Date | Version | Reading Plan |
---|---|---|
October 8, 2025 | ESV (2016) | OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027 |
2 Samuel 14
Observation & Interpretation
2 Sam. 14:2-7 – Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and told her to pretend to be a mourner. When she came to David, she fell down, paid homage and told him that she was a widow, that her two sons quarreled with one another and that one son killed the other.
- The story of the two sons is similar to the quarrel between Absalom and Amnon.
2 Sam. 14:13 – The woman gently but precisely drew a parallel between her situation and David’s. Her words “the king…has pronounced his own guilt” implied David was unwilling to give himself the same judgment he gave the woman. He was unwilling to restore Absalom, who had murdered Amnon. (CSB Notes)
2 Sam. 14:25 – Absalom is described as very handsome.
- “handsome” is the same Hebrew word used in 1 Sam. 14:42b to describe David as “ruddy and handsome in appearance.”
- The description of Absalom’s physical appearance makes him sound like a leader, and it prepares the reader for Absalom’s coup attempt in Chap. 15. (CSB Notes)
Matthew 21
Observation & Interpretation
Matt. 21:12-27 – Curiously, the disciples do not ask why Jesus curses the fig tree, but how. Jesus’ reply answers the question the disciples should have asked (vv. 18-22). (ESVEC – Section Outline)
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Colin Hansen (Editor in Chief), TGC Bible Commentary (Columbia, MO: The Gospel Coalition, 2022)
- Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018-2025)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem (Editors), ESV Study Bible, Crossway, 2008.