Archives for December 2024

“The P’lishtim had left their idols there, so David and his men took them away.”-2 Samuel 5:21 Yesterday, we discussed the contrast between Israel’s victorious battles in Scripture and those of their gentile counterparts. The big difference is the Scripture doesn’t make a big deal about Israel’s victories. Nor do they heap excessive praise on […]

“David did exactly as Adonai had ordered him to do and pursued his attack on the P’lishtim from Geva all the way to Gezer.”-2 Samuel 5:25 David’s victory in the closing verses of 2nd Samuel Chapter Five was as decisive as it was final. For three long centuries, the Philistines had harassed Israel and been […]

“The P’lishtim came up again and deployed in the Refa’im Valley. When David consulted Adonai, he said, ‘Don’t attack! Circle behind them, and engage them opposite the balsam trees.  When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, advance; because then Adonai has gone out ahead of you to defeat […]

Although David is a foreshadowing of the Messiah to come… He wasn’t a spiritual leader per se. During his reign, his objective was NOT to purify the Hebrew religion. His goal was to unite all twelve tribes of Israel into a powerful sovereign nation. Don’t get me wrong. David loved the Lord with all his […]

“So David went to Ba‘al-P’ratzim and defeated them there. He said, “Adonai has broken through my enemies for me like a river breaking through its banks.” This is why he called the place Ba‘al-P’ratzim [Lord of breaking through].“-2 Samuel 5:20 So why in the world would the Israelites use the name Ba’al to celebrate their […]