For The Kingdom And The King

2nd Samuel 17-20

My father always said that the first person a child rebels against is his own parents. I'm glad he told me this growing up, not because I was rebellious, I wasn't. Because you children are starting to test the waters of standing up to me and your mom. It's only natural to see how far you can get with whatever boundaries we set for you. Sometimes we will set a boundary and one of you will immediately confront us on how unfair these are. We do not take these personally the way children do. I actually get amused when children confront me and your mom about decisions we have made. 

 

Here, Absalom is about to go to war with David, his father. This is most likely because of David's sin with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah. David's legacy as a king and a father is in jeopardy of being forever tarnished by his sin, and by the curse that came upon him because of it. I hope my legacy is a that I loved you all, and that I'd do anything for you. 

2nd Samuel 13-16

The next few chapters are disturbing, incest, rape, and revenge. It's like a weird independent film that I would never watch. I especially wouldn't let you watch it. I do want you three sons of mine to realize though that as future men, I expect you to be protective of your sister, even if she is older than you. I am not sanctioning murder by the way. I'm just requesting that as men, you will be men. And sometimes men need to protect, sometimes they need to fight, and I truly pray you are never confronted with this, but sometimes we are asked to lay our lives down for others. 

2nd Samuel 7-12

Listen in as King David seeks out the family of his fallen best friend and once prince of Israel, Jonathan. The kindness is so extreme, and so honoring of his best friend. Then in an about face, King David does one of the most despicable acts a man can do, and is called to account for it. When you are confronted with sin you are committing, love the people who confront you, repent from your sin, and love God for putting these brave people in your life. 

2nd Samuel 1-6

David hears about the death of King Saul and his best friend Jonathan. His reaction to the news is heartbreak not elation. You'd expect David to feel some joy knowing the man who had been trying to kill him was himself dead, but David saw it differently. David mourned the death of his king, and God's anointed. This is David living out Jesus' future command to turn the other cheek and to pray for your enemies, when Jesus spoke of this, it appeared to be radical, but one of the greatest kings of Israel, David, lived this out, far into the open for his future kingdom to see. 

1st Samuel 27-31

Listen as we conclude the book of 1st Samuel, and also read about the conclusion of the lives of King Saul and his sons, including Jonathan. A lot happens in these chapters, King Saul continues to show why God has rejected him in these final chapters. David continues to show us why God accepts him, and blesses him. The bottom line is actions and intent speak louder than words. 

1st Samuel 23-26

Listen while we read about David continuing to be pursued by King Saul. Multiple times David could have killed King Saul but refuses. He will not kill the Lord's anointed, and actually feels a lot of guilt for cutting a piece of cloth off of Saul's robe while he is in a cave, uhhh indisposed. The bottom line is, you are going to have people dislike you, and wish your destruction for no reason, and my advice is to be like David. Let God deal with these people.

1st Samuel 18-22

Listen as I read chapters 18-22, these chapters detail Saul's slow evolution into madness, as David's success becomes meteoric. I am always amazed at Jonathan's love and friendship of David, we could all learn from that kind of devotion. these chapters also show that despite being successful and having God with him, David did not have an easy time. Saul is constantly trying to kill him, other people are dying because they refuse to turn David in, Jonathan's relationship with his father is broken because of his loyalty to David. It's a great analogy for being a Christian, because being a Christian does not mean you're going to have an easy life, actually it's the opposite. Being a Christian guarantees that your life will now face some hardships. You may have to end a friendship, or a relationship because of your belief in Jesus Christ, and all I can say to you kids is, choose Jesus over everything. 

1st Samuel 16-17

Probably the most popular bible story, the story of David versus Goliath. We hear the phrase "David versus Goliath" all the time in popular culture, but maybe the vast majority is getting this story wrong. I have my own take on this fight, and it's imperative that you give credit where credit is due, God was with David, period. 

One thing that bothers me about this story is Saul accepting the terms of battle from Goliath. For many days, Goliath would walk out to the valley the Philistines were camped in and mocked the Israelites demanding that he fight their champion, and whoever wins, the other side will be their servants. Saul should have looked at Goliath on the first day they saw him and order a full charge into battle. Don't ever accept the enemy's premise when you fight with God on your side. 

1st Samuel 14-15

Today we read chapters 14-15, Jonathan goes on a rampage and kills dozens of Philistines along with his faithful armor bearer. Saul makes a terrible vow that ultimately will lead to his and Jonathan's death, not unlike the vow Jephthah made which lead to his daughters death. 

Chapter 15 Samuel tells Saul that God commands that he destroys the Amelakites, and instead Saul allows his soldiers to take their livestock among other treasures, and allows the king to live. God tells Samuel that he is rejecting Saul, and Samuel hacks Agag to pieces. I love this story. 

1st Samuel 11-13

Listen as we read about Saul's ascension as king of Israel. Samuel warns Israel that they are wrong for demanding a king, God still allows them to have one on the condition that Samuel warn them that the king they demand, will demand their children for war, and their livestock for his own. They still demand a king, and are given Saul, this turns out to be a terrible choice.