sin. Perhaps it was days and he planned how to execute his plan to sin, perhaps it was one evening. David did a worse thing after sinning by trying to cover it up and justify his sin. He goes so far as to try to cover it up by getting Uriah, an upright man, to go home to sleep with his wife and make it appear that he is the father of the child. This doesn't work, so David plans how to kill Uriah. This is a classic example of the 'wages' of sin = death. Only evil can come about due to sin. This is indeed the saddest chapter in the life of 'the man after God's own heart'. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) Rejection and Punishments, Chapter 10 In Chapter 9, the theme is the acceptance of the gracious call - Mephibosheth accepted the grace of the king to be honored at the king's table as an adopted son. The same way that sinners accept God's salvation to be children of God and heirs of His Kingdom. In Chapter 10, it implies that for those who reject the grace of God shall be punished. Those are the ones who even dare to insult God and His appointees. The same way that sinners rejecting God's call shall be punished for their evil deeds and suffer eternal death. "The appointed ones" will eventually win the battle, even though they were at first being insulted to the degree to have their beard be cut off and their butts shown. Revenge would come from the Lord. Application for today's life - these "appointees" are missionaries, church pastors, preachers and the faithful Christians who are persecuted in the world and who remain steadfast through their trials. (ii) Sin shall be punished, Chapter 11: David's crimes of adultery and murder occurred about the Spring of 994 B.C. He sent the Israeli army to destroy the Ammonites. 2 Samuel shows that a person's obedience and disobedience to God has direct consequences for that person's life. It also demonstrates that despite these consequences God will rule and overrule so that His long-term purpose of world blessing and redemption may occur. Thus, for example, although David's sin with Bathsheba resulted in tragic loss for all concerned, it was Bathsheba who would give birth to Solomon. God's long-term purpose of redemption is evident in the covenant God makes with David in 7:4-17 in which God promises David an eternal kingdom, throne, and seed. [Bible Maps & Charts]