2 Samuel 4:1-6:23
Big Idea
The passage describes the transition of power from Ish-bosheth to David as the king of Israel.
Commentary
Ish-bosheth's death is avenged by David.
David is anointed king over Israel.
The stronghold of Zion is taken by David.
Hiram king of Tyre helps David build a house.
The Philistines are defeated by David.
Uzzah is struck down by the LORD for touching the ark.
David is afraid of the LORD.
The ark is brought to the city of David with rejoicing.
Michal despises David for dancing before the LORD.
David takes more concubines and wives from Jerusalem.
The Philistines come to search for David but are defeated.
David builds the city of David and makes it his capital.
Claims
- David is the rightful king of Israel.
- The LORD is with David and helps him defeat his enemies.
- David is a righteous king who follows the LORD's commands.
- The ark of God is a symbol of the LORD's presence with David.
- David's celebration is a demonstration of his joy and gratitude to the LORD.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
Ish-bosheth's death is a result of David's actions
Correction
Ish-bosheth's death is actually a result of the actions of Rechab and Baanah, who killed him in his bed.
Misunderstanding
The Philistines are defeated by David because he is a great warrior
Correction
The Philistines are defeated by David because the LORD is with him and gives him victory.
Application Questions
- What does the passage teach us about the importance of following the LORD's commands?
- How does David's celebration demonstrate his joy and gratitude to the LORD?
- What can we learn from David's fear of the LORD and his willingness to obey Him?
- How does the passage show that the LORD is with David and helps him defeat his enemies?
- What can we learn from Michal's reaction to David's celebration and her lack of understanding of the LORD's ways?
John 13:31-14:14
Big Idea
Jesus' glorification and God's glorification are intertwined, and he gives a new commandment to love one another.
Commentary
Jesus' statement about being glorified and God being glorified in him (John 13:31-32) emphasizes the unity between Jesus and God.
The new commandment to love one another (John 13:34-35) is a key aspect of Jesus' teaching, and it is a way for people to know that they are his disciples.
Jesus' destination is a place prepared for the disciples in his Father's house (John 14:2-3), and he promises to do greater works than his own and to answer the disciples' prayers in his name (John 14:12-14).
Jesus emphasizes the importance of believing in him and doing his works (John 14:12-14), and he promises that whoever believes in him will also do the works that he does (John 14:12).
Jesus' words are not his own, but the Father's who dwells in him (John 14:10), and he promises to do whatever the disciples ask in his name (John 14:13-14).
Jesus reassures the disciples about their future with him, promising to come again and take them to himself (John 14:3).
The disciples' inability to follow Jesus now is contrasted with their ability to follow him afterward (John 13:36-37).
Jesus' glorification is tied to God's glorification in him (John 13:31-32), and he promises to glorify him at once (John 13:32).
Claims
- Jesus is the way, truth, and life, and no one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6).
- Whoever has seen Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9).
- Jesus' words are not his own, but the Father's who dwells in him (John 14:10).
- Whoever believes in Jesus will also do the works that he does, and greater works than these will he do (John 14:12).
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<i>Jesus is leaving the disciples and will never return</i>
Correction
<i>Jesus is leaving the disciples temporarily, but he promises to come again and take them to himself</i>.
Misunderstanding
<i>The disciples will be able to follow Jesus now</i>
Correction
<i>The disciples will not be able to follow Jesus now, but they will follow him afterward</i>.
Application Questions
- How can we apply Jesus' new commandment to love one another in our daily lives?
- What does it mean to believe in Jesus and do his works?
- How can we trust that Jesus is the way, truth, and life, and that no one comes to the Father except through him?
Psalm 119:17-32
Big Idea
The speaker is a servant of God, seeking to live in accordance with God's word and commandments.
Commentary
The speaker's soul is consumed with longing for God's rules at all times.
The speaker is a sojourner on the earth, seeking guidance from God's commandments.
The speaker's testimonies are their delight and counselors.
The speaker chooses the way of faithfulness and sets God's rules before them.
The speaker's soul clings to the dust, seeking life according to God's word.
The speaker requests God to teach them their statutes and understand God's precepts.
The speaker asks God to strengthen them according to God's word.
The speaker asks God to put false ways far from them and teach them God's law.
The speaker's soul melts away for sorrow, seeking comfort in God's word.
The speaker will run in the way of God's commandments when God enlarges their heart.
The speaker's testimonies are a source of joy and guidance.
The speaker's faithfulness is a choice, not a requirement.
Claims
- God's word is a source of life and guidance for the speaker.
- The speaker's faithfulness is a choice, not a requirement.
- God's commandments are a source of comfort and strength for the speaker.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The speaker is asking God to give them wealth and power
Correction
The speaker is asking God to deal bountifully with them, which means to give them spiritual blessings and guidance.
Misunderstanding
The speaker is asking God to open their physical eyes
Correction
The speaker is asking God to open their spiritual eyes, so they can behold wondrous things from God's law.
Application Questions
- How can you apply the speaker's longing for God's rules to your own life?
- How can you choose the way of faithfulness in your daily life?
- What are some ways you can meditate on God's statutes and precepts?
- How can you strengthen yourself according to God's word in times of sorrow or difficulty?
- What are some false ways that you need to put far from you, and how can you do that?
Proverbs 15:31-32
Big Idea
The importance of listening to life-giving reproof in order to dwell among the wise and gain intelligence.
Commentary
The ear is the one that listens to life-giving reproof, emphasizing the importance of hearing and receiving correction.
Life-giving reproof is associated with dwelling among the wise, indicating that wise people are those who listen to and receive correction.
Ignoring instruction is the opposite of listening to reproof, highlighting the contrast between wisdom and foolishness.
Listening to reproof is a means of gaining intelligence, suggesting that wisdom and knowledge are gained through humility and a willingness to learn.
The wise are those who listen to life-giving reproof, emphasizing the connection between wisdom and a willingness to receive correction.
Ignoring instruction is a form of self-despising, indicating that those who refuse to listen to correction are, in effect, despising themselves.
Listening to reproof is a positive action, while ignoring instruction is a negative action, highlighting the importance of a receptive attitude.
Intelligence is gained through listening to reproof, emphasizing the connection between wisdom and a willingness to learn.
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof is among the wise, reiterating the connection between listening to correction and dwelling among the wise.
Claims
- Whoever ignores instruction despises himself.
- He who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
- The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The passage is saying that the ear is the one that listens to life-giving reproof, but it's actually saying that the ear that listens to life-giving reproof is among the wise.
Correction
The passage is emphasizing the importance of listening to life-giving reproof, not just the physical ear.
Misunderstanding
The passage is saying that life-giving reproof is a physical thing, but it's actually a metaphor for correction and guidance.
Correction
Life-giving reproof is a figurative concept, not a physical object.
Application Questions
- How can I apply the principle of listening to life-giving reproof in my daily life?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a receptive attitude towards correction and guidance?
- How can I use the concept of life-giving reproof to evaluate my own behavior and attitudes?