About this episode
Kate Boyd discusses the final chapters of 2 Samuel, exploring David's flawed self-perception and the consequences of his actions.
In this episode of the Untidy Faith Podcast, Kate Boyd wraps up the year-and-a-half journey through 2 Samuel with returning guests Jenai Auman and Liz Daye, examining chapters 23-24—David’s self-congratulatory final words followed by a devastating census that reveals how little he’s actually learned. This isn’t a triumphant ending to a great king’s reign—it’s a sobering reminder that David’s version of greatness cost 70,000 lives, and his idea of repentance always came after profound devastation that somehow never seemed to affect him personally. The contrast between how David sees himself and what the text actually shows us is the perfect capstone to understanding power’s corruption. And a shoutout to Jon Pyle , Robert Callahan , and Amanda Waldron for being a part of the journey through books of Samuel! Topics Covered * How David’s “last words” in chapter 23 present his self-image as a just ruler bringing cloudless morning prosperity, immediately contrasted by the compilers listing “Uriah the Hittite” among his mighty men—a literary shade that reminds readers of David’s profound injustice * Understanding why David’s census in chapter 24 was such a violation: it risked ritual…
People in this episode
Host: Kate Boyd
Guests: Jenai Auman, Liz Daye
Topics covered
- David's self-image
- census violation
- power's corruption
- repentance
- suffering consequences
Keywords
- 2 Samuel
- David
- census
- power
- repentance
- self-image
- consequences
- greatness
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: 2 Samuel
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