Navigating the Worlds of Science and Religion
2 Samuel 4: Two men who led raiding parties for Ishbosheth end up killing him in his house, chopping off his head, and delivering his head to David thinking this would please David. They were wrong. David gets angry and has them both killed. We also learn that Saul’s son Jonathan had a son, Mephibosheth.
Continue reading “10/20 Reading (2 Samuel 4-6; 2 Corinthians 5)”
I’ve talked with several people about 2 Cor. 3 and my original thoughts on it (see here). I just want to get that info down so I can refer to it later.
Introduction to 2 Samuel: I wanted to record some information about 1 and 2 Samuel in the introduction to 1 Samuel, but I forgot. So, here are a few things I wanted to share. According to the notes in the CEB study bible, the books of samuel can be organized into seven segments:
Continue reading “10/19 Reading (2 Samuel 1-3; 2 Corinthians 4)”
1 Samuel 31: Saul dies in battle with the Philistines in this chapter. It’s pretty brutal actually. After he is wounded by archers he impales himself with his own sword. His armor-bearer does the same to himself. All of Saul’s sons were also killed. The philistines remove Saul’s head and take it and his body back to their temple and put them on display. Thankfully, men from an Israelite town, Jabesh-gilead, snuck in and took Saul’s head and body and treated him properly.
Continue reading “10/18 Reading (1 Samuel 31; 2 Corinthians 3)”
1 Samuel 28: The third verse in this chapter is very similar to the first verse in chapter 25, which really threw me for a loop: “Now Samuel had died, and all Israel mourned him and buried him in Ramah, his hometown” (CEB study bible, p. 464 OT; 1 Sam. 28.3).
Continue reading “10/17 Reading (1 Samuel 28-30; 2 Corinthians 2)”
1 Samuel 25: I find this chapter to be pretty interesting. First, it starts with the following statement: “Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered to mourn for him. They buried him at his home in Ramah. David then left and went down to the Maon wilderness.” (CEB Study Bible, p. 459 OT; 1 Sam. 25.1) That’s it! Nothing else about Samuel, a key figure during this time of Israel. I’m kinda surprised by the lack of information about Samuel when he dies.
Continue reading “10/16 Reading (1 Samuel 25-27; 2 Corinthians 1)”
1 Samuel 22: Saul is really starting to lose it. Clearly he wants nothing more than to kill David. Jealousy and power has definitely gone to his head. Just flat out nuts. In this chapter he had one of his people kill the priests of Nob. Actually, he slaughtered them. Again, Saul has clearly lost his mind.
Continue reading “10/14 Reading (1 Samuel 22-24; Psalms 45-48)”
1 Samuel 19: Clearly Saul’s anger and jealousy began to make him crazy because he continues to try to kill David nonstop. Eventually David escapes with the help of his wife (Saul’s daughter) and finds Samuel. Saul sends messengers to arrest David but they are taken over by God’s spirit and go a little crazy (referred to as a prophetic frenzy). Each group of messengers experience this until Saul goes to see David and Samuel himself. Saul also suffers from this and gets naked in front of Samuel.
NOTE: I thought Samuel never saw Saul again, at least according to 1 Sam. 15?
1 Samuel 20: David and Jonathan (Saul’s son), who are very close, talk about Saul’s obsession with killing David. Jonathan initially denies it, which is strange because Saul asked him to kill David personally in chapter 19. So I’m a little confused on this one. Jonathan is determined to prove David wrong, but agrees to “test” Saul a little and see his reaction. David is supposed to dine with the king at the feast associated with the new moon. They agree that David will miss it and Jonathan will say that he is with his own family. If Saul is ok with it, then David is wrong. If Saul gets really angry, then David is right. Well, Saul got angry, so David was right.
1 Samuel 21: Just some general discussion of David running and trying to hide from Saul. He does get the sword of Goliath at his first stop, which is kinda cool.
1 Corinthians 16: Right away the Paul addresses the importance of collecting money for the poor in Jerusalem. It’s just assumed this will happen. Perhaps because they all know it’s the right thing to do. Imagine that! Paul then talks about his hope to come and visit and sends a final greeting to the people. Pretty straight forward chapter.
NOTE: I had a lot to say on this reading.
It has become pretty much a daily occurrence for our President to attack the media. This is typically done on twitter. However, in my opinion, what’s transpired these last few days is the worst he’s ever said. His desire to pretty much end any negative coverage of his administration is definitely getting out of hand. But these statements along with other statements where he’s challenged the judicial and legislative branches of our government bother me. He’s acting more like a King or Dictator than a President. Reading about Saul reminds me a little of what we are currently experiencing. Saul’s lust for power was ultimately his downfall. I wonder if that will happen with Trump. Only time will tell.
Continue reading “10/12 Reading (1 Samuel 16-18; 1 Corinthians 15)”
1 Samuel 13: Saul begins his campaign against the Philistines. The Philistines march out to meet Saul and his army with what seems to be a larger army. Many Israelites fled out of fear. Saul waited for Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice to God, but when Samuel was late, Saul did it himself. Samuel showed up and got angry with Saul. He told Saul that since he disobeyed God’s command (I’m guessing the sacrifice was only supposed to be done by Samuel), Saul’s dynasty would not last.
Continue reading “10/11 Reading (1 Samuel 13-15; 1 Corinthians 14)”