Tag: 2 Samuel

• Psalm 89: A Hymn in Time of National Struggle – Part VI

  
  

  Psalm 89: A Hymn in Time of National Struggle – Part VI

  Sunday, January 26, 2025

  The next several posts were published in 2018, and they seem appropriate this year in a time when nations around the globe struggle to find effective, authentic, life-giving governance. 

  Finding the Servant

  

  In 2 Samuel we continue to learn how God finds the faithful servant, and how we might become a constant follower of Christ. In this Book we find more vibrant lessons for living.

  If we look at the Books of Samuel more closely, and the vivid characters who tell their stories so well, we see clear lessons for living.

  How do we react when goodness and evil enter our lives? Do we recognize God’s hand when our lives go well? Do we blame others when our lives are difficult? How much do we credit God? How much credit to give ourselves?

  The Ark of the Covenant returns to Jerusalem. Are we willing to leap for joy as David does? (2 Samuel 4)

  We experience success in work and at home. Are we willing to thank God in prayer as David does? (2 Samuel 7)

  

  We stumble and stray. Where do we turn for guidance and pardon? (2 Samuel 11-12)

  God searches for a faithful servant and finds a dedicated follower in the flawed leader of Israel. God works with a corrupt and immoral political and religious structure. God guides and protects the faithful followers of the Word. God walks among us as one of us. Today we spend a bit of time with 2 Samuel as we find our place in God’s kingdom of the faithful.

  We hear this story. We take it in. And then we reply with the psalmist and King David . . . O Lord, I will always sing of your constant love; I will proclaim your faithfulness forever.

  Tomorrow, praying with David, a faithful servant.

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  When we examine these verses using the scripture link, we discover the faithful servant in each of us.

  Images from: http://blog.adw.org/2013/07/king-david-a-great-king-but-with-a-critical-flaw-that-is-all-too-common-today/ and https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tissot_David_Danced_Before_the_Lord_with_All_His_Might.jpg

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  January 26, 2025

  2 Samuel, David as leader and sinner, guidance, pardon, the kingdom

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• Psalm 89: A Hymn in Time of National Struggle – Part IV

  
  

  Psalm 89: A Hymn in Time of National Struggle – Part IV

  Friday, January 24, 2025

  The next several posts were published in 2018, and they seem appropriate this year in a time when nations around the globe struggle to find effective, authentic, life-giving governance. 

  

  Finding the Servant

  Perhaps the most heartbreaking part in the story of David’s rise and reign is the accounting of his son Absalom. As Nathan had predicted, this favored child hatches a plot to do away with his father. In Chapters 16-17 we see the counselor Ahitophel create double deceit as the writer records, Any advice that Ahithophel gave in those days was accepted as though it were the very word of God; both David and Absalom followed it. Later we read that Ahithophel takes his own life (2 Samuel 17:23) and we consider, when we plot to take down our enemies, are we prepared to have that plot turn against us?

  Men prepare for conflict. The battle ensues and Absalom dies. Messages fly. David mourns and shames the soldiers who have saved him and the city. The world turns on its head. David’s nephew Joab steps in to bring the world back into focus and life settles into a series of defensive moves in which David maintains the kingdom in a series of skirmishes and disagreements. In the closing chapters of this long tale we read the beautiful song of this faithful servant’s thanksgiving. And so we consider, when we reflect on our lives with all of its peaks and valleys, can we recognize God as our rock, fortress, deliverer and refuge, or do we curse our circumstances and blame bad fortune on others?

  

  Samuel, David, Bathsheba, Nathan, Joab, Ahithophel, Uzza and so many others paint a canvas for us of the faithful servant who stumbles and recovers – many times. Through all of this, our loving God  pardons, heals and always abides. In a time when the word of the Lord is rare and visions are scarce in our lives, we might find ourselves in this story. We might listen for God’s voice as we step forward in faithful service.

  We hear this story. We take it in. And then we reply with the psalmist and King David . . . O Lord, I will always sing of your constant love; I will proclaim your faithfulness forever.

  Tomorrow, God among us.

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  Compare other translations of these verses by using the scripture links and drop-down menus. 

  Click on the image of David and Absalom for more insights into this story.

  Looking for a prayer for those who abide? Enter the word Prayer for Faithful Servants into this blog search bar and reflect.

  Images from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_and_Jonathan_%28Rembrandt%29 and https://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Francesco-Pesellino/The-Death-Of-Absalom.html

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  January 24, 2025

  2 Samuel, Absalom, Ahithophel, David, plots, thanksgiving

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• Psalm 89: A Hymn in Time of National Struggle – Part III

  
  

  Psalm 89: A Hymn in Time of National Struggle – Part III

  Thursday, January 23, 2025

  The next several posts were published in 2018, and they seem appropriate this year in a time when nations around the globe struggle to find effective, authentic, life-giving governance. 

  

  Finding the Servant

  Moving forward into 2 Samuel, we see that King Saul and his son Jonathan die, the former David’s nemesis, the latter David’s dearest friend. Ordering the execution of the messenger who brings him this news, David says, You brought this on yourself. You condemned yourself when you confessed that you killed the one whom the Lord chose to be king. And so we consider, when we navigate the turbulent waters of national conflict, do we live by the standards of our times or do we open our hearts to other ways?

  Following instructions and bolstered by the Lord, the young king leads his troops in victory as they bring the Ark back to Jerusalem. We might pause in chapter 6 for the accounting of Uzzah who acts in his own time rather than God’s; and we watch David move forward cautiously in the arc of his reign. In Chapter 7, David prays, Sovereign Lord! What more can I say to you! You know me, your servant. It was your will and purpose to do this; you have done all these great things in order to instruct me. How great you are, Sovereign Lord! And so as we reflect we consider, Do we add to the violence or do we work for the way of peace?

  

  In Chapters 11 and 12, we discover that the gifted and blessed young king succumbs to the easy temptation of deceit, infidelity, betrayal and even murder. The prophet Nathan uses a parable to bring David to the reality of his offenses. Nathan said to David. “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul. I gave you his kingdom and his wives; I made you king over Israel and Judah. If this had not been enough, I would have given you twice as much. Why, then, have you disobeyed my commands? David confesses and repents, and then he hears the news that darkness will cloud his own future. The intertwining lives of David, Nathan, Bathsheba, Uriah and the yet unborn sons Solomon and Absalom play out before us. And so as we reflect we consider, Do we add to the violence we experience or do we look for the way of peace?

  The faithful servant stumbles. Our generous God forgives. Betrayal or fidelity, desperation or hope, hatred or love. Clear choices with difficult paths lie before us when the word of the Lord is rare and visions are scarce in our lives.

  We hear this story . . . we take it in . . . and then we reply . . . O Lord, I will always sing of your constant love; I will proclaim your faithfulness forever.

  Tomorrow, God always abides. 

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  Compare other translations of these verses by using the scripture links and drop-down menus. 

  For other reflections on Uzzah and the ox cart, enter his name into the blog search bar and explore.

  Images from: https://allenvandermeulen.org/2015/08/02/sermon-silence/ and 

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  January 23, 2025

  2 Samuel, Bathsheba, David, Jonathan, Nathan, Urriah, Uzzah

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