2 Samuel 23:1-7; 1 Kings 2:1-12; 1 Chronicles 29:26-30; Psalm 4-6,8,9,11. “Final Thoughts” David left a rich history.  He was an amazing leader and powerful soldier.  His life was committed to God in such a way that he was described by God as a man after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14).At 70, David left words of advice and experience for Solomon and many others.  David had learned many lessons, and ...  Read More

1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 29:1-22. “Inactive” It is almost possible to read this passage and assume that King David, now rich in years, was unaware of what was taking place.  Bathsheba inquires of him whom he intended to make the next king.  Nathan inquired similarly.However, Bathsheba and Nathan do acknowledge that David is aware of the fact that his son, Adonijah, was crowning himself king.  Furt...  Read More

1 Chronicles 26-28. “Order” These chapters are describing great organization and preparation.  There are people placed in charge of music, finances, priestly duties, gatekeeping, record keeping, administration, judging, baking, and so forth.There are several lessons here for us.  One would be the charge that David placed before each person; “Do your job in honor of the LORD” (22:17-19).  The seco...  Read More

1 Chronicles 23-25.  “Priests” The duties of the priests were specific.  The qualifications and responsibilities were detailed and established by God.  It was a temporary fix until the permanent solution came.The earthly high priest entered the Most Holy Place year after year to offer blood not his own, but that of an animal.  He would offer the sacrifices time after time which never removed the s...  Read More

2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22.  “Perspectives” I appreciate the balance we receive by having the opportunity to read the same story from two passages.  The two accounts prove the trustworthiness of the incident, and yet it also provides different perspectives.  Today’s reading starts off with an example of varying perspective.  One account leads us to believe God tempted David, but the other acc...  Read More

2 Samuel 22; Psalm 18.  “Divine Descriptors” David was truly gifted with the pen.  He had the ability to poetically phrase commanding statements.  He had a wonderful vocabulary that expounded his capacity to describe experiences and people.  Another large part of his writing gift was his awareness of God’s working in his life.  He was constantly aware of God’s hand in each of his experiences.What ...  Read More

2 Samuel 19:31-21:22; Psalm 7; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8. “Highs and Lows” “Vision is looking at life through the lens of God’s eye.” – Charles SwindollIt is natural and understandable that we most often view things from a human outlook instead of “through the lens of God’s eye.”  However, it is amazing when we are able to view things from God’s angle.  Perhaps what is most amazing is the enormous diff...  Read More

It is natural and understandable that we most often view things from a human outlook instead of “through the lens of God’s eye.”  However, it is amazing when we are able to view things from God’s angle.  Perhaps what is most amazing is the enormous difference between how we perceive something and how God sees it.  There is often a remarkable twist and noticeable difference between the two.  God’s intentions and purpose are exciting to observe.  This week’s theme has much to do with our unique view of things.  Read More

2 Samuel 17:15-19:30; Psalms 3, 63.  “Death Results from Sin” “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race.  Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.  Yes, people sinned even before the law was given.  And though there was no law to break, since it had not yet been given, they all died anyway…” (Romans 5:12-14a).Absalom’s death was tragic and unnecessary....  Read More

2 Samuel 15:1-17:14.  “Quick to Forgive” We have all been there.  We are at our lowest moment and someone says or does something to make it even worse.  This must have been how David felt as he was fleeing Jerusalem and endured the insult from Shimei.  How tempting it must have been to let Abishai kill Shimei.  However, David exercises self-control and humility in not retaliating against Shimei.  ...  Read More

2 Samuel 12:26-14:33; 1Chronicles 20:2-3. “Real Consequences” “Don’t be deceived, God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).David loved the Lord, but he also made his share of mistakes.  Even though he was quick to confess his sin, that did not remove the consequences for his sin (2 Samuel 12:14).Now, from this point on, David’s kingship takes a downhill turn especially wit...  Read More

2 Samuel 5:14-16; 11:1-12:25; 1 Chronicles 3:5-9; 14:3-7; 20:1; Psalm 51.  “Confession” “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong” (1 John 1:9).King David sinned.  It wasn’t just a simple sin, but a messy one of lust, sexual immorality, deception and murder.  It was the kind of thing that anyone would look at and agree was wrong.  How ...  Read More

2 Samuel 8:15-10:19; 1 Chronicles 6:16-48, 50-53; 18:14-19:19.  “Grace for All” The devotional from April 15th was about how David fulfilled his covenant promise to Jonathan by showing kindness to his son, Mephibosheth.  Today, we have been reminded of this act in the reading.  As we think about this today, we are going to consider David’s treatment of Mephibosheth in light of God’s treatment of u...  Read More

2 Samuel 7:1-8:14; 1 Chronicles 17:1-18:13; Psalm 60.  “Turtle Syndrome” “For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12).In writing Psalm 60, David is crying out to the Lord for help again...  Read More

2 Samuel 6:12-23; 1 Chronicles 15-16.  “Quick Judgments” The theme for this week is sin. I know it is not very glamorous and not so fun to think about, but it is a reality that we all live with.  This week’s readings have us right in the heart of David’s kingship. We will see him at his highest point and his lowest point during this week.  Some of the topics we will think about are judging, deprav...  Read More

The theme for this week is sin. I know it is not very glamorous and not so fun to think about, but it is a reality that we all live with.  This week’s readings have us right in the heart of David’s kingship. We will see him at his highest point and his lowest point during this week.            Some of the topics we will think about are judging, depravity, confession, forgiveness, consequences and death. Because of our broken nature, sin permeates our lives.  We live with the impact of sin all around us.  I hope that through the devotionals and Bible reading this week, you will have a better handle on how to manage the impact of sin in your life.  Read More

2 Samuel 5:1-13,17-25; 6:1-11; 1 Chronicles 3:4b; 11:1-9; 12:23-40; 13:1-14; 14:1-2,8-17.  “Resolute Leader” Four hundred years earlier the Israelites had been told to absolutely subjugate the Promised Land, yet it was never completely accomplished.  David has been working to remedy that fault.David knew God had a reason for asking the Israelites to carry out this task and he had seen the results ...  Read More

2 Samuel 3:6-4:12.  “Vindicate Vindictiveness” Instead of David being able to rely on Joab to pave the way to a unified kingdom he has to prevent a civil war due to Joab’s actions.King David had found himself in a unique position.  Multiple times now he has had men—in the name of loyalty—murder the innocent.  Had loyalty merely become an excuse for revenge and murder?David was dealing with some st...  Read More

2 Samuel 2:1-3:5; 23:8-39; 1 Chronicles 3:1-4a; 11:10-47. “Mighty Men “ Young Billy earned his blue belt in judo.  One day Billy gave the class bully a bloody nose.  When asked which judo technique Billy had used, he replied, “I stuck out my foot and tripped him.”  That’s probably more my style, and it would most definitely NOT earn me a spot with “David’s 30 mighty men.”  The weakest of these gu...  Read More

1 Samuel 30-31; 2 Samuel 1:1-27; 4:4; 1 Chronicles 9:40-44; 10:1-14; 12:20-22. “Painful Experiences” Years have passed since David was anointed king by Samuel.  Those years have been spent running from King Saul, the very one he would succeed.  So, when David gets the news Saul has died, is his response joy, excitement and relief?  No.  Quite the contrary.David mourned Saul’s death.  His sorrow w...  Read More

1 Samuel 26-29; 1 Chronicles 12:1-7,19; Psalm 56.  “Battle Lines” The Philistines, David, and Saul, had all geared up for war.  David was fighting guerrilla warfare style with the brutal tribes of Geshurites, Girzites and Amalekites.  The Philistines entered battle fiercely with enormous numbers (28:5).  Saul seemed uncertain and consulted a medium from Endor to offer consultation concerning the w...  Read More

1 Samuel 23:13-25:44; Psalm 54.  “Providential Conclusions” The passage today describes three unfortunate encounters that had providential conclusions.  In the first situation the men of Ziph turned David and his men’s location over to Saul, yet God providentially sent Saul on another urgent task, which provided the opportunity for David and his men to escape.In the second incident, Saul and an ar...  Read More

1 Samuel 22:1-23:12; 1 Chronicles 12:8-18; Psalm 52, 57, 142. “Rough Start” The passages this week deal with David’s introduction as king.  Although David had been anointed by Samuel sometime earlier to be Israel’s next king, he never rushed God’s timing.  From David’s youth he knew God had a plan and purpose for everything.  David respected and protected God’s anointed—King Saul (although some h...  Read More

The passages this week deal with David’s introduction as king.  Although David had been anointed by Samuel sometime earlier to be Israel’s next king, he never rushed God’s timing.  From David’s youth he knew God had a plan and purpose for everything.  David respected and protected God’s anointed—King Saul (although some had hoped he would take the matter into his own hands and rush it).            David led well in spite of some very difficult times.  Knowing God had a plan helped David through the rough times, and it can do the same for us.  Read More