In the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 7, King David is settled in his palace. But something bothers him. The Covenent Box--AKA the Ark of the Covenent--was in a tent nearby. He thought it should be brought into the palace.
He consulted with the prophet Nathan. Nathan said to do what he wanted. However, that night, the Lord appeared to Nathan and said that the Covenent Box was meant to be in God's tent, not inside the palace. He also said that David's ancestors will keep the kingdom strong, and that the Lord will make one of his sons a ruler. This son God will treat as a son and He as the Father.
David gave thanks to the Lord when he heard this. He siad many times he was not worthy of the gifts bestowed upon him, but would rule to the best of his ability and always trust in the Lord.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Dance the dance you want, no matter who is looking
In the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 6, we once again see the fabled Ark of the Covenent (cue Indiana Jones).
There is a strange passage in verse 6-7, where a man named Uzzah grabbed the Ark as one of the oxen pulling it stumbled. In the passage, the Lord became angry at the man and killed him.
David was puzzled by this, and was afraid of what the Lord could do to anyone. Even him.
So, as he brought the Box into a city, he danced so crazily that he didn't care what anyone thought of him. Saul's daughter, Michal, saw him and was disgusted by his showy display. When she confronted him, he said he was dancing for the Lord, not her.
Needless to say, she remained childless, all the rest of her days.
There is a strange passage in verse 6-7, where a man named Uzzah grabbed the Ark as one of the oxen pulling it stumbled. In the passage, the Lord became angry at the man and killed him.
David was puzzled by this, and was afraid of what the Lord could do to anyone. Even him.
So, as he brought the Box into a city, he danced so crazily that he didn't care what anyone thought of him. Saul's daughter, Michal, saw him and was disgusted by his showy display. When she confronted him, he said he was dancing for the Lord, not her.
Needless to say, she remained childless, all the rest of her days.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
All Hail Ye King David!
In the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 5, we finally see David be crowned king.
The tribes of Israel came together and told David that even when Saul was their king, David fought right beside them, putting the interests of the people first above his own.
They then annointed him ruler and king.
David ruled as king for forty years. In battle after battle, he would pray to the Lord for guidance. He would recieve it, and based on that knowledge he knew how to fight wit God on his side.
The tribes of Israel came together and told David that even when Saul was their king, David fought right beside them, putting the interests of the people first above his own.
They then annointed him ruler and king.
David ruled as king for forty years. In battle after battle, he would pray to the Lord for guidance. He would recieve it, and based on that knowledge he knew how to fight wit God on his side.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Ishbosheth
In the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 4, Ishbosheth (the current King of Israel and son of the late Saul) learns of Abner's death. He was afraid and alarmed the people of Israel.
Two of David's men set out for Ishbosheth's house and, gaining access in the middle of the day, found Ishbosheth inside and killed him. They cut off his head, and walked back home. They presented the head to David.
David seethed with anger, saying they had murdered an innocent man while he slept, and then ordered their own death.
He had the head of Ishbosheth brought to Abner's tomb, where it was then buried.
Two of David's men set out for Ishbosheth's house and, gaining access in the middle of the day, found Ishbosheth inside and killed him. They cut off his head, and walked back home. They presented the head to David.
David seethed with anger, saying they had murdered an innocent man while he slept, and then ordered their own death.
He had the head of Ishbosheth brought to Abner's tomb, where it was then buried.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
The Lord's Guidance
In Psalms 25, the prayer talks about how one prays for guidance from the Lord.
In the first verse, we pray to trust in the Lord. Trusting is first. Then, as the prayer progresses, the speaker asks the Lord to teach them His ways, to live according to His truth.
My favorite line is verse 17, which talks about relieving one's worries to the Lord and saving one from all of their troubles. I have done this a number of times, asking God to take care of this problem or that--it has always left me with a sense of relief that I knew it would get done accordance to His wishes.
In the first verse, we pray to trust in the Lord. Trusting is first. Then, as the prayer progresses, the speaker asks the Lord to teach them His ways, to live according to His truth.
My favorite line is verse 17, which talks about relieving one's worries to the Lord and saving one from all of their troubles. I have done this a number of times, asking God to take care of this problem or that--it has always left me with a sense of relief that I knew it would get done accordance to His wishes.
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