The book of 2nd Samuel continues the narrative of one of the most pivotal characters in Scripture- David, the son of Jesse, the man who had a heart like God. David is a man of faith and courage, seeking God's glory and defending God's reputation. God establishes him as the man who will lead His people, despite years of opposition, both foreign and domestic. Through David, God establishes the kingdom of Israel as the dominant power in the region, showing them to be His treasured possession. However, David is still just a man. His early years are full of uncompromising faith and God-empowered victory. Yet as the years drag on the reader can see his endurance waning. David never denies the faith or turns from worshipping the Lord, to his credit, but his failures become more evident in the latter part of his life as the pressures and temptations of ruling both his own family and the nation are pressed in around him. One can likely bring to mind pastors or other spiritual leaders that began their ministry with zeal and obedience only to wane somewhat under the pressures of leadership. However, God's faithfulness is evident, both in David's life and the rest of His children, as He continues to work through David and Israel to show Himself to His people. Like 1st Samuel and other historical books, 2nd Samuel reads like an epic adventure. A king is crowned, a civil war commences, a nation subdues its' neighbors militarily as it establishes a kingdom, and the long reign of a monarch is beset by traitors within his own family and friends. Action, adventure, drama, betrayal, lust, greed, retribution and loyalty are all found within the pages of 2nd Samuel. And some say reading the Bible is boring! The reader continues to see God's hand at work with His people. Prophecies spoken hundreds of years before find a fulfillment in this book as God remains true to His word. New promises are given by the Lord which find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Practical examples of disobedience, sin, repentance and forgiveness are given in this book, as well as good examples of trust and obedience. Read with an understanding heart, 2nd Samuel will encourage, direct, build trust in the Lord and grant grace to any student, as they continue in their walk with the Lord. "The Lord is my Rock, and my fortress and my deliverer, the God of my strength in whom I will trust, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, you save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from my enemies (2 Samuel 22:2-4).
The book of 1st Samuel introduces one of the most pivotal characters in Scripture- David, the son of Jesse, the man who had a heart like God. David is a man of faith and courage, seeking God's glory in his actions and defending God's reputation against those that speak against Him, though they be of great stature. David is set in contrast to King Saul, the man after the people's heart. Saul seeks his own good reputation, and fails to trust in God's saving hand. Meanwhile, these two men, while at odds themselves, are also pitted against the menacing power of the Philistines, a warlike people who have come from across the Mediterranean Sea with a desire to possess the land of Canaan. The book of 1st Samuel reads like an epic in the same vein as The Lord of the Rings books by J.R.R. Tolkien and entertains like the Star Wars movie series: an evil nation seeks dominion through conquest and cruelty; a man of great wisdom calls out a heroic young warrior to lead his people to freedom; enemies and traitors arise and seem victorious, but good overcomes in the end. All the aspects of a great story are found in this book, including heroic action, drama, love, betrayal, intrigue, horrific loss and unmovable loyalty. The most amazing part to this incredible story is that it is all true. God's work of establishing His people in one land under one king, which had taken hundreds of years, finally comes to fulfillment under David. He, of course, points to the final fulfillment of one people under one King, the King of kings, Christ Himself. If ever someone complains that reading the Bible is boring or laborious, 1st Samuel is a book that can cure them of such ideas. On top of all that, there are few biblical stories that can inspire such faith and courage- such trust in the Lord- as that of David and Goliath. David is just a teenager, and not a large one, with enough backbone to face off with a warrior larger than Andre the Giant. And this is no wrestling match, but a fight to certain death. The motive for this teenager to do this? The reputation of his God. How many of us would be willing to face death for God's reputation? "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (17:45-46).
(Amadeus). The undisputed preeminence of Paris as a center of the piano world dates from the early 19th century, and the rigorous professors of the Paris Conservatoire transmitted the characteristic French piano style faithfully to each new generation for some 150 years. First published to critical acclaim in 1992, this landmark study, now considerably expanded and revised, surveys the historical development, performance practices and pedagogical philosophies of this vital school. HARDCOVER.
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