Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Duncan McLellan, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ankeny, Iowa, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 9. “And David said to him, ‘Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.’” David’s mercy towards Mephibosheth is a beautiful image of God’s mercy to us in Christ. 2 Samuel 9 says that David wants to show him the “kindness [ˈħɛsɛð] of God.” Just as David gives mercy and blessing to Saul’s grandson for the sake of his fathers, so David had received mercy and blessing from God for the sake of his fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. On our own, we are weak and undeserving Mephibosheth. But in Christ, who was raised up by the Father’s power to give Israel the riches of heaven’s kingdom, we are Merib-baal, because it is the LORD Himself who contends for us.

Rev. John Lukomski, retired LCMS pastor, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 8. “Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared.” David has blood on his hands—a lot of it. Perhaps together with his excessive celebration in chapter 6, the violence of chapter 9 and others shows why God would want a man of wisdom rather than a man of violence to build His temple. Yet the narrator connects David’s actions to God’s promises, God giving “victory to David wherever he went,” as He did with Joshua, and rescuing from the hands of “violent men” who had tormented them from the time of the Judges. Despite Moabite treachery, David spares a full third out of honor and mercy, a lenient act in such evil days. But actual redemption from this evil age would only be found in Jesus the Son of David, with mercy and life for all from the age to come.

Rev. Charles Henrickson, pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Bonne Terre, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Psalm 132. “I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” The Ark of the Covenant had been captured by enemies, had brought plagues against the proud, and had bounced from place to place in fear. Psalm 132 reflects David’s promise and desire to find a permanent “place” for the Ark, a sure blessing to hold on to. Even Jerusalem and the royal line of David seemed to die at the hands of Babylon, but as faith clinged to God’s promise, it dared to hope for resurrection. Even David’s “place” was just a tent—the true temple is the resurrected body of Jesus Christ, who gives bread & clothing both physical & spiritual.

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in North St. Louis County, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 7. “But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?’” David was thinking too small, perhaps even making himself a little too big. In his confrontation with Michal, he had asserted his divine right. But now in chapter 7 God reverses this: the fact that David is king doesn’t prove his prerogative to “do all that is in [his] heart.” It rather proves that God is the giver in their relationship—not David. So instead of David’s plan, God says that He will be the one to build, and not a house of wood but a house of royalty, a royal line and an eternal dynasty. We often presume that God will bless our pious-sounding plans, but He will often tell us “no” in order to show the world that the grace is Christ’s and not ours.

Rev. Lucas Witt, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 6. “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” David fetches the Ark of the Covenant for a big dedication in Jerusalem in chapter 6. At first glance, it looks like God judges Uzzah and Michal somewhat harshly for harmless picadillos. In the end however it is David who is responsible for what happens to Uzzah and Michal. He has let his anointment and his victories go to his head, invoking God’s name to justify his callous licentiousness. Despite all this, God mercifully spares His messiah for the sake of His people and for the sake of the Messiah yet to come.

Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, Minnesota, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 5. “King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.” Third time’s the charm? David’s first two anointments were disappointing: after the first he became an exile, and after the second, he found out that Ish-bosheth had already been installed as king over the North. This time in chapter 5 however, the circle widens from Bethlehem to Judah to all Israel, and the king of Tyre builds David a palace. God does indeed bless those who do His will with success, but not always immediately or in the ways we define “success.” David’s reign foreshadows Jesus Christ’s, who reigns not for forty years but forever.

Rev. David Fleming, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Executive Director for Spiritual Care with DOXOLOGY, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 4. Learn more about spiritual care and mental health resources from DOXOLOGY at doxology.us. “How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?” David learns of the death of an enemy for the third time in these first four chapters, and for the third time he reacts with anger and sorrow. As with Saul’s death, the death of Ish-bosheth seemed like an opportunity for David, but that did not justify the treacherous assassination of a man that David calls “innocent.” Even if Ish-bosheth was not as noble as Abner, David had made an oath to Saul his king. David was by no means faultless, but like Christ, he left his enemies to God, and so we have been declared innocent.

Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan, Wyoming, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 3. “God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the LORD has sworn to him, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David.” Abner again proves himself to be a good man on the wrong side in chapter 3, but he finally realizes his mistake. In sincere repentance, he hands David the keys to the kingdom, but David’s general Joab kills him in revenge. Abner foreshadows Christ’s own selfless death amidst trumped-up charges. David continues to show political cunning and moral faults, but he righteously mourns Abner and leaves Joab’s punishment to God’s hands.

Rev. Doug Nicely, pastor of Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 2. “And Joab said, ‘As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely the men would not have given up the pursuit of their brothers until the morning.’” Even though the North had pledged its allegiance to Saul’s son Ish-bosheth and the South had anointed David, it’s not all black and white. In chapter 2, Ish-bosheth’s general Abner shows three times that he wisely seeks to avoid a slaughter among fellow Israelites, but David’s men just won’t back down. David may have been God’s choice, but he was posturing as much as Abner for power and territory as the true successor to Saul. We are humbled that God’s will is done and His kingdom comes despite our will, and confident that ☧ saves even when both sides unrighteously seek their own self-interest.

Rev. Ben Maton, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Psalm 44. “Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?” The Korahites were devastated when Babylon destroyed the Temple and carried off the holy things they were sworn to protect. Why would God let this happen? “We have not forgotten you!” It didn’t seem fair. As our true Father through Jesus ☧, God mercifully invites us to speak our hearts as in Psalm 44. Faith takes its complaints to God, because it knows He’s the only solution. Faith yells out for God, because it knows He always listens. When we struggle to put God’s goodness or our own sin into words, instead of waiting until we feel more pious, we must double down on the Word of God and prayer—God is patient, and the Spirit intercedes.

Rev. Steven Theiss, retired LCMS pastor in Frohna, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 1. “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!” David responds with the highest piety to the news of Saul’s death in 2 Samuel 1. He executes the Amalekite who served under Saul for letting his sword end the king’s life. He mourns Saul and Jonathan alike without a hint of insincerity. Finally, he commands Israel to remember Saul as God’s instrument of grace, and he grieves for Jonathan, who risked his life for David more than any other. Jesus Christ was an even greater Jonathan, not merely risking his life but willingly sacrificing it in faithful devotion to God and His people.

Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Samuel 31. “He was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, ‘Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.’” Riddled with arrows and barely able to move, Saul knows he doesn’t have much time left in chapter 31. His actions spare Israel further scandal at the hands of the Philistines, but already their “gospel” of cruelty sends out shockwaves of fear. Yet Jabesh-gilead remembered when Saul saved them from Nahash, and they boldly recovered his body to give Saul a proper burial. Even in this dark hour, the Christ-like boldness of faith that David exemplified was not extinguished, and God continued to work good from evil towards the true gospel of David’s Son.

Rev. John Lukomski, retired LCMS pastor, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Samuel 30. “David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him. [...] But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” Rejected by Saul, then by the Philistine lords, and now by some of the very people who had rallied around him, it would be easy for David to have doubts. Why did he insist on being loyal to Achish? His morality left an opening for the Amalekites to swoop in! Yet David doubles down on his commitment to God’s will in chapter 30. He doesn’t ask for God to bless his political expediency, but rather submits himself to God’s decision. Despite what appeared to be foolishness, God gives resurrection after “three days” and ascension gifts to “friends” (Psalm 68, Ephesians 4).

Host Rev. AJ Espinosa studies 1 Samuel 29. “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” How can David say this with a straight face? He’s been lying to Achish all along! Yet David speaks in chapter 29 with the same sincerity as he did back in chapter 26 with Saul. David demonstrates the paradoxical submissiveness of God’s people, showing love and loyalty to both God and to the enemies of God—the same paradoxical faithfulness demonstrated by Christ and the early church. Through God’s providence, David’s rejection both gets him away from Saul while also allowing him to deal with the Amalekites who have raided Ziklag.

Rev. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, New Mexico, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Samuel 28. “Then Samuel said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?’” The medium of En-dor performs a seance for Saul in chapter 28, and Saul receives a haunting echo of what Samuel told him years ago: “The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand.” Like Saul, we often ask God for answers that He’s already given us. But God isn’t a magic eight-ball; He doesn’t change His mind if we keep asking Him. Whether we like it or not, He has already spoken so much to us through our pastors and through the Scriptures. Saul inverts his own name in this scene: instead of being the man that God asked for, he tries to force God to be what he asks for. Meanwhile, David appears to be ready to march against God’s people, but appearances are deceiving—just as they were at the cross of Jesus Christ, who won Israel’s salvation despite the appearance of defeat.

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in North St. Louis County, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Samuel 27. “When Achish asked, ‘Where have you made a raid today?’ David would say, ‘Against the Negeb of Judah,’ or, ‘Against the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites.’” Achish of Gath learns of the bad blood between David and Saul, and he seizes upon the opportunity to flip David to his side. Little does he know, David isn’t actually raiding his fellow Judahites, but rather the enemies of Israel. David is the true king in exile, even without the wealth and prestige, just as Jesus Christ had neither a palace nor an army. With humble shrewdness, the church simply does the work of God’s kingdom in service of neighbor, regardless of whether or not the world recognizes it.

Rev. Lucas Witt, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Samuel 26. “As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.” Atop the hill across the valley, David shouts down to Abner like Goliath in chapter 17. Chapter 26 makes surprising connections as David again demonstrates his unwavering loyalty to Saul, saving his life a third time. In repentance and respect, he refuses to even touch Saul’s clothing, taking his spear instead. David insists that the guilt must lie not with Saul himself but with one of his commanders, and both men remind each other in mercy that they both represent the Messiah who was to come—the Lord Jesus, pierced by a spear in unwavering loyalty to His Father on the Cross.

Rev. Kevin Martin, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Samuel 25. “Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!” Even David needs saving in chapter 25, and it’s Abigail who saves him from himself. This woman “with whom the Father is well pleased” is both faithful to her house and hospitable to David, reminding him that he stands for something bigger than himself: the Christ’s fivefold destruction of Israel’s enemies and the sevenfold Sabbath of God. The Lord Jesus also fed those who came to Him in five and two, with bread and wine. In Him, human beings all flawed alike are His bride “Abigail,” the church of His glorious name.

Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v'Shalom in St. Louis, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Psalm 142. “When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.” David didn’t always feel the Spirit powerfully guiding his every move; sometimes he felt alone and uncertain. Much darker than Psalm 57, Psalm 142 offers a lamentation from the bottom of David’s soul, providing a way for God’s people later to make sense of the spiritual caves we find ourselves in. Even when we see no son of David reigning on the throne, we are consoled by David’s Son and Lord Christ, who knows our loneliness. Together, we all call out for resurrection, when we will no longer be surrounded by traps—when “the righteous will surround me.”

Rev. Richard Mittwede, pastor of University Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Samuel 24. “And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, ‘You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.’” Saul shows true repentance in chapter 24, moved by David’s mercy. In turn, Saul extends mercy to David, sending his battalions home and even acknowledging that David is meant to be king. Neither man was an angel or a devil—they were just men, struggling to walk faith’s path of repentance. David points to Jesus Christ this time by showing his devotion to the spirit of the law, not merely the letter. Even when we’re absolutely convinced that someone’s harm is justified, God desires mercy and submissiveness.