Ep. 160: When Earthly Power Blinds You

<p class="p1">SHOW NOTES:</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p class="p1">In Podcast Episode 160, “When Earthly Power Blinds You,” Kim discusses the concept of “power blindness.” In 2 Samuel 3, David and Abner repeatedly show how earthly power can blind someone to the needs of others, how little control they truly have, and much, much more. </p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">The primary scripture texts for this episode are 2 Samuel 3:1-21 with 12-16 as the focal verses.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">12 Then Abner sent messengers to David, saying, “Doesn’t the entire land belong to you? Make a solemn pact with me, and I will help turn over all of Israel to you.”</p> <p class="p1">13 “All right,” David replied, “but I will not negotiate with you unless you bring back my wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come.”</p> <p class="p1">14 David then sent this message to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son: “Give me back my wife Michal, for I bought her with the lives of 100 Philistines.”</p> <p class="p1">15 So Ishbosheth took Michal away from her husband, Palti son of Laish. 16 Palti followed along behind her as far as Bahurim, weeping as he went. Then Abner told him, “Go back home!” So Palti returned.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">ADDITIONAL VERSES:</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">46 Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. 48 Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” (Luke 9:46-48)</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your sl