Closer Day By Day

2 Samuel 22

Bible Passage:  2 Samuel 22 We have now come to the home stretch in the life of David.  This is the first time I have studied his life so intensely through 1 & 2 Samuel and if there is one phrase I could use to describe his life it would be this…. A Life NOT According To His Expectations I am amazed at how David managed to still sing praises to God after the life he had. Many years ago...

2 Samuel 21

Bible Passage:  2 Samuel 21 When there is an unwanted thing that happens in life, the first thing many of us would do is to look at others and count the ways that we think they might have contributed to the situation. Then the blame game starts. Today’s chapter however shows us a very different aspect of faith. David’s example here is worthy of emulation in our lives. Granted that there was a...

2 Samuel 20

Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 20 I chose a gloomy picture for a gloomy chapter. After reading the chapter for today, do you agree with me that like a lot of the chapters we have been reading, it is characteristically violent and depressing? Besides that, chapter 20 is also the close to a series of events that started with Absalom’s march into Jerusalem with his general, Amasa, and the army he gathered...

2 Samuel 19

Bible Passage:  2 Samuel 19 This is a hard chapter to read.  Because even after the death of Absalom, the family and national problems for David just does not seem to go away.  You wonder just how much more can David take?  Wasn’t he the specially anointed one of God?  Didn’t God promised him the throne of Israel? So why was it that even when the son who usurped him had died - there...

2 Samuel 18

Bible Passage:  2 Samuel 18 The rebellion has finally been crushed but at a lost of 20000 Israelites and the death of Absalom, David’s son. It was a high price to pay and a great lost for David. This event marked the end of the conflict that prophet Nathan prophesied. The sin that David committed (premeditated murder of Uriah and adultery with Bathsheba) has brought about an earthquake within...

2 Samuel 17

Bible Passage:  2 Samuel 17 Two characters’ advices Both devised very good plans But two very different intents… Only one shall be heeded in the end. The Advice of Ahithophel We took over the city of Jerusalem, then Absalom had a discussion with us his men. I suggested choosing twelve thousand men, and I would set out to pursue David that night. I wanted to catch to David to kill him, while...

2 Samuel 16

In times of harshness, a man’s heart is revealed; and the heart reveals a man. David, with his entire household was fleeing from Absalom, and in this chapter, we can see some characters revealing their ugly hidden selves. How many ugly characters can you see in this chapter? Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 16 The liar and opportunist - Ziba He lied to David about his master, Mephibosheth’s...

2 Samuel 15

Bible Passage:  2 Samuel 15 Absalom was really something, wasn’t he? The more I read about this character, the more I marvel at the depth of his character - he seemed to be someone rather scheming and capable of much more…. Chapter after chapter, the things he does shock me. He stole the hearts of the people Today’s chapter started with an account of how Absalom won over the hearts...

2 Samuel 13

Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 13 If this is the first time you are reading this chapter, I am sure you must be turning to the cover of your Bible to check if it is really the Bible you are reading! The shameful and torrid events that unfold before our eyes would not seem out of place in a Hollywood movie or the latest soap opera.  Love, Lust, Plots, Rape, Hatred, Revenge, Murder.  All ingredients for...

2 Samuel 12

Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 12 In a way, David’s sin was not merely a sexual one. Through Nathan, God tells David that it was He who provided him with all his possessions, and He could add much more. Unfortunately, now David’s riches owned him. Like the rich man in Nathan’s story, he was “protective” of his riches and unwilling to spend any of them. Instead he coveted what...