Author: Ash Clarkson

  • 2 Samuel 24:10-17: The Wonder of Mercy

    David’s silly census brought about judgement on Israel, itself because of the way Israel had in some way acted. But despite the terrible punishment that came upon Israel for offending a Holy and Just God, there was an experience of the wonder of mercy. That same mercy is offered to you and me today, through…

  • 2 Samuel 24:1-9: Sinful Census

    David’s census was sinful, yet the reason is unclear to us. Do we need to know? Israel had clearly sinned and provoked God’s anger against them. Yet the reason is unclear to us. Do we need to know?

  • 2 Samuel 23:8-39: Honour Roll

    Just as David had his warriors in his day, Christ has his now. We too are called to serve our covenant king with faithfulness and devotion, just like those men who drew water from Bethlehem’s well.

  • 2 Samuel 23:1-7: Everlasting Covenant

    But for those of us who look forward to Christ’s reign, the certainty and the promise are things to embrace not reject. We live in societies where rulers sinfully pursue unrighteousness. They seek power over us, over the Church, even power that belongs to God. They are variously immoral, corrupt, or self-enriching.

  • 2 Samuel 22:32-51: His Kingdom is Forever

    King David’s song in 2 Samuel 22 concludes by pointing us back to the supremacy of God’s Kingdom over all others. It is God who establishes the kingdom, God who provides the power for victory, God who populates the kingdom, and God who guarantees the kingdom. That was true of David’s kingdom, and it is…

  • 2 Samuel 22:21-31: Seeking After Righteousness

    God’s ways are perfect, and he keeps his promises (v.31). In him, David sang, his servants can put their trust. God is, for those who seek after righteousness, “a shield for all those who take refuge in him” (v.31).

  • 1 Samuel 22:1-20: The Mighty Intervener

    The mighty and dramatic nature of God’s intervention in David’s life is indicated by the very first verse, where David’s song is addressed to God as in response to when “the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul” (v.1). While much of the books of Samuel…

  • 2 Samuel 21:15-22: Against All Enemies

    But the Philistines kept rolling out their giants, so once again the same theme was replayed. A six finger and six toed giant whose name is otherwise unknown was dragged out to terrify Israel and cause them to give up (v.20). However, he joined the fate of many of his fellow giants. When he began…

  • 2 Samuel 21:1-14: Covenant Curses Come Calling

    While we may turn off the news, we should not turn away from these grisly passages. They remind us that covenant breaking brings a terrible price. The sacrifice of animals at the temple was not clean, like meat at the supermarket. Nor was this. A terrible crime committed by Saul, a gruesome penalty to pay…

  • 2 Samuel 20: Rebellion Encore

    The end of chapter 19 ended with a face-off and fierce words between Judah and the northern tribes over who would lead David home to Jerusalem. David thought he had patched things up in the kingdom, but he was mistaken. There were still grudges and wounds held which would rip open again.