Old Testament: 2 Samuel 1:1 -2:11
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2 Samuel 1: 1 – 16 The “No Honor” Roll
David got a report from an Amalakite purporting to have killed Saul after he asked to be run through. Of course his account differs from the official Israeli report and so we would deem it false. He was probably hoping for some special honor from David for returning Saul’s crown and bracelet. He was most likely on the scene when Saul died since his account had so much truth in it. Instead of honor, David, not knowing the official account, took the man at his word that he had killed Saul. Checking his background, David determined that the man had enough information to know he shouldn’t have killed God’s anointed. David had him executed.
2 Samuel 1: 17 – 27 A Sad Song
David, who later wrote most of the Psalms, lamented the loss of Saul and his three sons in a dirge or funeral song. In it, he especially grieves over the loss of his close friend Jonathan who would have been a co-ruler of Israel with him (v. 25-26). Have you ever heard the phrase, “O, how the mighty have fallen!”? Check out verses 19, 25 and 27.
2 Samuel 2: 1 – 11 North and South
David asked Yahweh if he should go to one of the cities in southern Israel, Judah. Yahweh told him to go to Hebron. He went with his two wives and all his men. He was crowned King of Judah in Hebron.
The men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul and was the town Saul first rescued after becoming king. David commended them for their action.
On the other hand, in the north, Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, was made king of all the other parts of Israel. David was king exclusively over Judah for seven and a half years.
New Testament: John 12: 20 – 50
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John 12: 20 – 26 An Uneven Exchange
There were some Gentiles at the Feast who wanted to see Jesus. Jesus said that unless a piece of grain sprouted, it was useless but once it split open it could become a source of nourishment for many. He followed up with the pronouncement that a if anyone was willing to forfeit his life for Jesus, instead of living for the here and now, would be honored by God the Father. Jesus was trying to tell the Greeks that the big deal was not seeing Him but trusting Him and following Him.
John 12: 27 – 50 Flip The Switch Or Get Lost
Some of the crowd following Jesus heard some thunder but others actually heard the voice of God. Isn’t it the same today? Some heard God say that He would glorify Jesus’ name and others couldn’t hear it. Jesus said that judgment was coming but that He would be “lifted up” meaning He’d be crucified (v. 32). Jesus told them to walk in the light or they’d get lost and never find their way. John said the same thing in his epistle, 1John 2: 8-10.
The time was getting late but some still didn’t “get it.” Isaiah had predicted this kind of thing (Is. 53: 1; 6: 10). Some of the religious leaders “caught on” but didn’t say anything because they were afraid they’d get kicked out of the Temple. They lived their lives more for what people thought of them than for what God thought of them.
Jesus kept the theme of light and darkness going. He yelled out, “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness” (v. 46). Jesus said He didn’t come to judge anyone but His word would judge people on the Judgment Day. He said His Father had given Him words of life and His goal was to save people not to condemn them.