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MAY 22
With this reading you are beginning the 10th book of the Old Testament.
Celebrate with a Frappuccino® or
whatever else sounds good. When was the last time you read all of these books?
And for one more landmark to look forward to, tomorrow you begin Psalm 119, where
more than any other place, you see what it means when it says that David was a
man after God's own heart.
2 Samuel 1:1-2:11
2 Samuel 1
Vs. 1-16 Notice that this guy tells David of both Saul and Jonathan. He
knew the mention of Jonathan would catch David's interest.
Since this account of Saul's death is different than the one found in 1
Samuel 31, it appears that this is a lie. It would have been ironic that the
guy who finally killed Saul was an Amalekite since Saul had disobeyed God
regarding the Amalekites. The fact that he came to David in Ziklag with Saul's
crown indicates that he expected this to be good news to David and expected to
be rewarded. What would make him even more of a hero, he thought, was that he
had ended Saul's life.
Vs. 11-12 are a summary of the effect of this news on David and his
men, but actually vs. 13-16 were carried out right away.
Can you imagine? This guy was probably expecting some reward from
David. Saul's own armor bearer wouldn't lift his hand against Saul, but this
guy said he did. David didn't think too highly of that.
Vs. 17-27 I don't doubt that David actually loved Saul, but he
certainly loved Jonathan. I think in all of this there is also some grieving
for the entire tragedy of the past 10 years. Notice the repetition of how the mighty have fallen.
Vs. 20 and 21 are a curse of sorts. David will finally defeat the
Philistines.
Vs. 25-26 This is David’s tribute to Jonathan. It was a true bond as
brothers and something David was blessed with, but something that few men will
ever experience.
2 Samuel 2:1-11
Vs. 1-4 I'm impressed that David
inquired of the Lord. The fact that he did this and it was recorded makes
you wonder about times when David did stuff and it wasn't mentioned, like going
with the Philistines to fight against Israel, even if that was a ploy. I think
David was like us in this regard. Normally he didn't ask God, but when he was
in a hard situation, he asked, and then remembered to ask for a while after
that until everything was normal again. However, when he was in control, like
us, he didn't think he needed to ask.
David was made king in Hebron over the tribe of Judah. Verse 4 should
have been cut in half. The second half of the verse actually belongs to the
conflict story.
Vs. 5-11 David blessed the men of Jabesh-gilead. As a point of
interest, the rescue of Jabesh-gilead in 1 Samuel 11:1 was Saul's first battle
as king of Israel. The people there never forgot that. When they learned of the
humiliating way the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed on the wall at
Beth-shan, they returned the kindness of Saul's rescue of their city. See the Bible
Knowledge Commentary-OT, p. 455.
When David blessed the men of Jabesh-gilead, he also invited them to
accept his kingship…BUT, v. 8. Abner intervened. It appears that Abner drove
the civil war which ensued, perhaps wanting to be king himself. I say this
because it is interesting that all the dates and times mentioned in vs. 8-11
paint a very funny picture. Abner must have finally made Ish-bosheth (man of
shame?, BKC, p. 458) the king after five and a half years of civil war.
We know the war lasted seven years and six months and ended at the assassination of
Ish-bosheth. Abner was the real guy in power. This is another reason why Joab,
David's military commander, hated Abner. The big reason he hated Abner comes
tomorrow.
As disciples following Jesus, there is always the sense of living in
tension. I don't know when life ever gets easy, especially following Jesus in
the harvest and working to reach people and make disciples. There is always a
point of conflict somewhere, a relationship that isn't working out. So what do
you do?
In David's life this was the same. You would have thought that the
entire nation would have been ready to unite around David and get redemptive
history cleaned up and looking respectable. But the sin of Saul had a long
reach and was rooted in the heart of his followers, particularly Abner. Abner
had his own ambitions too.
When a disciple becomes proven in service, it means having gone through
many times of upheaval and disappointment. Especially after being hit by
"friendly fire," drawing ever closer in that pain and suffering to
Christ is a must or you just become bitter. He is the only one who makes sense
of all this baloney, and He alone is the one who keeps our passion alive and
healthy, and our vision clear. This is how you learn to abide in Christ.
Somewhere in all of this, probably in Hebron during those seven years,
David wrote his own copy of the law. It was also probably during this time that
he wrote Psalm 119. We'll begin reading that psalm tomorrow, and it will show
why David was able to survive this continued time of trial.
John 12:20-50
This is Tuesday. Jesus had just cursed the fig tree on the way to the
temple. Upon arriving He cleansed the temple for the second time and made the
leaders deadly mad; but they couldn't get to Jesus for fear of the crowds,
because the people hung on Jesus’ every word. Sometime in this day, probably
earlier than later, the Greeks show up. It is significant that they came after
Jesus cleansed the court of the Gentiles and taught saying that the temple was
to be a house of prayer for the nations.
Vs. 20-23 Who knows why they came to Phillip. Phillip had a Greek name
and Bethsaida was on the edge of the more Gentile area of Galilee. But really,
who knows other than that God directed them to Philip.
As Jesus was told of this request and maybe seeing the men at the back
of the court where He was teaching, the Spirit must have nudged Him. Jesus now
understood that the Father had done something, and Jesus officially knew that
His hour had come. These Greeks were "God-fearers" and were close to
Judaism, the same as the centurion whose slave Jesus had healed, and later
Cornelius, also an Italian and a centurion and an important person in the
gospel going to the Gentiles. I would think that the request of these Gentiles
was a signal from the Father, almost like the Gentile world saying, "even
if the Jews have rejected your offer for now, we're ready to receive it."
V. 24 This parable is very important. Not only is it used by Paul later
in 1 Corinthians 15, but also in John 15, Jesus uses it to define glorifying
the Father and proving to be His disciple. You always hear people wondering
what kind of fruit Jesus is talking about in John 15. Here, and therefore in
chapter 15, the meaning of the fruit is obvious: Jesus must give His life so that
many more will experience life. The fruit
is people who will come to faith and obtain eternal life through the giving of
His life.
Vs. 25-26 Notice how Jesus immediately repeats here, what He has said
previously in the context of discipleship to His disciples. Notice that Jesus
intensified the ‘losing’ one’s life to ‘hating’ one’s life in this world. To
serve Jesus, you must follow Him. This comes with two promises. First, you have
the promise of His presence; and second, you have the promise of being honored
by the Father.
Knowing Christ means following. Discipleship is not an option, yet, we
have made it that way. This is why the Great Commission says to make disciples,
not "lead them to belief, and then later, try to persuade them to follow
if it's not too much trouble for them." If Jesus is presented as who He
is, God who became man and gave His life for us, that He is God inherently
means He is worthy of worship/service. Following is a natural part of the
message of turning way from sin and turning to Him for forgiveness and life. We
make it hard on ourselves when we think knowing Jesus means salvation, but not
necessarily following. Jesus didn't think that.
Vs. 27-36a His hour having arrived, the reality of what He would have
to endure also hit Him. Jesus the man, the Son of God, and Son of Man, knew
what He was going to have to suffer. His humiliation and physical beating,
vividly shown in the movie, “Passion of the Christ,” was simply the path that brought Him to His real work, hanging on a
tree, being cursed and punished by His Father. Only what He endured on the
cross, the spiritual judgment and rejection, made forgiveness possible. Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree (Gal.
3:13). We are impressed, and rightfully so, with His suffering before He got to
the cross; but it was what happened on the cross that purchased our pardon.
Jesus willingly endured that, to get to the cross for us. Figuratively, we are
healed by His stripes, but it was His death on the cross which bought
forgiveness. It was when the animal was on the altar that it became a
sacrificial offering. What Jesus is visualizing here is the spiritual aspect of
what He will have to endure for mankind.
V. 28 Jesus lived to glorify the Father. The Father said He would do it
again too. If you look at Jesus' life, the arrival of angels and the voice of
His Father came at very crucial times. This was a critical time.
V. 31 Wow! Now was the
judgment that would be complete with His crucifixion and resurrection, but we
are still waiting until that judgment is fully executed.
V. 32 It is the cross where it all goes down. When Jesus said this, lifted up must have meant
"crucifixion" to the people, therefore, the response of the people in
v. 34.
V. 34 To be fair, the disciples didn't get it either. It wasn't until
after the resurrection that they understood why the Christ had to suffer. The
disciples didn't get it, but they still believed He was the Christ. That's the
difference.
Vs. 35-36a This was a warning for the people to force themselves to think
spiritually while He was still there to be seen. Jesus was the message.
Regardless of what they had heard, they needed to see Him and believe in Him.
Jesus will refer to this in a few verses.
Vs. 36b-50 is a kind of summary from John, regarding Jesus' public
ministry to this point. Notice that at this point Jesus hid Himself. He needed time to chill.
Vs. 37-43 These verses explain why the people didn't understand. Part
of this prophecy is Isaiah 53, and part is Isaiah 6:10. In both places, the
rejection of the Messiah and rejection of the truth are the result of sin and
not being desperate to understand the truth. This isn't God blinding their eyes
as much as it is not making them desperate to seek Him. This falls in line with
Jesus' use of parables. If people were desperate and tired, they understood. It
also falls in line with what Isaiah said of the Messiah in Isaiah 53, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no
form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire
him.
He wasn't what they were looking for because they were not
desperate for the truth. They wanted what they wanted. God's work in Israel at
the close of this age will be that Israel will be so desperate and needy in
seeking the Lord that they will cry out, Blessed
is He who comes in the name of the Lord. And this Jesus that they are
rejecting here will return for them, and in the Tribulation they will want Him.
V. 41 is interesting if you link it to v. 42. Isaiah said this about
Israel because He saw God's (Christ's) glory and spoke of Him. It made Isaiah
jealous for God. He saw and he spoke. Now notice that many of the people and
the leaders saw Jesus’ glory, but they didn’t speak of Him. I find that
interesting.
Vs. 44-50 Sometime toward the close of the day Jesus again appeared in
the temple. Whatever crowd was there heard this amazing declaration. Jesus just
never gave up.
Vs. 44-46 couldn’t be clearer. Jesus was God in the flesh and the light
of men. This sounds like the first verses of John.
V. 47 is a transition verse. Jesus came to save, not to judge the
world; but you can tell by what He says, there will be judgment. He came to
save the world, not a country or language group or Westerncultural mindset. He
came to save every person. There is no other way. There is no other Savior.
Vs. 47-50 are an incredible warning. To understate the case, Jesus’
words are not to be taken lightly. Everyone will be judged by them. And to
think, all of this came into motion, as the hour struck when a couple of Greeks
came to see Jesus.
For us in the harvest, it is an encouragement to us to get the word
out. Many will respond to the Lord and become disciples. Most will reject His
Word. Our job in the harvest is to follow Him, reaching the lost and making disciples,
who make disciples. And as we abide in Christ, we watch Him work and we follow.
Psalm 118:19-29
It's interesting that in this last part of the psalm, there are two
references to Jesus and one reference to a song. This is the danger of hacking
up The Psalms like this. Now that we can see that some reference is made to
Jesus, we can read back over the first part and see that the suffering it
refers to might also have some connection to His suffering. It must have been
strange for the Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus, because this psalm is quoted
by Jesus during those final conflicts in Jerusalem before His death and
resurrection.
Vs. 19-21 The writer (David?) asks the Lord to open the gates to him to
enter into His presence. Because God had saved him, he knew that the Lord had
opened up to him.
Vs. 22-24 Here is that salvation, the rejected stone. Not only was the
Father’s working in this marvelous, but it became the day of salvation.
V. 25 This is the plea of David and Israel and mankind.
Vs. 26-27 The Lord came to the city and to the house. He is the light and He is the sacrifice.
Vs. 28-29 Notice how the declaration, You are my God, is repeated. He is not only our Savior; He is our
God. And at the end of the day, we give thanks because of His steadfast love and how it endures forever.
You probably saw vs. 22 and 23. So where did Jesus say v. 26?
What a great psalm foreshadowing Jesus.
Proverbs 15:27-28
It is interesting that v. 27 says that the result of this pursuit of
stuff is that the entire family is troubled. Most people have more gifts from
God than they realize, that can give them a solid, healthy family. Wanting more
often kills a family, even if you don't want to obtain it unjustly.
That sense of pondering, going to God and really seeking answers,
builds a solid foundation in life.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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, as disciples, 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,
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 (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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