More than 230 guests at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove opened their Bibles as Will Graham taught from 1 and 2 Samuel during a seminar called “Return of the King: Glimpsing the Gospel in the Life of David.”
“For those of you not familiar with my teaching,” he said in the opening session, “we go verse by verse … sometimes word by word because words matter.” He paused and added, “God’s Word really matters.”
Opening to 2 Samuel 17, Graham explained that King David was at war with his son, Absalom—whose most trusted adviser gave him counsel to quickly end the conflict. “Strike down only the king” (ESV), the counsellor told Absalom.
He continued reading: “You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace” (2 Samuel 17:3, ESV). Graham stopped and looked at the audience.
“Who else sought the life of only one man? Who else would bring peace—lasting peace? What King would die for His people?”
Pointing to the Old Testament passage, he emphasised, “Right here we see the Gospel.”
Throughout the weekend seminar, Graham connected these accounts with the New Testament narrative of Christ.
He encouraged guests to continually look for threads like this in God’s Word that display its one overarching story of the Lord’s redemptive love. He challenged them to earnestly seek Him as they read the Bible, meditate on it, and pray through it.
Later, Cove guests discussed over meals together what they learned during their time at this peaceful mountain retreat.
Bill and Sandra were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary by attending their fifth Will Graham seminar.
“It’s helped me to study my Bible slowly and to ask questions as I read,” Sandra said. Her husband added that a thorough, historical examination of Scripture helps him better understand it.
Graham “brings the Bible alive and reinforces a love for God’s Word,” Bill explained.
Pam, a first-time guest to The Cove, said the seminar motivated her to pay closer attention to small details in Scripture and examine the Bible more carefully as she reads. As Graham pointed out David’s emotions during life’s ups and downs, Pam said, God’s Word became more relatable.
“This was a real person—not just a person in a book.”
Have you asked the King of kings, Jesus Christ, to be Lord of your life? Start here.
