Julie
This Psalm pertains to David's reign and the future of his descendants. If we ask God and follow his word he will provide.
Michelle
I did not know this was referencing David when I read it. But I did get that he is speaking to those in leadership roles and that they should be following God.
Julie
The Lord brings a plague on Israel for the sins of David. However, David asks the Lord to forgive the sheep for his transgressions as he was the sinner and not them.
As we return to Psalm 1 I am trying to read with a different eye. We are blessed if we meditate on and follow God's Word. We will be righteous if we do this and keep ourselves from sin.
Michelle
I am not sure what sins David is atoning for. There were many along the way so this seems out of place somehow. Or maybe I just overlooked something. But David does ask to take the punishment instead of the people.
This psalm says Blessed is the one who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. The Lord will watch over the way of the righteous.
Julie
Today just listed David's mighty men.
These final proverbs are about being a good wife. It tells how to fear the Lord and to be a kind person that does for others.
Michelle
Not sure why this is important, but it seems to be listing David's mighty warriors and sharing some of their exploits.
While reading this I was thinking to myself, do I exude any of these qualities? This is definitely one that will be referenced going forward.
Julie
David sings a song about the greatness he experienced with God and the reason why he was so blessed. Which can be a good reminder or good example of the way we need to follow and trust in God. Within this he also mentions how God reprimanded him if he did wrong.
I am not quite sure what to say about today's proverbs. I don't think that I really understand where they were going these.
Michelle
I feel like I read some of this in the psalms maybe. There are some lines that seem familiar.
I do not know who King Lemuel is. But it seems his mother is telling him not to drink and forget what has been decreed and to speak up and judge fairly.
Julie
David atones for the sins of Saul, and Saul's family dies because of his sins.
Today's proverbs seem to have a theme in talking about how to be an all-around good person.
Michelle
This is the first time in a while that we hear that David seeks out the Lord, and he is told that the famine is due to the sins of Saul. So David makes amends with the people Saul hurt, still keeping the covenant the gave before the Lord.
I did not understand today's proverbs.
Julie
We are still working through the life of David as king. There are some things I don't particularly understand that we are reading about, such as why some of these stories are relevant. I am hoping to have time in the next few days to read the explanation of this book and try to put into context some of the things we have been reading.
More words of wisdom in the proverbs. Nothing particularly stands out right now.
Michelle
I too do not understand why these are relevant. I am hoping it comes to light at some point. But it does seem to show us about those under David's leadership.
This reading seems to be talking about the righteous and the blood thirsty.
Julie
Today was the final battle between David and his son. Although, they have had a strained relationship David still doesn't want to kill him and tells those he sends out not to and to treat him fairly. However, one of those he sends out chooses to kill Absalom. When David learns of his death he does grieve and even says that he should have been the one that died and not his son. Even through all that has happened he still loves him unconditionally.
Again, there are quite a few proverbs that could be talked about in today's reading. I wish I could focus on just one, but there is not just one to talk about, there were many. Although they are all meaningful in their own way.
Michelle
This was an interesting series of events. Even though David told them not to kill his son, someone chose to do it anyway. I am not sure how that will play out. I did see, as you did, that David did not want his son harmed and that he loved him no matter what had happened between them.
This chapter starts in relation to leaders and leadership qualities. It seems to go on about greed and doing the right thing, being faithful, and seeking wisdom.
