After killing his brother at a family dinner, Absalom fled to another country, and was only brought back after Joab convinced David to do so by way of a theatric analogy. Today, Absalom begins a plan to win the hearts of the people and turn Israel against his father, the king. Learning of this impending insurrection, David flees Jerusalem with all of his people, save a handle of men who serve as spies. Nathan prophesied that the Lord would bring disaster on David from his own family, and that another man would sleep with his wives before Israel in broad daylight. David’s own son, Absalom, is that man.

2 Samuel 15 - 1:02 .

2 Samuel 16 - 9:41 .

2 Samuel 17 - 14:47 .

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Today’s reading includes an account of sexual violence, so listener discretion is advised. The sexual sin that began in David’s heart and was executed in front of his household is now spreading throughout his family, as his sons begin to use their own power to satisfy their own lust and perversity. David’s son Amnon lusts after Tamar, his own half-sister, and plots to rape her at the encouragement of his friend Jonadab. When David discovers that Tamar has been raped by Amnon, he is furious, but sadly, he does nothing to intervene. Tamar’s brother Absalom is furious, setting in motion a series of events that causes havoc, not only in David’s household, but in his kingdom.

2 Samuel 13 - 1:05 .

2 Samuel 14 - 10:01 .

Psalm 101 - 17:47 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Throughout the Old Testament, we meet men of varying backgrounds who set out to obey the Lord and deliver God’s people. Time and again, God’s people rejoice and revel in their hero, but inevitably, these men fall and are shown to be sinful. David is no exception. Luxury and boredom turn into lust, which turns into an abuse of power, then adultery, then deception, then second-hand murder. Though he tries to hide his sin by sinning further, the Lord will not allow the sin of Israel’s king to go unpunished. Because of his sin, the Lord says that he will take David’s wives and give them to another before all of Israel. While 2 Samuel records this failure, 1 Chronicles does not.

2 Samuel 11 - 1:04 .

2 Samuel 12 - 8:06 .

1 Chronicles 20 - 15:19 .

Psalm 100 - 17:26 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In today’s readings, we’ll cover some of David’s military exploits. As he and his forces are victorious over their enemies, the reader is to understand that the Lord is with him in battle. The narrative thus far has established that David prioritizes the right worship of God. Much like the gospel accounts, we’ll read parallel narratives when we read portions from 2 Samuel and from 1 Chronicles, so don’t be alarmed or feel like you’re experiencing déjà vu. One section that’s unique to 2 Samuel is a recording of David’s kindness to a handicapped man named Mephibosheth; he was last remaining relative of Saul’s family, the son of his friend Jonathan.

2 Samuel 8 - 1:06 .

2 Samuel 9 - 4:18 .

2 Samuel 10 - 8:22 .

1 Chronicles 18 - 14:39 .

1 Chronicles 19 - 15:29 .

Psalm 99 - 19:31 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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As we are reading chronologically, there will be a number of passages that cover the same event or span from different perspectives. Today, we’ll read the account of the return of the ark that was covered in 1 Chronicles, followed by the Lord’s covenant with David from both accounts. After King David reestablishes the tabernacle, he returns to his own home, a palace made of cedar, and thinks “Why does God dwell in a tent, while I, a mere man, dwell in a palace?” As his wheels begin to spin, he tells Nathan the prophet. Nathan tells David to go for it, but later receives a vision from the Lord: a Son of David will build a house for God that will last forever.

2 Samuel 6 - 1:06 .

2 Samuel 7 - 6:47 .

1 Chronicles 17 - 12:57 .

Psalm 98 - 18:25 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Now that David is king, he intends to reinstitute the proper worship of God at his tabernacle, which means that the ark of the covenant needs to be retrieved. When the ark almost falls in transit, one man reaches out to grab it, which is not permissible by God’s law. The Lord strikes him dead, which both angers and terrifies David. Scared to bring it to Jerusalem, he leaves it in Gath. After staying in the house of Obed-Edom for a while, the ark of the covenant finally comes to Jerusalem with great fanfare. After King David reestablishes the tabernacle, he returns to his own home.

1 Chronicles 13 - 1:02 .

1 Chronicles 14 - 3:26 .

1 Chronicles 15 - 6:41 .

1 Chronicles 16 - 11:28 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our reading from 1 Chronicles, David is established as king, and the author takes his coronation as an opportunity to chronicle the exploits of David’s men who had been with him in the wilderness, and who continued with him in his new kingdom. Now that David has been recognized as king, it’s time for him to begin to establish his kingdom. In 2 Samuel 5, David consults the Lord before he goes into battle, and the Lord responds to each request for guidance. This may seem unremarkable, but remember that the Lord stopped responding to Saul’s requests for guidance, and it drove him to madness and desperation. When the Lord answers David’s prayers, it’s a sign that the Lord is truly with him.

1 Chronicles 11 - 1:01 .

1 Chronicles 12 - 8:12 .

2 Samuel 5 - 14:48 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We’re still working through a list of names, but thankfully things get a little more interesting this week as the lists are broken up by historical accounts and records of what people did and when. Part of our reading covers the genealogies following the exile, which, admittedly, doesn’t fall within the chronological timeline, but that’s not our aim. Remember, we began 1 Chronicles with Adam, Seth, and Enosh, which also don’t fit. We’re not trying to fit things in verse by verse, and that’s especially true as it relates to these genealogies, because that would actually be pretty confusing. Having said all of this, we will be switching back and forth between 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles starting with our next episode.

1 Chronicles 7 - 1:01 .

1 Chronicles 8 - 7:14 .

1 Chronicles 9 - 12:12 .

1 Chronicles 10 - 18:24 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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