Archive for the ‘1st and 2nd Samuel-BibleTrekToday’ Category
Scripture reading for April 2nd: 2nd Samuel 21-24
These are the last words of David: ” The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.’ (2nd Samuel 23:1-4)
David, the shepherd boy, anointed King by the Lord, speaks prophetically under the Spirit of the Lord. His last words are inspired by the “Most High”, “God of Jacob”, “God of Israel” and “Rock of Israel”. The Bible states that no prophet speaks on his own but is moved on by the Holy Spirit. ( 2nd Peter 1:20-21) He writes not so much for himself, but for those who will follow him in the walk of faith. David writes out of nearly 70 years of walking with the Lord and living a life of faith.
David left a mighty legacy for us. His Psalms are prophetic of the coming Messiah, his life, suffering and death! As a young boy, he knew God as his own shepherd. Jesus Christ is the good shepherd who so cares for His sheep that he lays his own life down for them. David knew God as the “Rock of Israel”! That Rock was a firm place to stand in the trials that continually came to this man. That Rock was a source of water and refreshment in a dry and weary land as David was being pursued by his enemies. His Psalms flow with an anointing of truth and grace that make them easy reading for people from every age and generation. Even though David lived over 3000 years ago, his last words still speak faith to us and encourage us to press on to meet our great “High God”! May we ponder these “last words” for more understanding and grace!
Scripture Reading for April 1st: 2nd Samuel 19-20
Have you ever done something really foolish? (By the way, today is April fool’s day!) In the last presidential campaign, one of the candidates talked bad about his opponent without realizing that his microphone was on and he was being recorded. It was an embarrassing situation that was hard to justify! In today’s reading, a man by the name of Shimei had done something really stupid to King David, who was now returning to power in Jerusalem.
As David left the city when he fled from Absalom, Shimei yelled curses at him. (2nd Samuel 16:5-8) David responded with the statement that God had sent Shimei to do that. (2nd Samuel 16:11-12) Although Abishai, a son of Zeruiah, wanted to kill Shimei, David refused to do so. David realized that his current situation was a result of his own sin. God had warned him that trouble would come to him from his own household. (2nd Samuel 12:10-13) Shimei’s curses were reminding David of his sin and of God’s promise.
Now, after Absalom’s rebellion had been stopped by his untimely death, David was returning to Jerusalem as King over God’s people. Shimei was one of the first to greet him. He immediately fell at the King’s feet and asked for mercy, confessing his sin and taking responsibility. (2nd Samuel 19:16-20) His humble attitude and progressive actions found a receptive heart in the King. The sons of Zeruiah still wanted to get revenge and had to be rebuked again by the King. (2nd Samuel 19:21-23) The King granted a pardon to Shimei! I believe he understood God’s mercy when he, himself, cried out to God for it. (Psalm 51:1-2)
We can all identify with Shimei in that we have all sinned against the King of Heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ! We have rebelled against Him and deserve punishment. Our accuser, Satan, tries to condemn us to death. But the Lord has mercy on those who humbly confess and call upon Him for pardon. God forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness! (1st John 1:9) This is good news! We can have a pardon from the King! Honest confession and repentance will bring forgivnesnss and restoration. Take the action needed today to deal with sins against God or man who is made in God’s image! Psalm 51 is a great pattern. Forgive yourself too! We have a pardon from the King!
Scripture reading for March 31st: 2nd Samuel 15-18
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your god has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16
“This is what the Lord says; ‘out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel’”.( 2nd Samuel 12:11-12)
God’s Word never returns void! It is always true and the one who chooses to go against it does so to their peril. King David disobeyed God’s command against adultery and although he was forgiven, he reaped what he had sown in his own household. Absalom, a son of King David, chose to rebel against his own father and try to take the throne of Israel. His story is recorded in today’s reading. It has a boastful beginning and a sad ending.
Absalom was a master politician. He made all kinds of promises to win the hearts of the people. His heart was plotting a take-over of his own father’s throne and he did it by flattery and empty promises. (2nd Samuel 15:4-6) He secretly set himself up as king and secretly won over David’s trusted counselor, Ahithophel, who joined in the conspiracy. He was a man full of pride and self-promotion who would do anything to gain power.
Ahithophel advised Absalom to take his father’s concubines and sleep with them in front of all Israel. This appealed to this rebel son and he willingly broke God’s commands and dishonored himself and his father, not to mention God! In doing so, he fulfilled Nathan’s word to King David as his own father was confronted with his own sin of adultery! God’s Word is always true and comes to pass! (2nd Samuel 16:20-22)
Absalom’s brief rebellion ends in a tragic way. He was always proud of his long, thick hair. As he was riding his mule through the forest of Ephraim in battle with his father’s men, he caught his hair on a branch and was left hanging in mid-air by his beautiful hair. He was struck down by Joab, David’s army commander, and Joab’s armor-bearers. His life cut short by dishonoring his own father!
When told of his son’s death, King David laments his death and wishes it had been him! What anguish is caused by sin! These sexual sins seem to offer such pleasure, but in reality cause death and agony! We reap what we sow! David’s lament is very touching! In it we hear the heart of God for all his lost children! He wants none to perish, but all to come to repentance. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but wishes for their salvation and restoration! In fact, He sent His own Son to die in our place! Wow! What amazing love! Our Father identified with our sins and weaknesses and and offers pardon and restoration!
Scripture reading for March 30: 2nd Samuel 11-14
In my years in the church, I have witnessed a number of moral failures. Many of these have been in ministry and were men and women of God who had powerful ministries and were great people of influence in the church and community. Those in ministry have caring hearts and are often the target of Satan. Satan knows that if he can get a man or woman of God to compromise, he has a good opportunity to trip up many in the church as well. These moral failures were often a result of pride, success, and lack of accountability.
In today’s reading, King David decides to stay home from the battlefield and take a break. He’s about 50 years old at this time, has had great success, and is looked upon as God’s anointed leader. While resting at home, he sees his neighbor’s wife bathing and sends for her. They have a sexual encounter and she conceives a child. (2nd Samuel 11:4-5) When David is notified, he sends for her husband, Uriah. David hopes to have Uriah spend time with his wife but the plan fails as Uriah has made a vow of abstinence while his army is fighting. King David sends Uriah back with orders for Joab, his army commander, to have Uriah killed in battle.
Sin always takes one farther than they want to go! David’s failure to restrain his passions brought an unwanted pregnancy. David essentially had Bathsheba’s husband murdered. (2nd Samuel 11:25-27) David then married Bathsheba. This turn of events displeased the Lord! Sin never makes God happy and its pleasure is passing for those involved!
What lessons are here for us today? First, sexual sins are always deadly! David’s son, Solomon, also born to him through Bathsheba, wrote about sexual sin and adultery in several places in Proverbs. (Proverbs 5-7) God’s Word warns us that we must not commit adultery! When we do, we violate a sacred union. God has joined the man and woman together as one in flesh and spirit. They are a picture of Christ and His bride, the Church! (Ephesians 5: 31-32) When we separate what God has joined together, we open the door to violence between the parties involved. (Malachi 2:15-16) David was moved on by Satan to have Bathsheba’s husband murdered. Bathsheba’s grief is mentioned as well. Not only that, but the child that was conceived died as a consequence. More death and grief result from a short time of stolen pleasure! Oh that we would learn from God’s Word and avoid all the death and grief!
Check your own heart today in this area of sexual lust and sexual sins. Have you been looking at things you should not be looking at? Have you entertained temptation rather than resisting it? Are you emotionally involved with someone who is not your mate? Flee temptation today and turn to the Lord for forgiveness and help! David’s own advice can be found in Psalm 32: 1-6!
Greetings on this day of rest! May the peace of Jesus Christ fill your heart today as you rest in His love and kindness!
As I stopped to ponder the reading of this past week, I thought of King David’s desire to build a house for the Lord. (2nd Samuel 7:1) This is one of the most important conversations found in the Old Testament pointing to Jesus Christ. King David had rest from his battles and had built himself a palace of cedar. He realized that God was living in a tent and wanted something better for God. He shared his desire with Nathan the Prophet who encouraged him to do whatever was on his heart.(2nd Samuel 7:3)
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart”. (Psalms 37:4) David was a man who delighted himself in the Lord. As he put his faith and trust in God, God gave him desires that flowed from His heart! God did want to build a house for Himself. The house God desired was not made of wood or stone. It was not overlaid with silver and gold. The house that the Lord wanted built would have to come from the most precious of materials: His own Son’s Blood and Body! David was granted grace to become a part of God’s greater plan to build the ultimate house–a people from every tribe, tongue and nation who would believe on Him!
As you gather today to worship the Lord with others of like precious faith, remember that you are the living stones of that House for the Lord! (1st Peter 2:4-10) You are a royal priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices to the One who gave His own son as the foundation–God your Father! Delight yourself in Him today, and He will surely give you the desires of your heart!
Scripture reading for March 28: 2nd Samuel 8-10
Have you ever sought out a person who you knew needed help, but would not be able to do anything for you in return? What have you done to help that person? What was your motivation in helping him? If you are a Christian, this should be a way of life! In our reading today, King David does just such a thing!
David was a warrior and strong man of God. He was always ready to fight the Lord’s battles and sought the Lord for most of his battles. He had been involved in a struggle following the death of Saul and Jonathan, his friend. This struggle was for leadership of the kingdom. God helped David and brought about victory over Saul’s son Ish-Boseth. Now David was king, and one of the first acts of his rulership was to seek out any relatives of Saul or Jonathan that he might show kindness to based on his covenant promise to Jonathan. What an odd thing for a king to do: show kindness to their chief rival! (2nd Samuel 9:1)
It turned out that one son of Jonathan was still around. His name was Mephibosheth and he was crippled in both feet from a fall. David sent for Mephibosheth and greeted him warmly. He restored all his grandfather’s land and property to him and placed Ziba, his servant, in charge to work the ground for him. He gave Mephibosheth a seat at the king’s table like one of David’s own sons! (2nd Samuel 9:7) Wow! What a turn of events for this crippled son! What unexpected kindness from this mighty warrior towards a rival whose grandfather had chased him and hunted him for almost 13 years.
King David’s actions are much like that of our gracious God! God is a kind king who cares for His people. He honors those who are in covenant relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. When we are crippled because of sin, he takes us into his house and seats us as one of his own sons. He restores our property to us and lavishes us with blessing and restoration. (2nd Corinthians 5:17) We have grace and favor because of the covenant made with the King’s Son!
Look for a way to show kindness to someone who is handicapped, needy, or hurting today. Try to show special kindness in the way that Jesus has shown the same to you! Remember, if you have done it to the least of these, you did it to Jesus Himself! God bless you as you follow our Master today in this kindness! (Matthew 25:40)
Scripture reading for March 27: 2nd Samuel 5-7
Scripture reading for March 26: 2nd Samuel 1-4
When a leader dies or passes from the scene, there is often a struggle for one to fill that place. The Bible declares that it is God who raises up leaders and brings them down, too. (Psalm 75:6-7) The flesh, however, harbors a spirit of competition. It wants to exalt “self” and take over power, take over position, and have it’s own way. This leads to factions, murder, and war. A house divided against itself cannot stand! (Matthew 12:25)
In today’s reading, David becomes king over the house of Judah. Years before, the Lord had anointed him to be king. David sets up his kingship in Hebron as the Lord directed him. (2nd Samuel 2:1-3) David does not try and take over all of Israel or to destroy Saul’s house, either. He is a man of character and knows that it will be God placing him where He desires. Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, was made king over the rest of Israel by Abner, the commander of Saul’s army. There was competition between the two groups. Each desired to have power.
This competition took a deadly turn as Joab, commander of David’s army and Abner, commander of Ish-Bosheth’s army met one day at the pool of Gibeon. A contest of hand to hand fighting resulted in the deaths of 19 of David’s men and 360 of Abner’s men! (2nd Samuel 2:30-31) The war between these two factions went on for a long time. David grew stronger and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. (2nd Samuel 3:1)
Galatians 5:19-21 describes the works of the sinful nature. Some of these are dissensions, factions, envy, and selfish ambitions. These sins cause competition and the resultant discord and evil. When we center on self, as opposed to God’s will, trouble always results. God’s will is usually plain, if we have ears to hear it. In the case of David, he had already been anointed as king by Samuel. Saul’s offspring, Ish-Bosheth, and the commander of Saul’s army, Abner, refused to listen or seek the Lord. The result was war and discord that caused the death of innocent people and turmoil among God’s people.
Today, examine your own life for these works of the sinful nature. Are you filled with envy over a person who seems to have a job, position, or relationship that you would like or feel you deserve? Are you involved in factions and dissention every day? Do you have desires for power or position that come from an inner need for recognition? Give these to the Lord and allow Him to search your heart and bring peace. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace! He is able to place us where we need to be to accomplish His plan for our lives! (Galatians 5:22-26)
Scripture reading for March 25: 1st Samuel 27-31
Have you ever been curious about what will happen in the future? Our world is full of curious people and everyone would like to know about tomorrow. If we had that information, we feel that we could get rich, save ourselves from disaster, or control the world. God warns us not to seek any source other than Himself for this information! (Leviticus 19:31) He is the only source of Truth because He alone knows the things to come! (Isaiah 42:9)
Saul, tormented by the evil spirit that came as a result of his rebellion, sought information about the future by disguising himself and going to visit a medium. He had tried to seek the Lord first, but God didn’t speak through the priests or prophets. (1st Samuel 28:5-6) He was terrified and desperate for direction. He, himself, had banned all witches, mediums, and sorcerers from the land in accordance with the law of God. His disobedience showed that obedience to God was still not a priority in his life.
This incident is very perplexing because it seems that God allows the spirit of Samuel to be brought up from the dead through this medium. Samuel speaks prophetically to King Saul one last time, pronouncing his coming death the next day. (1st Samuel 28:16-19) Again, God’s Word is true and truth about what happened and will happen comes from Him alone. He can record our sin truthfully and still show mercy to us in the midst of our sin by speaking truth. When we are in rebellion and under God’s judgment, truth is hard to face. True repentance must be sought while the Lord may be found! (Psalm 32:6-7)
True to the Word of Samuel, Saul and his sons die the next day. Saul is wounded and asks his armor bearer to put him out of his misery. The armor bearer was terrified and refused, so Saul fell on his own spear, taking his own life! Even in his death, he took matters into his own hands! (1st Samuel 31:2-6)
The life and death of this first human king of Israel has much to teach us. Saul’s anointing by Samuel to become king was a wonderful opportunity to rule and lead under God’s guidance. Saul’s choices to disobey God’s clear instructions brought consequences that eventually lead to further rebellion and death by suicide. Someone has said, “sin truly takes us further than we want to go, holds us longer that we want to stay, and exacts a price higher than we want to pay”.
If you are doing something in clear disobedience to the Word of God, take time right now to get down on your knees and ask the Lord for mercy! God gives grace to the humble. Repentance is more than just saying you are sorry, it is getting up to go a new direction of willing obedience! (2nd Corinthians 7:9-11) Without repentance, there is no forgiveness of sins! “But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1st John 1:9)
Scripture reading for March 24: 1st Samuel 24-26
Have you ever known someone who was hard to get along with? Not only that, they were rich and had lots of money and refused to help those who helped them? Nabal was such a man whose record is written down for us to ponder.
Nabal was a “Calebite”, a descendant of Caleb, the faithful spy and conqueror of giants. Nabal was described as being “surly and mean in his dealings”. (1st Samuel 25:3) One of his own servants also described Nabal as a man who was “such a wicked man that no one could talk to him”. (1st Samuel 25:17) He liked to party and alcohol was also a factor in his reputation. (1st Samuel 25:36) If he were around today, he would fit in well with many men in our world: arrogance, alcohol, money, and beautiful women leading to a surly and mean disposition which most people find difficult to get along with. Looking at Nabal’s life is like watching one of today’s popular soap operas!
Nabal was married to a Abigail, a woman described as “intelligent and beautiful”. It is interesting how God places people together. Often our mate is the one who can help us with our own sins and weaknesses. It was that way in this marriage. Hearing how arrogantly her husband had treated the servants of David, who had helped protect Nabal’s herds, she quickly took action to avert a disaster. She was like the godly woman in Proverbs 31 who was working for her husband’s good. Abigail took goods and met David and his men as they were coming to seek revenge. She appealed to David, humbly asking for his favor. David listened and relented. Through his godly woman, he heard the voice of God and was spared the shedding of innocent blood.
Returning home, Abigail found her husband at a party, drunk. She waited until morning to tell him what she had done. When Nabal heard about her kindness, God struck him with what appears to be a stroke. The scripture says that Nabal “became like a stone”. When you are mean and surly and your heart gets hard, the consequences can be deadly. On the other hand, because of Abigail’s kindness and good sense, David asked her to marry him. What a turn of events!
What lessons can we learn for our lives today? First, mean and surly people cause trouble. Alcohol is a source of great trouble in families and costs individuals their health and often their soul! Second, revenge belongs to God alone. He can and will repay! Sometimes God’s timing is not as precise as in our story today, but God knows what is best and needed. He wants none to perish, but all to come to repentance if possible. He gives each person a chance. Third, when we are humble, kind, and respect others, God will and does reward us. Abigail was well taken care of. She was a good wife to her mean and surly husband. She could become a good wife to David, king of Israel! You reap what you sow!