Journal Through the Bible, Week 43 Day 1

II Samuel chapter 8

This chapter gives an account of some of David's successful military campaigns including against the Philistia, Moab, Zobah, and Syria. It also includes a brief listing of the military equipment (horse and chariots) taken for David's army and precious metals (gold and silver) that were dedicated to the LORD for the future temple-building venture. The highlight of the chapter is in verse 14, "And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went."

Does God issue any commands?

• God does not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak in this chapter.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• David was a warrior-king. His descendant, Jesus Christ, conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave. The statement about the LORD preserving David whithersoever he went can also be said about Jesus. God promised the Messiah that He would put all of His enemies under His feet. (See Psalm 110.)

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Jesus is called the Faithful and True who judges and makes war. He will sit on white horse and is followed by His army. He will kill His enemies with the two-edged sword that proceeds out of His mouth. He will have "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS," inscribed on His clothing. (See Revelation chapter 19.)

Journal Through the Bible, Week 42 Day 6

Psalm 30

Some scholars and pastors, including Charles Spurgeon, believe(d) that David wrote this psalm when he received the word that his son would build the house of the LORD, the Temple, in Jerusalem. It is a reasonable explanation for the prologue of the psalm which says, "A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.


Does God make any commands in this psalm?

• Like all of scripture, this passage was inspired by the Holy Spirit, but even so God does not directly speak to David to command him to do anything in this psalm.

Does God make any promises in this psalm?

• God does not directly speak in this psalm; however, David is praising God for promises that God has made elsewhere in scripture.

Does this psalm teach anything about Jesus?

• In verses 1-5 David's words are a picture of the Savior lifted up in death to defeat His foes and yet was brought up from the grave. There was great weeping as darkness fell like night at the crucifixion but also great joy when the resurrected Jesus was revealed as alive to His followers.
• In verse 6 David speaks of never being moved. God's promises are sure and steadfast. Sin has been defeated! Jesus will never suffer again for our sins. They have been put away!
• In verse 7 David speaks of God hiding His face. God did hide His face from Jesus when He was on the cross. God cannot look on sin.
• In verse 8 David speaks of crying out to God. Jesus cried to the Father from the cross.
• In verse 9 David asks what profit there would be of his blood being in the dust. None! But when Jesus shed his blood into the dirt around the cross there was great profit for all who believe! It declared the truth that He is the Savior, the redeemer from sin.
• In Verses 10-12 David speaks of mourning being turned to dancing and sackcloth into gladness. The person whose sorrow is turned to joy will give thanks forever. Even Jesus was sorrowful at the time of the crucifixion but was joyful when death was defeated. He praised His Father.

Does this psalm teach anything about yet-future events?

• In verse 4 David exhorts all the saints to sing unto the LORD and to give thanks to Him. We will do this together around the Father's throne in eternity.
• In verse 12 David again talks of singing the praises of the Father and giving thanks to Him forever. (We'd better get practicing!)

Journal Through the Bible, Week 42 Day 5

II Samuel chapter 7

Does God issue any commands?

•  God told Nathan the prophet to go to David and to tell him all the words of the vision that God gave him. Nathan did. (Verses 5-17)

Does God make any promises?

•  God promises an eternal land and eternal peace to His people, Israel, in verse 10.
•  Through Nathan God states again His promise of an eternal kingdom.
•  God promised not to turn away from David's dynasty through his son even if the son disobeyed. The promised reign of David's family would not be taken away and given to another as Saul's reign ended. The promise was not dependent upon the goodness of Solomon or future heirs. It was dependent upon the covenant of God who sent His own Son to be born of David's lineage. (Verses 15-16)
•  God promised that David's son would build the House of God. And Solomon did!

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

•  Verses 8 and 9 - God has the prophet Nathan speak to David but it is very much a type of Christ: "I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be a ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth." Here we see the progression of the Great Shepherd to the Ruler of all nations and the Warrior who defeats His enemies.
•  Verse 13 - Jesus is the One who will reign on the throne of David as the inheritor of David's promised eternal dynasty.

Does this chapter teach anything about future events?

•  Verse 10 - This must be a prophecy that is not yet fulfilled. It not only promises Israel a place of their own where they will never again be moved, but it also promises that the wicked will never afflict them again.
•  Verses 11-13, God will one day reestablish the rule of David's dynasty with the reign of Jesus Christ.