When I first read verse 1 of chapter 24, I thought it was saying God incited David to take the census; but then it wouldn't be sin. Then I read that it was the anger of the Lord that David was responding to. Apparently, I Chronicles says it was satan who incited David. Now Wiersbe is saying the II Samuel does say it was God' but also satan by God inciting satan to incite David so that His will could be done.
...continue reading "II Samuel 24 (Wiersbe)"Author: paloma
blogger, bibliophile, story-teller, Christian, wife, educator, nerd
II Samuel 24 God’s Plans
Well, I swear i wrote this post already, but it's gone now. So I will praise the Lord and start over. This is such a good chapter. It's worth doing twice.
Chapter 24 is the last of book and the last of the four final chapters that Ryrie describes as non-chronological appendices of scenes from Davids life. So it is not immediately obvious at what point in his reign this occurs.
...continue reading "II Samuel 24 God’s Plans"II Samuel 23 (Wiersbe)
"Leaders must depend on the Lord and give Him the Glory."
...continue reading "II Samuel 23 (Wiersbe)"II Samuel 23
The Last Words of David Verses 1-7
I fear something was lost in translation.
...continue reading "II Samuel 23"II Samuel 22 (Wiersbe)
David's Song
Almost identical to Psalm 18. David adapted his own song for corporate worship.
David went through so very long, dark seasons; and yet he had so much to praise the Lord for.
...continue reading "II Samuel 22 (Wiersbe)"II Samuel 22
The Song of David
Almost identical to Psalm 18, this is David's song after being delivered from his enemies and King Saul. I'm not clear if this is upon Saul's death, or after the grieving process in which he wrote a nice song about Saul?
He praises the character of God that could save him. And he points out that he asked and was saved.He points out how severe the situation was and how close to death. Then reiterates that he cried out for deliverance and the Lord heard and shook the earth.
...continue reading "II Samuel 22"II Samuel 21 (Wiersbe)
The Gibeonites were the people in Canaan who tricked Joshua into making a treaty with them. They pretended to be from far out where the Lord didn't require complete extermination, so Joshua made a deal with them. In exchange they ended up being workers for Israel.
But this puts them in a position to expect protection from Israel, not attack.
...continue reading "II Samuel 21 (Wiersbe)"II Samuel 21
Ryrie describes the rest of II Samuel (Chapters 21-24) as "an nonchronological appendix" of events from David's reign.
The Famine
21:1-2 Describes a three year famine and David seeking the Lord for the cause. The reason was when Saul was purging the inhabitants, he also slayed Gibeonites with whom Israel had a treaty. (Joshua 8:3-27)
So David reached out and asked what they wanted for atonement. They said not silver or gold, but seven of Saul's sons. David turned them over, except Mephibosheth because of his covenant with Jonathan. The Gibeonites hanged all seven together.
...continue reading "II Samuel 21"II Samuel 20
So, previous to chapter 20, the men of Judah were arguing with the men of Israel about who owned David more, having recently all just abandoned him to Absalom's treachery.
Dear Lord! Now, in the midst of this, one "worthless fellow", named Sheba, a Benjaminite, decides to stir it up even further. He blows a trumpet and encourages everyone to go got to their tents to regroup an take on David-with no one having any inheritance in him.
...continue reading "II Samuel 20"II Samuel 18-19 (Wiersbe)
Chapter 18
Wiersbe starts this section by summarizing David's organization of the men and wending them out to go gently on Absalom, while Absalom has done nothing but rebel against David. Then Wiersbe points out that David is a man after God's own heart. David went easy on his sons and God give us chance after chance, mercy upon mercy, grace abounding and in return---we rebel. Thank God he goes light on us too.
Both Ahithophel (the traitorous advisor) and Absalom (the traitorous son) died hanging from trees- which for an Israelite- is a sign you were cursed by God.
Chapter 19
Wiersbe says the theme of this chapter is Bringing Back the King. All of the years of the judges left the country divided and hungry. They had been healing under David and now that was fractured. With the death of Absalom, the people were hungry for healing.
Wiersbe introduces 5 steps to bring back the king for unity:
- verses 1-8 David focused on his perspective: He chose to singley focus on his loss as a father and forgot about his responsibilities as a leader, especially considering the sacrifice and service of those who went to defend him.
- verses 9-15 David strove for unity: On his way to Jerusalem, he made strides for unity.
- First with Judah. I missed the nuance of this section. It was the leaders of Judah, specifically that were hesitant to invite David back. Absalom had launched his rebellion from Hebron, which is in Judah, so there were co-conspirators who wouldn't want to face David. So David reached out them asking why they were failing to invite him, when every other tribe already had. They were his blood relatives and tribe and should have wanted him back the most.
- verses 13-14 David appoints Amasa general, Joab disobeyed and had been growing stronger as David's military duties waned. Plus, it began the process of rebuilding loyalty to forgive the rebel army and entrust them with duties. So Judah was now back to supporting David with their full hearts and came to meet him at the Jordan at Gilgal. This was a very special and holy place for Israel, This is where they camped as soon as the crossed the Jordan under Joshua's leadership. Also where Samuel renewed the covenant when Saul was anointed king. Now David was coming back and another new beginning at Gilgal.
- verses 16-23 David Declared General Amnesty not only were David's tribe there at the crossing, but some of his enemies
- Shimei
- 1000 benjamites
- Ziba
- verses 24-30 David Corrected an Error The Mephibosheth issue
- verses 31-40 David rewarded the faithful
The Wiersbe book and the Ryrie Bible make a break here between chapter 19 verses 40-41. This starts the new section showing the uneasiness of the relationship between the northern 10 tribes of Israel, often called Israel or sons of Joseph- referring to Ephraim, one of two son of Joseph to inherit land and then Judah, being the tribes of Judah and Simeon.
II'll pick up this thread in Chapter 20.