READING FOR APRIL 16, 2025: 2 SAMUEL 3, 1 CORINTHIANS 9, PSALM 32:1-5 2 SAMUEL 3 The houses of David and Saul settled into a long war that increasingly favored David. This was inevitable given God had already anointed David king of Israel. Almost as an afterthought, the text mentions David had six sons, each with a different wife. This violated God’s direction for kings: “And he [King of Israel] shall not acquire many wives for himself, so that his heart does not turn away” (Deut. 17:17). Saul’s side also had its relationship problems. Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, accused Abner, his army commander, of sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines. This infuriated Abner who believed he had served Ish-bosheth well. So, he switched sides to work for David. David was pleased to learn this, but asked Abner to bring along Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s first wife. The text offers no opinion on this request; neither will this writer. It’s hard, though, not to feel sorry for her then-current husband who was distraught.
The next scene is full of royal intrigue. Abner went to the elders of Israel to convince them to make David king. Abner informed David he was going to bring in delegates from throughout Israel to crown him, thus ending this long war. In the meantime, Joab, David’s current army commander, came back to town with lots of plunder. When he learned about Abner’s mission, he tried to convince David that Abner was being deceptive. The real reason Joab hated Abner was because Aber killed his brother, seemingly in self-defense. Joab then intercepted Abner. Pretending to consult with Abner in friendship, Joab killed him with his sword.
Interestingly, David ordered Joab to publicly mourn for Abner, along with all the people. Even though food was brought for David, he fasted in grief. He wanted everyone to know that it was not his idea to kill Abner. Likely Joab had made David’s task of ending the bloodshed and uniting the nation much more difficult. Yet, how human it is for us today to only worry a- bout our personal grievances and not consider what action is best for God’s Kingdom.
1 CORINTHIANS 9 Verses 1-18 - In this chapter, Paul addresses the rights of the Apostle. When Paul uses this term, he talks about a particular position in the early church. At the time of Paul’s writing, this term was reserved specifically for the twelve that Jesus had called as leaders of the church. The apostles consisted of the original eleven (minus Judas who had committed suicide) and Matthias who was elected to take Judas’ place in Acts 2. It seems that Paul has detractors in the Corinthian church who have questioned his authority as an Apostle. He is not one of the original twelve. However, in verse 1 he cites his qualification. Paul has seen the resurrected Jesus (see Acts 9). His ministry among the people of Corinth has pro- duced fruit. Paul then lists the rights of someone who is an apostle. Essentially, Paul is suggest- ing that an Apostle has the right to have the church to supply their needs (food, lodging, etc.).
READINGS FOR APRIL 16, 2024 CONTINUED: 1 CORINTHIANS 9, PSALM 32:1-5 Paul argues to require them to work at anything else to provide for their family and needs would distract them from the work. The ministry of the Apostle is so crucial to the Christian faith. Paul then asks a rhetorical question. If the Corinthian church has reaped the fruitful spiritual harvest from Paul’s ministry, then doesn’t that prove his Apostleship? Shouldn’t Paul have the same rights as Peter, James, and the others? Shouldn’t Paul be able to receive support from the people of Corinth?
And then, Paul changes course. Even though he has the right to demand these things, he will not. In Paul’s other letters (1 Thessalonians 2:9 & 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8) and in Acts 18:2-3, we see that Paul often worked at a trade to pay for his daily needs. In Acts, we see that Paul was a tentmaker. Since Paul traveled so much and probably could only carry a small number of tools, he was most likely a repairman. He also probably worked on more than just tents (https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2021/was-paul-a-tentmaker-part-1-did-paul-make-literal-tents).
Verses 19-23 In this section Paul expounds upon his ministry. He sums it up by saying: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:22b-23). Paul is essentially stating that he meets people where they are to share the Gospel with them. He presented himself and followed their customs to show them the truth of life in Jesus’ name.
Verses 24-27 Paul uses the image of the preparation of running a race to emphasize the need for Christians to have discipline. To follow Christ, we need to engage in specific training. We need to discipline our spiritual lives and learn from Christ to live lives worthy of the Gospel.
PSALM 32:1-5 This psalm is a grateful testimony of joy. The psalm is a dialogue between God and the writer. It is presented as a form of worship amid worshippers in the sanctuary. The psalm lifts God’s gift of forgiveness for those who confess their sin and choose to repent. The psalm begins by lifting the blessed. It uses repetition to emphasize the reason for the blessing. Those who are forgiven, whose sins are covered, and those whose sins are not counted against them are the ones who are blessed. It is God who chooses to forgive and is the source of our blessing. Verses 3-4 give an experience of what it feels like to not acknowledge your sin before God. There can be a weight upon you. When you are not living in accordance with God’s commandments, you can feel that oppressiveness that comes from known disobedience. You know you are out of line and the guilt can affect you in several ways. Again, repetition is used to emphasize what is going on. One the writer (David) acknowledged his sin, did not cover up his iniquity, confessed his transgressions, and was able to receive God’s forgiveness. When we confess our sins to God, we will be forgiven.
