June 1, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 18:1-19:10

2 Sam. 18

David was impossible to beat in the open field, and with God against Absalom, Absalom was toast. He just didn't know it yet.

V. 3 Notice that they didn't let David go out to fight since he alone was the target. Absalom wasn't so smart.

V. 5 Perhaps because of his sense of guilt, that all of this was a part of what he had done to Uriah, or because of some misplaced hope that Absalom would be his successor, or both, David gave this order to spare Absalom. This will be a test of hearts in the coming verses.

Vs. 6-18 Imagine, they lost 20,000 men in a day. We, thankfully, cannot even conceive of that. And to think, this all goes back to David and an afternoon of sexual restlessness. (Again, I think there is more leading up to that event.)

V. 9 Remember Absalom's pride in his hair. Pride cometh before getting hung in a tree.

V. 12 This guy was right, I wouldn't have trusted Joab either. Interesting that his men knew this about him.

V. 14 Disobeying a command of the king, and murdering Absalom like this, should have cost Joab his life. Joab could get away with "practical measures" like this because David had no power over him. If David had dealt with Joab earlier, God would have raised up someone to take his place. What a mistake to have Joab on your team.

V. 18 Earlier it was said that Absalom had sons, but apparently they had died. This would make the monument a bit more understandable since it had to do with the pain he suffered when the boys died.

V. 19-33 I have never really understood why this "race" happened other than that I think insincerity and being political was commonplace in David's court. This situation, like others we have seen and will see, reflect David's lost sense of justice and fairness.

2 Sam. 19

Joab wasn't a spiritual genius, but he was thinking straighter than David. If David hadn't gone among the people, things would have ended worse. As it is, the drama isn't over. A civil war will meet him when the dust settles. God's judgment of David is like a French meal, and we haven't gotten to the final course yet.

As a disciple, is this instilling in you a healthy sense of respect of the danger of sin? God is not mocked, even by those He loves. David was a "superhero" of the faith and is honored by God even now, but his sin sure damaged his life on earth and hurt a lot of people.

John 20

Vs. 1-10 So we have another foot race here. Isn't it cute that John never refers to himself other than "the other disciple." So John beats Peter to the tomb, but Peter goes in. John believes, but Peter, with his sense of failure, is left wondering. FYI, before the guys meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus, Jesus will already have had a personal meeting with Peter (Luke 24:34). Jesus made sure that Peter didn't sink into his own failure.

V. 10 They all went home. There was no glue, they really didn't understand His death, His resurrection or His mission.

V. 17 In the KJV it says, "Do not touch me." My first thought was, "what, wasn't He 'set' yet." Mary seems very emotional and probably had His legs in some ninja hold. Jesus had stuff to do and He had a mission to send her on.

Vs. 19-23 In Luke's version of this meeting, they thought Jesus was a ghost (again) and He ate with them. Where it says here that they received the Holy Spirit, it says in Luke 24:45, that He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. This was a temporary provision to get them to Pentecost. Just as Jesus had talked to them to encourage them before the crucifixion, now that they had made it this far, He was giving them a supernatural allowance to understand what the OT had to say about the necessity of His death and resurrection. At the same time, in verse 24, He let them know the mission and authority that would go with understanding those Scriptures.

V. 24-29 These were smart Jewish boys and not given to jumping on bandwagons. So enter Thomas. I can see them telling Thomas about the meeting they had with Jesus. I can see them, with their new understanding, trying to convince him. I can also see Thomas noticing that their heads looked larger but saying, "No way, Jose." Eight days later Jesus showed up again, looking at Thomas. We got a great verse out of it.

V. 30 This is the point of this Gospel.

Psalm 119:153-176

So, wrapping up Psalm 119, what do you think the point is? Did you realize that there was so much crying out for help in this psalm. Apparently, that crying out is to be seen as normal. Apparently, hiding in God's love and His Word is also to be seen as normal. To not be in the place where we're crying out or hiding in His Word and love, means we might be in the wrong place or not really following Christ in the harvest. In the harvest we experience pruning. What is the response of a disciple during this pruning? Well, I guess that's what this psalm is all about.

Proverbs 16:14-15

Again, since we're not "kings," just think of this as a spiritual person.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.

May 31, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 17

I only have a few observations here.

First, Ahithophel would have taken David. V. 14 tells you why God allowed Hushai to win the day. It seems to me that Ahithophel was not a deeply vocal and persuasive man. More of a good, wise and gentle man. Notice what happens in verse 23. He knew God had thwarted him and that David would win. It's interesting that he went home and put all of his affairs in order. I don't think he killed himself for fear of David. He probably would have been happy to have spit in David's face. I think he committed suicide out of bitterness, knowing that God would spare David. I wonder if Ahithophel and the Lord had a good long conversation after this.

It's interesting here that Eliam lost his father, Bathsheba lost her grandfather and Solomon lost his great-grandfather. And remember, up until all this took place, Ahithophel was a revered man in the palace. Sad.

V. 25 Notice that Amasa was put over the army of Absalom. Note that he is Joab's cousin.

V. 27 Notice that beds, food, bath tubs, microwaves, bratwurst, chips, cheese whiz, etc., were brought from surrounding nations including the city that Joab had under siege when the events took place that led to all this baloney.

John 19:23-42

Vs. 25-27 John is the only one who mentions that Jesus' mother was at the cross. The other gospels mention the other three women standing at a distance. What happened here is that at some point, Mary, escorted by her sister, Salome and her son John (the son of Zebedee, who was also the disciple whom Jesus loved), by her sister-in-law (Clopas is thought to be Joseph's [remember Joseph, Mary's husband] brother), and Mary Magdalene. So, Jesus sees His mother and His cousin John, who is also a disciple and gives John the care of His mother. After this, John led Mary away and the other three women went with them, stopping at some point distant from the cross and continued to watch.

Vs. 28-30 It is interesting that with all the other things Jesus said on the cross, it seems that it was after taking care of His mother that Jesus knew all was now finished. Now with all the loose ends tied, the sacrifice for mankind completed and the Father's justice satisfied, Jesus said, "It is paid, finished," and He died.

Vs. 31-37 This Sabbath would have fallen on the second day to eat the Passover and so it was doubly holy, being both the Passover and the Sabbath. John was apparently standing there, with the other women watching all of this. He saw the water and the blood. Since Jesus was already dead, there was no need to break his legs.

Vs. 38-42 Joe and Nick come out of hiding. Because they had to do this quickly, they used Joe's own tomb, which was close at hand, and Nick brought the necessary things to prepare the body quickly before the Sabbath. The three women helped. Afterward, Sunday morning, they would come back and do a more thorough job. To be continued!

Psalm 119:129-152

V. 130 This is what good preaching and teaching does, it unfolds the Word. It shows people how to understand the Word for themselves and every time they go back to that passage, they can develop the thoughts and find that light again.

I'll bet that David longed for those old days when life wasn't complicated by demands and by the sin of his actions. Even though there was affliction, there was this vital and pulsing freshness.

So, what could he have done? If my theory is right, that David wrote this during the same time he was writing his copy of the law, I would say he should have either kept reading that copy daily, or he should have written another copy. David, like everyone of us, was spiritually "bi-polar," meaning he needed to acknowledge his condition daily and take his meds every day, without exception. David got busy, got comfortable, got lazy, just like we do. Paul, out of God's love and mercy, was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to keep him humble and needy. The secret revealed through Paul is this, "When I am weak, then am I strong." If you are a disciple, serious about bearing fruit in the harvest and staying close to Christ, you need the Word daily and you need to pursue Him and work under a certain amount of affliction. You don't have to "lash yourself," because, if you are in the harvest, the Father will prune you and that will make you both effective and needy.

Proverbs 16:12-13

Since we really don't identify with "kings," I find it helpful to substitute the title, "spiritual person." The king of Israel was supposed to lead the nation before God, modeling what it meant to be under God's control. That didn't happen often in Israel. Also, and we're seeing this now, a king often followed God when he was young and afflicted, but once he became strong, rich, secure, proud, etc., these men of faith did really silly, unspiritual stuff. Their stories are there for us to learn from. This proverb, probably written by Solomon, is still true and spoken by God; even if Solomon, like his father before him, denied by his life the very words he was writing .

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.

May 30, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 15:23-16:23

2 Sam. 15:23-27

Vs. 23-29 It had been a moment of great personal joy when David brought the ark into the city. Now, it must have broken his heart to see these well meaning priests taking it out of the city with him. David's heart is rightly humbled. David knew he had brought this situation on himself and was willing to submit himself to God's will and judgment.

What comes from this is that the priests both had sons who could bring him information.

Vs. 30-37 Jesus would one day weep on the Mount of Olives, but for a very different reason. He would be entering Jerusalem to die for sin. These people, with David, were leaving Jerusalem because of sin. I wonder why they were weeping. I wonder if anyone was thinking that this was the result of what David did to Bathsheba and Uriah.

Hushai would become the secret weapon against Ahithophel. Isn't it interesting that up until now, we've never heard the name of Ahithophel. Now we're afraid of him. If this guy was such a great counselor and such a wise guy, why did he turn against David and side with a foolish man like Absalom? What would cause a wise man like Ahithophel to oppose David and God and do something so foolish? Did you figure it out?

2 Sam. 16

Vs. 1-4 So here is Ziba, bearing gifts. I know he wasn't Greek, but the old adage applied to him. Maybe this was just old world kindness. Maybe he knew the story of how the gift of Abigail had touched David's heart. Of course, hindsight is always 20/20, but no one sees this yet as we will understand it in chapter 19.

Look at verse three. All I want to say here is this, both in the Law and in dealing with elders in the NT, God says, "never admit any charge against an elder accept on the testimony of two or three witnesses."

So here, you have the word of Ziba, that the crippled son of David's best friend, a godly friend, has said, "Good, now I'll become king." Especially knowing that all Israel was following after that handsome, fully functional, "dude's dude" Absalom. Really?

V. 4 To me this ranks as a sad verse in the Bible. David just broke the Law of God by accepting the testimony of one man against another. And look at what he did. He gave Ziba everything, and he never even asked Mephibosheth if this was true. I mean, really. Obviously, I know what's coming in chapter 19. David's judgment was damaged by his sin and his guilt.

Vs. 5-14 This guy was wrong and ranted at David for all the wrong reasons. God will judge him for this, but God used him to provide some "atmosphere" for David's march to the Jordan. David's words give us the idea that he understood that God was motivating Shimei. Interestingly enough, as David dies, he will give Solomon two assignments: one is to kill Joab and the other is to kill this guy, but of course, to do it legally. Sounds like a mafia movie.

Vs. 15-23 So now we look at the other side of this civil war. Hushai is in place to try to save David, but Absalom looks to Ahithophel for counsel. Ahithophel's first word to Absalom is that he should rape David's concubines (servant wives). Vs. 20-23 are a summary that he actually did this, probably the next day. Presently however, the meeting isn't over.

Now, who was Ahithophel?

When we first heard about Bathsheba, we learned that she was the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

If you do a search on the name "Eliam," you'll find it coming up in a few chapters, in 2 Samuel 23. The name is found in the list of David's mighty men. David's mighty men were a select group of men that were outstanding warriors and fighters and deeply loyal to David, probably having joined David when he was still serving Saul. David would have been very close to these men. These men were with him through all the ten years of running from Saul. Now as king, some of them would have been David's personal bodyguards. They would have been the men who ate daily with David at his table (as we see Mephibosheth doing). He would have known and been close to these guys and their families. In putting together a government back then, you went to your family and your friends and their families. You chose men who you knew and could trust. The world was small, and so you surrounded yourself with your trusted, proven people and their families.

So, back in 2 Samuel 23:34 you see that Eliam, one of David's mighty men, was the son of Ahithophel. This would have made Bathsheba, Ahithophel's granddaughter. Look at the end of the list of David's mighty men. The last one listed is Uriah the Hittite. Uriah was in this select group and known by David.

Did David really not know who Bathsheba was? Didn't he know she was the granddaughter of his most trusted counselor, the daughter of one of his closest and most loyal men, and the wife of one of his closest and most loyal men? David wasn't stupid, but what he did was.

What would cause a wise man like Ahithophel to oppose David and God and do something so foolish? Ahithophel saw how David had sexually forced his granddaughter, killed his "grandson-in-law," destroyed his family and violated the trust and loyalty they had shown him when he was running. How sad.

When David says in Psalm 51:4, "Against You, You only, I have sinned…," I have to respectfully disagree. David should have had long talks with Ahithophel and Eliam and their families and apologized until his voice was hoarse and he couldn't cry another tear. I don't think David did this. Look at how David communicated with his own sons. David wrote songs but he was a basket case when it came to discussion for restoration.

Ahithophel became a bitter man and will pay for his bitterness. His new grandson, Solomon, will become king; but where hearts are bitter, where there is no justice, there is seldom forgiveness or peace. Ahithophel needed to have left his service to David and gone to God and found solace in Him alone. I don't think he did that.

So, Ahithophel's first word of counsel to Absalom is to go and publicly rape 10 of David's wives. Remember too, that this "just" punishment is what God promised on David for what he had done.

John 18:25-19:22

John 18:25-40

Vs. 25-27 It is interesting that all four Gospels record that Peter, who was a leader in the church when these accounts were written, had failed Jesus. God's record of redemption includes a lot of failed men, saved by grace. That men like Peter and Paul ended well should be an encouragement to us all.

Vs. 28-32 Pilate wanted to set Jesus free. He really didn't like the Jewish leaders.

V. 28 During this time in Israel's history, the Passover meal could be celebrated on two days. Some say it was because of some technicality in the calendar. It might have been because of the large number of people and the large number of lambs that needed to be sacrificed and the availability of rooms to celebrate in. Jesus and the disciples celebrated on the early day. The Pharisees celebrated on the later day.

Vs. 33-40 Pilate is working to try to let Jesus go.

V. 38 This famous quote comes from an arrogant ruler speaking to a Jewish peasant. Pilate was an embattled, bitter, unpopular ruler. The Jewish lobby in Rome had made his life miserable.

John 19

Vs. 1-5 This beating was meant to make Jesus look broken and humiliated, but was not the pre-crucifixion beating. Pilate still wanted to release Jesus.

Vs. 6-11 Pilate is not very arrogant now. This event is shaping up to be very "spooky" for him. According to the other gospels, his wife has even told him to distance himself from this.

V. 11 Pilate isn't laughing at Jesus any more.

V. 12-16 "Caesar's Friend" was a political designation of being in good standing. When the Jews threw this statement at Pilate, he knew he had lost. This event would go straight back to Rome, where he was barely in good standing. Pilate still could have let him go.

The irony here is bitter. "Behold your king." "We have no king but Caesar."

V. 16 This was the pre-crucifixion beating.

Vs. 19-22 God uses even the evil of men for his purpose. Pilate put the sign above Jesus out of his hate for the Jewish leaders. Yet, what was written, regardless of his motive, was exactly true.

V. 22 When I was in seminary with a full load and a family and a job, having way too many papers to write, this was my key verse for never writing a second draft of a paper. The first draft had to do the trick.

Psalm 119:113-128

These verses, written by David and the Holy Spirit are absolutely true, and absolutely sobering.

Proverbs 16:10-11

Before David fell, his judgments, it is said, were like the words of an angel, meaning He had keen insight. These verses would have been true of him at that point. Sin, guilt, and the consequences of murder changed all that in David. As disciples, we would be wise to learn from what the Lord is showing us from David's life.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.

May 29, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 14:1-15:22

In what happens in the next chapters, you see, little by little, the effect David's own sins and lengthy refusal to confess his crimes, had upon his ability to discern and make good judgments.

1 Sam. 14

David was very conflicted morally and emotionally. Absalom should have died for what he did, but David should have died also.

David had been promised that one of his sons would be on the throne, but rather than trust God to be true to his word, David, after losing the hope he had for Amnon, now put his hope in big, tall, handsome Absalom.

David wanted to forgive his son and bring him back, but his sense of justice and anger (guilt too, knowing he had brought this on his family) held him back.

V. 3 Joab was a crafty man.

Vs. 4-17 Apparently David was a sucker for a good story. Nathan had moved David to repentance with a story.

V. 24 This shows how emotionally/judgmentally hamstrung David was.

Vs. 25-27 Absalom was a dude's dude, and the kind of guy you'd want as king. In mourning for what happened to his sister Tamar, he named a daughter Tamar. Though it mentions here that he had 3 sons, later we'll find out that he had no one to carry on his name. Did they die? I don't know.

Vs. 28-33 This was completely dysfunctional and David was party to it. Talk about awful parenting and horrible communication skills. Emotionally, there was something wrong with David. Old Jerusalem was not that big.

1 Sam. 15

Vs. 1-6 So now that Absalom is completely bitter and has no regard for his father, he plots to steal the hearts of Israel away from David (whose credibility was probably low). Obviously, there is much more going on here to put together this coup.

This went on for four years. Don't you think someone would have noticed how weird this looked? I suspect that David noticed and didn't stop him, thinking it might prepare Absalom to be king, that maybe God was in it. Since Absalom was providing counsel to the people, it might be that because of what he had done, that David had become something of a recluse.

Vs. 7-12 Hebron would be important because that is where David was crowned king.

V. 12 This is the last chance to figure out on your own who Ahithophel was. Tomorrow I'll tell you.

Vs. 13-22 If the people were won over to Absalom, David would be trapped in Jerusalem. His only chance was to run into the wilderness and fight.

V. 16 David shouldn't have left those 10 wives/concubines in Jerusalem, but how could he have known?

V. 19 The men who had been with David when he ran from Saul were still loyal. The leader of these guys showed that despite his age and the discomfort, he would remain with David. I'm sure David's "mighty men" were with him. What is significant when you think of loyalty, is that David had men who were extremely loyal to him, but he might not have been that loyal. You'll see that tomorrow.

John 18:1-24

John doesn't mention that Jesus prayed in the garden after He and the disciples had crossed over to the Mount of Olives.

V. 4 Jesus confronted the mob primarily to save the disciples. Verse 9 shows this. Peter tries to intervene but Jesus tells him to cool it.

V. 15 That unknown disciple, again, was John, the writer of this gospel. Apparently John had some family connections to the high priest (that's why he knew the name of the earless servant) and was able to get Peter into the courtyard.

Vs. 19-24 This is the only time we see Jesus speaking to defend himself. Oddly enough, almost the exact same thing happens to Paul years later.

They had two high priests at this time in Israel's history, bad and badder.

Psalm 119:97-112

Keep looking at the words that are used for the Word, and the alternating cries for help and then the refuge taken in the Word of God.

V. 105 I feel a song coming on. The video is also interesting because the song is sung by a disciple who made it famous, got lost, and is, apparently, back on track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig8dO3VVayw

Proverbs 16:8-9

Amen and Amen!

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.

May 28, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 13

It is hard to tell how much time had passed. David had written Psalm 51 and shown true repentance (sort of). It might be that David hoped that what the Lord had said would not happen, or maybe he thought the threat would come from outside of Israel. I'm sure he didn't see this coming.

V. 5 The old "come and bake bread in my presence" ploy.

Apparently this was an accepted custom in that culture for a sick person. That's why David fell for this. I can imagine that if you were rich, the food was prepared by servants somewhere removed from the main living quarters, possibly in another house. Now, you have to admit, that when the right stuff is being made, it makes the house smell great. Actually, I think I have even gained weight just smelling it. That sense of warmth and wholeness and smell and, in general, the wonderfulness of it all, was probably thought to help make a sick person well.

Anyway, as silly and as transparent as this sounds to us, it probably was rational in that culture.

V. 13 This marriage would have been forbidden in Israel, meaning they would have to leave and Amnon could not be king. Under the guidelines of the Law, this kind of incest was forbidden, but it would have been no different than Abraham and Sarah, who both had a common father but different mothers.

I wonder how much this act mirrored David's interaction with Bathsheba.

V. 16 Violating Tamar like this would make her unmarryable in proper circles. Tamar was not at fault, but it would have been Amnon's responsibility to do the right thing and marry her.

V. 21 This is where David failed because of his own failure. You might have a note that the Dead Sea Scroll and Septuagint (and Luther) add, "But he would not punish his son Amnon because he loved him, since he was his firstborn." David couldn't judge him; and at the same time, he hoped that Amnon would take the throne when he died. This lack of justice created an intense hatred and bitterness in Absalom that would engulf the nation in war.

V. 23 Two years go by.

V. 26 How did David fall for this? I'm assuming that as the heir apparent, Amnon represented the king at some events and this is what Absalom was asking for. He certainly didn't want David there. He must have known that David would refuse; and so, as a compromise, he would send Amnon.

Just a speculative point here. I don't think David was a good relational communicator. He wrote wonderful songs and psalms, but as a father and as a verbal minister to his family, he seems to have been a disaster. We'll see more of that tomorrow and in the days that come.

V. 38 Three years and no communication, just brooding and sulking on David's part. And what was going through Absalom's mind.

V. 39 A very confused David, so compromised in his own heart and so anxious to have his own son sit on the throne, that he can no longer judge rightly.

John 17

Vs. 1-5 As followers of our Lord, living for and giving glory to the Father should be just as important to us.

What is the work which the father has given us to do? Jesus' work seems definite to us. Is ours less definite? We wake up in the morning, work, eat, go to bed at night, go to church on Sunday. Is that really it? Why did he leave us here when everything that church is supposed to do for us will be done for us the minute we are in heaven? So what is the life and work of a disciple, if not the harvest, sowing, and reaping? John 15:8

As a disciple, what concerns and requests do you find here from Jesus in His prayer to the Father, to help us follow Him in the harvest?

What thoughts do you find here that could help you become a better maker of disciples.

Psalm 119:81-96

What stands out to me is the longing of verses 81-82.

Notice, as you have been, the interchange between his distress and going to the word.

V. 92 I'm sure this was true for David in those long years running from Saul. I'll bet it became true for David again as his family was falling apart.

V. 93 If only that had been true of David. It needs to be true of me.

Proverbs 16:6-7

David was still a man after God's own heart and I'm sure these two verses came into play as God forgave David and as David refocused his life on following God.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.

May 27, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 12

It seems from the narrative, that once Bathsheba found out she was pregnant and sent word to David, it wasn't long after that that Uriah died. Now, it looks like the baby has been born. I wonder why God waited so long before He confronted David. David had more than enough time to confess his sin and come clean.

Vs. 1-6 I wonder how many of the details of the man's affection for the lamb described the relationship of Uriah and Bathsheba before David destroyed things.

Vs. 7-14 It stands out to me here, that if David had sought the Lord and waited for Him, God would have "added" to him and given him more (v.8).

V. 9 Notice that God sees David as having despised His word.

All of what God "promises" David will come true and will become a real tragedy.

Vs. 24-25 Now here is an interesting thought. God loved Solomon and He told Nathan, and so, Solomon had another name that meant that God loved him. Why is God loving this person born out of such a foul history? Since God is sovereign, I would have to think that God knew that Solomon would be born of David and Bathsheba and that Solomon was a part of His plan. I think that if David hadn't sinned, God would have brought these two people together without sin. Probably Uriah would have died in battle or some other way, and since David knew Uriah, he would have taken Bathsheba legally as a wife. We've seen this before with Rebekah and Jacob stealing the blessing from Esau. If it is God's will for something to happen, we need to wait and be patient. Taking "God's Will" by our own hand only adds grief and sorrow to it.

Imagine what this sin would have done to David's entire "family." Would any of the other wives have felt good about being with David after he had done this?

This part about Solomon is probably a summary of the future birth.

Vs. 26-31 The long fought battle (over a year) finally ends in victory. I can't help but see this "victory" as a very ironic defeat for David and for all of Israel.

John 16

Vs. 1-4 I've tried to underscore the fact that the context of this upper room discourse is the immediate and ongoing threat there would be to the disciples as they followed Jesus now, and then later after Pentecost. This same atmosphere of threat is true for any who are following Christ in the harvest. Many of the truths in this discourse are great. The problem is that if they are removed from this context and taught in isolation, they are misleading. The context for this truth is following Christ on His mission under pressure.

If you take a piston from an engine and use it at Christmas to crack nuts, it will work for that. But imagine if you eventually forgot that it was anything other than a nutcracker. This is exactly what happens with teaching about the Holy Spirit. We use Him for all sorts of things, especially for our comfort. We just forget the context in which He is introduced, the mission, and therefore, the context in which we will find His power and comfort.

Vs. 5-15 Notice that Jesus is speaking again about His leaving them.

V. 7 Jesus will send the Spirit into the disciples. Whereas Jesus could only be in one place at one time, the Holy Spirit can indwell an infinite number of disciples. Notice what this Helper will do in verse 8. How does that help us? It only helps us if we are in the harvest.

Vs. 12-14 Jesus was their constant teacher and taught them before and after events, before and after conflicts. Now He was leaving them. The Spirit of Truth would now take His place.

Vs. 16-28 Somehow, I don't think the disciples understood the impact it would have on them when He died. He is bracing them to experience intense disappointment, fear and sorrow, and He's promising them that the joy they experience afterward will wipe that all away.

Notice the references to joy and the encouragement for them to pray. Jesus is helping them to protect them and I don't think they had a clue.

Vs. 29-33 Here it is like the disciples say, "Oh, so that's what you're saying. Null Problemo." And then Jesus says, "Oh yeah. You've got it down? You guys are about to be scattered in fear."

V. 33 Notice that the context for this peace is peace in persecution for being a follower of Christ in the harvest.

Psalm 119:65-80

What I noticed today was the references to being afflicted and how affliction worked to drive David to the Word. Seeing what is happening with David in 2 Samuel, I guess it is better to be afflicted and in the Word, than to have everything going well and feel you can survive without His Word.

Proverbs 16:4-5

In the OT stories, we have seen how the Lord uses the evil and failings of men to further His plan of redemption. We've also seen, and will see, that verse 5 is true, even among God's own children.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.

May 26, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 9-11

It feels too soon in the record of David to begin looking at his ruin, but actually we've been reading about David for about 23 chapters. And we're not through by a long shot. This is more "history" than Noah or Abraham received. In reading the Bible and observing what is there, the "law of proportion" is important. The question to ask is "Why is so much written about David?" Apparently David is very, very important. Yesterday I quoted a verse from Paul to Timothy, in which he mentions that Jesus being descended from David was a part of the Gospel he preached. In Romans 1:3 Paul says, "the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh"

Knowing what Paul says in Romans, and the close attention Jesus' connection to David receives in other parts of the Bible, it seems safe to say that God's promise to David is huge. The promise is not only pointing to the redemption of man, but also to the redemption of Israel and the fulfillment of their purpose before God to be a witness to the nations.

It is good to keep in mind, that David was a true man of faith and graciously blessed by God. Remember that, because what you are about to read about David is both tragic and sad. But then again, and there's a lesson here, so are the lives of many disciples who began well, but lost their focus on the love and mission of Christ.

2 Sam. 9

Remember the mention of Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth (M)? I will only make a few comments on this story, but some of the small details here will be important later. I'm drawing your attention to this now, because you won't hear from Ziba again until chapter 16 and you won't know the truth until chapter 19. You'd get all of this if you read your Bible year after year and took good mental notes, but anyway, treasure all these little details in your heart.

V. 2 Look at all the detail you have here about Ziba. That detail is very important. Ziba was a rich man, living large off of Saul's estate because there was no heir. He became a rich man, living under the radar until now.

V. 9 Ziba and his family and his servants became the servants of a cripple. Not only that, he was now accountable to David. The proceeds of the land had to be accounted for and given to M. This would change his lifestyle. Do you see what is happening here?

V. 10-11 The "Now Ziba" is important. You seldom read about anyone with this many sons, much less daughters and wives. He had means. David didn't have this many sons.

Notice verse 12.

V. 13 To make matters worse, M lived in the capitol city and ate at David's table in honor. Just imagine what this change meant for Ziba, now serving an absentee master.

Back to M, he seems like a nice guy and very humble, married with a little son that makes you think of Mickey Mouse.

So why the "Now" in verse 13? In the NT you never hear of a cripple being anything but a beggar, much less a great man or a king. Back then, you reigned because you could defeat those who stood against you.

2 Sam. 10

This story sets up chapter 11. It tells you why chapter 11 begins with Joab fighting against the main city of the Ammonites.

Chapter 10 is also important in that Israel not only broke the strength of Syria, but they defeated armies beyond the Euphrates into Assyria. The nations knew to respect David. Israel was now secure in the world.

2 Sam. 11

V. 1 Sermons have been preached on all of this. David obviously should have been out fighting.

V. 2 This "sighting" might not have been an accident. This was a common time for women to bathe for ceremonial cleansing. David, in his palace, had a high vantage point.

Now, David had 11 wives and many concubines at this time. So, why not make a date with one of them?

V. 3 If David didn't already know who she was, this information should have frozen him. Unfortunately, once lust is on a roll, it is really hard to stop with rational thought. As we'll see later, or you can find out on your own, David almost certainly knew who she was.

These names are important. Not only will they explain some things that happen later, but these show how very tragic this was. These names also could mean that David stayed behind in Jerusalem for this very reason. This might have been like a wife asking her husband if he wants to go with her and the kids to the store, but he prefers to stay home because he's tired. Then, as soon as the car pulls out of the driveway, he fires up the computer.

Also, just think of this: David crossed a line here from fantasy to doing. This must have taken time. The names above will let you know that David might have known who Bathsheba was and thought that, maybe, he deserved her. More on this later.

Vs. 4-5 How did David think he could keep this quiet? It had to have taken some planning.

That she had just cleansed herself means she had just had her period (v.4). It would be another month before she would know she had missed a period and was pregnant.

So here is the question: Was this mutual consent or was it rape? If it was mutual consent, both of them needed to be put to death for adultery. It is hard to imagine this any other way, but those were different times.

Now, what follows is my understanding of the situation.

In Leviticus 19:20 there is a case where a master rapes a slave woman who is engaged. She is not killed and he is not killed, although he has to pay for his crime. That the slave woman is not charged with any sin is because she is under the power of her owner. I think this was kind of the same case with David and Bathsheba. Her husband, Uriah, was a foreigner, a close servant of David. David was the ruler of Israel. Socially and culturally, if David made a demand of her, she could not deny David. This was more than statutory rape. In that culture, Bathsheba would have been required to consent because of David's standing as king and her husband's position under David.

There is one more thing that points to rape in this situation. Later, when God judges David, He will tell David that though David did this secretly, God will do the same thing to David that David did here and He will do it publicly. God will judge David by bringing David's own sin back upon him. As a result of what David did to Bathsheba and to Uriah, David's family will experience two cases of rape and a murder. His oldest son Amnon will rape his half-sister Tamar. Then Absalom will murder Amnon, and during the civil war that Absalom incites against David, Absalom will rape 10 of David's concubines (wives) openly, on the roof of the palace for all Israel to see. To further underline this last event, look at 2 Samuel 16:21 and see who it was who suggested this. If you track that name down, this entire act becomes so sad and sick that you want to wring David's neck.

Now, I'm being a little sketchy here so that if you are interested, you can track down all the names and figure this out by yourself. When we get to 2 Samuel 16 I'll put all the details together. But right now, it is important to have an idea of what David did here. It was ugly and everyone would suffer.

V. 6 I wonder if Joab's sneaky mind got a hint of anything here?

Vs. 7-13 God Himself was thwarting David's scheming with a simple man who was better than himself. What did David think when he saw this happening? I'm sure he knew it was God, but he kept on sinning.

As bad as sin is, coming clean and admitting what you've done, yourself, is more honoring to God than having to be backed into a corner or trapped and forced into an admission. When we sin and create a tangled "Gordian Knot" of lies and involvements, it is simple to get out of it. The next thing you do, after you come to your right mind, is to honor God. Obey Him and follow, regardless of the consequences, and the knot is sliced down the middle and God helps you sort out the mess. Keep lying, and you're imprisoned in the world of your lies.

Vs. 14-25 Here David gave Joab power over him. Joab could figure this out. They all knew Uriah (have you figured out why yet?) and knew this lowly, foreign guy had a "knock-out" for a wife. David would never be free of Joab now because he had become a murderer just like Joab.

V. 17 Notice that in order to get Uriah killed, Joab had to send a party of men to the wall and some of them were killed too. So, actually many men died to cover this sin. How sad.

V. 25 Utterly sad. From this point on, David's ability to think clearly and judge others rightly, is destroyed.

Vs. 26-27 There is a reason to fear the silence of God. There is a reason to fear when the intent of our hearts is evil and God doesn't allow anything to stand in our way. David, the man after God's own heart, has sinned in a way that is absolutely mind numbing. The spiritual powers and the surrounding nations will mock the God of Israel for this. God will forgive David, but David will never be the same man. This sin will devastate his own heart and his judgment and his family. And as we learned in Exodus through Deuteronomy, if one man sins, the nation will suffer. Israel will suffer and many more will lose their lives.

As we look at what happens here, obviously this is all written for our instruction and warning. Does God forgive? Absolutely. Should we play with God's grace and forgiveness, presume upon His kindness, mock His love? Absolutely not. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Notice that Paul/the Spirit is saying this to believers.

God loved David, but He cuts David very little slack in terms of consequences. As disciples, we also need to fear God. As we follow Christ in the harvest, in deep humility, we need to tune our hearts daily to God in the Word and in the Lord's prayer. Thinking about those last lines of the prayer, "…and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one," we need to remember the danger we face on this earth, that we are very vulnerable and weak, and that for the grace of God this would happen to us too.

John 15

So, in this dangerous world, following Christ in the harvest, God the Father uses the very troubling circumstances, like what the disciples will be going through, to prune and equip them/us for effectiveness.

There are a few passages in this section that are murky, where someone could think that a believer could lose their salvation. Not so. The best way to view this passage is to think of a couple of examples as you walk through it.

First, think of the apostle Paul. Here was a man, shaped by the love of Christ, shaped by the suffering of Christ as He followed Christ in the harvest, shaped by the joy of seeing the power of the Gospel transform lives. Paul lived no easy life, but there is no greater example, after Jesus, of what this chapter means.

Second, think of someone like David, who was fully saved, yet still suffered damage and "withering" on earth because he chose not to walk close to God. Many believers have injured themselves, and have shipwrecked their faith and witness for Christ. It doesn't mean they are lost, but they are damaged and unfruitful.

Vs. 1-11 In the deepest of the testing the disciples would face, Jesus tells them to remain or abide in Him. This is not just to "believe" in Jesus or go to church, it is to remain in His love and mission and the reality of the purpose of His life and death. In trial or persecution, they would be tempted to "forget" reality, to give up and retreat. If you think of all of the discipleship teaching and warnings Jesus has given them, everything He has taught them fits here….the second seed that fell on the rocky ground that fell away in trial and persecution. Jesus' warning to the disciples when He sent them out by two's, "he who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but he who denies me before men, I also will deny before my father who is in Heaven" (not heed their prayers? Remember, Jesus intercedes for us beside the Father.). All of this fits together in terms of discipleship. Those who heed His words build a house that stands in trials; those who hear and don't follow, well, their house gets ruined.

Notice how often Jesus uses the words, "abide," "bear fruit," and "love."

V. 2 Pruning is normal and necessary to our lives following Christ in the harvest, in this darkness.

V. 4 Bearing fruit is to be looked at as normal and necessary.

V. 5 Abiding in Jesus insures bearing much fruit. The "without me you can do nothing" refers to bearing much fruit. To be fruitless means to be not abiding in Christ, whether we think we are or not.

V. 6 To me this is the same thing that happens to the salt that loses its saltiness or if a man builds on the foundation of Christ with wood, hay or stubble. There is waste and loss during this lifetime, loss of reward and humiliation before Christ, but there is salvation and entrance into heaven, but "as through fire."

V. 7 Notice the conditional nature of this promise. If a person abides in Christ (His love and mission and the reality of the purpose of His life and death) they are asking according to this reality in order to bear fruit for Christ. That prayer will be answered. Why?

V. 8 The Father will grant this prayer because He is glorified when we bear much fruit and so prove to be disciples of our Lord.

Just in case we get lost here; what is bearing fruit? It is our lives being involved in and focused on being witnesses for Christ so that others may find salvation through Him. Whether we are doing this alone or doing it with the church, serving so that the church can reach out and make disciples, living to follow Christ and bear fruit for Him is important to us. The fruit is people coming to Christ. Jesus defines fruit in John 12 when He says that if he dies He will bear much fruit. This fruit is the outgrowth of his death and sacrifice. It is people, it is us, it is those who are still lost and need to hear the message. Saved people are the fruit of the travail of His soul. I know for some people, the bluntness of hearing that we are only here on earth to be witnesses to Christ seems oppressive, but it is the reality of living as disciples, knowing His salvation and living on this dying planet.

Vs. 9-11 It is all about joy and love in the context of following Christ in the harvest and not giving up or hiding. If we "hide" anywhere, it is in the love of the Father and the Son.

Vs. 12-17 Notice that the call to love one another is in the context of the mission, abiding in Christ, bearing fruit.

Notice that Jesus invites us as friends into the very mission and plan He is living and dying for.

Notice that the commandments are in the context of, and defined by, the harvest, abiding and bearing fruit.

V. 16 The promise of answered prayer here is for that person bearing fruit in the harvest whose heart and desires are locked into following His savior and bearing fruit.

V. 17 It is a precious thing to be united together by Christ and His mission, and that person and mission defines the context of this love. In Christ, it is the church, groups of people somewhere on this earth, that God is using to bring the gospel to the lost, and who He is using to hold back the night. We need to love and care for one another, to encourage and guard each other, to "have each other's backs." In the military, you have to be willing to protect your fellow soldier with your life. "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." When you read Paul, you notice the strong bond he had with those who labored with him "side by side" in the Gospel. Paul often called them "fellow soldiers."

Vs. 18-25 Notice that Jesus immediately brings them back to the reality of their situation.

Vs. 26-27 Therefore, the giving of the Spirit is to equip, empower, comfort and encourage them and us as they would (and we) follow Christ in the harvest.

Psalm 119:49-64

Back to the David we love, who was still afflicted and hadn't been ruined by success. This ought to tell us something too. Our hearts are closer to God when we are being pruned. So we need to make sure we are pursuing Christ in the harvest, sweating and straining for Him. God made sure Paul had a thorn in the flesh to humble him, but Paul himself knew of no other way to live. Paul said, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and may share in His sufferings becoming like Him in His death…."

Notice how close to God David was when He really, really, really needed the Lord.

Remember too, that the same guy who wrote this, when he became comfortable and successful, also did what we have read above in 2 Samuel. That frightens me.

Proverbs 16:1-3

I guess this is all another way to say, "if we deeply abide in Christ, our plans and work, our spirits and vision, our hearts and our tongues will be pleasing to the Lord." That's what I want and the way to it is to abide in the love of Jesus my Savior.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.

May 25, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 7-8

2 Sam. 7

This is a big chapter in the Bible because of the Davidic Covenant. Basically, in this covenant God promises that someone from David's lineage will rule over Israel forever. This will be fulfilled in Jesus. Something interesting to note is that when Paul talked about the Gospel he preached, it went like this: 2 Timothy 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel,

V. 3 I find it kind of funny that Nathan thought that God would approve everything David did since He was blessing David in everything. It was a good time, and I guess they were beginning to take God for granted.

Vs. 13-17 In what God is saying to David here, there is a near, literal fulfillment and there is a future, literal and figurative/spiritual fulfillment.

Near and literal would be the building of a "house," a temple by Solomon. The Davidic line would not rule unbroken, as obviously it hasn't. But that rule, when reestablished will be resumed by a descendant of David, Jesus, and He will build God a house. 1 Peter 2:5

Vs. 18-29 So what is faith? David talks to a guy, Nathan. He says, "You know, I think I'll build a temple to house the ark of the covenant." The guy, Nathan, says, "Go for it." A few hours later, Nathan comes back and says, "By the way, God said not to do it, but instead he is going to establish your lineage into eternal dynasty." So David, having heard this from this guy, goes into the forecourt of the Tabernacle, before the Lord, and prays this. This really blows me away. David heard from a guy, but understood the words were from God and pours out his heart in gratitude. Jesus said to Thomas in John 20:29, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

1 Sam. 8

All of this was the blessing of the Lord. Not only the victories, but the organization of keeping the nations in submission to him, and also organizing his own nation.

One thing we will see repeated in the kings is that when God was blessing, you get all this detail about how the king organized the nation and the worship. Very interesting.

John 14:15-31

Notice that being troubled of heart and afraid is the context here.

Notice that this worry is because Jesus will be leaving them. This is mentioned several times.

The Holy Spirit then will take Jesus' place both leading and comforting them in the mission. The Holy Spirit is not given primarily to comfort us when the car breaks or we're lonely. There is a purpose for us being left here on earth as witnesses of Christ, and the Holy Spirit comforts and enables us for that.

Also, notice how often love is mentioned in these verses. Circle the word "love." Loving Christ and obeying Him, following Him in the harvest, will result in the Son and the Father manifesting themselves to us and making their abode with us, all this via the Holy Spirit. So what is it that we are obedient to? This obeying is not general moral living or going to church or singing in worship and living harmless lives. This obedience is following Christ in the mission. We'll see this in the next chapter and it is important to grasp this to understand how the Holy Spirit will help us.

Psalm 119:33-48

Notice how many ways God's Word is referred to.

Notice the pleas, petitions and cries for help.

Isn't this amazing stuff to fill your heart with. This is how we are to cry out and what we are to do, when we are being pressed by the stuff of this life. Our hope is only in God and His Word.

Proverbs 15:33

Amen. I wish I had really, really, really, learned this in my 20's.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.

May 24, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 4-6

Just a parenthetical note here. After the books of Samuel, come the books of Kings and Chronicles. Some of the history we are reading will be recounted in those books. So, as you read, try to remember or notice if a story is being repeated and then go back and look at the first rendition. Often in the other recounting, there will be new details, sometimes even a spiritual commentary on the event.

2 Sam. 4

V. 1 Note that this is the end. I'm sure that Joab thought that killing Abner was a good idea, especially if it brought this long civil war to an end. God is never glorified by that kind of stuff. Too bad that David allowed someone poisonous like Joab to get close to him.

Not only was Ish-bosheth frightened by the news of Abner's murder, but all Israel, that is, the other 11 tribes, lost heart.

V. 4 This is an important note. The reason that Mephibosheth ("from the mouth of shamefulness?" What awful names) is mentioned here, is that with Ish-bosheth dead, Mephiobsheth would have been a contender to the throne. But since he was a cripple, he apparently wasn't dangerous. Soon, we'll hear more about M, and his condition plays a role in understanding some of what is coming up.

V. 7 Apparently this was a horrible assassination. Stabbing him in the stomach was not only a slow death, but it was the same murderous death inflicted by Joab on Abner.

Vs. 12 The way David displayed the bodies showed his disdain. Cursed is everyone who is hung from a tree.

2 Sam. 5

V. 2 I find it interesting that the heads of the tribes already knew this about God's choice of David. So why did they fight such a long war?

Vs. 6-11 This is David taking Jerusalem, once and for all. We've been reading about Jerusalem and the Jebusites for a long time, but now the case is settled. For another look at this battle and for what became official as a result of it, look at 1 Chronicles 11:6. The Luther, KJV and NKJV seem to insert a part of 1 Chron. 11:6 into verse eight. It was another one of those things that made Joab hard to get rid of.

It is interesting to see that not only was the Lord with David (v. 10), but David himself could see it all coming together because of the Lord (v. 12).

V. 13-15 I guess this is given to show evidence of God's blessing. I'm too much in the one man/one woman frame of mind to see this as a blessing. That's 11 more kids and maybe as many new wives. I wonder if David did much consulting of God in this area of his life.

Vs. 17-25 Having taken Jerusalem and making it the national capital was unprecedented in Israel. It was like, "whoa, they mean business." Not only that, Jerusalem had a reputation for being like a fortress. For the Philistines, it was time to move against David.

Notice that David does do some "consulting" here.

2 Sam. 6

I think this was more as a desire of David's heart than a political move, but as a political move, it was smart too. Even in Samuel's day, Samuel had to make a circuit of teaching and leading people in worship in different places. Israel hadn't been unified in worship, as God intended it to be, since the days of Joshua.

The ark at this point had been separated from the Tabernacle for about 100 years.

Because of David's love for the Lord, and perhaps because he had made his own copy of the law, David sought to bring the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle together at Jerusalem. With this done, Israel would be united as God had intended it to be.

Vs. 1-11 Just one problem, if you are going to honor God, it is best to do it His way and not simply think that if we have good intentions, everything will be ok and He'll look the other way. There was an instruction book, but you know how guys are when it comes to reading instructions.

For the last little while, everything David had done had turned to gold. Suddenly, something went wrong.

For another look at this, look at 1 Chronicles 13 and 15.

Vs. 12-23 You have to read 1 Chronicles 15 to understand what David was told or had read, that the ark had to be moved by the Levites, with the carrying poles. In other words, He did it God's way.

David dancing before the ark must have been a sight. Apparently, and I have to make myself imagine this because I'm not that kind of guy, this was heartfelt joy and emotion and leaping and dancing, with all his might.

V. 14 should be understood that David was only wearing a linen ephod. Apparently in all the leaping and joy, from time to time, people saw a bit more of David than they needed to.

V. 16 This is important in the story.

Vs. 17-19 If David did this right, he brought the animals for offering and the priests and the Levites did the actual sacrificing. David, like Saul, would have been forbidden to sacrifice. I think David had read the instruction book by now. This was probably the first united worship event the nation had had in years.

V. 20-23 Every guy fears coming home and having his wife mad at him. David's honest sincerity and joy is what wins the day here. He was fully absorbed in the love and joy of the Lord.

That Michal has no children is not only God's judgment on her, but politically speaking, if she had had a son, it could have made problems in the future. The people could have thought of putting that son on the throne and reestablishing the family of Saul. As it is, God took care of this potential problem.

John 13:31-14:14

V. 31 Judas' leaving would make the betrayal and vengeance of the Jewish and spiritual authorities complete.

What was that like, watching Judas leave, seeing and hearing the door shut. Jesus lowers His head for a moment, and then looking up at the disciples, says, "Now is the Son of Man glorified." And that glory was now going to multiply exponentially as the secret plans of God would burst into fulfillment, resulting in the forgiveness of sin, the redemption of man and the birth of the Church.

V. 33 It seems like Jesus is revealing Himself more and more in this discourse, and here, calling them His "little children." I wonder if any of them realized how surreal this talk was.

Vs. 34-35 Notice that the commandment to love one another is prefaced by verse 33. They were about to be left without Christ. For the mission before them, He would not be there to guide them as He had in the past, especially in terms of encouragement and support. Therefore, for the sense of providing in His absence what He had given in His presence, they were to love one another as He had loved them. This is not a theoretical love or context. They are to love each other as in binding together in the mission. The mission provides the context. Without the context of supporting and encouraging one another in carrying forth the message of Christ, loving one another becomes some flowery, nice but vague command. Over the past three years, in and out of controversy, in tiredness, in stress, in busyness, Jesus' love and encouragement had been the glue that kept them following in the harvest. Now they were to do that for one another. The disciples were about to be tested. Jesus commands them to be there for each other as the darkness was closing in.

This testing and the mission following His resurrection is the context for what He is about to share with them.

Vs. 36-38 This morning I was reading about Peter. Everyone is terrified seeing Jesus walking on the water. He tells them to take heart and not be afraid, so Peter says, "Lord, if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water." And Peter walked on water. This guy had a hero's heart, but he was very human. Just like all of us.

John 14:1-14

V. 1 Notice that this is the context. They were troubled and Jesus would be leaving. How would they hold on, much less continue His work? They were confused and didn't see the redemptive plan of God coming together. They didn't understand that the plan for Israel would be put off for years. They had no clue of the church. They certainly didn't know that they would be the guys leading the church and bringing the Gospel of Christ to the world. They were just troubled.

Vs. 2-3 So what is the point of the rooms? Why is Jesus telling them this? The context is everything.

Vs. 4-7 Verse 4 is the lead-in to one of the greatest verses in all of Scripture. In the context of their troubled hearts, Jesus is saying that the guarantee of their safety being with Him where He is going is that they know the way.

This verse summarizes the truth and reason why Christianity can never "coexist" with any other religion. God is revealed through Jesus and Jesus is the only way to Him. Just as gravity operates the same in all nations and all cultures, the same God created them all and is only reached in one way.

V. 7 is a kind of rebuke to their slowness of heart, but Jesus promises that the result of the next few days will change them forever.

Vs. 8-11 Now it's Philip's turn. This answers the question, "If God ever walked on earth as a man, what would He look like and how would He act." The events that follow this night answer another question, "If we could ever get our hands on God, what would we do?"

Our challenge as disciples is very real and comes from this passage, but is repeated all over the NT. If Jesus was the representation of the Father, we are to be the representation of Jesus. We are commanded to be imitators of Christ, ambassadors of Christ.

Vs. 12-14 Again, this is to be understood in context of the mission for which He is preparing them. They would stand on the earth without Him. Positionally in heaven, they are eternally secure and a place is prepared for them. On earth, on mission, they are to bind together to provide the love for one another that Christ had provided for them.

I don't know how much comfort that spoke to them. It still kind of sounds like they'll be alone….or will they?

Psalm 119:17-32

As you read this, imagine David trying to deal with stress. He had the stress of running from Saul, followed by seven years of civil war in Israel. How do you do when you're eaten up with thoughts that bother you, or when you hear evil things about you or your motives? David had all of that, plus trying to put a government in place with war always threatening on the horizon. Hard to keep your thoughts straight.

This is what David did. Probably as he was writing out his copy of the Law, either all of the first five books or just Deuteronomy, David might also have been writing Psalm 119.

Notice how harassed his thoughts are. Underline all the negatives in one color. Then, underline in another color David's remedy. This is food for the disciple's soul, and good therapy.

This morning I was reading in Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Proverbs 15:31-32

The on-line version of the ESV One Year Bible only has verse 32, but the hard copy has 31 and 32, so that's what I'll do.

More valuable than advice or knowledge is reproof. Not only does it give intense correction in practical situations, but it shows a person's heart. Are they able to take it, and learn from it?

V. 32 Reading that word "intelligence," I think more of the military usage than thinking about IQ. In a war, knowing the lay of the land, the alliances, the plan of the enemy, all of that stuff, is what they call intelligence and to the wise person, it would show you what to do and what not to do.

The Lord gives lots of information in the Word and through others. Some of this comes in the form of correction and reproof. Being disciples means we're not here for ourselves, but living to please Christ and be useful for Him in reaching out to others and making disciples. And to think, he only corrects us because He is deeply in love with us.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it

May 23, Reading Notes (We’re still here)

2 Samuel 2:12-3:39

2 Samuel 2:12-32

We have no real description of the fighting that went on between David's forces and Abner's forces. It went on for over seven years. What we have here is a small battle that might have happened fairly early in the civil war, after David had established himself in Hebron and organized his army; but it is huge in understanding some of the events that followed. Also, it gives us tiny character sketches of the two main players, Joab and Abner.

Joab is never mentioned as one of David's mighty men, but he does become the captain of his army later. Joab apparently was a leader of a group and was a commanding leader.

Abner would have been the older man and it is possible that Joab had been in the army under Abner just as David had been. They knew each other.

The most important part of this story is Abner killing Joab's brother.

2 Samuel 3:1-39

During this story, years are passing. What we actually read about here will happen fairly close to the end of the civil war.

According to the Law, the king was not supposed to have a lot of wives. This would be a good place to look at what God said.

Deuteronomy 17:14 "When you come to the land which the LORD your God gives you, and you possess it and dwell in it, and then say, `I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are round about me'; 15 you may indeed set as king over you him whom the LORD your God will choose. One from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. 16 Only he must not multiply horses for himself, or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to multiply horses, since the LORD has said to you, `You shall never return that way again.' 17 And he shall not multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply for himself silver and gold. 18 "And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, from that which is in the charge of the Levitical priests; 19 and it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them; 20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brethren, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left; so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

Now, how many wives are too many. We guys ask ourselves that all the time and some days some guys (not me) would say "one" is too many, but usually we would all say, "who'd want more than one?" By verse five, David has 6 wives and he'll acquire some others along the way.

Vs. 7-8 This was a very serious thing that Abner did. To claim one of Saul's wives as his own, even having sex with her, would have been a step to the throne. When Solomon's brother tried to marry David's last concubine (which would have been illegal under the law) Solomon had him killed, knowing it was a ploy (instigated by Joab and Abiathar) so he could claim right to the throne over Solomon. It was a murky business and what Abner did here was possibly preparation for becoming king. In Abner's defense, although he never denies the charge, he seems offended by the insinuation. He still did what he did and shouldn't have.

Vs. 9-12 Abner, as a political animal, would have to find a way to come into David's favor.

Vs. 13-15 This is all very interesting. David wanted Michal back. I mean, she had been his wife, but also, she was the daughter of Saul and he was Saul's son-in-law. It was justice and it could heal some things.

Notice that Ish-bosheth had her taken and separated from her husband. Ish-bosheth doesn't seem like a bad guy, and the fact that David didn't kill him during these seven years shows some respect. Before this whole fiasco, they had probably been friends.

Vs. 17-21 Abner, a natural leader and very influential person, was laying the framework for bringing all the tribes to David.

Vs. 22-39 This story eventually brings the civil war to an end and it seems tragic to me for more than one reason.

V. 26 Joab acted without any obedience to David.

V. 27 is God's view of why Joab did this.

Although David rightfully said he didn't know about this and curses Joab's family, and cries and makes a poem, the just thing would have been to put Joab to death. David saves this job for Solomon. David has Solomon kill Joab for this act.

I can only think that David was so fixed on getting things secure and stable that he didn't want to lose a man like Joab, who was important to the forming of Israel. You will get your own ideas as you read this, but year after year I'm saddened by these stories.

I know we are all riddled by sin and weak, and none of us are any better than David; but these stories are here for us to learn. I guess I would say this, if we begin with faith and dependence on God, we have to end that way. There have been ministries that have protected key players when they have sinned, because if those sins were exposed or that person treated justly in accordance with their failure, it would have "hurt" the ministry. No one is so important that their sin can be "overlooked" if it disqualifies them from leadership. No "ministry" is so important that it can tolerate sin for the greater good. All of us are prone to this, but in different areas and different ways.

Here, at the beginning of David's reign, he is allowing poison to enter the stream, and it will get worse. It might be that David's own tolerance for his own lying, also made him weak to dealing justly with those who were like him. Again, we'll see the tragic result of that too.

John 13:1-30

The Gospel of John is very unique, and particularly after reading the first three Gospels, there is a different kind of richness in the stories John includes. If the other portions of John shine, this part is absolutely brilliant. This upper room discourse, beginning in chapter 13 and ending in chapter 17, is amazing. It is uncut discipleship teaching. Jesus is preparing them to hold on to their faith, which will be severely tested at His death. He is also preparing them for the ministry they will have after His resurrection as they are guided by the Spirit. Understanding this portion of Jesus' teaching is dependent on understanding the stress they all felt and the fact that they were entering a very dark tunnel. This teaching would stay with them the rest of their lives and mark their ministries, but here, it was meant to give them hope following Him as His disciples on this mission.

We actually get the setting for chapter 13 from the other Gospels, where they tell us that a fight broke out among the disciples as to who was the greatest. They all knew that something was going to happen during this visit to Jerusalem. Thomas had already said those sage words, "Let's go with Him and die." They all knew there were threats against Jesus. And Jesus kept talking about His death and resurrection. There was some expectation that something would happen, and they must have been hopeful that Jesus would win and there would be a kingdom.

Since this section is so rich, I'll only make a few comments that are important to me.

V. 3 Notice that Jesus served from a position of strength and He had a goal and a message. We tend to think that those who can, do, and those who can't, serve. Not so. Servant leadership always has deep strength, a goal and a message. Notice too, that this was outside of Jesus' "job description" as a rabbi, but not outside His job as a savior and maker of disciples.

V. 8 Jesus seeks to wash. How sad to resist.

V. 21 Jesus is troubled in spirit again, but this time, because one of His own will betray Him.

V. 23 The disciple Jesus loved is the writer of this Gospel, John the son of Zebedee, Jesus' cousin.

V. 27 This was Satan himself taking possession of Judas. Satan saved the big job for himself.

Again, although Jesus knew what Judas would do, His love and actions toward Judas never wavered. The disciples had no clue by Jesus' actions or moods or words to Judas that Judas was a traitor. Judas always had the option of saying, "No." Jesus never treated Judas unfairly. Judas' problem was within himself.

V. 30 is very poetic and ominous in its ending, "And it was night."

Psalm 119:1-16

I believe that David wrote this during his seven years in Hebron. I think the view you have here of David's heart describes him as a man after God's own heart in a way the stories about him do not. As much as I understand that David was a contradiction in his life and actions, this was his heart. I know I'm a contradiction. All of us are. So what do we do? We follow David's/the Spirit's advice in this psalm, if possible, and do it better than David did. This psalm ought to be the cry of every disciple's heart.

Notice how often words like "law," and "testimonies," and "commandments," and "word," and other variants are used. Verse 11 is one of the famous verses out of this section. How can we as disciples afford to live one day without reading His word and allowing it to flow through our hearts? Reading the Word daily is a must. Memorizing is what truly leads to meditation. On this earth, I think that is vital for us too.

Proverbs 15:29-30

If our hope is set on the Lord, our good news each day comes from His Word.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.