Saturday, May 18, 2024
Friday, May 17, 2024
2Samuel, chapter 3, comments
2Samuel 3:1 ¶ Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. 2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. 6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
Absalom is born from Maacah, the daughter of
Talmai king of Geshur of which David had made a great slaughter.
1Samuel 27:8 ¶ And David and his men went up, and invaded
the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of
old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of
Egypt. 9 And David smote the land, and
left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and
the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
That slaughter played its part in the bitter
fruit that Absalom bore forty years later.
2Samuel 15:7
And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king,
I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in
Hebron.
We will understand this better later on in
the narrative.
David’s side in the Civil War grew stronger
and the house of Saul grew weaker. Abner of the house of Saul, though, made
himself secure in his position as the commanding general of the house of Saul’s
forces. It is Abner, not a weak king, with whom David’s forces must contend.
2Samuel 3:7 ¶ And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine? 8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; 10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba. 11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. 12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee. 13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face. 14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned. 17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: 18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. 21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
Ishbosheth of the house of Saul is a very
weak king who accuses his able general, Abner, of a gross breach of decorum and
trust which, in this culture, shows a pretense of assuming the kingship himself
by taking to wife Saul’s concubine. However, the king is not prepared for
Abner’s threat, which he brings about, of going over to David.
Ishbosheth tries to soothe his stronger enemy
and rival for power, David, by restoring Saul’s daughter, Michal, to him. This
also would establish kingly authority as David was the son-in-law of the dead
king and her return would reinforce his legitimacy.
David accepts Abner’s turn away from the
house of Saul to support him in his bid to be king over all Israel. All is
peaceful for the moment. The house of Saul is subdued and submissive and their
great hero and general has promised allegiance to David.
2Samuel 3:22 ¶ And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. 26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. 27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: 29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. 35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. 36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. 37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. 38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? 39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
This marks a division between David’s trusted
general, Joab, and himself. Joab demanded vengeance for the death of his
brother Asahel. But murdering Abner was not what David apparently had in mind.
He may very well have been sincere in his mourning but this can also be a political
statement as David needed to unite Israel and Judah if he was to effectively
rule all of Israel. He needed to prove that the murder of Abner was not
something he ordered. Joab doesn’t realize it yet but he has sealed his eventual
doom. First, David’s deathbed order to Solomon.
1Kings 2:5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son
of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of
Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he
slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his
girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. 6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let
not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.
(Amasa’s story will come later). Then Solomon’s
fulfillment of that order.
1Kings 2:28 Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned
after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the
tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. 29 And it was told king Solomon that Joab was
fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then
Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him. 30 And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the
LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but
I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said
Joab, and thus he answered me. 31 And
the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him;
that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and
from the house of my father. 32 And the
LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more
righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not
knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel,
and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
33 Their blood shall therefore return upon the
head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon
his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for
ever from the LORD. 34 So Benaiah the
son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in
his own house in the wilderness.
Still, for the present at least, Joab has
much to accomplish for the house of David in its claiming of the entire kingdom
of Israel for David and for keeping it in David’s control defending it
internally and externally.
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Psalm 67 comments
Psalm 67:1 ¶ «To the chief
Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song.» God be merciful unto us, and
bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. 2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy
saving health among all nations. 3 Let
the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy:
for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
Selah. 5 Let the people praise thee, O
God; let all the people praise thee. 6 Then
shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God,
shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us;
and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
Here is a Psalm of pure praise from an agricultural people we can
use in our personal prayers if we memorize it. I also can see this as a prophecy
of Christ’s millennial reign on earth.
The first part of this Psalm seems a lot like the High Priest’s
form of blessing from Numbers 6.
Numbers 6:22 ¶ And the LORD
spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Speak unto
Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of
Israel, saying unto them, 24 The LORD
bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD
make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace. 27 And they shall
put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.
God is the saving health of the nations of the earth in the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Psalm 98:2 The LORD hath
made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight
of the heathen. 3 He hath remembered his
mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have
seen the salvation of our God.
Praise God o people and sing for joy as God’s government is just
and fair and good.
Psalm 97:1 ¶ The LORD
reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Psalm 138:4 All the kings
of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. 5
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the
LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
Can you see the millennial reign of Christ in this Psalm?
Psalm 22:27 All the ends of
the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the
nations shall worship before thee.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Monday, May 13, 2024
Psalm 66 comments
Psalm 66:1 ¶ «To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.» Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. 3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. 4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. 5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. 6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. 7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
The first verse of this Psalm is repeated later.
Psalm 100:1 ¶ «A Psalm of
praise.» Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Certainly we can see how this would be realized in the Millennial
Reign of Christ with the Lord present and ruling physically over the earth,
most likely from Jerusalem. In different contexts notice the joy which doesn’t
take much to see as having a meaning of the time in which they were written but
also applying to Christ’s reign on earth.
Zechariah 8:23 Thus saith
the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take
hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of
him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is
with you.
Deuteronomy 32:43 Rejoice,
O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants,
and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his
land, and to his people.
1Chronicles 16:31 Let the
heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations,
The LORD reigneth.
A glorious praise of God is what David calls for. This sentiment
is present all through the Psalms. It is a joyful expression of worship. Here
are examples.
Psalm 47:6 Sing praises to
God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye
praises with understanding.
Psalm 96:3 Declare his
glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. 4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be
praised: he is to be feared above all gods. 5
For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the
heavens. 6 Honour and majesty are before
him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the
people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his
name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him, all the earth. 10 ¶ Say
among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established
that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
In verse 3, the word terrible once also meant
awe-inspiring, leaving one speechless in amazement, worthy to be feared.
Deuteronomy 10:21 He is thy
praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible
things, which thine eyes have seen.
Verse 4 has, of course, its application in David’s praise but also
we can look forward with the verse to God’s fulfillment in our lives and in the
future history of Revelation.
Psalm 22:27 All the ends of
the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the
nations shall worship before thee.
There seems to be a reference here to the Red Sea Crossing in
verses 5and 6. I am reminded of Exodus 15.
Exodus 15:1 ¶ Then sang
Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I
will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his
rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2 The
LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and
I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his
name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host
hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
5 The depths have covered them: they
sank into the bottom as a stone. 6 Thy
right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in
power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
7 And in the greatness of thine
excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest
forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters
were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths
were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil;
my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall
destroy them. 10 Thou didst blow with
thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who is
like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious
in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the
earth swallowed them. 13 Thou in thy
mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them
in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14
The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants
of Palestina. 15 Then the dukes of Edom
shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them;
all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the
greatness of thine arm they shall
be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till
the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. 17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in
the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made
for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have
established. 18 The LORD shall reign for
ever and ever. 19 For the horse of
Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the
LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel
went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in
her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and
with dances. 21 And Miriam answered
them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his
rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Verse 7 is a praise and a warning.
Daniel 4:35 And all the
inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his
will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none
can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Psalm 66:8 ¶ O bless our
God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: 9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth
not our feet to be moved. 10 For thou, O
God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst
affliction upon our loins. 12 Thou hast
caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but
thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
This praise of God continues as the people are expected to praise
Him who keeps them alive and makes them stand strong. God has tested them and
heated them like silver that is being refined, allowing their enemies to have
their way with them for awhile but eventually bringing them through it.
Can you see how this speaks to our own lives? Can you imagine how
this speaks to those who survive the depredations of the Beast of Revelation?
For a time, God allows the enemies of God to have power over His faithful, to
afflict them, but in the end He will bring them to eternal life with Him. It is
our guarantee.
Psalm 66:13 ¶ I will go
into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, 14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath
spoken, when I was in trouble. 15 I will
offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will
offer bullocks with goats. Selah. 16
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he
hath done for my soul. 17 I cried unto
him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord
will not hear me: 19 But
verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, which hath not
turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
In an abundance of praise for God’s mercy and deliverance David
promises to offer up his sacrifices and pay his vows. God has greatly blessed
David and David has lifted God up in praise and thanksgiving. God has heard
David and has not turned His back on him or denied David God’s great mercy.
Our sacrifices are of a different nature than the Israelite under
the Old Testament Law.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1Peter 2:5 Ye also, as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
We don’t go to a Tabernacle or a Temple because our body is the Temple
of God.
1Corinthians 3:16 Know ye
not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Corinthians 6:19 What?
know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
Would it were so that we were as grateful each and every day as King
David was and that we shouted God’s praises throughout the day, offering up our
prayers of praise and thanksgiving as a living sacrifice to the God who saved
us from an eternity of loss and agony and very often delivered us from the
dangers we face each and every day.
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Friday, May 10, 2024
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Monday, May 6, 2024
2Samuel 2 brief comments
2Samuel 2:1 ¶
And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying,
Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go
up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. 2 So David went up thither, and his two wives
also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. 3 And his men that were with him did
David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of
Hebron. 4 And the men of Judah came, and
there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David,
saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
5 And David sent messengers unto the men
of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye
have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have
buried him. 6 And now the LORD shew
kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because
ye have done this thing. 7 Therefore now
let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is
dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
So his own tribe, Judah, has declared David
to be King. Archbishop Ussher in his Annals of the World stated that
this was done in 1055BC. He comforts the people of Jabeshgilead who showed
kindness to Saul and his sons’ remains.
2Samuel 2:8 ¶
But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the
son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the
Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all
Israel. 10 Ishbosheth Saul’s son was
forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But
the house of Judah followed David. 11
And the time that David was king
in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven
years and six months. 12 And Abner the
son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from
Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 And Joab the son
of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool
of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the
other on the other side of the pool. 14
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us.
And Joab said, Let them arise. 15 Then
there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained
to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16 And they caught every one his fellow by the
head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down
together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in
Gibeon. 17 And there was a very sore
battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the
servants of David.
At this point David is king only of Judah.
Saul’s son holds the kingship over the rest of Israel.
This situation continues for seven years and
ten months. A ritual combat is arranged and twelve warriors on each side do
battle with the men of Israel and Saul’s son faring the worst. Abner, Israel’s
general and Joab, David’s general, lead the warring parties.
2Samuel 2:18 ¶ And there were three sons of Zeruiah there,
Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild
roe. 19 And Asahel pursued after Abner;
and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following
Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him,
and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. 21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy
right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take
thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. 22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee
aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then
should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? 23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore
Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib,
that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the
same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where
Asahel fell down and died stood still. 24
Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when
they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way
of the wilderness of Gibeon.
Abner here kills Joab’s brother, Asahel, who
is chasing him. This is done with the other end of the spear from the tip. This
may be confusing to some but I have a replica Viking Spear that has a metal tip
on the opposite end from the blade so that, I assume, it can be stuck in the
ground when the warrior was fighting with other weapons, such as an ax. The hinder
part of the spear can logically become a weapon if necessary, as in the
case of Abner killing Asahel.
2Samuel 2:25 ¶ And the children of Benjamin gathered
themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of
an hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab,
and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be
bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the
people return from following their brethren? 27
And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely
then in the
morning the people had gone up every one from
following his brother. 28 So Joab blew a
trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more,
neither fought they any more. 29 And
Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over
Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. 30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and
when he had gathered all the people together,
there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men
and Asahel. 31 But the servants of David
had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and
threescore men died. 32 And they took up
Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in
Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at
break of day.
David’s men have gained a lopsided victory
against the house of Saul but the death of Asahel was a bitter blow to the
family of Joab, his brother. David will continue his success against the house
of Saul.
Friday, May 3, 2024
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
Psalm 65 comments
Psalm 65:1 ¶ «To the chief
Musician, A Psalm and Song of David.» Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in
Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. 2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall
all flesh come. 3 Iniquities prevail
against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou
choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy
courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of
thy holy temple. 5 By terrible
things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art
the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon
the sea:
David affirms the worthiness of God to praise and that God does
hear our prayers. Pay note to this verse which I love.
Isaiah 65:24 And it shall
come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet
speaking, I will hear.
David acknowledges that God will drive our sins from us.
1John 1:9 If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.
The Israelite would meet with God in the temple of God after it
was built by Solomon, in this holy temple, set apart for God. (The many
references by David of a temple show that its construction was a foregone
conclusion and he knew it would be accomplished.) However, for Christians, both
Jew and Gentile, our bodies are the temple of God in which He dwells.
1Corinthians 3:16 ¶ Know ye
not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
And we have this privilege.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need.
David lifts up God’s attentiveness and concern for His people and
also expresses the confidence that God will hear what they have to say. God’s
power is exalted here, as well.
For verse 4 remember these two contrasting verses;
Psalm 33:12 ¶ Blessed is
the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his
own inheritance.
But;
Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall
be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Psalm 65:6 ¶ Which by his
strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power: 7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the
noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. 8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts
are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening
to rejoice. 9 Thou visitest the earth,
and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which
is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof
abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with
showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. 11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and
thy paths drop fatness. 12 They drop upon
the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks;
the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also
sing.
For a people whose very life was dependent upon agriculture God’s
power, provision, and abundance He provided was essential to understand and to praise.
David declares the placing of mountains as being evidence of God’s
power. His control over the waves of the sea in a storm and the seemingly chaotic
activity of mankind is also spoken of as under God’s control. His preparation
of crops for man to survive on and the flocks and abundance that blesses man is
referred to by David.
Truly this Psalm is a praise for the overwhelming power and sovereignty
of the God of Heaven. It also praises His kindness and the many blessings He
provides to mankind, of which many take no notice ascribing them to something
like luck or a non-personal nature.
First, we see God’s protection, His answer to prayer, His
forgiveness for sins confessed, and then His unimaginable power and authority
over all reality is underscored in a few brief verses. This is a Psalm that
will refresh us in times of difficulty.
Notice the results of God’s blessing and power of even the hills
and the pastures and the valleys singing and rejoicing whether it be symbolic language
or a hint of something that goes on in the world of the spirit we cannot see or
hear.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Friday, April 26, 2024
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Monday, April 22, 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Friday, April 19, 2024
Psalm 64 comments
Psalm 64:1 ¶ «To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.» Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: 3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: 4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. 5 They encouragethemselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? 6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
This Psalm can be applied in context to David when he was being
harassed by King Saul or when Absalom rebelled against him and to Christ who
faced the wicked counsel of the Jewish leadership who wanted to eliminate their
Messiah from the scene.
David makes similar pleas in earlier Psalms.
Psalm 27:7 ¶ Hear, O LORD,
when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Psalm 55:1 ¶ «To the chief
Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.» Give ear to my prayer, O God;
and hide not thyself from my supplication.
David will make similar pleas again and so will Jeremiah in his
Lamentations.
Lamentations 3:55 ¶ I
called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. 56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear
at my breathing, at my cry.
Verse 2 suggests that this was a Psalm regarding the insurrection
of Absalom but particularly to those traitors who followed him. In any event, look at the contrast between
verse 3 and two verses in Proverbs as well as a Psalm we have reviewed.
Proverbs 12:18 ¶ There is
that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is
health.
Proverbs 30:14 There is a
generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour
the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
Psalm 57:4 My soul is among
lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men,
whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
The rest of his remarks in this passage suggest the intent and diligence of those who wish to do evil. We can easily see how this not only applies to Christ’s struggle but also to our own. There are many enemies in this country who are very clever and sharp with their words and the control of language that we have foolishly allowed them to have. Their tongues are as sharp as knives. We see them almost every day on the news.
We pray for mercy from God as we oppose these people.
Psalm 64:7 ¶ But God shall
shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. 8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall
upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. 9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the
work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. 10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and
shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
The wicked have shot with their arrows, bitter words, in verse 3
and God will shoot with his arrow, as explained frequently in His Bible,
judgment. The wicked’s words will turn back on them and they will run. Men will
consider the judgment of God, if they are sane, and consider their own doing.
But the righteous shall be glad in God and trust Him with all of those are
right in their heart glorying in God.
Verse 7 has some cross-references from earlier Psalms 7 and 18.
Please read the entire Psalm to see the context but look at the imagery in
these verses.
Psalm 7:11 God judgeth the
righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If he turn not, he will
whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments
of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
Psalm 18:14 Yea, he sent
out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited
them.
Notice these cross-references for verse 8.
Proverbs 12:13 ¶ The wicked
is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of
trouble.
Proverbs 18:7 A fool’s
mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
For verse 9 I thought this was interesting to consider, that all
men have the capacity to see the judgment of God and think on it even though
many are struck blind by their own sin nature. See how God’s judgment at the
end of human history does and doesn’t elicit this response in Psalm 64:9.
Revelation 16:9 And men
were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power
over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory…11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of
their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
But later in Revelation;
Revelation 11:13 And the
same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell,
and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were
affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Other times it is mentioned that those who are righteous and
upright will glory in God for verse 10.
Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the
LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in
heart.
Psalm 33:1 ¶ Rejoice in the
LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
No matter what our enemies do our praise should be in God.