Wednesday

15-May

2 Sam 21-22; Job 3; Acts 24

2 Samuel 21: Why did David sacrifice the sons of Saul’s concubines? Why did David retire from ‘active’ duty?

2 Samuel 22:  What does this prayer/psalm indicate about David’s relationship with God?

Job 3: What does Job hope for and what does he curse?

Acts 24: What were the charges against Paul brought by the high priest? What do you suppose happened to the men who were going to kill him? 

Journal Prompt: Passages about David sacrificing the sons of Saul’s concubines seem so disconcerting, especially when this seems to have been a requirement of God. Write about this.

2 Samuel 21: There had been a famine for three years, so David sacrificed the sons of Saul’s concubines to avenge the deaths of the Gibeonites that Saul had killed in his attempt to rid them from the land of Israel. 

David was in danger in the midst of a battle, because he grew faint – it seems his age caught up with him, so his nephew, Shimei, stepped in and saved him.  His entourage told him it was unwise to go to battle.

2 Samuel 22:  I believe this is indicative that David rejoiced in the Lord.

Job 3:  Job wishes he was dead and he curses the day he was born. Acts 24:  Paul was charged in front of the governor, Felix, with being a ringleader for the sect of the Nazarenes and for trying to profane the Temple. He was in jail at Felix’s order for over two years and then Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus.  We don’t know what happened to the men behind the plot to kill Paul – who swore not to eat or drink anything until Paul was dead.  Maybe they died of starvation