For David had done what was right in the eyes of the Lord and had not failed to keep any of the Lord’s commands all the days of his life—except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.

1 Kings 15

For David had done what was right in the eyes of the Lord and had not failed to keep any of the Lord’s commands all the days of his life—except in the case of Uriah the Hittite. v5

God loved David so much that He made a promise to him (the Davidic Covenant) that "I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever."  

Even though the descendants of David (now inhabiting the kingdom of Judah) turned away from Him, God was faithful and raising up to the throne in Judah descendants of David.  In reference to
Abijah, it is written:

He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been. Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong. v3-4

Abijah's son is Asa, and Asa did right in the eyes of the Lord: 

Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father (in his line) David had done. v11

God is so faithful - He will always keep His promises.  We know that Jesus is the one referred to in the Davidic Covenant as the one whose throne will last forever.   

See also posts here.

For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37 

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has created the heavens and the earth, who is able to do all things, is in control of all things, yet You willingly submitted Your life so that I may be rescued from sin and death.  Thank You Jesus - amazing.  The greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than those who were before them had done.

1 Kings 14

By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than those who were before them had done. v22

We see here that God is a jealous God, as He is angry with how those in the kingdom of Judah who worshiped other gods besides the One True God.  Israel worshiped other gods as well - see 1 Kings 12:30.

God is referred to as a jealous God throughout scripture - primarily the Old Testament.

Yet this is not a human jealousy as God's thoughts and ways are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8).

Paul refers to Godly jealousy in his letter to the church in Corinth:

I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me!   I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  2 Corinthians 11:1-3

Charles Spurgeon describes Godly jealousy here with an excerpt below.


"Not that God is jealous so as to bring him down to the likeness of men, but that this is the nearest idea we can form of what the Divine Being feels—if it be right to use even that word toward him—when he beholds his throne occupied by false gods, his dignity insulted, and his glory usurped by others."

Lord Jesus, please help me avoid worshiping other gods and love You alone.

My Prayers: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me - I know from time to time I have worshiped other Gods. Yet You have been slow to anger and abounding in love - thank You Jesus! Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth.

1 Kings 13

This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth. v34

Although there was an accord between Israel and Judah (see 1 Kings 12:24), Jeroboam fortified his cities and built idols for Israel to worship.  Jeroboam failed to trust in God alone - hence he worried about his ability to maintain his rule:

Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.” 1 Kings 12: 26-27 

The events that followed in 1 Kings 13:1-10, including Jeroboam's actions, extend this theme of worry.  When we worry, we are saying that we fail to trust in the Lord, and then our actions fall out of this worry - we devise our own plan - which by its very nature is fraught with sin.

We may believe that worry is a harmless sin but it is not.  We must be careful not to worry because it is a slippery slope into sin that may be difficult to halt.

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:15

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God, full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus - I am not worth such love.  I worry, and I am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’” So they obeyed the word of the Lord and went home again, as the Lord had ordered.

1 Kings 12

This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’” So they obeyed the word of the Lord and went home again, as the Lord had ordered. v24

Rehoboam, Solomon's son, does not appear to have the wisdom that his father had.  He chooses to follow the advice of his friends - his peers, and those with whom he has grown up - versus the advice of the elders (v6-11).  This results in an Israelite rebellion and Jeroboam is made king in Israel while Rehoboam maintains reign over Judah.  

Although it is clear from the text that God orchestrated these results (see v24), we can learn that it is not wise to discount wise counsel - particularly those whom God has put in authority over us - earthly authorities (government, etc.) and church authorities (pastors, elders, etc.).  

See also my post from a couple of days ago.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has led me and provided for all of my needs. I have never been in want - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As for the other events of Solomon’s reign—all he did and the wisdom he displayed—are they not written in the book of the annals of Solomon?

1 Kings 11

As for the other events of Solomon’s reign—all he did and the wisdom he displayed—are they not written in the book of the annals of Solomon? v41

We should not be surprised that Solomon turns away from God - his father did and we ALL (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) do when we sin, particularly when we do so with full awareness and intention.

Yet Solomon is recognized as a man worthy of study - here in 1 Kings, but also in Proverbs, Songs of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes.  See also similar post on David. 

 Although both David and Solomon were great men, they were human and prone to sin.

Ultimately, God HAD to send His One and Only Son (John 3:16) in recognition that the only way we can be reconciled to God is through the sacrifice of Jesus who through His crucifixion permanently nailed all of our sin to the cross.

Thank You Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You for coming to rescue me.  I am not worthy of such love.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
 

He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.

1 Kings 11

He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done. v3-6

It is not certain who the author of 1 Kings is but the author makes it clear that Solomon did not follow the Lord's instructions about not to intermarry (v2).  It is also not why Solomon did not follow God's instructions here.  Perhaps it was arrogance - that Solomon felt he did not need to submit to all of God's instructions - that he could "afford" to skip a few.  Perhaps it was that Solomon did not trust the Lord that He would satisfy, that Solomon did not need to look anywhere beyond how God did bless him - he needed more than what he felt the Lord could provide.

Regardless of why Solomon sought wives against the Lord's wishes - it is clear that the Lord warned Solomon that these wives "will surely turn your hearts after their gods" (v2). And they did (v4-6+).

God warns all of us that we need to be careful with whom we associate. 

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? 2 Corinthians 6:14

It's not that we cannot be friends with unbelievers or spend time with them...it is that we cannot be "yoked" or significantly influenced to the point where they control us much like a yoke controls oxen.


We should find our influences in the Lord first and foremost (Romans 12:1) then with others, including our church leaders, elders, and fellow church members/believers.


Lord, help me follow You first and foremost, then with other believers who can help me remain focused on You.


My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is worthy of my worship and devotion.  You also provide many people in my life, church leaders, elders, and other believers who support and encourage me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why the Lord brought all this disaster on them.’”

1 Kings 9

People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why the Lord brought all this disaster on them.’” v9

After responding to Solomon's dedication of the temple with a promise, the Lord warns Solomon, all of Israel, and all believers that we must stay close to Him.

People, including myself, often ask, why do bad things happen to good people.  There is no easy or right answer here because only God knows and although we can understand attributes of God, we are not God and He will always remain a mystery to us in terms of our ability to fully comprehend who He is - see also Isaiah 55:8.

What we do know is that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  


None of us can claim that we are righteous enough to avoid difficult circumstances (John 16:33).

God may allow bad things to happen to good people because He wants others to see the power of faith for those who believe.  See also this commentary on the story of Job.

One thing we can appreciate is that with Jesus, although we may from time to time wander from Him, He will always be there for us with welcoming arms. He wants us to repent from our sins and to return to Him.  God does not want anything to separate us from His love.

See also Luke 15, which contains, the parable of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son.

And we also have God's promise: He will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20).

God is great.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is full of love and compassion for me. You are always there for me when I fall down, ready to welcome me back to Your loving arms.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!

1 Kings 8

But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! v27

Solomon builds God's temple and dedicates it, raising his arms in prayer.  It is true that no building can contain God, but it can serve to glorify God and be the "hands and feet of Jesus".  We are made in Christ's image to do works on behalf of Him, to glorify Him and to bring others to Him.

We should also recognize that God DOES dwell on earth - He has in Jesus and He continues to do so in OUR hearts through the Holy Spirit. 

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. Matthew 22:24

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You dwell in me and You have transformed my heart and life.  I am blessed and my cup overflows.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such rich blessings.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Kings 4

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. v29-30

Solomon was not just wise in terms of his ability to synthesize inputs and to solve problems (see the Wise Rulings 1 Kings 3:16-28), but also in his knowledge of worldly matters.

He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.  v32-33

What is interesting here is that Solomon was not born with such wisdom - Solomon ASKED for it (to be equipped as king) and God GAVE it to him.

This is really critical for all of us to understand because all of us struggle from time to time with weighty decisions, and with whether we are equipped to serve in areas where God calls us.

We should understand that if we ask for wisdom and to be equipped He will answer our call.  

There are many examples of how God equips people in the Bible - Moses, Gideon, Jonah, etc. - and how he takes ordinary people who love Him and submit to Him, and He accomplishes amazing and miraculous things through these people.

Praise God!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is able to accomplish all things - You are all powerful and yet You came to rescue me.  thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?

1 Kings 3

Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? v7-9

It is very important for us to recognize our position with respect to God, specifically that God is the Creator, He Reigns, and that He is Our Savior.  Without God there would be nothing and we would be nothing.  Solomon recognizes this.  Even though the McArthur Bible Commentary indicates that Solomon is just 20 years old, this is middle age or older for Solomon's contemporaries.  He is more than old enough and mature enough to be king.  Yet he rightfully assumes the throne with humility.  

When we recognize our rightful position with respect to God, we can then recognize our need for Him.  See also Matthew 5:3.



This humility is not just a one time recognition but a lifelong dependence on Jesus for our daily bread.

[M]an does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and provision for me.  My cup overflows.  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

1 Kings 3

Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. v3

David intended Solomon to follow his charge completely - not partially. 

Similarly, when we fail to submit to God with all of our lives, we harbor and invite Satan into those parts of our lives where we deny God.  This of course is sinful in and of itself as we are commanded to love God with ALL of our heart, soul and mind (Exodus 20, Matthew 22:34-38).

As well, this opening creates a separation that is likely to widen over time.

Hebrews 10

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15

 

Jesus, please help me submit ALL of my heart, soul, and mind to You.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus - I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

1 Kings 2

So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ v2-4

Fathers are given repeated instructions in scripture regarding their role in raising children.

See posts here and here.

We must walk with Jesus as an example and we must encourage the same in our children.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who encourages me.  You feed me, provide for all of my needs, and guide me.  I would be lost without You.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to both Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.”

1 Kings 1

 Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” v5

Adonijah, one of David's sons, sees David is growing old and he pictures himself as king.  Yet we know that Solomon is loved by the Lord since birth.

Solomon ultimately becomes king (v38-40, 1 Kings 2:12). Although Adonijah at first submits to Solomon, he still harbors ill feelings regarding how his brother rose to the throne (1 Kings: 2:15).

Yet there are times in our lives when we all feel like we want to reign over either all parts of our life or parts of it.  I know this for myself.

Lord Jesus, please help me submit all of my life to You, the King of Kings.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is firmly in control and You reign over everything - for Your glory and my good.  You are slow to anger and abounding in love and You have been merciful many, many times.  I am not deserving of such grace and mercy.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then the Lord answered his prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

2 Samuel 24

Then the Lord answered his prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped. v25 

According to the Macarthur Bible Commentary, the Lord is angry with David for "some unspecified sins".  So He allows Satan to incite David against Israel - see 1 Chronicles 21:1.  Although there is no mention of any specific sin committed by Israel, we all know Israel has a long history of turning away from God and all of us will never cease sinning - hence WHY God had to send His one and only Son (John 3:16).

In 2 Samuel 24, David attempts to intercede on behalf of Israel and we see that David's intercession on behalf of Israel is successful.

We ALL need intercession.  We all need Jesus.  Others may provide intercessory prayer - which is powerful.  But first and foremost we need Jesus.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has interceded on my behalf and willingly gone to the cross for me and everyone - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an incredible gift - the greatest gift of all time.  I am easily distracted by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.

2 Samuel 23

But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. v16-17

David had his Mighty Warriors and together I suspect these men would do anything for each other.  These men exemplified the love for one another that Jesus refers to as the 2nd most important commandment:


Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus restates this command (with what appears to be a higher bar):

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

First and foremost, we all need Jesus.  So that we all remain "sharp" (Proverbs 27:17) and we also all need our own Mighty Warriors.

See also post here.

Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.  My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers. Psalm 141:5

 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:11

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me my own mighty warriors who have sharpened me and encouraged me. Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I continue to be harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.

2 Samuel 23

But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie. v6-7

David's last words include warnings to us about sin.  As believers we should not be so arrogant that we willingly sin or we refuse to develop our personal relationship with Jesus.

In Revelation, John warns us to be ready to be held accountable for what we have done - good and bad.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done." Revelation 22:12 

Earlier in Revelation, God warns us about "lukewarm" or "cultural" faith.

To the angel of the church in Sardis write:These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Revelation 3:1-3

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:14-17

 We are to grow in our personal relationship with Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has worked miracles in my life and blessed me just as You promised You would.  Thank You Jesus. I am not worth such efforts.  I worry.  I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

2 Samuel 22
.  

David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. v1

As David's life draws to an end, key aspects of his life are memorialized.  Here in chapter 22, David is shown to be a man after God's heart.  David was not perfect but he sought to please and glorify God and much of the Bible focuses on David, including the Books of 1 and 2 Samuel, and most of the Psalms. See also post here regarding how some see the parallels between David and Jesus and that we should study David's life as an important component of our bible study.

This song is an incredible expression of worship to God and He is certainly worthy!  Just a few snippets that grab me this morning (hard to single ANY out):

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
    from my foes, who were too strong for me. v17-18

You, Lord, are my lamp;
    the Lord turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;    with my God I can scale a wall. v29-30

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - worthy of my full attention and praise!  Thank You for coming to rescue me and for being my light.  I would be lost without You.  I am undeserving of such a God as I worry and I am often impatient with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri.

2 Samuel 20

So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. v2

The circumstances here mirror what has been going on here in the United States - for nearly 20 years people in the U.S. have felt strongly that their elected leaders don't represent them and we are increasingly a polarized nation.  My own view is that God is in control - that He places our leaders above us and that unless these leaders ask us to rebel against God, we should submit to these leaders. 

The Israelites here don't want to follow David, who has returned to Jerusalem.

We may not like what is going on in the world - yet we must remember that it is God who is in control.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is in control over the heavens and the earth and You are slow to anger and abounding in love.  You love me, despite my sin.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry and am impatient.  Please forgive me Jesus. Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 19

The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” V4

God loves us so much that He is disappointed with us when we sin as it separates us from God.  Although Absalom meant harm for his father, David still loves his son.  We cannot tell that he forgave his son but from Joab's words it is clear to others that David still loves Absalom as he is grieving for his son's death.

You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. v6

Unfortunately, Joab does not see that David's love is like that of God who loves all of His children - regardless of their sin.

We should recognize that God never stops loving us - for He is slow to anger and abounding in love.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me.  You have forgiven me when I have stumbled badly and turned away from You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love. I continue to worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

2 Samuel 18

He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day. v18

Absalom once again displays his arrogance by devising a plan to kill his father so he could reign over all of Israel and Judah.  He seeks the direction of both Ahithophel and Hushai but not of the Lord - unlike David.

See also the arrogance of those who built the Tower of Babel.

Unfortunately, this ends badly for Absalom as his armies are routed by David's men and Absalom is captured and killed by David's commander Joab.

We must understand that any plans devised outside the counsel of the Lord will fail - see posts here.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and guides me through dark valleys and difficult places.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not deserving of such love as I often fail to seek You in all times.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”

2 Samuel 16

Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” v11-12

Reinforcing David's renewed relationship with the Lord, today's chapter, when read in conjunction with yesterday's post, provides us with an example of how we should view our circumstances when things are difficult.  David, instead of focusing on the difficulty of his circumstances, focuses on God's will and what God is doing in his life.  David loves the Lord and he knows the Lord loves him.  He also knows that he has sinned and God may be punishing him for his sin and training him for something greater than David can see.  David is mindful that God has a plan and that he should trust in the sovereignty of God and how God loves us.

See also posts on suffering and difficulties.

I have seen God's greatness in suffering and difficulties in my own life - He is indeed great!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have always been with me through my suffering and difficulties and I know You will always be with me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love Jesus.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for both Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.

2 Samuel 15

If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him. v25-26

Once again we find David seeking God's direction which is in direct contrast to Absalom who is now plotting against his father.  Absalom lacks humility, does not seek God's direction, and seeks glory, status and power for himself:


And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” v4

I am guilty of such desires and acting on such desires.  When God blesses us, as he did with Absalom with a position of influence and wealth, we often believe it is from our own hand.  Again, I am guilty of such thinking.  We need to remind ourselves that what we have is not from our own hand.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

 We are to use what God provides to us for His glory - we need to be good stewards of His blessings.  See the Parable of the Bags of Gold (or Talents).

See also posts on arrogance and humility.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has blessed me beyond what I deserve - my cup overflows.  Yet I am undeserving and I often think (and act on) of how I did this or that or what I can do for me (vs You) with these blessings...please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome my sin and turn from it towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.

2 Samuel 14

But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him. v14

After killing his brother Amnon, Absalom flees.  Joab, David's commander of his army, devises a plot to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem.  He conspires with a woman from Tekoa to deliver a message to King David.  The woman convinces David to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem.  

Part of her message includes a statement on God's mercy God, and that while God does get disappointed (and angry at times) when we sin, He does desire for us to return to Him.  That is well documented with the Israelites, and ultimately, Jesus Christ paves the way for us to have freedom from the sting of sin and death, inviting all to accept an invitation for Jesus to become our Lord and Savior.

See also the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Lost (Prodigal) Son, and the Lost Coin in Luke 15.


God is great!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me...for You have always welcomed me back to Your arms when I sin and ask for Your forgiveness.  You have always forgiven me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and compassion and mercy.  I continue to worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please give them Godly friends and spouses.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But King David mourned many days for his son.

2 Samuel 13

But King David mourned many days for his son. v37

Building on yesterday's post regarding grace and the consequences of sin, we see how David continues to experience consequences from his sin.  Here we see Amnon rape his sister Tamar and then Absalom, his brother, take revenge on Amnon.  This is the cycle of sin.  Unfortunately, it appears that the sins of the father trickled down to the sons.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15

 

David's sons get caught up in the same impulsive behavior that drove David to seduce Bathsheba and this same impulse effects us all.

 

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. Ephesians 2:2  

 

Of course God can break this cycle of sin, in our own lives and in the lives of our families.

We need to draw near to God, ask for His direction and seek transformation of our hearts and minds (Romans 12:2).

 

We don't see David's sons inquiring of the Lord like their father.

Lord Jesus please help me with my own sin so that I can be Jesus to my sons.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, grace and wisdom.  You have protected me from great harm and been full of compassion when I have sinned.  Thank You for Your love.  I am not worth such love.  I worry..and I am harsh with my words and actions. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for our sons.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

2 Samuel 12

She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah. v24-25

Through Nathan, the Lord strongly rebukes David.  Yet, at the same time God is full of grace. 

Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. v13

Within this grace - David does not escape consequences.

But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.”  v14

Yet within the consequences, we can see God at work - in v24-25, David and Bathsheba have a son, Solomon, and this son is loved by the Lord and will go on and do great things for the Lord.

This chapter is a great example of God's perfect justice.

We are forgiven - yet we don't escape consequences for our sin.  God gives us grace - which we don't deserve, and we don't get what we do deserve.  And God redeems us and our sin for His glory - as He is able to take a broken and sinful world and use it for His purposes.  We cannot fully understand how God works (Isaiah 55:8), yet we can come to understand and appreciate God as perfect in all ways.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You!  I am not deserving of such compassion because I often fail to show compassion to others. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for them.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.

2 Samuel 11

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. v1

With previous readings of this chapter, my focus has been on David's sin and humanity vs the perfection of God.  Today my focus is on HOW David found himself falling prey to temptation and sin.

First we must remember that since The Fall (Genesis 3), sin entered the world, it is all around us (in the world), and it is "on the prowl".  

This said, God is our refuge and He can protect us from sin.  Yet if we fail to draw near to Him and stay near to Him we risk losing God's protection.  I am not saying that we ever deserve God's protection by virtue of an act - on the contrary, God's protection is only by His grace and we are not deserving.  We are never promised a life of ease and comfort.  Instead we are promised that God can help us overcome the world (John 16:33) either in life or in death. 

One key way God protects us is by providing others in our lives who "sharpen" us (Proverbs 27:17).  

Since the beginning (Genesis 2), it has always been part of God's plan that we are to live together with others who can support, encourage and help us.

David had His mighty warriors (2 Samuel 23) yet David chose to stay home in v1 when Joab and David's mighty warriors all went into battle.  

We CANNOT afford to live life on our own!  We must find others - the right others - who can encourage, support and sharpen us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has provide many, many "right" others for me and these people have encouraged, supported, and sharpened me.  Thank You Jesus for these people!  I am not worth such love because my sin continues - envy, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please prepare Godly spouses and friends for them.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.”

2 Samuel 10

David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” v2

Here we have David expressing what I will call transactional kindness - this is in contrast to my previous post where David not only expresses kindness to Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, but also to Saul's servant Ziba and Ziba's family - despite Saul's sinful behavior to David.  

Nahash (per Mcarthur Commentary) was an enemy of Saul and thus he and David shared an implied alliance.  Yet we are not only to provide kindness to our friends but also to our enemies.  Again, per my post yesterday, we are not in a position to judge as ALL are deserving of God's love.

If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Luke 6:29

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

...and the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10).

It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. Psalm 75:7

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has shown kindness to me - despite my sin.  I am often deserving of Your kindness yet You continue to love me and show kindness to me.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for my gossip and worry.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

2 Samuel 9

You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) v10

A very wise man recommended that I read the bible from beginning to end and not jump into any given book. I can now see why this is very wise indeed.  At the very least, 1 and 2 Samuel must be read together so that we can have the context of how Saul was very jealous and vengeful to David - yet even after Saul's death in today's verses David seeks to do good to Saul and his heirs (and servants!) - reminding me that regardless of how blessed I am (see 2 Samuel 8) my blessings are only through the hand of God and I am to be a good steward with the time, talents and treasures God puts in my care.  We must also be kind to everyone - including our enemies - because we are not in a position to judge who is deserving and who is not.  ALL are deserving of God's love.

In a time of great blessing, David seeks to do good - as we should as well.  Today in particular I am touched by David's efforts because I have my own son with special needs (Down Syndrome).

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:16-17

God please help me be generous.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God whose love and compassion is more than I sometimes can bear or understand.  It is overwhelming.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I too often am harsh with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.