Thoughts On Second Samuel 21 and 22

In chapter 20, I found the fact that the Gibeonites wanted seven men from the family of Saul (to be given to them so that they could be hanged) as atonement for the way that Saul treated them, very interesting. This reminds me of Daniel and the Lion's Den when Darius had the men that conspired against Daniel (as well as their familes) thrown into the Lion's Den after Daniel was released. But I realize that this was probably the norm in the Old Testament that the sin's of the father plague their children. I guess to a certain extent, this still happens in modern times unfortunately. When a father (or mother) sins, the children carry the stigma. I was glad to read the David spared Mephibosheth and Shemei. I also found the fact that the Israelites did not want David to fight with them to be of interest. But I guess this was, because David was getting older and that so many wanted to kill David ( he was such a great warrior and they (the enemies of Israrel and Judah) wanted to prove themselves in battle). The length of chapter 21 was a song of David that praised the Lord for delivering him from his adversaries. I found the fact that David discussed his "cleanness" to be intriguing, because of his role in the death of Uriah. However, I remember that once are sins are forgiven, our sins are wiped away.

Thoughts On Second Samuel 19 and 20

I took notes right after I read, so everything will be fresher. In chapter 19, I found the part where Joab told David what to do, very interesting. From what I gathered, Joab demanded David to visibly stand before the people, because he (Joab) thought that David was mourning for Absalom (the enemy) rather than rejoicing in winning. I found it more interesting that David took his advice. The next thing that I found interesting is when Shimei asked forgiveness of David as soon as he saw that David was to be king again. I believe that Shimei wanted to please those who held the power (the Kingdom of Israel and Judah). Later in the same chapter, I found the fact that Mephibosheth's servant had decieved David into thinking that Mephibosheth was against David, very interesting. In a previous chapter, I found it odd that Mephibosheth was against David, because David had provided for Mephibosheth. I also found the fact that David crossed over the Jordan with the tribe of Judah to be intriguing. But I guess this was because it was harder for him to convince the tribe of Judah to let him be king over them than it was for him to convince Israel. I guess David thought that this honor would smooth things over with the tribe of Judah. However, the tribes of Israel were angered by this. This even led to Israel's break away when Sheba instigated the tribes of Israel at the beginning of chapter 20. David put or kept Amasa as the military commander of the tribe of Judah. Absalom had placed Amasa in charge of the military when he reigned as king. Later in the chapter, Joab tricks Amasa and murders him. In my opinion, Joab did this, because he wanted to get rid of any trace of the short reign of Absalom and also because he was jealous of David's relationship with Amasa. Lastly, I found the fact that a woman was able to save the city, Abel of Beth Maachah, to be intriguing. I thought that at that time a woman did not have any major influence outside of the home. I was glad to read that part. After reading these two chapters, I think that Joab is manipulating David; I wonder if the truth about Joab will ever come to light before David.

Thoughts On Second Samuel 17 and 18

Today I read the 17th and 18th chapters of the book of 2nd Samuel. I am going to write this entry differently than I wrote the first entry. I am not going to provide as indepth a summary as I did with the first entry. I am going to focus on what I found interesting in the chapters that I read. After all, a perspective is not a summary of what happened, it is a collection of personal thoughts concerning something. In the 17th chapter, I found Ahithophel's suicide (by hanging himself) to be extreme. He had lost favor with Absalom when Absalom would not take his advice to kill David. Instead, Absalom took Hushai's advice to go in battle against David. Hushai was essentially a spy for David. If someone chose not to take the advice that I had given him or her, I would not even contemplate suicide. However, when Absalom chose to take Hushai's advice, he essentially banished Ahithophel from his court. In the 18th chapter, I found the fact that Absalom got stuck in a in a terebinth tree, intriguing. He must have gotten stuck really bad, because he couldn't free himself for an extended amount of time. A man saw him and told Joab and he still couldn't free himself. He was then executed by Joab and a group of soldiers. He must have been pleading with them this entire time. Joab went against David's orders not to kill Absalom.

First Entry

Today, I read the 15th and 16th chapters of the book of Second Samuel. From what I gathered, the 15th chapter was about Absalom trying to overthrow his father, David, as king of Israel and Judah and David's subsequent plite out of Jerusalem. Something that I found interesting in this chapter, is the Ark of the Covenant (that originally left Jerusalem with David) was ordered to be brought back to Jerusalem. I believe that David wanted the priests to spy on his son, Absalom. From what I gathered, the 16th chapter was about David's continued plite from Jerusalem and the beginning of Absalom's reign. At the beginning of the chapter, David meets the servant of Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth. The servant is carrying supplies on donkeys. The servant tells David that Mephibosheth proclaimed that that the kingdom of Israel has been returned to his family. When David hears this, he gives the supplies to the servant. I find it odd that Mephibosheth said what he said, because David commanded that he (Mephibosheth) be cared for and to eat at David's own table (an honor). Mephibosheth was crippled at a young age. Then, Shimei (a member of Saul's family) curses against David. When one of David's companions, Abishai, asks David if he can kill Shimei, David responds that it is the Lord's will for him to curse David. David then continues to say that the Lord might bless David for the cursing that he recieved. In the last part of the chapter, Ahithophel (David's former adviser and Absalom's current adviser) advises Absalom to sleep with David's concubines to strengthen his hold on Israel; Absalom does so. I believe that it was extremely sinful for Absalom to do so.

Start-Up and Introduction

I only learned how to use a blog near the beginning of June 2009. I know that some may think that I am behind times, and truth be told I am. Anyway, I am not intending this blog to be a journal of how I learn to use technology. I mean for it to be a journal of what I am currently studying in the Bible. I was reading the Bible today and I looked at a chapter in a book of the Bible that I had just recently finished reading. I was stunned by the fact that nothing in that chapter ever really rang a bell with me. I hope to update this blog daily; however (knowing myself) I will probably not update it everyday (especially once the fall semester begins). However, I thoroughly believe in the fact that if we really want to do something, we will find time to do it. I hope this blog will serve as notes for me and that it may provide others with insight. Hopefully, others will provide me with insight, as well. I do not claim to be a biblical scholar by any means. I have only been reading the Bible individually for about a month or so. However, for several years (and I mean several) my family has had what I call "Bible", where my father reads about a chapter of the Bible each night. I enjoy "Bible", but I tend to zone-out easily.