Posts with the category “it-s-complicated-s2”

2 Samuel 18:19-23 19 Then Zadok’s son Ahimaaz said, “Let me run to the king with the good news that the Lord has rescued him from his enemies.” 20 “No,” Joab told him, “it wouldn’t be good news to the king that his son is dead. You can be my messenger another time, but not today.” 21 Then Joab said to a man from Ethiopia, “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The man bowed and ran off. 22 But Ahimaaz continued to plead with Joab, “Whatever happens, please let me go, too.” “Why should you go, my son?” Joab replied. “There will be no reward for your news.” 23 “Yes, but let me go anyway,” he begged. Joab finally said, “All right, go ahead.” So Ahimaaz took the less demanding route by way of the plain and ran to Mahanaim ahead of the Ethiopian. Have you ever had news to tell someone else that you thought was good, but it wasn’t received that way? I remember telling a coworker that the project they were worried about being given to them, was actually given to someone else. I thought my coworker would be relieved and even high-five me for lightening his load. But in reality, though he was nervous about the project he was excited about the opportunity to prove to his boss what he could really do...  Read More

2 Samuel 18:16-18 16 Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel. 17 They threw Absalom’s body into a deep pit in the forest and piled a great heap of stones over it. And all Israel fled to their homes. 18 During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to carry on my name.” He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom’s Monument to this day. Joab, the soldier, was quick to end the resolution. He blows the ram's horn to signify that the war is over. He has no lost love for Absalom. Despite the king’s wishes, he has not only killed Absalom, he buries him quickly, sending the message to those that sided with Absalom that their end will be similar if they don’t surrender...  Read More

2 Samuel 18:13-15 13 And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son—and the king would certainly find out who did it—you yourself would be the first to abandon me.” 14 “Enough of this nonsense,” Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom’s heart as he dangled, still alive, in the great tree. 15 Ten of Joab’s young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him. We don’t know the name of the soldier who obeyed the king’s wishes and chose not to harm his son, Absalom. Whenever he comes up, he’s just a man. But he is loyal to David. Meanwhile, Absalom is stuck in a tree. It might seem strange that he got caught up by his hair, but in 2 Samuel 14, we’re told that not only was Absalom handsome, his hair was so thick that he’d cut it every month and the cut hair would weigh five pounds (as a bald man, that’s just bragging). So his hair was thick, and as he was trying to escape, he got tangled up in a tree...   Read More

2 Samuel 18:9-12 9 During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air. 10 One of David’s men saw what had happened and told Joab, “I saw Absalom dangling from a great tree.” 11 “What?” Joab demanded. “You saw him there and didn’t kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver and a hero’s belt” 12 “I would not kill the king’s son for even a thousand pieces of silver,” the man replied to Joab. “We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake, please spare young Absalom.’ In this chapter, we are in the midst of a civil war between King David and those loyal to him, and his son Absalom, who has tricked many of the Israelites into supporting him as a new king. So how did we get here? After Amnon’s death, Absalom flees Hebron to Geshur. Geshur is about 250-300 miles away from Hebron, so he is now a good, “safe” distance away from any retribution from his father, the king. After two years, David allows Absalom to return to Hebron, but he doesn’t want to see him; not yet. His feelings are still complicated. He knows what Amnon did was wrong, but he still grieves Amnon. And he loves and wants to reconcile with Absalom, but will that make it look like he no longer grieves Amnon? Meanwhile, Absalom continues to allow his hatred for Amnon’s act to consume him. He has now named his daughter Tamar, after his sister that Amnon raped...  Read More

This content may be difficult for some in your group to process together. Be sure to let your group know the topic before you meet, and give permission to anyone to bow out if they are concerned about being triggered, or who simply don’t want to talk through this particular story. What are some of the stories from Scripture that you struggle to understand, have questions about, or wish you had some sort of answer for that you currently don’t?  Read More

2 Samuel 13:34b-39 34…Then the watchman on the Jerusalem wall saw a great crowd coming down the hill on the road from the west. He ran to tell the king, “I see a crowd of people coming from the Horonaim road along the side of the hill.” 35 “Look” Jonadab told the king. “There they are now The king’s sons are coming, just as I said.” 36 They soon arrived, weeping and sobbing, and the king and all his servants wept bitterly with them. 37 And David mourned many days for his son Amnon. Absalom fled to his grandfather, Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. 38 He stayed there in Geshur for three years. 39 And King David, now reconciled to Amnon’s death, longed to be reunited with his son Absalom. I know this story doesn’t mention Tamar again after she goes to Absalom’s house where we are told she lived desolate, or ruined. However, as a father to a daughter, I like to imagine that David went to Tamar and tried to console her and love her back to a place of healing and hope. That’s what I like to believe happened...  Read More

2 Samuel 13:23-34a 23 Two years later, when Absalom’s sheep were being sheared at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, Absalom invited all the king’s sons to come to a feast. 24 He went to the king and said, “My sheep-shearers are now at work. Would the king and his servants please come to celebrate the occasion with me?” 25 The king replied, “No, my son. If we all came, we would be too much of a burden on you.” Absalom pressed him, but the king would not come, though he gave Absalom his blessing. 26 “Well, then,” Absalom said, “if you can’t come, how about sending my brother Amnon with us?” “Why Amnon?” the king asked. 27 But Absalom kept on pressing the king until he finally agreed to let all his sons attend, including Amnon. So Absalom prepared a feast fit for a king. 28 Absalom told his men, “Wait until Amnon gets drunk; then at my signal, kill him Don’t be afraid. I’m the one who has given the command. Take courage and do it” 29 So at Absalom’s signal they murdered Amnon. Then the other sons of the king jumped on their mules and fled. 30 As they were on the way back to Jerusalem, this report reached David: “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons; not one is left alive” 31 The king got up, tore his robe, and threw himself on the ground. His advisers also tore their clothes in horror and sorrow. 32 But just then Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimea, arrived and said, “No, don’t believe that all the king’s sons have been killed It was only Amnon Absalom has been plotting this ever since Amnon raped his sister Tamar. 33 No, my lord the king, your sons aren’t all dead It was only Amnon.” 34 Meanwhile Absalom escaped. As we see in this story, Absalom let his hatred for Amnon grow for two years. Two years of playing the scene over and over again in his head. Two years of seeing the woman Tamar became, after Amnon’s act...  Read More

WARNING: Today’s topic continues with the aftermath of a story involving rape and abuse. We want to make sure you are well cared for, so if you have struggled with these things, please proceed with caution. If you are triggered in any way, or realize you need more help, you may reach out to a pastor at your local campus, or call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.4673. 2 Samuel 13:15-22 15 Then suddenly Amnon’s love turned to hate, and he hated her even more than he had loved her. “Get out of here” he snarled at her. 16 “No, no” Tamar cried. “Sending me away now is worse than what you’ve already done to me.” But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her. 17 He shouted for his servant and demanded, “Throw this woman out, and lock the door behind her” 18 So the servant put her out and locked the door behind her. She was wearing a long, beautiful robe, as was the custom in those days for the king’s virgin daughters. 19 But now Tamar tore her robe and put ashes on her head. And then, with her face in her hands, she went away crying. 20 Her brother Absalom saw her and asked, “Is it true that Amnon has been with you? Well, my sister, keep quiet for now, since he’s your brother. Don’t you worry about it.” So Tamar lived as a desolate woman in her brother Absalom’s house. 21 When King David heard what had happened, he was very angry. 22 And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about this, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister. First of all, I recognize that I am a man and can’t possibly fathom what all Tamar went through in this story, but I can tell you it breaks my heart and causes me to feel sick inside (and I do recognize that men can experience rape and sexual assault too, and I in no way want to suggest otherwise). These sick feelings are yet another reminder that these are the stories we were never meant to experience or hear...  Read More

WARNING: Today’s topic specifically deals with rape and abuse. Again, if you have struggled with these things, please proceed with caution. If you are triggered in any way, or realize you need more help, you may reach out to a pastor at your local campus, or call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.4673. 2 Samuel 13:8-14 8 When Tamar arrived at Amnon’s house, she went to the place where he was lying down so he could watch her mix some dough. Then she baked his favorite dish for him. 9 But when she set the serving tray before him, he refused to eat. “Everyone get out of here,” Amnon told his servants. So they all left. 10 Then he said to Tamar, “Now bring the food into my bedroom and feed it to me here.” So Tamar took his favorite dish to him. 11 But as she was feeding him, he grabbed her and demanded, “Come to bed with me, my darling sister.” 12 “No, my brother” she cried. “Don’t be foolish Don’t do this to me Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel. 13 Where could I go in my shame? And you would be called one of the greatest fools in Israel. Please, just speak to the king about it, and he will let you marry me.” 14 But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her. Talk about a gut punch. I hate reading this story and I really hate the horror of those last three words in verse 14. All I can think is, these kinds of things were never supposed to be a part of our story...  Read More

WARNING: This week’s topic will introduce acts of rape and abuse by family members. If you have struggled with these things, please proceed with caution. If you are triggered in any way, or realize you need more help, you may reach out to a pastor at your local campus, or call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.4673. Life is messy, broken, complicated, and painful. This world is not the one God designed for us back in the Garden of Eden. And though there is beauty to celebrate, there is also evil that will one day be eradicated. Whatever we have experienced or are experienced or will experience, part of the hope we share with one another is in the coming day when God Himself will announce, “[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4, NIV) I mentioned him in week one, but I love the importance Eddie Jacku, WWII holocaust survivor, puts on hope. He says, “Hope costs us nothing, but it changes everything.” So I put my hope in Jesus, His resurrection, and in where I know our story is going even through our darkest times. And that line from Revelation 21:4, know that it’s what God wants. That’s what He’s working towards. In the meantime, we have some pretty awful stuff that was never a part of His plan for us, that we have to navigate on this earth from time to time because of evil...  Read More

The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things. This content may be difficult for some in your group to process together. Be sure to let your group know the topic before you meet, and give permission to anyone to bow out if they are concerned about being triggered, or who simply don’t want to talk through this particular story.  Read More

2 Samuel 12:7, 11-13 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man" “This is what the LORD says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Psalm 51:16-19 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit— with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar. Before we move on from these troubling passages, there’s one more point to consider. The pages of scripture show that it is unrealistic to believe forgiveness and acceptance conveniently eliminate consequences. Engaging in sinful behavior threatens our relationship with God. Not because He will eventually forsake us or be unwilling to forgive, but because sin subtly drives us far enough away from salvation that we would no longer reach for the hand of Jesus. The Bible suggests that God won’t give up on us before we give up on Him. Our sins lead us to reject God, rather than the other way around...  Read More

2 Samuel 12:5-10 David was furious. “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the LORD and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own. Psalm 51:12-15 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. We’ve reached a point in our story where David is overwhelmed with guilt. He has taken what isn’t his, betrayed his family, ruined neighbors’ lives, shed innocent blood, and become a cautionary tale of power and entitlement. Tomorrow’s lesson will examine the consequences of wrongful actions that are never completely avoided, no matter how much we repent. But today, we see the grace and salvation Jesus offers to everyone who confesses. Before we go further, I have to admit that part of me feels relieved to read this story. Some Christians jump between Biblical success stories, skipping the troubling ones, in a way that makes following God seem impossible. In contrast, between the stories of Moses crossing the Red Sea, David slaying Goliath, and Peter preaching the resurrected Christ, we have opportunity to read about their failures and flaws, allowing space for me to follow Jesus despite my imperfections.  Read More

2 Samuel 12:1-5 So the LORD sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” David was furious. “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die" Psalm 51:7-11 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Have you ever felt your face flush with embarrassment when you realize how wrong something you did was? Maybe someone repeats what you just said, and you respond, “When you put it like that, it sounds awful,” even though all they did was echo your words. This is David’s situation as he sits before Nathan...  Read More

WARNING: Today’s topic touches on rape and abuse. If you have struggled with these issues, please proceed with caution. If you are triggered in any way, you can ask for help by reaching out to a pastor at your local campus, requesting a referral at office@crosswalkvillage.com, or by calling the Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.4673. 2 Samuel 11:2-5 NASB Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house. The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, “I am pregnant.” It is helpful to notice the verbs used in this fairly literal NASB translation of today’s passage describing David’s actions. He saw, he inquired, he took, and he lay. His problems develop gradually from the initial moment of observing a woman to full, undeniable transgression. It is difficult to escape the sense of possession and objectification that overtakes him...  Read More

2 Samuel 11:26-27 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. Then she gave birth to a son. But the LORD was displeased with what David had done. Psalm 51:1-3 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Last week, we started studying 2 Samuel 11-12, focusing on David’s rapid decline into the life of a mass murderer. Today, we go back to the beginning of the story to examine David the adulterer and his sexual sins. Today’s passage concludes both themes as Uriah is dead, and Bathsheba goes to the palace to join the king’s harem. Soon, everything will become public when Nathan confronts David. But, before we reach the showdown between the prophet and the king, let’s take a moment to revisit how it all began...  Read More

How could David be a man after God’s own heart, and, commit murder and adultery? What lessons are there from his struggles, for us to learn as we prepare to dive into the story?...  Read More

2 Samuel 11:22-25 So the messenger went to Jerusalem and gave a complete report to David. “The enemy came out against us in the open fields,” he said. “And as we chased them back to the city gate, the archers on the wall shot arrows at us. Some of the king’s men were killed, including Uriah the Hittite.” “Well, tell Joab not to be discouraged,” David said. “The sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow Fight harder next time, and conquer the city” Psalm 32:11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure The messenger shows wisdom and doesn’t wait for David to get angry as he reports the failed attack, during which many of the king’s men died. He mentions Uriah's name from the very beginning. This part of the story highlights two points. First, awareness of David’s plot is beginning to leak past his inner circle. The pool of those with insight into what he has done is steadily growing. We all know how people talk. Several individuals are likely starting to compare details gathered from whispers and observations. Messengers have been sent to communicate with Bathsheba, bring her to the palace, and exchange notes. Many must have seen the beautiful woman coming and going from David’s quarters not long before her husband's strange visit, during which he sleeps on the palace steps instead of going home. Weird. Now, a messenger returns with tales from the battle, knowing it’s wise to mention the name Uriah when describing a poorly planned battle. Does his tone hint at a wink as courtiers listen? These are the kinds of things people love to talk about...  Read More

2 Samuel 11:14-21 So the next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. The letter instructed Joab, “Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed.” So Joab assigned Uriah to a spot close to the city wall where he knew the enemy’s strongest men were fighting. And when the enemy soldiers came out of the city to fight, Uriah the Hittite was killed along with several other Israelite soldiers. Then Joab sent a battle report to David. He told his messenger, “Report all the news of the battle to the king. But he might get angry and ask, ‘Why did the troops go so close to the city? Didn’t they know there would be shooting from the walls? Wasn’t Abimelech son of Gideon killed at Thebez by a woman who threw a millstone down on him from the wall? Why would you get so close to the wall?’ Then tell him, ‘Uriah the Hittite was killed, too.’” Psalm 32:8-10 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’S unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. In the course of our story, David has moved far from being the heroic good guy. His cover-up is in full effect as Uriah dies in battle alongside his fellow soldiers. Maybe the king will get away with it...  Read More

2 Samuel 11:11-15 Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.” “Well, stay here today,” David told him, “and tomorrow you may return to the army.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next. Then David invited him to dinner and got him drunk. But even then he couldn’t get Uriah to go home to his wife. Again he slept at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard. So the next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. The letter instructed Joab, “Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed.” Psalm 32:6-7 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Every once in a while, the painful consequences of our failures are easily avoided, cleverly sidestepped, or simply don’t happen. However, as we feel the floodwaters of our poor decisions rise around us, we often turn to more deceptive schemes in an effort to escape. First, we try to create opportunities for our guilt to sink into the shadows. Eventually, we move from passive strategies to actively manipulating our surroundings, hoping to change the circumstances...  Read More

2 Samuel 11:6-11 Then David sent word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David. When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab and the army were getting along and how the war was progressing. Then he told Uriah, “Go on home and relax.” David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace. But Uriah didn’t go home. He slept that night at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard. When David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he summoned him and asked, “What’s the matter? Why didn’t you go home last night after being away for so long?” Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.” Psalm 32:3-5 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. A simple lack of motivation or indulgence in excuses allows David to nap while his men are at war. He has shown the heart of a warrior in the past. So he’s entitled to sit this one out, right? With this one mistake, momentum builds, and lustful eyes lead to a coercive affair with Bathsheba. Ah-oh, she’s pregnant. Missing his appointment with the army was a mistake. The affair with Bathsheba was a sin. Now David is so deep into it that he can’t easily back out. The snare has fully tightened around his ankle. It won’t be long before the truth comes out. David must act quickly to control the story and protect his reputation. So he sends for Uriah...  Read More

2 Samuel 11:1-5 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.” Psalm 32:1-2 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. Over the next two weeks, we will study 2 Samuel 11 and 12, focusing on the story of King David, Bathsheba, Uriah, and Nathan. While reading the verses in chronological order, we will examine two themes one at a time. This week, I invite you to reflect on David the murderer. Next week, we will explore David the adulterer. I hope this approach helps clarify why we focus on certain parts of the text now and save others for next week...  Read More

The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things...  Read More

2 Samuel 6:16-23 But as the Ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she was filled with contempt for him. They brought the Ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes. When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do” David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I celebrate before the LORD. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished” So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life. Contempt is such a strong word. As the Ark of the Covenant and the dancing procession approach the city center, the loud throng passes the palace. Michal, David’s wife, gathers at a window to observe the parade. Suddenly, her jaw drops when she catches sight of her husband, barely recognizable in the crowd. He has stripped off the robes that identify his royalty. She sees him twirl and jump, twisting and shouting. Has he lost his mind? How humiliating. Michal feels nothing but contempt...  Read More

1 Chronicles 15:1-2; 13 David now built several buildings for himself in the City of David. He also prepared a place for the Ark of God and set up a special tent for it. Then he commanded, “No one except the Levites may carry the Ark of God. The LORD has chosen them to carry the Ark of the LORD and to serve him forever.” [Then David said to the priests…] Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the LORD our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly.” 2 Samuel 6:12-15 Then King David was told, “The LORD has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. After the men who were carrying the Ark of the LORD had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns. The tragic death of Uzzah stopped the joyful procession heading for Jerusalem. Feeling angry and afraid, David refused to continue and left the Ark in the home of Obed-Edom, a Levite. In his confusion, David must have turned to the Scriptures to find out what had gone wrong. There, he discovered the detailed instructions for how the Ark should be transported and rededicated himself to restore corporate worship of Yahweh...  Read More

2 Samuel 6:3-11 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God. David was angry because the LORD’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today. David was now afraid of the LORD, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the LORD back into my care?” So David decided not to move the Ark of the LORD into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. The Ark of the LORD remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and his entire household. It’s tempting to skip this part of the story. The death of Uzzah raises many difficult questions, and I want to be honest from the start— we won’t be able to address them all thoroughly. Sadly, we might overlook the concern that matters most to you. I encourage you to participate in a Crosswalk small group experience to explore even further...  Read More

1 Samuel 4:2-3, 10-11, 19-21 The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men. After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the LORD allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.” So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed. Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near her time of delivery. When she heard that the Ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth. She died in childbirth, but before she passed away the midwives tried to encourage her. “Don’t be afraid,” they said. “You have a baby boy” But she did not answer or pay attention to them. She named the child Ichabod (which means “Where is the glory?”), for she said, “Israel’s glory is gone.” She named him this because the Ark of God had been captured… David is on a mission to return the Ark, the symbol of God’s presence, to a central place of worship in the new capital city. But before he does, let’s consider where the Ark has been, why it was missing, and the attitudes of worship our story warns against...  Read More

Psalm 132:1-5 LORD, remember David and all that he suffered. He made a solemn promise to the LORD. He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel, “I will not go home; I will not let myself rest. I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber until I find a place to build a house for the LORD, a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.” 2 Samuel 6:1-3 David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. This week, we examine 2 Samuel 6 and what David’s life teaches us about worship. If it seems like the study starts with a simple rearrangement of religious furniture, don’t be fooled. There’s much more to it than that. Worship, at its core, celebrates that the “I Am” of Exodus 3:14—the One who “was and is and is to come” in Revelation 1:4—chooses to draw near and live with us. The creator of all things adopts the name Immanuel, ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). The first chapter of the book of John describes Jesus’ mission of redemption. He is the Word. He is God. He was in the beginning. He is the Creator. And in verse 14, John says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The literal translation of the Greek is that Jesus “tabernacled” among us. Throughout the Old Testament, God describes Himself and His desire for closeness using various metaphors and symbols. One of the most vivid images appears in the wilderness tabernacle that God commanded to be built at the center of the Israelites’ camp during their exodus from Egypt. God outlined every detail of this structure so that the story of salvation could be revealed. It included symbols representing the cross of Christ, His resurrection, prayer, and forgiveness. In the innermost part of the tabernacle sat a gold-covered acacia wood box called the Ark of the Covenant...  Read More

The following guide is designed to facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things...  Read More

2 Samuel 2:5-7 7 Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.” David’s second anointing as king of Judah would have contrasted sharply with his first anointing by the prophet Samuel. Back with Samuel, is what a private ceremony, family only, secretive even. The current king, Saul, was not mentally stable and would have seen this act as a direct threat on him and his kingdom; which it was. But now, David’s anointing would have come with all the pomp and circumstance the Jews would have done for Saul back in the days. This was a public, popular, and very political act. In fact, unlike with Samuel, there’s no hint of the religious aspect to this anointing at all. Truth is, however, David was God’s choice whether in public or private. He didn’t have to be publicly recognized to act as God’s chosen, did he?...  Read More

2 Samuel 2:4-6 4 Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah. When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, 5 he sent them this message: “May the Lord bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial. 6 May the Lord be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love And I, too, will reward you for what you have done. Jabesh-gilead wasn’t just the place where they buried Saul, it was in Israel territory, the northern kingdom; otherwise known as the place that David was not yet king over. So sure, you could see this as enemy territory for this newly anointed king of Judah. David offers the people of this town a peace offering in the form of a blessing. He loved Saul, and was thankful for their kindness to Saul and his family. David doesn’t want to be their enemy, he doesn’t want civil war any more. He wants to unite the kingdoms and God’s people, as Samuel foresaw all those years ago...  Read More

2 Samuel 2:4a 4 Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah. As we alluded to yesterday, at this point in the story, it’s been roughly 8 or 9 years since Samuel anointed David as the new king of Israel. Here, we have the men of Judah anointing David king, not of the whole nation of Israel, but of the tribe of Judah, which David was a part of. It certainly was a step in the ultimate fulfillment of the promise, but after all this time and struggle, David was still on the journey to where God wanted Him. I’m sure there were moments, like when he was hiding in a cave, where he may have written these lines from Psalm 22…  Read More

2 Samuel 2:1b-3 1b…David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?” “Yes,” the Lord replied. Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. 2 David’s two wives were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. So David and his wives 3 and his men and their families all moved to Judah, and they settled in the villages near Hebron. In a heartbeat, David’s life has been turned upside down. Even though, years before, he was anointed king by the prophet Samuel, he never got the opportunity to step into that role because of Saul. But here we are, his king and his brother have been killed, and the moment he was anointed for 8-9 years before, is finally happening. Likely, he had thought long and hard about what he would do in this moment. He may have even drifted off to sleep, thinking about these things, when he was on the run. And not because he felt like he wanted Saul to step aside, not because he wanted the power, but because he knew God had called him to something and he wondered what he would do when given the chance...  Read More

(2 Samuel 2:1a) 2:1a After this… A lot has happened from where we left off at season one of It’s Complicated. Back then, David continued to be an outcast that King Saul hunted, even though Samuel had anointed David to be the new king of Israel. Shockingly, David continued to support Saul, because Saul had been God’s anointed one...  Read More

We are excited to jump back into Season Two of our series on the life of David that we’ve called, It’s Complicated. If you remember the premise, the idea is that though we often desperately want a black and white world where right and wrong are easily determined, and our answers are clear, the life we experience each day is much more complicated than we care to admit at times. Especially in the wo...  Read More