You may judge of a man by what he groans after.
– Charles Spurgeon
II Samuel 8-14: Triumph and Failure
(8, 10) What reason is given for David’s many victories (8:6, 14)?
What does this suggest about our victories, and how should we live in light of this truth?
How do Joab’s words balance the twin truths of man’s responsibility and God’s sovereignty? What would it look like to err by stressing either truth?
(8-10) How does 8:15 point forward to a greater King (Isaiah 9:7)?
How is David’s kindness to Mephibosheth a picture of God’s kindness towards us (chapter 9)?
How do the actions of Hanun remind us of the consequences of rejecting God’s kindness (10:1-5, John 3:36)?
(11-14) David’s triumphs give way to failure. Trace David’s path into sin (11:1-4). What should David have done differently to overcome temptation?
One sin often leads to another sin. How does David’s first sin snowball into many more?
Describe David’s sin from God’s point of view (11:27; 12:9, 14). How might seeing sin in this way help us to overcome temptation?
David repents and God forgives, but consequences remain. What consequences does Nathan mention in 12:10-14, and how do you see these consequences play out in chapters 12-14?
How should the reality of sin’s consequences help us overcome temptation? Why does it often not?
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
10 Things You Should Know about the Presence of God – J. Ryan Lister (Crossway)
Scripture is clear that all of life—and, principally, the gospel life—is about being in God’s relational presence.
Self-Control and the Power of Christ– David Mathis (DG)
True self-control is a gift from above, produced in and through us by the Holy Spirit. Until we own that it is received from outside ourselves, rather than whipped up from within, the effort we give to control our own selves will redound to our praise, rather than God’s. But we also need to note that self-control is not a gift we receive passively, but actively. We are not the source, but we are intimately involved. We open the gift and live it. Receiving the grace of self-control means taking it all the way in and then out into the actual exercise of the grace.
Things Christians Just Don’t Get To Do – Tim Challies
These are all things—just a few of the things—Christians don’t get to do. These are things we don’t get to do because they are associated with godlessness rather than godliness, with sin rather than salvation. In every case God has freed us by his gospel to a new and better way of living—a way of love, forgiveness, generosity, encouragement, community, submission, industry, purity, and freedom. We don’t get to do those things that would only ever harm us and the people around us.
Keeping Our Commitment – Jeremy Walker
Are you not part of the body? Are you not a living stone in that divinely-indwelt temple? Are you not covenanted together with those fellow saints to minister to them and to be ministered to by them? Are you not persuaded that in this service heaven will draw near to earth, that the Lord will speak, more or less powerfully, through the preaching of the Word? That you will genuinely and really render prayers and praises to the Most High God in your participation in the whole service? That heavenly manna will be there for you to eat? That this might be the morning or the evening when you might obtain an unusual blessing, or your friend, or your child, or your neighbour, attending with you, might be converted? That, if nothing else, you have said, more or less formally, that you will not forsake the assembling together of those saints to whom you have made a commitment to love them and to be loved by them?
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church in the presence of our great God!
Reflections on II Samuel 6-7
David brings the ark to Jerusalem and receives a covenant promise from God. Consider:
- Proper Worship – Uzzah touches the ark which was not to be touched. God kills him, and the worship service is done. We must worship God according to his commands. Later they finish moving the ark. David is dancing and rejoicing before the Lord. Do you worship with this kind of joy and enthusiasm?
- Davidic Covenant – God promises David that his kingdom and throne will never end. Ultimately this promise is fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, who receives the same promises in Luke 1:32-33. Have you bowed your life before your king?
Reflections on II Samuel 1-5
With Saul dead, David becomes king of Judah, and then over all Israel. Observe:
- Attitude towards leaders – Saul has been hunting David for several years, but David doesn’t rejoice when he hears that Saul died. Instead he mourns. Saul was God’s anointed leader, and even though he didn’t follow the Lord, his death was a tragedy. What is your attitude towards your leaders?
- Seeking direction – When the Philistines hear that David is king, they prepare for battle. David seeks the Lord’s direction and follows it, and wins the battle. For what in your life do you need to seek God’s direction? As you read his Word, are you seeking to follow his directions?
II Samuel 1-7: David Becomes King
(1) How does David respond to Saul’s death (v17-27)? How does this relate to Jesus’ call to love our enemies?
What should this call look like in our own lives today? Be specific.
(1) How might David’s response to the Amalekite relate to our culture’s current obsession with assisted suicide?
(2-4) Why does Joab kill Abner? How does David respond? Why?
How does David respond to the murder of Ishbosheth? Why?
How are David’s responses informative for us today as we think about our own leaders?
(5) How does David respond when the Philistines come against him, and how is his response instructive for us?
When did you respond in this way during the past week?
(6) What principles do we learn about worship in v1-11? In v12-19?
How might we apply these principles to our worship today?
(7) David wants to build a house for the Lord, but instead God will build a house for David. What promises does God make to David in v12-16?
In what ways are these verses fulfilled in Solomon?
In what ways are these verses fulfilled in Jesus?
How does David respond to God’s promises in v18-29? What principles about worship can we learn from his response?
Passion Points
Here are some good posts to read as we wrap up 2016 and look towards 2017:
My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2016 – Collin Hansen (TGC)
10 Ideas and 10 Tips for Family Devotions in 2017 – Tim Challies
Bible Reading Plans for 2017 – Nathan Bingham (Ligonier)
5 Bible Inputs To Grow, Grow, Grow – Colin Adams
Book Collection
What will you read in 2017? Here is a collection of favorite books from some other bloggers to give you some ideas.
My Top Books of 2016 – Tim Challies
10 Favorite Reads of 2016 – Trevin Wax
My Top 10 Books of 2016 – Jared Wilson
Top Ten Books of 2016 – Kevin DeYoung
2016 TGC Book Awards – Collin Hansen & Ivan Mesa (TGC)
50 Books J.I. Packer Thinks You Should Read – Matt Tully (Crossway)
I Wonder
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How God became human just like you and I
Our God in a manger – hear the baby cry
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
I wonder as I wander out under the trees
How our God could now dwell within our bodies
We walk with our Lord, He walks with you and me
I wonder as I wander out under the trees
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How God took on our flesh so that he could die
The sinless became sin for you and for I
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
I wonder as I wander out under the trees
How a holy God could forgive one like me
If only I believe no more penalty
I wonder as I wonder out under the trees
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How the King of Kings in a manger did lie
His kingdom’s forever, His coming is nigh
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
I wonder as I wander in my wanderings
In awe I will worship my glorious king
I’ll live for his honor, of his grace I’ll sing
I wonder as I wander in my wanderings
Borrowing from the first verse and using
the tune of “I Wonder As I Wander”
Christmas Collection
Here is another collection of good Christmas posts:
The Irrepressible Christ of Christmas – Sam Storms
Why I Changed My Mind on Nativity Scenes – Alistair Begg (TGC)
Christmas Songs Are Freedom Songs – Stephen Miller (TGC)
10 Things You Should Know about the Incarnation – Stephen Wellum (Crossway)
10 Things You Should Know about Christmas – Andreas J. Köstenberger (Crossway)
The Fullness of God Dwelled in a Womb – Jared Wilson (FTC)
Hope you have a wonder-filled Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus!
Brian J. Mikul 