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March 28 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 87

We're beginning a new book today!

2 Samuel picks up where 1 Samuel ended.  Watch today's Bible Project video for an introduction to what the book is all about.



DAILY READINGS

2 Samuel 1-3 & Psalm 87

DAILY NOTES

2 Samuel 1

  • As much grief as Saul gave David, David now mourns his loss.  
  • We're given further details of Saul's death.
  • Does David kill the man out of his grief or his mere respect for God's anointing?
2 Samuel 2
  • Samuel has anointed David before in private.  Now, David is anointed publicly by the people of Judah.
  • Saul's son, Ishbaal, his only remaining son, is anointed king, too.  
    • David's & Ishbaal's troops battle.  David wins.
  • The death of Asahel, depicted in verses 18-23, comes to play in the next chapter.
2 Samuel 3
  • David's "house" grows while Saul's becomes "weaker and weaker."
  • Abner served in Saul's house, but is accused of a crime by Saul's son, Ishbaal.  Abner reaffirms that Saul's house will be overrun by David's and he turns to David as an ally.
    • Why was Ishbaal all of a sudden so fearful of Abner?
  • As part of their covenant, David is reunited with Michal (sorry to her current husband).
  • Abner is killed because he killed Asahel in the last chapter.
  • David's mourning of Abner, more importantly his assurance that he did not kill Abner, garners him the total approval of the people.  "Everything the king did pleased all the people."  
Psalm 87
  • Do you live your hometown?  This psalm demonstrates a great love for Zion (Jerusalem).

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Most of us know David's link to the psalms.  Incorrectly, many people think David wrote them all.  Although he didn't write them all and others are probably written in his name, we do see that David had a creative side to him.

Specifically, he played music and wrote poetry.  Not all of us can do that, but did you notice in today's reading how he penned a poem after learning of Saul's death?  

The question, then, is how do you and I use our gifts, whether they are "creative" or not, to portray our life with God?  What story of God, what story of God and us can we tell to others through our gifts?  Is that poetry?  Song? Dance? Video? Speech? Service?

What gifts are you using to tell God's story?

Stay blessed...john
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