Tag: complexity and context
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Reflecting on 2 Samuel 9
What is at stake for the various characters in this story – for David, king of Israel; Ziba, servant of [the late] Saul; Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, son of Saul – as the story unfolds? What choices do we see them making? What context, of expectations, and obligations, and interests, shapes those choices? We’re studying…
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Studying 2 Samuel 9 1-12
We are faced with a complex instance of loyalty, and perhaps also justice, in 2 Samuel 9:1-12, our text for Sunday, December 12. This is the story of David’s seeking out Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, and installing him as a permanent guest at the king’s table in Jerusalem. [Here are a few questions on this text.]…
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Studying 1 Kings 18 5-18
We are studying 1 Kings 18:5-18 for Sunday, March 28. This is the story of Elijah’s encounter with Obadiah and then Ahab, king of [the northern kingdom of] Israel. This story is the prelude to Elijah’s more famous contest with the “prophets of Baal” at Mt. Carmel. There’s a lot more going on in this…