Bible Journey > II Samuel

Here are my thoughts and highlights from II Samuel as I continue my journey through the Bible:

• "The war between the house of Saul and the house of David dragged on and on. The longer it went on the stronger David became, with the house of Saul getting weaker." I want to be the type of person that gets stronger when facing challenges.
• David was only 30 when he became king of Judah. I became a pastor of administrative services when I was only 30. It’s nothing like becoming the king. They didn’t even give me a pastoral parking spot.
• "You know me, Master God, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are–out of your very heart!–but you’ve let me in on it." Isn’t it cool that God lets us in on his plans?
• David prayed that God would bless his family and protect them always. I need to pray that prayer more often.
• "Hanun seized David’s men, shaved off half their beards, cut off their robes halfway up their buttocks, and sent them packing." I guess you could say Hanun did a half-buttocks job.
• When David happened to see Bathsheba naked and bathing, that wasn’t a sin. When he acknowledged that she was stunningly beautiful, that wasn’t a sin. When he continued to stare at her and allowed lust to overcome him, that was a sin.
• We all need a couple of "Nathans" in our life to point out where our words and actions have missed the mark and are causing harm to ourselves and others.
• David confessed, "I’ve sinned against God." With that, Nathan reminded David, "God forgives your sin." Isn’t that amazing. Lust. Sex. Murder. Confession. Forgiveness.
• "One day Absalom threw a sheep-shearing party." All the guests had fun, but some of the sheep didn’t like getting sheared. They thought Absalom was a baaaaaaad guy for throwing parties like that.
• "By the time they reached the Jordan River, David and all the mean of the company were exhausted. There they rested and were revived." That’s an important reminder of the need for rest in our busy lives.
• Joab killed Amasa. Amasa’s bloody body was lying in the middle of the road. The whole army was stopping to take a look at his dead body. Joab had to move the body out of the road. "As soon as he’d gotten him off the road, the traffic flowed normally." Among other things, that made Amasa the first known speed bump in recorded history.
• When we pray to God, he brings us right into his presence. We have a "private audience" with God.
• "God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him." When we give God our entire life, he gives us a fresh start.
• "Everyone who runs toward him makes it." My job is to point people to him and hope and pray they take a step.
• Benaiah was a "vigorous man." And, "on a snowy day, he climbed down into a pit and killed a lion." Odds are since it was a snowy day, that pit was located somewhere in the vicinity of Granger, Indiana.
• "God was moved by the prayers." We need to pray more. God moves when we pray.