2 Samuel 6:16-8:18 ; Proverbs 14:5-14 ; Acts 2:22-47 "Romanshorn am Bodensee" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper In 2 Samuel 6:16-8:18, we see that, “as the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, David was leaping and dancing before the LORD, but Michal, the daughter of Saul despised him in her heart” (verse 16). In this section, we see that the ark is brought up in the manner prescribed by the law (cf., 1 Chronicles 15:1-16). We also note

2 Samuel 5:6-6:15 ; Psalm 69:29-36 ; Acts 1:23-2:21 "Dark and Light, II" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink Block Print on Paper In today’s readings, we see how fallen man easily and extremely misinterprets the beliefs, practices, and actions of others (i.e., David’s dancing; Michal’s criticism; the day of Pentecost; etc.). As a result, people frequently respond with accusations; judgment; false expectations; and attempts to hold others accountable to their own private

2 Samuel 3:22-5:5 ; Psalm 69:13-28 ; Acts 1:1-22 "Dark and Light, I" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink Block Print on Paper In 2 Samuel 3:22-5:5, we read about the ongoing feuds and bloodshed between the two houses of Saul and David. In reality, because David was Saul’s legal son-in-law, Saul’s “house and line” actually experienced God’s hidden blessing of continual rule simply by expansion through David’s line. Was that such a difficult concept for the Israelites – e

2 Samuel 2:8-3:21 ; Psalm 69:1-12 ; John 21 "The Christian's Walk" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Canvas In 2 Samuel 2:8-3:21, we see the unnecessary continuation of war and strife between the houses of Saul and David, as well as the many irrational decisions that resulted in the further and senseless loss of human life on both sides. For example, we cannot help but notice “the two groups of young men who sat down on the two sides of a pool, where Abner said

2 Samuel 1-2:7 ; Proverbs 13:20-14:4 ; John 20:10-31 "Profile I of Tylie at 10" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Today we come to the book of 2 Samuel, which continues the presentation of the kingdom of Israel that began in 1 Samuel. In the last chapter of 1 Samuel, we read about the death of Saul – an attempted but unsuccessful suicide (the first one recorded in Scripture). Here, in 2 Samuel 1, however, we read the following report to David about

1 Samuel 29-31 ; Psalm 68:28-35 ; John 19:28-20:9 "Forest Scene, II" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper Yesterday, in 1 Samuel 27, we observed David’s discouragement and impatience about running away from Saul to the Philistines, and today we see the results of these worldly actions. We saw that he went over to Achish and lived in Gath – the city of Goliath – in Philistine territory (cf., 1 Samuel 27:2-11). David’s discouragement led him to live in the

1 Samuel 26-28 ; Psalm 68:21-27 ; John 19:1-27 "The Guitarist" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Canvas In 1 Samuel 26-28, we see once again David’s respect for and loyalty to King Saul. Abishai, who agreed to accompany David before Saul, was ready to “pin Saul to the ground with one thrust of his spear – no need to strike twice” (verses 6-8). However, David was opposed to “laying a hand on the LORD’s anointed because the LORD Himself will strike him – his time