A missionary friend of mine told me about a humorous interaction he had with his organization’s IT department. It’s yet another another example of “telling is not teaching.” In this case, “sending is not receiving.”

My friend received a donation toward the end of March, say it was $1,000. Then in early April, for reasons unknown, the system withdrew that donation from his account and then put it right back in. So in the official report, April shows two extra entries: one for minus $1,000, when they took it out, and one for plus $1,000 when they put it back in. Net change, zero.

A few weeks later, when he was looking at the database, a separate program over which his organization has no control except to send it data, he noticed a reported extra $1,000 in his account. Why? The database software does not recognize negative donations.

When my friend put all that information into a message to his IT explaining the problem, he received a prompt response:

…our API that sends the data to [the database] does have a negative amount indicating the funds were reversed.

And they attached a screenshot to show that they sent both lines: the negative line and the positive line. In other words, “Things are fine. Leave us alone.”

He wrote back thanking them for their work but explained (again):

I get that you sent them the positive and negative adjustments. You sent the negative adjustment, but I’m saying that the database does not receive it.

That time he received a note from the supervisor of the person who wrote the first response:

You are absolutely correct about the balance being off in the database.  This has been a small problem for quite some time.

Telling is not teaching…listening is not learning…sending is not receiving. These are simple concepts that we ignore to our peril.

• In this case, “There’s not a problem here; we sent the correct data.”
• In the church, “I know most the folks in my congregation are having daily time with God; I preach it on it at least once a year.”
• In one of my seminars, “I know they understand relational disciple-making. I talked about it in depth.”

NO on all three counts. Communication requires work, and we can’t assume that just because we said it once, using only one approach, everyone got it.

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (Colossians 1.28, NIV)

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. (2 Peter 1.12 – 15, NIV)

It’s Star Wars Day!

If you’re not a Star Wars fan, I’m sorry, but there’s a lesson in thinking about the power (the Force) that was an essential element in the Star Wars stories and the “blessing” they sent each other into battle with:

May the Force be with you.

Power should be an essential element of our stories too:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1.8, ESV)

And, believe it or not, I’m continuing yesterday’s meditation on God building King David’s “house” – a permanent kingship.

David’s first response to God’s promise of a permanent monarchy in his line was praise. His second response was to pray the promise. Just as the good guys in the Star Wars adventures couldn’t win without the “Force,” we’re not going to win without God’s power. And King David understood an important principle:

God’s power and promise are released through prayer.

So now, great GOD, this word that you have spoken to me and my family, guarantee it permanently! Do exactly what you’ve promised! …For you, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, told me plainly, “I will build you a house.” That’s how I was able to find the courage to pray this prayer to you…Please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You’ve already as much as said that you would, Master GOD! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently! (2 Samuel 7.25 – 29, MSG)

Praying the promises is an integral part of the history and teaching of The Navigators, the organization with which I serve. Founder Dawson Trotman prayed Jeremiah 33.3 as reported in the first part of an article by my friend Dean Ridings and published by Focus on the Family. It starts:

Taking God at His word transformed the life and ministry of a young man named Dawson Trotman. Dawson was deep into Scripture memorization. One verse that captured his attention was Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (KJV).

Again and again he reviewed and meditated upon this verse. Did God really mean it – call upon Me; I will answer you; I will show you great and mighty things? Pondering this led to a 42-day “prayer meeting,” in which Trotman and a few others with him got serious about praying for local youth and cities, and then expanded out to other cities in their state, other states in their nation, and finally the world…“We didn’t even know what we were praying,” Trotman said. “I didn’t realize that within four years, men from every state of the nation would walk into our front room and find the Savior. God answered our prayers abundantly, and there was the beginning of our work called today by the name, Navigators.”

Instead of being like King David or even Dawson Trotman, I’m afraid some of us are like the folks that James wrote to:

You have not because you ask not. (James 4.2)

Should we pray about the mission Jesus has called us to? Jesus was direct in what we should pray for about that:

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9.37, 38, ESV)

Dawson prayed for effectiveness in making disciples with verses like these:

Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life. (Isaiah 43.4, NKJV)

You shall raise up the foundations of many generations. (Isaiah 58.12, NKJV)

A little one shall become a thousand, And a small one a strong nation. I, the LORD, will hasten it in its time.” (Isaiah 60.22, NKJV)

Provision? I’ve prayed this for years and seen God work:

God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9.8 – 11, NIV)

King David “went in and sat before the Lord” and prayed the promise. (2 Samuel 7.18 – 29) May we do the same, and…

May the (real) Force be with us!

I’ve already mentioned that David was not allowed to build a permanent temple because of all the blood he’d shed:

David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. (1 Chronicles 22.7, 8, ESV)

We have the backstory in 2 Samuel 7. David has been established in the kingship, he has built a palace and settled in, and he’s brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Now he wants to build a permanent home for the Ark, not have it live in a tent (the Tabernacle), as God directed in Exodus.

Before long, the king made himself at home and GOD gave him peace from all his enemies. Then one day King David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look at this: Here I am, comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the Ark of God sits in a plain tent.” (2 Samuel 7.1, 2, MSG)

Nathan initially approves of David’s plan (why not?), but God gives a different word. First, God is not interested in a permanent house:

But that night, the word of GOD came to Nathan saying, “Go and tell my servant David: This is GOD’s word on the matter: You’re going to build a ‘house’ for me to live in? Why, I haven’t lived in a ‘house’ from the time I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt till now. All that time I’ve moved about with nothing but a tent. And in all my travels with Israel, did I ever say to any of the leaders I commanded to shepherd Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?'” (2 Samuel 7.4 – 7, MSG)

The main message is that David will not build God’s house. God will build David’s “house” – his permanent monarchy:

So here is what you are to tell my servant David: The GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies has this word for you: I took you from the pasture, tagging along after sheep, and made you prince over my people Israel…Furthermore, GOD has this message for you: GOD himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you’re buried with your ancestors, then I’ll raise up your child, your own flesh and blood, to succeed you, and I’ll firmly establish his rule…and I will guarantee his kingdom’s rule permanently…But I’ll never remove my gracious love from him, as I removed it from Saul…Your family and your kingdom are permanently secured…And your royal throne will always be there, rock solid. (2 Samuel 7.8 – 16, MSG)

And what is David’s response to God’s promise of a permanent monarchy in his line? First, praise:

King David went in, took his place before GOD, and prayed: “Who am I, my Master GOD, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life?… [and] spoken of my family far into the future…What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master GOD, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you’ve let me in on it. This is what makes you so great, Master GOD! There is none like you, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we’ve heard with our own ears.” (2 Samuel 7.18 – 22, MSG)

There’s another lesson in this story, and it’s too important to crowd into this blog. Stay tuned…

In the meantime, David does have a permanent kingship:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9.6, 7, NIV, emphasis mine)

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1.30 – 33, ESV, emphasis mine)

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21.9, ESV)

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. (Revelation 22.16, ESV)

Yesterday we had a feel-good story story about a world-ranked high school high jumper from a no-name place in western Colorado. Today’s is a feel-bad story – a cautionary tale.

I wrote a few days ago about another victim of gambling, a young NBA player, banned for life, for violating “gaming rules.” (Can you say, “Bet on himself to underperform”? That’s gambling, not gaming.) It was Jontay Porter, brother of Michael Porter, Jr., who is a key part of the NBA Champion Denver Nuggets.

When it rains, it pours, Michael has another brother, Coban, who was just sentenced to six years in prison…

…for a drunken driving crash that killed a woman in Colorado last year.

The January 2023 crash in Denver killed Kathy Limon Rothman and seriously injured her passenger. Porter…caused the crash after he ran a red light and slammed into the other vehicle… According to The Denver Post, prosecutors on Friday said Porter was speeding and had a blood alcohol level of .19, more than twice the legal limit of .08. – ESPN, April 19, 2024

And it’s exactly as I told my Air Force students back in the day: “If you drink and drive, I’m not worried about how much you might be fined or that you might mess up your career. I’m worried that you might kill someone.” Coban Porter remorsefully grasped the gravity of what he had done:

All I can really say is that I’m sorry. I know that I’m never going to be able to right that wrong. … I never thought I’d be standing here. I thought I was invincible. It wasn’t the first time I chose to drink and drive. I’m so sorry.

And the problem is that it’s hard to watch any sporting event without being encouraged to drink beer and gamble. Alcohol consumption is also a conspicuous and expected part of most TV dramas, even for our favorite characters. These behaviors have egregious downsides, but they are encouraged and normalized at every turn. And young people, like Coban, are paying the price, along with his victims.

These vices aren’t new…

For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, and have cast lots for my people [gambling], and have traded a boy for a prostitute [sex], and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it [alcohol]. (Joel 3.1 – 3, ESV)

Speaking of gambling, sex, and alcohol, I found it interesting that a research study on church attendance reported the following:

The intensity of religious observance correlates with a host of other activities. For example, relative to non-attenders and infrequent attenders, frequent religious attenders are less likely to go to strip clubs, liquor stores, and casinos. – Religious Worship Attendance in America: Evidence from Cellphone Data

I’m glad for the result, and I’m intrigued that this research study identified the same “big three” vices: sex, alcohol, and gambling.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Proverbs 20.1, ESV)

Leaders can’t afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer, lest, hung over, they don’t know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt. (Proverbs 31.4 – 5, MSG)

PS I’m well aware that it is possible to drink alcohol in moderation and not be a danger to others. However, this article from UC Health, a network of hospitals, should give one pause. The main idea?

The newest research shows alcohol use is not good for your health. Even red wine has lost its halo, and the toll of heavy alcohol use is on the rise.

PPS Yesterday, yet another brother of Michael Porter, Jr., the Porter brother and NBA star who is NOT in trouble, was arrested for DWI:

The younger brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. was arrested early Sunday morning in Missouri on investigation of driving while intoxicated. Jevon Porter, 20, was arrested at 1:31 a.m. in Boone County, Missouri. Porter, who was released, also was accused of speeding. – Denver Post, May 1, 2024

You would think that Jevon’s brother Cabon’s 6-year sentence for killing someone while he was DWI would give him pause. Apparently not.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction…They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. (Proverbs 1.7…29 – 31, ESV)

Every now and then, there’s a feel-good news story that needs to be shared. The #1-ranked high jumper under the age of 20 in the WORLD, lives in De Beque, Colorado. I’ve never heard of it either, and I’ve driven by it several times:

A long article in the Denver Post, April 20, 2024, starts this way:

Motorists whizzing along Interstate 70 between Rifle and Grand Junction are unlikely to notice tiny De Beque, a tumbleweed town of fewer than 500 souls with only four students in the high school’s graduating class.

“If you blink, you’ll miss it,” says kindergarten teacher Leslie Weis, whose son, Scottie Vines, is bringing attention to the town with his exploits as a budding track and field sensation in the high jump.

The De Beque High School senior jumped 7 feet, 4.25 inches three weeks ago in the prestigious Texas Relays at the University of Texas, which automatically qualified him for this year’s U.S. Olympic Trials and surpassed the Colorado high school record of 7-4 set in 1991 by Matt Hemingway of Buena Vista High School. Thirteen years later, Hemingway won an Olympic silver medal.

Vines’ jump in Texas was ineligible to be recognized as a state high school record because it happened out of state, but he went to a meet two weeks later in Grand Junction and leaped 7-4.25 again to claim the record.

I didn’t know that high school kids are jumping over 7 feet these days. I remember when the world record for the high jump was under 7 feet (now it’s just over 8 feet). Here’s Scotty breaking the Colorado high school record:

Goes to show that greatness can be found anywhere.

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1.43 – 46, ESV)

And speaking of greatness, not all that far from De Beque, south of Grand Junction, is Delta, Colorado, population 9,000. James Conley, one of the godliest pastors I know, ministers there, and he won’t be ranked (until the next life). Can anything good come out of Delta? Come and see.

David now has an important item of business. Remember the Ark? We left it with the folks in Beth Shemesh, where the Philistines sent it. It was subsequently moved:

God struck some of the men of Beth Shemesh who, out of curiosity, irreverently peeked into the Ark of GOD. Seventy died. The whole town was in mourning, reeling under the hard blow from GOD, and questioning, “Who can stand before GOD, this holy God? And who can we get to take this Ark off our hands?” They sent emissaries to Kiriath Jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the Ark of GOD. Come down and get it.” (1 Samuel 6.19 – 21, MSG)

Now David wants it back, all the way back to Jerusalem, the new capital.

David mustered the pick of the troops of Israel—thirty divisions of them. Together with his soldiers, David headed for Baalah to recover the Ark of God…. (2 Samuel 6.1, 2, MSG)

They’re all pretty excited, but there’s an oops:

They placed the Ark of God on a brand-new oxcart and removed it from Abinadab’s house on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were driving the new cart loaded with the Ark of God, Ahio in the lead and Uzzah alongside the Ark. David and the whole company of Israel were in the parade, singing at the top of their lungs and playing mandolins, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, so Uzzah reached out and grabbed the Ark of God. GOD blazed in anger against Uzzah and struck him hard because he had profaned the Ark. Uzzah died on the spot, right alongside the Ark. 2 Samuel 6.3 – 7, MSG)

What’s the problem? Uzzah was just trying to help. The problem was, they weren’t supposed to touch the Ark. And they weren’t supposed to carry it in an oxcart, not even a brand-new, most likely “consecrated,” oxcart. The Ark’s very design dictated how it was to be moved. Bob, what do you mean?

The Design of Everyday Things is a fascinating book whose main idea is that you don’t need complicated written instructions if the product’s design communicates how to use it. Here’s a classic error shared by nearly all kitchen stoves. The burners are arranged in a rectangle, but the controls are in a straight line! You need labels to know which knob controls which burner (except for the one in the middle).

The Ark did not have that problem. It was to be carried by Levites using the poles which stayed with it:

First let them make an Ark using acacia wood…Cover it with a veneer of pure gold inside and out and make a molding of gold all around it. Cast four gold rings and attach them to its four feet, two rings on one side and two rings on the other. Make poles from acacia wood and cover them with a veneer of gold and insert them into the rings on the sides of the Ark for carrying the Ark. The poles are to stay in the rings; they must not be removed. (Exodus 25.10 – 15, MSG, emphasis mine)

David was angry, fearful, and puzzled:

And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and he said, “How can the Ark of the LORD come to me?” (2 Samuel 6.8, 9, ESV)

But after three months, he figured it out:

David went and brought up the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. And when those who bore the Ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn. (2 Samuel 6.12 – 15, ESV, emphasis mine)

“When those who bore the Ark…” No new oxcart, just four Levites with poles on their shoulders. When all else fails, follow the directions!

God made us and gave us a maintenance manual. When you run the creature according to the manual, you get a minimum of friction and a maximum of joy and peace. – Skip Gray

But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. (Deuteronomy 30.14 – 16, ESV)

Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32.46, 47, ESV)

David is now king over all Israel and three things happen right away:

• David captures Jerusalem and makes it his headquarters, the new capital city of the nation:

David and his men immediately set out for Jerusalem to take on the Jebusites, who lived in that country. But they said, “You might as well go home! Even the blind and the lame could keep you out. You can’t get in here!”…But David went right ahead and captured the fortress of Zion, known ever since as the City of David…David made the fortress city his home and named it “City of David.” (2 Samuel 5.6 – 9, MSG)

• David builds a palace there with the help of Hiram, king of Tyre:

It was at this time that Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, along with timbers of cedar. He also sent carpenters and masons to build a house for David. (2 Samuel 5.11, MSG)

• In the custom of the time, David takes on wives and concubines and has a plethora of children:

David took on more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he left Hebron. And more sons and daughters were born to him. (2 Samuel 5.13, MSG)

But there’s no rest; remember the Philistines? They are always among us…even until today!

When the Philistines got word that David had been made king over all Israel, they came on the hunt for him. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. When the Philistines arrived, they deployed their forces in Raphaim Valley. Then David prayed to GOD: “Shall I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you help me beat them?” “Go up,” GOD replied. “Count on me. I’ll help you beat them.” David then went straight to Baal Perazim, and smashed them to pieces. Afterwards David said, “GOD exploded on my enemies like a gush of water.” That’s why David named the place Baal Perazim (The-Master-Who-Explodes)…Later there was a repeat performance… (2 Samuel 5.17 – 22, MSG)

Chapter 5 documents two decisive victories over the Philistines. (I just checked. The Philistines don’t go away…there are more battles to come!)

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him…And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child…Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus… (Revelation 12.7 – 9, 13, 17, ESV)

David is king over Judah, but not the rest of Israel. We have civil war:

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David dragged on and on. The longer it went on the stronger David became, with the house of Saul getting weaker. (2 Samuel 3.1, MSG)

Israel’s General Abner shows his power by sleeping with one of King Saul’s concubines. When King Ish-Bosheth challenged him, Abner “lost his temper with Ish-Bosheth:”

Treat me like a dog, will you! Is this the thanks I get for sticking by the house of your father, Saul, and all his family and friends? I personally saved you from certain capture by David, and you make an issue out of my going to bed with a woman! What GOD promised David, I’ll help accomplish—transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and make David ruler over the whole country, both Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba. If not, may God do his worst to me. (2 Samuel 3.8, 9, MSG)

I’m intrigued that Abner knew God had promised the kingdom to David. If so, why was he leading the fight against David? Weird.

So Abner arranges for David to be crowned king over all Israel, meets with David, and departs in peace. Later, David’s general, Joab, finds out and is incensed:

Joab went straight to the king: “What’s this you’ve done? Abner shows up, and you let him walk away scot-free? You know Abner son of Ner better than that. This was no friendly visit. He was here to spy on you, figure out your comings and goings, find out what you’re up to.” Joab left David and went into action. He sent messengers after Abner; they caught up with him at the well at Sirah and brought him back. David knew nothing of all this. When Abner got back to Hebron, Joab steered him aside at the gate for a personal word with him. There he stabbed him in the belly, killed him in cold blood for the murder of his brother Asahel. (2 Samuel 3.24 – 27, MSG)

David led mourning for his former enemy, making it clear that he was not responsible for Abner’s murder. Later, at the end of his reign, he makes it clear to his son Solomon that Joab should not have avenged in peacetime a death that occurred in war. (1 Kings 2.5). By the way, Joab was David’s nephew, the son of his sister Zeruiah (see 1 Chronicles 2.12 – 16).

The king spoke to his servants: “You realize, don’t you, that today a prince and hero fell victim of foul play in Israel? And I, though anointed king, was helpless to do anything about it. These sons of Zeruiah are too much for me. GOD, requite the criminal for his crime!” (2 Samuel 3.38, 39, MSG)

And with Abner dead, two of King Ish-Bosheth’s officers kill him during his afternoon nap!

They entered the house on a ruse, pretending official business… and entered the room where Ish-Bosheth was asleep on his bed. They killed him and then cut off his head, carrying it off as a trophy… They presented the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron, telling the king, “Here’s the head of Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s son, your enemy…David answered the brothers Recab and Baanah…”As surely as GOD lives—the One who got me out of every trouble I’ve ever been in—when the messenger told me, ‘Good news! Saul is dead!’ supposing I’d be delighted, I arrested him and killed him on the spot in Ziklag. That’s what he got for his so-called good news! And now you show up—evil men who killed an innocent man in cold blood, a man asleep in his own house! Don’t think I won’t find you guilty of murder and rid the country of you!” David then issued orders to his soldiers. They killed the two—chopped off their hands and feet, and hung the corpses at the pool in Hebron. But Ish-Bosheth’s head they took and buried in Abner’s tomb in Hebron. (2 Samuel 4.6 – 12, MSG)

That’s the last of the murders (for now). The way is now clear for David to be king over all Israel:

Before long all the tribes of Israel approached David in Hebron and said, “Look at us—your own flesh and blood! In time past when Saul was our king, you’re the one who really ran the country. Even then GOD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel and you’ll be the prince.’ ” All the leaders of Israel met with King David at Hebron, and the king made a treaty with them in the presence of GOD. And so they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and ruled for forty years. In Hebron he ruled Judah for seven and a half years. In Jerusalem he ruled all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years. (2 Samuel 5.1 – 5, MSG)

It took a long time, a lot of blood, sweat and tears, for David to be an overnight success!

Then he asked Jesse, “Is this it? Are there no more sons?” “Well, yes, there’s the runt. But he’s out tending the sheep.” Samuel ordered Jesse, “Go get him. We’re not moving from this spot until he’s here.” Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health—bright-eyed, good-looking. GOD said, “Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.” Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of GOD entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life. Samuel left and went home to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16.11 – 13, MSG)

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. (Psalm 75.6, 7, KJV)

Back to 2 Samuel. Getting David crowned king of all Israel is no mean feat, and there’s a lot of bloodshed in the story:

David moves to Hebron and becomes king over Judah:

So David moved to Hebron, along with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David’s men, along with their families, also went with him and made their home in and around Hebron. The citizens of Judah came to Hebron, and then and there made David king over the clans of Judah. (2 Samuel 2.2 – 4, MSG)

In the meantime…

Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth to Mahanaim and made him king …over all Israel. (2 Samuel 2.8, 9, MSG)

So now we have civil war: David’s general, Joab, versus Abner. Starting with a contest where 12 men from each side kill each other, there is a battle in which David’s men are winning. However, in the process, Abner kills Joab’s brother Asahel as Asahel is pursuing him:

Abner turned and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It surely is,” he said. Abner said, “Let up on me. Pick on someone you have a chance of beating and be content with those spoils!” But Asahel wouldn’t let up. Abner tried again, “Turn back. Don’t force me to kill you. How would I face your brother Joab?” When he refused to quit, Abner struck him in the belly with the blunt end of his spear so hard that it came out his back. Asahel fell to the ground and died at once. Everyone who arrived at the spot where Asahel fell and died stood and gaped—Asahel dead! (2 Samuel 2.20 – 23, MSG)

As I say, it’s messy, and it gets worse. Stay tuned.

In the Bible and in life, there is often a delay between the promise and the fulfillment. Even now, as we pray “Your Kingdom come,” there is a delay. And while we wait, there’s a battle. Jesus will win, of course, just as David will win in our story, but not without cost.

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10.36, ESV)

God is strong, and he wants you strong…This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. (Ephesians 6.10, 12, MSG)

I’ve written about gambling before. It’s bad enough that the gambling industry is out to get you. We’d expect that. But when the government sponsors it…

Here is Elliot Eisenberg, the economist who writes a daily 70-word blog:

On 4/3/24, a drawing for a $1.09 billion Powerball jackpot will occur, the fifth largest. While the chances of winning are one in 292 million, Americans spent over $100 billion in 2022 buying lotto tickets and it’s mostly the poor. In the poorest 1% of zip codes, the average adult spends about $600/year or 5% of income, versus $150/year or 0.15% of income in the wealthiest 1%. Talk about regressive. – Elliot Eisenberg, “Lousy Lotteries”

Unconscionable! The poor spend 5% of their income on lotto tickets versus 0.15% of income for the rich.

And it’s not getting any better in sports either. Last year I wrote about a Denver Broncos football player suspended for gambling outside of “NFL Policy.” Now the NBA has banned (not suspended) a player for gambling violations, specifically limiting his own performance to reward those who took “under” in one of the many “prop bets” that are being played these days. What’s worse, look at the CNN headline:

Do you see it? “gaming rules” not “gambling rules.” Interestingly, if you go to the article itself, they do say “gambling.” My favorite Wall Street Journal sports columnist, Jason Gay, picked up on this story with his usual wisdom.

There is no safe level. A friend of mine became a compulsive gambler playing penny poker in the Marines. He finally quit, decades later, when he met Jesus, coming off of a 3-day drunk having dropped $50,000 on the Super Bowl. “I never took another drink. I never laid down another bet.”

By the way, you know something is a trend when it hits the comics. Pearls Before Swine, April 18, 2024, has this exchange:

• Goat: Am I the only one worried about the fact that so many states have now legalized online sports betting?
• Rat: Yes. It’s fun. So get with the times you oversensitive ninny.
• Rat (looking at his phone): Oops. Just lost the house.
• Rat: My opinion on this subject is changing.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14.12, ESV)

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. (Proverbs 24.11, ESV)

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6.9 – 10, ESV)