David | Paula Wiseman

STT: 1&2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles

I'm considering 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles together because they cover the same main subject – the life and times of David. Volumes have been written about David and I can't possibly cover him in one quick blog post. However, if you undertake this study there are a number of different ways to approach it.

Character study – David's life divides into three phases: Shepherd, Renegade and King. What kind of man is he? How does he grow and change through each phase? What is the dominant aspect of his relationship with God during each phase?

David's triumphs and failures – He had plenty of both. Note how he responds to God in each situation.

A who/what study – Who does David come in contact with? What happens? What does he take away from the encounter?

David's prayers – What prompts the prayer? What does he say about God? What does he ask for?

Consequences – None of these books shy away from portraying sin or its effects. Keep track of the sins – not only of David, but others like Eli, and Saul – and how the individual sins impact others and even the nation itself.

If you're really ambitious, follow your footnotes and read the Psalms that are cross-referenced to the events in David's life. This gives a uniquely intimate look at his relationship with God. I love being able to look at his "journal". Also the range of emotions he records is reassuring.

David's walk with God wasn't all hearts and rainbows, and by allowing us to see his failures as plainly as his great victories, we see God's mercy and grace on full display.

What's your favorite story about David?

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: 1 Chronicles, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Bible study, David, Psalms

STT: The Old, Old Stories

By Paula

One of the keys to getting something from your study time is staying engaged. This is easier said than done with some passages. I have a good friend who is a pro when it comes to Bible study, but she has absolutely no interest in details like the tabernacle, and will read over those descriptions. Genealogies, lists, building details, battles all present challenges in keeping focused. However, I find one of the toughest kinds of passages to study are the very familiar.

A few weeks ago, I had to teach David and Goliath for Sunday school. I've been in church since I was a kid and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say I've heard or read this story thirty or forty times. Here are some ideas to keep the story fresh.

1. Read it out loud – We have a tendency to read 'over' things we think we know. (This is what makes me a terrible proofreader for my own stuff.) Reading out loud forces us to slow down and pay attention to each word. You also get the added benefit of hearing the words as well as reading them. If you're in a class, try reading in parts rather than verse by verse. Have someone read David's dialogue, someone for Goliath's, Saul's and any of the other people and then have a narrator fill in.

2. Details – David makes a point of describing his efforts to protect his father's sheep. Then Scripture tells us he takes his shepherd's staff and put 5 stones in his shepherd's bag. What's the connection? I think David was going out to protect his Father's sheep- Israel- from an attacker. Oh and some folks believe the reason he picked up 5 stones was because Goliath had 4 brothers. David may have figured he'd have to whip them too before the battle was done. (2 Samuel mentions the deaths of Goliath's brothers in battle.)

3. Other characters – We have a fair idea what the battle was like from David's and from Goliath's perspectives, but what about Saul's? Or David's brothers? Or the foot soldiers on either side? Do you think the witnesses told that story for the next 30 or 40 years? I bet they did.

4. Common elements – Sometimes there's a connecting idea tying all the characters end events together. My teacher's materials had an exercise that encouraged us to go through the story identifying whose power each person was relying on. (The only person who gained a victory was the person relying on God's power and not his own. Now there's a lesson.)

God's word is living, and it is a limitless well of wisdom and insight. Ask Him what new angle He can give you on some of these old, familiar stories.

What new insights have you gained on a well-known story?

(This is a repost.)

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: Bible study, Book of Samuel, David, Goliath

Worship and Books

By Paula

It has been several months since I've written a Friday update, mostly because the news consisted of "still waiting", and that makes for boring reading. However, now with the first case of books arriving and another on the way, I wanted to share with you what happened last night.

My husband had said months ago that he wanted to pray over the first box of books before they went out. They arrived Wednesday afternoon, and when we didn't have church that evening because of inclement weather on its way, I figured that would be the opportunity. He said, "I'm not ready yet. I can be ready by tomorrow, but not tonight."

Okay.

It was worth the wait. Thursday evening, we set the box of books on the dining room table and gathered the kids around. Then my husband led us in the most beautiful time of worship, dedication and prayer. He read Isaiah 55:10-11: "For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven (and we'd had both in 24 hours) and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

My book is hardly equivalent to God's word, but we do pray that it accomplishes God's purposes and that it prospers in that.

Then Jon read Colossians 4:3-6 and emphasized our desire to touch people through the written words or through conversations that may result, and that in each case grace would be the result.

He then read 1 Corinthians 9:7-10 and stressed that while it wasn't about the financial gain, it was okay to receive income from this labor, even though it was done for God's glory.

Next he read a parable from Luke 17:5-10 about how a servant shouldn't expect thanks for doing what is expected of him or her. Using what God has given me to honor Him is exactly what I should be doing.

I said in some ways, it reminded me of Hannah and Samuel. I've prayer for this little story, raised it, and now it's time to put it into God's service.

Finally, he mentioned 1 Chronicles 21:24 when David buys the property where Solomon will build the temple. The owner, hearing David's intent, offers to give him the land. He says, "I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offering for that which has cost me nothing."

(You, my friends, have helped pay that cost through your prayers, your comments and your undying encouragement. What a blessing!)

We stood and put our hands on the books and each of us prayed. What an incredible thing to hear each of my family members praying from the depths of their tender hearts for me, for the book, and for God to be glorified through it all.

Soli Deo Gloria and Amen.

Filed Under: Friday Update Tagged With: Books of Chronicles, Colosssians, Contingency, David, Isaiah, Luke, prayer, Soli Deo Gloria

Trusting God is not for Wimps

By Paula

(I was sick the last couple of days, so this is an edited, updated repost. Thanks for understanding!)

In Psalm 11, David begins with an affirmation– I trust God. Then he goes on- So why do you expect me to run around in circles like the sky is falling? God knows what’s going on here. He knows all our true, deep motivations and I trust Him to judge us all. I’m not worried.

As I’m putting what I hope are the [final] finishing touches on Contingency, I’m seeing how much my characters wrestle with trusting God, Bobbi especially. She’s a capable, confident woman, and figures she can handle almost everything. When her husband cheats on her, she reaches her limit. She struggles with how God could let that happen. Isn’t He supposed to protect His own? It causes her to reevaluate the box she had kept God in.

Do I have God in a box that limits His freedom to work in my life, to use me? Do I trust God to the point of being at complete peace with my situation? Even if that situation is another rejection or another closed door?

(I was sick the last couple of days, so this is an edited, updated repost. Thanks for understanding!)

j0438625 In Psalm 11, David begins with an affirmation– I trust God. Then he goes on- So why do you expect me to run around in circles like the sky is falling? God knows what’s going on here. He knows all our true, deep motivations and I trust Him to judge us all. I’m not worried.

As I’m putting what I hope are the [final] finishing touches on Contingency, I’m seeing how much my characters wrestle with trusting God, Bobbi especially. She’s a capable, confident woman, and figures she can handle almost everything. When her husband cheats on her, though, she reaches her limit. How could God let that happen? Isn’t He supposed to protect His own? It causes her to reevaluate the box she had kept God in.

It also led me to some questions of my own. Do I have God in a box that limits His freedom to work in my life, to use me? Do I trust God’s heart- His love for me? Do I trust God to the point of being at complete peace with my situation? Even if that situation is another rejection or another closed door?

Trusting God is relinquishing control. I like control (even though I’ve proven that I’m not very good at it).

Trusting God is trusting ALL of God. I trust His goodness and His sovereignty. I have a little more trouble with trusting that He delights in me, or that He’ll answer when I call. We’re working on those.

Trusting God takes practice. That means more situations that require trust. Great.

Trusting God is NOT for wimps. If it was easy, God wouldn’t have to encourage us to do it so often.

What about you? Where has God challenged you to trust Him? In what areas have you grown? Where do you still need a little work?

Filed Under: Living Tagged With: Contingency, David, Psalms

Study Tip: Keeping it fresh

By Paula

One of the keys to getting something from your study time is staying engaged. This is easier said than done with some passages. I have a good friend who is a pro when it comes to Bible study, but she has absolutely no interest in the tabernacle, and will read over those descriptions. Genealogies, lists, building details, battles all present challenges in keeping focused. However, I find one of the toughest kinds of passages to study are the very familiar.
Two weeks ago, I had to teach David and Goliath for Sunday school. I’ve been in church since I was a kid and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say I’ve heard or read this story thirty or forty times. Here are some ideas to keep the story (or any story) fresh.

1. Read it out loud – We have a tendency to read ‘over’ things we think we know. (This is what makes me a terrible proofreader for my own stuff.) Reading out loud forces us to slow down and pay attention to each word. You also get the added benefit of hearing the words as well as reading them. If you’re in a class, try reading in parts rather than verse by verse. Have someone read David’s dialogue, someone for Goliath’s, Saul’s and any of the other people and then have a narrator fill in.
2. Details – David makes a point of describing his efforts to protect his father’s sheep. Then Scripture tells us he takes his shepherd’s staff and put 5 stones in his shepherd’s bag. What’s the connection? I think David was going out to protect his Father’s sheep- Israel- from an attacker. Oh and some folks believe the reason he picked up 5 stones was because Goliath had 4 brothers. David may have figured he’d have to whip them too before the battle was done. (2 Samuel mentions the deaths of Goliath’s brothers in battle.)
3. Other characters – We have a fair idea what the battle was like from David’s and from Goliath’s perspectives, but what about Saul’s? Or David’s brothers? Or the foot soldiers on either side? Do you think the witnesses told that story for the next 30 or 40 years? I bet they did.
4. My teacher’s materials had an exercise that went through the story identifying whose power each person was relying on. (The only person who gained a victory was the only person relying on God’s power and not his own. Hmmm.)

God’s word is living, and it is a limitless well of wisdom and insight. Ask Him what new angle He can give you on some of these old, familiar stories.

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: Bible study, David, Goliath