In his book ‘The Rebellion of Absalom’, Keith Bodner picks up on Augustine’s reflections on the will. In 2 Samuel 17 we read about Absalom’s decision to follow the advice of Hushai the Arkite. But, as Bodner observes: “Was it…
Today, I listened to a sermon that I preached back in September 2023 on 2 Samuel 17:1-14, 23. It was just over two years ago but I’d forgotten this quote by the 19th Century preacher Charles Spurgeon who spoke of…
I read Bishop Hall’s reflection on 2 Samuel 17, verses 15-20, and I was struck first by his vivid description of the woman’s action, and second by the archaic word ‘bewray’ (meaning betray): “Jonathan and Ahimaaz are sent, descried, pursued,…
“The king said to the Cushite, ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?” (2 Samuel 18:32). One more from Bishop Hall who in his reflection upon the death of Absalom connects David’s response to the death of Christ. “As…
Charles Spurgeon preached these words in a sermon on the death of the traitor, Ahithophel, based on 2 Samuel 17:23: “He…put his household in order, and hanged himself.” Spurgeon comments: “His case teaches us that the greatest worldly wisdom will…
The placement of the meeting of David with the priests carrying the ark of God in 2 Samuel 15 and the language ‘of sight’ are some of the most intriguing aspects of this chapter. Here are my conclusions from the…
Studying a passage like 2 Samuel 16 raises many questions. Here are some questions and notes I’ve had as I reflected on 2 Samuel 16:5-14. When does the narrative refer to David by name and as ‘the king’? Or as…
“For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” (2 Samuel 19:22). I have preached on 2 Samuel 14-16 over the past couple of months. In a series on a long narrative like 2 Samuel, I…
“When King David came to Bahurim…” (2 Samuel 16:5) The significance of the location of the cursing of David by Shimei is, by and large, overlooked by commentators. If a comment is made about the town, it is usually an…
“And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe in me to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I…
