2 Sam. 1-2
I have never figured out if the man in 2 Samuel 1, who brought news of Saul and Jonathan’s death to David, was telling the truth about finishing Saul off or not. The last chapter of 1 Samuel tells us that Saul fell on his own sword and killed himself. It seems plausible, however, that Saul didn’t quite succeed in the effort. This man apparently had Saul’s crown and armlet, so he must have come upon Saul’s body, as he said. It is unclear to me, however, if he actually finished Saul off or if he just said he did, perhaps hoping to gain some favor from David. .
I have also never understood why David executed the man for his action. Was it because Saul was, in spite of everything, still so dear to David? Or was it simply the fact, as David mentioned, that Saul was God’s anointed? Either way, it seems rather harsh to me. Especially so, since the man said that Saul was as good as dead anyway and he was simply quickening Saul’s end at Saul’s own request (assisted suicide, anyone?).
The Bible often tells stories without commenting on whether the actions in those stories were right or wrong / good or bad. David was a Godly man, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that everything he said and did was the right thing. The Bible certainly points out a few instances of wrongdoing on David’s part, but other times it seems we are just left to wonder. If it was “right” for David to execute this man for finishing Saul off, why was it “right”? Just curious…
Luke 24:36-53
And here we see Jesus, moving back and forth from that other dimension. He *poof* disappeared from the men he met on the road to Emmaus. He then later *poof* appeared among the disciples as they were gathered together and talking about Him. It then seemed very important to Him to prove to them that He was still a physical human form. I believe this is why he wanted to eat something before them.
That Heaven study that we did pounded (and I do mean pounded…to death and beyond) the point that we will be flesh-and-bone physical beings in Heaven. This description of Jesus in His resurrected body does indeed seem to indicate that to me. I imagine it’s important somehow that Jesus’ whole self – the human part and the Spirit part – was resurrected. As of now, however, He has not yet “opened my mind to understand.”