In chapter three, Ish-bosheth made a bad mistake. He forgot who really put him in the throne. It was Abner who made it possible for Ish-bosheth, King Saul’s son, to ascend to the throne. It was Abner’s cunning and strength as a leader who put him there. Ish-bosheth was not a leader, and he severely…
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In chapter 18, Bildad comes at Job once more, and tells him that wicked people will suffer all sorts of calamities here on earth and in the afterlife, with the implication that Job is obviously guilty of some sort of wickedness since he is in such a bad state. Job’s answer is heartbreaking. These are…
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In the beginning of chapter 3, Paul said that in the last days would be difficult because of how evil people will be, and he listed some of the characteristics they would have. Here’s the list again: lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips,…
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As we closed out the book of 1 Samuel, we saw the death of Saul and his sons. We pick up right there as we begin 2 Samuel. David is anointed as King in chapter 2, and the rest of the book tells about David’s forty year reign. The man who brought the report of…
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In chapter 16, Job finally tells his friends how he would be speaking to one of them if the tables were switched. He tells them that he would speak encouraging and consoling words, instead of the hurtful, accusatory things they’ve been saying to him. He tells them that they’ve put him in a no win…
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Remember that Paul considered Timothy his son in the faith. It was he that brought the Gospel to Timothy and introduced him to Jesus. And now, as Paul is in prison and unsure of his future, he has some final words of advice. Since he is in prison because of his faith, foremost in his…
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After David left the Philistines, they went to Ziklag, where he had recruited the 600 men who went with him and supported him. And the Philistines destroyed the city, and carried off all the people. When David and his men got to Ziklag and found what had happened, they were devastated. And many of his…
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In chapter 14, Job talks about the frailty of man, the short time that he is here on Earth, and the fact that once he is gone, he’ll not return. He ends with the idea that once we are gone, we’ll not even know what becomes of our children. As a parent, I pray for…
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Paul’s advice to Timothy on how to deal with different age groups is very good. I have known of young pastors who went counter to this advice, very much to the detriment of their ministry. When a young so-called leader does not properly honor the more senior members, feelings are hurt and it is very…
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Saul seldom fails to the wrong thing, does he? He is terrified at the prospect of fighting the Philistines, who have gathered an army to fight Israel. Had Saul been willing to turn to God, had he truly repented of his previous sinful actions, he wouldn’t be facing the Philistines here and now, and God…
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