Tag Archives: 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 17, Jeremiah 21, Romans 7-8

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David’s prayer for Ahithophel’s counsel to be regarded as foolishness (15:31) is answered, when Absolam ignores Ahithophel’s advice and instead listens to Hushai (17:14). Ahithophel’s advice was usually so wise, it was as if it was the word of God (16:23). He was so deeply affected by this rejection of his advice, went home and hung himself (17:23). Ahithophel’s pride in his own ability to analyse a situation cost him his life.

In Jeremiah 21 we read that while our God forgives and is merciful, He has a limit which the people of Israel had now reached. Unrepentant and disinterested in serving God, He would now fight against them in their battles with the Babylonians, without pity or compassion, saying “I have set my face against this city for harm and not for good.”

Paul reminds us that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” The spirit of God needs to dwell in us, leaving no room for the mind of the flesh.  Let us live our lives led by the spirit of God, and so be counted as God’s children.

 

2 Samuel 12, Jeremiah 16, Matthew 27

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In 2 Sam 12, we gain some insight into the way God forgives sins. David’s actions should have resulted in death under the law, but instead “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless…the child who is born to you shall die.”  The consequences of David’s sins affected him for the rest of his life, just as we have to live with the consequences of our actions. But David was forgiven by God, his sin was “put away”.

We read of this forgiveness on a national level in Jer 16. God says “I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their fathers”.  Even though their fathers had forsaken God, served other gods and not kept God’s law, God kept His promises, didn’t completely destroy them, gave them hope of a time they would return to their land.

In Matt 27 we read of the extent that God went to, in offering up His only beloved son, so that we could be saved. Let’s follow the example of Jesus, dedicating our lives to serving and worshipping our God.

2 Samuel 2, Jeremiah 8, Matthew 19

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In 2 Samuel 2, we read how David continues to rely on God for guidance in his decision making, and also the continued rivalry between the house of Saul and the house of David that resulted in there being two kings in Israel for a number of years.

Jeremiah outlines the treachery of Judah, their rejection of God’s word from the priests to the prophets to the general inhabitants. He grieves for their unfaithfulness, for the way the Israelites provoke God to anger with their idolatry.

Jesus teaches how being preoccupied by what the world has to offer can affect our eternal salvation. The rich man would happily keep the commandments under the law, but failed to understand the principal that God must come first. He relied too much on his own wealth, and was challenged by Jesus’ advice to sell everything and give to the poor. Life in the kingdom is worth any sacrifices we might have to make now. “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”

2 Samuel 1, Matthew 18

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David’s response to Saul’s death in 2 Samuel 1 highlights the principal of loving his neighbour, even to the extent of mourning and avenging Saul’s death. He recognised that Saul was God’s anointed, even though Saul chose to disobey God.

In Matthew 18 also we find advice about the way we interact with others. Jesus highlights the importance of the meek, teachable spirit of children, the necessity to remove temptation, and to care for that which is lost, whether it is a sheep or our brother.  If we’re aware of someone’s sin, then it is our responsibility to assist them rather than publicly reprimanding them.  Jesus also shows the importance of forgiving one another an unlimited amount, just as God continually forgives us.