As the most tangible symbol of the Lord’s presence among the Israelites, the Ark of the Covenant played a central role in the worship and religious life of Israel until it was lost or destroyed during the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 25:1-21; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21; Jeremiah 39:1-10; 52:1-30). The very […]
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David Defeats the Philistines in the Valley of Rephaim
2 Samuel 5; 23:13-17 ; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19; 14:10-17 Soon after David became king over all Israel, the Philistines sent forces into the central hill country to find David. No doubt their intent was to keep the newly unified nation of Israel from becoming too powerful under David’s rule and to ensure their own power […]
Poster Map of Israel and Judah
Soon after King Solomon of Israel died, the nation of Israel divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10; also see map). Initially Moab remained subject to Israel, and Edom remained subject to Judah, but by 848 B.C.–the approximate era displayed on this map–both […]
The Battle at the Pool of Gibeon
2 Samuel 2 Sometime during David’s reign in Hebron, a group of soldiers led by Joab traveled north to the town of Gibeon, where some soldiers led by Abner, the commander over Ish-bosheth’s forces, had already gathered. The two sides agreed to a contest of young champions, but the contest ended with all the champions […]
David and Ish-bosheth
2 Samuel 2-4 Soon after Saul was killed in battle against the Philistines, David and his family moved to Hebron. There the people of Judah, David’s tribe, anointed him king over Judah. It seems that David then made an indirect offer to Jabesh-gilead to come under his rule as well, but Abner, the son of […]