Skip to main content

March 26 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 85

David is still on the run.  By the time we finish reading today, he will have left Israel to get away from Saul.  Even then, David is still fighting for his people.

Related image

DAILY READINGS

1 Samuel 25-27 & Psalm 85

DAILY NOTES

1 Samuel 25:1

  • Samuel dies.  He is the last of the prophets of the time before there were kings.  But don't worry, he'll be back ;)
1 Samuel 25:2-13
  • David seeks relief from Nabal.  David reminds Nabal how he has brought no harm to his shearers while they were with David.  As a return gesture, Nabal should offer David's men provision as they journey.
  • Nabal refuses.  He does not ask his people if they story David told is true.  
  • David prepares to kill Nabal.
1 Samuel 25:23-28
  • Nabal's wife, Abigail, brings provision (gifts) to David in hopes it will deter him from killing her husband.
  • She pleads with David for 8 verses.
  • Notice the actions of the fool (Nabal) and the clever one (Abigail).  
    • Abigail means "Father's joy."  
1 Samuel 26
  • The highlight of this chapter is David sparing Saul's life a second time.  
  • David is able to creep through the camp of Saul.  Although David's men want him to kill Saul (again), David refuses because Saul is the Lord's anointed.  
    • Notice that "a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them."  God is with David.
  • In Verse 19, David says, "If it is the Lord that has stirred you up against me...."  Could we say that God has done so?
1 Samuel 27
  • You can't blame David for not trusting Saul.
  • David's plan is to leave Israel so that Saul will stop chasing him.  His plan works.
  • Without a good feel for biblical geography and history of nations, we might miss what David is doing in these verses.  He is using his position with the Philistines to attack Israel's enemies.  When the Philistine king asks him who he has raided, David gives the names of Philistine enemies.
Psalm 85
  • A prayer of restoration.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

It seems like David could have walked through Saul's camp all by himself.  He didn't need any of his men to come with him.  Perhaps that's an advantage you and I have as we read the story so many years later.  Did David know how the Lord was working for him?  

Of course, this is the second time David's men try to persuade him to take advantage of the situation and kill Saul.  But David does not follow through.

I get the sense David wouldn't mind being rid of Saul.  Who wouldn't?

David, however, stands firm in his conviction.  He will not kill Saul because the king is, after all, God's anointed.  What we notice is that David's commitment is less about Saul and more about the Lord.  Therefore, David cannot be persuaded to go against what he has deemed right before God, even though it is bringing harm to his life.

Lord help us to be mindful of our tendency to turn from what is faithful just because it isn't easy.  I read recently this great idea: You only grow to the threshold of your pain.  That means we can't expect to grow in our faith if we bail at the onset of difficulties.  Work through the pain of what's before you, and you'll find yourself stronger on the other side of it.  

David worked through such pain--someone was trying to kill him.  But he maintained his faith in God's order.  

What pain are you experiencing that you can see God using to build you?

Stay blessed...john



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 29 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 88 Now that Israel has one king, it's a good time to consider the role of Israel's messiah.  Check out today's Bible Project video that explains how Jesus fits the narrative of messiah. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 4-8 & Psalm 88 DAILY NOTES 2 Samuel 4-5 The murder of Ishbaal, Saul's surviving son, prompts all the people to anoint David king over the entire kingdom. Notice that over the last several chapters, David does not approve of these political murders. The first act of David, as the narrative is concerned, is to stand against the Jebusites.  These are the people Joshua did not drive away (Joshua 15:63).  As a result of their conquest, David makes Jerusalem the capital of the kingdom.   David continues to rise in stature and respect. 2 Samuel 6 After establishing Jerusalem as the capital, David's next effort is to bring the ark to the capital.  It is the nation's most sacred object and it belongs in the nation's capital. I
Post a Comment
Read more

April 11 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 101 The great prophet Elijah leaves the scene (He'll appear again later.  Do you remember where?).  Elisha takes his place and immediately begins to act as prophet among the people.   DAILY READINGS 2 Kings 1-3 & Psalm 101 DAILY NOTES 2 Kings 1 King Ahaziah is injured and he wants to know if he'll live.  He seeks input from the prophets of Baal-zebub.  Elijah finds out and interrupts Ahaziah's men from going to the prophets.   Notice that Elijah, that hairy man, is divinely protected by the captain and his men.   Ahazia never hears from the prophets.  Elijah speaks directly to him to tell him that he will surely die. 2 Kings 2 Where did the idea of a whirlwind come from?  Did anyone expect that Elijah would be taken "to heaven by a whirlwind"?  Everyone seems to know that today Elijah will be gone. Elisha's command to the band of prophets seems to indicate his sense of loss but also a vigor within himself; he is standing up to
Post a Comment
Read more

February 26 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 57 Today's Bible Project video centers on what the Bible means when it speaks of the heart.   DAILY READINGS Deuteronomy 13-14 & Psalm 57 DAILY NOTES Deuteronomy 13 Any prophet or "dreamer of dreams" lead you away from God to other gods, he is to be put to death.  That person has, among other things, spoken "treason" or "falsehood" against God. The same thing should happen to "anyone" who tempts you in secret to follow another God, even if that anyone is a family member.   Notice that you're not even to show them "pity or compassion" or even try to protect them.   The text (Verse 13) says to watch for scoundrels--literally, sons of decadence.  If they are found to be leading people away from God, they are to be put to do as well, and all those of their town that followed them. Deuteronomy 14 The Isrealites were to remain a distinctive people.  They were not to follow the customs or practices o
Post a Comment
Read more