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
Compare the two halves of the narrative:• David sends for Bathsheba and abuses his power over her.• David sends for Uriah and abuses his power over him.To have Bathsheba provoking David and willingly committing adultery destroys the symmetry and has David as the victim in the first half.
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 | October 16, 2013
Success. Few words in the English language have more power and allure than “success.” In sports, success is often narrowly defined as defeating an opponent. Success means winning. Winning means someone loses. Success also means teamwork. Golf, of course is a team of one, oh, except professional golfers don’t carry their bags, do they? Coaches […]
PHall | October 10, 2013
Ignored by God, terrified by life, left all alone, Saul turns to a witch. Feeling powerless, panicked, and lonely is dangerous; often leading to despair and desperate acts. “I would never” often and sadly means, “I haven’t yet.” Regret leads to regret. How many have done what we promised we never would, committed acts formerly […]