Tag: Saul

2 Samuel 16

2 Samuel 16

The opening of this chapter and the conclusion of the matter in 2 Samuel 19.24-30 (see our study) presents the truth of the proverb that states what a man says seems true until the other side is heard (Proverbs 18.17). Ziba, who we introduced in our study of 2 Samuel 9, presents his case that Mephibosheth (see the same study) is attempting to bring back the kingdom of Saul.

The chapter can be outlined according to the characters introduced:

  • Verses 1-4-Ziba the Liar. Ziba lied to David about the character of Mephibosheth. Since there were two extra donkeys, do you suppose one was for Mephibosheth and the other for Ziba? Why do you think David believed him? Satan is the Liar who also tells half-truths, to which of his lies do you listen?
  • Verses 5-8-Shimei the Accuser. Being a relative of Saul and a resident of Bahurim, Shimei may have had a few reasons for hating David. He felt David stole the throne from the Benjamites and that David disgraced Saul’s daughter Michal by humiliating her second husband in the city of Bahurim (2 Samuel 3.16, see our study). The ranting of Shimei was more of a curse on David than an attempt to hurt him physically. He was more or less throwing stones at David to get rid of him much like someone would do to a stray dog (13-14). Shimei stated he was speaking on behalf of God. Whether he was or not, we cannot tell; however, David believed he could have been (10).
  • Verses 9-14-Abishai the Avenger. Abishai is still protecting David, his king (see our study of 1 Samuel 26). He uses the imagery of the dog in his attack on Shimei.
  • Verses 15-23-Ahithophel the Traitor. Ahithophel convinces Absalom to sleep with David’s concubines in the presence of all Jerusalem. This was in fulfillment of the consequences of David sleeping with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12). This advice is will be used again with Adonijah in 1 Kings 2.19-25.

The last few verses of this chapter will set the stage for the surprise turn of events in the next chapter.

1 Chronicles 12

1 Chronicles 12 (cf. 1 Samuel 22, 27, 29, 30)

Our studies in 1 Samuel (22, 27, 29, and 30) covered the material found in the first twenty-two verses of 1 Chronicles 12. So, refer to them for now (more on this chapter will come in the future).

This chapter details the tribes that were loyal to David. Notice in verses 29-30 that some were still loyal to Saul. It was not a clean transition to the throne for David. Looking at verses 38-40, we can see the celebrations that occurred when David was finally proclaimed king over all Israel.

For further insight into these verses refer to these previous studies:

Probably the greatest contrast gathered from these verses is how David and Saul gained followers. When these verses are read, we see that David attracted followers. They were drawn to him. Saul had to draft men into his army (1 Samuel 14.52). Our character and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives attract others to our ministry. What is your character like? How is the Holy Spirit working in you today?

Look over this chapter again. Focus on these verses: 2, 8, 15, 16-18, 32, 33, and 38. What did you notice about these people who were attracted to David? Would you meet these qualifications? Jesus calls each one of us to His service. Does He attract you? Are you qualified for service or has sin stained you for this season? Are you skilled? Yes. The Holy Spirit has gifted you. Are you trained?  Second Timothy 2.15 requires us to do this work. Are you fearless? Again, 2 Timothy 1.7 proclaims that God has given us a spirit that should be fearless. Are you loyal? This is your decision. Will you follow Him regardless of the command? Will you follow His Word and His leaders and help others to do the same? Do you see what is going on around you and desire to change things for God? This is the list. How do you match-up? The good news is that God can qualify you as you surrender to His Word, His will, and His way.

1 Chronicles 10

When God sees your life, what does He see? Does He see a trend of disobedience leading to destruction or of obedience to His Word, will, and way leading to abundant life? Try Journaling a week of your life to see where you stand.

1 Chronicles 10 (1 Samuel 31.1-13; cf. the study from 1 Samuel 31)

This chapter is a review of the death of Saul with an addition in verses 13-14. This is where we will concentrate this short study.

Ezra, the writer of the Chronicles, gives two reasons for Saul’s death and informs the reader of whom actually killed Saul. Saul did not obey the Word of God nor the way of God. He decided to offer his own sacrifices (see the study in 1 Samuel 13) and payed homage to himself (1 Samuel 15), and then consult a medium (see the study in 1 Samuel 28).

Verse fourteen informs us that God killed Saul. Saul’s death was not by his own hand but by the hand of God. God had let Saul pursue the desires of his heart, which led to death (Proverbs 14.12).

When God sees your life, what does He see? Does He see a trend of disobedience leading to destruction or of obedience to His Word, will, and way leading to abundant life? Try Journaling a week of your life to see where you stand.

1 Chronicles 9

This opening verse should be a warning to all who read. When we allow our hearts to turn from the Word, will, and way of God we are unfaithful to Him. Our unfaithfulness may not lead to physical captivity, but our hearts, minds, and wallets can become captive to the world system we are told to stay away from (1 John).

1 Chronicles 9 (Ezra 2.43, 79, Ezra 8.20, and Nehemiah 7.73)

This opening verse should be a warning to all who read. When we allow our hearts to turn from the Word, will, and way of God we are unfaithful to Him. Our unfaithfulness may not lead to physical captivity, but our hearts, minds, and wallets can become captive to the world system we are told to stay away from (1 John).

As can be seen by the passages listed above, this chapter details those who returned from the Babylonian Exile. The first to return (9.2) are the laymen, priests, Levites, and temple servants. This last group of people is called the Nethinim in the Hebrew text. These people were a group of temple servants (see references above) who helped the Levites with the menial chores in the Temple. The moniker Nethinim means “those who are given.” In the cross-references above, read in context, the Nethinim have Gentile names. This has led many to hold that these were non-Israelites. However, having a non-Israelite serving in the Temple has caused some to disregard that view. The names given could have been given to the foreign-born Israelite merely because they were in a foreign land (think of the four in the book of Daniel whose names were changed).

When this chapter is completed, the legitimacy of the Israelite nation from Creation to the moment of return from Exile is given. This is the nation that belongs in the Promised Land. Be thankful that your genealogy only needs to include Jesus as your Savior for you to inherit and claim legitimacy as one who is possessed by the King of the Promised Land.

The books of the Bible are divided into chapters by men. This is one case where I would have chosen a different point of separation. First Chronicles 9.35 could have been 1 Chronicles 10.1. This is because this portion of the book deals with the material in chapter ten that of King Saul. The closing of 1 Chronicles 9 presents the linage of King Saul (35-44). The ending of this chapter sets the stage for chapters ten and following. However, I do see that it is attached to chapter nine because it is a genealogy.

1 Chronicles 8

1 Chronicles 8 (Genesis 46.21, Numbers 26.38, and 1 Chronicles 7.6; cf. the study on 1 Chronicles 7)

This chapter presents a complete look at the tribe of Benjamin with a closer look at Saul and Jonathan. The purpose is to set the stage for the death of Saul and the reign of David that is presented in the rest of 1 Chronicles. The next chapter presents the reason the people were taken as captives to Babylon, their unfaithfulness to God (9.1).

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

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.

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 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

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.

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 18

This Psalm is ascribed to 2 Samuel 22.1-51. Although it is presented at this point in 2 Samuel, it is ascribed to God delivering David from his enemies including Saul. Since Saul dies in 1 Samuel 31, historically it would fit here in our chronological study of the Old Testament.

Psalm 18

“Hosanna” by Hillsong does a good job presenting the truth of these verses.

This is a Royal Psalm

This Psalm is ascribed to 2 Samuel 22.1-51. Although it is presented at this point in 2 Samuel, it is ascribed to God delivering David from his enemies including Saul. Since Saul dies in 1 Samuel 31, historically it would fit here in our chronological study of the Old Testament.

  • Verses 1-3-David gives God the praise for deliverance from his enemies. In the superscription, Saul is differentiated from David’s enemies. After all that Saul did to David, David still would not count Saul as one of his enemies. How do we treat those in our sphere of influence? Do we count all who are against us as our enemies, even if they once were friends? Do we give God credit for deliverance from all our enemies? When we stand at the end of the day, do we praise Him for bringing us through that day?

David also uses a strong word for love in these verses. Beyond this chapter, this love is used exclusively for God’s love for man. 2 Samuel 22 does not include this verse because it is more a public matter than the private matter of Psalm 18.

David sates that he will cause God’s glory to shine. This is the essence of “halal” or praise and is the root of hallelujah.

  • Verses 4-5-This verse reflects Psalm 116, in particular verse three. David expresses how he viewed life and how he perceived the situations in which he found himself. How honest are you before God about your life circumstances?
  • Verse 6-Again, David cries out to God expecting Him to hear David’s pleas. When we pray, do we think God will answer or even hear us?
  • Verses 7-15-These verses are reflected throughout the Scripture. Three places in particular are Psalm 29.3-9, Psalm 144.5-6, and Isaiah 30.30. The crux of these verses is that when God comes to the earth, it will be unmistakable that God is here. When we proclaim that we are believers, is it unmistakable for those around us?
  • Verses 16-19-God does deliver us from the hands of our enemies. Water in the Scripture usually denotes trouble. Do we lean on God or on our own strength to get us through the day? Paul reminds us that each day has enough evil of its own (Ephesians 5.16). In order for us to get through the day, we need to remember to call on the one who can set our feet on solid ground.
  • Verses 20-24-These verses seem to echo Saul’s words to David in 1 Samuel 24.19 and 1 Samuel 26.23. Could we say the same as David does here? Only in Christ. Romans 3.23-24 and Romans 4.23-24 remind us that only in Christ do we have righteousness.
  • Verses 25-30-Kevin Prosch put music to Revelation 15.3-4 and wrote “King of Saints.” I have not been able to find a recording of it. If someone has, let me know, it is worth listening to. Is our confidence solely in the hand of God or do we attempt to create our own strength and power? If the latter are true, we will fail.
  • Verses 31-42-Deuteronomy 32-33 and 1 Samuel 2.2 reflect the words that God is our Rock. Habakkuk 3.19 gives the picture of God placing our feet on firm ground.
  • Verses 43-45-David recalls what God has done for him and gives God the credit.
  • Verses 46-48-Once again, David gives God the credit and praises Him for all that He has done.
  • Verses 49-50-Romans 15 reminds us that we need to praise God wherever we go just as David does here (verse nine quotes this Psalm).

When the day is over, do we remember that it is God who enabled us to make it through the day? If so, have you praised Him for it? More often than not, when we are successful we take the credit (pride) and when we fail we blame God (pride).

1 Samuel 31

This is a short chapter highlighting the death of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. A parallel passage is 1 Chronicles 10.1-14. A note on why the two books of the Chronicles were written. They parallel, for the most part, 1 and 2 Samuel. However, they are written after the return from the exile in Babylon as a reminder of what is necessary for success in the kingdom.

1 Samuel 31

This is a short chapter highlighting the death of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. A parallel passage is 1 Chronicles 10.1-14 (cf. the study on 1 Chronicles 10). A note on why the two books of the Chronicles were written. They parallel, for the most part, 1 and 2 Samuel. However, they are written after the return from the exile in Babylon as a reminder of what is necessary for success in the kingdom.

This is a gruesome death. Saul was pierced with an arrow. He knew he was to die. He asked his armor-bearer to finish the deed lest he be tortured (Judges 9.54). He said he would not do it because his chief job was to ensure the king remained alive. Saul killed himself. The armor-bearer followed suit. This will play big in 2 Samuel 1. That day Saul’s sons died with him.

The Philistines found their bodies and triumphed throughout the land. They hung the bodies on a wall in Beth-Shan (Judges 1.27). Beth-Shan is about sixteen miles from what is known as the Sea of Galilee today (Sea of Chinnereth). It was later renamed Scythopolis which roughly translates to “city of barbarism” or “sin city.” The men of Israel in Jabesh-Gilead found out, they stole the bodies and buried them.