><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 19:40 - 20:26 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Analyse the quarrel between Israel and Judah: (a) its cause; (b) the arguments used; (c) the spirit in which it was conducted; (d) its tragic outcome. 2 How was the threatened disaster averted? What part was played respectively by David, by Joab, and by the wise woman in the town of Abel? 3 What considerations aggravate Joab's sin in murdering Amasa Cf2 Sa. 17:25; 19:13. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 19:40 - 20:26 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) A quarrel arises here as to who supports the king the most due to their crossing back numbers. The Tribe of Judah all went, and only a portion of the rest of Israel went. This was due in part to lack of notification of the return. This causes a rift between the tribe of Judah(David's home tribe) and the rest of the 10 tribes. Shiba rallys the Israelite men to go against David even though they supported him before. It is a sily and petty quarrel over who serves the king the most and is most loyal. The outcome is tragic for Shiba. 2) The disaster was averted by a wise woman who tried to mediate. She negotiated the survival of the city of Beth Maacah for Shiba's life. David was absent in the storming of Beth Maacah and had sent Amasa his general to go capture Shiba. Joab eventually obtained Shiba's head, and the wise woman saved her town. 3) Joab again shows his penchant for revenge. He is jealous of Amasa and kills him for the right to command the army. He is successful, and no one stops him. It is an interesting paradox, a murderer(Joab) hunting a traitor(Shiba). Joab is consistently a man who acts on emotion and lets his anger or rage or revenge factor drive him. I think we too sometimes engage in such foolish arguments just like the Israelite tribes as church denominations. We argue as to who is serving God the most, and how. I think sometimes the "church" gets too denominationally bound and we tend to forget the greater work of God and tend to focus in on the organization of men. We need to put aside such foolish differences and work together as Christ's unified bride to accomplish God's will. Let us not act as Shiba did to stir up controversy when there is none, but to support our King Jesus. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) D. was from the tribe of Judah, so Israel felt that he may favor Judah. When crossing the Jordan, only half of Israel was there while all of Judah crossed over with D. They should have waited for the rest of Israel (was the argument).Then, Judah responded that the king had shown no special favoritism to them. However, Israel was not satisfied with that answer, saying they had "ten shares" (ten tribes excluding Judah and Simeon) in David. It seemed to be a squabble based on the fear/feeling of injustice of favoritism. The outcome was the death of Sheba and Amasa murdered by Joab in a brutal way (stabbing in belly so his intestines spilled out). (2) D. sensed the urgency to prevent the divisive spirit. He assembled a troop, led by Abishai, to go after Amasa, who was late in returning from his assignment to summon Judah. Joab sensed something wrong and decided to kill Amasa. In fact, D. avoided choosing Joab because he knew Joab's character. Joab was a fighting man, rather violent (and rather tactless in speech as well). Although tenaciously loyal to D., Joab continues to kill based on his own instincts, and without "permission". Fortunately, Sheba the troublemaker was killed. This prevented the disaster of a major "civil war". What a difference one troublemaker can make! (The wise woman was very wise, able to prevent harm to her city and understanding the situation. A lifesaver and heroic to her town.) (3) Joab must have considered Amasa a traitor and not worthy of his trust. In addition, he may have been jealous because D. appointed AMasa as commander in place of Joab. It is hard to determine whether Amasa was really guilty of being not fully loyal to D. or not. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) Sheba, A Benjamite, Rebels Against David Sheba belonged to the tribe of Benjamin where there must still have been a number of Saul's followers. Otherwise, it would not be that easy for Sheba to quickly recruit such a strong rebellion force. Meanwhile, after fleeing from Absolom, David came back to Jerusalem without notifying the ten northern tribes. This produced a bitter jealousy among the Israelites - Judah grounded on their right to take the lead because of their close relationship to the king. This would obviously be the reason that the Israel tribes joined Sheba as an union to fight against Judah. (ii) Joab, A Hypocrite, 20:19: Joab pretended to give a welcome kiss to Amasa and stabbed him. it was a disgusting action. David could not do anything to this powerful, strong military leader in his old age. But he would not and could not forget this dirty rag and his cruel behaviors. He passed on the duty for Solomon to take care of this case, who killed Joab, I King 2:6, 32-33, in order to show that he, David, was a just king. (iii) Ira - David's Personal Priest, A Prime-minister, 20:26: Ira was David's right hand man. He was a priest. In the Chinese version, it translates as a prime-minister. The reason to mention this minor issue is showing that David was a godly man. He appointed a godly man to be his chief administrator. -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 2 Sam 19:41-20:2Fall out from Absalom's rebellion. Internal strife and jealousy. The Israelites' claim that Judah should have waited for them before welcoming David back into Jerusalem. Judah was the seat of Absalom's rebellion. Judah, therefore perceived the need to demonstrate loyalty to David. The argument degenerated into who was most loyal to David. Israel argued that Judah had taken unfair advantage and had gained favor with David. Judah argued on the basis that David was born in Judah, that was where his family was from. Judah also argued that they had taken no favors from David. 19:43: Ten shares -- The ten tribes of Israel excluding Judah and Simeon. Israel attempted to play one-upsmanship -- ten tribes not two -- that is a greater claim. We were the ones who originated the idea of escorting the king back to Jerusalem. The arguments here seem to have a "tribal" or "racial" tone pitting tribe against tribe. The argument was carried out in a spirit of anger and bitterness. 20:1: The animosity led Sheba to an all-or-nothing revolt against David. 2: It is to be noted that the nation of Israel was later divided into a Northern Kingdom (Israel) and a Southern Kingdom (Judah) about 925 BC. 6: David took the initiative to quell the revolt and placed Abbishai in command. 9: Joab, the brilliant strategist and tactician, had lost David's favor for not maintaining control over his men (or, perhaps, David knew that Joab killed Absalom) and was demoted. Here, for the second time, he secures a position for himself by murder, and in this case murder by treachery. The spiritual lesson here is that we must wait patiently on the Lord. David humbled himself before the Lord when the Lord informed him that he would not be the one to build the temple. Clearly, David failed to pass this attitude along to his commander-in-chief. It is the Lord who promotes. He raises men up and he brings men down. 16: It seems typical that in the mind set of the time, retribution was taken out on many for the sin of one. Sheba led the rebellion. The wise woman of Abel realized that the siege and ensuing battle would kill many innocent people in Abel as well as the not so innocent men of Israel. She saw the coming conflict as wrong and boldly confronted Joab. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 21 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Why was Saul's attempt to exterminate the Gibeonites wrong? How was David careful not to make the same mistake? Do stand by your word? Cf Ps 15:4 c. 2 There was a law that those who were hanged were to be buried the same day. What was the reason for this law? Cf Dt. 21:23 How does it explain the exception that is made here? 3 What significance is there in the fact that giants troubled David right to the end of his life? Note. Verse 19. Cf 1 Ch.20:5 which Seems to have preserved more accurately the original text. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 21 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Les Tripp -------------------------------------------- 21:2-9 The lesson here is how seriously the Lord takes covenants made before him. In this case the covenant was broken by Saul by trying to annihilate the Gibeonites. The recourse was also to be by the shedding of blood. However, the Gibeonites were not permitted this resourse, apparently by Saul's edict -- not the Law. 10: The Law required anyone hanged had to be buried within the day. "...anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance" (Dt 21:23b). In this case, David needed to reassure the Gibeonites that he had taken action to restore them in accordance with the earlier covenant. 14: Do we recognize the breadth and depth of the impact of disobedience. It is not clear when these events took place. Some speculate that it was prior to Absalom's rebellion. However, it was well into David's reign. David had sought restoration and reconciliation. These events prove that it was not total and complete. We need to be very sensitive to the effect of our disobedience and humble ourselves before the Lord praying the he would open our eyes to the hurt and devastation of our disobedience. We need to seek reconciliation and pursue it until it is complete. We ought not wait as David did here. 15: David in his rightfull place -- at the head of the army, even on the front line. 16: David faced many giants through out his life beginning with Goliath. David seemed to be in battle through out his life. This is a reminder to us that, David, a man after Gods own heart, constantly face battles. As David did from the beginning, we must recognize that our battles are spiritual. When we seem overwhelmed (by giants) we need to understand that the battle is the Lord's. 17: Note that Abishai came along side David in the battle against Ishbi-Benob. The Lord does not always expect us to fight alone. He provides others to help in the battles with giants. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Earlier in 1 Samuel Saul had tried to exterminate the Gibeonites from the land. This was wrong due to the fact that he had formed a treaty with them. It is interesting to note that the Gibeonites were given Saul's descendants except Mephibosheth because of Jonathan and David's covenant. Also interesting is that Michal(Saul's daughter married to David) never bore him any children. Thus he was never linked to Saul's line, and did not have to give up one of his own children during this scenario. 2) The law of burial on the same day as hanging was because anyone who was 'hung on a tree' was cursed of God. This was one of the motivations for Christ's hanging death on the cross. He needed to suffer this form of death to bear the curse of God(sin) for all mankind. The exception made here was to dishonor the dead bodies even more for the dishonoring of the Gibeonites. 3) It is interesting to note the recurring giants theme in David's struggles. He faced and overcame all the physical giants, but was unable to handle the spiritual one known as Giant Lust. He handled all the physical ones through faith, trust, and dependence on God, but was not able to control the spiritual giant of lust. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) It was wrong of Saul to break the promise of the Israelites to the Gibeonites to spare them...out of zeal for Israel and Judah. Instead, Saul tried to annihilate the Gibeonites. God does not consider promises lightly; it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. David did what the Gibeonites asked, although it was probably very difficult for him to put to death those 7 and wipe out the house of Saul. It is often painful to be a person of your word, but it is what God wants from us. (2) Acc. to Deut 21:23, anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. An exception is made in this case. The Gibeonites wanted to "expose them before the Lord". This would serve as a visual display of the punishment deserved for sins. Additionally, this is what the Lord commanded Moses to do to the leaders of Moab, a sinful city that mislead the Israelites into immorality and idol worship. This caused the Lord's fierce anger to fall upon the Moabites, and by killing and exposing them the Lord's anger was turned away from Israel. (Numbers 25:4) (3) D. killed the very great giant (in size only!), Goliath, of the Philistines. It reminds me of a song, which lyrics say, "...though there be giants in the land, we will not be afraid - He did not bring us out this far to take us back again..." What are our giants? Doubt, fear of man, fear of exposure of sins? To do battle with these giants, we need the full armor of God, (Eph. 6:14-18),"..Stand firm...with the BELT OF TRUTH buckled around your waist, with the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace...TAKE UP the SHIELD OF FAITH with which YOU CAN EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING ARROWS OF THE EVIL ONE...TAKE the HELMET OF SALVATION AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is THE WORD OF GOD...and PRAY IN THE SPIRIT on ALL OCCASIONS with ALL KINDS of prayers and requests...BE ALERT and ALWAYS keep on praying FOR ALL THE SAINTS." -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) My People Are Destroyed For Lack Of Knowledge, Hosea 4:6: Saul's seven sons had to die because Saul's ignorance. He broke the covenant made in Joshua's time - Israelites' princes made a covenant with Gibeonites for not to kill them and rather keeping them as slaves to be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, Joshua Chapter 9. This is a practical lesson for us to know how not to offend God to avoid unnecessary punishment. (ii) Rizpah - A Highly Respectful, Distinguished Mother: She watched the remains of her sons for 7 months. This action brought the attention to David for transferred Saul and her sons bones from Jobesh-gilead to Zelzah. A remarkable story of a loving mother. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 22 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Are there any passages in this psalm which we could not echo as Christians? 2 Does the psalm bring to mind any particular incidents recorded in 2 Samuel? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 22 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- The psalm is an echo of praise from D.'s military and life struggles/experiences that we have studied. Those who have been in military combat can probably relate well to it. My favorite is v. 21: "HE BROUGHT ME OUT INTO A SPACIOUS PLACE; HE RESCUED ME BECAUSE HE DELIGHTED IN ME." This reflects the salvation given by Jesus Christ. We are given freedom (a spacious place symbolizes freedom and no threats or dangers), and victory over death and enemies...and all because He delighted in me (though we are unworthy, God loved us while we were yet sinners.) The famous salvation verse says, "For God so loved the world (delighted in us) that He gave His one and only Son, that WHOEVER BELIEVES in Him SHALL NOT PERISH but have ETERNAL LIFE." These words are Truth and Life, not religious stories or fables. Jesus Christ is ALIVE!!! The Bible is the only book which can say..(Heb 4:12-13),"..The word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE. SHARPER than any double-edged sword, IT PENETRATES EVEN TO DIVIDING SOUL AND SPIRIT, JOINTS AND MARROW; IT JUDGES THE THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES OF THE HEART. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes OF HIM TO WHOM WE MUST GIVE ACCOUNT." Christ has saved us from the wrath of God, if only we sincerely believe in Him. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 17-18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. 19-20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the clearness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God. 21-22 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept my self from sin. 23-24 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, 25-26 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. 27-28 YOU ARE MY LAMP, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." 29-30 Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These verses dance in my heart and give me joy like David danced in the street to welcome the Ark of the Lord, 2 Samuel 6:16. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- This chapter as well as 21-24 seem to be out of place. Many Hebrew scholars feel these are a historical look back at David's conquests and accomplishments, prior to the sequence previous to Chp21. 1) As Christians, we can take encouragement from many of the passages in this chapter. These words are echoed in Psalm 18 as well. Those in the military who are Christians could use much of this chapter as encouragement. We too in our 'battle' with Satan on a daily basis can draw hope and encouragement from the selection. 2) This psalm brings to mind deliverance of David from many of the battles with the Phillistines. How God helped him and 'gave' the enemy to him in battle because he was faithful to draw support from God and to seek His will and way. I especially like 31 As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Let us each one draw close to him as the rock of our salvation, our fortress and deliverer, the one in whom we trust that we may find refuge and rest in his stronghold and be saved from our enemies! ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 23 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Compare verses 3 and 4 with verse 5. What apparent conflict is there between the two reasons given by David for his happiness and prosperity? Is this conflict real? Cf Phil. 2:12,13. 2 What light is cast on verses 6 and 7 by David's advice to Solomon in 1 Ki. 2:5,6? Cf I Ki.2:31-33. 3 Consider what David's followers were willing to do for the king; and at what stage in his career (verse 13). What lessons are there here for a Christian? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 23 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) IN v3+4, David repeats God's covenant with him, and has a question whether God will fulfill it, probably wondering if he has carried out God's will and been fearful of Him in ruling as king. 2) David advises on dealing with those who act unrighteously and how care needs to be taken when dealing with them. He later in 1 Ki 2:5 gives advice to Solomon on dealing with Joab for Joab's sins of killing Absalom and Sheba. 3) The mighty list of valour here shows those who were faithful to David throughout their service to him. At all times David had an elite core of 30 men. This list shows the ongoing list of 30 and the replacements. Most of these men were original follower which shows their continued devotion to David. We can take note of their steadfastness and serve our King Jesus with that same steadfast and consistent service. They were not with him sometimes and against him others, but remained true to him. It is interesting to note that Uriah(Bathsheba's husband) is listed here. He is the last man to be listed which draws his name out. There were also the 3 that were the head of the 37: Abishai, Benaiah, and Joab. These were the best of the best in David's army. Their dedication and devotion should be commended and modeled by our devotion and dedication to our Lord Jesus. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) This is the voice of an older, wiser, experienced and humbled man. The old king's last words...can you imagine? David says that only one who rules in fear of God and in righteousness will succeed. He also recalls the everlasting covenant the Lord made with his house. This is a source of hope to him. D. says of the Lord, "Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?" Yes, for the righteous there is a reward. True, we are saved by grace and not by works, but the Lord rewards the righteous...one of my fav. verses in all the Bible is Heb. 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that HE REWARDS those who earnestly seek Him." (2) D. told Solomon to deal with Joab according to his wisdom, but not to let him die in peace. That is because Joab was evil and brutally murdered Abner and Amasa. It was proper and just for D. to give Solomon this command. D. did not let this violent killer go unpunished. (3) D.'s first band of followers, who may not have been dedicated followers of the Lord, (as we read earlier, they were the "social outcasts") were certainly loyal to him. They risked their lives to bring him water. What devotion to their king they had, and they did not even have the promise of salvation. Indeed, our devotion to King Jesus ought to be the same and even greater. Would we risk our lives for Him? He gave His for us with no complaint. May God bless (100-fold) those ones rich in faith and rich in courage, who serve him as missionaries in dangerous situations and out of their comfort zone. Their desires are God's desires. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) Who is David? 23:1 His is son of Jesse, who is (a) exalted by God; (b) annointed by God; and (c) a sweet psalmist of Israel. (ii) Instructions from the Lord, to David, for being a godly ruler, 23:3-4: (a) Fear of God and just; (b) he is like cloudless morning sun, enlightening the day with hope and (c) like the grass of the earth sparkle after rain; people are nourished in the environment to prosper and grow. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (2 Samuel) CHAPTER 24 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 (a) Compare the length of time taken by Joab to count, and by the angel to slay the Israelites. (b) Compare the atonement required by God for David's adultery (2 Sa. 12: 15, 18) with that exacted here. What sin on David's part is being dealt with? What two lessons are taught about it? Cf Pr. 16:5 2 Where was Araunah's threshing-floor? See Note on verse 16. What outstanding event had happened there previously? See Gn. 22:2. What was the site eventually used for? 3 Is there a lesson for us in David's declaration of verse 24? Note. Verse 16. We learn from 2 Ch. 3:1 that Araunali's threshing-floor was on Mount Moriali, which became the site of the Temple. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (2 Samuel) Chapter 24 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The Lord brought a plague upon Israel due to David's sin of forgeting God and trying to count 'his' kingdom and what he had amassed. Joab takes 9 months 20 days to count and the angel takes a few hours to destroy a good portion of what Joab had counted. David's adultery required the death of the child born to Bathsheba. David's pride was being handled by the Lord. Prov. 16:5 says: the Lord detests the proud and that they shall not go unpunished. 2) Araunah's threshing floor was on Mt. Moriah. This was the original altar where Abraham offered Isaac. This first sacrifice that began God's covenant with Israel would be the place where God would have his earthly house built by Solomon. 3) David makes a powerful statement. He is saying that we need to be willing to pay a price for the offerings we make to God. An offering which has not cost something is meaningless. We must show ourselves approved unto God, workmen who need not be ashamed. We must present ourselves as living sacrifices bought with a price(the blood of Jesus Christ). -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1)To me, this just shows the stark contrast between the power of God and that of man. What men build up and consider great, God can destroy in one command. As in the case of David's adultery, there had to be proper "retribution" for sins. Here, D. sinned by taking a census of the fighting men. The proverb says it all, (Prov. 16:5), "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished." As we've seen throughout Samuel in the actions of Saul and Absalom, pride truly does come before a fall. (2)Araunah's threshing floor was located on Mount Moriah (immediately north of the city of David, and would later become the site of the temple.) It is ironic how D. was told to build an altar here by Gad. Genesis 22 tells of how Moriah was also the region where Abraham sacrificed his son Isaac. (3)Yes, D. demonstrates a valuable characteristic that godly people should exhibit in the world. This is one of not compromising cost for the work of God. Neither monetarily, or symbolically. It is better not to get a "free lunch" when doing something for the Lord. In this way, we can be blameless in everything and glorify the Lord fully. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- (i) Again The Anger Of The Lord Burned Against Israel, 24:1a: Again means the second time. At first the Lord punished them with famine, Chapter 21, because Saul killed Gibeonites, who were given a covenant to be kept as slaves in Joshua's time. This time the Lord did not make it clear of the reason why they were punished. My reading between the lines indicates to me that it is because they do not worship Him. By using the means of David's sin of counting his soldiers to make him build an alter at Araunah, the threshing floor of the Jebusites - This is the site where later on Solomon built the Temple of God. This book also concluded with an important history that David centralized the worship services to be held in the Temple of God instead of the High Places at scattered localities. (ii) Satan Rose Up Against Israel And Incited David To Take A Census Of Israel, I Chronicles 21:1: Comparing 2 Samuel 24:1 with Chronicles 21:1, who made David Counted his people? It was the Lord who allowed David of doing so through Satan's attempt for David to show "his" deeds. To me, it was the same way the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart to keep Israelites under his slavery. (iii) God's Plan At Work: God wanted Israelites to worship Him by allowing David to be attempted by Satan for showing his greatness. Then, God punished them by killing them within three days by plague, 24:13. After that the Lord told Gad to instruct king David to build an alter. (iv) The Three Options, 24:12: All the three are equally severe in intensity of punishment. I give praise to God of His wisdom of the options He laid out for David to pick. In fact, David picked the right one - "but do not let me fall into the hands of men," 24:14. iT IS A DREADFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING gOD, Hebrews 10:31. (v) Closing Verses, John 4:23-24: yET A TIME IS COMING AND HAS NOW COME WHEN THE TRUE WORSHIPERS WILL WORSHIP TH EfATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH, FOR THEY ARE THE KIND OF WORSHIPERS THE fATHER SEEKS. gOD IS SPIRIT, ANDHIS WORSHIPERS MUST WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.