Welcome back everyone. I hope this study has been as good for you as it has me. This has always been my favorite two books to read, but I have really enjoyed reading with you all and learning from your insights. Keep it up, we're almost there.
Today's reading is from 2 Samuel 10-11
Chapter 10:
We are just reminded here of the unbelievable ability of the Israelite army under the command and leadership of David. It did not seem to matter how many fronts they were surrounded by or how many men they were outnumbered by. They truly believed with David leading them and the LORD on their side, they could not be stopped. I love vs 12 from Joab, "Be courageous! Let us fight bravely to save our people and cities of our God. May the LORD's will be done." Great stuff! Also, I'm reminded of the loyalty that David has for others. At the beginning of the chapter he is sending ambassadors to express sympathy for the loss of his friend King Nahash, king of the Ammonites, but his son doesn't trust him. There is a lot for us to learn about how David viewed loyalty to friends and honoring them.
Chapter 11:
Uhhh! What do you say that hasn't already been said about this? David loses sight of obedience. It wasn't that David summoned her to his place that was a sin, these kings had many wives and concubines. It was that she was married. David tries to cover his mistakes with more bad choices. The take-away for me: one bad decision cultivates the ground for more bad decisions to follow. Disobedience can be a slippery slope.
What about you? How did these stories speak to you? What can you take-away from these today to apply to your life?
Take Away Ch.10 I noticed that there wasn't the talk of God rewarding David, nor was there talk of David consulting with God about the battles...
ReplyDeleteWas David at a time in his life that he had begun to withdraw, even if a little from his walk with God?
If so..we could possibly see why David does what he does in Ch. 11..it doesn't excuse it...but I think it shows us that when we withdraw from the Lord we truly can't deal with sin that's in our face especially when we have power. David had power and quite simply that made it even easier for him to commit the sin and try to cover it up!
1 Peter 5:8: Be sober-minded;be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
If David wasn't in fellowship with God as closely as he had been...then how much easier was it for satan to attack...he the very 2 things that most men would struggle with...Power & Sex ......
One thing that will come back to haunt David is that of being a man of war. As Josh said,,,,he simple went to war....and perhaps too many times as it seemed to be for most Kings... Chapter 11:1..said,, "Then it happened in the spring,at the time when kings go out to battle.."
ReplyDeleteIt is well to notice that David did not go personally to war this time. He simply allowed his mind to wander and he took that road to a "wilderness attitude".
A scary verse: "But, the things that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord."
One thing this story tells us is that holiness is a life that God calls us to.
For me, it tells me to stay the course and do not let my mind wander where God does not lead...
10: This is just plain stupid to me. Such death and destruction from what started out as a positive gesture. So much to say here, but I'll refrain. Looks like a bunch of suspecting, puffed up idiots to me, trying to show you has the bigger bicep. (Rolling eyes.)
ReplyDelete11: So disappointing. How can someone who has everything want another man's only thing? He dug a hole he couldn't climb out of, so he simply filled it with Uriah's dead body and stepped on it to be able to climb out. So, so sad. I know that had to break God's heart. How many times have I done the same?
It certainly encourages me to be truly guarded from temptation--and with purpose. It only takes one weak moment to do a lifetime of damage and Satan just WAITS for that perfect moment to pounce. Praise God for forgiving those moments in my past. His grace is BEYOND amazing.