Bible Timeline Study #12, 2 Samuel and Kings 1-11

In the beginning of this study, we follow David to Hebron where he is annointed King over Judah - and we note he begins his reign at age 30 (sound familiar?)

Now, the Arc remains up to this point in a moving tent, like God wandering with Adam and Eve in the garden (see Gen 3). David decides to build a house for the Arc, but it is God who says He will build a house for David - meaning actually a great dynasty. Thus in chapter 7 is the covenant for one holy kingdom, which Saul previously united, and now David is expanding (2 Sam 7:14) Also see Luke 1 30-33.

BUT THEN just like many in our day, David's sin begins with his eyes. As Cavins says, "So he got on the internet..." actually he looked across at Bathsheba bathing - and the sin began.

Now just as it does today, sin leads to death. Here they were faced with a problem pregnancy, so in order to save face, someone had to die. In this case, it was Uriah. I believe we can all recall times we were caught in sin and forced others to suffer for it, rather than face up to it. And, of course, many do this by abortion!

HOWEVER, Nathan calls David out on this, and he is instantly sorrowful and repentant, see Psalm 51 (Cavins recommends taking this Psalm into the confessional). In God's justice, they lose this baby, but in His mercy, they go on to have Solomon.

FF to 2 Sam 23:8 - the 3 Warriors - here is a depiction of 3 men who work in tenacity for their king, even when faced with overwhelming odds. Eleazer grips his sword so hard, his hand cleaves to it - and Shammah guards a field of lentils, an insignificant bean field but it is his King's so he FAITHFULLY guards. This can remind us of our children - small to the world but infinitely important to God. Are we faithfully guarding them?

On to 1 Kings 1:11 and 2:13-20. Here we see Nathan and Adonijah both going to the Queen Mother with their requests for the King. Again, this should sound familiar, or rather foreshadowing, but see these passages as well: 1 Kings 14:21, I Kings 15:9-13, 2 Kings 24:12-15, Jer 13:18-20, and FINALLY Luke 1: 33-40 - THE VISITATION where Elizabeth says "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

And that is why we as Catholics venerate our Blessed Mother, as we have been taught in Sacred Scripture.

Okay, back to Solomon...so while Saul and David were conquerors expanding the Kingdom, Solomon was a builder. It took him 7 years to build the temple (recall Creation), but 13 years to build his own palace. To get the money for this, he taxed the people - using them for his own gain. He did make alliances with many nations, and in the wisdom he was given by God at his asking, thrived at first. But he obtained many wives from these foreign nations, and eventually turned his heart away from God to their foreign gods, even including one who was represented as a stone monster with 2 bowls for hands, each set on fire, in which newborn babies were placed as sacrifices.

No wonder the title of our next study of 1 and 2 Kings is titled "Divided Kingdom".

The Ressurrected Blog!

Home Through Rome comes back to life! Woohoo!

Dear husband had the excellent idea to post notes from his men's group study "Epic" that traces Church History here, and I thought I would do the same with my Bible Timeline Study by Jeff Cavins (my notes will also appear on Facebook).

Anyway, here you can snoop, catch up, and comment on our synopsis of these awesome studies. Conversations welcome - and I ask as Jeff Cavins says, please pray before you read and comment.

Enjoy in Christ!