II Samuel 7:1-14a Having brought the “ark of God” to a tent-sanctuary in his new capital city of Jerusalem, King David tells the prophet Nathan, “I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in … Continue reading →

II Samuel 6:-15,12b-19 Having taken Jerusalem from the Canaanites and established it as the new capital of a united Israel, King David further enhances its status by bringing the “ark of God” to the new “city of David.”  Its arrival … Continue reading →

II Samuel 5:1-5,9-10 Following the formative, dramatic events of David’s youth and the tragic death of King Saul and his eldest son, Jonathan, David is made King of both North and South in a united Israel.  Rather than reign from … Continue reading →

Deuteronomy 10: 17-21 In Deuteronomy, Yahweh is no longer the greatest god among gods, God is God of all creation, who inexplicably chose the descendants of Abraham and Sarah for a unique relationship.  As Robert Alter explains, this God is … Continue reading →

II Samuel 1:1,17-27 David’s moving and eloquent lament over the death of the King, Saul, and his eldest son, Jonathan, expresses national and personal loss.  He is filled with shame and outrage over the defeat of Israel and the image … Continue reading →

I Samuel 17:(1a,4-11,19-23),32-49 Just with a slingshot, David slays the huge, well-armed Goliath, who is vividly described as falling “face down on the earth.”  In another memorable image, the slim, youthful David is swamped in King Saul’s armor,  which he … Continue reading →

I Samuel 15:34-16:13 David is introduced into Israel’s grand narrative of her relationship with the God of Abraham/Sarah and Moses.  The Lord’s strong emotional commitment to Israel is on full display.  The Lord regrets having made Saul the first King … Continue reading →

I Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11: 14-15) The elders approach Samuel with a request: because you are old and your sons are not trustworthy, “appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.”  Samuel prays to the … Continue reading →

I Samuel 3: 1-10, [11-20] In those days, “visions were not widespread.”   Samuel, the young follower of the old priest Eli is lying down next to the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple where “the lamp of the … Continue reading →

Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah describes his call to be a prophet for God.  The experience is so powerful it produced a vision of heaven, yet so personal he felt it on his lips.  The role of a prophet as a troublemaker … Continue reading →