1 & 2 Samuel: The 14th Study
The civil war comes to a head and Absalom is defeated and David returns to Jerusalem, but at a high cost.

The civil war comes to a head and Absalom is defeated and David returns to Jerusalem, but at a high cost.
Ahithophel proves the power of Hebrews 12:14-15. We must forgive!
King David suffers from the result of his sin with Bathsheba and is forced to leave Jerusalem from Absalom's rebellion.
The incident with David and Bathsheba represents a life lesson for both men and women of today when it comes to lust and modesty.
King David commits evil acts to cover up his adultery, blinded by his sin. There is no secret sin that will eventually be exposed. David repents, but there are consequences to his disobedience.
King David worshipped the the Lord in Spirit and Truth and sets the example for us to do the same because the Lord is worthy.
The death of Uzzah redirected David and Israel’s ideas about how God is worshipped. IT needs to instructs ours as well.
David establishes his kingdom and the Lord establishes Jesus' Kingdom through David.
David repeatedly sought God on how to deal with the Philistines. He never assumed what to do. We ought to do the same.
The Bible teaches how to use money wisely. The first step is realizing that it's not our money, but that it belongs to Jesus. How we manage His money will reflect our love for Him.
Count your blessings, literally. Make a note of all the things you own and realize how blessed you are. Now go, serve and love others because relationships are the only thing you take with you from this life into Heaven.
With Saul's death comes a civil war, but it's David who sees still respects Saul's anointing as King, even though the anointing has fallen to David.
Often God closes doors and opportunities in our lives as a way of leading us into His greatest plans and purposes for us.
Both David and Saul fall away from the Lord's will, but the difference is how each one responds when faced with their disobedience.
Saul is hanging onto the throne in disobedience, which the Lord can not and will not bless. It's the same for any Christian who's hanging onto their rebellion.
David learns not to give into his anger and commit murder, but he gives into his fear and makes decisions that are contrary to God's will.
David’s fearful foray into Gath reminds us faith isn’t just for the big challenges, it’s for the day to day as well.
David is very much like us. We are very inconsistent with our walk in Christ. One minute we are doing the right thing and the next we're making bonehead decisions.
A character study of Saul vs David. David is characterized by the harp in his hand; Saul is characterized by the spear in his hand
After defeating Goliath, David wins the respect or is it suspicion, from King Saul? It becomes evident as David's reputation grows and Saul's shrinks.
David’s path to the Valley of Elah where he defeated Goliath was marked by daily challenge & faith. The big wins in life are built on many more daily small ones.
Saul continues to fall from grace with his disobedience toward God and David rises as the new king, but needs to take down Goliath first.
We just don't celebrate the empty tomb on Easter, but also the occupied throne where Jesus now sits in Heaven.
Jesus died for all our sins. Nail you sin to the Cross and leave it there because when Jesus was nailed to the Cross He said, "It is finished."
Saul's disobedience removes him from being King and Jonathan steps up in faith to defeat the Philistines. Something his father should have done.
At the conclusion of Samuel’s Swan Song, he tells Israel to put their error of asking for a king behind them and do the right thing. No failure is fatal when given to God.
Saul is made king of Israel and has all the traits of a great ruler, even when faced with conspirators he acts like a just king.
Israel’s demand for a king parallels the Christian’s desire for an “easier” way than to live by faith.
The Lord messes with the Philistines with plagues and sickness until they finally return the Ark back to Israel. Then the Israelites diss the Lord by wanting a king.
Just as Jesus loved us, we are to love as He did in every aspect of our lives, especially in our relationships.