In 2 Samuel 3 an agreement is made between David and Abner to transfer all power under David's authority and for Abner to facilitate this transition. David agrees that Abner will replace Joab as the commander of the army. When Joab heard of this agreement he tried hard to change David's mind by claiming that Abner could not be trusted. The chapter began by telling us of David's growing power and family; at the same time as the house of Saul is in serious decline. The chapter says that Ishbosheth challenged Abner by accusing him of being intimate with one of Ishbosheth's concubines. Abner reacted violently and swore to transfer authority to David. Ishbosheth was never able to control Abner and so Abner's outburst was met with silence. David also made a condition for Abner's plan to be implemented that his wife Michal must be restored to David. Abner convinced the heads of Benjamin to support Abner's plan. He travels with 20 Benjaminites to come with him for the discussions with David. After Abner's visit Joab sought to overturn the agreement. Now his sworn enemy, who had killed Joab's younger brother - Asahel - had usurped Joab's position as captain of the army. Verses 26-30 tell of Joab's cunning deception and he and his brother Abishai ruthlessly slaying Abner at the gates of Hebron - a city of refuge. Verses 31-34 recounts David's anger and sadness at the treachery of his two nephews. Abner was publicly praised by David for his courage and dedication to his job. He died tragically as a fool at the hands of the cruel brothers. David describes Joab and Abishai as wicked men. In Verses 35-40 David refused food and mirth to honour Abner. This was pleasing to David's servants as they respected everything that king David did. David then expressed the view that Joab and Abishai were extremely dangerous men. David called on Yahweh as his witness that the king had nothing to do with Abner's assassination.

2 Samuel begins with David hearing of the death of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. The news was brought to David in Ziklag by a dirt-covered Amalekite. This man sought to ingratiate himself to David and was hoping to be generously rewarded for his news. Instead the man is shocked and terrified by David's angry response. Before David responded he asked the Amalekite to tell him the circumstances of the death of Saul and his sons. The account is given and David is told by the Amalekite the information we heard in 1 Samuel 31. However he provides extra information believing that David will reward him. The Amalekite says that he came upon Saul who was nearing death and at the request of king Saul he slew Saul. As proof that he had done what he claimed the man brought Saul's crown and arm band. David mourned till the evening and then rose in rage and tells the Amalekite that his actions had sealed his own death having slain Yahweh's anointed. That wicked man was instantly executed by one of David's young warriors. The second half of the chapter outlines David's ode of lament for Saul and Jonathan. The lament is called the Song of the Bow, since the bow was Jonathan's weapon of choice. Jonathan had given David his bow earlier when the two friends made a covenant between them. The words of the song are in verses 19-27. At David's command they were recorded in the book of Jasher and were to be taught to Judah, David's own tribe. David speaks of Saul and Jonathan as "the glory of Israel" and they were slain on the Mount - high places - defending the people of the LORD against their enemies. David is distressed that the Philistines will gloat over their victory. David says "tell it not in Gath" - the Hebrew is a poem: "Tell it not in Telltown". David asks God to withhold moisture from falling on Mount Gilboa. Verses 22-23 describe the valiant and courageous and undivided warriors that Saul and Jonathan were. Verse 24 outlines Saul's generosity towards the Jewish maidens he favoured. Saul showed generosity to many during his life. In the last three verses David concludes his lament by saying that he is greatly distressed by Jonathan's untimely death. That demise was the end of an extraordinarily deep friendship. No doubt that this friendship will again flourish in Messiah's kingdom. David is exemplary in his speaking well of Saul who constantly had sought to destroy him. Let us learn to speak always graciously with measured words: Ephesians 4 verses 29-32.

Only Jesus had perfect faith – but he gives a very useful lesson to his disciples in today’s ch. 17 in Matthew. He had come down from the mountain on which he had been with his 3 chosen disciples – in the meantime the other disciples had been unable to heal an epileptic boy an anxious father had brought to them.

They had reason to expect they would be able to perform a healing as they had earlier performed healings when Jesus sent the 12 out to “Proclaim the kingdom …Heal the sick …” [10 v.7,8] among “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” They had the faith then to do it, but they had been specially commissioned by Jesus to do so. This time Jesus calls them, “Faithless … how long am I to be with you?” [v.17] and heals the boy “instantly” [v.18] They ask Jesus why were they unable to heal, he says, “Because of your little faith” [v.20] Then he makes a remarkable statement. “ … if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed you will say …”

Now a mustard seed grows because it has been divinely programmed to grow into a mustard bush, that books tell us grew as high as a horse’s head, as long as it is “fed and watered” (as the hymn goes) sometimes needing the help of humans. So it is “faith” in what has been divinely programmed.

Now note what Jesus adds! “you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’ Jesus is making a particular point. Sometimes Bible readers talk of faith to move mountains, but Jesus does not say, faith to move any mountain, he says, “faith to move this mountain”, and there is a particular mountain in Israel that God is going to move! It is programmed to happen – like the mustard seed.

Do we really believe the prophets with all our heart? It is prophesied “on that day” when “his feet shall stand on the mount of Olives … so that one half of the mountain shall move northward and the other half shall move southward” [Zech 14 v.4] – this mountain will move!

Recall the words of the “two men in white robes” (angels) to the astonished disciples who watched Jesus ascend from the Mount of Olives , “This Jesus .. will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” [Acts 1 v.11]

That time will be utterly awesome, just like the experience of those chosen disciples on the mount that we read today. When Jesus was transfigured, “they fell on their faces and were terrified” [v.7] In the future those with true faith will hear Jesus saying something like he said to those 3 disciples, “Rise and have no fear.”

What is our “faith like?” ` What wonders awaits those with a genuine faith that Jesus will reward – for “Nothing will be impossible” in God’s kingdom.

In Matthew chapter 17 we focus on an event known as the Transfiguration. It occurs in each of the synoptic gospels - Matthew 17; Mark 9 verses 2-8, Luke 9 verses 8-36. It was a revelation of Jesus in transcendent glory. Its significance belongs to the Kingdom age. Our Lord Jesus Christ is resplendent in glorious white glistening robes. Mark tells us that this glory and righteousness surpassed that attainable by any person - this is telling us that the glorious and righteous character of our Lord was unique and sustained by God's workings. Our Lord Jesus was seen together with Moses (representative of the Law) and Elijah (for the prophets). But their glory was inconsequential when compared to that of our Lord Jesus Christ's. In addition to all of this was the commanding and imperious voice of Jesus' Almighty Father announcing to those Apostles, and to all, including us: "This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear him". After coming down from the Mount Jesus told his disciples that their failure to cure the epileptic boy was because their faith needed to grow and develop like a grain of mustard seed. After this Christ again told his Apostles of the great trials which lay ahead of Jesus. These sufferings would culminate in his offering on the tree and that on the third day he would be raised from the dead. Let us consider let us look at Peter's timeless commentary on the Transfiguration in 2 Peter 1 verses 13-20. Pause, and ponder and reflect.

A @Christadelphians Video: *[Watchman Report #7: The Disturbing Rise of Anti-Semitism – Glastonbury Chants 'Death to Jews']* In this thought-provoking Bible Talk, we examine the alarming resurgence of anti-Semitism, highlighted by the shocking "Death to Jews" chants at Glastonbury. Through an expositional study of Scripture, we uncover the spiritual and prophetic significance behind this hatred and its connection to biblical prophecy. A revealing discussion for those seeking discernment in these tumultuous times. 🔔 *Subscribe* for more biblical insights on current events. *Chapters / Timestamps:* 00:00 - Introduction: The Glastonbury Incident & Rising Anti-Semitism 01:45 - Historical Roots of Anti-Semitism in Scripture 03:12 - Prophetic Warnings About Persecution of the Jewish People 03:12 - Modern Manifestations & Spiritual Implications 04:04 - How Should Christians Respond? 04:08 - Pray for Israel04:23 - Reject false narratives04:52 - Conclusion - consideration *📖 Bible Verses Referenced:* ✡️ *Genesis 12:3* – God’s promise to bless those who bless Israel. 🔥 *Psalm 122:6* – A call to pray for Jerusalem. ⚔️ *Zechariah 2:8* – God’s protection over His chosen people. 🕊️ *Romans 11:25-26* – The mystery of Israel’s salvation. *Tags:* Watchman Report, Anti-Semitism, Bible Prophecy, Glastonbury, Jewish Persecution, End Times, Christian Teaching, Current Events, Biblical Truth

The 16th chapter of Matthew shows the incapacity of the nation's rulers to see what was happening in their midst. This is followed by a treatise on the deception contained in corrupt teachings; whose pervasive influence rapidly permeates like leaven. Next comes the greatest confession by Peter, upon which rock-like foundation the entire ecclesia is built - namely, that "Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God" (see John 6verses 68-69; Ephesians 2 verses 20-21). Our Lord Jesus next explicitly explains to his Apostles his coming sufferings, death and resurrection on the third day. Our Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection was the sign of the prophet Jonah. That prophet spent 3 days in the belly of the whale which in Jonah's prayer is called the belly of hell: Jonah 2 verses 1-2. The Apostle Paul says that this proved the Lord Jesus Christ's divine Sonship: Romans 1 verses 4; Ephesians 1 verses 15-22. The Apostle Peter reminds us of the same matter: Acts 2 verses 22-36. The chapter concludes with a final appeal to each believer to take up our stake - Greek "staurus" - and follow our Lord through suffering even unto death should that be our lot.

Today we read the words which David spoke to Saul when they faced each other in the wilderness. The king had been pursuing David; but David had been able to take Saul’s spear and jar of water from beside him and his men “because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.” [1 Sam 26 v.12]

David called out to Saul from the other side of the hill, it appears there was a ravine between them. Saul admits, “I have acted foolishly and made a great mistake” [v.21] David responds, “Here is the spear O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it.” – then David adds, “The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness …” [v.23]

The wonder of the way the LORD rewards will not be seen in all its fullness until God’s kingdom is established and the resurrection has taken place; but as we ponder God’s word we see how both good and bad events, that is “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” [Rom. 8 v.28] Paul learnt the wonder of this as he reflected on the course his life had taken – through the actions of God’s Son.

Surely some of the Psalms of David were inspired in his mind as he reflected on God’s guiding care of his life, especially in difficult situations, as we have read today. Look at Psalm 3 v.3-6, then the prophetic Psalm 22 that relates to the mortal life of Jesus – but it must have been founded on some event(s) in David’s life! As this Psalm proceeds, he is able to write (pray), “From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him (God)” [v.23] Then we read the oft quoted Psalm 23 v4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me”

As this world becomes more than ever “a valley of the shadow of death” and full of godlessness in the eyes of God – may we be ever more conscious of how ”the LORD rewards”.

Matthew 15 describes the lengths to which Jewish traditions could be taken to subvert Divine precepts and the Word of the LORD. The 5th commandment, described as the first with promise (Ephesians 6 verses 1-3), was bypassed by a legal ruse known as Corban. It allowed the wealthy to avoid all responsibility to their parents by declaring with an oath that an individual's entire wealth belonged to God. Whilst ,at the same time, ensuring that the wealthy enjoyed unfettered access to everything "promised" to the Temple. Just like the times of Jeremiah the chosen people gave mere lip service to their Creator and substituted this for this is what the truth demanded by our Sovereign demands from all disciples. The record tells of a discussion about the true source of defilement of people - that is their own fleshly minds - and not any external thing. These matters reveal Pharisaism as an example of the blind leadership of the blind. The faith of the Canaanite woman, whose daughter Jesus healed, was astonishing to our Lord. This incredible incident is like the faith of the Roman centurion in Matthew 8. This woman's belief and accepting of the power of Jesus to heal and his authority caused our Lord Jesus to marvel. This faithful woman acknowledged that privileges rightly rested upon the covenant people of Israel. She also requested that Jesus graciously give her crumbs that fell from the chosen people's table by heading her daughter. The chapter tells us that Jesus performed many miracles for the Gentiles. This caused many of them to ascribe praise to the God of Israel. The chapter concludes by telling us that our Lord Jesus fed 4,000 gentiles. This was despite his own Apostles' reticence to show any compassion to those people who were after all Gentile dogs. Our Lord never shared such prejudices. Christ was always expansive in his love of all and freely distributed the gospel's bounties.