Bible Chapter: II Samuel 7 & 8
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
There came a time when God gave King David rest from his enemies. David’s heart was to honor God and he desired to build a place of worship. The prophet, Nathan, told David it was fine for him to do that. Then God spoke to Nathan to tell David that was not in God’s plan. The good thing here is that David listened to God’s word and he did not build a house for the Lord. David worshiped the Lord, thanking Him for taking a “nobody” from tending the sheep to making him the king. God made some promises to David.
The next chapter is a listing of military victories that came to David. He conquered many enemies and brought great wealth to the treasury. He also increased his military strength and armament. God gave this king His favor and the accomplishments were many.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
God has given us all potential to accomplish things in our lives. There is no limit to what God will do through anyone who is obedient to listen to God’s directions. Not everyone will become famous and rich. Not everyone will become a great leader. But, everyone has the potential to do what God has planned for them if they will listen and obey. They will be amazed at what God does through them.
I always have to remember that God will use me in His ways and trust that He will accomplish His purpose. I must not limit God.
3. How can I help someone?
What do you think God wants to do through you? What desires has He placed in your heart? Then trust God to take you there. Believe that He will enable and provide. Nothing is too hard for God to do in and through you.
Bible Chapter: II Samuel 5 & 6
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
David was established as the king of Israel. He conquered Jerusalem and it became known as the City of David. Jerusalem has become the most spiritually important city on the earth. I remember being in Jerusalem and, looking out from a tall building at the old city, thinking that this place is the most fought-over land in the whole world. David ruled the nation from Jerusalem.
In the life of David we see extremes. He had a heart after God and we see here that before he went out to battle he asked God for His direction about going to war. God directed him and they had victory. We also see in this chapter that David had weaknesses that brought him great problems. David had a weakness for women and he broke God’s commandments by having many wives. This brought him extreme problems later on. The Bible tells the whole story and we see the weaknesses of the people that God used. So, one doesn’t have to be perfect to be used by God.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Learning to seek God’s direction and obey is one of the most important lessons in life. We must learn to grasp God’s plans. We must seek His help. But, then we must do what God directs. We also have the Bible that reveals much about who God is and what He wants in our lives. We must be students of the Bible and learn to apply it. We can see what a difference it would have made for David if he would have sought and obeyed God. Yes, David had a heart after God. But he also let the fleshly desires interfere.
3. How can I help someone?
God’s plan is always best. Learn to seek after it and then apply it. That is really good advice. I wish I had thought this up, but I learned it in life. Seek God and then obey.
Bible Chapter: II Samuel 3 & 4
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The history of Israel continued to develop. The war between the houses of David and Saul went on for a long time. David was living in Hebron and there were several sons born to him during this time.
Abner was one of the leaders in the house of Saul. He came to David to make peace and bring the kingdom under David’s rule. David agreed. As Abner was going back home, Joab brought him back and killed him to revenge the death of his brother Asahel. David was angry that he did that. David expressed grief for Abner and they gave him a proper funeral.
We see that there was much bloodshed between the feuding factions in the nation. Ish-Bosheth was a son of Saul and was the king over Israel. Two of his men, Baanah and Recab conspired to kill him. They did so and cut off his head. They brought it to David, thinking they would receive a reward. David responded just as he did to the news of Saul’s death. He said they were wicked men who killed an innocent man and they lost their lives.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
What is the value of life? It appears that there were people we are reading about that didn’t consider life something special. There were several times when people killed others with the goal of personal advancement. That never worked out. The fact that the nation wanted a king to be like everyone else displeased the Lord. It is never a good motivation to do something simply to “be like everyone else”. The bloody time they had in the process of having a succession of kings shows the result of actions that go against God’s plan. In many respects, life lost value and countless people died. Life does have value and must be respected. And, we must always strive to find God’s best plan for our lives and then live it out.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people see how valuable life is. In this gift that God has given us, life, we must seek Him and let Him lead us.
Bible Chapter: II Samuel 1 & 2
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
This book continues right where First Samuel left off. This is because these two books were originally one book in the Old Testament. Saul died. A man from Saul’s camp came to David to give him the message. He lied to David, thinking he would get some kind of a reward or praise and that David would rejoice that Saul was dead. He told David that he had killed Saul. David was angry as well as sad. Along with Saul’s death, David learned that his great friend, Jonathan, was dead. He was filled with sorrow. David had the man killed because he admitted to killing the king. The messenger thought David would be happy, thinking David considered Saul his enemy. That wasn’t true.
David expressed a powerful lament for Saul and Jonathan. He said he grieved for his dear friend. These two young men had a strong bond of deep friendship that carried them through some very tough times.
David was then anointed king over Judah. There was not a smooth transition for him to become king over the whole nation. The transition resulted in a war between David and Saul’s descendants. There were some fierce battles that were fought.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
David’s attitude of trusting God to put him in the position of king is encouraging. He didn’t have to manipulate or try to conspire against Saul. He let God work things out. Yes, some of the descendants of Saul didn’t make it easy. The thing that David said several times was that he would not go against or try to kill God’s anointed. Saul was placed in his position by God. Saul failed and he was going to be removed, but David allowed God to do things in His timing. When someone is working for God, it is important to let God guide and place in a position. We don’t have to try to manipulate things.
3. How can I help someone?
Always look for God’s way in the issues of life. Don’t lie, thinking it will get you some advancement. It may backfire and cause problems. There will be both good things and challenges we face in life. Let God take you through.
Bible Chapter: I Samuel 31
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Here we have a very sad ending to a life and kingly reign. Saul had been taken from obscurity and made the King of Israel. God was with him and he did great things. Then, as he got used to the position and let the fame and power get to him, he drifted away from serving and obeying God. He had a sad ending in battle. On the same day Saul and all of his sons were killed. In fact, after being wounded, Saul was afraid of what the Philistines would do to him, so he fell on his sword. It was only because of some valiant men of Jabesh Gilead that he received a proper burial. What a sad and ignoble ending Saul had.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Learn and listen. Learn from God’s Word and listen to what it says. Then, apply it. So many of the stories in the Bible would have turned out differently if people would have done that. So many modern stories would have turned out differently if people would have done that. This is not all the complicated. It is a matter of doing what we know is right in God’s eyes.
3. How can I help someone?
The same thing I said in part two: Listen and learn. Then apply it. Period. It works.
Bible Chapter: I Samuel 29 & 30
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The Philistines were preparing for battle. As the troops were parading before the princes, when David went by, it caused a problem. They recognized who David was. They knew his reputation and that the people had sung 'Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands'. They wouldn’t let David go with them to battle for the fear that he would renew his loyalties to Israel and then turn on the Philistines. He was forced to go home. I find one statement of Achish troubling as he describes what David had done. "Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or these years? And to this day I have found no fault in him since he defected to me." The statement that David had defected is a sad statement. May that never be said about anyone who is a follower of Jesus.
As David and his men returned home they discovered the town has been burned to the ground and all their wives and children had been taken captive. At first there was an uprising against David for their loss. Then the whole group went after the raiding party to regain their families and possessions. They were successful in their mission and all their families were restored.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Do what is right in God’s eyes. There are parts of this story that are discouraging. Why did David go to the enemy’s territory in the first place? How could he agree to fight with them? Why did he leave all the women and children unprotected? Each follower of Jesus must work to be obedient and actually apply what God wants them to do in life. When the hard times come it is easy to want to run. That doesn’t win for the Lord. Stick with what God calls each one to do.
3. How can I help someone?
Learn from the mistakes of others. A piece of advice I heard one time: learn from other people’s mistakes. You will never live long enough to make them all yourself.
Bible Chapter: I Samuel 27 & 28
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
David is considered one of the heros of the Bible. He did many amazing things for the Lord. The Bible tells the whole story. So, it also includes failures that people made. God is honest in His book. This is a good lesson for us all to learn, since none of us are perfect. After Saul let David go and promised to not try to kill him, it appears that David didn’t believe him. David did something really strange. He went over to the enemy, he went to live among the Philistines. David even agreed to fight with them against Israel. I have to admit there are times when I don’t understand some of the things he did.
Saul showed that he was a spiritually confused person. He went back and forth from listening and obeying God to doing the exact opposite of what was commanded. Here we see him seeking the advice of a witch. And, he tried to hide his identity. That makes no sense. For, if he believed the witch could contact the supernatural and give him answers, how did he not believe she would have the ability to know who he was?
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
One of the great challenges of life is to continue to live in full compliance with the commands of God. The spiritual battle is strong and it is easy to slide off to the point where we don’t really trust God. We know we can and we say we can, but we don’t always give evidence of trusting God. We must work to stay close to God and not live on a spiritual roller coaster. I wonder what more David would have accomplished if he hadn’t had his ups and downs. That is the question for each of us. How much does God want to do with us? What would a stronger life of faith accomplish for eternity?
3. How can I help someone?
Be fully aware of spiritual compromise and the impact of a strong faith life. We must continually learn to be strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might.
