IN SEARCH OF THE KING - PART 1 (9 OF 10)
Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:1-22, 2 Samuel 22:1-51, 2 Samuel 23:1-39
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In Search of the King - Part 1 (9 of 10)
Series: Book of 2 Samuel
P.C. Edwards
2 Samuel 21:1-23:39
Introduction
Ending an epic can be hard to execute. Often there are so many storylines and layers you want to resolve, and this is complicated even more when you have a large number of characters. If you’ve seen it, think for example of Peter Jackson’s film, The Return of the King, the last film of the trilogy series, The Lord of the Rings. Just to jog your memory in case it’s been a while, that movie had like fourteen endings. Every time you thought the movie was over there was one more scene, and then one more scene, and then one more scene. I mean, I get it. There was a lot to wrap up but after like 45 minutes it just felt like a bunch of random tag-on moments to an otherwise easy-to-follow movie. And if you’re not careful, the end of our series through the book of Samuel might feel that very same way.
For the most part over the last eight months we’ve been following the story of Israel from the days of the judges through now the end of King David’s reign. At times we’ve covered large passages and periods, at other times the narrative has really slowed down, and there have even been a few asides along the way for our author to offer theological commentary and orientation. But, generally we’ve been moving in a linear timeline. This all culminated at the end of April with David’s victory over both the revolts of Absalom and Sheba. The kingdom is unified once more, but certainly not in a healthy place.
But then we turn the page to chapter 21 and immediately we read, ‘‘During David’s reign ...’’ (2 Samuel 21:1). This clause feels out of place. Are we talking about during David’s reign following the events of chapter 20 or are we flashing back to something that happened earlier in his time as king? Well keep reading and it soon becomes clear that this whole final section of chapters 21-24 is chronologically ‘out of place.’ Many scholars have, thus, des ...
Series: Book of 2 Samuel
P.C. Edwards
2 Samuel 21:1-23:39
Introduction
Ending an epic can be hard to execute. Often there are so many storylines and layers you want to resolve, and this is complicated even more when you have a large number of characters. If you’ve seen it, think for example of Peter Jackson’s film, The Return of the King, the last film of the trilogy series, The Lord of the Rings. Just to jog your memory in case it’s been a while, that movie had like fourteen endings. Every time you thought the movie was over there was one more scene, and then one more scene, and then one more scene. I mean, I get it. There was a lot to wrap up but after like 45 minutes it just felt like a bunch of random tag-on moments to an otherwise easy-to-follow movie. And if you’re not careful, the end of our series through the book of Samuel might feel that very same way.
For the most part over the last eight months we’ve been following the story of Israel from the days of the judges through now the end of King David’s reign. At times we’ve covered large passages and periods, at other times the narrative has really slowed down, and there have even been a few asides along the way for our author to offer theological commentary and orientation. But, generally we’ve been moving in a linear timeline. This all culminated at the end of April with David’s victory over both the revolts of Absalom and Sheba. The kingdom is unified once more, but certainly not in a healthy place.
But then we turn the page to chapter 21 and immediately we read, ‘‘During David’s reign ...’’ (2 Samuel 21:1). This clause feels out of place. Are we talking about during David’s reign following the events of chapter 20 or are we flashing back to something that happened earlier in his time as king? Well keep reading and it soon becomes clear that this whole final section of chapters 21-24 is chronologically ‘out of place.’ Many scholars have, thus, des ...
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