About one-third of the way through our year together – big day, big milestone! 🙂 Please read 2 Samuel 19:31-43, 2 Samuel 20, Psalm 7, 2 Samuel 21, and 1 Chronicles 20:4-8, and head on back.  Let’s have a visit!

“I’m thanking God who makes things right” Psalm 7:17

So many things going on for David today. Many times, we are left with the realization that God is our only defense and judge – in those moments, we have to come to realize that this is ALL the time.  Don’t leave anything “on the table” – we must thank Him every day, depend on Him every day.  When it looks like He is making things right, trust.  When it doesn’t look like He is making things right, trust anyway.  God is on our side! Let’s learn to depend on the Lord every day, not just the hard days.

Today we are reading 2 Samuel 17:15-29, Psalm 3, Psalm 63, 2 Samuel 18, 2 Samuel 19:1-30. Every single day is an opportunity to learn something from the Word, something big, something small, even just a reminder.  No pressure – if you are trying, you can’t get it wrong!  Let’s go:

In light of what is happening in David’s life, the Psalms are so much more meaningful.  I love it when we can connect a psalm to an event like this. When David wrote this his own son Absalom was the enemy who was against him:

“God! Look! Enemies past counting!
Enemies sprouting like mushrooms,
Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery:
‘Hah! No help for him from God!’ ” Psalm 3:1-2 MSG)

David was protective over Absalom, even when Absalom was against him.  It didn’t matter what he did, Absalom was his son.

“Then the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.’ ” (2 Samuel 18:5 MSG)

God feels the same way about us – and that kind of tenderness ought to inspire loyalty in return. Weird that Absalom was caught by his own hair – remember how proud and vain he was just a few chapters ago?  David wanted victory, but not at the price of his son’s life. Sadly, Absalom’s rebellion did not allow for his father’s loyalty. Let’s end today on a happy note – 

“Real help comes from God.
Your blessing clothes your people!” (Psalm 3:8 MSG)

We’re staying in Samuel today!  Please read 2 Samuel 15, 2 Samuel 16, and 2 Samuel 17:1-14. Is the Lord speaking to you through His Word?  Leave us a comment and let’s turn this monologue into a dialogue together!

“Absalom would say, ‘Look, you’ve got a strong case; but the king isn’t going to listen to you.’ Then he’d say, ‘Why doesn’t someone make me a judge for this country? Anybody with a case could bring it to me and I’d settle things fair and square.’ Whenever someone would treat him with special honor, he’d shrug it off and treat him like an equal, making him feel important. Absalom did this to everyone who came to do business with the king and stole the hearts of everyone in Israel. After four years of this, Absalom spoke to the king….”         (2 Samuel 15:3-8 MSG)

Four years. Wow. Absalom planned for YEARS to betray his father. (No surprise there – our reading yesterday revealed Absalom’s character).

David cares for Ittai on his way out – encouraging him to stay; and David also sent back the Ark to its rightful place, rather than trying to manipulate the presence of God.

“The counsel that Ahithophel gave in those days was treated as if God himself had spoken” (2 Samuel 16:23 MSG)

Absalom made a mistake trusting Ahithophel. I thought it was interesting that the people trusted Ahithophel’s words as if they came from God Himself. It is right to trust people, but never right to put man’s words above the word of God. Receive counsel AND pray for discernment.

Please read 2 Samuel 12:26-31, 1 Chronicles 20:2-3, 2 Samuel 13, and 2 Samuel 14.  Head on back and let’s chat!  What stands out to you today?

Restoration is one of my favorite things that the Lord does! In His great compassion, He always wants the exile back.

“Water spilled on the ground can’t be gathered up again. But God does not take away life. He works out ways to get the exile back” (2 Samuel 14:14 MSG)

Think of His great wisdom too – God sees value in the one that has strayed (where man might just say “good riddance” or just let them go). His thoughts are higher than our thoughts! Thank You, Lord, for always welcoming us home and working out ways to get us back!

Are you enjoying reading about David?  He’s a favorite!  Today, we’ve got: 1 Chronicles 20:1, 2 Samuel 11, 2 Samuel 12:1-14, Psalm 51, 2 Samuel 12:15-25, 2 Samuel 5:14-16, 1 Chronicles 14:3-7, and 1 Chronicles 3:5-9. 

David made some serious mistakes, but he takes them straight to the Lord, asks for forgiveness. Though it was a sin against God, he wronged Uriah and Bathsheba as well. God is able to wash us clean like David asks Him to in Psalm 51. 

“Generous in love—God, give grace!
    Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.
Scrub away my guilt,
    soak out my sins in your laundry.
I know how bad I’ve been;
    my sins are staring me down” (Psalm 51:1-3 MSG)

I love Psalm 51, but read in this context of these events it is even more meaningful. ❤ 

David’s history is in lots of places, recorded a couple of different times.  That must mean it is important! 🙂 Today, let’s read 2 Samuel 8:15-18, 1 Chronicles 18:14-17, 1 Chronicles 6:16-30, 1 Chronicles 50-53, 1 Chronicles 31-48, 2 Samuel 9, 2 Samuel 10, and 1 Chronicles 19. Let’s see what kind of example we can take from David today!

“Thus David ruled over all of Israel. He ruled well—fair and even-handed in all his duties and relationships” (2 Samuel 8:15 MSG)

What a nice testimony to David’s life and rule.  Let the same be said of us – fair and even-handed in all our duties and relationships!

I love to see David’s kindness to Saul’s family, specifically Jonathan’s son.

“One day David asked, ‘Is there anyone left of Saul’s family? If so, I’d like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan…. Mephibosheth. ‘I’d like to do something special for you in memory of your father Jonathan. To begin with, I’m returning to you all the properties of your grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you’ll take all your meals at my table.’ ” (2 Samuel 9:1, 7 MSG)

What a conflict of emotions: the grandfather considered himself David enemy, the father was David’s best friend, now the grandson is restored back to his family property.

I also like how the Message translates their feelings going into these battles today –

“Courage! We’ll fight with might and main for our people and for the cities of our God. And God will do whatever he sees needs doing!” (2 Samuel 10:12 MSG)

They would do what they could and trust God to do what He sees needs to be done.  I’m going to adopt this attitude: do what I can, and trust the Lord to do what He needs to do on my behalf. Faith AND action – powerful combination!

Okay, for today we are reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-17, 1 Chronicles 17:1-15, 2 Samuel 7:18-29, 1 Chronicles 17:16-27, 2 Samuel 8:1-14, 1 Chronicles 18:1-13, and Psalm 60. What stands out to you today?  Let’s visit!

“But that night, the word of God came to Nathan saying, ‘Go and tell my servant David: This is God’s word on the matter: You’re going to build a ‘house’ for me to live in? Why, I haven’t lived in a ‘house’ from the time I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt till now. All that time I’ve moved about with nothing but a tent.’

Furthermore, God has this message for you: God Himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you’re buried with your ancestors, then I’ll raise up your child, your own flesh and blood, to succeed you, and I’ll firmly establish his rule. He will build a house to honor Me’ ” (2 Samuel 7:4-6, 11-13 MSG)

I’m thinking about the Lord telling David not to build Him a house (God never told David to build a house for Him), and then following that with a prophecy regarding his son (Solomon – and we know it will come to pass!). Sometimes we get involved in things that seemed like a good idea – but they are not GOD’s idea.  Always turn to the Lord first, and seek Him for what YOU are supposed to do – everyone has a different role, a different gift. What an amazing Father we have in the Lord!

Put a bookmark next to 2 Samuel 7:16 – we’ll continue to hear about God’s covenant with David even into the New Testament!

Another big list today, but don’t let the number of passages deter you.  Keep pushing forward – you are doing GREAT!  Let’s read 2 Samuel 6:12, 1 Chronicles 15:1-28, 2 Samuel 6:13-16, 1 Chronicles 15:29, 2 Samuel 6:17-19, 1 Chronicles 16, and 2 Samuel 6:19-23. What stands out to you?  Ask the Lord to open your eyes and heart every single time you open His Word. 

I like the way the Message translates this verse:

“others specifically named, with the job description: ‘Give thanks to God, for His love never quits!” (1 Chron. 16:41 MSG)

I think I’ll adopt this job description today: to give thanks to God because His love never quits! Want to join me?  This is a job for which we are imminently qualified, and an attitude of gratitude never fails!

Let’s put a bookmark on Asaph’s name – we’ll see him again.  Part of David’s worship team, he’s going to write some Psalms!

Oh my, here we go! a Big list of passages to read today, but not really much more than we usually read.  Remember, if it is a repeat, it probably means that it is important! Please read: 2 Samuel 5:1-3, 1 Chronicles 11:1-3, 1 Chronicles 12:23-40, 2 Samuel 5:17-25, 1 Chronicles 14:8-17, 2 Samuel 5:6-10, 1 Chronicles 11:4-9, 2 Samuel 5:13, 2 Samuel 5:4-5, 5:11-12, 1 Chronicles 14:1-2, 1 Chronicles 13:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:1-11, and 1 Chronicles 13:6-14 (phew!).  You got this!  I’ll be brief – you’ve already read a lot today!

It’s been 15ish years since Samuel anointed David king – and now he finally becomes king of all of Israel. Can you believe it?  

“All the leaders of Israel met with King David at Hebron, and the king made a treaty with them in the presence of God. And so they anointed David king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:3 MSG)

God is faithful always, even if it seems to take a while! It’s good to see the tribes of Israel rallying again, and we see some names today to remember for later (Solomon for example). Big day today!

This morning, we are reading 2 Samuel 3:6-39, and 2 Samuel 4.  Get into the Word this morning, and then let’s visit!

Abner plays a role in uniting the kingdoms so David can be a king of both (so he’s seemingly a help to David). Joab thinks that Abner’s motives are wrong, and communicates this to David. When Abner had killed Joab’s brother, I think it was in the context of a war, so it was wrong for Joab to take revenge the way he did.  It was kind of alot to follow today, but David remains faithful to Saul and his family – that’s an example.

We also hear about Mephibosheth today, in 2 Samuel 4:4.  Put a bookmark by that name – we’ll come across him again!