The Lord sent Nathan to David to address his behavior. David releases that he had sinned and the Lord forgave him, but his child will now die. David fasted and prayed, but the child still died. He then has relations with Bathsheba, and she has Solomon. And David is crowned King.
Next we read the story of Absalom and Amnon, Davids sons. Amnon is enamored with Tamar, Absalom’s sister. (different mothers?). Amnon has sex with Tamar, and then hates her. Absalom waits patiently for 2 years planning to kill Amnon and then does it. Absalom then runs away to Geshur.
Joab is summoned to bring Absalom back and does. Absalom lives for 2 years in Jerusalem before he goes to see the King. He begins to get power and then tries to become king, returning to Hebron. He was well liked by everyone and they followed him. Absalom then focuses on getting David, and David flees Jerusalem.
Absalom returns to his fathers house and has sex with all of Davids concubines, on the roof so everyone could see. Then Absalom goes out in search of David to kill him.
David retains his own army and sends them out to get Absalom, with orders not to hurt Absalom. Absalom gets caught in the branches of an oak, and Joab put three darts into Absalms heart and then they killed him. David wept upon hearing the news of his death.
David returns home and had his concubines secluded until they died. No more relations with them. Joab then kills Amasa. A wise woman (?), went to the people in her wisdom and had Sheba killed. David attempts to make amends with the Gibeonites, and gives them 7 sons of Saul and they hanged them. They again battle the Philistines and Davids people defeat them and kill the giants.
Then Davids song:
The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my savior, you save me from violence.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies……
Psalms 110 – 116
” You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek”!!
111 – Praise the Lord! (this is an excellent psalm to read if you are down)…. The fear of the Lord is he beginning of wisdom
A good understanding have all those who practice it.
His praise endures forever!
115 – Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name give glory……
116 – to be read at my funeral
New Testament – We continue with John
3 – “Truly, Truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God”
“Whoever believes in him will have eternal life”
John is baptizing, and he says “He who believes in the son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.
4 – “I who speak to you am he”
Jesus goes to Cana, where he made the water wine, and then cures a young man.
5. Jesus cures people on the sabbath. “My Father is working still, and I am working”
In 5, Jesus makes many references to him being the Son of God. This really disturbed the Jews.
6. Loaves and fishes. And then “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst”
“I AM THE LIVING BREAD WHICH CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN; IF ANY ONE EATS OF THIS BREAD, HE WILL LIVE FOREVER; AND THE BREAD WHICH I SHALL GIVE FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD IS MY FLESH”
“UNLESS YOU EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YOU HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU”
Pretty good ending to this weeks readings. We read of David, and Jesus is from the line of David. This will be the end of David and the beginning of Soloman next week.
From Keefe ; The brief “Golden Age” Israel enjoyed lasted only one or two generations: part of David’s rule and part of Soloman’s. The rest is troubled times. Saul began in glory but ended in ruin. Only David remained God’s man, through repentance. David did not attain the best thing. personal purity and perfection, but he attained the next best thing, repentance. This was crucial for the nation. Davids repentance held Israel together and staved off Gods judgement for another generation. ” (Reread Psalm 51… David wrote this as repentance)
Remember that it’s never too late. His repentance restored him to God’s favor, even though the sword remained in his house as punishment….
So again, if a murderer and adulterer could be a great king and a man of God, what can we be?
Enjoy your weekend….. any thoughts or reflections on this?
The Journey Begins 
As I was reading this summary, I was thinking, “Man! Hollywood could make a movie out of David’s story and it would probably be rated R. It sure would fit in with all the other stuff they produce.” However, Hollywood would have missed the point, which is your last statement. Great summary!
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