Through 2024, every member of the Thirst Collective – Thir.st, Salt&Light, Stories of Hope, 还好吗 hhm.sg, Living Room, Collective Studio – has committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover. 

We thought it’d be cool to pick out reflections and insights from our team’s readings to share with you. This time, dive deep into 2 Samuel with us!

2 Samuel 1: David weeps for Saul

Levan, Stories of Hope

“And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” (2 Samuel 1:12, NKJV)

What a heart David has, even for the man who made it his goal to kill him. How many of us would do so the same in such circumstances?  

David’s understanding of God’s love for all — even when they falter away from their calling – is inspiring. May we all aspire to have a heart for God like David’s.

2 Samuel 2: War between the houses of David and Saul

Weiming, Thir.st

2 Samuel 2-3 feels like I’m reading a war drama.

Abner fell victim to a wicked plot, and the wicked plot was revenge. I think Abner genuinely wanted to get out of the cycle of killing and revenge but he couldn’t, which is sad.

But at the same time, I’m also wondering why did Abner and Joab agree to watch 12 men from each side fight to the death, it felt a bit sadistic but also thinking if it had any significance…

2 Samuel 5: David is crowned King

Christine, Salt&Light

“And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him… So David did as the Lord commanded him” (2 Samuel 5:10, 25)

God was with David because he lived in obedience to God. Yet despite all this, David could still go wrong in 2 Samuel 6.

The way the Ark was transported was all wrong. It wasn’t supposed to be put in a cart. It was supposed to be carried with poles looped through the rings and by the sons of Kohath (laid down in Numbers 4 & 5).

So despite all the singing, dancing, and worship, in matters where God was explicit, they failed to obey and some paid with their life. 

I suppose in our context today, it’s our worship services.

Even if we had wonderful singers and a great sound system and every technical thing right, if we are not obeying God in the things He has made explicit – The Great Commandment and The Great Commission – then we open ourselves to missteps that may incur the wrath of God.

2 Samuel 6: The Ark brought to Jerusalem

Zoe, Thir.st

“David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honour.” (2 Samuel 6:21-22)

When David shared this with Saul’s daughter, he did not feel ashamed and did not waver in his response but spoke with a sense of confidence and sureness of who he was celebrating after.

That encourages me. In my worship to God, it is He who matters and it is He who I do anything and everything for.

2 Samuel 9: David and Mephibosheth 

Felicia, 还好吗hhm.sg

“Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, “Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?” David then called in Ziba, Saul’s right-hand man, and told him, “Everything that belonged to Saul and his family, I’ve handed over to your master’s grandson. You and your sons and your servants will work his land and bring in the produce, provisions for your master’s grandson. Mephibosheth himself, your master’s grandson, from now on will take all his meals at my table.” Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.” (‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬-‭10‬)

How David treated Mephibosheth reminded me of how Father God treats us. He draws us to Him, treats us like royalty, we feast with Him at His table, He shares His inheritance with us. He sends us His Helper to aid us with our life on earth. I feel it shows a beautiful picture of Father God’s redemption in our lives.

2 Samuel 11: David and Bathsheba

Nicole, Thir.st

“Then David said to the messenger, “Tell Joab this, ‘Do not let this thing disturb you, for the sword devours one [side] as well as another. Strengthen your battle against the city and overthrow it’; and so encourage Joab.” (‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭11‬:‭25,‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

David tried to cover up the mistake multiple times and it all failed. He knew what to say, his words sounded caring and encouraging… but God sees the true intentions of the heart and will deal with it.

It’s a reminder to keep my conscience and intentions clear before God.

2 Samuel 13: Absalom kills Amnon

Christina, Thir.st

Jonadab is the worst kind of person you’d wanna find yourself walking with.

From his ill advice, the events that followed are completely tragic. Amnon rapes his sister, Absalom kills Amnon, Absalom becomes exiled, Absalom seizes the throne from his dad, David flees, David goes into exile, Absalom does even more evil things against his father, Joab murders Absalom… it goes on and on.

Sometimes we might prefer to surround ourselves with people who say things that tickle our ears because it just feels better like that… but is it truly worth it?

2 Samuel 15: David and Ittai

Shawn, Collective Studio

“But Ittai answered the king, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.” And David said to Ittai, “Go then, pass on.” So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.” (2 Samuel 15:21-22)

It is inspiring and encouraging to read of such loyalty, one that stems from the love of God and faith in those whom He anoints and chooses.

Ittai’s loyalty reminds me of Jonathan’s and even Ruth’s. It reminds me of the many spiritual heroes who have dedicated their lives to serve God in different capacities all over the world. May I grow in courage and loyalty towards Christ my King!

2 Samuel 17: Listening to advice

Juleen, Salt&Light

“Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.” (2 Samuel 17:14)

Perhaps Absalom’s greatest fault was not seeking God’s will as his father constantly did.

Instead he sought the counsel of advisors such as Hushai and Ahithophel, whose advice simply “seemed right in the eyes of Absalom and all the elders of Israel”.

When we look for gods that are not God, it is dangerous. It cost Absalom his life. Sadly, despite his loyalty to his sister, Absalom’s godlessness caused even God to turn away from him.

2 Samuel 21: War against the Philistines

Peck Sim, Salt&Light

“Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord said, “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” (2 Samuel 21:1, ESV)

Our promise-keeping God does not forget promises. He fully expects even one elicited by trickery 400 years ago to be kept.