Month: June 2010

Reference links:

2 Samuel 18:1-19:10 John 20:1-31 Psalm 119:153-176 Proverbs 16:14-15

Overview of the Books of Samuel Overview of the Gospel of John Overview of the Psalms Overview of the book of Proverbs

Old Testament

Absalom is defeated and dies and then David is very sad. Joab rebukes him for being so depressed over the death of someone who was trying to kill him.

The beginning of Absalom’s death scene is kind of entertaining:

During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air. One of David’s men saw what had happened and told Joab, “I saw Absalom dangling from a great tree.”

It is especially entertaining because when Absalom was first introduced, his wonderful hair was described. That same wonderful hair became his downfall.

New Testament

Another resurrection account. Not particularly consistent with the rest of them, of course.

Psalms and Proverbs

We finish up the super long psalm with ר (resh), ש (shin), and ת (taw).

Reference links:

2 Samuel 17:1-29 John 19:23-42 Psalm 119:129-152 Proverbs 16:12-13

Overview of the Books of Samuel Overview of the Gospel of John Overview of the Psalms Overview of the book of Proverbs

Old Testament

Ahithophel and Hushai (David’s spy) give Absalom conflicting advice. Absalom decides to take Hushai’s advice. This is because,

the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom!

So the Lord could make Absalom take advice that would lead to his defeat but could not jigger things to prevent the situation from getting to this point in the first place (e.g., by giving David the strength to stick around and nip this situation in the bud)?

Hushai also sends a warning to David. As part of that, we get to hear about folks hiding in a well. Always amusing.

New Testament

Today we read something rather interesting:

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.

So Jesus’ mother’s sister was named Mary? Umm, wasn’t his mother named Mary? So are they both named Mary? Or is John just pulling from a different tradition where Jesus’ mother is not named Mary?

Then Jesus dies and is put in a tomb. Hmmm, I wonder what will happen next.

Psalms and Proverbs

פ (pe), צ (tsadhe), and ק (qoph).

The current proverbs are about kingly behavior. It is not particularly interesting in and of itself, but it is an interesting contrast to the behavior David is showing in the OT readings.