In 2 Samuel 17, Absalom receives advice from two separate men. One of the men is loyal to David but Absalom is so self focused, he cannot see that. He takes the counsel from David's friend. David is warned by his friends and all of his men make it to safety with him. None of them desert David along the way. They arrive at their destination of safety and are warmly greeted with friends, food for nourishment and replenishment, and rest. These friends were all people that David had previously shown...
Jun 30, 2023•13 min
In 2 Samuel 16, David blindly believes lies thrown at him. Then Shimei comes along and starts cursing David and his men, calling David names, and throwing stones at them. David's nephew wants to end him but David does not let him. David is humble and trusts God. He knows his identity is in God, not the words or stones this man is throwing. We need to always be alert. Be aware of what we are listening to and make sure it stands up to the truth of God and His Word. Resist anything that does not. W...
Jun 29, 2023•12 min
In 2 Samuel 15, Absalom sows seeds of distrust among some of the Israelite people towards David. He conspires against David. David mourned him for 3 years and now he is manipulating things to declare himself king. Repentance and reconciliation have not taken place between him and God or him and David and the family starts fighting against each other. David is forced to flee once again from someone's pursuit, but this time it's his own son. David is broken and yet he trusts God, humbles himself b...
Jun 28, 2023•14 min
In 2 Samuel 14, Joab arranges a plot to get David to allow his son Absalom to return. He had mourned the loss of his son for 3 years and Joab sets the wheels in motion for reconciliation. He has a woman from Tekoa tell a bold and wise story that gets David's attention David knows it's Joab's doing and concedes to letting Absalom come home but true reconciliation does not happen. Absalom has not repented. He lives by his own moral code and wants what he wants and goes to any means to get it. Reco...
Jun 27, 2023•13 min
In 2 Samuel 13, David's sin of adultery and murder is amplified through two of his sons. The sins we meddle with, allow, and accept in our lives are often embraced fully and often in excess by our children. Our actions always speak lower than our words. If we address sin, apologize, repent and turn to God for forgiveness and redemption from those sins - those actions are also seen and embraced. We have choices in our lives and our choices affect our loved ones. Amnon listens to the very bad coun...
Jun 26, 2023•18 min
In 2 Samuel 12, God sends Nathan to call David out on his sin. David felt the heaviness and weight of the guilt of his sin before God called him out on it. He was miserable. He immediately responds in repentance. He doesn't respond with a lie, avoidance, blame shifting, attacking, or avoiding. He immediately says, yeah, I totally sinned against God and I'm so sorry! The very next statement is "the Lord has forgiven you". David wasn't perfect, he was human. He was also quick to repent and despera...
Jun 23, 2023•16 min
In 2 Samuel 10 & 11, in the midst of a season of war, David is not at the battle lines as he should be. He is lying idle in his home and is faced with temptation of yet another beautiful woman. He sees something he likes, gets information about her, and has her brought over. Bathsheba is the wife of Uriah who is actually out in the battle where he's supposed to be. She becomes pregnant and in his sin, David falls into even more sin as he tries to cover it all up. Sin can't be covered up or w...
Jun 22, 2023•17 min
In 2 Samuel 8 & 9, David is victorious because God is bringing him victory. He is succeeding as king and letting God speak into his life. In the middle of his success, he is still showing humility to God and kindness and compassion to those around him. Mephibosheth was crippled due to a fall and lived in Lo-debar which means no pasture, no money, no idea - nothing. In fact, part of Mephibosheth's very name means shame. David calls out for him and brings him to his home. He invites him to din...
Jun 21, 2023•16 min
In 2 Samuel 7, David has ideas but God stops it and says hold on - I'm up to something greater here. He spills out the Davidic Covenant promising that a king from David's lineage would reign on the throne as king for all eternity. That King does come forth in Jesus. He is our King for all eternity. This is an unconditional covenant and no matter what happens, God will and does bring it forth. God knows we desperately need a Savior and He sends us our Savior and King who gives us freedom and vict...
Jun 20, 2023•15 min
As we patiently anticipate the glorious return of Jesus and continue to run the race God has placed on our lives, we should always remember to face the Son throughout every minute of our days. In every single thing we do, let Him warm our faces with His Almighty glory, awe, and power so we can continually spread His amazingly Good News of Salvation, freedom, and victory which can only be found in Him. He is Faithful and True. Just like the sunflower looks to the sun, follows it in every moment a...
Jun 19, 2023•12 min
In 2 Samuel 6, David wants to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. He has a heart after God's presence and wants God's Ark near as well. The problem rises when he goes about it the wrong way and doesn't follow God's instruction and how to move the Ark as well as who should move the Ark. Disobedience is sin and sin leads to death and a man does die due to this disobedience. God desperately wants to bless us. He is God and is not to be fooled with, used, or mocked. Our best next step is always submi...
Jun 16, 2023•16 min
In 2 Samuel 4 & 5, Saul's 4th son is murdered in his sleep. The murderers try to justify their actions and believe they are doing right in their hearts. Sin can never be justified and is never right. David responds in truth and justice to this murder and is taking his position as king. He is publicly anointed as king of all Israel. They didn't recognize him as their true king until they were all out of options. David's first victory under God's authority is to deal with a city that should ha...
Jun 15, 2023•17 min
In 2 Samuel 3, some of the cracks in David's character are shown and we see yet another murder happen out of selfish ambition, selfish motive, and selfish revenge when Joab murders Abner. David once again mourns the loss of innocent life.The Bible is very honest about its people. It is very honest about the fact that we all face temptation and sin and desperately need a Savior. We desperately need Jesus in each of our lives. We live a fallen, broken, sinful world and will face temptations. If we...
Jun 14, 2023•19 min
In 2 Samuel 2, David is partially anointed publicly as king over Judah. David continues to reflect God's character in his humility, kindness, and peace for those around him. He is still staying God centered and even asks when it's time to go and where to go and listens when God answers. A civil war breaks out between Judah and the rest of Israel due to a barbaric sporting event that goes quite badly. It was not even a close battle, but Abner calls for a cease fire and reminds them they are all I...
Jun 13, 2023•13 min
In 2 Samuel 1, David hears the news that both Saul and Jonathan had died in the battle between the Philistines and Israelites. David is deeply moved to mourning - not just for the loss of his best friend but for the national tragedy of losing their king. He composes a personal, poetic, and emotionally charged funeral song. His integrity, character, and fierce loyalty shine through. He is humble under God and keeps his focus on God through it all. God appointed Saul as the 1st king of Israel and ...
Jun 12, 2023•12 min
In 1 Samuel 31, the attack from the Philistines breaks out on Israel and Saul and three of his sons are killed. Saul's story sets us up for the reign of David as the lives of David and Saul have been compared so far. It also shows us humanity. Saul chooses to reign as king in his own ways instead of with a repentant heart under submission to God and God's authority. Saul sees the results if evil to the full extent as he faces death. We are all imperfect and face sin in our lives and we all despe...
Jun 11, 2023•10 min
In 1 Samuel 29 & 30, David wakes up expecting to be going to war with the Philistines who are going to attack the Israelites. We don't know what David was thinking or what his plan was, but we know he trusts God and His will and plan. David quickly learns that the plan is not for him to participate in that war. He is told he is going to have to go back to his city and sit this one out. When they get back, they find their city has been plundered and their wives, children, and belongings are a...
Jun 09, 2023•15 min
In 1 Samuel 28, David is told by the Philistine king that he will be expected to help in an upcoming war with Israel. David is anointed and appointed to be the king of Israel and now is told he is expected to help wipe them out. Saul sees the vast Philistine army and panic sets in. God will not answer him or give any direction. God is silent. Saul has disobeyed and not humbled himself before God repeatedly. God is not a genie and faith is not magic. God is all powerful and all authoritative and ...
Jun 08, 2023•11 min
In 1 Samuel 26 & 27, David and his nephew march into a camp of 3000 of Saul's men who are on a mission to find David and kill him but yet are fast asleep. David takes Saul's sword and jug of water and then yells from the top of a hill to awaken them. He calls out Abner, the commander of the army and rebukes him for not watching out for the king of Israel. He shows him he has the sword and water and points out that absolutely no one was watching out for the king. Saul again apologizes but isn...
Jun 07, 2023•13 min
In 1 Samuel 25, Samuel passes and all of Israel gathers for his funeral. David then goes to Carmel and comes across Nabal who owes him a favor so David asks for just that. Rather than answering in hospitality, he is a fool (just as his name means) and responds by rejecting David and insulting him in his arrogance, selfishness, and entitlement. David responds in retaliation rather than seeking God's will and resting in God. Abigail, Nabal's wife rises and quickly intercedes by speaking truth and ...
Jun 06, 2023•17 min
In 1 Samuel 23 & 24, Saul is still laser focused on finding and killing David and is not doing his job as king. The town of Keilah is being attacked so David steps in and defends them even while running for his life. He shows compassion to people around him no matter the circumstances he's facing. God's favor is working through David's life. He is humble and seeks the direction and guidance of God before making any decisions. David is tempted to kill Saul when he is hiding in a cave and Saul...
Jun 02, 2023•15 min
In 1 Samuel 21 & 22, David is on the run from Saul who has a mission set to kill him. David meets with Ahimelech and is starving. Ahimelech only has the Bread of the Presence. He goes ahead and gives him that bread so he can be nourished for his journey ahead. This bread was meant for the priests. Human need overtakes the law and mercy and compassion are shown. Religious ritual is not meant to be placed above human need, mercy, and compassion for humanity. We are called to love like Jesus an...
Jun 01, 2023•16 min
In 1 Samuel 19 & 20, Saul's wrath towards David festers and he is out to kill David. David has been acting on faith in God and has been doing great things for God and the people favor him. Saul is envious and as a result angry and murderous. David and Jonathan have formed a covenant friendship under the witness of God and Jonathan helps David flee. As he flees, God is providing for him and getting him to the right place at the right time. God has perfect timing every time. Jonathan devoutly ...
May 31, 2023•16 min
In 1 Samuel 18, Jonathan and David develop a bond under God and are fast friends. Jonathan, as Saul's son, should have been the rightful heir as the next king but he renounces that honor and recognizes it belongs to David. David has already been anointed by God as the next king and Jonathan sees that in David and joins forces with him. David moves from taking care of sheep to taking care of people. God's anointing is on David so success follows in all he does and the people see that and start to...
May 30, 2023•9 min
In 1 Samuel 17, a Philistine giant is taunting the Israelites. Rather than standing on the power and might of God, they freeze up in fear and just stare at the enemy for 40 days and 40 nights. When we buy into the enemies lies, we no longer engage in battle. We are on the front lines and need to be prepared for battle daily and stand firm on the Word and power of our almighty God. The enemy will mock us and taunt us and try to feed us lies. It's vital to shut off the worldly noises and listen to...
May 23, 2023•20 min
In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel is mourning the loss of Saul. When someone turns from God and refuses God, it should cause us to mourn. Life is eternal and the choices we make this side of heaven will affect our eternity. We can choose Christ and encourage everyone around us to do the same. God desperately wants every single person to choose Him and live in eternity with Him. His love for every one of us is beyond human comprehension. More than anything else, He wants our hearts to chase God and all His ...
May 22, 2023•11 min
1 Samuel 15, God gives Saul a clear direction and Saul disobeys and only does part of what God asks. He makes excuses as to why he did what he did rather than running straight to repentance. He cared more about his image and pleasing people than what God wanted or God's rejection. He feared people more than God Himself. He's addicted to his image rather than God's image. We will make mistakes along the journey, but we can choose to be quick to repent and keep clinging to God with all our hearts....
May 18, 2023•10 min
In 1 Samuel 14, the Israelite army is fearful and in hiding while they wait. They are surrounded by the vast Philistine army. Jonathan has an idea and tells his armor bearer, let's go. He adds "perhaps the Lord will help us". He doesn't know what is going to happen but chooses to stand in faith in what he knows God can do. He knows the power of God and trusts in Him. Jonathan and his armor bearer go up to one of the Philistine outposts. They are given victory over the outpost and God goes even f...
May 17, 2023•17 min
In 1 Samuel 13, Jonathan defeats a bunch of their Philistine enemies which makes them angry and they raise a vast army to come against them. Saul's men become terrified and run into hiding rather than praying and trusting in God. Saul makes an impulsive sacrifice rather than waiting on Samuel which is against the proper order and direction of God. Saul acted on his feelings rather than on faith in God and God's perfect timing. Samuel arrives on scene right as he finishes the sacrifice and tells ...
May 16, 2023•10 min
In 1 Samuel 11 & 12, one month after Saul is recognized as king of Israel, he's out plowing fields. He hasn't truly stepped forward. Jabesh-gilead was a part of the nation and they were in a state of separation. The Ammonites rise up against them and they request peace for 7 days as they cry out to Israel for help. They don't know if they will get help, but brotherhood rises up in God's people, righteous anger rises up in Saul, and they join forces to rescue their brothers. We should never l...
May 11, 2023•14 min
