Wednesday

8-May

2 Samuel 9-10; Eccl 12:9-13; Acts 18

2 Samuel 9: How does David further honor Jonathon and Saul’s lineage?

2 Samuel 10:  Why did the Israelites attack the Ammonites?

Acts 18:  Where were Priscilla and Aquila from?  Who surprisingly converted to Christianity?  What happened to Aquila and Priscilla?

Journal Prompt: Reflect upon the final words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes in verses 13-14. How do these words of wisdom speak to your heart?

Answers:

2 Samuel 9:  David inquires to see if there are any remaining descendants of Saul.  Ziba, one of Saul’s servants, told him that Jonathon’s son, Mephibosheth was still alive.  David had promised Jonathon that he would keep his family safe. (1 Samuel 20:14-15) Mephibosheth was lame – the result of an accident which occurred after their household heard about the deaths of Saul and Jonathon.

David has Mephibosheth brought to him and awards him the honor of eating at the king’s table for the rest of his life.

2 Samuel 10:  David learned that the Ammonite king died, so he sent men to offer condolences on his behalf. The son of the Ammonite king didn’t trust David’s intentions and he humiliated David’s envoys by shaving off half their beards and cutting off their garments and sending them away.  This enraged David so he ordered an attack which was led by Joab with the help of his brother Abishai.

Acts 18:  Priscilla and Aquila were Jews who had been living in Rome, but had been banished to Corinth when Emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews from Rome.  They were tentmakers. It’s surprising to read that Crispus, the leader of the Synagogue and his family became believers and it seems that his replacement, Sosthenes, also became a believer.  Aquila and Priscilla seemed to have accompanied Paul on the rest of his travels (verse 18) until they reached Ephesus, where according to verse 19, he left them there and traveled on to Caesaria, Antioch, Galatia and Phrygia.  We read in verse 26 that Priscilla and Aquila were discipling Apollos.  I find it very interesting that they seemed to be preaching and ministering in the synagogues.