2 Samuel 10
2 Samuel 9
Scripture
2 Samuel 9:1
David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Observation
David desires to show kindness to someone from the house of Saul. Through Ziba, one of Saul’s former servants, David discovers that Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, is alive, although lame in both feet. David summons Mephibosheth and informs him that not only will he eat at the king’s table from this day forth, but that David will return his grandfather’s estate to him. Additionally, David instructs Ziba and his household to farm the land in order to provide for Mephibosheth.
Understanding
God-like kindness and compassion is active and purposeful
No wonder God calls David “a man after my own heart”. In showing kindness to Mephibosheth, David mirrors not just the grace and mercy of God but also God’s purposefulness in seeking out those who are in need of such compassion. Like God, David is not passive about showing unmerited kindness. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to present itself, David actively seeks out one whom he can bless – just like the God about whom the scriptures testify:
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
God is constantly looking for someone and someway that He may bless and show kindness.
Life Application
I need to be purposeful and watchful for opportunities to show God’s kindness to others
2 Samuel 8
Scripture
2 Samuel 8:6b & 8:14b
The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
Observation-What does it say?
David defeated and Philistines and Moabites, among many others. He captured and struck down thousands. Scripture mentioned that David continued to have victory wherever he went.
Understanding-What does it mean?
The Lord blesses those who keep Him first.
The Lord was on David’s side. Why? Because he was a humble King who loved the Lord and put him first. He dedicated his material earnings from his victories to the Lord. Scripture said he dedicated silver, gold and bronze from all the nations he subdued. He also dedicated everything he took from Hadadezar in battle (vs. 11-12).
Scripture also said in verse 15 that he did what was just and right for all of his people. As a result, David continued to become more famous among the people and experienced numerous victories because of the Lord.
Life Application
Dedicate our first fruits to the Lord. We must love him above anything and everything on earth, including ourselves.
Giving our first and best to the Lord happens as we are grateful and humbled by what He’s done for us to save us from the hell that we all deserve.
It comes when we return 10% of everything we earn, back to him and give freely whatever he has called us to offer materially as David did. It comes when we lose our lives (meaning losing our personal wants, dreams, and desires) for what His wants, dreams and desires for our lives are,, which is always better.
Dear Lord, thank you that whenever we are in line with Your desires for our lives, you will bring us victory, success and joy, even better than the world gives. Thank You for David’s humble example. He did not have to uplift himself, but You made Him victorious because His heart was for You and for leading the people of Israel well and with integrity. May our Source of victory come from You alone and may we give You our lives in grateful submission as a result. Amen.
2 Samuel 7
Scripture
2 Samuel 7:18-19
18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:
“Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!
Observation – What does it say?
After conquering Jerusalem, settling into the temple the King of Tyre had built for him there, and bringing the ark of the LORD into Jerusalem next to his palace, David felt it was wrong for him to be living in a grand palace while the ark of the LORD was in a simple tent. He expressed this to the prophet Nathan and the LORD spoke through Nathan to David. The LORD reminded David of how he had promoted David from shepherd to king and then went on to declare he had even greater plans for David’s future.
Unmerited favor and exalting is what God has in store for the humble.
James 4:6 God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.
Matthew 23:12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Humble myself!
God, your love and grace is amazing! Forgive me for my pride. Uproot any sense of entitlement or ungratefulness from my heart. It’s all about you! Give me a heart that longs to honor you and exalt you. Give me a heart that is centered around loving you and loving others. Amen!
2 Samuel 6
Scripture
2 Samuel 6:21-22
21 David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord…22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!…
Observation
David had found a rightful home for the Ark of God and received a blessing from God. As a result, he was finally able to bring the Ark to the City of David. When he returned home, he was ready to celebrate; and he went all out! The celebration including a sacrifice, shouts of joy, music and dancing – David dancing “with all his might” and “wearing the priestly garment.” I’m still not 100% sure what “the priestly garment” means…but I gather it would be similar to him dancing in his underwear. Saul’s daughter was outraged and didn’t have a problem letting David know.
Understanding
There was no shame in David’s game. He was quick to confirm his actions AND express that he was willing to do more?! This got me thinking…What is the most “embarrassing” thing I’ve done for God? This isn’t to say we should start dancing naked in the streets “for God” or anything…but could we perhaps be a little bolder in our actions as we seek Him, love Him, honor Him? I know the answer for me is an emphatic “YES!” In fact, just yesterday a friend/former coworker was visiting me at work; and, as we were in the coffee shop talking about God and what He’s been doing in our lives…I caught myself feeling a little hesitant and almost looked around to see who may be listening. How’s that for a pathetic example of boldness?! May we take notes from David – willing to bare it all for God!
Life Application
Dear Lord, thank you for the ways you reveal yourself in my life each and every day! I’m so grateful to be called by you and used by you. May I be as bold as David in my pursuit and celebration of you in my life! May I be willing to share my testimony, to share my heart and the things you’ve put on it, to speak of you and celebrate you often…not just in my day to day conversation with you, but with those around me. And please forgive me when I forget what a PRIVILEGE that is.
May my heart be on fire for you in a way that burns so bright that people can’t help but be drawn to you. I love you! Amen.
2 Samuel 5
Observation-What does it say?
Understanding-What does it mean?
It could be easy for anyone in David’s shoes(sandals) to get prideful and believe the recent success that they have been experiencing is from their own doings. As for David, he knows better. He remained humble, seeking God for his every military move (vs. 19 & 23). David waited for God’s response before making any move against his enemy. David also honored God by giving him credit for his victories (vs. 20). David realized the victories and blessings he received in life were due to his relationship with God.
Life Application
Father God, may I involve you in every decision in life. No matter how big or small my problem is, You are always there. May I find Your blessings in life as I put You in the midst of everything I do. Thank You for wanting a relationship with a sinful man like me.
Thank You for Your son Jesus who makes our relationship even possible. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
2 Samuel 4
Scripture
2 Samuel 4:8-11
They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.” David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!”
Observation
As the body count in the war between the house of Saul and the house of David increases, Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, is murdered in his sleep by Baanah and Recab. In a bit of a flashback from the events surrounding Saul’s death, these two offer the head of Ish-Bosheth to David in order to show their loyalty and perhaps gain some reward. Instead, David orders that they be slain for shedding innocent blood.
Understanding
When we decide to help God without securing His direction and approval, more often than not we end up hindering instead of hastening the plans of God.
Many times I have seen parents step into a situation in order to spare their child from experiencing the painful consequences of their actions – consequences and pain that God intended to use to show them that they are sinners in need of deliverance or rebels in need of repentance. Sparing them from experiencing the harm and damage of sin actually facilitates their continued disobedience and error. In our attempts to do what we think is best for someone or for a situation we may actually be delaying a work that God has well in hand. It’s important to understand that God does not need my help. Yes, in His great grace, He chooses to use me as part of His redemptive plan for those within my sphere of influence; but my job is not to assess the situation, come up with and implement my plan of action. Rather, my responsibility is to seek the heart and voice of God in prayer and act (or not) according to His wisdom and will. To do anything else is to usurp the sovereignty, plan and purposes of God in my life and the lives of others.
Life Application
I am wise if I seek to discover where God is working and then join Him there
2 Samuel 3
Scripture
2 Samuel 3:17-18
“Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’ ”
Observation-What does it say?
Abner, who was on the side of the house of Saul, had his integrity questioned by one of Saul’s sons, Ish-Bosheth. As a result, he suddenly went over to David to make sure what the Lord said about him came to pass.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Nothing can stop what God says or declares about a person, not even great opposition.
Even after Saul died, there was still a “war between the house of David and the house of Saul.” Regardless of this war, “David still grew stronger as the house of Saul grew weaker” (vs. 1). This was not by chance, but by God’s divine purpose as David was to become king and rescue Israel from the Philistines. It doesn’t matter the great opposition that was put in front of David. Because God was on his side, His will for David’s life would continue to come to pass regardless of the bumps along the way, which was in the form of opposition and his own poor and unwise choices.
Life Application
Are we living the calling that the Lord has spoken over our life? If not, it is not too late.
God’s desire is for all to come to repentance. Our #1 calling in life is that we are His children. Do the choices we make reflect that reality or are we living what the world speaks over us through the media or the world’s definition of what’s popular, successful, beautiful, etc?
When I find myself getting caught up in the temptations of this world, I open up the Word of God and am reminded of who He says I am. When we are reminded where our hope lies and that He is coming soon (2 Peter 3:11-12), the desires of this life passes away. When we are tempted by the desires of this world, reminding ourselves of what the Lord has promised us puts us back on the path.
Dear Lord, thank You that You are for us and not against us. (Romans 8:28-31). Thank You for Your promise of eternal life with You, that You will return and that we are Your children. I pray that we would remember these truths when tempted by the ways of the world. Also, if we have lost our way, I pray for hearts of repentance. I pray that the church would return to our First Love, You. Give us hearts that desire You alone. Amen. To check out the discussion or to join in, click here.
2 Samuel 2
Scripture
2 Samuel 2:1
In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.
The Lord said, “Go up.”
David asked, “Where shall I go?”
“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
Observation – What does it say?
David had been living among the Philistines and then was in battle against the Amalekites. After the battle, David heard Saul and Jonathan had died. After honoring them, David sought God for what to do next. God directed him to go to Hebron, where he was met by the men of Judah and proclaimed king.
Understanding – What does it mean?
David had the idea to go up to one of the towns of Judah now that Saul was dead and no longer pursuing him. But rather than just going, he sought God first.
Seek God for direction and he will be faithful to give it.
Proverbs 3:5-6:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
David surely lived this out. His trust wasn’t in his experience, his common sense, his wisdom or his own ability. Rather, he continually turned to God for strength and guidance. And, as a result, God directed his paths and he became king. If we seek, he will guide!
Life Application
Don’t lean on my own understanding! Instead, seek God!
2 Samuel 1
Scripture
2 Samuel 1:17-18
17 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan,Observation
David, after learning of Saul and Jonathan’s death, had avenged their death, ripped his clothes, mourned, wept and fasted…but he wasn’t done. He now is writing of his lament in poem form and insisting that they be taught the children of Judah.
Understanding
Think back…it wasn’t that long ago that Saul was searching for David, wanting to have him killed. One would think that the mourning, the weeping, the fasting would have been enough to pay his respects to Saul’s memory; but he’s going to ensure that Saul is honored for generations to come!
Life Application
God, remind me that when I do things – little and big – that it is all unto You. As a result, I am called to be an example of God’s overwhelming, unconditional love!…not just the bare minimum. May I devote this day to you and be open to your promptings to share your kindness, your love, your consideration in a way that honors and glorifies you.