- Chapters: [[2 Samuel 21]] # House of Blood In Tuesday will be 100 days of [[Donald Trump]] But 100 days seems short to determine who is good/bad For many historical leaders, there will be lots of people who are wildly in their favour, and many haters ## Transitions This is approaching the end of [[2 Samuel]] Four chapters left, but not four more years of [[David]]'s power This chapter is all about reparations -- paying reparations, [[David]]'s retirement as a soldier. So -- has he been a good king or a bad king? Behind all of this, is a "job advert": [[Jesus]] is offering to be our [[David]] Lately there's been a quiet revival of conservative Christianity especially amongst Gen Z men; here is where you come to weigh whether it's worth following him. When [[Jesus]] says that he is the annointed one, this is where you come to find where that means. Here it says: the king should be humble [[1 Samuel]] and [[2 Samuel]] have three main psalms: ## Structure of the last chapters The lifetime of [[Saul]] follows an erf shape in terms of approval rating; [[David]]'s is shaping up to be similar but shifted to the right Core structure of these chapters: - Sins - Soldiers - Songs - Songs - Soldiers - Sins ### Broken oath, kept oath (v 1-7) See also [[Joshua 9]] [[Gibeonites]] were promised ILR in [[Israel]], but [[Saul]] tried to annihilate them, because there has been a drought/famine for 3 years Hence, they want justice [[David]] wants to make reconciliation (perhaps silver or gold), but the [[Gibeonites]] want deaths of [[Saul]]'s descendants, which [[David]] agrees to Commentaries disagree whether or not this was a good solution But what is clear is a comparison between [[David]] and [[Saul]]: oath keeper vs oath breaker In conclusion: no matter what, the humble king of God's people is a keeper of promises ### Blood guilt atoned (v 8-14) God is the opposite of injustice and sin The king is one of the three "lab technicians" of the Old Testament (prophet, priest, king) The king is willing to take on the guilt and make blood sacrifice -- this points towards [[Jesus]] #### Humble grief honoured (v 10-14) Rizpah is protesting; a normal king would be expected to silence her. You'd also expect [[David]] to be harsh to those of the house of [[Saul]], yet [[David]] shows love and respect to them As if the record was wiped clean. Sounds familiar? ### ... The harder they fall (v 15-22)