Nathan Whitley's Blog, page 17

Daily Readings in the Bible 2 Samuel 22-24

There may not be another character in the Bible quite as intriguing as David. I would dare say that in all of Scripture there wasnt anyone as gifted as David. Many who know anything about David would automatically mention his victory over Goliath or his sin with Bathsheba. However, there is much more to the life and story of David.

I want us to notice these words concerning David: Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of...

Daily Readings in the Bible 2 Samuel 19-21

Excuses are like armpits, everybodys got them and they usually stink. Bishop Billy McCool has said, Those who want to work for the Lord will find a way. Those who dont will find an excuse.

Excuses are what we find in 2 Samuel 19:31-40. We read of a man by the name of Barzillai. We first meet this easily overlooked character in 2 Samuel 17:27-29. He, along with a few others, supported David while Absalom was staging a revolt in Israel. The majority of Israel may have been seduced by Absaloms...

Daily Readings in the Bible 2 Samuel 16-18

Absalom was the third son born to King David. He was of royal descent on both sides of his family. His mother, Maacah, was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. Not only was he privileged royalty, he was also blessed with good looks: But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him (2 Sam. 14:25). Absalom had a commanding presence and a natural beauty. His charm and smooth...

Daily Readings in the Bible 2 Samuel 13-15

Friends are found throughout the Bible. Job had friends, but they were miserable companions. Abraham was called Gods friend. Jonathan and David were the best of friends (1 Sam 18:1). The Bible makes many references to friends. How to make them, how to keep them and even how to offend them (Pro. 17:17; 18:24; 27:9,14,19).

But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, Davids brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man (2 Sam. 13:3). Many have stained their souls and come to...

Daily Readings in the Bible 2 Samuel 8-12

David had been installed and anointed king of Israel, and insisted on showing kindness to someone in Sauls family. Saul had rebelled against God and eventually was killed in battle along with some of his sons, which included Davids closest friend, Jonathan. David made a covenant with Jonathan to take care of his family once David became king (1 Sam. 20:14).

Jonathan had a son by the name of Mephibosheth who was five years old and being taken care of by a nurse while his father and grandfather...

Daily Readings in the Bible 2 Samuel 4-7

One of the first things David wanted to do when he became Israels king was to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. For twenty years the Ark was in the house of Abinadab under the care of his son Eleazar. The Ark had been hijacked by the Philistines during a battle with Israel (1 Sam. 5). They attempted to return it when they were cursed with plagues (1 Sam. 6). In their efforts to return they Ark, they put the ark on a cart and was sent away to Kirjath-jearim (1 Sam. 6:21-7:2).

David...

Daily Readings in the Bible 2 Samuel 1-3

The Amalakites were a wicked and idolatrous people. They were a fierce race of nomads who inhabited the desert south of the Judean area towards Egypt. They were a cruel people who lived off raiding, robbing and murdering other tribes. They made life miserable for people who lived near them. When Israel had left the bondage of Egypt, and passed through the Red Sea, the Amalakites came from behind and ambushed the weary, hungry and thirsty Israelites who were lagging behind (Exodus 17:8-16,...

Daily Readings in the Bible 1 Samuel 28-31

Sauls reign as Israels king began with so much potential. He was head and shoulders above all the people, yet displayed humility. It wasnt long before his reign began to go off the rails. He could have been the measuring stick by which all kings would have been measured. Instead he became a skeleton in Israels closet.

At the end of First Samuel, we have the record of Saul being killed during a battle with the Philistines. The Philistines took his dead body, cut off his head, took off his...

Daily Readings in the Bible 1 Samuel 25-27

David had javelins thrown at him. The king of Israel was hunting him like wild game. His refuge was in caves with the outcasts of society. Like David, you can get to the point where you begin to question everything. I bet David was wishing he could sling a stone at frustration, and cut the head off of stress.

And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: [there is] nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and...

Daily Readings in the Bible 1 Samuel 21-24

David became a fugitive. Dreams of being Israels next king paled in comparison to the nightmare of being chased down by king Saul. No matter where David went within Israel there were spies updating Saul on Davids every move.

David found refuge in a cave in Adullam (1 Sam. 22:1). A cave. Not a castle. But a cold wet cave. Who would have thought that Israels famed giant killer would be hiding out in a cave? Thankfully David wasnt alone in his cave. His father and brothers came to see him in his...