2 Samuel 9-10; 1 Chronicles 18-19; Psalm 88; Acts 26
David's attention to Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, speaks not only of his loyalty to his friend but also of his forgiveness toward Saul and his entire house.
The story of the Ammonite king in 2 Samuel 10 vividly illustrates the dangers of suspicion. Instead of receiving David's messengers as a genuine act of goodwill and compassion, the Ammonites (likely judging David by their standards) suspected deceit. This led to a large war that ended in the Ammonites' defeat.
An interesting moment in this war is when Joab, David's commander, says to his brother Abishai: "Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight" (2 Samuel 10:12). David's men understood their dependence on the Lord.
1 Chronicles 18:14 summarizes David's reign: "So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people." David was like the Messiah, whose reign the prophets spoke about.
Psalm 89 conveys the experiences of David's descendants under God's punishment. Most psalms (the first 38 verses) celebrate God's covenant with David. The author emphasizes that God promised that even if David's sons forsake the law and do not walk according to the commandments (Psalm 89:31-32), God would punish them but not take away His steadfast love (Psalm 89:33-34). The second half of the psalm expresses a deep plea for this mercy, indicating that David's descendants understood and remembered God's covenant with him.
Acts 26 contains another brilliant sermon by the Apostle Paul. Paul always preaches Christ and His salvation, but each sermon is expressed in a new format appropriate to the audience. Paul spoke convincingly, deeply, and naturally, which had a persuasive effect on his listeners, so much so that even King Agrippa said, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian" (Acts 26:28).
In this sermon, Paul clearly expresses his mission received from Christ: "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me" (Acts 26:18).
The story of the Ammonite king in 2 Samuel 10 vividly illustrates the dangers of suspicion. Instead of receiving David's messengers as a genuine act of goodwill and compassion, the Ammonites (likely judging David by their standards) suspected deceit. This led to a large war that ended in the Ammonites' defeat.
An interesting moment in this war is when Joab, David's commander, says to his brother Abishai: "Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight" (2 Samuel 10:12). David's men understood their dependence on the Lord.
1 Chronicles 18:14 summarizes David's reign: "So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people." David was like the Messiah, whose reign the prophets spoke about.
Psalm 89 conveys the experiences of David's descendants under God's punishment. Most psalms (the first 38 verses) celebrate God's covenant with David. The author emphasizes that God promised that even if David's sons forsake the law and do not walk according to the commandments (Psalm 89:31-32), God would punish them but not take away His steadfast love (Psalm 89:33-34). The second half of the psalm expresses a deep plea for this mercy, indicating that David's descendants understood and remembered God's covenant with him.
Acts 26 contains another brilliant sermon by the Apostle Paul. Paul always preaches Christ and His salvation, but each sermon is expressed in a new format appropriate to the audience. Paul spoke convincingly, deeply, and naturally, which had a persuasive effect on his listeners, so much so that even King Agrippa said, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian" (Acts 26:28).
In this sermon, Paul clearly expresses his mission received from Christ: "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me" (Acts 26:18).
Posted in Reading Bible Together