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April 3 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 93

After today we'll have finished another book of the Bible.  King David's place in the story of God is winding down.

Image result for david build altar

DAILY READINGS

2 Samuel 22-24 & Psalm 93

DAILY NOTES

2 Samuel 22

  • This is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving.  Psalm 18 is a variation of this psalm.
2 Samuel 23
  • David's reign (and life) are drawing to a close.  These are some of his last words and speak of men that have served under him.  
2 Samuel 24
  • David wants a census of the people.  Since he later sees it as a sin, we can gather that he had prideful purposes for doing so.  
  • The king repents, but also suffers the judgement of the sin.  Technically, 70,000 of the people he just counted suffered.
  • Afterwards, David builds an altar to God.
Psalm 93
  • God's rule over earth is celebrated.  This is what's called an enthronement psalm. 

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

There's an interesting observation to consider about 2 Samuel 24:14.

David has to choose between 3 forms of judgement.  Call it divine Let's Make a Deal.  Either endure 3 years of famine, 3 months of being pursued by your foes or 3 days of pestilence.

Why did David choose pestilence?  Consider his response: Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into human hands.  If he had chosen famine, people could/would have said he did so because he has a storehouse of food to help him.  If he had chosen to fight his enemies, people could/would have said he had his army to protect him.  Disease doesn't care who you are.  So, David chose that option because it made everyone equal.

David feels like he would not receive mercy from anyone else other than God.  Indeed, God relents from the punishment.  But it does beg the question: Was David right?  Would he have been treated unmercifully by others if he went with any of the other two options?

You know people....You know God.....What do you think?

Stay blessed...john


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