May 3 Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 1-3
. . This is a delayed highlights of the Bible Reading. I am determined, still, to make a blog regarding the chapters, for I fear that I might lose the interest and forget about my goal.
The book of 2 Samuel is the continuation of the kingdom ex-King Saul left. Normally in our time, when a ruler passed away, his successor is the next in line automatically. Here, however David, didn't immediately took the throne even though he knew that he would be king of the nation. Chapter 2 verse 1 states that David inquired FIRST to Jehovah God before making any drastic move, then in verse 4 he then was anointed as King of Judah. Even after that, David continued to inquire of Jehovah, asking him to help in ruling over His nation. David continued to glorify Jehovah, humbling himself and not seeking revenge in anyone.
Revenged in a way of what Joab did to Abner, Saul's chief of armies. In chapter 2 verses 14 to 23, Abner challenged Joab and his two brothers for combat. The result of this fight was Asahel was killed by Abner, struck into the abdomen and fled. In chapter 3 verses 24 to 27, the scenario prior to these verses was that Abner went to King David to conclude a covenant. When Joab heard of this, he questioned David as to why he had approved of it. He went after Abner and likewise, struck him the abdomen in revenged of his brother. I imagined myself being in that scenario, the two camps - Saul's and David's, getting hyped up as to who is the greatest in number, in lands, in weapons and so on, to the point of counting the number of persons they had killed. And here King David, amidst the situation, is simply clueless of the going ons of his household. It was not in his mind to ever thought of doing that to Saul or to Ishbosheth's camp. He even wept over Abner's death!
Another chapter reminded me of Moses and Naaman's servant. They both were know-it-alls and wanted to receive the glory instead to Jehovah God. In chapter 1 verses 8 to 10, an Amalekite escapee went to David and related the story how King Saul died. He related how HE struck Saul because he can no longer fight as his camp has already been defeated. I remember in the previous chapter, David had the many chances to kill Saul but he did not do so for he know that Saul is an annointed one of Jehovah. But here we see the Amalekite boasting his glory of killing Saul so that David will accept him into his tents. In verse 14, David said, "How was it that you did not fear to thrust your hand out to bring the anointed of Jehovah to ruin?" Lesson: Let us not be presumptious over something, and take the glory for being able to speak boldly in the field or overcoming persecution in our ministry. For we know that we were able to do such because of Jehovah's holy spirit backing us. The rightful thanks should be to Jehovah God and not to ourselves.
Another point for this scripture is the view of euthanasia. Saul committed suicide so as not to suffer further from the hands of the Philistines. The story of the Amalekite stated that he did euthanasia to King Saul, but this further shows that this Biblical event, then, in no way justifies a Christian’s having any part in euthanasia. Jehovah is a God who issued an commandment to not murder anyone. He is a loving God and desires all to live, if that is the case, does He allow such killing to happen? The answer is no.
2 Samuel chapter 1 verses 19 to 26 is a description of Jonathan by David during his wake. We all know that despite Saul not liking David, it was the opposite of Jonathan, Saul's son. They had a remarkable friendship that in those instances Jonathan rescued David from the pangs of death. Though Jonathan was older than David, this holds no barrier for their friendship. When I was young, I only wanted to have friends amongst my age, but as I grew older and widened out in the meetings, I find it appealing to have older and mature friends. They know much more about life plus their spirituality is very much encouraging for me especially in a very special case. As of now, I barely have close friends of the same age but a lot more older and mature than me. As David lastly describes Jonathan in verse 26, "very pleasant you were to me. More wonderful was your love to me than the love from women."
The book of 2 Samuel is the continuation of the kingdom ex-King Saul left. Normally in our time, when a ruler passed away, his successor is the next in line automatically. Here, however David, didn't immediately took the throne even though he knew that he would be king of the nation. Chapter 2 verse 1 states that David inquired FIRST to Jehovah God before making any drastic move, then in verse 4 he then was anointed as King of Judah. Even after that, David continued to inquire of Jehovah, asking him to help in ruling over His nation. David continued to glorify Jehovah, humbling himself and not seeking revenge in anyone.
Revenged in a way of what Joab did to Abner, Saul's chief of armies. In chapter 2 verses 14 to 23, Abner challenged Joab and his two brothers for combat. The result of this fight was Asahel was killed by Abner, struck into the abdomen and fled. In chapter 3 verses 24 to 27, the scenario prior to these verses was that Abner went to King David to conclude a covenant. When Joab heard of this, he questioned David as to why he had approved of it. He went after Abner and likewise, struck him the abdomen in revenged of his brother. I imagined myself being in that scenario, the two camps - Saul's and David's, getting hyped up as to who is the greatest in number, in lands, in weapons and so on, to the point of counting the number of persons they had killed. And here King David, amidst the situation, is simply clueless of the going ons of his household. It was not in his mind to ever thought of doing that to Saul or to Ishbosheth's camp. He even wept over Abner's death!
Another chapter reminded me of Moses and Naaman's servant. They both were know-it-alls and wanted to receive the glory instead to Jehovah God. In chapter 1 verses 8 to 10, an Amalekite escapee went to David and related the story how King Saul died. He related how HE struck Saul because he can no longer fight as his camp has already been defeated. I remember in the previous chapter, David had the many chances to kill Saul but he did not do so for he know that Saul is an annointed one of Jehovah. But here we see the Amalekite boasting his glory of killing Saul so that David will accept him into his tents. In verse 14, David said, "How was it that you did not fear to thrust your hand out to bring the anointed of Jehovah to ruin?" Lesson: Let us not be presumptious over something, and take the glory for being able to speak boldly in the field or overcoming persecution in our ministry. For we know that we were able to do such because of Jehovah's holy spirit backing us. The rightful thanks should be to Jehovah God and not to ourselves.
Another point for this scripture is the view of euthanasia. Saul committed suicide so as not to suffer further from the hands of the Philistines. The story of the Amalekite stated that he did euthanasia to King Saul, but this further shows that this Biblical event, then, in no way justifies a Christian’s having any part in euthanasia. Jehovah is a God who issued an commandment to not murder anyone. He is a loving God and desires all to live, if that is the case, does He allow such killing to happen? The answer is no.
2 Samuel chapter 1 verses 19 to 26 is a description of Jonathan by David during his wake. We all know that despite Saul not liking David, it was the opposite of Jonathan, Saul's son. They had a remarkable friendship that in those instances Jonathan rescued David from the pangs of death. Though Jonathan was older than David, this holds no barrier for their friendship. When I was young, I only wanted to have friends amongst my age, but as I grew older and widened out in the meetings, I find it appealing to have older and mature friends. They know much more about life plus their spirituality is very much encouraging for me especially in a very special case. As of now, I barely have close friends of the same age but a lot more older and mature than me. As David lastly describes Jonathan in verse 26, "very pleasant you were to me. More wonderful was your love to me than the love from women."
