The Bible by David Alley

by David Alley

Season 1

2 Samuel 10 - David Defeats the Ammonites | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 10, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 10 is the account of the battle with the Ammonites, but is actually the backdrop for The next chapter, which is the start of the “bad part” of David's story, that of Bath-sheba. Apparently David already had some treaty with Ammon (according to Coffman) but the new king was looking to be free of it. So when David sent messengers, they were treated badly, having their beards forcibly shaved and being sent back half naked. Both things that happened were humiliating. We may only relate to being naked, but having no beards was probably more humiliating for these men, and harder to fix. Jericho was the closest Israelite town to where this happened, and David sent them there. They could find new clothes and wait for their beards to regrow. Up to this point David had not been in the battle, and Joab was fighting without him, as described in the next chapter. During these events David was committing adultery with Bath-sheba and arranging the death of Uriah the Hittite. His sin was grievous. Yet even while David had sinned, the Lord gave him a great victory. And when God made promises to David in chapter 7 he knew this was ahead. This is a picture of grace at work. All of us live in grace of this type. When Christ died for our sin, all of it was in the future. We tend to think of Christ’s sacrifice as being only good for those who come after Christ, but his sacrifice was good for all sin, of all time, both before and after. After this event, David’s empire now extended up into Mesopotamia - the area where Abraham and Jacob had come from. It is worth noting that Ammon in the Bible is where we get the capital of Jordan today, Amman.

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Dec 8, 2022

16:24

2 Samuel 9 - David's Kindness to Mephibosheth | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 9, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 9 David wants to show kindness to his friend Jonathan and finds out that he has a remaining son, Mephibosheth. He calls for him to come. It was customary to put to death potential heirs to the throne from those who preceded a king. So Mephibosheth was probably terrified. But David doesn't punish him but rewards him, giving him a place at the king’s table and putting in place servants to care for him and his property. Mephibosheth is a picture of fallen humanity in its crippled state. Yet we are called to dine at the table of the king because of the kindness of Christ. It would make complete sense that Christ would also want to slay all his enemies, but Christ's method is to turn enemies into friends. Psalm 110:1 says God’s enemies would be his footstool. This sounds bad, but turns out that his enemies will become Christ’s resting place. In Romans 5:8 it says that while we were Christ’s enemies, he showed his love for us and died for us. Interestingly we also find out in this chapter that Mephibosheth was staying at the home of Bath-sheba’s brother before this incident.

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Dec 7, 2022

6:24

2 Samuel 8 - David's Military Victories | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 8, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 8 we have an outline of how David defeated all the enemies of Israel, but its a summary chapter, not giving any sense of how long it took, or what order. But his victories are comprehensive over the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, Syrians, and more. The Philistines were such a major threat to Israel for so long, but from David on, they are never a problem for Israel again. Today we get the name Palestine from the Philistines. David also cuts the Moabite army by two-thirds, which seems overly forceful. According to Jewish tradition, David’s parents were killed in Moab after David trusted them to the King, and some think this is why he seems to have changed his attitude to Moab from earlier. When attacking King Hadadezer of Zobab, he hamstrung many horses. In Deuteronomy 17:16 it says the king should not acquire many horses. David follows this command. But Solomon later does not. Just as David struck down all his enemies, so Christ. Colososians 2:15 says Christ led his enemies in triumph, and humiliated them. David’s victories are symbolic of greater victories in the heavenlies. At the end of the chapter is a short list of special positions in David's system. The Cherethites and the Pelethites were David’s bodyguard, special soldiers that seem to have come from elsewhere, but were highly loyal. We too have been brought into the Lord’s army to show him loyalty. You are called to be a Cherethite and Pelethite for Christ… his bodyguard, someone who will defend Christ.

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Dec 6, 2022

12:34

2 Samuel 7 - God's Covenant with David | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 7, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 7 David wants to do something for God. Now this is something that so many people seem to not do. Many are grateful for what God does for them, but it never seems to go to the next step, where they ask God, what can I do for you? David seems to have completely taken the initiative here, and yet, he runs his idea past God via the prophet, so seeks approval for his idea. And unlike many who build ministries foro their own glory, David is sincere in his desire to do something for the Lord. His specific idea is to build God a temple. In response God says he will bless David for his heart, but he is not to build the temple. David’s son will build the temple. Who is that son, and what is the temple? In a short term physical sense, the son was Solomon. The Lord raised him up, and he built the temple and his kingdom was established. But in the true sense the son was Christ who built the true temple which is the church. The throne of Christ is an everlasting throne, and his kingdom an everlasting kingdom. While this promise is grand and fulfilled here for David, the same promise comes repeatedly to God’s followers over and over. Whenever anyone has a heart for the Lord’s work, for his house, for his family, for his people, for his church, the Lord sees that he builds their house and family in return. David’s response is one of humility, gratitude, faith and affirmation. He feels unworthy of the Lord doing anything for him, and yet he urges Him to do it. This is an unusual combination of attitudes, and we should learn from it.

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Dec 5, 2022

15:19

2 Samuel 6 - The Ark Causes Uzzah's Death | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 6, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 6 David seems to not be aware of the biblical rules for transporting the ark. Neither does he seem to remember recent history when a huge number of people were killed in an ark-related incident when it was returned from Philistine occupation. So he endeavors to bring the ark to Jerusalem, which killed Uzzah. He then leaves the ark with Obed-Edom who is blessed by having it there. Then David tries again successfully to bring the ark to Jerusalem. As the ark comes he dances more or less in his undergarments willingly making a fool of himself. Having the presence of God with you as Obed-Edom did blesses you. When we make the Lord welcome in our lives and hearts, we blesses us. David set up a special tent for God. This was not the tabernacle. This was called the tent of David. This is that to which the prophet Amos later referred saying “I will restore David’s fallen tent.” (Amos 9:11) What was happening here was very much a move of grace by God as it was outside the rules given to Moses. As David danced into Jerusalem, he embarrassed his first wife Michal. Michal had other struggles to begin with. Despite being David’s first wife, she now shared him with about twenty women. She was also taken away and had another husband that seemed to truly love her, having five sons with him. Her marital situation was complicated, not to mention that her father was the previous king. Her attitude to David was worse than simply being embarrassed by what he did. Michal expressed her disgust to David, and never had anymore children after this. The Lord probably didn’t curse her fertility, but more likely David never desired to be physically intimate with her anymore. She should have held her words, or have apologised and retracted them. But she did neither. It can be hard to know what to do when you are in such a complex position. Meanwhile, will you be Christ’s fool?

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Dec 4, 2022

15:02

2 Samuel 5 - David's Victories and Kindness | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 5, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 5 David becomes king over all Israel at 30 years of age. From the time David defeated Goliath until now has been at least 11 years, but more likely 12 to 15. For the last two years of his life (since age 28) he has been King of Judah at Hebron, and would reign there another 5 and a half years before moving his capital to Jerusalem. In conquering Jerusalem, they got under the wall through a water shaft, which is almost certainly the shaft discovered by Samuel Warren in the 1800’s, now called Warren’s shaft. In conquering Jerusalem, David was now doing what Joshua and those after him should have done four hundred years earlier. David is now fully conquering the land and subjugating it, but sadly the Israelites have already been influenced by those around them. David had a lot of children. It is worth noting here Nathan the third son of his to be born in Jerusalem, and named after Nathan the prophet. Also, in Luke’s gospel genealogy of Christ, Jesus is descended from Nathan. (Luke 3:31) Jesus is also descended from Solomon as listed in Matthew’s genealogy. (Matt 1:6-7) Interestingly, in 1 Chron 3 we learn that both Nathan and Solomon were children of Bath-sheba. Up to now, David had been an ally of the Philistines, but no longer. Battles begin which David wins. All the losses to the Philistines in Saul’s time are now being reversed. When we turn back to Christ, who is symbolised by David in this chapter, we begin to take back from the evil one what was lost. The key is walking with Christ. Note: The introduction of the word Zion in scripture, theology and history is here.

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Dec 3, 2022

15:46

2 Samuel 4 - The Ark Brought to Jerusalem | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 4, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 4 Ishbosheth, the king of Israel is assassinated in cold blood by two of his own military officers. They travel through the night and bring the head to David in Hebron thinking they are bringing wonderful news. Israel now has only one remaining heir to the throne, which is Mephibosheth, the lame and crippled grandson of Saul. The two assassins declared to David that “God had delivered him of his enemies.” This is an interesting thing depending on one’s perspective. What they had done was cold-blooded murder and deserved to be punished. The Lord can hardly be endorsed as the motivator for this. From the men’s perspective they were glory-seeking and didn’t care about David’s deliverance, or the Lord’s honor, only their own advancement. From David’s perspective these men had to be punished for their crime, and to show he had no part in it. This was both the righteous thing to do, and also the right political thing to do too. But strangely what they said was actually true. The death of Ishbosheth was a deliverance, despite being at the hands of evil men, that David needed. The Lord used this to bring about his plan, despite its origination in the hearts of evil men. Incredibly the Lord often brings about his purposes despite the evil intentions of people. Is there anyone that you know with certainty is not in the will of God. Is there a so called king like Ishbosheth that you know of. It could be a leader of any type. If it is clear to you that they do not belong… even still, do not raise your hand against them. What does Christ say? Love your enemies. Do good to those who persecute you.

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Dec 2, 2022

13:41

2 Samuel 3 - David Conquers Jerusalem | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 3, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 3 a long war between Saul’s house and David’s house began in which David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker. This was more of a cold war, and the Philistines were also in the mix controlling a lot of Israelite territory too. Up north in Israel a strange thing happens. King Ishboshet accuses Abner of sleeping with his father the king’s concubine. Quite a few commentators have mentioned that to take a king’s concubine was seen as a claim on the king's throne. It was a way of saying the king's property was your own. So Ishbosheth is feeling threatened by Abner. Abner gets mad and decides to hand the tribes over to David, and begins the process of doing that. But after a good visit to David at Hebron, Joab murders Abner. Joab had two issues, one with revenge for his brother, and other may well have been a job security issue because Abner was his counterpart in Israel. David also requests Michal his first wife back. This is one of the strangest things in the Bible. Politically this helped David’s cause as a son of Saul. He might also have still felt fondness for her because she saved his life, and she was his first wife and they were only married a short time. But it had been at least ten years, and she was now married to another and may even have had children. David also had many wives at this point. In today’s world we see people who have multiple partners, not usually at the same time, but often one after another. Life becomes more and more complicated the more people one is married to. In all of this we can see why monogamy is God’s plan.

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Dec 1, 2022

16:44

2 Samuel 2 - David Anointed King | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 2, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 2 David asks the Lord what to do, now that Saul is dead. David was always listening to what the Lord suggested. God is the omniscient one, and we should pay attention to his opinion. God sends him to Hebron, and the people of Judah anoint him the king of their tribe. Now David blesses and encourages the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead who are outside the tribe of Judah. He is pleased with how they took care of Saul’s body. He thinks broadly and encourages and blesses all God’s people, not just those he is responsible for. This is exactly how pastor’s should think, and should also have a parish mentality, not a congregation mentality. But Israel appoints Saul’s last son Ishbosheth king in Mahanaim. The battle against the Philistines was in the north of Israel and it meant they occupied territory normally belonging to Israelites. So Israel is governed from across the Jordan out of reach of the Philistines. Ultimately it is David who pushes the Philistines back, and if he doesn’t do it, probably all of Israel would have become under Philistine control. The tribes of Israel remain split for two years and have a mini civil war, but thorugh it all David remains civil and does his best to serve all.

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Nov 30, 2022

13:49

2 Samuel 1 - The Death of Saul | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 1, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In 2 Samuel Chapter 1 an Amalekite brings so-called good news to David. The distance from Mt Gilboa to Ziklag in a straight line is 139 kilometres on Google maps, and most likely the Amalekite didn’t travel in a straight line. He probably travelled more than 150 kilometres in just a few days. He was rushing to meet David and carried with him Saul’s crown he lifted off his body after the battle. He expected a reward, but instead was punished for claiming to kill the Lord’s anointed. One of the big issues that caused the Lord to reject Saul was his failure to obey and completely destroy the amalekites. And here an amalekite takes the crown off his head to bring to David. Its very ironic. One of the things many unbelievers and even young believers have complained about is all the apparent rules God gives. They feel the burdens of God are too much. But here we see that if Saul had obeyed it would have been life for him, and his disobedience If David was in danger, Saul would never have considered doing anything to protect him, but would have gleefully celebrated his demise. Now we see in this chapter David standing up for Saul and mourning his demise. David is a picture of Christ to us. How many of us celebrate when we see the demise of any other person. Sadly people celebrate when a pastor of another church falls, because they think in competitive terms. That type of thinking stinks and God abhors it. David then lamented Saul and Jonathan. He loved Jonathan, even if in the last ten years of his life he was not able to spend time with him. Their hearts were knit when they first met, and they had a close connection greater than in many marriages. It was not weird, but the way that God intends for his people to be in faith - to be of one heart. We have much to learn from David and Jonathan’s example.

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Nov 29, 2022

17:03

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