February 2012 – Old Testament Survey

2 Samuel 4

This chapter tells of the death of Ish-bosheth, which closes the lineage of Saul, save one. There always seems to be one.

2 Samuel 4

This chapter tells of the death of Ish-bosheth, which closes the lineage of Saul, save one. There always seems to be one. This one is Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was five when his grandfather, Saul, and father, Jonathan, were killed. It was at this point he was crippled for life. His story is one of promises fulfilled for the sake of Jonathan. There will be more of this story later (2 Samuel 9.1–13; 16.1, 4; 19.24–30). See our study of 2 Samuel 9.

Today’s story is about two leaders of Ish-bosheth’s army. When they heard that Abner died and that Ish-bosheth became ill bringing down the morale of the nation, they thought their best interest was to assassinate Ish-bosheth. They then take the head to David thinking, as did the Amalekite in chapter one, that they would be rewarded for killing David’s enemy. They did not realize that David did not consider Saul his enemy but his king. To kill a member of Saul’s family was treason. So, he had the two men killed.

David knew his life was still under God’s protection and no harm would befall him under that care. He had no reason to kill Ish-bosheth. Do we see our life like that? Are we standing on the promises of God?

Have religious wars started for the same reasons we have seen in these chapters? Where is God in all this? He surely is not behind them.

2 Samuel 3

Verse one gives the ending of the story of the transfer of the kingdom from the house of Saul to the house of David (2 Samuel 1-4). Ish-bosheth’s (or Abner’s) reign will weaken to the point that David’s reign, which is growing stronger, prevails.

2 Samuel 3

David was a polygamist. This chapter introduces his seven wives as does 1 Chronicles 3.1-4. His family tree is interesting to peruse. His six sons are mentioned, but not his daughter Tamar whose brother was Adonijah. These children will cause David much grief as the story unfolds in 2 Samuel. As we continue our studies, we will encounter one of the most dysfunctional families in history.

Abner is still in control in this chapter until his death. He is accused of attempting to become king and removing Ish-bosheth by sleeping with Saul’s concubine. This will be explained further when we get to 1 Kings 1 where the same thing happens with David and Adonijah.

In this accusation by Ish-bosheth, Abner transfers his loyalty to David. He promises to unite Israel under David from Dan, which is in the far north, to Beersheba, which is in the far south. David and Abner came to terms to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul to the house of David. The first term was that David would receive his first wife Michal back into his house. This was done to strengthen David’s claim to the throne.

This chapter unfolds fear in the lives of each character mentioned. Abner feared losing control, Ish-bosheth feared Abner, Paltiel feared Abner and losing Michal, Abner feared Joab, the people feared the Philistines.

All these happenings with Abner were while Joab was away. If you remember from the last chapter, Abner killed Joab’s brother Asahel. Joab was seeking revenge and was angered with David for allowing Abner to leave. He disguised it as fear for David’s life and kingdom. Under false pretenses, Joab has Abner meet him by a cistern just north of Hebron. This is important because Hebron was a city of refuge (Joshua 20.7). The men could not seek revenge on Abner in Hebron, so the took him just outside the city. This was far enough away for Joab and his brother, Abishai, to meet with and revenge the death of their brother. They killed Abner in the same manner that he killed their brother, a wound to the stomach. As David hears of the matter, he washes his hands of the deed proclaiming innocence (Deuteronomy 21.6-9).

The nation and the king mourn the loss of Abner. David does so because Abner was a prince, part of God’s anointed under Saul’s kingdom. Just as David mourned and eulogized Saul and Jonathan in chapter 1, so he does here. David proclaims his nephews are too violent for him. Yet, they are considered the three heros of his army. The curse on their family is worthy of discussion. However, it will wait for another day.

Where do you find your strength? David found it in the Lord, Abner found it in politics, Paltiel found it in Michal (a claim to the throne), Ish-bosheth found it in his title, and Joab found it in anger. Whom are you imitating today?

2 Samuel 2

David does what we should all do. He inquired of the Lord what he should do next. God informed him to go to Hebron and settle there.

2 Samuel 2

David does what we should all do. He inquired of the Lord what he should do next. God informed him to go to Hebron and settle there. He went with his wives (Ahinoam and Abigail) and his men (the 600). The people of Hebron anointed David king over the southern area of Israel, Judah. He would reign over southern Israel for seven-and-a-half years (verse 11) before he reigned over all Israel, which he did for another thirty-two-and-a-half years.

When David learned of the loyalty of Jabesh-gilead, he blessed them for what they did with Saul in burying him.

We are reintroduced to Abner in this chapter. We learn that he is interested in keeping the royal line in his family, the tribe of Benjamin, and not in the rightful tribe of Judah. He raises another son of Saul, Ishbaal or Ish-bosheth, as the new king. He was a puppet king at the hand of Abner. When Abner dies, all the Israelites were troubled in spirit because they knew Abner was the one who truly reigned.

David’s nephew Joab (and his brother, Asahel, but not Abishai) is also reintroduced (see not with Abner above). The devotion these men had to their cause is startling. They pursued with such intensity that they were unwilling to change their direction for fear of not catching their target. They may have lived or became richer had they turned aside, but they chose to remain true to that which they were called. Asahel knew that if Abner died, Ish-bosheth’s reign would also end.

The duel the two kings set up to determine who would be king is reminiscent of the battle David had earlier with Goliath (1 Samuel 17). It is interesting that after both of these duels, the armies fought anyway. Some commentators state it was because both David and Abner’s men died and no winner was declared. That still does not explain 1 Samuel 17.

How about you? Do you become entangled with what the world offers that you forget the prize that is set before you (Hebrews 12.1-3)?

2 Samuel 1

Today we begin the second book of Samuel. Where 1 Samuel was the life and ministry of Samuel, the rise and fall of Saul, and the rise of David, 2 Samuel is the life of David from his reign until the time just before his death. It covers approximately 40 years (1010-970 B. C.). Second Samuel also begins precisely where 1 Samuel left the story. In the original Hebrew the two books are one. Our Bibles follow the pattern of the Septuagint in separating the book in two parts.

2 Samuel 1

David returned to Ziklag after pursuing, overtaking, and defeating the Amalekites who had destroyed Ziklag and taken the people as prisoners (1 Samuel 30). David did not know what had happened at Gilboa and Saul’s death (1 Samuel 31). When the Amalekite (who traveled from Gilboa to Ziklag, about 90 miles), remember Saul was to have destroyed all the Amalekites but did not (1 Samuel 15), came to him with the news of Saul’s death, David was surprised. It seems as those this man was seeking the approval of David for killing Saul, thinking he might be rewarded with a post or other honor. The man reported that Saul asked him to kill him. Remember that Saul did ask his armorbearer to kill him. He refused to do the deed because it was his job to keep the king alive. The Amalekite, in seeking honor, said that he did what Saul requested. He then displayed Saul’s crown as proof of his words.

David, who was unwilling to kill Saul when given the opportunity (1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 26), mourned the loss of his pursuer and his king, and his friend. David then killed the man who reported and falsified his testimony for killing the Lord’s anointed (2 Samuel 4.10).

David then writes a song, “The Song of the Bow” because Saul died by the hand of an archer and the tribe of Benjamin were well-known archers. It is contained in the lost book of Jashar (Joshua 10.13). This would be a great find for historical reading. The song is not included in the book of Psalms. Yet, it does read like a psalm.

David still regarded Saul as God’s anointed and sought to honor him as such. He honors his friend, Jonathan, in the same manner. These are the mighty and noble of Israel. They will no longer grace the land nor the people. David is mourning his king (some would consider Saul as David’s enemy) and his best friend.

When we hear of the demise of someone who was out to get us, do we mourn or rejoice? Where is our heart in this? Read Proverbs 24.17 and Romans 12.14-16 for God’s instruction on what to do in these situations.

Saul, in retrospect, is the epitome of 1 Corinthians 10.12 and a warning to each of us. Saul began standing tall and fell in dishonor. When we think we can handle life by ourselves without taking God’s Word into consideration, we are bound to fall. First Corinthians 4.1-2 reminds us the measure of our success is not our talent but our faithfulness to what God has commanded.

Psalm 130

This Psalm takes us from the depths of our sins to the forgiveness of our sins. The only hope for such forgiveness is looking to the only hope for forgiveness and that is Christ alone. Have you done this?

Psalm 130

Another Song of Ascents.

Verses 1-2-This cry is found in all of us (Lamentations 3.55). We desire God to hear us in our pain. We even expect Him to hear us in our sin and desire Him to deliver us. And, we expect Him to answer.

Verses 3-4-He is asking God to forgive him of his sins (1 Kings 8.39-40; Daniel 9.9; and Jeremiah 33.8-9). We are to proclaim His holiness in our forgiveness.

Verses 5-6-Do you wait on the Lord (Psalm 103)? When we do, we are watchful for what He does. The Psalmist is sitting in the dark awaiting the morning. Sin does that to a person.

Verses 7-8-This is a call for all the nation to come to God in repentance.

Psalm 129

When God allows us to be plowed by those around us, how do we react? We can react negatively and not see His hand in it and become bitter or angry. We can see His hand at work and still complain with bitterness and whining. We can see His hand at work and seek to understand what the ultimate purpose is and how we might glorify Him in the midst of it all. Which do you choose?

Psalm 129

Another Song of Ascents.

Verses 1-4-The Psalmist is letting us know what the nation has gone through in their existence (since their youth when they were birthed at the exodus). They have been beaten, whipped, broke, and attacked. Yet, in all this, they have not been conquered (2 Corinthians 4.8-9 and Matthew 16.18).

Verses 5-8-These verses represent the malediction on those who decide not to follow God’s ways. Essentially, the curse is on those who are doing the persecuting in verses 1-4.

Psalm 128

Verses 1-2-Moses reminds us of these truths in Deuteronomy 4.40. When we follow God’s Word, He blesses us with His presence.

Psalm 128

Another Song of Ascents.

Verses 1-2-Moses reminds us of these truths in Deuteronomy 4.40. When we follow God’s Word, He blesses us with His presence.

Verses 3-4-The Scriptures present blessings in terms of children due to its agrarian society. The Psalmist promises blessings from God when His Word is kept.

Verses 5-6-In developing this word picture, the Psalmist continues the blessings through the generations. When God’s Word is followed, His blessings follow.

This Psalm basically reminds us that true joy only comes with holiness. How are you doing? What did you do today that showed the people in your sphere of influence that you are set apart (holy) for God’s purpose?

This Psalm also presents the need to plan ahead. We live for the Lord today and plan to live for Him with our great-grandchildren. How wisely are you planning for today and all your tomorrows?

Psalm 125

Verses 1-2-Our lives need to be built on the rock of God (Matthew 7.25).

Psalm 125

Another Song of Ascents.

Verses 1-2-Our lives need to be built on the rock of God (Matthew 7.25).

Verse 3-The psalmist reminds us that the rule of the evil are temporary and asks us to remember the rule of God is eternal.

Verse 5-There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to destruction (Proverbs 14.12). God will lead the crooked on their own crooked path. He gives them the desires of their heart.

When we follow what God has called us to do, He will remove the evil and the evildoers from the land. The question remains: “Why is evil still in the land?” What should believers do? What should you do?

Psalm 124

This psalm is reminiscent of Romans 8.31, if God is for us, then who can stand against us?

Psalm 124

A Song of Ascents

This psalm is reminiscent of Romans 8.31, if God is for us, then who can stand against us?

Verses 1-5-If God is for us, then nothing can stand against us. The “if” of verse one is answered with the “then” of verses 3-5.

Verses 6-7-God protects us.

Verse 8-God, who created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1.1) is the only source of help for us. All other help will pale in comparison.

When God helps us, do we praise Him? When we sense the world devouring us (verses 1-3), the situations we place ourselves drown us (verses 4-5), and Satan deceives us (verses 6-8), where do we look?

Psalm 123

Verses 1-2-Psalm 11.4 reminds us that God sees and trains His eyes on us. It is good, then, for us to train our eyes on Him. This has been illustrated in these studies (for example, Saul and Goliath), when we take our eyes off of God we tend to fail.

Psalm 123

This is another Song of Ascents.

Verses 3-4-The only source of mercy is from God, as we come to His House to worship Him corporately, we need to receive that mercy.

Where do we look for help? Jesus (John 17.1) and Stephen (Acts 7.55) both looked to God above during times of persecution. Where do we look for discipleship? It needs to be from God and the people He places in our lives. Who is in your life guiding you through this world, showing God’s mercy and living His example?