Thursday, December 29, 2022

Monday, December 26, 2022

2 Kings 4

2 Kings 4 (NIV)✞: The Widow’s Olive Oil, The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life, Death in the Pot, Feeding of a Hundred

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Monday, December 19, 2022

2 Kings 2

2 Kings 2 (NIV)✞: Elijah Taken Up to Heaven, Healing of the Water, Elisha Is Jeered

Thursday, December 15, 2022

2 Kings 1

2 Kings 1 (NIV)✞: The LORD‘s Judgement on Ahaziah

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

2 Kings

My blogging schedule has me going back and forth between Old and New Testaments, and in the next post it’s time to pivot back to the Old Testament and get into 2 Kings.

Given the fact that 1 Kings and 2 Kings were originally one book (or rather, scroll), I’m treating them that way in the blog: I’m just continuing on into 2 Kings as if it’s a continuation of the story of Kings, as it was originally written.

That also means there won’t be separate “summary” posts for 1 Kings and 2 Kings, it’ll just be one post for 1&2 Kings. Or 1/2 Kings. Or 1–2 Kings. Or however I end up deciding to title that, since I don’t think I’ve been consistent so far…

Monday, December 12, 2022

Thursday, December 08, 2022

Monday, December 05, 2022

Acts 21:1-26

Acts 21:1–26 (ESV)✞: Paul Goes to Jerusalem, Paul Visits James

Thursday, December 01, 2022

Acts 20:13-38

Acts 20:13–38 (ESV)✞: Eutychus Raised from the Dead, Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

Monday, November 28, 2022

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Acts 19:21-20:6

Acts 19:21—20:6 (ESV)✞: A Riot at Ephesus, Paul in Macedonia and Greece

Monday, November 21, 2022

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Acts 18:18-19:10

Acts 18:18—19:10 (ESV)✞: Paul Returns to Antioch, Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus, Paul in Ephesus

Monday, November 14, 2022

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Acts 17:16-34

Acts 17:16–34 (ESV)✞: Paul in Athens, Paul Addresses the Areopagus

Monday, November 07, 2022

Acts 17:1-15

Acts 17:1–15 (ESV)✞: Paul and Silas in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas in Berea

Thursday, November 03, 2022

Acts 16:16-40

Acts 16:16–40 (ESV)✞: Paul and Silas in Prison, The Philippian Jailer Converted

Monday, October 31, 2022

Acts 16:6-15

Acts 16:6–15 (ESV)✞: The Macedonian Call, The Conversion of Lydia

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Monday, October 24, 2022

Acts 15

Acts 15 (ESV)✞: The Council at Jerusalem, The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers, Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

Thursday, October 20, 2022

1 Kings 22:41-53

1 Kings 22:41–53 (NIV)✞: Jehoshaphat King of Judah, Ahaziah King of Israel

Monday, October 17, 2022

1 Kings 22:1-40

1 Kings 22:1–40 (NIV)✞: Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab, Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Monday, October 10, 2022

1 Kings 20

1 Kings 20 (NIV)✞: Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria, Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad, A Prophet Condemns Ahab

Thursday, October 06, 2022

Monday, October 03, 2022

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Monday, September 26, 2022

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Monday, September 19, 2022

1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17 (NIV)✞: Elijah Predicts a Drought, the Widow of Zarephath, Elijah Raises the Widow’s Son

Thursday, September 15, 2022

1 Kings 16:21-34

1 Kings 16:21–34 (NIV)✞: Omri king of Israel, Ahab Becomes King of Israel

Monday, September 12, 2022

1 Kings 15:25-16:14

1 Kings 15:25—16:14 (NIV)✞: Nadab King of Israel, Baasha King of Israel, Elah King of Israel

Thursday, September 08, 2022

Monday, September 05, 2022

Thursday, September 01, 2022

Monday, August 29, 2022

1 Kings 14:1-20

1 Kings 14:1–20 (NIV)✞: Ahijah’s Prophecy Against Jeroboam

Thursday, August 25, 2022

1 Kings 13

1 Kings 13 (NIV)✞: A Man of God Confronts Jeroboam, The Prophet’s Disobedience

Monday, August 22, 2022

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Monday, August 15, 2022

Acts 14:19-28

Acts 14:19–28 (ESV)✞: Paul Stoned at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Monday, August 08, 2022

Acts 14:1-7

Acts 14:1–7: Paul and Barnabas at Iconium

Thursday, August 04, 2022

Acts 13:13-52

Acts 13:13–52: Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia

Monday, August 01, 2022

Acts 13:4-12

Acts 13:4–12: Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Acts 13:1-3

Acts 13:1–3: Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

Monday, July 25, 2022

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Acts 12:1-19

Acts 12:1–19: James Killed and Peter Imprisoned, Peter Is Rescued

Monday, July 18, 2022

Acts 11

Acts 11: Peter Explains His Actions, The Church in Antioch

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Acts 10

Acts 10: Peter and Cornelius, Peter’s Vision, Gentiles Hear the Good News, The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

Monday, July 11, 2022

Acts 9:32-43

Acts 9:32–43: The Healing of Aeneas, Dorcas Restored to Life

Thursday, July 07, 2022

Acts 9:1-31

Acts 9:1–31: The Conversion of Saul, Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues, Saul Escapes from Damascus, Saul in Jerusalem

Monday, July 04, 2022

Acts 8:26-40

Acts 8:26–40: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Acts 8:9-25

Acts 8:9–25: Simon the Magician Believes

Monday, June 27, 2022

Acts 8:4-8

Acts 8:4–8: Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Acts 8:1-3

Acts 8:1–3: Saul Ravages the Church

Monday, June 20, 2022

1 Kings 11:26-43

1 Kings 11:26–43: Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon, Solomon’s Death

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Monday, June 13, 2022

Thursday, June 09, 2022

1 Kings 10

1 Kings 10: The Queen of Sheba, Solomon’s Great Wealth

Monday, June 06, 2022

Thursday, June 02, 2022

1 Kings 8:1-9:9

1 Kings 8:1–9:9: The Ark Brought to the Temple, Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication, The Dedication of the Temple, The LORD Appears to Solomon

Monday, May 30, 2022

1 Kings 7

1 Kings 7: Solomon Builds His Palace, The Temple’s Furnishings

Thursday, May 26, 2022

1 Kings 6

1 Kings 6: Solomon Builds the Temple

Monday, May 23, 2022

1 Kings 5

1 Kings 5: Preparations for Building the Temple

Thursday, May 19, 2022

1 Kings 4

1 Kings 4: Solomon’s Officials and Governors, Solomon’s Daily Provisions, Solomon’s Wisdom

Monday, May 16, 2022

1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3: Solomon Asks for Wisdom, A Wise Ruling

Thursday, May 12, 2022

1 Kings 2:13-46

1 Kings 2:13–46: Solomon’s Throne Established

Monday, May 09, 2022

Thursday, May 05, 2022

1 Kings 1

1 Kings 1: Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King, David Makes Solomon King

Monday, May 02, 2022

Acts 7

Acts 7: Stephen’s Speech, The Stoning of Stephen

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Acts 6

Acts 6: Seven Chosen to Serve, Stephen is Seized

Monday, April 25, 2022

Acts 5:17-42

Acts 5:17–42: The Apostles Arrested and Freed

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Acts 5:12-16

Acts 5:12–16: Many Signs and Wonders Done

Monday, April 18, 2022

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Acts 4:32-37

Acts 4:32–37: The Believers Share Their Possessions

Monday, April 11, 2022

Acts 4:23-31

Acts 4:23–31: The Believers Pray for Boldness

Thursday, April 07, 2022

Psalm 2

Psalm 2: The Reign of the LORD’s Anointed

Monday, April 04, 2022

Acts 4:1-22

Acts 4:1–22: Peter and John Before the Council

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Acts 3

Acts 3: The Lame Beggar Healed, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

Monday, March 28, 2022

Acts 2:14-47

Acts 2:14–47: Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost, The Fellowship of the Believers

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Acts 2:1-13

Acts 2:1–13: The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Monday, March 21, 2022

Acts 1

Acts 1: The Promise of the Holy Spirit, The Ascension, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Thursday, March 17, 2022

2 Samuel Summary

The modern books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel were originally just one book, Samuel, but the first Greek translation of the Old Testament Scriptures (called the Septuagint) divided it into the books of 1&2 Samuel that modern-day Christians see in their Bibles. (One site I read said that the reason it was divided was that the scrolls being used at the time weren’t big enough to accommodate the entire book of Samuel, so it was purely a logistical thing.)

Overall, the book of Samuel is focused on King David, where:

  • 1 Samuel is focused on the lead up to David’s kingship, with Saul becoming king and then David going on the run when Saul begins to persecute him, and
  • 2 Samuel (this book) focusing on David as king

When modern-day Christians think of King David we often think of the stories from his youth (such as his defeat of Goliath) that are captured in 1 Samuel, or we think of the phrase a man after God’s own heart. And this is valid: that phrase “a man after God’s own heart” comes from the Scriptures. (See 1 Samuel 13:14, where Samuel tells Saul that he’ll be replaced as king by a man after God’s own heart, as well as Acts 13:22 where Paul quotes the same passage.) In addition to these quotes we have quite a number of the Psalms that were written by David throughout his life; it seems that David was always seeking his God, whether he was in trouble or in good times.

The Bible is also quite clear, however, that David had his flaws, and makes no attempt to hide them from us. When the modern Christian thinks of David’s flaws we usually think of his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah. As I went through 2 Samuel, however, I was struck by how much of the book is driven by David’s flaws! Yes, there was the incident with Bathsheba—and David’s repentance after that act is another good example of why he’s a man after God’s own heart—but he was also a terrible father, and the effects of that ring through much of the book.

When I say terrible father, I’m referring to things like:

  • One of David’s sons, Amnon, rapes one of David’s daughters, Tamar, but David doesn’t do anything about it
  • Another of David’s sons, Absalom, kills Amnon in revenge for Tamar, but David doesn’t do anything about that, either
  • Absalom later decides to rebel against his father and set himself up as king, and I can’t help but think that he feels entitled to do it because he knows his father won’t properly put down the rebellion
  • If that is what Absalom thinks he’s right, because David doesn’t. David’s men eventually defeat Absalom’s men, and Joab (the commander of David’s army, off and on) puts Absalom to death, but David is more worried about mourning his son than being grateful to his men for preserving his kingdom

Speaking of Joab, this is another theme that keeps recurring throughout 2 Samuel: David does not like Joab, and would really like to replace him as commander of the army, but Joab is so good as commander of the army that David feels that he can’t do it. To me, this also feels like a sign of weakness: if he really should be getting rid of Joab—and it’s true that Joab flat-out disobeys David’s orders on multiple occasions—but is afraid to do it because Joab is so effective, then isn’t this lack of faith on David’s part? If Joab needed to be replaced, shouldn’t David have done it and trusted in the LORD? Or was there no need to replace Joab, and David simply had some weird bad blood with him that he should have gotten over?

My point in all of this is not to disagree with the notion that David is a man after God’s own heart. He is. But we can sometimes fall into the trap of reading stories about David’s life as object lessons: David beat the giant, and that shows that you can do anything you put your mind to! (Which is the opposite of what that passage teaches us.) And there is validity in looking at the good aspects of David’s life and trying to emulate them; I hope I never do anything as horrible as what David did in committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband, but if I ever do, I hope I repent the way that David did! (And when I commit lesser sins, I hope I do the same!) As mentioned, David wrote many Psalms, and those should also serve as a model for me. But when we read the Bible as a whole, the message isn’t, “be like King David,” the messages is, “even the best of us, even a man revered for having a heart for God, is sinful and needs to be redeemed—and that’s what Jesus came to do.”

Monday, March 14, 2022

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Monday, March 07, 2022

Thursday, March 03, 2022

Tuesday, March 01, 2022

2 Samuel 22

2 Samuel 22: David’s Song of Praise

Monday, February 28, 2022

Psalm 18

Psalm 18: The LORD is My Rock and My Fortress

Thursday, February 24, 2022

2 Samuel 21

2 Samuel 21: The Gibeonites Avenged, Wars Against the Philistines

Monday, February 21, 2022

2 Samuel 20

2 Samuel 20: Sheba Rebels Against David, David’s Officials

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Monday, February 14, 2022

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Monday, February 07, 2022

Thursday, February 03, 2022

Monday, January 31, 2022

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Monday, January 24, 2022

2 Samuel 14

2 Samuel 14: Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Monday, January 17, 2022

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Monday, January 10, 2022

Thursday, January 06, 2022

2 Samuel 10

2 Samuel 10: David Defeats the Ammonites

Monday, January 03, 2022

2 Samuel 9

2 Samuel 9: David and Mephibosheth