Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | November 1, 2013
In studying David’s narrative with Bathsheba and Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom, I wonder if another sin of David is that he refused to give full forgiveness to Absalom like Yahweh had given to him. “He may return to his house, but he may not see my face” (2 Sm.14.24). This of course encourages Absalom’s rebellion. […]
PHall | October 31, 2013
Three Possibilities Presented: 1) Bathsheba was a brazen woman, a temptress and an adulteress; 2) Bathsheba was a weak woman, an adulteress only by David’s instigation; 3) Bathsheba was a victim. The first is almost exclusively has the text is preached when the text is about David and not Bathsheba.
PHall | October 31, 2013
Compare David and Amnon Both David and Amnon want what is not theirs to have. Both Bathsheba and Tamar are beautiful. Both David and Amnon use “advisors.” Both stories involve a bed: David rises from his bed and Amnon lies on his bed. Both women are sent for. Both stories have David angry Both stories […]
PHall | October 29, 2013
There is one reality where it is easy to deny God’s existence, where answers are not solutions, just numbing sounds to a soul wanting to be numb. Some questions can only be answered and accepted outside of and before “then and there;” outside of the hospital, before the accident; outside of the pain; before the […]
PHall | October 28, 2013
God would rather do great things through us than have us do great things for God. Can we get so fixated on doing great things, even out of deep humility, that we lose God’s focus? Can we become so confused by our pride that we want to do great things instead of God’s simple ones? […]
PHall | October 25, 2013
Sometimes what’s not in the story is the real story. Today’s event is a repeat of a repeat of a repeat. Contrasting it to one where the theme is not repeated shows what’s missing is what’s important. Once again “David inquired of the LORD” (2 Samuel 5.19). “Should I go to war against the Philistines? […]
PHall | October 18, 2013
Prayer is supposed to solve problems. Talking to God and getting advice from God is not supposed to cause pain, suffering, and division. But this time it does. Once again “David inquired of the LORD” (2 Samuel 2:1). Saul, along with three sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, are dead. The sons are killed in war […]
PHall | December 30, 2012
Biblical courage has at least three characteristics: 1) God Given – not self-derived; 2) God Strengthened – there when needed; 3) God Controlled – does not produce pride, instead it produces humility.
PHall | July 5, 2012
It is always a challenge to teach certain Bible stories to children. How do you teach the lesson of David and Bathsheba, for example? Here are some general guidelines: 1) Tell the story as the Bible does; 2) Don’t explain some details unless asked; 3) Explain only in limited form until asked for more details; […]
PHall | October 5, 2011
There is a simple and obvious way to organize the book of 1 Kings. There are 22 chapters. The first 11 are the reign of Solomon, and the rest describe the divided kingdom. Such a division is natural and orderly. However, there is another way, and that is to compare 1 Kings to 2 Samuel’s […]