Bible Chapter: II Samuel 3 & 4

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The history of Israel continued to develop.  The war between the houses of David and Saul went on for a long time.  David was living in Hebron and there were several sons born to him during this time.
    Abner was one of the leaders in the house of Saul.  He came to David to make peace and bring the kingdom under David’s rule.  David agreed.  As Abner was going back home, Joab brought him back and killed him to revenge the death of his brother Asahel.  David was angry that he did that.  David expressed grief for Abner and they gave him a proper funeral.
    We see that there was much bloodshed between the feuding factions in the nation.  Ish-Bosheth was a son of Saul and was the king over Israel.  Two of his men, Baanah and Recab conspired to kill him.  They did so and cut off his head.  They brought it to David, thinking they would receive a reward.  David responded just as he did to the news of Saul’s death.  He said they were wicked men who killed an innocent man and they lost their lives.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    What is the value of life?  It appears that there were people we are reading about that didn’t consider life something special.  There were several times when people killed others with the goal of personal advancement.  That never worked out.  The fact that the nation wanted a king to be like everyone else displeased the Lord.  It is never a good motivation to do something simply to “be like everyone else”.  The bloody time they had in the process of having a succession of kings shows the result of actions that go against God’s plan.  In many respects, life lost value and countless people died.  Life does have value and must be respected.  And, we must always strive to find God’s best plan for our lives and then live it out.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see how valuable life is.  In this gift that God has given us, life, we must seek Him and let Him lead us.