2 Samuel 3-4; 1 Chronicles; Psalm 122; Acts 22;
2 Samuel 3-4: Despite being in constant persecution by Saul for many years, David's heart was not filled with a thirst for revenge against the supporters and descendants of the first king of Israel. The story of attempting reconciliation with Abner, the commander of Saul, shows that David valued all of Israel, including the tribe of Benjamin. That's why David mourns the death of Abner as a great man in Israel (2 Samuel 3:38), even though at that time, the rest of Israel, except for the tribe of Judah, was still under the rule of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul.
Similarly, David also reacts to the death of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul. Instead of the praise and rewards expected by Ish-bosheth's killers, David orders them to be executed (2 Samuel 4).
David's reign over all Israel began with massive support from commanders and the strongest men in each tribe. 1 Chronicles 12 lists such individuals, showing the massive support David received from the people. It is mentioned that some of them joined David's side even before Saul's death (1 Chronicles 12:1, 19).
Psalm 122: The House of the Lord was the center of Jerusalem. When asking for peace in Jerusalem, David emphasizes that it is the city where the house of the Lord is, the temple, which was the main place of worship to God. Respect for the place of worship to God is an important condition for the welfare of the people.
Acts 22: To calm the Jews who rose against him, Paul sincerely explains what happened to him, how he became a Christian, and why he preaches to the Gentiles. Perhaps he hoped that the story of his radical, supernatural turnaround could persuade the Jews. It didn't work. When he mentioned that God sent him to preach to the Gentiles, the crowd erupted in rage. It almost ended with Paul being scourged, which he miraculously avoided.
Similarly, David also reacts to the death of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul. Instead of the praise and rewards expected by Ish-bosheth's killers, David orders them to be executed (2 Samuel 4).
David's reign over all Israel began with massive support from commanders and the strongest men in each tribe. 1 Chronicles 12 lists such individuals, showing the massive support David received from the people. It is mentioned that some of them joined David's side even before Saul's death (1 Chronicles 12:1, 19).
Psalm 122: The House of the Lord was the center of Jerusalem. When asking for peace in Jerusalem, David emphasizes that it is the city where the house of the Lord is, the temple, which was the main place of worship to God. Respect for the place of worship to God is an important condition for the welfare of the people.
Acts 22: To calm the Jews who rose against him, Paul sincerely explains what happened to him, how he became a Christian, and why he preaches to the Gentiles. Perhaps he hoped that the story of his radical, supernatural turnaround could persuade the Jews. It didn't work. When he mentioned that God sent him to preach to the Gentiles, the crowd erupted in rage. It almost ended with Paul being scourged, which he miraculously avoided.
Posted in Reading Bible Together