READING FOR APRIL 15, 2025: 2 SAMUEL 2, 1 CORINTHIANS 8, PSALM 31:14-24 2 SAMUEL 2 Ever notice how an eventually positive outcome usually follows the phrase “______ inquired of the Lord”? It doesn’t mean everything that follows will be easy for us. It does mean that the Lord will lead us in the right ways: “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name” (Psalm 23:3). Let’s make it our practice to make such an inquiry before setting off on our “own” way. In David’s case, this was a particularly sensitive time. He had recently been attached to Israel’s great enemy, the Philistines, who had just totally defeated Saul. He had to tread carefully. God’s advice? “Go to Hebron.” Once he settled there, the next step followed naturally: The men of Judah anointed him king of Judah.
Upon learning of the heroic action of the men of Jabesh-gilead in recovering Saul’s body, David pronounced a blessing over them, no small matter then or now. Notice that David said these men showed kindness to Saul, even though Saul was already dead. Consider how we might show kindness to those who are dead. Perhaps it is by honoring their memory in our comments or thoughts about them. Perhaps it is by seeking out their living descendants and doing good to them. Certainly, in these ways we can still obey the commandment to honor our parents, even if they have long been dead. Also let’s not pass up opportunities to pronounce blessings on others who demonstrate such kindness to those who have passed away.
As mentioned above, seeking God’s direction doesn’t ensure an easy time of it. Saul’s army commander Abner installed Saul’s son Ish-bosheth over all of Israel except Judah. This led to a time of division between these two sides. Abner proposed having a sort of football-to-the-death contest with 12 players on each side instead of 11 representing each side. This turned out to be even rougher than the NFL with all players suffering a sword in the side. David’s team was declared the winner, though. Abner escaped the field of play with David’s com-mander Joab and his two brothers in hot pursuit. Asahel, one of Joab’s brothers, caught up with Abner, but received a fatal blow. The remaining brothers continued pursuing Abner until he reached friendly soldiers from Benjamin. Abner then proposed ending this hostile situa- tion, to which Joab agreed. In this brief encounter, though, the number of dead numbered 19 for David’s side and 360 for Abner side. The results favored David, God’s chosen leader.
1 CORINTHIANS 8 In this chapter, Paul is addressing another question that has been asked by the people of Corinth. It concerns the eating of food that has been sacrificed to idols. To fully understand Paul’s teaching, we must first put it in its context. In the city of Corinth, there were at least twelve temples that where citizens could worship one of the “false gods” of Greek mythology. As was also the custom in the temple in Jerusalem, the temples in Corinth would offer up animal sacrifices to their “false god.” Any excess meat that was not consumed in the
READINGS FOR APRIL 15, 2024 CONTINUED: 1 CORINTHIANS 8, PSALM 31:14-24 sacrifice, eaten as part of the temple worship, or eaten by the temple priest’s family was taken to the city market to be sold. In fact, most of the meat sold in the city market could be traced to one of these temples. This brings us to the issue in the Christian church.
There was a disagreement in the Church about whether it was acceptable for Christians to eat the meat sold in the market which had probably been sacrificed to an idol (false god). On the one hand, were those who believed it was acceptable. Their opinion was based upon the knowledge that since there was only one true God that the temples were sacrificing their meat to nothing. And since these “false gods” did not really exist, then there is no problem eating the meat. On the other hand, for those who were against eating the meat from the market, it is possible that while they were worshipping the right God. They may not have fully rejected the rest of the Greek/Roman Gods as nonexistent. In their opinion, the food had been sacrificed to an idol and therefore was not to be eaten.
Paul’s teaching on this disagreement kind of finds a middle ground. He agrees for the most part that eating the meat is not sinful. However, he cautions those with the knowledge to make sure that their actions do not cause others to sin. If someone who believes the meat is “off limits” and eats it, it may cause them to fall away from the faith. For us today, Paul’s words in verse 13 are worth discussing. “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.” Even if we believe, due to our superior knowledge, that some action or behavior is not sinful, if that behavior causes another person to sin, then we should show caution when doing it (if at all). Maybe it is abstaining from alcoholic beverages in the presence of someone because they believe that drinking them is sinful. If engaging in an activity will lead another person into sin, then we should be willing to abstain while in their presence.
PSALM 31:14-24 This is the completion of the psalm of lament. In this section, we turn away from the event that led David to write the psalm and on to the resolution. David knows that his defense against his enemies is his unwavering reliance on God’s faithfulness. David calls on God to protect him against his enemies. David has given himself to God and is relying on God’s shelter. David calls God to save him by God’s power. The psalm wraps up by calling all who hope in God to give God praise. When we have faith in God, we can be strong. We can be assured that God is with us during trouble.
