Epaggelia

The Beginning of David’s Reign (2nd Sam. 2:1-11 & 5:1-5)

In what city did David reign 7 ½ years?

Where was David when he received the news that both Saul & Jonathan were dead? See 2nd Sam. 1:1.

Who was Saul & Israel’s army fighting when Jonathan was killed?

Who took the body of Saul from public shame to be buried with dignity? 

When David moved to Judean territory to reign, who were his wives?

Who anointed David a second time?

Who anointed David a third time?

Who was Saul’s army commander that propped up the house of Saul?

What is the name of Saul’s son who reigned for 2 years in the northern part of Israel?

How old was David when he began his reign in Hebron?

About how many times in the gospels is Jesus anointed?

(Mt. 26:2, Mk. 14:1, Lk. 7:37-50, Jn. 12:1)

About how old was Jesus when he was crucified, buried, raised & ascended? See Luke 3:23.

In what sense could it be said that David was a good “politician”, and yet he is described as the “Shepherd King”?

Before Jesus wore the crown of thorns and was crucified as “King of the Jews”, he proclaimed he was what kind of a Shepherd? 

David, Bathsheba & Nathan (2nd Sam. 11:1-17 & 12:1-15)

Some theologians speculate that Nathan the prophet originated from one of the groups or schools of prophets which Samuel led when he was Judge over Israel, mentioned in 1st Sam. 10:5 & 19:20. Nathan served in the succession of Solomon to the throne of David. What did Nathan prophesy that would be elaborated on throughout the Bible? See 2nd Samuel 7:12-17.

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See 1st Chron. 17:13-14, Isa. 9:6-7, Psa. 89:3-4 & 132:10-12, Luke 1:32 & Acts 2:29-30

What was David doing while his army Commander Joab and his people were besieging Rabbah?

What action did David take to try and cover up his sin with Bathsheba?

Who delivered the verdict on David’s sin?

David confessed he stated he sinned against The Lord, But 4 people in this event were sinned against, who are they? 

1. _______________________  2. ____________  3. __________  4. __________

What was the biggest difference between David’s rule before knowing Bathsheba to his rule after his adultery? See 2nd Sam. 13:10-15

What was the result for David’s reign from his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah? See 2nd Sam. 16:21-22

What is needed in Church leadership, that we can learn from David’s sin during his reign?

Who is the only King mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11?

From 2nd Sam. 11:1, What do you believe Church Leadership could learn?

See 2nd Timothy 2:1-4

Solomon ~ 1st Kings 1:22-40

In order to understand the significance of the Kingship of David’s throne and dynasty, we need to see Christ’s understanding of the Kingdom in Matthew 21:9-15. See also Luke 1:32. How Jesus receives the title “Son of David” is very alarming!

What did David promise Bathsheba about the Kingship?

What claim did David’s son Adonijah have to succeed David as King?

What did Adonijah do in preparation for his ascending to the throne?

Where did David instruct Nathan to take Solomon to anoint him King?

Who anointed Solomon?

What was the symbolic importance of Solomon riding on David’s mule?

Why would the ascension of Adonijah to the throne have been a death sentence for Bathsheba & Solomon?

In Colossians 1:1-13, The “Kingdom of His dear Son” is what “Saints and faithful 

brethren” have been translated into from what? The power of __________________

In Colossians 1:1-13, how many times is Jesus referred to as “Christ”?

What is the Kingdom called in Ephesians 5:5 ?

Solomon’s Strength & Sin – 1st Kings 3:1-15 &11:1-13 & 11:42-43

What did Solomon’s first treaty with Egypt involve?

Solomon ________ the Lord but he sacrificed at the high places, 3:3

Where did the Lord first appear to Solomon?

What do you think was the best purpose in Solomon’s prayer?

What do you think was the most important request in Solomon’s prayer?

How did the Lord feel about Solomon’s prayer?

What was the underlying reason for Solomon marrying so many wives?

What was God’s reaction to Solomon turning his heart away from him and toward his wives?

What was Solomon’s physical achievement?

What was Solomon’s spiritual achievement?

What does God typically do with great physical achievements? See Luke 1:52-53 & Luke 16:15

Do the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:23 apply to Solomon?

What was the only reason Solomon’s son Rehoboam would have any kind of reign at all?

Since idolatry is essentially people making gods of their own choosing, what signs do we have today in Christ’s Kingdom/Church of this being true?

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise ~ Ephesians 5:15

Diligent, carefully, circumspectly and perfectly are all 4 English words used to translate the Greek word “akribos”. It’s not the word usually translated “wise or wisdom”. The Greek word “sophos” is consistently translated wise, which appears at the end of the verse. Walking diligently is best described as fully knowing your entire environment while you’re walking. Being aware of all your options when you make any decision in life is good practice. Circumspectly is an old word we don’t use in modern English, but “perfect” is a word we all use in common, the same way circumspectly can be used. When a child receives his report card with straight “A”s on it, his parents can appropriately proclaim “PERFECT”! That doesn’t mean the child was an absolutely perfect student, it simply means that the child fully understood every assignment and did all the work expected of him to prepare for his exams. It’s better than the old saying “B’s & C’s get degrees”, because his straight A’s, are above that, in a sense, he was the “AKRIBOS” (perfect) student. A Christian’s goal should be to have a lifestyle or walk that is carefully diligent. The Governor Felix had an AKRIBOS knowledge of The Way, which the apostle Paul was being tried upon, see Acts 24:22.

A good example of a physical application of the word in the Bible is the way evil Herod told the wise men to search “carefully” for baby Jesus and then return to him and tell him his location, see Matthew 2:8. If we lived our life in a careful search for Jesus, we would be so blessed!

A good example of how the same word is used to treat the Bible itself is in Acts 18:25-26. Apollos was a (AKRIBOS) careful preacher of Jesus Christ, but only knew the baptism of John, however Apollos was blessed with Aquila & Priscilla teaching him the way of the Lord more perfectly (AKRIBOS). Apollos shows a progression of diligence in learning the truth of the gospel.

Factually, none of us are perfect if we use the word in the absolute sense, but if we use it the way Paul did, we can appreciate what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44-48. The word perfect is in the Greek “TELEIOS”, it actually means fully mature. Loving your enemies is as fully mature as God created us to be. His image he created us in, was for this goal to be met, with a spirit that can grow the fruit of His Spirit, and come to love our enemies. That is what it means to both walk in love, Eph. 5:2, and walk circumspectly!

For We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:7

At least 28 times, the Hebrew writer tells us what people did by faith. Genuine faith is action which shows trust in some type of promise. That action is often referred to in the scriptures as “walking by faith”. A.W. Tozer said, “Faith is not a conclusion you reach; it is a journey you live”. Or another way to put it is that faith is not like medicine to take, but more like a muscle we should exercise. This doesn’t mean that the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 were really strong and perfect, they were actually weak and full of flaws, but they had hearts that led them to follow the promises of God into some kind of action! 

Abraham did not understand how God could keep his promise if he were to kill his son, but He believed God was able to do whatever He said – even if it meant that God had to raise Isaac from the dead. Therefore, Abraham obeyed God and offered his son. Walking by faith is being fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promised – not wavering at the promises of God (Rom. 4:20-21). Therefore, those walking by faith obey God.

Here are 3 very basic commands that should test our ability to walk by faith in obedience to God’s example in Jesus.

1. The royal law of love, Matthew 7:12 & James 2:8-9.
2. The law of Christ to participate in the gospel, 1st Corinthians 9:19-23.
3. The perfect law of liberty practicing pure religion and pure speech, James 1:25-27.

The promise of a blessing is very helpful in motivating us to walk by faith! It’s who we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going! William Cowper was a renowned poet who wrote in 3 languages but suffered mental illness and survived 2 suicide attempts in the 1760s, but he managed his healing with faith in Christ. One of his songs is “O For A Closer Walk With God”, wherein he emphasizes our need to walk in faith that Jesus is the light we need to survive the worst of darkness in our life, John 8:12. The last time Jesus walked by faith was with his cross on his back, even then, he collapsed! Do not expect walking by faith to be easy, sometimes we fall. When this happens, follow the example of Jesus, “deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow him, daily”, Luke 9:23.

“Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did” (1st John 2:6)

Prophetically God promised through Isaiah that holiness would be like a highway humanity could walk through, and John the immersionist prepared this way for Jesus entering our world. Compare Isaiah 35:5-8 & Malachi 3:1 and see if it points to what God did in Jesus?

One of the common themes of Christ’s ministry was that he was always “going about doing good”, Acts 10:38. In following Jesus, we should aim to be “do-gooders”. Paul instructs us through Titus 3:8-14, that we are to be devoted to, and/or maintain “good works”. A good example of a man being devoted to good works is the life and work of Washington Gladden, who wrote the song “O Master Let Me Walk With Thee”, he was a University professor (1879) and the song emphasized work, service and a life that shares the “peace” only God can give. Mr. Gladden wrote 40 books and many songs, he was also a preacher in the denomination of “Congregational Churches”. He also worked with the formation of Unions, by prohibiting child labor and promoted a social gospel that publicly helped the poor. He is noted for rejecting Rockefeller’s donation of $100,000 towards the mission ministry of the Congregational Churches, calling the money “tainted”. In 1883 he was known for his success in fighting the corrupt “Tweed Ring”, arbitrating in the Telegraphers’ Strike and the Hocking Valley Coal Strike. He truly practiced what he preached from Pennsylvania to Ohio for 32 years. 

What do you think it means to “walk as Jesus did”? See 1st John 1:5-9

Holiness can only be derived or gifted from Jesus, no other mediator between God & man exists according to the New Testament. Galatians 3:20 & 1st Timothy 2:5.

See Hebrews 12:14,  Humanity can not be saved without ______________

We can not dance with the devil and walk with Jesus simultaneously. Trying to do so, will cause us to either hate one or love the other, sooner or later we end up so frustrated we are forced to choose. Spiritually we can not sit on a fence, we must walk on one side or the other, Luke 16:13. One side is a straight & narrow way of Holiness in Jesus, the other side is wide & worldly. There are only two sides to every fence