Community on Columbia

King David’s moral failure with Bathsheba as well as his arranged murder of her husband Uriah, left a stain on his name, the kingdom and God’s Law. It gives us a picture of the progression of sin in our own lives. It would take a confrontation with the prophet Nathan to bring David to repentance.

Notes on 2 Samuel 11:1-27

David’s offer of kindness to the Ammonite king is rejected and his ambassadors are humiliated. The Ammonites aided by the Syrians prepare for war. David’s general Joab’s exhortation to the troops (later quoted by Paul) is one we can apply to our own lives today.

Notes on 2 Samuel 10:1-19

David honors his promise to Jonathan by seeking out his crippled son, Mephibosheth, returning lands and provisions to him and giving him a seat at the royal table. The story is a reflection of our own situation before God and God’s mercy toward us.

Notes on 2 Samuel 9:1-13

In preparation for Hanukkah, we will first read the story of the annunciation of Jesus’ birth to Mary, and then examine how this season became associated with Christmas on Dec. 25. Can the pagan traditions associated with Christmas be transformed and redeemed? The answer is yes.

Notes on “When was Jesus Born?”

Notes on the Shepherds at the Birth of Christ

1 Chronicles 18 restates generally what we read in 2 Samuel 8, and Psalm 60 was written expanding on these battles of King David, especially as they regard the defeat of Edom. The lesson is that when God “subdues” us, our talents and treasure are used for the kingdom and to furnish the Temple. The five cities of the Philistines are transformed to spiritually become the five gates of the Temple.

Notes on the Five Gates of the Temple