Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3276 to 3300 of 3926 results

3276. Saul Kills the Priest of Nob

1 Samuel 22:6-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Aware that David now has a growing group of supporters, Saul is worried about a conspiracy against his life (22:6–10). He knows that Jonathan is a close friend of David’s, and he is afraid that other high officials might have been tempted to defect to David’s side. If any are so inclined, Saul warns them that ...

3277. David, Nabal, Abigail

1 Samuel 25:1-44

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... over the beginning of the monarchy and has anointed both Saul and David is gone. He was a great figure in Israel’s history, playing important spiritual and political roles in the tradition of Moses. Thus, David is left without one of his strongest supporters. After his meeting with Saul, David continues to live in the region south of Hebron. The “Carmel” mentioned in verse 2 was near Ziph and Maon, not the Mount Carmel of Elijah near the Mediterranean Sea in the northern part of the country. While ...

3278. David Hears of Saul's Death

2 Samuel 1:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of being a usurper, David expresses displeasure with anyone who hastens the demise of Saul and his family. When Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth is assassinated, David likewise orders the execution of the two assassins (4:10–12). No one in the tribe of Benjamin can say that David is supporting those who have killed his political rivals.

3279. David Anointed King over Judah

2 Samuel 2:1-7

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... patriarchs were buried, David is publicly crowned as king over Judah (2:1–7). He has waited about fifteen years since his private anointing by Samuel in Bethlehem (1 Sam. 16:13), but the time to rule has finally arrived. Realizing that Saul’s supporters in the north will not readily accept him as king, David seeks to establish good relations with them immediately. He demonstrates his respect for Saul by thanking the men of Jabesh Gilead for burying him. By their brave actions they have shown kindness to ...

3280. Abner Goes Over to David

2 Samuel 3:6-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... (1 Sam. 15:30; 2 Sam. 5:3; 1 Kings 12:3), though their influence will decrease over the years as the dynastic model of monarchy becomes more entrenched. Knowing that many of Israel’s leaders have favored David all along, Abner encourages them to support him openly. Abner pays special attention to Saul’s tribe of Benjamin, who is the hardest to convince. Satisfied that the leaders of Israel will be willing to make a treaty with David, Abner personally goes to Hebron, where David prepares a feast in his ...

3281. Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 14:1-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Amnon’s murder, so it seems that some disciplinary action is in order—perhaps a clear statement that Absalom will never be king. Although Absalom may have known that he would not be David’s choice as king, public censure might have made it more difficult for Absalom to gain support for his rebellion.

3282. Absalom's Conspiracy

2 Samuel 15:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... king by both Judah and all Israel—and where Absalom was born. By now Absalom is probably close to thirty years old and David about sixty. Very few individuals know about Absalom’s plans, not even the guests he has invited from Jerusalem. From the outset, however, Absalom enjoys the support of key individuals, especially David’s top advisor, Ahithophel. With their help, the revolt has a good chance of succeeding.

3283. David Flees

2 Samuel 15:13-37

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , but he is forced to flee his beloved Jerusalem in the face of Absalom’s revolt (15:13–23). David does not want to subject the city to the horrors of war, so he takes his men and heads east toward the Jordan River, unsure how much support he would have if he stayed. Accompanying David in his flight are the men who have been with him since the time he was a fugitive from Saul, as well as several contingents of mercenary troops from Philistine territory. According to 8:18 the Kerethites and Pelethites ...

3284. The Advice of Hushai and Ahithophel

2 Sam 16:15–17:29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of Ahithophel, it comes as a shock to see his advice rejected in 17:1–14. Ahithophel recommends that Absalom pursue David immediately, before he has a chance to escape very far or to organize his forces. If he had killed David quickly, then David’s supporters would likely have paid allegiance to Absalom and the nation would not have been divided by a long and bloody civil war. It is a good plan, but Hushai tries to buy time for David by pointing out the fallacies in Ahithophel’s suggestion. He refers ...

3285. Absalom's Death

2 Sam 18:1–19:8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... a short and sarcastic speech, Joab accuses David of ignoring the fact that his soldiers have just risked their lives to win a crucial victory and that they deserve the king’s profound thanks. By behaving as if he has lost the battle, David stands the chance of losing the support of the very men who have been so loyal to him. David responds to Joab’s plea, and his presence in the city gate consoles the men.

3286. David Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 19:9-43

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the various tribes scramble to be present when David crosses the Jordan and reenters the promised land, some of the northern tribes have not yet arrived. Apparently the men of Israel feel that the absence of these tribes could be interpreted as lack of support for David. There remains the lingering suspicion that David is partial to his own tribe, whereas the ten tribes constitute the bulk of the nation. So, at a time when David seems to have won back the hearts of the people, friction is already developing ...

3287. Accession of a Younger Son

1 Kings 1:1-53

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... s throne can only be one of his (surviving) sons. If there is a power vacuum, Adonijah is determined to step into it (1:5–10). As the oldest son of David—after the untimely deaths of his older brothers—Adonijah enlists the support of key allies (Joab the military commander, plus Abiathar the priest) and holds a feast for leading dignitaries. Like Absalom before him, Adonijah flaunts his royal pretensions with an entourage of chariots and runners, and also like Absalom he receives very little paternal ...

3288. The Widow's Oil & Elisha's Ministry

2 Kings 4:1-37

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is married and affluent, yet has no children to lose. This finely crafted episode has three movements, beginning with the announcement and subsequent birth of a son. The reader is given a first glimpse of Elisha’s aide-de-camp, Gehazi (a supporting actor in the next chapter as well), and through dialogue with Gehazi, it becomes apparent that the woman has needs that material wealth cannot satisfy. Through the prophet’s intervention, this elderly couple now have an heir—unlike Ahaziah and the king ...

3289. Famine in Besieged Samaria

2 Kings 6:24-7:2

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Elisha, but as the king of Aram knows full well, Elisha is an elusive foe. Not only does Elisha avoid assassination, but he also speaks a radical word about reversal. However, as in the repartee between Micaiah and Zedekiah in 1 Kings 22:24–28, Elisha encounters some opposition. The supporting officer’s expression of incredulity is met with a retort from the prophet, namely, that the fulfillment of the prophetic word shortly will come back on him like a stampede.

3290. The Defeat and Death of Saul

1 Chronicles 10:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... reveals how the temple site was chosen. Driving the first main section (chaps. 10–20) is David’s passion for the centralization of worship in Jerusalem, while driving the second main section (chaps. 22–29) is David’s provision of personnel, support, and materials for the temple to be constructed by his son Solomon. Both sections give some attention to military matters, revealing David’s role in creating a secure kingdom where worship would be possible. This section foreshadows the future role of ...

3291. Establishing David’s Rule

1 Chron 11:1-47

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... king. Here this is made explicit with the reference to the presence of Yahweh Almighty at the end of 11:9. Chapter 11 closes with a list of the names and exploits of David’s military heroes, who are depicted as indicative of the full support of “all Israel” (11:10). This focus on “all Israel” is important to the Chronicler’s vision for the nation, united around their Davidic ruler in worship of Yahweh at Jerusalem. The list of military men begins with the exploits of “the Three” (11:11 ...

3292. Transferring the Ark: First Attempt

1 Chronicles 13:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

First Chronicles 13 reveals that David’s military strength and popular support makes possible his main agenda of the worship of God at the temple in Jerusalem. This chapter represents the first of two attempts to move the ark from Kiriath Jearim (cf. 2 Samuel 6) to Jerusalem, the second successful attempt occurring in 1 Chronicles 15. The narrative begins with David’ ...

3293. The World Stage

1 Chronicles 14:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the tension introduced in chapter 13, the Chronicler reminds the reader of the divine blessing on David, expressed here as elsewhere in Chronicles through depictions of building activity, abundant progeny, and military victory. While chapters 11–12 focused on the support David enjoyed within the nation, chapter 14 begins and ends with notes on the respect he receives from surrounding nations (14:1, 17). In 14:1 David receives messengers and artisans from Hiram’s royal court at Tyre, signaling his ...

3294. Clans to Run the Temple

1 Chronicles 23:1-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

23:1–27:34 Review · Personnel for Temple and Kingdom: First Chronicles 23–27 is dominated by lists of personnel within the kingdom appointed by David for the support of the temple and its services after his death. While such lists are rarely appreciated by modern readers, they are as key to the Chronicler’s rhetorical strategy as his introductory genealogies in chapters 1–9. They accentuate David’s thorough preparation for the temple construction and worship by provision ...

3295. Army Divisions, Officers and Overseers

1 Chronicles 27:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... groups (Ephraim, half Manasseh, half Manasseh), to bring the total number to thirteen. By placing this list of tribal leaders at the end of his list of material in chapters 23–27, the Chronicler is foreshadowing their appearance in chapters 28–29 to pledge their support for Solomon and his temple project (cf. 28:1; 29:6). In a short note in 27:23–24 following the lists of army and tribal leaders, the Chronicler reveals that David’s sin in 1 Chronicles 21 was not related to breaking the prohibition ...

3296. Commissioning Solomon

1 Chronicles 28:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

After the long series of lists in chapters 23–27, which traces David’s provision of the support personnel for the temple, the Chronicler provides a second scene of commissioning, echoing the earlier one in chapter 22. While in 22:5 David speaks of his future preparations for the temple, in 29:19 he reflects over his past preparations. First Chronicles 28:1 introduces this second commissioning, noting ...

3297. The Reign of Rehoboam

2 Chron 10:1–11:4

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Yahweh in 2 Chronicles 7:13–15. On the one hand, those who seek Yahweh, who humble themselves, pray, and repent, are those who experience Yahweh’s blessed success and prosperity exemplified in construction projects, military resources and success, abundant progeny, popular support, and long life. On the other hand, those who abandon and are unfaithful to Yahweh lack these blessings. 10:1–11:4 · It is in times of royal succession that there is the greatest danger of upheaval in the ancient Near East ...

3298. The Account of Ahaziah

2 Chronicles 22:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... counselors from Ahab’s northern kingdom, to the evil that Ahaziah did in the eyes of the Lord. As in the case of his grandfather Jehoshaphat, who forged the relationship with the northern kingdom, Ahaziah’s alliance with his northern cousins involves supporting them against King Hazael’s Aramean forces (22:5b–9a; cf. 2 Kings 8:7–15). Ironically, the site of the battle is Ramoth Gilead, the same site at which Ahab and Jehoshaphat fought together in 2 Chronicles 18:28–34. This time, however ...

3299. The Account of Joash

2 Chron 22:10–23:21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... in the temple services (23:18–19), further evidence for the Chronicler of the necessary role played by the Levites in his own day. Not only does Jehoiada ensure there is new leadership over the temple; he also guarantees in verse 20 that Joash is supported by the secular leadership of the land, as he, together with the military, royal, and family leaders, seats the young king on the royal throne in the palace. In this narrative, which depicts the renewal of a Davidic house on the brink of destruction, the ...

3300. Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

Ezra 4:6-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... officials of different areas in this satrapy allied themselves against the Jews, we cannot blame Artaxerxes for taking the letter seriously. In addition, the king was very concerned about Persian control in this part of the empire at this time, for an Egyptian revolt, supported by the Greeks, began in 460 BC. Ezra 4:7 notes that the letter is written in Aramaic. The author of Ezra-Nehemiah apparently had copies of the letters and other documents in Aramaic, which is probably why Ezra 4:7–6:18 is written ...

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