Social Location and Biblical Interpretation (Mark A. Powell)

This is such a fascinating video to consider in reading and understanding scripture, I just had to share it. For His Name’s Sake Shalom C. L. J. Dryden

Sam’s 2nd Epic 18 – The Return of Joab’s Revenge

Charismatic though he was in gaining the support of the people of Israel, Absalom made a big mistake making an enemy of Joab. Joab’s disregard for the clear instructions of King David, showed again just how driven he was to put an end to the life of Absalom. What leads a man to behave in […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 17 – Prayer and Advice

Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom. (2 Samuel 17:14 NIV) Previously, when David was informed that his top advisor Ahithophel had defected […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 16 – How to Deal with the Scornful

David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 15 – Absalom in Ascendancy

I often love engaging with people about different scenarios in life. It’s great to hear them grapple with why people do certain things and why other people react the way they do. The grapple is interesting and the way it informs how we behave in life today can be invaluable. This means it is unwise […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 14 – Absalom and the Long Game

So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom. (2 Samuel 14:33 NIV) There are many fascinating characters in scripture. Two particularly fascinating characters are Joab and Absalom. […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 13 – The Dysfunction of David’s Dynasty

Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son. (2 Samuel 13:37 NIV) David had done wrong in plotting and scheming, it cost the life of a husband and a baby boy. Yet the punishment of God was to extend to his […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 12 – Conviction and Grace

Reading the twelfth chapter of 2 Samuel is heavy. Did David really think he could get away with it? It’s intriguing that it takes a confrontation with God through Nathan for his misdeeds to be exposed and duly punished. The degree of David’s actions are taken very seriously indeed. God’s judgment on the matter is […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 11 – David Displeases

After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord . (2 Samuel 11:27 NIV) The darkest episode of the life of David is a sad episode to read. It’s one thing […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 10 – It’s A Shame

When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been routed by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore. (2 Samuel 10:19 NIV) A remarkable character trait of David is his honour. Whether for Saul, Jonathan […]