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