1 Samuel 21-22; 1 Chronicles 5; Psalm 52; Acts 15
The story of David's life truthfully portrays moments of weakness in his faith. Under the pressure of a deadly threat from Saul, he resorts to deception (1 Samuel 21:2), tries to hide among Israel's enemies, and when recognized there, pretends to be insane, letting saliva run down his beard (1 Samuel 21:10-15). He then attempts to place his parents under the protection of the king of Moab (1 Samuel 22:3-5). The threat from Saul was genuine and profound. This is evident in how Saul ruthlessly and unjustly deals with the household of the priest Ahimelech. David could stand against Goliath, relying on the Lord, but he was not prepared when the king of Israel rose against him.
Only God's mercy delivers him in these circumstances. This is seen in Psalm 51. David confesses his dependence on God here - "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever" (Psalm 51:10).
1 Chronicles 5 continues the description of the genealogy of the tribes of Israel from the perspective of the priests, particularly noting that the birthright among the sons of Jacob was transferred to the sons of Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:1). Still, the actual birthright belonged to the tribe of Judah. It was more significant than the others, and the kings of Israel after Saul were the descendants of Judah (1 Chronicles 5:2).
Acts 15 describes the so-called First Council of Jerusalem. The apostles and elders in the Jerusalem church gathered to address an issue in Antioch. Due to representatives of the Jews from Jerusalem beginning to teach the necessity of circumcision for salvation, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to join other apostles in studying this issue and reaching a shared conviction about it. The critical factor determining their decision was once again the conversion of Cornelius, referred to by the apostle Peter - "So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us" (Acts 15:8).
Only God's mercy delivers him in these circumstances. This is seen in Psalm 51. David confesses his dependence on God here - "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever" (Psalm 51:10).
1 Chronicles 5 continues the description of the genealogy of the tribes of Israel from the perspective of the priests, particularly noting that the birthright among the sons of Jacob was transferred to the sons of Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:1). Still, the actual birthright belonged to the tribe of Judah. It was more significant than the others, and the kings of Israel after Saul were the descendants of Judah (1 Chronicles 5:2).
Acts 15 describes the so-called First Council of Jerusalem. The apostles and elders in the Jerusalem church gathered to address an issue in Antioch. Due to representatives of the Jews from Jerusalem beginning to teach the necessity of circumcision for salvation, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to join other apostles in studying this issue and reaching a shared conviction about it. The critical factor determining their decision was once again the conversion of Cornelius, referred to by the apostle Peter - "So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us" (Acts 15:8).
Posted in Reading Bible Together