2 Samuel 23; 1 Chronicles 11 Humanly speaking, David’s rise to power as king of Israel and his military victories over his enemies could not have happened without the help of his devoted and courageous warriors. Near the end of the accounts of David’s life and reign his most revered warriors are listed, along with […]
Category Archives: Old Testament
The Ark of the Covenant in the Promised Land
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 […]
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
[Author’s note: This article is intended as a heuristic exploration (i.e., educated guess) into the possible events and locations related to the Battle at the Pool of Gibeon. The evidence and discussion presented are not intended as definitive proof but rather as embryonic ideas for further study.] 2 Samuel 2 Sometime during David’s reign in […]