Luke 20:19-44

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Day Seven of Steps to the Cross: Luke 20:19-44

 

 19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

  20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest.

 They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the wa

y of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

  23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?"

   25 "Caesar's," they replied. 

He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is G

od's."

  26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.  

  27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28 "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies

 and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?"

 34 Jesus replied, "The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection. 37 But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.[a] 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."

 39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, "Well said, teacher!" 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions. 41 Then Jesus said to them, "How is it that they say the Christ [b] is the Son of David? 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: 

  " ‘The Lord said to my Lord: 

 "Sit at my right hand 

 43 until I make your enemies 

  a footstool for your feet." ’[c] 

  44 David calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?"

Footnotes:

Luke 20:37 Exodus 3:6

Luke 20:41 Or Messiah

Luke 20:43 Psalm 110:1

Hey! Where's the commentary?

BFE writers need a break sometimes;  so, during Steps to the Cross, BFE writers are taking a short 2 ½ week sabbatical from commentary. But, they'll be back!

After Easter, 50 Days to Freedom (with commentary) will begin and run up to the day of Pentecost. This series will focus on God’s meeting the people of Israel in Egypt and leading them out of slavery into freedom; paralleling it with the freedom the gospel offers us. With bold faith and the grace of God we will learn how to be freed from the bondage of sin and to walk in the freedom of being God’s children.

Luke 20:1-18

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Day Six of Steps to the Cross: Luke 20:1-18

 ¹One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. ²"Tell us by what authority you are doing these things," they said. "Who gave you this authority?"

 ³He replied, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me, ⁴John's baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?"

 ⁵They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Why didn't you believe him?' ⁶But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet."

 ⁷So they answered, "We don't know where it was from."

 ⁸Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

 ⁹He went on to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. ¹⁰At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. ¹²He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.

 ¹³"Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.'

 ¹⁴"But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. 'This is the heir,' they said. 'Let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' ¹⁵So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

   "What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others." When the people heard this, they said, "May this never be!"

 ¹⁷Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: 
   " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone? ^{18 [a] [b]} everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

Footnotes:

1. Luke 20:17 Or cornerstone
2. Luke 20:17 Psalm 118:22

Luke 19:45-48

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Day Five in Steps to the Cross: Luke 19:45-48

 45 Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling.

 46 "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be a house of prayer'[a]; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'[b]"

 47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Footnotes:

 a. Luke 19:46 Isaiah 56:7

 b. Luke 19:46 Jer. 7:11

Luke 19:41-44

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Day Four of Steps to the Cross - Luke 19:41-44

 

⁴¹As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it⁴²and said, "If you, even you, 

had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 

⁴³The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. ⁴⁴They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

Luke 19:28-40

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Day Three of Steps to the Cross - Luke 19:28-40

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount 

of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' "

32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

34 They replied, "The Lord needs it."

 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 

 38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" [a]

      "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

 40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Footnotes:

[a] Luke 19:38 Psalm 118:26

Luke 18:31-19:27

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Day Two of Steps to the Cross - Luke 18:31-19:27

³¹Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. ³²He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him.³³On the third day he will rise again.

³⁴The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

³⁵As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

³⁸He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 ³⁹Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 ⁴⁰Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹"What do you want me to do for you?" 

 "Lord, I want to see," he replied.

 ⁴²Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." ⁴³Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

Luke 19

¹Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ²A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. ⁴So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

⁵When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." ⁶So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

⁷All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "

⁸But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

⁹Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

¹¹While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. ¹²He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. ¹³So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.^[a] 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'

¹⁴But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'

¹⁵He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

¹⁶The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.'

¹⁷'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'

¹⁸"The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.'

¹⁹"His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.'

²⁰"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. ²¹I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'

²²"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? ²³Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'

²⁴"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.'

²⁵" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'

²⁶"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. ²⁷But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."

Footnotes:

1. Luke 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages.

Luke 9:51-62

Day One of Steps to the Cross - Luke 9:51-62

Luke 9:51-62 (via BibleGateway.com)
Samaritan Opposition
 51As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" 55But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56and they went to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus
 57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
 59He said to another man, "Follow me."   But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."   60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
 61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."  62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

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Reminder:
There are two new series to look forward to in Bible for Everyday. Steps Towards the Cross will begin tomorrow and continue through Easter, emailing pertinent scriptures that led Jesus to the cross. (Our writers will take a short 2 ½ week sabbatical from commentary.)

Devastation and Hope, 2 Samuel 24

What a horrible thing! What stabbing imagery from a true story. It demonstrates the deep distaste that the Almighty has towards sin. Counting the fighting men demonstrated before God, and all the people, that David did not trust God to defend them. Israel was to represent God, and the king was to lead the way in trusting God for defense in the face of hostility. David’s counting (with Joab’s ironic role as the voice of conscience) was a deliberate act of pride, declaring that he will defend Israel, independent of God. What do you make of how this passage says that the Lord incited David whereas the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 21 says that Satan did?

The hand of the Angel of the Lord is eventually stayed at the threshing floor of Araunah, the Jebusite (Jebusites were ancient dwellers of Jerusalem). The hand was stayed at the word of David’s confession. Note that his confession owned full responsibility and was directed fully upward first. He knew he needed to own his stuff before God and with the strength he found there, could then go and deal with the outward consequences. That led him to a special hill where Araunah threshed his grain. It is there that David comes to worship and purchase land to build an alter to God which later becomes the site of the temple in Jerusalem (click on the photo).

This hill became a place where a purchase was made to redeem David’s shameless pride and heal the senseless pain his sin caused. It became a place where God’s presence would dwell and offer hope and salvation for all who looked up to it. A thousand years later, just a few hundred yards away, on a different mount, Jesus would die to purchase redemption for the sin of our shameless pride and heal our senseless pain. May we never forget the cost of our salvation and the horror of our sin which requires such a payment.

What’s Next?

There are two new series to look forward to in Bible for Everyday. Steps Towards the Cross will begin tomorrow and continue through Easter, emailing pertinent scriptures that led Jesus to the cross. (Our writers will take a short 2 ½ week sabbatical from commentary.)

After Easter, 50 Days to Freedom will begin and run up to the day of Pentecost. This series will focus on God’s meeting the people of Israel in Egypt and leading them out of slavery into freedom; paralleling it with the freedom the gospel offers us. With bold faith and the grace of God we will learn how to be freed from the bondage of sin and to walk in the freedom of being God’s children.

2 Samuel 23: Mighty Men

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the saints who have gone before me, from generation to generation laying the foundations for my faith. Thank you for my fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who have taught me about the faith. Thank you for the friends who sharpen me as iron sharpens iron. May I be the kind of friend, like the mighty men of David who protect and inspire those around them.

Reflection:

It is an interesting side note to look at what may have been a major secret of David's success. He had great warriors and leaders around him. Our parents taught us this--the people we associate with will deeply shape the way we go in life and how far we go. Part of why Jesus spent so much time in his ministry, is because he wanted to teach the disciples how to become a new kind of family that would eventually be the church.

Questions:

• Who are those who are mighty in their faith around you in your life?
• Who spurs you on to follow Christ more intently?
• How can you build your relational network more tightly to have strong, inspiring people in your life to help you grow
• How can you be the kind of friend that enable others to succeed?

2 Samuel 21-22: Wrapping up Samuel

Prayer:
God, you are the one who delivers me from all that oppose you. You protect me. You strenghten me. You are a shield for my battles. I can hope in you in the time of trial because you have delivered me before. Hear my praise. Hear my grateful heart. Grant me courage and strengthen to do all that you call me to.

Reflection:
These last four chapeters of 2 Samuel form an epilogue with events that are added in out of sequence. Here the author includes what later became Psalm 22. David recalls ho God had enabled him to win battles and how God delivered him from defeat. The language is extraordinary for victory and deliverance.

Hearing how God has delivered David helps us. We may or may not have years of confidence built up because we have seen God do great things. Either way, we can look at David and see that not only has God done great things, but he can protect us as well.

Questions:

• Where do you strength for battle?
• Where do you need protection?
• How are you seeing God provide both?

2 Samuel 20: Wisdom and the Warrior

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Prayer:

God of all wisdom, protect us from the wisdom of our own talents. Give us ears to hear your wisdom in surprising places and give us the humility to seek it from you

Reflection:

The saying goes, "if you are a hammer, every problem becomes a nail." That is the wisdom of Joab. He is a warrior and he solves all of his problems like a warrior. When he loses David's trust, he kills the one to whom David turns. The person he seeks hides in a city, 'well destroy the city!' Thankfully for Israel, he slowed down and listend to that wise woman whose skill and thoughtfulness saved the entire town. Wisdom has the power to save like that. We must seek it.

Questions:

• What talents of yours do you tend to trust in difficult situations? If used thoughtlessly, could your confidence in them make you vulnerable to folly?
• Who are "the wise women" in your life to whom you should listen?

2 samuel 19: The Return of the King

Prayer:

Jesus, we trust that you will return to establish the full reign of your Kingdom. Please give us patience, perseverance to live hopefully and courageously for you and for this world. Help us to steward our gifts and talents so that we when you return you find this world better than how we found it.

Reflection:

The return of David to Jerusalem is full of beautiful detail that reveals the character and wisdom of David. We see him once again reflecting the man after God's own heart. His return is a picture of Jesus return. Would we be like Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth, whose conflict with Ziba lost the right to a relationship with David set everything aside so that when David returned, David would find that Mephibosheth was waiting for him. Mephibosheth showed his grief by not shaving. He showed his commitment to David by relinquishing any claim to what would be his. It wasn't the stuff of the king that he wanted, for he wanted to once again be with the king. Would that also be our heart.

Questions:

• What tangible evidence is there in your life that you are waiting for Jesus and his blessings?
• What do you think of how David responded to Shimei who cursed him before?
• Was Joab right in rebuking David?

2 Samuel 18: A father who failed

Prayer:

Father, it is clear that your purpose is for us to be in this confusing and broken world until you bring us home. Until that day, may our values be your values; our affections, your affections and our actions led by your Spirit.

Reflection:

There is a sadness in reading about David's fatherly affection for Absalom for the sadness seems not driven so much by fondness, but by regret. The nation of Israel is paying a dear price for David's failure as a father. Amnon and Tamar are just symptoms of a lack of involvement by David in the life of his kids. He wished it would get better with Absalom, but David the warrior wouldn't even fight the good fight for his kids. Now, his nation fights for him, and yet his heart betrays his leadership, or should we say his fatherly guilt betrays his leadership.

Questions:

• Are there situations in your life that you know of that are messy and grievious whatever decision is made? What do you think of how David handled this situation in chapter 18?
• How do you think David's conflicting concerns effected his leadership?
• The seeds of this war were laid in David's family life. How have you paid the price of poor leadership in your family of origin? What opportunities do you have today to offer the kind of leadership that your most immediate family needs?

2 Samuel 17: Our God He works

Prayer

Father God, your word is so valuable. May we always rely on what you have to say, the advice you have to give so that we can live according to your plan and purpose; so that we can live knowing we are following you. Give us a deeper desire to know you that we might come into a better understanding of who you are. Father, teach us to know you through your Holy Scriptures.

Reflection

David’s life is being threatened but God protects him with the advice given by Hushai. The men seeking David’s life have a choice to follow as they seek the advice of different men (Ahithophel or Hushai) concerning the best approach to capturing and killing David. We find in 2 Samuel 17:14 that the Lord was frustrating the advice of Ahithophel in order to eventually bring disaster on Absalom. David is informed of this next approaching attack and narrowly escapes with his life. Have you noticed that not everyone has our best interest in mind? That others don’t want what’s best for us but what they perceive is in their best interest? It’s important for us to remember, God is always working in the midst of all the chaos. While others don’t necessarily care about our well being, God always does. He’s working and planning to keep us near Him. Wherever you find yourself, whatever is going on please remember our God He works. He works to bring about His work in our lives.

Questions:

• What’s the best advice you’ve ever given? Received?
• Read Acts 4:12. This passage tells us where our hope and help can be found. Think about the importance of the salvation God provides and reflect on how this truth assists us during times when we are under attack.
• David was under constant attack. Imagine living during this time with David, constantly on the run. Or maybe during the time of the apostles, right after Jesus appeared and then ascended into heaven. Can you imagine the strength we’d experience during our trials today having witnessed like David the power of God working in His life? Or the ability to press on after witnessing the power of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection? How might your life be different living with this powerful understanding that our God still works like this today?

Posted by Joe Stecz

2 Samuel 16: Obedience to God

David was the shepherd boy who became a champion in battle, and the unjustly accused and pursued, who twice spared the life of his oppressor. He was anointed as king of the entire Hebrew nation, glorified as a warrior and mighty general and the object of women's desires and wealthy beyond imagination.

At the pinnacle of his career when it is finally time to rest on his laurels, we find him in Chapter 16. He is -- again -- running for his life. This time, his own son seeks the throne. David takes handouts from his old servants and is humiliated by Saul's kinsman who pelts him with rocks, showers him with dirt and heckles him for miles along the trail. Surely, it is time for David to give up on God, isn't it? After all, if God had really been behind all of David's past success, He would never let David come to such a pitiful end, would He? It would be very easy (and perhaps typical) for any of us to conclude that all that past glory must have been something that David earned or deserved by his own merit. David knew better.

Instead of flying into a rage or withdrawing into a puddle of self-pity, how does David react? With gratitude, humility and faith instead of pridefully refusing his subordinate's assistance, he gratefully accepts Ziba's gifts and blesses him. Instead of vengefully lashing out at Shimei, he humbly acknowledges the fact that he has not lived the life that God would have him live. It mattered not that David was innocent of Saul's blood as Shimei accused. The important thing is that David knew that he was not blameless. He therefore submitted to Shimei's abuse not with self-flagellation, but with dignity and obedience. As a result, he arrived at his destination and refreshed himself.

We see here once again that true saving faith is not a cafeteria plan. We can't pick and choose the moments when we think God is in charge. We don't have God as our co-pilot from whom we take over the controls when things get frightening. David knew that true faith is 24-7. God is either the magnificent, omnipotent, omniscient, infinitely loving creator of the universe or He isn't. If He isn't, you should immediately stop reading the Bible, sleep late on Sundays, make as much money as you can and spend it all on yourself.

If, however, we accept that God is as wonderful and wondrous as the Bible tells us He is, we cannot make Him less than that. We must acknowledge that He is the supreme governor of all things and we must live according to the implications of His infinite sacrifice on our behalf. David knew quite a lot about God's love even before Jesus came and showed what infinite love looks like. If we too can begin to live as God's obedient and faithful children -- even in the very worst of times -- we will arrive at our desination and He will refresh us.

Posted by David Wilks

2 Samuel 12: Consequences

“You are the man!”
This was the prophet’s indictment of King David—the one who was so incensed by Nathan’s parable of the avaricious rich man. Yet David himself had been the thief in the allegory, for he had stolen Uriah’s wife. Thus all the anger that David mustered against the fictional protagonist fell back upon his own head.

Sometimes sin can bring us so low that we stop recognizing our own corrupt nature despite horrific manifestations. Even after we have put on the “new man” that Paul describes, we must still battle against the desires of the flesh. David had fallen to that state of self-deception, for he could not even see the wickedness of his ways when it was told to him in the simplest of tales. God was nevertheless gracious and brought the stinging word of rebuke from the prophet—the only thing that would get the king’s attention and break his trance of self-pleasuring sin. How wonderful that God loves his children so much that he will not allow us to languish in our own sin, but restores us!

And yet restoration is often not without consequence. David’s son died within a week of birth. The tragedy of the child’s death was compounded by David’s knowledge that he had caused Uriah’s death. David, like Jesus, prayed that punishment for sin would be taken from him, and yet the Lord did not relent. The child died. But with such death came a period of refreshment for David, because (we must somewhat read between the lines here) he had done everything he could, offered every prayer, fasting and act of self-denial he could, to protect the child’s life. Yet still the Lord had chosen to take it. David’s profound feats of devotion would clear his conscience not of the sin that had led to his judgment, but of any doubt that his repentance was not genuine.

Is there perhaps a double meaning in verse 23? David says of his child, “But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” In the broadest of senses, David states the obvious: the line between life and death can be crossed going forward but not going backward. But perhaps the meaning is more nuanced. Perhaps David is declaring a special knowledge that God gave to him that his child was in God’s care, enjoying the eternal bliss of divine love. And if so, what a comfort to parents bereft of their children at a young age that they are safely in God’s bosom. It certainly appears that God’s love for Solomon was made known at a young age (vv. 24-25). Perhaps David was similarly informed concerning his dead son.

Blessings would still come upon David’s house, for so the Lord had sworn. But tragedy and scandal would also encroach. So is our life in Christ. Our eternal blessing and position in Him is secure, although we must sometimes pay earthly penalties for our sins in this life.

2 Samuel 11: Danger – Hazardous to Humans

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your mercy is great and you are faithful to us even when we are not. Forgive us for so often falling into sin. Lead us away from temptation and deliver us from the bad influences. Help us to recognize the signs when we are in danger. Strengthen us so that we may live rightly before you. Bring people into our life that can keep us accountable and strengthen us when we are weak. Amen.

Reflection

Temptation is not the problem, it is sin. David’s problem was not what he saw that only the only got the ball rolling. David’s problem was David; it was what he allowed to be conceived in his heart after what he saw. When David inquired about her, he was already too far down the path of sin to stop. Even when the messenger told him she was married, David was too far down the path of sin to stop. When she became pregnant, David was too far down the path of sin to stop. Sin is like that; with persuasive words it leads us astray and seduces us with smooth words. And like the adulterous woman in Proverbs 7, sin takes us further than we want to go and takes more than we want to give. The house of sin is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. Too many have stumbled down this path, never to get up again.

Ask Tim Haggard, he walked a path similar to David’s and it took more than he ever imagined. Temptation is dangerous and when we are tempted we should think of it as a warning sign of “Don’t go there.” We can think of it like the warning labels on the side of the household cleaners: “Hazardous to humans.” The only exception is that temptation has no useful purpose; unlike household cleaners sin can’t cleanup the mess that it makes.

Questions

• What temptations do you struggle with?
• Read Romans 8:1-17 - What hope do we have in defeating sin? What has set us free from the law of sin and death?
• How does Jesus treat the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11? What can we learn from his actions and response?
• One of the best ways to defeat sin and temptation in your life is to have people who can regularly keep you accountable. Do you have anyone in your life who can keep you accountable?

Posted by Aaron Miner

2 Samuel 10: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Have you heard this phrase before? No good deed goes unpunished. It’s an odd phrase if you think about it, but it’s oddly true. That’s what we find when we read 2 Samuel 10. Upon hearing of the death of the king of the Ammonites, King David sends a delegation to express sympathy to Hanun the king’s son concerning the loss of his father. David was showing kindness and what came back was anything but kind.

Hanun was wrongly advised by his men that David wasn’t really honoring his father after all. Instead they incited him with words of fear and impending danger, saying David hasn’t sent his men to honor your father. Instead, he’s sent them to check out the city and spy it out so he can overthrow it. The young son made a big mistake. His actions led to a devastating defeat of his army.

Have you ever misread something? Maybe it was a question on a test, or words said to you in passing. But have you ever made a judgment based on someone’s intentions and later realized, ‘Wow, I really missed that. I had no idea that’s what he/she really meant.” We can all relate to this at one time or another. In fact, I’m sure there’s times when we’ve been misread too. Which is more difficult to handle? When we’ve misread someone else or when someone else has misread us? Tough questions, don’t you think. What we believe, the people we surround ourselves with and listen to is so important. It’s so easy to be convinced of something without really stepping back from a situation and taking it all in before we respond too quickly.

Think about it – are we people who think the best of others or the worst? Do we tend to believe what others tell us about someone else without giving them the benefit of the doubt, without thinking through the situation ourselves? When we’re involved with others, which let’s just be honest is all the time, we should take the words of James 1:19-20 to heart – Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

While it’s true, everyone has people in their lives that are not necessarily looking out for our best interests, it’s our responsibility to choose the righteous life that God desires. Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves at all times!

Posted by Joe Stecz

2 Samuel 8: The Establishment of a Kingdom

Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank you for being faithful to your promises both to David and to us. We know that because you have been faithful in the past that you will be faithful in the present and in the future. We confess that the current situation may be scary and uncertain so we ask that you help us to trust you in all things. We also know that there are others who are suffering more than us, show us ways to build your kingdom through loving and serving them in their time of need.

Reflection

Why might David’s triumphs be important? David is establishing his kingdom. The important point to note is that repeated statement that, “The Lord helped David wherever he went.” The Lord is with David as he promised in chapter 7. Part of the promise is an everlasting kingdom, but that kingdom must first be established. Thus David’s enemies are subjected. In response to God’s faithfulness in building the kingdom David dedicates the great wealth he gains from the conquests to Lord. But David’s kingdom is not only marked by military gains but he rules administering justice and righteousness for all of his people. David truly is a king after God’s own heart.

Questions

• Read Matthew 13:44-52 – What is the value of Christ’s kingdom? Who will receive this kingdom?
• Matthew 9:9-13 – Who did the Pharisee’s rejecting associating with? Who has Jesus come to call into his kingdom?
• If Jesus calls sinners into his kingdom, what does it mean for how we live our lives?

Posted by Aaron Miner

2 Samuel 7: Learning from a True Man of Prayer

Of the many things I could write about in this passage (David not being allowed to build the temple, God’s eternal covenant with David, the role of a Prophet, etc.), the one thing that struck me most in today’s reading was the fact that: David really knows how to PRAY.

Reading through David’s prayer in verses 18-29, we can easily see why he is called a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam 13:13, Acts 13:22). As the author of about half the Psalms, most of which were prayers, there are a multitude of examples of the deep, heartfelt prayer life of David. This passage is a wonderful example of how a true “prayer warrior” prays. As I read David’s prayer, I begin to contrast it with my own prayers, which seem petty, empty and hollow by comparison. Actually, to be totally truthful; I am a very poor prayer. There! I’ve admitted it, acknowledged it to the world. Give me a Bible and tell me to study and explain the Word, my eyes light up, and I could happily spend hours. But tell me I have to pray, and watch me struggle after 5 minutes. My prayers are short, concise and usually quite matter of fact. Oh sure, I know the ACTS acronym, (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication), but I can fly through them like a Lamborghini in 6th gear.

However, as I read this Prayer, the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks and made me reflect on a place in my walk where I really need to grow. Here are a few of my personal observations.

1. David truly acknowledges God’s Majesty – Seven times, David refers to God as “O Sovereign LORD” (Adonai YHWH). Essentially this phrase recognizes YHWH as Lord, King and Master of everything. Quite a statement coming from the king. But these weren’t mere words to David. The entire context of the prayer praises God for who he truly is and what he has done for both David and the nation of Israel. In contrast, my prayers focus far more on myself. Oh sure, I can open up my prayer with a few flowery phrases, but usually I move quickly to the “meat” of my prayers - what I want. Now that I think about it, about three quarters of the Lord’s Prayer is focused on God, while only about one fourth on the person praying.
2. David humbly acknowledges his unworthiness – No less than 10 times, David refers to himself as “your servant”. Everything he prays exudes an attitude of humility, and meekness. By comparison, my prayers probably resemble an 8 year old reeling off a Christmas list of things that I want from God. In reality, He already knows what I want, but I couldn’t really say the reverse is true. Maybe I should spend more of my prayer time humbly asking God what he wants from me, rather than the other way around.
3. David prays God’s promises - David earnestly prays for God to follow through on his word. “Do what you have promised" v. 25, "Hear Your promise" v. 27, “You alone are able to fulfill Your promise" v. 28-29. In my own life, I find that I need to rely more on God’s promises. Sure, I know them, I study them, I tell others about them, but do I really live as if they were completely 100% TRUE. Sadly, there are vast areas for improvement. Maybe, just maybe if I start praying differently, reminding God, and reminding myself of those promises, then I will be changed in a way far beyond my imagination.

There is much more we could glean from this prayer, but I think I have enough to work on and keep me humble. One final note, he prays this immediately after God just told David “no” to something building the temple. Oh that I could pray such a prayer, both in joy and disappointment.

Posted by Michael Adkins

2 Samuel 4: The Proper Perspective

Prayer
Heavenly Father, you are the giver of every good and perfect gift. We can do nothing without you, yet we so often try to achieve our goals in our own ways. Forgive us for serving our own ends above seeking after you. Help us to keep the proper perspective. Teach us to conduct our lives in ways that are worthy of you.

Reflection
The death of Abner proved fatal to Saul’s son, Ish-Bosheth. Without the powerful military leader providing stability for Ish-Bosheth’s army, some of the commanders turned against Ish-Bosheth. These were not foreigners that were brought in for mercenary work. They were from the tribe of Benjamin therefore they were fellow Israelites. When they go to David for a reward, they claim that God approved for their deed. But David calls them wicked men and murders and has them executed for killing an innocent man. David will not accept any help to gain the throne except from the Lord himself, and murdering a fellow Israelite is unacceptable even if it helps him gain what the Lord promised him.

Questions:

• Do the ends justify the means?
• Read Matthew 6:19-24 – Can we take being “practical” or “realistic” too far so that we cease to serve God and serve the goal instead?
• Paul experienced great trials in preaching the gospel (2 Corinthians 6:3-10), but he still lived in such a way that others would not stumble over his actions. How might this fact change how we think about achieving our goals?
• Why is it so easy to desire the goal above God?

Posted by Aaron Miner

2 Samuel 3: Letting Your Guard Down

Even been in a fight? The first rule of fighting, aside from trying not to get hit of course, is never let your guard down. Unfortunately for Abner that’s exactly what he did. Abner was the commander of Saul’s army; a man who by all appearances was well-respected. But he had his enemies. First, there was Ish-Bosheth. He’s Saul’s son who falsely accuses Abner of a wrong relationship (v. 7). Then there’s his old nemesis Joab. Joab if you recall was after Abner since the day his brother was killed in battle by Abner (2 Sam. 2:23). Abner didn’t want to harm Asahel but the young man wouldn’t stop in his pursuit to kill Abner, so Abner defending himself ends Asahels pursuit.

After Saul’s death, helping establish Saul’s son as king and being falsely accused, he leaves to serve David. He’s fully committed to the Lord’s promise to David. You see, the Lord promised David the kingdom. But the one thing Abner neglected to keep in mind was his enemies. Joab was still looking to avenge his brother’s death. And Abner was so concerned about David’s business that he completely let’s his guard down and it costs him his life.

Have you noticed that others don’t always have your best interests in mind? It’s amazing how unresolved issues create all kinds of trouble. Abner’s cost him his life at the hands of Joab. Now I seriously doubt we’re going to find ourselves in a situation even remotely close to the one Abner found himself in. However, we can still learn from his murder. When we’re doing God’s work (Abner was helping establish David as the next King over Israel based on God’s promise) we need to be aware not everyone is with us in carrying out and committing to God’s plan. We’re going to face obstacles and we’re going to face people who want to impose their own will and not God’s will in our lives.

Our responsibility is to be innocent as a dove and as wise as the serpent, so be alert. Paul says it well in Colossians 3:2 that we’re to set our minds on the things above and not on earthly things. Yet at the same time we must realize, man’s ways are not God’s ways. We’re going to face opposition. Let’s learn from Abner that even while we’re doing a good thing, following God’s plan, bad things can come our way. Remember to always be on guard when you’re on a mission for God.

Posted by Joe Stecz

2 Samuel 2: Anxiety

Prayer
Heavenly Father, you are good, you are powerful, and you are faithful. Help us to fully trust you in every circumstance. Forgive us for our stubbornness and need for control. Help us to surrender all things to you. We confess that our anxiety is real and comfort us through these difficult times.

Reflection
Periods of transition can be very fearful times, so when you experience them where do you turn? Israel had no king, Saul was dead, but Samuel anointed David to be King over Israel. David does not make a business or strategic plan, he simply inquires of the Lord. Over the next few years, God directs David into becoming king of all of Israel. The first step was natural, he went to his own tribe and he became their king. But the rest of Israel had other plans; they made Saul’s son Ish-bosheth king. Just as you cannot have two cooks in a kitchen, so you cannot have two kings, thus a battle between them ensues. But God was with David, thus David prevails.

Questions

• Have you ever experienced a time of great uncertainty about the present or future?
• Read Matthew 6:25-34 – What does Jesus say about anxiety and trust? How does this change our perspective on times of uncertainty?
• Romans 8:31-39 – If God gives us these promises, what is there to truly fear?
• What makes it so difficult to fully trust God?

Posted by Aaron Miner

2 Samuel 1: Love Your Enemies

Prayer
Heavenly Father, you are truly gracious and loving. You have shown us great love by loving us by sending your Son Jesus Christ to die for us while we were still your enemies. But the richness of your love does not end there; you love all of your enemies. Yet it is so difficult for us to release our pride and our wounds to you. Give us the strength to forgive, because we know that you have forgiven us.

Reflection
How would you respond to the death of one of your enemies? Saul has been David’s enemy for years, but David takes no satisfaction from this news. David laments. He weeps and tears his clothes. David is not feigning grief, rather grief has overtaken him. This is not a typical reaction upon hearing the fate of your enemy. So why does David react in this way? On one level, David’s beloved friend Jonathan was killed along with Saul (v. 25-27) which brought David great anguish. But David had multiple times when he spared Saul’s life because Saul was anointed by God as King of Israel. Saul’s office as the Lord’s anointed was to be honored above everything else. As David viewed it; to strike Lord’s anointed is to strike the Lord himself.

Questions

• Have you ever watched the demise or suffering of your “enemy” or someone who made life very difficult for you? What was your reaction?
• Read Matthew 5:38-48: What does Jesus say about loving your enemies? How did Jesus exemplify this in Luke 23:34?
• What makes forgiving our enemies so difficult?
• How can you show Christ’s love to an enemy?

Posted by Aaron Miner