Category Archives: Textual studies

Absalom was angry with Amnon (for very good reason), but evidently the king took no action. Therefore, Absalom prepared a plan. (2Sa 13:21-27 ESV)  21 When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.  22 But Absalom … Continue reading →

(2Sa 13:1-2 ESV) Now Absalom, David’s son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David’s son, loved her.  2 And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, … Continue reading →

In the last post, we briefly reviewed the text regarding David’s adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. We need to reflect on those tragic events and also consider David’s famous Psalm written following. Church and state As outrageous as … Continue reading →

(2Sa 11:1-2 ESV) In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at … Continue reading →

A short post. 2 Samuel Chapter 7 Once David established Jerusalem as his capitol, David asked the prophet Nathan whether God would approve the building of a temple. Until this time, the ark and sacrifices were all at the tabernacle, … Continue reading →

Different details of the return of the ark to Jerusalem are recorded in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. 2 Samuel gives more details about Michal’s reaction. 2 Chronicles gives more details about the ceremony itself. I’ll skip back and forth … Continue reading →

I’m not sure the picture above is entirely historically accurate, but it certainly gives the right sense of things.

I don’t think I want to spend a lot of class time on the political machinations leading up to David’s enthronement over all of Israel. Just a few summary points need to be covered — * The tribe of Judah … Continue reading →