One Year Daily Bible Readings And Commentary for Sunday, May 22nd

Click Here to Listen to the Readings

Click Here to Read 2 Samuel 1:1 - 2:11

As we start 2 Samuel, we now move into the reign of King David. Though he was a man after God's own heart, and the greatest king in all of Israel, we will also see he is fallible as a human being. In this first chapter, we begin with David learning of Saul's death. Ironically the message is delivered from an Amalekite, who Saul had asked to end his suffering by killing him. We might have thought David would relish the death of the man who had hunted him down and tried to kill him. But David had so much respect for the positon of the king, he mourned deeply for him and his son, his best friend Jonathan. We can learn a lot from David's example and most importantly his attitude. 

"This contrast powerfully demonstrates that our hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness are chosen, not imposed on us. As much as Saul did against David, he chose to become better instead of bitter." Guzik

Yet, David is not sympathetic to the Amalekite's accounting of the story. Though seemingly the man was killing Saul in mercy and because Saul asked him to, David must have sensed something nonchalant in him for not taking into consideration he had killed the Lord's anointed One.  

There were many factors that might excuse what the Amalekite did and said.

· Saul was in rebellion and hardened against God.

· Saul repeatedly and constantly tried to kill David.

· Saul was already near death.

· Saul asked the Amalekite to kill him.

· It may be that the Amalekite merely discovered Saul’s dead body.

Yet none of these excuses mattered. Except for justified killing in war, self-defense, or lawful criminal execution, it is God’s job to end a life – not ours. This is true of every human life, but it is even truer of the life and ministry of the LORD’s anointed – God is fully able to deal with His servants, even those who only claim to be His servants. - Guzik

David’s Song for Saul and Jonathan

Lest we forget, David's best friend Jonathan also died in the battle. As we know David composed many psalms and a few of them were psalms of lament. His words are here are heartfelt, sincere, and quite poetic.

How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan! They were together in life and in death! They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. O women of Israel, weep for Saul for he dressed you in luxurious scarlet clothing, in garments decorated with gold.

All this is a powerful testimony of how David kept his heart free from bitterness, even when he was greatly wronged and sinned against. David could do this because of his great trust in God and God’s power. He knew that God was in charge of his life, and that even if Saul meant it for evil, God could use it for good. - Guzik

“Such a magnanimous attitude on the part of one who had suffered so much at Saul’s hand is incomprehensible apart from a deep commitment to the Lord.” (Baldwin)

David Anointed King of Judah

Once again David inquires of the Lord as to where he should go. The Lord tells him to go to Judah to the town of Hebron. David took his family there and settled in Hebron, and the men of Judah came to anoint him as the second king of Israel. 

"Some 15 to 20 years before this, David was anointed king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:12-13). As the promise seems almost fulfilled, David didn’t rush in blindly and seize it. Instead, he carefully sought the LORD. David knew the promise was from God, so he knew God could fulfill it without any manipulation from David."

Who do you know that you need to forgive? I doubt they have tried to do to you what Saul tried to do to David? David focused more on Saul as a man who was anointed by God, than his own personal need for vengeance. 

Click Here to Read John 12:20-50

Jesus Predicts His Death

Some Greek speaking Jews had come for the Passover to Philip, who was also a Greek speaking Jew from Bethsaida.. It is probably no accident that this prompted Jesus to talk again about his ultimate destination the cross. When Jesus said, "The hour had come for him to be glorifed", he wasn't speaking about himself in a self glorifying kind of way. The hour had come for him to glorify his Father in heaven, by his obedience to His will. 

Jesus then explains the paradox of living and dying. And what it means to lose one's life in order to gain it. To lose your life does not mean to hate it, but to realize that as we surrender our lives to God, we will experience a life that glorifies God and blesses others. This is what it was going to mean for him to go to the cross. Though he dies, he will glorify the father and save all people from their sin. 

The crowd is confused, because they still have in mind a Messiah who will live forever on this earth and bring deliverance to the Jews politically. Jesus shows that this act of going to the cross in obedience to the Father was not an easy decision for him as he says, 

Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”If you ever wondered if Jesus was human, just read this verse.  

"As Jesus thought of the cross just a few days away, His main concern was to glorify the name and character of God the Father." - Guzik

The Unbelief of the People

Of course this was not what the people wanted to hear. They had seen his signs and miracles, and the last thing they expected is that he would be hung on a cross. But, John the gospel writer tells us we should not be surprised at this. The Old Testament, and specifically Isaiah had prophesied why some come to believe and others don't. 

1."To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm." Isaiah 53:1 

This reminds us that to believe in Jesus is a gift. It is God who reveals to us the true nature of Jesus and opens our eyes to trust in him for salvation. None of us have earned it, but have been given the gift of faith by God's love and grace. 

2.  "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart." Isaiah 6:9 

This verse presents a challenge for many of us. Does this mean that God hardened the hearts of those who don't believe? Did they ever have a chance? New Testament commentator Leon Morris has a really helpful take on this. 

“He does not mean that the blinding takes place without the will or against the will of these people. So with the hardening of their heart. These men chose evil. It was their own deliberate choice, their own fault.” (Morris)

3.  "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him."

This verse confirms that people did a have a choice to believe in Jesus. Though there were those whose hearts were hardened and refused to believe, there were also those who saw the signs knew the prophecies and came to faith in Jesus. 

4. Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

These are the last words Jesus will say in public to the people. Once again, he is unequivocably telling the people that He came from God and was God. Everything he said revealed God's intention and will for the world. By accepting him, they accepted the Father who sent him. By rejecting him, they rejected the Father who had sent him. 

Are there people in your life who don't believe in Jesus? Have they heard the gospel clearly presented to them? Have they seen it clearly portrayed in front of them? Is God calling you to share it with them?

Remember the saying, "You may be the only Jesus people ever see!"  No pressure! Just live your life as Jesus would if he was you! 

Click Here to Read Psalm 118:19-29

Click Here to Read Proverbs 15:27-28