Mar 20 (2 Sam 19-21)

2nd Samuel 19

(v.12) David doesn't hurry back and assume the throne...he wants the people to be in agreement that he is king, and invite him back. This is a typology of Jesus as well...He came the first time and wasn't received or welcome (John 1:11) but they will call out to Him and beg for Jesus to return again (Hos 5:15).

(v.23) Here is some more typology...David shows mercy on the man who insulted him and threw rocks at him. This is like when Jesus asked the Father to forgive his persecutors on the cross (Luke 23:34).

(v.28) I like to use this event to teach my kids, that we have been blessed beyond measure and what we really deserve. The one fact that Jesus died on the cross for us, is all that we really need in this life, since it gives us admission into the next life with God. Any other blessings we get in this life are extra. If we have a heart of gratitude, we will live more joyful and complete lives.

2nd Samuel 20

For clarity, I teach my kids that when the Bible says the men of Israel, they are speaking of the people who sided with Absalom, and the men of Judah were in the South, who sided with David. This will also become a factor in the times after Solomon.

The men of Israel (Absalom) didn't know their Scriptures, since if they did, they would've known that God would have the tribe of Judah be the kingly tribe (Gen 49), like the tribe of Levi would be the priestly tribe. This is what happens when we let our pride and greed get in the way of common sense and facts.

(v.22) The wise woman at Abel is a little graphic for some of our younger kids, but she does teach us to focus on the important things. Her wisdom was, why destroy the whole city that has many righteous people over just one man? Joab agreed, and when Sheba's head was delivered, Joab and his men departed, sparing the city.

I read to my kids the account of Abraham talking with God in Gen 18 where God says He will not destroy all in Sodom in order to bring justice to the evil few.

2nd Samuel 21

David had to make things right with the LORD before God would bless the land. This is so true for us today. America was established as a Christian nation, requiring that God-fearing people rule. We have strayed from that, and God's blessings have diminished. I read 2 Chr 7:14 to remind myself and my kids, that we need to make sure we are following God, then we can attempt to change the nation.

(v.20) We see the giants again here, the offspring of the union between the fallen angels (Nephilim) and women. The results of this union are evident by their stature (almost 10 feet tall) and that they have six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. This is a genetic mutation from this union of angel and mankind.

(v.22) I ask my kids again, why they think David gathered five stones just before he went against Golaith. We see that Goliath had four brothers...David was going to kill all five giants that day, but the four brothers ran off like the rest of the enemy.