Don Mclean's Vincent

In 2 Samuel the narrative shifts to the reign of David as he rises above Saul’s son Ish-bosheth to become the king, first of Judah and then of all the tribes of Israel (5:1–4). The book records David’s wars of conquest including the capture of Jerusalem and the relocation of the ark of the covenant to the City of David (6:1–19). But the author also records David’s failures: his adultery with Bathsheba (11:1–26), Absalom’s rebellion (15:1–18:30), Sheba’s revolt (20:1–26), and the disastrous census (24:1–25). Like all the prophetic writers, the author presents a portrait of his historical figures from the perspective of their faithfulness to God’s covenant.

seen in verse 42 when it says, “When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for

Putting your faith into action, brings a type of satisfaction of love from God that is unique. That same love is then poured into and onto all that you do, think, believe, or seek. Get up each day and pray what you do and say, will help and make a special difference to someone. You can tell with a hug or smile from the face from the people who are in your space, that God's love lifted us up.

It was the first time that I felt God’s presence at an annual conference. As odd as it may sound, it is true. Bishop Chow tipped off the conference with an open dialogue about the state of the church. Of course I debated with the young man next to me that it was our inability to attract and keep youth. I argued that our traditional structure has built a fence too high for millennials and screenagers (Generation Z) to climb; making them feel boxed in and unwelcomed. But Bishop Chow quickly proved us wrong. His diagnosis was that the Holy Spirit had left the church. Because we’ve become so entangled with who we are, the Holy Spirit cannot move within the church. He asserted that new programs and initiatives cannot fix a dead church; that we must loosen the chains that we’ve given ourselves so that we can fully praise God. Only then, will his people draw near. I could feel God move amidst the hearts of the conference.

In this section historical information concerning the lives of Saul and Samuel have been discussed. Such information will enlighten ones cultural and contextual study of 1 Samuel 8–15. Moreover, the reader will have more insight into the referential world of the author, thereby allowing one to discern their intended meaning.

tribe of Judah. It states that David’s kingdom would last and stand the test of time forever. The

In this paper, I will argue that the apologist uses Abigail’s speech to establish a hierarchy with David on top, thus alluding to David’s rightful rise to the throne. In 1 Samuel 25, after the shameful incident with her husband, Abigail hastily gathers a bounty

1 Samuel 15:29: It describe Jonathan Saul’s son went to David in the woods how God

That among those who will be thus the faithful representatives and visible governors of the world will be David, who was once King over Israel; and Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jepthai, and Joseph, formerly ruler of Egypt, and Samuel the prophet and other faithful men named with approval in the Bible at Hebrews

This figure shows proudly on King David’s shield, of silver and gold. “Who is King David?” you ask. He was a great king and warlord, who began as just a simple peasant. He fought and defeated the great Gali the Goliath, just as a child, with a slingshot as his weapon. No man could defeat such a monster, but this young child did. This warrior became a friend of the current king at the time Saul and his son Jonathan. Saul thought of him a great hero, so as soon as he was old enough he was assigned captain of the army. Saul even offered one of his daughters to him.(Jewish Library)

1 Samuel 26:7-13 Introduction: David spares Saul a second time. Observations: In this passage Saul is king, but because of an unlawful sacrifice to the LORD in a battle with the Philistines, the LORD prepares the way for a man after His own heart. (1 Samuel 13:13-14)

Because Saul was leading Israel to disaster, God asked Samuel to anoint a replacement who would become king after Saul. The Lord led Samuel to David, who was an “unimpressive shepherd boy;” he was the

The New Interpreter’s Study Bible describes Psalm 137 as “a lament of the community that turns into a curse against oneself and the community’s enemies” (881). This community, the Israelites, mourns over the destruction of Jerusalem, also known as Zion, by the Babylonian Empire and turns to God to seek vengeance against them. Before Jerusalem’s destruction, the kingdom to the north was destroyed because the people worshiped false idols over God. The southern kingdom, the people described in this psalm, walked on this same path of idolatry which forced God to raise the Babylonians to destroy them and Jerusalem in 586 BCE. This psalm begins with the aftermath of the Israelites wandering in exile, suffering the torment of their Babylonian captors.

When researched, the metaphor reveals further the intensity of the voice of the Lord, stating, “The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox,” (v.5-6). The cedars of Lebanon are acclaimed for their thick trunks that produce quality wood. Rarely would a storm pass that could fell even a branch of one of these trees, however, the author presents the voice of the Lord, were it a storm, would splinter them. Lebanon and Sirion were the two highest mountains in the Palestine area (Psalm 29: The Pulpit Commentary).

1 Samuel chapters 13- 15 tells a story of Saul and provides a window into the character in Saul’s comfort zone of a war. In this pericope Saul is painted as a king of the people rather then a king of God. This disassociation from the one who allowed him to become king forms the crux of the conflict and brings trials upon Saul where his true character is revealed. In the march from tragic hero to villain in the development of Saul chapters 13-15 show a clear transition point. My moving towards disobedience Saul makes a move father from God and is left with the consequences of such an action.