v.4 - the light - such a theme of scripture. Let us be sure that, like David, we walk in the light. Prov.4:18, Isa.60:1-3,18-20

V.2 confirms that David wrote under the inspiration of Yahweh (2Pet 1:21).

Vs.3-5 After Yahweh states the qualities of an acceptable ruler, David seems to say that he is not worthy when he states in v.5: Although my house be not so with God...  This KJV rendering is a strange translation.  The Hebrew Masoretic text, translates it: For is not my house established with God? This is more compatible with the sense of the discourse.

V.34 It is ironic that Eliam, the son of Ahithophel, is listed as a mighty man of David.  It was Ahithophel who sided with Absalom in his rebellion against David.  He probably did this to pay David back for disrupting the life of his granddaughter Bathsheba through adultery, and the murder of her husband.

V.18 Joab's brother Abishai was chief among three of the mighty men. 

Vs.24,37 Abishai's other brother Asahel and his armor-bearer were among the thirty mighty men, but not Joab.  What's this saying about Joab?

23:1-5  The repeated use of ‘said’ and ‘spake’ associated with ‘the spirit of the Lord’ indicates that david both realised that he had spoken n the past by inspiration and that those words had aught him. Do we have such a real experience of the word of God teaching us?

23:4  The ‘clear shining’ seems to be echoed in Isaiah’s description of a time of blessing – Isa 62:1

Why is there a list of mighty men immediatly following the last words of David?

In v5 we see that David's focus was on the increase of his house. Naturally, his last thoughts were concerning his heir, Solomon, whom God had promised would build his house (2Sam 7:12-13). David had been reading his bible and knew all about Gideon, who he identified with a great deal. After Gideon had valiantly led Israel and passed off the scene, one of his sons (Abimelech) had killed all the rest (Judg 9:1-5) except for the youngest who narrowly excaped. David knew that this would likely be the outcome of his own situation once he had died. He had many sons, and Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah had already proved themselves capable of great treachery.

In v6 David likened his rebelious sons to thorns, just as Abimelech had been likened to a bramble in Judg 9:14-15. His son Solomon, younger than the other sons, would need to be "armed with iron and the shaft of a spear" so that they would be "burned with fire in their place". Compare Judg 9:15 and 2Sam 23:6-7. So then the answer: The list of mighty men was a list of those whom God had prepared to protect and establish His annointed. We can see this born out in 1 Kings chapters 1-2 in the person of Benaiah the son of Jehoida. Interestingly, this was the man described in the list of mighty men as having a great spear...

23:7    the staff of a spear which is to impact upon the one who will be the deliverer is a prophecy of Jesus’ death – John 19:34

23:4 The blessing of the tender grass springing up after rain has its origins in the blessings of Moses – Deut 32:2

V.1 It is not clear what the phrase the last words means. Does it mean that these are the last poetic expressions of David? Or, does it state that what is written here has no connection to what was written before?  Remember that the Hebrew Scriptures had no chapter divisions.  And so, it was not necessarily obvious where one discourse stopped and another began.

Vs.6,7 In this present dispensation, no one can rid the earth of worthless, evil men (sons of Belial).  Nobody is protected enough (equipped) to deal with the situation (cannot be taken with hands).

But, one who is protected (arms himself with iron and the shaft of a spear, ESV) will be able to destroy them.  When Jesus returns to earth, He and His saints, who will be protected by immortality, will be able to confront evil men and nations, overcome them, and destroy them (Rev 11:18). 

The earth, at that time, will be as corrupt and violent as it was in Noah’s day, just before Yahweh sent the flood (Gen 6:11,12; Luke 17:26). If we are not living in those days now, one shudders to think what conditions will be like as time progresses.

2Sam 23:1-7 - the last words of David - "a man after mine own heart" (Acts 13:21-22).

2Sam 23:8 - the name of the chief of the three appears to be mentioned later (1Chron 11:11) as "Jashobeam" [(3434) means "the people will return"].

26:2 In calling Jeremiah to 'stand in the court of the Lord's house' we see Jeremiah is a place where he has been commanded to stand before ( 7:2, 19:4) and where we will see him again (35:4). When God has a message to give to the people He is concerned that it will be given in a place where it will be heard.

V.24 Ahikam came to the aid of Jeremiah.  His son Gedaliah would be appointed governor over the people who were not transported to Babylon (2Kin 25:22).  Jeremiah was one of the captives on his way to Babylon but was then released.  He was given into the care of Gedaliah (Jer 39:14).

26:22-23 The way in which Jehoiakim slew Urijah shows an amazing disregard of the word of God. As if killing the messenger will nullify the message!

26:3 Notice God’s desire. The nation are sinful and God wants them to repents so that He is able to forgive. Shouldn’t this be our attitude to our brethren and sisters who might fall away? Our desire should be for their repentance so that they might be restored. We should not, therefore, be looking for occasions against our brethren. Rather we should be looking for signs of repentance so that restoration can take place.

26:4 Israel were not to just listen to Scripture. They were to ‘walk’ in it also. This is the exhortation we are given – James 1:22. It is all too easy to acknowledge what Scripture requires with our mouths but for it not to affect the way that we live. This is why Israel were taken into captivity in Babylon.

26:18 The appeal to the way in which Hezekiah listened to Micah and God’s wrath was turned away saved Jeremiah’s life – but did not change the heart of the king. He would not turn to God to avoid the captivity.

Vs.9-11 Nobody likes to hear bad news, especially if it is directed to him/her, even if it true. People like to be stroked, and, therefore, try to rationalize that everything is going to be alright. But, they are not about change their ways (Deut 9:13).

Anybody who preaches destruction is not going to be welcomed by people.  In Jeremiah’s case, he had been preaching the same message consistently for many years.  His hearers were now fed up and wanted to rid themselves of the source of irritation, Jeremiah. The people had turned God’s truth into a lie by choosing to worship idols rather than Yahweh, and they were not about to change (Jer 10:14; Rom 1:25).

Vs.14,15 Jeremiah had to speak Yahweh’s truth despite the difficulties and danger (Jer 20:9). He was prepared to die, which would add to the culpability of all the innocent blood that had been shed (Matt 23:35).

V.18 See Mic 3:12.

V.20 etc. This is the only reference to Urijah the prophet, in the Bible. With Urijah, fear overcame faith and he fled to Egypt. Urijah had signed his death warrant by fleeing to Egypt for sanctuary.  Yahweh had prohibited that move.

Jeremiah, on the other hand, remained, and was willing to take the possible brutal consequences of his witness.  All true witnesses for the Truth will stand their ground and be prepared to suffer (Phil 1:29).

15 v.4 - <5281> Patience is seen as a virtue which is to be developed in the Christ-like believer Luke 8:15 21:19 Romans 2:7 5:3,4 8:25 15:4,5 2 Corinthians 1:6 6:4 12:12 Colossians 1:11 1 Thessalonians 1:3 2 Thessalonians 1:4 3:5 1 Timothy 6:11 2 Timothy 3:10 Titus 2:2 Hebrews 10:36 12:1 James 1:3,4 5:11 2 Peter 1:6 Revelation 1:9 2:2,3,19 3:10 13:10 14:12 The great emphasis in this selection of passages demonstrates that not only is it a virtue but, by implication, is very difficult to develop.

16 v.23 - Erastus figures in the work of Paul as a companion of Timothy Acts 19:22 When Paul wrote from Rome he was still working with Erastus Romans 16:23 And is still associated with the work at the end of Paul's life 2 Timothy 4:20

16:20 bruising satan echoes Genesis 3:15 which speaks of the seed of the woman destroying the serpent. Now we know that it was Jesus who 'destroyed him that hat the power of death [Hebrews 2:14] however we should not think that therefore we have nothing to do. Notice that Paul says 'under your feet'. We have to destroy the flesh in our own lives also.

I wonder if this is why he lists the old testament references in v8-12, which are all linking the salvation of the Gentiles in with the Jewish patriarchs such as Moses, David, and especially Jesus, as if to say "your salvation is bound up with that of the Jews, so help them!". In v26-27 he says that the Gentiles are debtors to the Jews for this reason, and if indebted to them for their salvation, then the least they could do would be to minister to them in material things!

ch.16 - What does Paul mean in verse 20? Who is Satan, and how will he be crushed under the feet of the brothers and sisters?

I wonder if the initial fulfilment of this is the subjugation of the Jews who had been hounding and pestering the brothers and sisters, trying to get them to turn back to the law. This seems to be what Christ is talking about in a similar context in Rev 2v9, and 3v9 "I will make those of the synagogue of Satan.. come and worship before your feet".

Maybe more importantly, is the link of this verse to Genesis 3v15. Is Paul saying that even as Jesus crushed Satan under his feet in his death and resurrection, so we by association with him will do the same? Is he telling the brothers and sisters to patiently live out their lives, knowing that sin and death (or Satan) will have no more hold over them? Rev 2v7 "To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."

15:33 Continuing in the them we had the last time we read Romans we see Paul  speaking of our God as ’the God of peace’ Paul is voicing a wonderful truth. But if He is a God of peace how should we be?

16:20 There seems to be a contradiction between ‘the God of peace’ and Him bruising Satan. However our God – who is a God of peace – will establish peace by overcoming the forces of evil in the earth. Jesus has shown the way. He destroyed the devil in himself (Heb 2:14)

15:8-12The repeated use of the word ‘gentiles’ highlights the relevant issue in this area. If you mark your Bible you might highlight each occurrence of the word ‘gentile’ so you will immediately appreciate what is going on in this area of Scripture next time you look at it.

16:4 When Paul says that Priscilla and Aquila’ laid down their own necks’ Paul is telling us that they risked their lives for Paul. I am left wondering whether I would risk my life for a brother – Jesus did.

16:3 Priscilla and Aquila are described as ‘helpers’ the force of the Greek is stronger. They were ‘fellow workers’. The work done even when Paul was not with them was an evidence of fellowship. Between them and Paul.

16:10   ‘approved’  <1384> is a term which speaks of the integrity of the money merchant. This type of merchant  only dealt with true and unadulterated coins.

15:1 Paul exhorts us to defer to our brethren.  The strong should help the weak.  This applies to both physical and spiritual situations.  If done in the Spirit of Christ for salvation's sake, then all will benefit.  

15:4 Here is another endorsement for the acceptance of the Old Testament as necessary for the follower of Jesus.

15:9 See Psa 18:49.

15:11 See Psa 117:1.

15:12 See Isa 11:10.

15:21 See Isa 52:15.

15:27 Followers of Jesus share in spiritual things, but they must also share (support their brethren) in practical, every-day things.

16:3 Priscilla and Aquila were expelled from Rome along with other Jews (Acts 18:2).

16:17 We must keep our eye on the ball for those causing divisions.  What happened in the first century can happen today.  And so, we must discern that what is said and done is correct (1John 4:1). 

GLORIFY GOD

If I was a stranger among your particular gathering of believers and I wateched what you all did together, what would I think your purpose of being together was?

I might see you talking to one another about the weather, work or family and think you are a social club.

I might see you involved in a Bible class or in some other Bible study and think that you are an intellectual group who choose to study the Bible.

I might see you taking bread and wine and involved in baptism and other rituals and think that you are a ritualistic religious group involved in rites, ceremony and tradition.

I might see you involved in music and singing and think that you are a musically based group intent on entertainment and performance.

What should I see?

Paul said, "May the God who gives you endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom 15:16)

What I should see is a spirit of unity and love as I observe your group. I should hear you as a united group giving praise and honour to God. How do these things show through in our groups? As believers, when we meet together, let us foster a spirit of unity and make it our aim in whatever we do together, to glorify God.