Valley Hope Church

David's Failure and Our Deliverance by Valley Hope Church

Israel’s greatest king wants to build a palace for Israel’s God. But God turns down the offer and offers an even greater offer. He makes a covenant with David’s family forever. What does it mean?

Today is Pentecost! Jesus' friends watched him ascend into the heavens and then they waited like they were told. The Spirit rushed in like a wind, like breath amongst dry bones, and everything changed. The response was noisy and confusing and ecstatic. Similarly, David joyously greets the entrance of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, the city he established as Israel's capital. When God shows up, it's a cause for celebration. Also Anthony shares some thoughts on our public schools in light of another school shooting.

An ascent to power is often accompanied by an elimination of everyone who was associated with the king being replaced. In the books of Samuel, one barrier after another is eliminated for David. There is only one descendant of Saul left. And David invites him to the table.

As David solidifies his grip on the throne, enemies become allies and allies become killers. And lament keeps being the note of David’s songs in a supposedly happy time in his life. How does Israel’s greatest king show us the way to face forward?

1 Samuel ends and 2 Samuel begins with the death of Saul and David finally having a clear path to the throne. The long, slow decline of Saul reaches its inevitably conclusion and we might then expect to see David jumping for joy. He is safe. He is king. But that's not at all what we see.

The Kingdom of God is diverse in race, age, class and station in life. As a church we are called to go to places and be in relationships where we are uncomfortable for the sake of this Kingdom. Anthony preaches in Philippians this week as Paul reminds us of the King we follow and his call to His church.

In 1 Samuel 28, we find one of the strangest stories in the Bible. Samuel died earlier in the book... but he makes a comeback. Resurrection? Nope. Witches, necromancy, and really bad news.

1 Samuel 26 finds David backed into a cave, but with a chance to take down the sitting king. He’s a skilled killer with a perfect opportunity. The story ends with an apology. How does that happen?

Christ is Risen! Happy Easter everyone! Join us this Easter as we look at the story of Easter through the lens of David's friendship with Jonathan.