Scripture References 1 Samuel 16–31 2 Samuel 1–24 1 Kings 1–2 Selected Psalms (e.g., Psalms 23, 51, 63, 78:70–72) First Impression and Observations David (meaning “Beloved”) was the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd from Bethlehem. He is described as ruddy, handsome, and with beautiful eyes (1 Samuel 16:12). More importantly, he is called “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). David was courageous, musical, poetic, and deeply spiritual. He defeated Goliath as a youth, served King Saul faithfully, and later became Israel’s greatest king. He showed remarkable restraint by refusing to kill Saul when given the opportunity. However, he was also capable of serious moral failure, most notably in his sin with Bathsheba and the arranged death of her husband, Uriah. David’s life is marked by extremes—great faith and great failure, deep repentance and lasting consequences. He unified Israel, established Jerusalem as its capital, and desired to build a temple for the Lor...
Joshua 8 Sermon: 2nd Chances People often say these two phrases: “ I deserve a second chance.” Well, that’s probably not true and says something about us for thinking we deserve anything. And We Say “ They don’t deserve a second chance.” Well, that might be true, but not giving them a second chance says something about us, like we are the king of the Universe. As most of you know, I teach high school math and physics, and a very common thing in math classes is that you can retake a test, you can have a second chance . We do that in education for a wonderful reason. We actually want the kids to learn the material , even if it takes a little longer, even if it’s more work on our part, even if we need to stay after school for hours of extra help, we need to explain things multiple different ways and come up with more examples, maybe they have to learn from their mistakes in order to be tested again. Second chances are a wonderful, caring, gracious thing, an...