February 23, 2019: 2 Samuel 19-21.
Three bloggers I follow gave a review of the book “Girl’s Club.” Two loved the book and one was less than enthusiastic. I liked the last review best!
Friendship comes in many forms. Some friends are only in our lives for a season – like school chums.
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After Bible study last night, Sarah told me she defended me to a mutual acquaintance. She told them, “I can’t be your friend if you treat my friend this way.”
She will never know how deeply that touched me!
I thought of Sarah as my friends’ daughter. She didn’t see me as her mom’s friend. I am her friend!
Friendship crosses generational lines. I get advice from Aunt Nellie and from my daughters-in-law. I am not in the same season of life as any of them!
My closest friends travel – sometimes for weeks at a time. (I. Go. To. Church. Period.) But when we talk it’s like no time has passed.
And my best friend? My sister-in-law, Melinda! I’m close to my sisters but they live in different towns. When I need help – she comes running and I do the same. (She’s afraid I’ll send her brother back!)
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After his war with Absalom, David lost most of his friends. All the men of Israel followed Sheba, the son of Bicri.
2 Samuel 20:2, “So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba the son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.” The Message
David won the war but lost his son and most of the people. Only his family – his tribe – stuck with him. He didn’t have time to grieve because of the war with Sheba. Then the Philistines came to fight.
2 Samuel 21:15, “War broke out again between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went down to fight. David became exhausted.” The Message
David was heartsick and tired. Why did God allow more wars?
For the next generation!
David killed the giant, Goliath. There were 4 other descendants of Rapha. (That’s why he picked up 5 stones for his slingshot.)
The younger generation killed the other four:
- Abishai son of Zeruiah killed Ishi-Benob, a warrior descended from Rapha, 21:16, 17.
- Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, another warrior descended from Rapha, 21:18.
- Elhanan son of Jaar, the weaver of Bethlehem, killed Goliath the Gittite whose spear was as big as a flagpole, 21:19.
- Jonathan, son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed a giant with twenty-four fingers and toes, 21:20, 21.
Two of these men were David’s nephews: Abishai and Jonathan. One was the son of a weaver! Elhanan killed Goliath’s brother.
1 Chronicles 20:5, “In another war with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite whose spear was like a ship’s boom.” The Message
When we keep in touch with the older generation we show our children that they matter. They have wisdom and experience that only comes from living a long life.
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