2 Samuel 23:8-24:25 ; Psalm 74:1-9 ; Acts 9:32-10:23 "Rural Austrian Path" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Today we come to 2 Samuel 23:8-24:25 where we find a list of David’s heroic, mighty men (verses 8-39). Then in chapter 24:1-25, we see that David incites “the anger of the LORD,” when he takes another census of “the fighting men, that he might know how many there are” (verses 1-2). In the first section, David identifies the names and exploits

2 Samuel 22:1-23:7 ; Psalm 73:15-28 ; Acts 9:1-31 "The Entertainer" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Canvas Today in our readings we come to 2 Samuel 22:1-23:7, where we see David’s song of praise to the Lord. This song is also found in Psalm 18. David praises God as his “Rock, his Fortress, and his Deliverer” (verse 2). In verses 1-4, we see that David was delivered from “all his enemies and from the hand of Saul,” which deliverance caused David to rejoice

2 Samuel 20-21 ; Proverbs 14:25-35 ; Acts 8:4-40 "The Artisan" © by Eric C. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Canvas In 2 Samuel 20-21, we see “a troublemaker named Sheba – a Benjamite – who comes forward, blows his trumpet, and shouts, ‘We have no share in David, no part in Jesse’s son! Every man to his tent, O Israel!’” (verse 1). From Saul’s tribe of Benjamin, Sheba is essentially a rascal with an ax to grind regarding the transfer of power from Saul to David. Notice the

2 Samuel 18:19-19:43 ; Psalm 73:1-14 ; Acts 7:44-8:3 "Still Life with Bowls" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink-Block Print on Paper Previously, we saw that Absalom, who thrived on his own popularity, “stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (cf., 2 Samuel 15:6). Yesterday in our readings, we also saw the unfortunate death of Absalom, and that, before his death, he “erected a monument to himself” (cf., 2 Samuel 18:18). Absalom was a man of audacious pride, but we pointe

2 Samuel 16:15-18:18 ; Psalm 72 ; Acts 7:20-43 "Wittlingen, Germany" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Oil on Canvas As the situation with David’s kingdom and Absalom’s rebellion progresses, we see here in 2 Samuel 16:15-18:18 that Hushai and Ahithophel – heretofore David’s friends and advisors – offer counsel to Absalom. Hushai thinks he should serve whoever has the power: “Whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son?” (verse 19). Absalom turns to Ahithophel and s

2 Samuel 15:13-16:14 ; Psalm 71:19-24 ; Acts 6:1-7:19 "Glamorous Nadja" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper In 2 Samuel 15:13-16:14, we see that David is on the run again – this time – from his own son. We remember that, because of David’s sin with Bathsheba, Nathan prophesied that “the sword would never depart from his house …” (cf., 2 Samuel 12:10), thus, this campaign is a partial fulfillment of that prophecy. Absalom, the king’s son, is greedy t

2 Samuel 14:1-15:12 ; Proverbs 14:15-24 ; Acts 5:12-42 "House of Cards" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Felt Tip Marker on Paper In 2 Samuel 14:1-15:12, we see how people attempt to mix into God’s purposes and His will by meddling – trying to control other people and their circumstances – rather than simply allowing God the freedom to act according to His will and without interference. Joab “knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom, so here, he deviously “had a wise