Sam’s 2nd Epic 21 – David’s Fascinating Famine and Warfare Relief

But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” (2 Samuel 21:17 NIV) Having affirmed his rule over Israel after […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 19 – A Conciliatory Return

He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.” (2 Samuel 19:14 NIV) The recent exploits of Absalom threatened to tear the Kingdom of Israel apart. When he died, there was no guarantee that […]

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 […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 05 – David’s Rise: For God Was With Him

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. (2 Samuel 5:11‭-‬12 NIV) The rise […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 02 – Civil War

Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites?” (2 Samuel 2:26 NIV) The devastation of the death of Saul had national implications. A new King was needed. On the one side […]

Sam’s 2nd Epic 01 – How the Mighty have Fallen

“How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!” (2 Samuel 1:27 NIV) The Story So Far God’s chosen people, Israel, have endured another cycle of disobedience and defeat in the last days of Eli the priest. As his time comes to a tragic end, his successor emerges not from his seed, but […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 31 – The King is Dead

When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. Then they took their bones and […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 12 – Samuel’s Warning

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” (1 Samuel 12:24‭-‬25 NIV) It must have been a very emotional occasion. Samuel wasn’t dying. One of the […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 07 – Ebenezer

Yeah, when I read the word I could only remember A Christmas Carol and Ebenezer Scrooge. (In fact there was also a house tune that had a line that said ‘He’s a scrooge, He’s a scrooge, He’s Ebenezer Scrooge.’ Not that I was into house music much in the past, but a good friend of mine […]

Sam’s 1st Epic 04 – Ichabod

She named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” (1 Samuel 4:21, 22 ESV) Any cheery, happy-go-lucky, ‘always look […]