2 Samuel 6-12 and 1 Chronicles 13-20

God reveals his Holiness: 2 Samuel 2, 1 Chronicles 13, 15-16.  In moving the ark, Uzzah is killed.  Remember that in the law of the Israelites, they had very specific instructions on how the ark should be handled – and it was not on an ox cart.  What is the lesson here?  How should we feel about the means that God has given us to commune with Him?  Michal felt that David’s celebration was undignified.  What did people say about Jesus when he was here?  Especially when compared to John the Baptist?

David as an anointed one: David shows great kindness on Mephibosheth. Many things about the establishment of David’s kingdom parallel the establishment of Christ’s kingdom.  How about this kindness shown to Mephibosheth? 2 Samuel 9.  How about his many victories over his enemies and the expansion of the kingdom?  2 Samuel 8, 1 Chronicles 14, 18-20.  How about the promise of an eternal kingdom? 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17.

The Davidic Covenant: Pay close attention to this one, as it is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  Notice that both Peter, Acts 2, and Paul, Acts 13, emphasize the connection to David.  2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17.  With God announcing that the promised head-crusher, Genesis 3:15, is going to come through David, what will that mean for his family?  Will Satan let this go unchallenged?

Not the perfect king: Here is the low point of David’s reign, he commits adultery and murder.  2 Samuel 11-12.  Nathan the prophet comes to rebuke David.  Try to imagine the scene as Nathan says, “You are the man!” 2 Samuel 12:7.  A curse is pronounced by God on the house of David as a result.  But in 2 Samuel 12:13 it says that “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.”  Yet the curse remains!  As God’s people, our sins are forgiven, but the consequences remain.

Acts 23-27

Acts 23: Paul challenges the council on their unlawful treatment of him, Acts 23:3.  How is this ironic considering what they accuse Paul and the Christians of doing?  The Saducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.  Did you notice that Paul realized this was getting nowhere and appeals to the resurrection to effectively derail the trial?  More irony about the breaking of the law shows when there is a plot to kill Paul without due process.  Paul then is moved to Caesarea, on the coast of the Mediterranean.

Acts 24: Before Felix, notice that Paul considered Christianity (The Way) to be a continuation of Judaism.  Notice the liberty of Paul’s imprisonment, Acts 24:23.  Later, Felix and Drusilla get a 3-point sermon on “righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment,” at which “Felix was alarmed.”  Felix was a wicked man who had stolen his brothers wife among many other things.  Paul would have clearly known this and he preached this anyway!  Why would Paul not take the opportunity to win over Felix as an ally?  Felix was hoping for a bribe, Acts 24:26, and when he left in two years, he left Paul in prison as a political favor, Acts 24:27.

Acts 25: Before Festus Paul makes another defense.  When Festus appears to want to take the matter to Jerusalem, Paul makes an appeal to a higher court.  According to Justin Bessinger, “A citizen could appeal even to the emperor, especially for a capital sentence, but appealing before a case had been heard, as Paul does here, was unusual because it was not necessarily advantageous. Paul is intentionally appealing to Caesar to take the gospel to the Emperor (25:11-12, 26:32)”  This was his right as a Roman citizen.

Acts 26: Paul speaks before Agrippa and Bernice.  Festus can’t help himself and interrupts, Acts 26:24.  But notice Paul’s continuing emphasis on the resurrection, and the profound defense of what he is saying as rational, Acts 26:24-26.  Does it make sense that God could raise the dead?  Why is this so hard for some to believe?  Agrippa seems almost convinced, and Paul makes a strong appeal.  Notice Agrippa’s commentary on the situation in Acts 26:32.

Acts 27: The places detailed in this voyage in large part has been confirmed, and none have been disproven.  Notice the prophetic word from Paul Acts 27:24-26.  How was it beneficial that he spoke up in Acts 27:10 even though he was not listened to?  How exciting!

Psalms

Psalm 132: Many of the kings in the line of David broke the covenant with God, Psalm 132:11-12, but all is not lost!  Jesus Christ fulfilled the covenant, and so the promises of the covenant as accounted in this wonderful Psalm will be fulfilled in the people of God – the church – the loyal subjects of the true King of Kings.

Psalm 89: A reiteration of the covenant with David.  These ideas are central in understanding

Psalm 51: This Psalm was inspired by David being confronted by Nathan.  See if you can find the following theological concepts in Psalm 51:  Original sin; justification by faith; regeneration; repentance.

Psalm 32: This seems to come logically after Psalm 51.  How practical is the advice in Psalm 32:9?  Meditate upon the idea of being forgiven by the Lord?  Have you considered the real weight of what has been forgiven?  What if sins are not forgiven?