� Reading 5 - 2 Samuel 3-5; 1 Chron 12

3 - 2 Samuel 3 shows a break in Abner and Ish-bosheth over a concubine (verses 7-8). It seems insignificant to us but whoever had ownership of the king’s harem would have a strong claim to the throne (see 12:8; 16:20). Was Abner trying to make a play for the throne himself? We don’t know but the relationship is ruptured and Abner begins to work for peace and to give David a unified throne (verses 9-21). Note again how often the text specifically designates David as God’s choice. Unfortunately, Joab is still angry with Ab- ner for killing his brother (2:23) and he ruthlessly murders Abner, nearly ending the quest for a united kingdom (verses 26-30). David’s shows strong political savvy as he moves quickly to assure all Israel he did not order or condone this murder (verses 31-39). It is not the last time Joab will ignore David’s wishes and act on his own to kill David’s enemies.

4 - Chapter 4 reveals what happened with Abner dead: there is a power vacuum. Apparently two generals decide to take matters in their own hands, perhaps trying to complete an Abner-David alliance (verses 1-8). Mephibosheth’s role expanded later (verse 4), but here he is referenced to show he has no chance or

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claim on the throne. He was five when his father died (2:11), and David ruled seven years over Judah, so he is about twelve now. That makes him too young to be a factor in the political turmoil (not to mention he is lame). David, of course, has no use for murder and lawlessness. He will wait upon God to give him the throne, and as always refuses to take it by force (verses 9-12).

5 - Chapter 5 sees David made king over all Israel. There is much emphasis here on David’s humility (verses 12, 20, 25; 6:21-22). Now that the house of Saul is finally out of the way the other problem before David is the Philistines, and he promptly goes to work on them with God’s help (verses 17-25).

12 - 1 Chronicles 12 gives details on the kind of army that David could now lead as Israel was unified under his command. The idols of verse 21 are burned (as we will see in 1 Chronicles 14 next week).

Psalm 122

This psalm is part of the Psalms of Ascent (120-134), the psalms that were used by people journeying to Jerusalem for the annual feasts to sing along the way. These songs have a lot in common with the royal songs that celebrate the king and the songs of Zion that celebrate Jerusalem. It is a hymn of praise, spoken by an individual to a larger group, and has that “admonish” or “let’s all learn together” feel to it. Verse 2 may be saying “we made it, we’re here!” All of the psalm is tied tightly to Jerusalem (verses 3-9) because that is where the temple stood. The psalm advances the idea that all the land and nation would benefit from the holy city doing well because in its center was the presence of God.

Acts 22 - As you read this chapter watch how Paul stresses his continuity with Judaism and that rather being a Law-destroying rebel he is actually the best kind of Jew. He even argues with God to get the right to teach Jews (verse 19)! Some have tried to find a contradiction in verse 9 and the account in Acts 9:7, but to- together the accounts tell us they heard something but didn’t understand what they heard. Verse 17 has Paul “cutting to the chase,” as he doesn’t mention his preaching in Damascus or time in Arabia (see Acts 9:20ff; Gal. 1:17). Verse 22 shows that Paul’s real problem wasn’t that he had committed crimes or was evil. The trouble was Jewish exclusivism and unwillingness to admit Gentiles could be accepted by God just as Jews were.

Applications from This Week’s Readings

Our readings show how Paul kept butting heads with the Jews, and after giving them a fair chance he would move on to better prospects. Do you ever get weighed down by having the same religious arguments with the same people again and again? Be like Paul and move on to someone who will really listen instead of ar- gue and cause trouble!