Tuesday

14-May

2 Sam 19-20; Ps 62; Acts 23

2 Samuel 19: For whom did David weep, and what was Joab’s council? Who did David forgive?

2 Samuel 20: Who rose up to oppose David and why?  Who was Amasa and what happened to him? What happened to Sheba?

Acts 23: Why was there a division in the Jerusalem Council?  How was Paul saved from the plot to kill him?

Journal Prompt: Consider the strategies that Paul uses to get his message across. What strategies do you use to share your faith?

Answers:

2 Samuel 19:  Joab had killed Absolam (who would certainly have killed David), so David mourned the loss of his son.  Joab reprimanded him for this because it was disheartening his troops to see the king mourning the ‘enemy’.  David forgave both Shimei and Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 20:  Sheba, son of Bicrite from the tribe of Benjamin recognized the men of Israel were not fully behind David, so he rose up and they followed him.  David told Amasa to pursue these men (he had previously sent a message to Amasa, his nephew via the priests that he would command the army in place of Joab – verse 13 of the previous chapter), but during the pursuit of Sheba, Amasa was killed by Joab. Sheba died, because a woman in the town of Abel negotiated with David – Sheba’s head for the salvation of the town.

Acts 23:  Paul identified with the Pharisees, since he was one, and brought up the resurrection debate.  The Pharisees believed in the resurrection and the Saducees did not, so this caused division.  Paul’s nephew warned the tribune about the plot of 40 some Jews who swore they wouldn’t eat until they killed Paul.  So Paul was heavily guarded and transferred so he could be tried in Rome (as Jesus told him – see verse 11.)