Category: 1 Samuel

Our passage this week brings us to the Davidic Covenant. This covenant proclaims God’s goodness and mercy to David and his House. To David and His People. It helps fill in the Old Testament dots to the New Testament reality of the Messiah, Jesus. The Saviour and Everlasting King, the true Son of God, whose…

God’s response to David’s desire may seem odd. After all, what David wanted for God seemed reasonable and right; Nathan thought so. But it was not God’s will. The two are not the same. While generally when we do things for God’s honour it is good, its success may not actually be God’s will. We…

Our worship of God must be reverent and follow the instructions God has given us. It should also not be joyless. It should not be so caught up on outward appearance, that there is no inward reality.

We must respect God’s commands. We must act as God requires us to act, especially when it comes to serving him. Especially when God has made it clear – showing his kindness to us by making clear his requirements.

Opposition from the great powers of this world cannot stop God. Time is no barrier to God fulfilling his promises. It may take longer than we like, but God fulfils in his good time. God protects his people. God levels our opponents and fights for us. God does so in various ways; we should always…

Injustice also occurs in our day. Christ’s church faces oppression and injustice the world over. We might face prejudice for our beliefs. Some face death for the sake of Christ in various lands. One day, King Jesus will render justice for these injustices.

Success in a sinful world can often come at a brutal cost. Financial gain through ruining another financially. Promotions and power through destroying or trampling over the reputations of others. This is not the way of God’s Kingdom. Those who lead in God’s Kingdom must serve and display integrity, not ruthless cunning and destruction of…

After Saul’s death, Abner attempted to seize power through conquering King David’s kingdom by force. He failed. A period of Civil War followed, where David grew stronger and Abner became weaker. When finally Abner pushed his puppet-king too far, he decided to throw his lot in with David. But he was moved by necessity, not…

Chapter 2 of 2 Samuel shows an example of the failure of force to prevent God’s Plan advancing through David’s kingship. While David’s anointing by God was publicly known, Abner had conspired to place Saul’s remaining son on the throne in opposition to David, who was proclaimed king in the South. Abner’s attack ended in…

Our society likes big things and big bangs. One hundred day plans. Transformational change. Slow and steady might win the race in the past, but today bigger is better. Incremental growth and change is insufficient for the supposed fast pace of the world we live in. We look down on small beginnings.