The Bible by David Alley

The Bible by David Alley

di David Alley
Miglioramento personaleCristianitàReligione
Stagione 1

2 Samuel 20 - Sheba's Rebellion | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 20, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 20 Amasa is now the commander of the army - Joab was replaced. This was both a political move by David because Amasa was Absalom’s army commander and it was a connection that showed David was on the side of all Israel. But David also replaced Joab because of his displeasure with Joab after killing Absalom. After Amasa becomes commander, Joab murders him. This is the second time Joab has killed the commander of the army, after he killed Abner earlier in David’s life. Joab is lawless and cannot be trusted. Even though he did the right thing with Absalom, he was still lawless. Lawlessness is something which displeases the Lord, and something we all struggle with. Christ said there would be those who stand on the day of Judgement, saying “Lord Lord.” but Lord was a name only, not retaining its true meaning to them. Joab was loyal to David but did things his own way. Many believers are like this.
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25 dic 2022
11:11

2 Samuel 19 - David Mourns Absalom's Death | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In 2 Samuel Chapter 19 David weeps for Absalom, despite a great victory in battle, and all the soldiers are ashamed of their win. Joab has to rebuke David to snap his emotions and restore proper leadership. While weeping for your lost ones is noble, David allowed his emotions to overcome his leadership. Christ does weep for his lost ones, but remains fully in control, fully objective. Christ is endlessly patient but knows when to end his patience. One the way back to Jerusalem, David meets Shimei who is very sorry for treating David shamefully when it looked like he would lose his throne. Shimei is almost certainly not truly repentant. But he recognises that he is at the mercy of David and tries to put things right. He is a picture of the average sinner who comes to Christ. Most of us are not truly remorseful of our sins, but we do want the mercy of God. Is asks an interesting question. Do you forgive others when you know they might not be sincere? Absalom may not be there anymore, but the seeds of his rebellion remain, and have budded in many hearts. The problems haven’t gone away politically. Bad attitudes are hard to shift, and they easily spread. I remember talking to one of my sons as a six year old, asking him to let go of his bad attitude at one point, he said “I want to, but I can’t.” Bad attitudes of contempt, pride, superiority, malice, anger and more, so easily come and are hard to remove. But there is a place where these things can be washed away, it is Calvary. We begin by asking God to forgive, and then we choose to forgive others. Soon the sting behind the problem melts away.
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24 dic 2022
18:27

2 Samuel 18 - Absalom's Defeat and Death | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 18, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 18 the battle between David’s army and Absalom’s army happens in the forest of Ephraim across the Jordan. It makes much more sense for a smaller army like David’s to fight in a forest. This makes it hard to mobilise troop movements for the enemy and becomes more like guerilla warfare. David's men were experienced fighters and having the enemy spread out all around the place made it easier to defeat them, despite them being numerically disadvantaged. Plus, the Lord was fighting for David as we shall see. As Absalom was riding his hair became entangled in an oak tree and he was left hanging in mid air as his mule rode on. Deuteronomy 21:23 says “cursed is anyone who is hung on a tree.” This highly coincidental act was not coincidental, the Lord had put Absalom under a curse. He was going to be the third of four of David’s sons who would die in accordance with the prophecy from Nathan the prophet in 2 Samuel 7-8. When David’s commander Joab saw Absalom - he speared him to death. Then they buried him and heaped stones on his body. According to the law a man who dishonoured his father was to be stoned. Absalom is symbolically stoned here. With the leader gone, all Israel fled back home. They had backed the wrong horse. This chapter mentions a pillar of Absalom which existed previously. This is not the same “pillar of Absalom” which is there today. Today’s pillar is a tomb which dates to the 1st century AD, but this refers to a more ancient monument. The pillar spoken of here is mentioned in the copper scroll discovered at Qumran as one of the locations of treasure. When news of Absalom’s death reached David, he mourned and said ““My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!” This is a picture of Christ who loved those that rebelled against him. Christ does weep for those who hate him, and he does die for those who hate him, and they still have hardened hearts.
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23 dic 2022
20:00

The Bible: 2 Samuel Chapter 17

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 17, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 17 David has just left the city when Ahithophel gives advice to assemble a lightning strike force of twelve thousand men, and pursue him through the night to kill just the king only and finalise Absalom’s coup. It was smart military and political advice. Ahithophel is the grandfather of Bath-sheba and many commentators think that he turned against David because he carried a grudge. This might not be correct because by supporting a rebellion against David he almost certainly was supporting the ultimate death of his granddaughter and her son Solomon in the aftermath. My sense is that Ahithophel thought deeply about things that happened and wanted to be on whoever’s side was going to win, and from there use his position to preserve himself and his family. In response Hushai, who is a planted agent of Davids, gives advice to wait, and assemble a big army that will be able to succeed with certainty. He plants fear based on the idea that David is smart enough to expect a lightning strike and is prepared for it. Imagine being Absalom and having to choose between these two ideas. Absalom goes with Hushai’s advice, and after this Ahithophel hangs himself. Ahithophel and Judas have several things in common. Both of them shared deep fellowship with the person they betrayed, and they later hanged themselves. Psalm 41 which talks about Ahithophel in verse 9 is often seen as a prophetic picture of Judas. Each election in a democracy we choose sides and we do so without fear of reprisal. For some of these people in this story it was a life or death choice choosing who to support. In the same way - our choice to follow and support Christ is a life and death decision too
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22 dic 2022
12:54

2 Samuel 16 - David Cursed by Shimei | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 16, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 16 we see how David acts while on the run again, but this time he is in charge. We meet three fascinating characters and see how David responds to Ziba, Shimei and Hushai the Arkite. At the end of the chapter Absalom brings his army into Jerusalem as David is leaving with his much smaller army. David is only about 2 miles ahead of him, it is a narrow escape. In this position, Absalom stops and sleeps with David’s ten concubines on the roof of the palace, giving David extra time to escape. This wasn’t a lustful move, but a political move demonstrating that he was now the king. In this we see the word of the Lord come to fulfillment spoken through the prophet Nathan back in chapter 7, and the ugliness of sin and its consequences is being born out. Our sin affects other people, not just ourselves and what David in private with Bathsheba has now come back against him in public multiplied ten times, and against those David loved. After all of this, David walked with God and his heart was more tender than before. And in this chapter his attitude toward Shimei who pelted mud and stones on him, demonstrated a heart of submission to God in all things. This is a remarkable chapter.
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21 dic 2022
21:09

2 Samuel 15 - David Flees Jerusalem | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 15, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 15 Absalom begins his treachery. For four years he misleads Israel about his intentions, then mounts a coup against David, raising an army, and marches on Jerusalem to take over the throne. It is 30 kilometres from Hebron to David - so David has just one day to make his escape. He wisely left people behind who could relay information, namely the priests who supported him. As he leaves he finds out that his trusted friend and advisor Ahithophel has gone to Absalom’s side. He is very saddened and prays, “Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” God immediately began to hear this prayer and sent Hushai the Arkite to confuse the voice of Ahithophel. It's remarkable how God hears these prayers on the go. At this point Psalm 41 speaks and provides a window in the mind and heart of David at this point. It shows how David considers his lost friendship with Ahithophel, someone he trusted deeply. Here are verses 5-8. It reminds us of Judas My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.” Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. In this video we will consider how to handle people when they do things against you, and do so in light of Christ’s attitude towards Judas.
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20 dic 2022
21:07

2 Samuel 14 - Absalom's Rebellion Begins | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 14, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 14 Absalom would have been third in line to the throne, but after murdering Ammon he goes into exile in Geshur. Joab for unknown reason initiates a process to restore Absalom. It takes five years in two stages to bring this about. Absalom’s banishment in Geshur for three years, and then isolation at home for another two seems cruel to us, but was somewhat merciful punishment for the times. David loved his son, but probably felt he had no choice. The law required Absalom to be killed, just as it required Amnon to die. But David seems to be following the example of what God did to Cain, allowing him to live for killing his brother, but sending him away. Eventually David and Absalom are reconciled, but it is not what it was before, and Absalom only feins respect. His heart is far away. After his restoration, Absalom sets about his strategy of winning people over in an attempt to take the throne. In some ways Absalom is like Lucifer - someone close to the king, who aspired to be the king, and had justification in their own mind as to why it was right. There is a thing called the Absalom spirit - a spirit of rebellion and usurping. This happens in some ministries where an up and coming leader sees themselves as better and wants to remove the head leader. It can be done obviously or quietly. The spirit is not a person, and yet a person can act like Absalom, controlled by that same motive. We must make sure such a thing isn’t within us. Instead we seek a spirit of sonship, the heart of Christ towards his parents and towards his heavenly father. We seek to honor our leaders and serve with sincerity.
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18 dic 2022
15:18

2 Samuel 13 - Amnon's Crime and Absalom's Revenge |Bible Podcast, David Alley,Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 13, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 13 the consequences of David’s sin continue, and the second of his four sons will die. Amnon, first in line to the throne, falls in love with his half sister Tamar, but abuses his position and rapes her. She tries to talk him out of it and gives him a lot of wise advice before he takes her, trying to avert disaster. She says she would be willing to marry him if he would only wait. Actually, according to the law brothers and sisters were not allowed to marry, so that would never have eventuated, but it was a smart thing to say from her perspective. It was a wise attempt that failed, because Amnon had no self control, and didn’t truly care for her. According to Deuteronomy 22:28-29 in a similar situation to this, the man should pay 50 shekels to the father of the girl he violated and take her to be his wife. For David 50 shekels would not have been a great sum of money. However even worse, these were siblings, and not allowed to be married. According to Leviticus 20:17 a man who slept with his sister was to be put to death. So for Amnon the levitical consequence was death. It is in fact what he ends up getting later in this chapter, although not in a proper judicial manner. The initial feeling Amnon had, of falling in love may have been outside his control. But all his other choices and actions were controllable. Like many people they choose wrong, even knowing they are choosing wrongly. Tamar’s full brother, Absalom, third in line to the throne, murders Amnon in revenge, and flees to Geshur to live with his grandfather. What Absalom does is technically what the law required, but is actually murder because he takes the law into his own hands. In all of this, David knows that God is with him.
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12 dic 2022
15:30

2 Samuel 12 - Nathan's Rebuke of David | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 12, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 12 David is confronted by Nathan the the prophet. He begins with an allegorical story. David judges the offender in that story proclaiming he must die, and payback four times. David actually decided his own judgement here… he must restore/pay fourfold. But the Lord overruled the first part of the judgement and David did not die. So often when we judge others we do not realise we are passing judgement on ourselves. Later David ends up losing four of his sons over this one incident. The unnamed son in this chapter, Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah, who are the first, third and fourth in line to the throne. To David’s great credit he acknowledged the prophet is right. “I have sinned” is a phrase found in scripture spoken by a number of people, including Pharaoh, Judas, King Saul, Achan, Shimei and more. In almost every case it included remorse but not repentance and humbling. David is a rare case of repentance and humbling. We can read the condition of his heart, recorded in Psalm 51. After this David and Bathsheba have two sons, Solomon who becomes the next king, and Nathan, named after the prophet Nathan. Both are included, one in each of the two genealogies of Christ in Matthew and Luke.
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11 dic 2022
25:03

2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 11, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. 2 Samuel Chapter 11 is the start of the bad chapters of David’ life. A series of terrible events begin here with his sinning with Bathsheba, and against her husband. The consequences come back against David’s own family and kingdom. David should have been at war serving God, but instead stayed home. While at home he looked at a naked woman and was interested. It isn’t a sin to see, but it is a sin to look. Today’s world is full of pornography and many people fall into this sin, both male and female, and it is hard to avoid. At this point David had about twenty wives, so we could assume he was sexually fulfilled, but the Lord’s plan for sexual fulfillment comes with monogamy, and the variety only causes the mind to think further afield. Pornography does this too, and should be avoided. It can only be overcome by grace… pressing in for a victory. There are four major areas of overcoming required for all people who want to walk a godly life. The first is what we must learn to do, the other three are what we must learn not to do. If you get the first one, it helps to get the other three. Learning to discipline oneself to pray and seek God Overcoming the fear of man - what other people think of you. Overcoming the love of money. Overcoming the lusts of the flesh We all tend to think the sin with Bathsheba was the bigger sin, but the killing of Uriah the hittite was more abominable. He killed the husband of the woman he took advantage of to cover his own sins. Uriah was also one of David’s mighty men… a faithful man who had known him a long time and been with him through the difficult years. It makes the betrayal personal to this family. The bible says the Lord was displeased. This is one of scripture’s great understatements.
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10 dic 2022
25:40
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