Welcome to the Bible in a Year for 2025. Intro to this series and resource links available here, plus here’s how I’m approaching this year.
Scriptures for Today:
Reflection:
Wonderful love of a friend (1:25-27) - Rather than rejoice that members of a rival family for the throne of Israel have been killed, David grieves. His respect for the Lord’s anointing upon Saul continues. But his love for his friend Jonathan is even stronger. Here I appreciate how he elevates the love of a friend over satisfaction with lovers. Even though erotic love is a powerful thing, the deep companionship of friendship love is far greater.
Turning the page (3:28-39) - When Abner comes over to David’s side, David receives him. Joab, David’s war minister, is understandably not ready to lay down his grievance with Abner for killing his brother in battle. Still, David is the king and he decides on reconciliation. David’s mourning for Joab is interesting—both a political and personal element. Politically, it reinforces that David had nothing to do with Abner’s death. Personally, it shows that having received an offer of reconciliation, David turned the page completely on their history and received Abner.
Questions:
Who are the friends you have cherished over the years?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, help me both to give and receive the gift of authentic friendship. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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