There are 55 chapters in 1st and 2nd Samuel. Out of those 55, the most famous is the story of David and Goliath. But close behind it is the story of David and Bathsheba. One records David’s greatest victory. The other records his greatest failure. One is about David’s rise. The other is about David’s fall. Although we’re less than […]

David mobilises his troops for war. Firstly Joab and Abishai lead the people into battle, and the Syrians and Ammonites flee before them. At this point, in v16, Hadadezer, who’s a Syrian king, sends for reinforcements – and more Syrians arrive. This time David himself takes command of the Israelite forces, and the Syrians are defeated again. 40,000 horsemen and […]

Verse 12 reminds us that our part is to be courageous – and to leave the results to God. ‘Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him’. It’s not just Joab who talks like that. Do you remember Jonathan […]