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2 Samuel 19:31-20:26; Psalm 7; 2 Samuel 21:1-22; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8<\/strong><\/span> In Second Samuel chapter 20 today we read about the revolt of Sheba from the tribe of Benjamin.\u00a0 Zondervan\u2019s commentary today points out that an important thing to keep in mind here is that tribal jealousy still was brewing over the transfer of the kingship from Benjamin (Saul\u2019s tribe) to Judah (David\u2019s tribe).\u00a0 Sheba appeals to the Israelite suspicion that David favored his own tribe over the other tribes.\u00a0 As this chapter progresses Joab again shows his true colors by murdering Amasa.\u00a0 I\u2019m beginning to wonder about Joab\u2026\u00a0 he\u2019s ruthless.\u00a0 I suppose as being the commander of the army for so long, this was his \u201cjob\u201d to be ruthless?\u00a0 Let me know your thoughts on Joab in the Comments section below.\u00a0 Ramona, thanks for the comment in yesterday\u2019s readings saying \u201cJoab operated out of Justice with no Love.\u201d\u00a0 Great point!\u00a0 In Amasa\u2019s case, Amasa was part of the rebellion against David led by Absalom, so again here Joab is acting out \u201cJustice\u201d\u2026 (and certainly no Love\u2026) I wonder if we ever fall into this trap in our lives today as well?\u00a0 Operate in an unbalanced way showing nothing but Justice, and yet no Love?\u00a0 Or, on the other hand do we sometimes operate with just Love, and no Justice?\u00a0 Should we be operating with a balance of Love and Justice?\u00a0 Or should one (Love or Justice) outweigh the other in our life?\u00a0 Below is a stained glass window showing Joab killing Amasa while pretending to greet him:<\/span><\/p>\n Well\u2026 Sheba\u2019s grand rebellion against David doesn\u2019t last very long!\u00a0 And Sheba\u2019s own clan doesn\u2019t treat him well at all\u2026\u00a0 Below are 2 images from today\u2019s readings.\u00a0 First image is from a 13th Century Maciejowski Bible showing Joab and his men besieging the city of Abel.\u00a0 Next image is of Sheba\u2019s head being thrown over the wall to Joab.\u00a0 Rebellion over.<\/span><\/p>\n Second Samuel chapter 21 begins 4 chapters that are thought to essentially be an \u201cappendix\u201d to First and Second Samuel.\u00a0 These 4 chapters contain additional information about David\u2019s reign, without regard to chronology of events.\u00a0 The first event we read about in today\u2019s readings about David handing over 7 of Saul\u2019s relatives to the Gibeonites is believed to have taken place after David extended his kindness initially to Mephibosheth in chapter 9 and before Absalom\u2019s rebellion.\u00a0 The triumphs over 4 Philistine giants is at unknown times \/ chronology, although verse 15 seems to indicate to me that these took place perhaps later in David\u2019s life when he was older: \u201cAnd when David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Somehow I can\u2019t imagine a young David becoming weak and exhausted in battle\u2026\u00a0 These 4 episodes are thought to have been included to show the heroics of David\u2019s men.\u00a0 Below is an image of David and his \u201cMighty Men\u201d at a victory over their enemies:<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s Second Samuel readings titled \u201cPromise Breakers and Promise Keepers\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Psalms <\/strong>\u2013 Today in Psalm 7 verse 10 we read: \u201cGod is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.\u201d <\/em>What stood out to me here is that it does not say that God saves those who \u201cdo\u201d what is true and right.\u00a0 It says that God saves those whose \u201chearts are\u201d true and right.\u00a0 This is getting toward our interior motives and thoughts and hearts \u2013 the important thing is not what we do on the \u201cexterior\u201d, but who we are on the \u201cinterior\u201d.\u00a0 And then certainly if our hearts are true and right, a natural outflow of this is doing good things on the exterior.\u00a0 But, it\u2019s the interior \u2013 our hearts \u2013 that matter most.\u00a0 How is your heart these days?\u00a0 Is it true and right?\u00a0 And do you believe that God is indeed your shield?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Our readings today in 2nd Samuel reminded me of MercyMe\u2019s song \u201cMove:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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