Devotionary

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Ep 683 – 1 Kings 1:1-10 Oct 30, 2018

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With the opening of 1 Kings, we see David in the waning days of his kingdom and life. He is old and bed-ridden, and while Solomon was God's appointed successor to David's throne, he would face an unexpected challenger: His own half-brother, Adonijah. This scene is eerily reminiscent of Absalom's attempt to usurp the throne from David. Once again, we see one of David's sons exhibiting disrespectful and rebellious tendencies, all because David had failed to provide him with proper guidance and discipline in his life. In 1 Kings 1:1-10, Adonijah will mirror the methodology used by Absalom in order to win over some of David's key advisors and leaders, including Joab, his former military commander and Abiathar, the priest. David, relegated to his bed, would be able to do little to stop what was about to happen. In his younger days, he had suffered from complacency and indecisiveness. Now, he was hampered by debility and helplessness.

Ep 682 – 2 Samuel 24:11-25 Oct 29, 2018

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David had made a huge mistake and realized it. So, he confessed his sin to God. But there was still payment due for his sin. David's actions had been representative of the heart of the nation. His trust in God, like that of the people, had begun to diminish. As his reign neared its end and his power and prestige had grown, he had begun to get cocky, believing that his military might was the reason for all his success. As a nation, they were enjoying the fruits of David's military exploits. It was a time of peace. They had defeated all their enemies. And, as a result, they had become complacent about their relationship with God. David had seen the error of his way, but he was still going to have to pay the piper. And in 2 Samuel 24:11-25, we'll see God giving a David a choice of judgments. His sin was going to require blood sacrifice. He had offended a holy God and, even with his confession, restitution would have to be made.

Ep 681 – 2 Samuel 24:1-10 Oct 28, 2018

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Why is it that those who claim to have trust in God tend to struggle so much with trusting Him? We claim to believe He is all-powerful, loving, and kind. But then we turn around and place our hope and trust in things other than God. And David was no different. He was a man after God's own heart who sometimes let his heart go after other things. And in 2 Samuel 24:1-10, we see David getting in trouble with God, because he decided to take a census that would reveal just how big a standing army he could muster if he needed to. And God didn't take David's decision too well. For one thing, it was not something God had ordered him to do. Secondly, it revealed that David had begun to believe his own press, thinking that it was his military power that made him great. When all along it had been God. Late in his life, David would learn the invaluable, yet painful, lesson that God is enough. No census necessary.

Ep 680 – 2 Samuel 23:24-39 Oct 27, 2018

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It seems a bit odd that when David compiled the list of his mighty men, he conspicuously left off one name: That of his long-term friend and commander of his army: Joab. There is no doubt that David and Joab didn't always see eye to eye. But that David would leave this one man out of his list of those who had performed mighty deeds on his behalf, shows that David had never gotten over Joab's insubordination. But the truth is, Joab was the most likely candidate for a best friend that David had. He was willing to speak up. He wasn't afraid to point out David's faults and to call him on the carpet when he thought it was necessary. Joab wasn't a fair-weather friend. And he wasn't the type to ply David with false flattery. He loved him enough to say the tough things. But as we will see in 2 Samuel 23:24-39, Joab's name is nowhere to be found.

Ep 679 – 2 Samuel 23:8-23 Oct 26, 2018

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There is a lot said about friendship in the Bible. And in the story of the life of David, we are told about the friendship between David and Jonathan, the son of King Saul. When Jonathan was killed in battle against the Philistines, David mourned his loss. But 2 Samuel 23:8-23 makes it clear that David had other friends and companions along the way. His circuitous journey to the throne of Israel was not done in a vacuum. From the very moment he fled from Jerusalem, seeking to put some distance between himself and Saul, David found himself surrounded by men who not only loved him, but were willing to die for him. And these men would stick with David through thick and thin, all the way to the bitter end. Even when he made the ill-fated decision to seek refuge in Philistia, they refused to abandon their friend and leader. The godly life is difficult, and it only becomes harder if we attempt to live it without the help of friends who share our faith and are committed to our growth.

Ep 678 – 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Oct 25, 2018

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David was a shepherd who became a king. But even as the God-appointed sovereign over the nation of Israel, David's role was remained primarily that of a shepherd. He was to care for and protect the sheep of God's flock. And according to Psalm 78:72, he did his job well. "With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand." But, as we come to the end of David's long and action-packed life, we are going to see that his reign had a time limit. His days on earth were going to run out. But the promises God made to David would not. He would be faithful to place a descendant of David on his throne who would rule and reign forever. There was going to come another ruler from the lineage of David, who would also be a Shepherd King. He would prove to be the fulfillment of God's covenant promise. And while He does not currently sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem, one day He will. And He will prove to be a just and righteous king.

Ep 677 – 2 Samuel 22:32-43 Oct 24, 2018

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As we continue to unpack this incredible song written by David early in his career and revisited in the closing days of his reign, we can see just how highly David regarded God. In his mind, there were no other gods. Sure, there were idols, but they were nothing – merely statues made with human hands and devoid of any power. But his God was different. His God was real and totally reliable. He was powerful and providential. And, in spite of God's other-worldly, transcendent nature, David knew Him to be intimately involved in every aspect of his life. His God was involved. In fact, nothing of value David had ever accomplished in life had happened without God's help. David was a God-made man, not a self-made one. His life had been given to him by God. His reign had been ordained by God. His position as king had been appointed by God. And he never forgot it.

Ep 676 – 2 Samuel 22:17-31 Oct 23, 2018

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If you had to write a song expressing your views of God, what would it say? If you had to write a poem describing your understanding of who God is and how He has worked in your life, would it be filled with words of flattery or frustration? It would probably depend on your most recent experience with God. If, in your mind, He had been good to you, you would probably sing His praises. But if things had not turned out quite like you wanted them to, you might be a bit less-than-positive in your assessment of Him. But in 2 Samuel 22:17-31, we continue to see the words David penned immediately after he had been delivered from the hand of Saul. Let's face it, at that particular moment in his life, David had a lot he could have complained about. But rather than whine and moan, David glorified God and declared that His way is perfect. Pretty amazing when you consider all the things that had happened to him on his way to the throne.

Ep 675 – 2 Samuel 22:1-16 Oct 22, 2018

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David was the king and spiritual shepherd of Israel. But he was also an accomplished musician who had a strong appreciation for a good tune and well-written lyrics. And in 2 Samuel 22:1-16, we have a song of his own composition that reveals his outlook on God. Written early on in his reign, not long after his deliverance from the hand of Saul and his establishment on the throne of Israel, this song communicates David's feelings about his God. He had been through a lot. He had endured a great deal of suffering and put up with his fair share of difficulties over the years. Anointed by the prophet of God to be the next king of Israel, David had found himself running for his life – the focus of an ongoing and unrelenting effort on the part of King Saul to put him to death. And yet, David had nothing but praises to sing about his God. He knew Him well. If he had learned anything during his days as a fugitive, he had learned that his God could be trusted to guide and provide. He was a reliable resource in the most uncertain of times.

Ep 674 – 2 Samuel 21:15-22 Oct 21, 2018

Show notes

These closing chapters of the book of Second Samuel contain a series of isolated vignettes from David's life. They are not in any particular chronological order, but are intended to act as events along David's timeline that summarize his reign. In 2 Samuel 21:15-22, the emphasis is on the war that David waged against the Philistines throughout his lifetime. From the day he had slain Goliath, the Philistine champion, to the last moment of his life, David had been forced to do battle with this perennial enemy of Israel. And as we'll see, David and his men would face some formidable foes from the Philistine camp. These men were super-sized and larger-than-life. But regardless of their stature, these Philistines would be no match for David and his men, because they had God on their side. The Philistines were great, but God was greater.

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