Author: Daniel

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

2nd Samuel 15 — Absolom as a haSatan figure to the Messiah

Daniel elaborates on the chiastic structure of 2nd Samuel 15–20 by showing a couple of simpler chiastic structures in Numbers 7, which was discussed during the Torah study.

The one in 2nd Samuel is the largest chiastic structure that Daniel has presented so far. However, the focus of this chiastic structure, as in most chiastic structures, is the Messiah. God places these chiastic structures in the Bible to reveal clues about the role of the Messiah or events that will occur in the Messiah’s life on earth.

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

2nd Samuel 15: Absolom names himself king of Israel

Absolom’s political life begins after he retuned to Israel after his exile. He quickly gains the favor of many and he usurps David’s throne for a time. He stole the hearts of the people by claiming he just wanted to be a judge of Israel as Samuel and his predecessors had been judge. However, it is in Absolom’s heart to become king all along by crowning himself in Hebron, the city where David had become king. David leaves behind 15 people including five spies and 10 concubines.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings

The Gospel in 2nd Samuel 15-21

This section of 2nd Samuel is the “second witness” of the veracity of the gospel authors and their testimony of Yeshua’s life, death and resurrection. As Yeshua told the pharisees in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” These Scriptures Yeshua calls the Pharisees to re-examine are the TaNaKh (Torah, Prophets and Writings). He tells them — and us — that the entire TaNaKh give us His story.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

2nd Samuel 14 — thematic, chiastic parallels in the lives of Adam, David, Absolom, Amnon

This chapter is the culmination of the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar. It’s been three years since the death of Amnon at Absolom’s hands and David’s heart is still heavy. Joab convinces a wise woman to tell an elaborate story to tug at David’s heart to convince him to allow his son Absolom to return to Jerusalem.

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Discussions

2nd Samuel 13 — tying up loose ends

This discussion wraps up some dangling questions about the events that lead to Amnon’s death, Absolom’s exile and Absolom’s eventual return to Jerusalem. We also learn more about how cunning Jonadab really is and how this story gives us insights into the character of the Messiah and Satan.

Categories
Appointments With God Discussions Purim

Structure of the Book of Esther points to messianic prophecy

"Queen Esther" painting by Edwin Long, 1878
"Queen Esther" by Edwin Long, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 1878

Many passages in the Bible were written with a chiastic structure, which is like rhyming patterns in poetry but pairing similar information or concepts instead. That’s one reason why some passages seem to be highly repetitive. The point of chiastic structures is to point the reader to a key concept. Daniel explains that the Book of Esther is one large chiastic structure, focusing on a messianic prophecy in the middle.

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

2nd Samuel 13 — Amnon rapes Tamar, Absolom kills Amnon

We will compare three tragic “couples”: Adam and Eve, David and Bathsheba, and Ammon and Tamar. God repeats a story three times to help teach us a lesson about sin and transgression.

He’s also introducing Absolom as a Messianic figure. From here, we will be following his life closely for messianic clues.