We are still trudging along through the Bible together. Here it is halfway through the year and we’re not halfway through the Bible, but it’s not a race, right? We’re in 2Kings10 and I want to catch up on my thoughts so far, but every time I start to write I get overwhelmed at how much I haven’t filled you in on and walk away. Then I sit down to write and the cycle continues. So, I’m gonna try to remember what I wanted to tell you from the 2 books of Samuel. It may be disjointed, but something’s better than nothing.
Okay, enough disclaimers.
We really like reading about David. We really liked the relationship between David and Jonathan. Had noble and selfless that Jonathan could befriend someone he knew would take his place as king. What loyalty. What faith. One of the most notable things while reading this was when my 8 year old Middlest asked me when David ran away why Jonathan didn’t go with him, “I’d have gone with him, Mama, I’d have stayed with my friend, especially if my Dad had just thrown that fit the night before.” And as Matt told us and we then read the next day it would definitely have turned out differently for Jonathan had he gone with his friend.
Nearly all of Saul’s life was sad to me. I think he meant well. I think he tried. I think he failed miserably. I hated the evil spirit that would settle on Saul and how he was so very different at that time than when he was focused on following and listening to God. Just sad.
Interesting the passage about Saul calling up Samuel from the dead. That’s something that has stuck out to me since I became a Christian. Some proponents of “silly” witchcraft, silly games, palm readings, and astrology say, “Oh, it’s just nothing.” But as we saw here the Bible says some of it is real. And that we are not to dabble in it.
Yet, how noble of David to not speak ill of Saul after his death. And more, to honor him with such a song and prayer.
We talked about David’s sins surrounding Bathsheba. And there were several, not just one. We talked about how his first sin was that when he saw Bathsheba bathing he should’ve looked away. True for us as well. When we see scantily clad people we should look away. Period. Discussing this with my kiddos has opened my eyes to how we watch movies and tv as well. When we watch a “love story” on tv (even kid shows and cartoons) we should feel awkward when watching people kiss. We are invading their moment (real or fake, doesn’t matter, the concept is still the same). Look away from and get out of their moment. We could learn a thing or two from David and Bathsheba. David’s sin then multiplied upon itself. One hidden sin led to another. It’s how it works. Live in the light, look away from what we shouldn’t be looking at, stop at the first sin, repent.
And then we got to 2Samuel13. I knew what was coming before we got there. I prayed for wisdom. And then read every word of it. Whew. Difficult reading, but we stopped and talked through it. And then we kept going.
We enjoyed the sweet words of David in 2Samuel22. Words to read and dwell on in your times of trouble. David knew times of strong faith, times of blessings unsurpassed, and times of deep sorrow, deep trouble. We can find comfort in and identify with David’s praises to the Lord. Go, read again, be refreshed.
You can read 1 and 2 Samuel in their entirety on Bible Gateway.
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