Dr Paul Allen

David and the tomb of Abner (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) 1 Sam. 26:5-16 : 5 David then arose and came to the place where Saul had camped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army; and Saul was lying in the circle of the camp, and the people were camped around him. 6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah , Joab ’s brother, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” 7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping inside the circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people were lying around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand; now therefore, please let me strike him with the spear to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.” 9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who ca

English: Nathan advises King David (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The account of David’s positive, dramatic rise pivots with the story of David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:1–12:27). Through the prophet Nathan , God rebuked David and showed that He valued character more than competence (2 Sam 12:1–15). David’s humble response led God to promise forgiveness. However, God also promised continual trouble in David’s own family; these troubles dominated the remainder of his reign. • David’s eldest son, Amnon , raped his half-sister , Tamar (2 Sam 13). David failed to take action. • Tamar’s brother, Absalom , killed Amnon in retribution and fled north to Geshur , the neighboring kingdom from which his mother had come. David again failed to take action. • After Joab rebuked David through a wise woman, David recalled his son, but refused to meet with him until again prompted by Joab. David’s failures and inability to take proper action within his family contributed to

Image via Wikipedia Here are some wonderful principles from John Newton, puritan pastor and author of Amazing Grace , to keep in mind when confronting someone. Whether we confront them for sin or wrong doctrine, whether in private or in a blog, these are critical principles to apply. As to your opponent, I wish that before you set pen to paper against him, and during the whole time you are preparing your answer, you may commend him by earnest prayer to the Lord ’s teaching and blessing. This practice will have a direct tendency to conciliate your heart to love and pity him; and such a disposition will have a good influence upon every page you write. If you account him as a BELIEVER, though greatly mistaken in the subject of debate between you, the words of David to Joab concerning Absalom , are very applicable: “Deal gently with him for my sake.” The Lord loves him and bears with him; therefore you must not despise him, or treat him harshly! The Lord bears with you likewise, and