"I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments." - PSALM 119:60
Live for God!
"I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments." - PSALM 119:60
Live for God!
1Sa 1:11 Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head."
Childlessness was considered to be a reproach of God, and it seems that Peninnah constantly reminded Hannah of that. In her prayer Hannah asks the Lord to “look on her affliction” – to judge between her and Peninnah. She calls herself the Lord’s “maidservant” – a female slave: she was giving herself totally and completely to the Lord, and thus the child born to her would also belong, not to her, but to her Master. The Lord saw her heart, and gave Eli the insight to respond, “the God of Israel grant your petition.” This full surrender to God changed Hannah’s attitude from self-pity to peace – she was able to eat and no longer be sad.
O God of justice, when I am afflicted by others, help me to find peace in serving You and let You take care of executing justice when you see fit. I pray also for all who are mothers. Help us to realize that all of our children really belong to You – and work to raise them in such a way that they also will be Your servants.
1Sa 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed."
This woman, who kept her faith through trials and gave up her most precious possession to the Lord, is blessed, not only in a physical way (more children), but in spiritual ways. Her mature faith and knowledge of God enables her to see, beyond her own personal salvation, to a king who would save Israel from their physical enemies. On top of that, she is blessed through inspiration to get a glimpse of the salvation that would come through the anointed King whom God would use to judge the ends of the earth. It is interesting to note how similar Mary’s words are to Hannah’s in Luke 1:46-55. Hannah was truly a “mother in Israel.”
Lord, as we experience trials and triumphs in this life, help us to see the deeper spiritual connections – to know and understand more fully how truly wonderful You are, to wait patiently for Your timing, to rejoice in the blessings that come from sacrifice, and, by faith, to better glimpse the glory of the home that awaits us with You.
1Sa 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.'"
There are two tests in this verse: Samuel was tested to see if he would faithfully deliver God’s message, even though he feared to do so – and he passed. Eli was tested as a parent to see if he would “restrain” his sons – and he failed. The word “restrain” literally means to cause to be feeble like a lamp wick about to go out. Eli spoke to his sons about the evil things they did, but he did not take any action against them. Perhaps he didn’t turn down the wick of their self-will by punishing them when they were small so that they learned respect at that time. As adults, he should have removed them from their duties – or, if that didn’t work, he should have had them stoned, Dt.21:18-21. The prophecy against Eli’s house was fulfilled when all of Eli’s descendants except one were slaughtered at Saul’s command, 1 Samuel 22. The one who escaped was removed from office by Solomon due to his treasonous actions, 1 Ki.1:5-7, 2:27, and was replaced by a line of high priests who were descended from Aaron, but not descendants of Eli, 1 Chr.6:1-10.
Today I want to encourage us to pray for all parents and those in authority, eg. elders – that they will hold those under them responsible for their actions and attitudes, and so uphold and promote the righteousness of our holy God, thus preventing God’s judgment on their houses and the Lord’s congregation.
1Sa 4:3 When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, "Why did the LORD bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the LORD's covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies."
It seems that the Israelites had the idea that the ark itself would save them – perhaps because the ark had accompanied the army when the walls of Jericho fell, Joshua 6; and in more recent history, it seems that the ark had been brought from Shiloh to near the site of the battle against Gibeah, Judges 20. In a sense, we make the same mistake when we feel like we have worshipped in a way that pleases God, simply because we have done the five acts of worship that God has designated in His word. The “externals” are essential, but they become nothing to Him if the “internal” is not right.
Today I encourage each of us to think about ourselves: if I sometimes become so focussed on just getting to worship that I forget to prepare my mind for worship – or if I find myself praying without consciously realizing the enormity of being able to approach the God of the universe so that I do so with due reverence, I want to encourage us to think of ways we can be more conscious of “internals” when approaching God. Perhaps it could be listening to hymns on the way to worship or putting a note to ourselves on our Bible or at the top of our prayer list to encourage us to “gird up the loins of our mind” before praying. I would love to hear what works for you! J
1Sa 5:1 Then the Philistines took the ark of God… From Ps.78:60-64 it seems that Shiloh was razed and burnt, and many, including priests, were killed.
1Sa 5:3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained.
In the minds of the Philistines, Dagon had proved a superior god to the Lord. However, the Lord, acting in love, gave them two signs to change their hearts. When that failed, He began to cause them first pain (“tumors” – the Hebrew word is the word for haemorrhoids), then a “great destruction,” probably caused by the rats (the Hebrew word for “rats,” NKJV, in 1 Sam.6:5, is the word for field mice that destroy crops), and even physical death, 1 Sam.5:12. What did the Ekronites propose as a solution? Not a cure (rejecting Dagon and worshipping Jehovah), but a band aid (sending the ark back to Israel). They didn’t want to stop what they were doing (Dagon-worship), they just wanted to alleviate the consequences.
O loving God, mankind has found so many ways to circumvent the consequences of sin: antibiotics for STIs, ARVs for HIV, socially accepted excuses to assuage feelings of guilt. Help me Lord, to not make any excuses for my sins, to change my heart, and to ask forgiveness from You and those I have sinned against.
1Sa 6:20 And the men of Beth Shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? And to whom shall it go up from us?"
The answer to the first question, during OT times, was: no one except the high priest, once a year, after an intricate cleansing process involving the blood of bulls and goats – and even then he was not to see the ark fully, but a cloud of incense was to cover the mercy seat “lest he die,” Ex.16:13-15. The amazing answer in NT times is: those of us who have been made holy by the blood of Christ when our bodies were washed with the purifying water of baptism! Heb 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Through the sacrifice of His flesh, symbolized by the veil of the tabernacle, Jesus opened a way for us to, in a spiritual sense, enter into the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God – a place where we can approach Him as a child would approach his father, a state whereby we enjoy God’s being “at home” with us, John 14:23. The way is new; it did not exist in the OT. It is living: Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us.
O Father God, it is amazing, awesome, fearsome, and exhilarating to be allowed to stand before You. Our hearts swell with praises and thanksgiving for the unsurpassed gift of Your Son which made it all possible. May we never have the audacity to deviate from the way You have expressed for us to approach You. May Your praises be ever on our lips and Your holy character be emulated in our lives.
1Sa 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer [stone of help], saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."
“Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’ve come,” (from “O Thou Fount of Every Blessing”). How many times have we experienced God’s help in our lives! What “Ebenezer” can we raise to honor Him? Robert Robinson, in 1758, wrote the thoughts in this song as he meditated on God’s word – “O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.” It is our hearts that we lift up to honor Him – hearts that are overflowing with gratitude for God’s goodness and help in both physical and spiritual matters, hearts that are eager to do His bidding.
O gracious God, our help and our hope. For all the times You have saved me from physical and spiritual danger, I have no way to repay You; but, “Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.”
1Sa 8:19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No, but we will have a king over us, 20 that … our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."
The people were right to reject Samuel’s wicked sons, but they were not right to want to place their trust in an earthly king instead of their heavenly King. So today, God has given us elders, preachers and teachers to help us learn His word -- but there is danger if we place our trust in them instead of making an effort ourselves to read, understand and apply what our King says to us. Reading the Bible through from beginning to end is an effort that will hopefully help us to put all the pieces of God’s revelation together so that we can better understand the Scriptures.
Lord, please bless us as we read Your word together. May we each apply what we read to our own lives so we can overcome sin and develop into the Christian You would have us be: a reflection of Your glory to those around us, especially our families.
At this point in the Bible account, verses in Chronicles begin to overlap, and I needed to make a decision about whether to follow our chapter-by-chapter approach or go to a mixture of overlapping verses for each day’s reading. I decided on the former because: 1. It is easier to just read a chapter, then to be flipping backwards and forwards, 2. We all probably need a bit of extra reinforcement of this period of Bible history, so it won’t hurt us to hear it twice!
1Sa 9:21 And Saul answered and said, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?"
Two hundred years have passed since Benjamin’s near-extermination, and although it seems Saul’s father has become quite wealthy, Benjamin is still perceived as an inferior tribe. In this chapter we have a detailed account to show that Saul was not chosen by Samuel, nor did Saul aspire to the kingdom, nor did the people choose the king (they had gone to their cities to wait for God to act, 1 Sam.8:22). The king was chosen by God Himself – God who delights in lifting up the poor to set them among princes, as Hannah said in 1 Sam.1:8, and as Mary said in Luke 1:52.
Thank you Lord for lifting me up from the pit of sin and raising me up to sit with Christ in the heavenly places! Help me not to limit myself when it comes to ways to serve You and others, realizing that You are the One who puts opportunities to serve in my path based on the abilities You have given me. I pray that You will open doors of opportunity for us to spread Your word to the lost – and that we will not shrink back from open doors.
1Sa 10:6 Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. …10 When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11 And it happened, when all who knew him formerly saw that he indeed prophesied among the prophets, that the people said to one another, "What is this that has come upon the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" 12 Then a man from there answered and said, "But who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb: "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
Many times when God called a person to do an out-of-the-ordinary task, He signified to others that He had chosen him and gifted him according to what he needed to do to accomplish it. The seventy elders prophesied -- but only once – when they were appointed, Num.11:25. Those called upon to make the priestly garments and tabernacle were gifted with special wisdom – even with special teaching ability to teach others how to accomplish what needed to be done, Ex.28:3, 31:3-6, 35:34. Joshua was given special wisdom, Dt.34:9. Saul’s ability to prophesy was a sign to the people around him that God was working in his life. The answer to “Is Saul also among the prophets?” is given by a logical local resident in the form of another question: “But who is their (the other prophets’) father?” In other words, every prophet is chosen by God, not by his own choice or because he inherits the gift of prophecy from his father – and so Saul has been chosen by God.
Dear Father, I thank You that Your divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ. Help each of us today to be the lights in the world that You desire us to be by finding ways to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love – a Christ-like character so that You can use us to bear much fruit in glory to You. (2 Pet.1:3-8)
1Sa 11:4 So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people [that the enemy is going to put out the right eyes of the Jabeshites]. And all the people lifted up their voices and wept.
In this chapter the Lord shows Saul and the Israelites what He is prepared to do for them as long as they live in humble obedience to His commands. He is willing to establish Saul’s credibility as their ruler and save the Israelites from their enemies. Note Saul’s lack of focus on himself: he is willing to go and fight to save the people of a town quite far away to the north on the other side of the Jordan, he does not bear a grudge against those who had previously doubted him, and he gives full credit to God for the victory.
In the world today we hear so much about the plight of others that we feel overwhelmed: victims of accidents, crime, or natural disasters, those who are elderly and ill, etc. Worst of all, many people are victims of Satan’s lies, and they don’t even realize it. Today, actually every day, I want to encourage each of us to think of just one person we can help: physically, monetarily or by means of encouragement, even by a specific prayer on their behalf. And before I give myself time to relax each day, do at least one good thing for someone else. May the Lord make all grace abound to you that you may always have sufficiency in all things and an abundance for every good work. (2 Cor.9:8)
1Sa 12:23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.
It is painful to say good-bye to someone we love when we know it will be a long time before we see them again. Sometimes circumstances (like retirement, job change, having children, etc) causes the closeness of our relationships to change because we are no longer experiencing the same things in our lives. So what do you say when you say good-bye? 1. Have I done anything to hurt you? If so, let me clear it up, v.2-5. 2. “Consider what great things God has done for you,” v.6-11, 24. 3.“Fear the Lord,” “serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver,” v.12-15, 20-21. 4. I will continue to teach you as I have opportunity, and I will always pray for you, v.23.
Thank you, Lord, for all the wonderful people who have touched my life in previous times and places, but who are no longer an everyday part of my life; and thank You for the hope we have of being together with You for eternity. I pray for them, dear Lord, that they may remain physically safe, but especially spiritually safe in their faithful service to You.
1Sa 13:19 Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears."
Have you ever felt “weaponless”? Perhaps you felt that the person attacking you or your beliefs was so much more educated or intelligent than you – and you just didn’t know how to give a good answer. Perhaps social pressure caused you to be afraid to speak up for what is right. Or perhaps you or a loved one are in a serious situation outside your control, eg, a terminal illness or a life-changing accident or incident -- or a war! At times like these, we, like Saul, are tempted to act foolishly or compromise our beliefs in some way.
Almighty God, You have not left us weaponless, but made us “fully-equipped for every good work” – in any situation. Help us to learn to skilfully use the weapons you have given us, especially on our own hearts, so that we are never ashamed of You and never compromise Your truth, but rather look to the ultimate good that You have planned for us.
1Sa 14:6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few."
1Sa 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.”
Is life all about me or all about God? Sometimes our speech betrays us! It’s a constant battle, isn’t it!
Dear Lord, wise and wonderful, I want to lift YOU up in everything I do. Help me to put away all pride and give the glory to You for any good that I accomplish, for I know that I can do nothing of myself – every victory is Yours.
1Sa 15:22 So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
Think of someone trying to show their love for you by playing music that makes your fingernail curl, or cooking food that makes you want to vomit. I shudder to think that I might be doing something equally repulsive to God by the way that I worship Him. There are three ways I can think of that I could do this: 1. By worshipping in the wrong way – like Nadab and Abihu who offered unauthorized fire, Lev.10:1-3; 2. By not giving my best to the Lord when I worship – like the Jews in Malachi 1:13; 3. By worshipping the right way while having some other sin in my life, as David probably did while he was covering up his sin with Bathsheba. 2 Sam.12:7-9, Isa.59:1-2.
O holy God, You have said that “praise from the upright is beautiful.” Thank You, Lord, that You have made a way for us to be forgiven. Help us to fully repent from the depths of our hearts of anything that keeps us from worshipping You in the way that YOU desire, not the way that pleases us.
1Sa 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.
15 And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well."
These verses have always raised questions in my mind. What was this “spirit”? Was it Saul’s own guilt, or was he demon-possessed or mentally ill? Could he do nothing to overcome his problem? The word ruwach (spirit) is the Hebrew word that refers both to the “Spirit of the Lord” and the “distressing spirit.” Since the Hebrew words that refer to demons (eg. Deut.32:17, Ps.106:37, 2 Chr.11:15, and Lev.17:7) are different words to ruwach, and since there are no other examples of demon possession in the entire OT, I think we can rule out demon-possession. However, since the word ruwach can also be used of man’s inner spirit, eg. Gen.41:8, and we know from verses such as Gen.4:6-7 that God is the One who has designed us in such a way that, if we do not heed correction, our spirits become “distressed” or increasingly depressed, I think we can conclude that Saul’s own spirit was distressed – and this distress came from God since that is the way He made us. Saul’s servants advised distraction as a remedy: skillful, soothing music. Later in Saul’s life, David gave him godly advice, “If the Lord has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering,” 1 Sam.26:19. In other words, make right with God and then your distress and animosity will be remedied. This is the same advice that God gave to Cain, “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?” Gen.4:7.
Whenever I get depressed, Lord, help me to not to look to worldly distractions such as entertainment or social activities, substance abuse or even comfort food. Help me to search my heart in the light of Your word and see where the problem lies, and then help me to search your word and/or seek help to find a godly solution. Today I pray for all those who are suffering with depression. If their depression is caused by a physical problem in their body, may they find the right medication to help them. If it is caused by guilt or handling problems in the wrong way, may they examine themselves honestly and look to Your word for the remedy. If it is caused by grief, may they be comforted.
1Sa 17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
David could have confidence in his victory over Goliath because of God’s amazing promise in Dt.7:22-24. Yet Hebrews 8:6 tells us that Jesus is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on even better promises! “I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts: and I will be their God, and they shall be My people…I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more,” Heb.8:10-12. The greatest “giant” ever, the devil himself, has no more dominion over anyone who repents and submits to the laws of the new covenant! James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” How grateful are we for such promises? – promises which far surpass the physical blessings promised to the physical nation of Israel!
Today I want to encourage us to make a list of the spiritual blessings which God has promised us – as many as we can think of, and thank God for them! Let’s keep the list and thank Him periodically, adding to it as we read the Scriptures.
1Sa 18:14 And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.
The phrase David “behaved wisely” is repeated 4 times in this chapter. If I were to list the thing I ask from God the most, I think it would be wisdom. David’s son Solomon tells us that wisdom is not something you acquire naturally but is based on “treasuring” the commands of God, applying your heart to understanding, “lifting up your voice” (praying) for understanding, and searching for it as for “hidden treasures,” (which to me, involves asking questions when you don’t understand), Proverbs 2:1-4. Wisdom is not a state to which we can ever “arrive,” but a life-long, daily quest. When David and Solomon, as wise as they were, stopped “treasuring” the commands of God, they acted foolishly.
O Lord, all-wise Father, today we pray for wisdom because we want to behave wisely as we interact with our colleagues, neighbours, strangers, and especially with our spouses, children and parents. We want to act wisely because we love them and want to influence them only for their good and for Your glory.
1Sa 19:18 So David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth.
Where do you go when you need help? David went to a man that he knew could and would mentor him spiritually. In this, too, David “behaved wisely.” Today I want to encourage us to look out for “spiritual” people among us who will strengthen us in God, help us consider the spiritual implications of the decisions we are making in spiritual matters and even when just seeing to our physical needs, and encourage us to do right. In every congregation, just about every person has wisdom in some area that someone else doesn’t have: maybe wisdom in having raised godly children, or in facing serious problems, or in physical things such as being good at entertaining or figuring out electronic devices or knowing the best place to get your car fixed. Help us not to be shy about our abilities, but to be willing to share. And help us also to be humble to ask for help!
Father, we give you thanks for our Christian brothers and sisters, especially those who have gained wisdom in both spiritual and physical matters. Help us to make more time to spend together so we can get to know one another so we know better how to help each other and so be motivated and strengthened in living lives that please You.
1Sa 20:17 Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
By this time in the life of Saul it is evident to him that, should David remain alive, he will be the next king, not Jonathan or any of his other sons. How was it that the friendship between David and Jonathan could be so strong that it survived such a strain, as well as the immense pressure put on Jonathan to choose between loyalty to his family or to his friend? They shared the same philosophy of life! Because of their mutual trust in the Lord, their souls were “knit together,” 1 Sam.18:1. Friendship and love is a beautiful thing. Those of us who have known the friendship and love of someone who shares a like-precious faith know how much more meaningful that kind of relationship is. “Take time to be holy…make friends of God’s children.” How did Jonathan do that? He basically went up to David and asked! (1 Sam.18:1-4)
Lord, today I pray especially for our young people. Help them to choose friends wisely – especially the more-than-friend whom they will eventually marry. Help them to put their trust fully in You so that others who do the same will seek out their friendship and they will experience the wonder and beauty of being souls that are “knit together” in the Lord.
1Sa 21:5 And David answered the priest, "Truly women have been kept from us as always when I go on an expedition. The vessels of the young men are holy even when it is an ordinary journey. How much more today will their vessels be holy?" (ESV)
There are several things in this chapter that are difficult to understand. The priest is willing to give David the showbread if he and his men are ceremonially clean. David assures him that even their vessels are clean, (clothing, etc., which would possibly be unclean under the circumstances of Lev.15:16-17). David and those who were with him have probably been without food for 3 days or more, according to the events of chapter 20, and need strength to flee in order to save their lives. Why did David lie to Ahimelech? Was it possibly so that, should Saul ever find out what Ahimelech did, Ahimelech would be considered guiltless? (Note that David, in Ps.52, condemns Doeg for lying, but considers himself innocent.) And why does Jesus seem to give approval to what David did in Mark2:25-27, saying “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”? Indeed, all God’s commands are given for our good, and possibly the greater law of doing good may override a law in the rare instances when keeping that law would actually be harmful, (like missing worship to care for a sick child). However, those situations are rare, and we need to exercise extreme caution in applying this principle – that we are not just making excuses for ourselves! OR did David actually sin in eating the showbread, and Jesus was simply saying to the Jews that since they don’t condemn David for breaking the law, they shouldn’t condemn his disciples for breaking tradition?
Father, please bless all who are dealing with tricky situations in their lives to look at the situation and their own hearts honestly as they search Your word for the correct solutions to the challenges they face.
1Sa 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, "You turn and kill the priests!" So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod. 19 Also Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen and donkeys and sheep—with the edge of the sword.
This tragedy (and the later removal of Abiathar as priest in 1 Ki.2:27) was in fulfilment of the prophecy about Eli’s house given in 1 Sam.2:30-33. The ripple effect of sin is ever-widening and ever-increasing in its destructiveness.
My fervent prayer to our Almighty God is that I do not ever do anything to cause anyone to stumble and fall into sin that can have such a horrific effect on so many people. Dear Lord, please bless anyone who would correct me should I sin and thus “cover a multitude of sins.” Please bless our elders, preachers and teachers to bring us lessons that help us prevent sin – and bless us as listeners to apply them to our lives.
1Sa 23:12 Then David said, "Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will deliver you."
Have you ever really knocked yourself out on behalf of someone and they aren’t even grateful? If so, you probably have a BIT of an idea of what David is feeling here – although I doubt any of us have ever had to flee for our lives due to someone’s ingratitude! David fled, not just a few miles, but all the way from the west side of Israel to the east side, near the Dead Sea – a place where it would be very difficult to survive. Yet, so far as I can tell from Scripture, David never took retribution on that city during the time he was raiding cities in that area (which we will learn about later), nor after he became king.
Lord, I pray today for those of us who have been hurt by the selfishness and ingratitude of others. Help us to return good for evil because our hearts have been touched by the kindness and love you extended to us when we were yet selfish and ungrateful sinners – and because our hearts are grateful for all the wonderful blessings You give us each and every day.
1Sa 24:17 Then he said to David: "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.
Because of Saul … David nearly died in Philistia. He took his family to Moab for safety, but God sent a prophet to tell him to go back to Judah where he is not safe. David has the slaughter of the priests on his conscience. He saves the city of Keilah, but they are not willing to harbor him. The Ziphites betray him. Now he has the perfect opportunity to end his tormentor’s life. How David must have been tempted to be governed by selfishness and hatred! How easy it would have been to justify to himself the murder of a man who was evil enough to order the extermination of the priests! We too are tempted to take vengeance in so many ways: angry words, bad moods, failing in our responsibilities or doing the bare minimum, ignoring, gossiping, withholding deeds of kindness, refusing to help, withholding encouragement or praise for what they do that is good – so many ways to get back at those we perceive to have treated us wrongly.
Dear God, as Your Son has told us to do, today we come to You, praying for our enemies and for those who have hurt us, especially those who have hurt us time and time again. Help us to honestly search our own motives, attitudes and actions to determine if we are helping or hurting the situation. And then help us to see a way forward, not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. And finally, let us wait patiently for You to act as You see fit in Your time.
1Sa 25:31 that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. But when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your maidservant."
This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, and Abigail is my role model in the wonderfully wise way she was able to avert disaster and change the heart of an angry man. As so often happens, when abused by those in authority over us or stressed in some other way, we are tempted to take our frustrations and anger out on others, especially family members, who commit relatively minor offenses. So it was with David – but not with Abigail. It seems that Abigail, who evidently had endured years of abuse, had worked hard not to take her frustrations out on others, but to treat those in her household and under her husband’s authority in a way that earned their love and respect. Therefore, even in a crisis situation, she was still able to take her focus off of “poor me” and see things from her enemy’s perspective. With the utmost respect, she calms David by an act of kindness and by showing understanding of his anger. She reminds him of his good qualities, shows him how it will be to HIS benefit to not take vengeance, and gently convicts him of his sinful anger by referring to Scripture! (Leviticus 19:18) David responds, “Blessed is your advice and blessed are you…. Go up in peace to your house. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person.” Sadly, Abigail’s wise way of handling conflict did not work with her hard-hearted husband. God recognized her innocence and saved her.
O wise and wonderful Father, thank You for giving us this amazing insight into how to handle conflict in a good way. Help us all to learn from it and apply it in our own lives. I also pray for all women everywhere who suffer abuse – physically and emotionally. May they learn Your wisdom so that they can handle their problems in a righteous way, be a blessing to others in the midst of their pain, and be rewarded by You in Your time.
1Sa 26:23 May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed. 24 And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation."
How do you treat a person who has abused your trust, time and time again? David shows both spiritual maturity and wisdom in how he treats Saul. He shows love, not only in a physical way, but in encouraging Saul to make right with God and end his inner torment, v.19. (See also the reading for 1 Samuel 16.) However, when Saul acknowledged his guilt and made a promise to change, David wisely let Saul know that his trust was actually in the Lord. He obviously forgave Saul, but that did not mean that he was going to put himself in a position where Saul would easily be able to harm him. Saul took care of his sin by repentance and confession. David was willing to forgive, but the consequence of that sin – lack of trust – remained. Trust takes time to rebuild. The person sinned against should not feel guilty for withholding trust, and the one who sinned should not expect immediate trust, but rather work hard to regain it.
Lord, I pray that I will live with honesty and integrity and so earn the trust of others so that I will be able to influence them for their good and for Your glory.
1Sa 27:8 And David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. For those nations were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as you go to Shur, even as far as the land of Egypt.
This chapter does not make much sense to us unless we understand that David is wisely using his time as a refugee to secure the southern border of the land that God had promised to the nation of Israel – the land that he knows by faith he will one day reign over. In this he is following the will of God to finish exterminating the Canaanites: Geshurites – Josh.13:2, the Girzites, possibly referring to the Gezrites of Josh.16:10, and the Amalekites – 1Sam.15:7.
Almighty God, help us never to lose sight of the fact that, no matter our situation in this life, we know by faith that you have commanded us to fight against our adversary the devil, and that You will be with us in that fight.
1Sa 28:6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium…"
What do we do when it seems that God is not answering our prayers? Yet once more, our merciful God gave Saul a chance to place his trust in Him. Sadly, instead Saul turned to the abomination of witchcraft. The Hebrew word for “medium,” obe, according to Wilson’s Word Studies, is a person who speaks from his stomach, ie. a ventriloquist. In other words, this woman pretended to call up spirits and deceived her clients into thinking that the voices they heard came from these “spirits.” Imagine her shock and fear when Samuel really did appear! No wonder she shrieked!
Dear Father, I pray for all who are suffering, who cry out to You for relief and no relief comes. I pray that they will wait patiently for Your timing as we know that You know all things. I pray also for myself, that if the time comes when I am called upon to suffer, I will also wait patiently for Your deliverance, and look for lessons in my suffering that will refine my character so I can enjoy eternity with You and Your saints. As we draw ever nearer to the end of our lives, I pray that our hearts will remain united in humbly serving You.
1Sa 29:11 So David and his men rose early to depart in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
David had been walking a tightrope with Achish for over a year, and he surely feared that one day there would come a time when Achish would expect him to prove his loyalty. Back in 1 Sam.28:1-2, Achish gave David an order, and David’s rather ambiguous answer seemed to satisfy him for the moment. It must have been nerve-wracking to pass in review before thousands of soldiers when you had a few years previously been known to kill many of their friends and relatives. David surely was placing his trust in the Lord to keep him safe and fulfil His promise of kingship. Maybe David thought God was going to use him in some special way during the battle. Maybe David hoped to save Jonathan’s life. I find it amazing that these Philistine lords, who do not trust David, allow him to return to Philistia! But then, isn’t the Lord always working in amazing ways in our lives? Not miraculously, but providentially – just like He worked here.
Loving Father, thank You for all the ways You have worked in our lives to bless us!
1Sa 30:4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. … 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
Emotions are given to us by God, and thus have a purpose. Weeping is a way of allowing us to express our pain and anguish and sorrow. However, one of the emotions of grief is also anger, and we need to be careful how we deal with that part of our grief. When grieving, it is difficult to reason clearly, and so, in our grief, we, like David’s men, can be too quick accuse those who are innocent: a doctor, a loved one, anyone who really was doing their best in the situation or who really didn’t intend to do harm. It is possible that the person who caused our grief, (eg. the Amalekites), really did intend to do harm, or was negligent, but we need to leave vengeance in the hands of God. And so David strengthened himself in God by enquiring of God what to do and obeying His command. Today we do not get instant and specific instructions when praying, but we do have the answers in God’s word. That is why we need to be studying – not only to know the doctrine of how to worship God and be saved, but to know how to deal with our emotions and the tragedies of life in a godly way that leads to healing and personal growth. We also need to develop and strengthen our ties with our spiritual family now, so that we will know each other well enough to be able to truly support each other when times are tough.
Dear loving Father, we especially we want to strengthen and develop our relationship with You, as David did, so that when times are tough, we can strengthen ourselves in You! Thank You Lord for always being there to hear our cries and for Your wonderful promise to work all things in our lives for our spiritual and eternal good.
1Sa 31:11 Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men arose and traveled all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 13 Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
Saul’s first act as king (1 Samuel 11) was to save the men of Jabesh Gilead from having their right eyes put out and becoming servants of the Ammonites. It seems that these men never forgot that, risking their own lives to make sure that Saul and his sons had an honourable burial. This reminds me of Levitcus 19 where several times the Lord commands the Israelites to show respect for those who are at the mercy of others: the blind, the deaf, the foreigner, the aged because “I am the Lord.” Since the Lord is the One who made them, they have innate value and must be treated with respect. The men of Jabesh Gilead rightly understood that principle to be extended to Saul and his sons, even after their death, and even though, especially as far as spiritual leadership goes, Saul was not a good king.
Dear Lord, as we interact with those around us who, through disease, misbehaviour or even death, have lost their dignity, help us still to treat them with respect because You made them and they are of great value to You.