NEPHEWS OF DAVID

“Now their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel - three” (1 Chron. 2:16 NKJV).

The beginning chapters of First Chronicles are mostly a list of names. While seemingly boring on the surface, these names are inspiring and instructive. Our verse lists three nephews of King David. These three sons of David’s sister Zeruiah all had notable careers in David’s army.

Abishai - His loyalty to David is exemplary. His first special mention was the time he bravely went with David into the camp of Saul. While there he volunteered to assassinate Saul. David forbid the assassination. Later when Shimei cursed David as he was being pursued by Absalom, Abishai volunteered to kill Shimei. David forbade that killing, too (2 Sam. 16:9-11). Abishai’s desire evidenced his great loyalty. He was considered one of David’s greatest warriors (2 Sam. 23:18).

Joab - He became the chief captain of David’s army after leading the troops in the capturing of Jerusalem (1 Chiron. 11:6). Although a great general, Joab lacked character. He was ruthless, crafty, cruel, and very jealous of competition for his office. As a result he did not hesitate to murder Abner (2 Sam. 3:27). Abner had previously murdered Asahel, Joab’s brother. Further, in disobedience of David’s orders, Job helped kill David’s son Absalom and later murdered his cousin Amasa who was Absalom's army general (2 Sam. 20:10). Joab was justly executed by King Solomon. David had counseled Solomon to execute wicked Joab (1 Kings 2:5-6).

Asahel - He will always be known as the runner who was “as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle” (2 Sam.2:18). He will also be known as the man who had more speed then sense. When David first became king, he chased down Abner, the general of Saul’s army. However, he refused to get an armor and so was speared and killed by Abner (2 Sam. 2:19-23). Asahel was fast but foolish, which ended a promising career as a soldier

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“God performs what He promises and completes what He commands!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Destroying

In 2 Cor. 10:5 we read, “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ!” (NASB)

Destroying is the Greek word kathaireo (καθαιρεω = kath-ahee-reh-o). It is made up of two words: “kata” which is an intensifier and means down, against, and “haireo” which means to take for oneself. Kathaireo has four main senses: to take down, to tear down, to destroy, and to dethrone. Thus the word means to cause something or someone to be lowered, to take or bring down, or to bring something down from one point to another.

In Classical Greek kathaireo refers to objects, buildings, persons, and nations. In the Septuagint kathaireo is used in reference to the taking down of altars, walls, vessels, idols, pagan temples, and the dismantling of tents. In the New Testament kathaireo carries the idea of taking down, and to destroying nations. The word was used with and without the notion of violence or force. The Lord Jesus was taken down from the Cross without violence. But in Luke 1:52, God puts down the mighty with force. Further, the word is present tense which speaks of continuous activity. Thus with our spiritual arsenal, believers are to be continually engaged in “destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and (we are) taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – That He would be zealous for the Father’s House (Psalm 69:9)

New Testament Fulfillment – John 2:17

Bible Facts

Chicken or egg dilemma solved (Genesis 1:20-22). Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This question has plagued philosophers for centuries. The Bible states that God created birds with the ability to reproduce after their kind. Therefore the chicken was created first with the ability to make eggs! Yet, evolution has no solution for this dilemma.

Bible Quiz

What did Jesus tell his disciples to do when they left an unrepentant town?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: Whose bones did Moses take along with him when he left Egypt for the Promised Land? Joseph (Exodus 13:19).

That’s in the Bible

“Voice in the wilderness”

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God” (Isa. 40:3 NKJV).

“A voice in the wilderness” is anyone that is perceived as a lone protester with very little support. John the Baptist was the original voice in the wilderness who cried out about the coming Messiah and how He would change the hearts of those who would follow Him. Every prophet of God has been a voice in the wilderness. Every Christian should be a “voice in the wilderness” proclaiming the truth of God’s ways.

Did You Know – Christian History

Balthasar Hubmaier was born in Friedberg, Bavaria around 1480. Hubmaier was an influential German/Moravian Anabaptist leader. He was one of the most well-known and respected Anabaptist theologians of the Reformation.

Hubmaier was educated at the University of Freiburg, where he showed brilliance and received his doctorate the same year as Martin Luther. In 1520 he went to Waldshut where he began reading the writings of Paul, Erasmus, and Luther. Supported by the town council, Hubmaier began to change the order of worship. When Archduke Ferdinand threatened to send troops to bring Waldshut into line, Balthasar left so that the town would not be invaded.

Convinced that the Anabaptist sect was dangerous to the peace of the Empire, Europe’s Hapsburgs leaders determined to eradicate the Anabaptists from their kingdom. In July 1527, King Ferdinand’s men arrested Hubmaier. He was extradited to Vienna where he was burned at the stake on March 10, 1528. Three days later they tied a stone around his wife’s neck and threw her into the Danube River

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Although dead, Hubmaier’s influence continued through the writings he left behind. He wrote an argument for toleration which became the first work on religious liberty to spring from the Reformation. He also wrote a work on believer’s baptism which was the most exhaustive treatment of the subject in the sixteenth century.

A Little Humor

On the first day of school, the Kindergarten teacher said, “If anyone has to go to the bathroom, hold up two fingers.” A little voice from the back of the room asked, “How will that help?”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Four words with a message: sin now, pay later!”