Valley Hope Church

With the end of summer in view and Fall waiting for us all, we’re going to spend a few weeks looking at the book of Proverbs to get a fresh look at what wisdom is. There’s one wise way that can look different for many people as it’s lived out. Today, we start with the heart of wisdom in Proverbs 3.

The Books of Samuel conclude with one last story of David's... failures. A strange story of a census and a judgment. Why was David judged for a census? And what does David's choice reveal about him as a king?

The prophet Isaiah points the way towards a renewal. A life of prayer comes from a clear vision of God. Join us as Zach Washburn opens up the book of Isaiah.

David's life ends with a song and a prophecy. We'll look at the final chapter of his life (before the epilogue) in 2 Samuel. What was David singing about as an old man?

David was evicted from his house by his own son. But Absalom is dispatched as he hangs by his hair and, in 2 Samuel 19, David makes his way back to Jerusalem. On his way, he meets three people who opposed him, seemed to oppose him, or showed loyalty. How does David treat these different kinds of people?

In 2 Samuel 18, the threat to David’s throne is over, but it ends in tears. David’s tears. What does the saga of David’s house show us about Jesus?

Two of David’s men. One a traitor, the other a traitor to the traitor. Two plans. One to kill one man, one to wage war. As we continue in 2 Samuel, how does this knot become untangled?

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads! Today we will look at a father-son story that’s the opposite of what most dads hope for. David is betrayed by Absalom and turned out of his own home by the traitor-son. What does this mean for Israel’s greatest king?

David’s story took a sordid turn with Basheba and Uriah. And as we move on in 2 Samuel, now his family will follow his lead and things will fall to pieces. A son commits a terrible crime against a half-sister. Murder, vengeance, betrayal follow quickly. What’s the point of this soap opera?

David's Failure and Our Deliverance by Valley Hope Church

Israel’s greatest king wants to build a palace for Israel’s God. But God turns down the offer and offers an even greater offer. He makes a covenant with David’s family forever. What does it mean?

Today is Pentecost! Jesus' friends watched him ascend into the heavens and then they waited like they were told. The Spirit rushed in like a wind, like breath amongst dry bones, and everything changed. The response was noisy and confusing and ecstatic. Similarly, David joyously greets the entrance of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, the city he established as Israel's capital. When God show...

An ascent to power is often accompanied by an elimination of everyone who was associated with the king being replaced. In the books of Samuel, one barrier after another is eliminated for David. There is only one descendant of Saul left. And David invites him to the table.

As David solidifies his grip on the throne, enemies become allies and allies become killers. And lament keeps being the note of David’s songs in a supposedly happy time in his life. How does Israel’s greatest king show us the way to face forward?

1 Samuel ends and 2 Samuel begins with the death of Saul and David finally having a clear path to the throne. The long, slow decline of Saul reaches its inevitably conclusion and we might then expect to see David jumping for joy. He is safe. He is king. But that's not at all what we see.

The Kingdom of God is diverse in race, age, class and station in life. As a church we are called to go to places and be in relationships where we are uncomfortable for the sake of this Kingdom. Anthony preaches in Philippians this week as Paul reminds us of the King we follow and his call to His church.

In 1 Samuel 28, we find one of the strangest stories in the Bible. Samuel died earlier in the book... but he makes a comeback. Resurrection? Nope. Witches, necromancy, and really bad news.

1 Samuel 26 finds David backed into a cave, but with a chance to take down the sitting king. He’s a skilled killer with a perfect opportunity. The story ends with an apology. How does that happen?

Christ is Risen! Happy Easter everyone! Join us this Easter as we look at the story of Easter through the lens of David's friendship with Jonathan.

In light of yesterday's marches across our nation, Anthony shares some thoughts on how we, as followers of Christ, are to be active peacemakers in our community.

From the highest of highs when he killed Goliath, David sinks into a much darker place, as Saul decides to use him for target practice. David's enemies are not just found in the Philistine's camp. Now they're coming from Israel as well.

David and Goliath is maybe the most famous story in the Bible. Boy meets giant. Boy throws rock. Boy takes down giant. It has become just another way to call something an underdog story. But is it really? David doesn’t seem to think so.

After several chapters of disappointment from Saul, the narrative of 1 Samuel looks for a hero of some kind. 1 Samuel 16 is the introduction of the new king, is found in an unlikely place. Just the kind of place God likes fo work.

It does not take long for the story of Saul as the first king of Israel to turn dark and gloomy. 1 Samuel 15 is the announcement that the gloom will not lift; the gloom is the future. 1 Samuel 15 is a tricky, sad chapter of the Old Testament that shows God as the supreme Judge who is within his rights to bring judgment. How can there be any good news in 1 Samuel 15?

Samuel has concluded his role as Israel's leader in 1 Samuel 12. In the two chapters that follow, we get a comparison of the new king and his son. Things seem to be lined up to go the way of the ominous warning given by Samuel. How does Saul fail the test that his son passes?