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!

Big morning!  Here we go – please read 2 Samuel 2, 2 Samuel 3:1-5, 1 Chronicles 3:1-4, 2 Samuel 23:8-17, 1 Chronicles 11:10-19, 2 Samuel 23:18-39, and 1 Chronicles 11:20-47 today.  Here’s what stands out to me – 

I was thinking about the Three and the Thirty, how many of the men were described as having victory but not included in the Three.  Seems like everyone knew their place and were not offended by the lack of a title or designation. Everyone is important in their own office and everyone has a place.

David continues to be faithful to the Lord – I like how 2 Samuel 2 begins:

“after all this, David prayed”

After all this, we should pray too!  Without ceasing, right (1 Thessalonians 5:17)? 🙂

Today, we’ve got a big list to read, but it won’t take long!  1 Samuel 30, 1 Chronicles 12:20-22, 1 Samuel 31, 1 Chronicles 10, 1 Chronicles 9:40-44, 2 Samuel 4:4, and 2 Samuel 1. How long does the daily reading take you?  Leave a comment – let’s encourage each other to keep going strong!

It’s remarkable to see how David mourned for Saul – Saul was the Lord’s anointed, no matter how far he had fallen.  The Amalekites have been trouble since we first heard of them – and remember when the Lord told Saul to utterly destroy them ALL? (day 103, 1 Samuel 15) Instead, Saul kept what he judged to be the best (remember Samuel’s obedience is better that sacrifice lesson?). Now an Amalekite has killed Saul.  

David pressed the young soldier for details: ‘How do you know for sure that Saul and Jonathan are dead?’ 

‘I just happened by Mount Gilboa and came on Saul, badly wounded and leaning on his spear, with enemy chariots and horsemen bearing down hard on him. He looked behind him, saw me, and called me to him. ‘Yes sir,’ I said, ‘at your service.’ He asked me who I was, and I told him, ‘I’m an Amalekite.’ ” (2 Samuel 1:5-8 MSG)

GOD KNOWS BEST AND HE KNOWS ALL – if He asks you to destroy something in your life, destroy it. If you don’t, that very thing might come back and destroy you.

Please read 1 Samuel 26, 1 Samuel 27:1-7, 1 Chronicles 12:1-7, 1 Samuel 27:8-12, 1 Samuel 28, 1 Samuel 29, 1 Chronicles 12:19, and Psalm 56. We’re making great progress!  Here’s what I am thinking about this morning:

Once again, David refuses an opportunity to take revenge on Saul.  Revenge is the Lord’s business.

“Abishai said, ‘This is the moment! God has put your enemy in your grasp. Let me nail him to the ground with his spear. One hit will do it, believe me; I won’t need a second!’ But David said to Abishai, ‘Don’t you dare hurt him! Who could lay a hand on God’s anointed and even think of getting away with it?’ He went on, ‘As God lives, either God will strike him, or his time will come and he’ll die in bed, or he’ll fall in battle, but God forbid that I should lay a finger on God’s anointed.’ ” (1 Samuel 26:8-11 MSG)

So sad that Saul has been rejected by God, and now God won’t even answer him.  Here we are near the end, but remember Saul’s tremendous beginning? (day 101)  Saul was not always rebellious.

“Saul prayed to God, but God didn’t answer—neither by dream nor by sign nor by prophet” (1Samuel 28:6 MSG)

I love Psalm 56, where David says “I come to You in trust”. We can always come to the Lord in trust – but not let’s wait until hard times to lean on Him. I want to stay close every day!