Nov2019
Discernment and humility
Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’ (verse 9) Read 1 Kings 3:1-15 What would you ask for if God said to you, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”? Money? Good… Read more
Nov2019
Authority
Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted ‘Long live King Solomon!’ (verse 39) Read 1 Kings 1:32-2:4 As we heard in yesterday’s reading, Adonijah ‘put himself forward and said, “I will be king”‘ (1:5) and hosts an elaborate feast to celebrate. Adonijah finds out the hard way that it is better to… Read more
Nov2019
He disciplines those he loves
His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” (verse 6a) Read 1 Kings 1:5-31 Some time after Absalom’s revolt and death, the second born Adonijah, claims the throne unbeknownst to his now very aged and bed-ridden father King David. The above verse makes a comment regarding David’s lack… Read more
Nov2019
The ouch of belonging
‘You will be handed over by your parents, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, and your friends; and some of you will be put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a single hair from your heads will be lost. Stand firm, and you will save yourselves.’ (verses 16-19) Read Luke… Read more
Nov2019
A new song today
Sing a new song to the Lord; he has done wonderful things! By his own power and holy strength he has won the victory. The Lord announced his victory; he made his saving power known to the nations. (verses 1,2) Read Psalm 98 The game was over – the victory won! We lifted the coach… Read more
Nov2019
Parenting is hard
The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! … If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son!” (verse 33) Read 2 Samuel 18:19-33 There is a long back-story to David and Absalom’s… Read more
Nov2019
Compassion
Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake’ (verse 5b) Read 2 Samuel 18:1-18 What heartbreak it would be for David that his son would plot to kill him and take his throne. It is brutal betrayal. Yet, despite the terrible rebellion, David is willing to forgive Absalom. He shows compassion for his… Read more
Nov2019
Rebellion
Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, ‘As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’ (verse 10) Read 2 Samuel 15:1-16 Underhanded – it is the first word that comes to mind when I read today’s passage. Absalom has schemed and… Read more
Nov2019
Character and Reputation
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. (verse 25a) Read 2 Samuel 14:25-33 There is a saying, ‘Good Looks attract the eyes, personality captures the heart.’ One of King David’s sons, Absalom, had good looks in spades. The problem was he had an inflated ego to… Read more
Nov2019
Consequences
David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground… On the seventh day the child died. (verses 16, 18a) Read 2 Samuel 12:15-31 We must realise that even though God forgives our sin, there may still be painful consequences for us. David was forgiven. His… Read more
