2 Samuel 13-14; Acts 28
When David sinned with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan declared to him that although God had forgiven him and had not taken the kingdom away from him, "the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah..." (2 Samuel 12:10). This had an impact on David's entire family. His children were constantly at odds with each other. Amnon disgraced his sister Tamar. Then Absalom cunningly killed Amnon. Later, Absalom, a very handsome man admired by many in Israel and favored by Joab, David's commander, began to weave his plots against his father, David.
Although David was "a man after God's own heart," he obviously had weaknesses and shortcomings. While he trusted God in many matters, which made him one of the most outstanding people of faith in the Old Testament, it is evident that David did not devote enough attention to raising his children in trust in God, which later manifested in their lives.
Acts 28
The Apostle Paul lived in God's presence and trusted Him in all circumstances. This was evident in his behavior and actions, both on the ship and after landing on the island of Malta. Paul always did what he could, relying on the Lord.
Interestingly, by this time (60 A.D.), approximately thirty years after the establishment of the church in Jerusalem, there were Christians in many places throughout the Roman Empire. On his way to Rome, Paul visited many of them and even stayed with them (Acts 28:13-14). The same is seen in Rome. Upon learning that Paul was coming to Rome, the Roman believers met him at the Appian Forum (Acts 28:15).
Upon arriving in Rome, Paul, true to his principle of "first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles," invited the local Jews to explain not only his situation but also about the Lord Jesus Christ. After many Jews rejected this message, he turned to preaching to the Gentiles, "Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Acts 28:31).
Although David was "a man after God's own heart," he obviously had weaknesses and shortcomings. While he trusted God in many matters, which made him one of the most outstanding people of faith in the Old Testament, it is evident that David did not devote enough attention to raising his children in trust in God, which later manifested in their lives.
Acts 28
The Apostle Paul lived in God's presence and trusted Him in all circumstances. This was evident in his behavior and actions, both on the ship and after landing on the island of Malta. Paul always did what he could, relying on the Lord.
Interestingly, by this time (60 A.D.), approximately thirty years after the establishment of the church in Jerusalem, there were Christians in many places throughout the Roman Empire. On his way to Rome, Paul visited many of them and even stayed with them (Acts 28:13-14). The same is seen in Rome. Upon learning that Paul was coming to Rome, the Roman believers met him at the Appian Forum (Acts 28:15).
Upon arriving in Rome, Paul, true to his principle of "first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles," invited the local Jews to explain not only his situation but also about the Lord Jesus Christ. After many Jews rejected this message, he turned to preaching to the Gentiles, "Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Acts 28:31).
Posted in Reading Bible Together