This week we take a deep dive into the "problem" of David proclaiming his own righteousness as grounds to revive the blessings of the Lord.

This sermon was preached by Pastor John Boyte on 04/30/23.

The book of Samuel opens with Hannah's song and closes with David's song in II Samuel 22. Hannah's song anticipates all the happenings in the book of Samuel. It also anticipates David's song as well as the coming and work of David's greater son, Jesus. We can say that Hannah's song had a nearer fulfillment in the life of David and a greater fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Hannah's song ended, 

"He will guard the feet of His saints,

But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.

For by strength no man shall prevail.

From heaven He will thunder against them.

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

He will give strength to His king,

And exalt the horn of His anointed."

In the first section of David's song, (verses 1-19), David reflects upon the way that God sovereignly orchestrated everything David experienced. Not only had God intervened throughout his life, He also planned and purposed all the details of it. David's song reveals both his theology and his heart, and as Hannah's song, it also points us beyond David to David's greater son, Jesus. All that Jesus went through was also divinely orchestrated, planned and purposed, for His glory and for His people's salvation. As we meditate on this song, we would do well to learn from David that our times also are in His hands.

The second section of David's song (verses 20-31) is often misunderstood as David's boasting in his own righteousness and pride. However, read carefully, in the greater context of the immediate verses and chapter, as well as in the context of the book of Samuel and the entirety of scripture, we, like David, will be moved to give all glory for our salvation to the Lord!

This often misunderstood section is not about David's pride, but is a great testimony of God's powerful forgiveness and redemption. God's work of salvation actually transforms the heart and moves men to walk in integrity and holiness. No, this isn't to be read as David's pride, but as God's glorious and transforming work of justification and sanctification. 

"But the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me." 

After finishing the main section of II Samuel, we have now entered the appendix or epilogue of the book. In this section of II Samuel, chapters 21-24, the author recounts some events that occurred throughout the course of David's reign. These stories provide concluding perspectives and in a sense, a summary and climax of David's reign.

In this light, chapters 21-24 should be considered a valuable commentary on the book, revealing insight into key events from David's life. This perspective helps explain the interworkings of God's economy and the nature of His sovereign rule throughout David's reign (Deut. 17:14-22).

Chapter 22 is the Song of David. The book of Samuel opens with a song (Hannah's song in chapter 1) and closes with a song (David's song here in chapter 22). It is not uncommon for extended scriptural narratives to end with a song of praise. It also is fitting, after hearing of all the Lord's faithful work, that we would be moved to sing, wonder and give thanks.

At the end of chapter 20, David is nearing the end of his life. He is not as active as he used to be and thus he seems to take the chance to reflect on his life through this song.

As you read II Samuel 22, you may find the text sounds familiar. With just a few variations, II Samuel is repeated in full in Psalm 18. The way the Lord works to emphasize things in scripture is often through repetition. So as there words appear in scripture twice, we will spend the next three weeks carefully studying and meditating upon them.

In the first section (verses 1-19), David reflects upon the way that God sovereignly orchestrated everything David experienced. Not only had God often intervened in his life, He also planned and purposed every detail. David's song reveals both his theology and his heart. As we meditate on this song, we would do well to learn from David that our times also are in His hands. 

Every text of scripture must be read in light of the incarnation, the cross, and the

“Now I make known to you,

To some degree, every Biblical text should be read and preached in light of the

While the church may talk often about the resurrection as the sign of Christ’s true

So, in preparation for our teaching and learning together, I would ask that you

In II Samuel 3:18, God promised, "By My servant David I will rescue My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies." The final chapters of II Samuel, 21-24, serve as an epilogue - a commentary that provides a perspective and conclusion to the story.

The second story in the epilogue, II Samuel 21:15-22, recounts four stories of how even in David's old age God, through David and his men, rescued His people from the hands of the Philistine giants. As God continues to keep His covenant promises today, He still assures and grants His people victory over all the giant enemies of God and His people - Sin, Satan and Death - through King David's greater Son, Jesus!

The Famine was no ordinary famine. The situation in Israel had become quite

What is the story that you live out of? I love stories, and since I was a kid, I have loved to insert myself into the stories I read. This is all fun and entertaining, but when we start living out of stories that do not reflect what we read in the Word, we miss out on our blessed identity in Christ. Our invented stories move us away from mourning over the sin and evil in the world (and in our own lives). They can lead us to either the headlong pursuit of enjoyment or the doldrums of self-pity. In our invented stories, we see only our own agendas, the images of ourselves and our actions that win out over those of our neighbors. Our invented stories give us visions of the future in which we are blissfully self-satisfied with our achievements and our well-earned goodness. 

The story that God wrote for Christ in eternity past was very different. Jesus is the eternally blessed man of sorrows. In His meekness, His zeal for His Father's house and His Father's will consumed Him. When He was hungry in the wilderness, He turned to the righteousness described in the Word of God, and He was satisfied. He did this for us and for our salvation, and He invites us to join Him in His story of mourning, meekness, and righteous hunger that will result in comfort, corporate glory, and righteous satisfaction as we live out our eternal union with Him. 

This sermon was preached by Pastoral Intern Rob Cord on 03/19/23

As Paul closes his letter of encouragement to his friends in Philippi, he instructs them in contentment. The Philippians Church has proven themselves to be fellow ministers of the gospel, and generous benefactors to Paul over the years. Paul desires to both encourage them in their successes, and push them towards the "secret" to contentment that he has found. In looking at the conclusion to the book of Philippians, we can learn what biblical generosity is, and hear what Paul says is the "secret" to contentment in all circumstances.

This sermon was preached by Pastoral Intern Henry Holmberg on 03/12/23.

Chapters 15-18 of II Samuel recorded the awful rebellion of King David’s son, Absalom. For many years Absalom had simultaneously built up his own name and torn his father’s down. Absalom had for years been staging a coup to take over David’s throne and kingdom. In all of this, David’s reign was nearly destroyed and, along with it, the hope of God’s covenant promises.In chapter 19, the death of Absalom comes at the hands of David’s insubordinate, justice-at-all-costs commander, Joab. Absalom was brutally killed and justice served, but it came at the cost of Joab’s sinful rebellion and David’s lost love.Meanwhile, David returned to the throne, but not to Jerusalem. He and the troops began the journey home. They made it as far as Gilgal, but had not crossed back over the river Jordan. God had reestablished David as king, yet David and his followers were still in the wilderness, on the far side of the Jordan, with the promised land ahead.Though the Lord reestablished David as the chosen king and renewed His covenant promises to David and his people, still rebellion, sin, and sadness weighed heavily on all of Israel. David’s attempt to reunite God’s people in justice and love was riddled with conflict. It wasn’t so different than the war David had been fighting within--the war of justice and mercy for the son whom he loved, Absalom.This week, we will meet a new rebel, a sad woman, an old butcher, and a wise woman. This week also concludes the story of the rise, fall, and restoration of the Kingdom of Israel under the rule and reign of God’s chosen, King David. The rest of II Samuel, chapters 21-24, will be an epilogue, concluding remarks to the story of I & II Samuel.How will our story conclude? What will be the condition of the king and the kingdom? Will the kingdom be firmly established, will it struggle, or will it exist at all? Come and see.

Absalom’s revolt failed as he and 20,000 of his troops perished. Yet, the triumph came at a great cost to the kingdom. Many of those who had been deceived by Absalom and had thus revolted against David were now jockeying for position, in fear of the king's retribution. Some of David’s enemies were angry at him for killing their family and friends who fought against David. Thus, many of them wanted to keep David from reclaiming the kingdom. Meanwhile, David’s own troops felt discouragement and shame. They had risked everything to fight for the kingdom, yet even in their victory, it seemed that David would rather Absalom be alive even if it meant the death of all of them.The Kingdom was restored to David, yet it was anything but peaceful. Israel, the tribes of the north, and Judah, the two tribes of the south, were sharply divided. This week, we will examine the condition of the kingdom and consider both the response of the people and the king. Would the loving king exact justice on those who didn’t follow him or would he bestow mercy and love on them? As you prepare for worship, consider the similarities and differences between King David's return and the coming return of Christ the King of all Kings.