Platoz

Q4. The Davidic kingdom did end in 587 BC -- temporarily. How did God fulfill his promises in the Davidic Covenant? By Jesus being born from the line of David on both sides of his parents – Mary and Joseph. Joseph was not the biological father but he did come from the line of David. In what ways is it fulfilled in Christ? Jesus' parent Mary and Joseph came from the Davidic line. Joseph was not the biological father but he did come from the line of David. The promise that the Davidic covenant would last forever is Jesus in heaven who reigns now and who will reign forever. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1190

Q3. (2 Samuel 7:14-16) There is a conditional aspect in the Davidic Covenant -- that God will discipline David's descendants when they sin. How did God discipline David and his descendants? His family fell apart. Brother slept with sister. Brother killed brother. His sons plotted against David. 
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1189

Q2. (2 Samuel 7:8-13) What are the main promises of the Davidic Covenant? God will make David's name great. God will provide a home for Israel that is their own. God will provide David rest from his enemies. David's descendents will be a dynasty. God will provide David a son who will build the temple. David's kingdom will last forever. Are these promises conditional or unconditional? They are unconditional. The promises of the Davidic Covenant was going to happen even if the Israelites disappointed God. Why does conditionality make a difference? Because the covenant can always be broken if one side does not keep their agreement. Which of these promises is most important to you as a Christian? The last one – David's kingdom will last forever. Heaven bound.
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1188

Q1. (2 Samuel 7:1-7) Why is Nathan so quick to give David approval to build the temple? Because he knew that God was with David and he maybe assumed that anything that came from David's mouth was from God. And maybe David thought that because Nathan the Prophet agreed he had no need to seek God's specific guidance. What should have Nathan done instead? He should have sought council from God also to see if it was in agreement with David's desire. We are all so quick to jump the gun with God. We are on a roll. It has to be a good think that I am wanting to do, surely God will bless it. Oops! Not so fast. What is the danger of leaders and followers too quickly approving major spiritual directions without really waiting upon the Lord? If God is for it he will answer eventually. We need to be patient and wait. If you move on ahead with the plan without waiting on God there is a good chance that your work will be for naught. David's heart is partly right about building the temple though. Which part does David have right?
 David is right in the fact that he will plan the design and gather the supplies for the building of the temple. I always tell my husband to get his stuff ready to work the night before he is to do a project for that is half of the work. David doing that and preparing the way for the building of the temple was as important as the actual building as time and work is concerned. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1186

Q5. (Luke 1:42-43) In what sense are the titles "Blessed Virgin Mary" and "Mother of God" appropriate for Mary? Because they are true. They are not titles given to her in worship of her as a God that bore Jesus. They are adjectives that describe her being. Mary was the mother of Jesus, she was a virgin and how much more lifted up could she get than to be chosen as the female to develop Jesus and be trusted in his care. Why are we sometimes hesitant to exalt her as "blessed among women"?
 Probably because it could be surmised that we are calling upon her as a God, someone to worship. Actually, I do not feel the need to refer to her in any of those names as a title. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=713

Q4. (Luke 1:38) What is the essence of Mary's positive response to the angel? She tells the angel to do with her as he pleases, as he has spoken. Although she does not know how it will happen she totally trust that this is God's plan and he has control and knows what he is doing. What can we learn from her response for our own lives? To trust in God and have faith. In what sense was Mary's response an "informed consent"? She tells the angel to do with her as he pleases, as he has spoken. Again, she doesn't know how this will come about-will it hurt, how long will it take, does she need to do anything to prepare for this, ….but she knows that God can do anything and he knows the ending before the story even started. When we respond to God, what do we consent to? We are submitting to his plan and his will.
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=712

Q3. (Luke 1:35) What does the virgin conception teach us about Jesus' nature? That he was a miracle, by definition, "an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs. How central is the doctrine of the virgin conception to the Christian message?
 If Mary was not a virgin it could always be said that Jesus was not the one in the OT prophesied to come in the NT. One could say that he was not the Son of God. He was an imposter, a hoax. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=711

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Mary believed and she was just asking how that was going to happen since she knew that she had not known a man yet. She was willing and eager to obey. Zechariah asked “how” in disbelief. He told the angel to prove it to him. Mary told the angel do with me as you have said. Is that the difference between the faith of a child verses the faith of an older, intellectual person? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined? Mary was rewarded because she believed because of her faith. Zechariah was disciplined because he had a disbelieving attitude and said for the angel to proof it to him. God punishes us for our attitude as much as the physical sin. 
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=710

Q1. (Luke 1:31-34) What did the angel's announcement say about who Mary's Child was and who he was to become?
 2. Mary will give birth to a son. The child must be given the name "Jesus," The child will become a great person. His title will be "Son of the Most High. He will inherit "the throne of his father David, Finally, "his kingdom will never end." http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=709

My name is Patsy. I am recently retired. I worked for 38 years in surgical services as a registered nurse. I have 9 grandchildren and a few others that claim me, and I claim them, but biologically we are not related. I have taught Junior Church, which I love, but i also like to educate myself regarding Bible info. I have many hobbies: sewing, reading, gardening, baking. Since I am retired now I am looking at taking fun classes, or what could be called, classes of interest. I have been married for 20 years now. He is retired also. He likes to camp which is OK with me but I do not suffer when I camp. Life is good,

Q4. (2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23) What has happened to Michal that she is so bitter at David? She blames David for loosing so much in her life. She used to be the King's daughter. She used to be David 1st wife, now she was #7-low in rank. She remarried someone else after David went into exile and then David took her away from him when he gained his power as king. She thought David was responsible for her downward spiral. How does her bitterness cause her to misjudge what she sees? She has let evil and nasty thoughts enter into her mind. Over time it has grown and became worse until David cannot do anthing that is not opposing to her. Are you bitter towards God about something in your past? I'm bitter at me for being so nonchalant about sin in my younger days. But, then I look at the change in my life and I am thankful. Work still in progress. What effect might it have on your spiritual life? It hinders my praise and thankfulness to God because my mind is thinking too much about the past. How can you find healing from the bitterness? Remember we are all sinners even on our best days. God has forgiven us. We can remember those times in our life but learn from them and grow from them. What would have happened if David had conformed his worship expression to his wife's preferences? It would have short changed his praise and thankfulness to God.

Q3. (2 Samuel 6:14, 22) How would you describe David's approach to worship? He was a free spirit not ashamed to show his emotions. What does his dancing here teach us? The there is more than one way to worship God and our happyness and pleasure in serving and worshiping him should be demonstrated. What do we learn about praise from the psalms he wrote? That it is expected that we demonstrate our praise to God by singing and dancing. Does what others might think affect your ability to worship? Yes it does, especially the group as a whole. I would be able to share my worship style, so to say, to an individual who knew me well. But, with the group as a whole I probably would have too many of their questions to answer or explain myself. Doesn't it say somewhere in the Bible that if something we do offends our brother then we should not do it. I take that as we should not do it in their presence but we can and should still do it. This would be one of those things. How has God been working in your life to teach you to worship him in spirit and in truth? Sometimes what I want to pray for I am unable to find the words to explain it without feeling selfish, greedy, self centered. So, I tell God that he knows my heart and I mention that persons name to him so he will know that he is still in my prayers. Also, I like to envision God right next to me (which he is) and not far away or where ever Heaven is. In that way, everything is more personal for me. I am apt to confess my sins immediately or command myself to stop deceitful thought processes.

Q2. (2 Samuel 6:11-13) How should the ark have been transported? The Levites were the ones who were suppose to carry the ark, the poles were to be put through the little ringlets at the bottom of the ark, the poles were to be placed on the shoulders of these specially chosen men How are Uzzah and David responsible if they don't know the provisions of the Mosaic Law? They should have sought it out by one who would have known. David should have conferred with God prior to planning the move. Why didn't the Levites speak up since they were the ones who were responsible for its movement. Surely, there was someone who was learned about this. But, ultimately it was David's responsibilty. What does David's mistake in this incident teach us about seeking to do God's will? He should have sought God's will first prior to making arrangements to having the Ark moved. He knew it was Holy and special care was needed of it. He got ahead of himself.

Q1. (2 Samuel 6:1-10) Why does God strike Uzzah? Why is David so angry? God had earlier given specific instructions on how to carry the Ark of the Covenant. The Levites were the ones who were suppose to carry the ark, the poles were to be put through the little ringlets at the bottom of the ark, and then the poles were to be placed on the shoulders of these specially chosen men – the Levites. God struke Uzzah dead because he carried the Ark wrong and ended up touching the side of the ark. Whether he knew better to touch it or not doesn't matter, he touched it. David is angry because of several reasons. His happy occasion has gone wrong and had resulted in disaster. He had worked hard getting everything together to move the ark and it went wrong. Intentions good, but he was running a little ahead of God. He had asked council of everything else from God, he should have checked this out a little further.

Hello, My name is Patsy Latoz. I am recently retired from a nursing profession. Took a slightly early retirement-which is fine with me. I have 4 children and 9 grandchildren which keep me busy. They all live close except for one and we make a point to see her often. I love these classes.

Q3. (2 Samuel 5:17-25) Why does David inquire of the Lord before he attacks the Philistines the first time? Because David knows that God has put him and wants him in this situation (to be king). He knows God has it all planned out, and if he will only trust him and let God have control it will be as God has said. What would have happened if he thought he knew how to attack the Philistines, and didn't inquire of the Lord the second time? David and his men would have been conquered by the Philistines. Why do we often want to figure out the process so we can act independently, rather than wait on God as a way of life? It could be many reasons. We get tired of waiting on God. We start to think that God has forgotten something or he's not understanding. We get the big head and know that it worked the first time so we take it upon ourselves to do as we did before (like Moses did when he messed up with striking the water-I think he hit it several times with his stick instead of just one time as God said). What does that say about God? God will keep his part of the promise if you will keep his commandments. But, if you do not and go off on your own initiative then you are on your own. What does that say about us? If we try to act independently from God we put ourselves above God.

Q2. (2 Samuel 5:1-5) Approximately how long has it been since David had been anointed king by Samuel? It has been approximately 37 years since David had been anointed king by Samuel. Appendix 4. Chronology of the Life of David. (See ) Why did the fulfillment of God's word take so long? David needed to grow up and learn things to become the king that God wanted him to be. Not that he did not start into the process on a good foot but God put him on the throne when the time was right. Also, maybe the timing was not right for others concerned in the process such as the rest of the Israelites, the countries that surrounded Judah and Israel. How would you evaluate David's patience concerning this prophecy that he would be king? I think he had very good patience. If not, he would have killed or had Saul killed early in the game. But, he waited for God to take care of that in his time. How would you measure your own patience concerning what you believe God has promised you? No good. In fact I have been waiting for an outcome of something for some time now. I know it is coming and I am like “Come on, let's get moving on this. I've got things to do”. It seems like the waiting consumes my every thought until I am almost useless for other things.

Q1. (2 Samuel 3:22-39) Why does Joab slay Abner? Because Abner killed his brother. I really don't think it was Abner's fault. Abner told Joab's brother to get back and he didn't. All Abner had to do was stop moving and Joab's brother stabbed himself on Joab's sword. He really was inexperienced. Is he justified in doing so? Yes, he was justified. It was self defense at the least. Who was pusueing who? How does this affect his king's unification plans? I don't think it effected the people too much but Joab was not about to work with Abner in uniting the two nations. Somebody had to go. Why do you think Joab is so blind? Joab was looking for the first reason he could find to kill Abner. I doubt if he wanted anything to do with Abner being in David's circle due to possible loss of his status in David's eyes. David should have realized that this mix of Abner and Joab was not going to work. The people of Judah wanted David to be their king so that they would have protection from the Philistines. I don't think Abner needed to be included in the rank with Joab. David should have sent Abner to a nice country home in the country. How can our spiritual blindness get in the way of God working out His plan in our lives? We are not willing to see what God would have us do. We call something wrong instead of looking at the reality of it (like Joab saying that Abner killed his brother. Joab's brother killed himself) and therefore we act not as God would have us act.

Q2. (1 Samuel 30:6) From the Psalms of David, how does David seem to strengthen himself in the Lord when things are going bad? He puts to poems and to music the things that God has done for him and provided for him. It's a remembrance and it gives him fortitude to carry on with God in charge. What devotional exercises does he adopt? Centering down," seeking to enter into a calm, quiet, reflective, receptive state. What is the focus of his faith? 
 That the Lord will deliver him and provide. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1177

Q3. (2 Samuel 1:19-27; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14) David is gracious in his memorial psalm. How does he remember Saul's life? As grandious, courageous, and memorable. How does the Chronicler remember Saul's life? Self centered and that there will be judgement for his disobedience to God. How do you think God evaluates Saul's life? I think God said “Oh, you foolish man. You could have had it all and more if you would have just honored and obeyed me”. I think God evaluates Saul's life and all of our lives by the condition of the heart. If we do something good or generous but then brag and let everyone know what we have done, we have already obtained our glory. Saul's heart was wrong. He was not putting God first. What do we learn from this?
 God honors the person who obeys him and looks to him for guidance – no matter who you are on the food chain. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1178

Q1. (1 Samuel 30:1-6) Why do the men blame David? The men blame David because he had them go and act like they were aligning with the Philistines. They thought it much too daring and David was pushing his luck. Why is the situation so explosive at this point. Because the men have lost their families and all of their monetary worth. The Philistines might have already killed or separated their families or sexually abused them. I'm sure they were tired of being out in the wilderness also without a definite place to call home. What does David do in the situation? David does not make plans to go after the Amalakites right away. He goes to God and reflects on how God has always lead him and delivered him from his battles. It was a way of calming himself and recognizing God for his faithfulness to him before he went and did something without God's guidance. I think they called it “centering down”. What is David feeling? He's trying to remain calm and not let his brain run off in a fury of revenge. It seems like it would almost be impossible to do due to the noise of his men angry at him and sad for their loss. Would this be some kind of self-hypnotic state or yoga practice? Why doesn't he act immediately?
 David wants to be in control of the situation instead of the situation controlling him so he is taking the time to center down. He also wants to ask of God what he should do by using the ephod from the Priest robe. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1176

Q2. (1 Samuel 24:12) How do we apply the principle of not lifting a hand against the Lord's anointed in our day? We should honor and respect the ones who are anointed by God to do his work. This doesn't mean that the ones who are anointed should not be accountable but there is where things get mucky. Sometimes it is hard for church leaders to share their plan for the church. What provisions are there in 1 Timothy 5:19-20 for calling leaders to account. 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. What do you think God will do to those who slander, persecute, and martyr his appointed leaders?
 Punish them. Actually I could go on and on about this subject. I understood what I Timothy said and I have no problem with believing it and respecting and honoring the verse. I believe that when one does have a problem with the character of one of their church leaders, and it cannot be resolved, then that person would do themselves and the church good if they would leave that church and find another. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1173

Q3. (1 Samuel 25) What do we learn about David's character in this incident with Nabal and Abigail? He was quick to anger. Get mad and ask questions later type of person. What do we learn about Abigail's character? She had common sense and knew how to treat different personalities and when to humble herself. Nabal's character? Sounds like he was born into money and had no direct experience with dealing with people. He just cast them out of his sight. He was awfully “me” centered. He thought his position and wealth would scare others away who might threaten him. Why do you think this story was included in 1 Samuel? Just as it took 40 years to get the Israelites leaving Egypt ready to enter Canaan, it took awhile to get David ready to be King of Israel. This story showed how David grew up spiritually during this time running from Saul. What important knowledge does it add to our understanding?
 We are a work in progress. When we learn new knowledge about ourselves pertaining to obeying God and doing what is right then we need to change and do it. God is displeased with our sin but how happy he must be when we listen to him and turn from doing wrong. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1174

Q4. (1 Samuel 28:7-14) Why do you think God condemns occult practices of communicating with the dead and channeling spirits of the dead? Because we are to go to God with our questions, needs and thoughts. We are to ask for his guidance. We we do this we are looking for another God and giving God second place. How might such practices open Christians to victimization and oppression by evil spirits? I don't even like to write about this. Evil spirits are willing to enter into our conscious state with the least bit of invitation. Christians could think the evil spirits answering and work is of God because it could look nice and shiny and wonderful for us. What should you do if you've been involved in such practices in the past? Ask God to forgive you and to give you the knowledge to discern when something as this nature comes your way again. These things can slip up on you. 
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1175

Q4. (1 Samuel 28:7-14) Why do you think God condemns occult practices of communicating with the dead and channeling spirits of the dead? Because we are to go to God with our questions, needs and thoughts. We are to ask for his guidance. We we do this we are looking for another God and giving God second place. How might such practices open Christians to victimization and oppression by evil spirits? I don't even like to write about this. Evil spirits are willing to enter into our conscious state with the least bit of invitation. Christians could think the evil spirits answering and work is of God because it could look nice and shiny and wonderful for us. What should you do if you've been involved in such practices in the past? Ask God to forgive you and to give you the knowledge to discern when something as this nature comes your way again. These things can slip up on you. 
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1175