2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30- Worthy Sacrifices

 “The king answered Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it from you for a price, for I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for twenty ounces  of silver. He built an altar to the Lord there and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord was receptive to prayer for the land,  and the plague on Israel ended.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, help me to avoid the laziness of only offering You my leftovers.  Let my sacrifices for You be the most valuable things that I have…I want them to be costly to demonstrate Your majesty and splendor.

2 Samuel 16-18, Endure God

 “Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man!  The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed! ” The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?  He curses  me this way because the Lord   told him, ‘Curse David! ’  Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that? ’ ””

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬-‭8‬, ‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Absaloms fate was sealed because he was going against God.  David on the other hand allowed the guy to continue cursing him, just in case it was from God…David shows that he is willing to suffer, if it is Gods plan.

Lord, help me to look for Your guidance in every thought, woe or action I take!

2 Samuel 13-15, Destructive Desires

 “Now Absalom commanded his young men, “Watch Amnon until he is in a good mood from the wine. When I order you to strike Amnon, then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Am I not the one who has commanded you? Be strong and valiant! ”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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The amount of destruction that comes from following our own desires is shocking.  Amnon and Absalom both seek their own ways and it devastates the people around them…the pain and consequences of their sin destroys lives, families and ultimately kingdoms.

Lord, help me to lay down every desire and follow You.  Allow me to be at rest with whatever You are calling me to.  Help me to trust that You are leading me into the best path.

2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20- Self-Control

 “Uriah answered David, “The ark, Israel, and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers  are camping in the open field. How can I enter my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live and by your life, I will not do this! ”  “Stay here today also,” David said to Uriah, “and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next. Then David invited Uriah to eat and drink with him, and David got him drunk. He went out in the evening to lie down on his cot with his master’s servants, but he did not go home.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭11‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Our ability to “problem solve” aka hide our sin, is very refined.  David was doing everything he could think of to cover his tracks.  What a scoundrel…

It stands out to me that even drunk Uriah had more self control than David.  Lord, strengthen my self-control (a fruit of the Spirit) so that I can resist temptation or the urge to hide my sin.

2 Samuel 8-9, I Chronicles 18- Whose Power?

 “He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David.  The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.  So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people. ”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Trad Context

It was repeated multiple times today that it was God who made David victorious, not his ability, strength, skill, strategy or stamina…it was always the Lord. god, don’t ever allow me to get confused about whose strength I am depending…may it always be Yours!

2 Samuel 6-7, 1 Chronicles 17- Displayed Humility

 “When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.  He is the one who will build a house for my name,  and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David’s humility to alter his plans when God changes his course was such a great demonstration of honor.  It shows us that David’s heart was not centered on doing great things, but on following Gods will.  God has laid out distinct plans for each of us, help me to know what Your plan is and be willing to change directions in an instant!  Lord, You don’t hide Your plan from us, but You rarely make it as explicit as this.  Open my eyes to see.  Allow my plans to be perfectly moldable as You reveal Your plan to me.

2 Samuel 1-4, War’s Raveges

 “David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “The Lord bless you because you have shown this kindness to Saul your Lord when you buried him. Now, may the Lord show kindness and faithfulness to you, and I will also show the same goodness to you because you have done this deed. Therefore, be strong  and valiant, for though Saul your Lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.””

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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The fight for power is horrible…division, pride and jealousy are not a good look for anyone.  So much death and destruction in these few chapters and God is in the background.  Even when pain and suffering are all that we can see, God is still working in the background.  Lord, help me trust your plans as You work in the shadows.

Samuel 28-31, Psalm 18- Devine Protection

 “God — his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is a rock? Only our God. God — he clothes me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me securely on the heights. He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation; your right hand upholds me, and your humility exalts me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭30‬-‭35‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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What a powerful God we serve— He knows our path, strengthens us and protects us— even when it feels like we are lost, wandering and alone.  Lord, allow me to see Your fingerprints in my circumstances, Your presence in the darkness and Your love in the silence. 

I Samuel 25-27, Re-Directed

 “Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won’t have to strike him twice! ” But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be innocent? ”  David added, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will certainly strike him down:  either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. However, as the Lord is my witness, I will never lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed.  Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let’s go.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭26‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David impulsively sneaks into the camp of his enemy, Saul, and his friend thinks he is there to kill him.  That seems like the only possible reason, but then David is struck by conscience and changes his mind, they just take some things from him instead.  This appears to be God redirecting the impulsive plans of David.  

This reminds me that it is never too late to change direction and follow what God wants even if I was previously following my own half baked plan!  Lord, help me to instantly recognize if I am going my own way and turn to follow You as soon as I realize I have made a mistake.

I Samuel 21-24, Gods Deliverance

 “He said to his men, “As the Lord is my witness, I would never do such a thing to my Lord, the Lord’s anointed.  I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” ”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This has always been a passage of intrigue as it seems like God is providing an opportunity for David to be free from running.  So much of his suffering and trials would be over if he just shanks Saul here…but he doesn’t.  He trusts that God will handle the situation.  Lord, help me to trust You like that.

I Samuel 18-20, Psalm 11 & 59, Humble Leadership

 “David marched out with the army and was successful in everything Saul sent him to do. Saul put him in command of the fighting men, which pleased all the people and Saul’s servants as well.”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David must have been a great leader if he was both successful and the people he led were pleased.  I believe this reflects following Gods Word and leading in humility.  We see evidence of that later on when David does not feel worthy to be Sauls son-in-law.  Lord, help me to lead in humility and confidence of You accomplishing Your plans!

I Samuel 15-17, Humility & Confidence

 “Today, the Lord will hand you over to me. Today, I’ll strike you down, remove your head, and give the corpses  of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the wild creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God,  and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves,  for the battle is the Lord’s.  He will hand you over to us.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭46‬-‭47‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David’s humility and confidence in God accomplishing the task is amazing!  This is the first glimpse of what it looks like to be “a man after Gods own heart”!  Lord, help me to depend wholly on You to accomplish Your plans…and less on my own skills and abilities.

1 Samuel 13-14, Seek Guidance

 ““All right,” Jonathan replied, “we’ll cross over to the men and then let them see us. If they say, ‘Wait until we reach you,’ then we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we’ll go up, because the Lord has handed them over to us #— #that will be our sign.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭14‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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It is an encouragement that Jonathan is taking direction from God…something his father was not doing well.  Lord, help me to hear Your voice, and then follow You!

1 Samuel 9-12, Serious Calling

 ““As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.  I will teach you the good and right way. Above all, fear the Lord and worship him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things he has done for you. ”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This is Samuel speaking to the new King Saul.  It stands out to me that his role was very serious as a mentor, not just an opportunity, but a strong calling that if ignored or minimized would be seen as sin. Lord, help me to take seriously the role you have given me as I walk with men through challenging seasons!

I Samuel 4-8, Desiring God

 “Time went by until twenty years had passed since the ark had been taken to Kiriath-jearim. Then the whole house of Israel longed for the Lord. Samuel told them, “If you  are returning to the Lord  with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, set your hearts on the Lord, and worship only him.  Then he will rescue you from the Philistines.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Gods presence was far from the people and they felt that distance, desiring God be close to them.  It was obvious that they had allowed other idols to take Gods place and they felt the distance.  They longed for the Lord…I believe we can feel this today when we enter “dry season” when God feels far away.  This allows us to look around and remove idols and remember the sweetness of relationship with Him.  When those idols are removed and we turn our attention to seek Him, there is a fresh desire for intimacy with our Creator.  Lord, help me to stay in seasons where I long for You and we have sweet times together!

I Samuel 1-3, Cleaning House

 “The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence.  In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. ”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Samuel is Gods chosen one in the midst of unholy servants.  Hophne and Phineas were evil men representing God and through many circumstances He orchestrated a plan to bring righteousness back to the temple.  Samuel was set apart from conception and ready for service to God and His people.  Lord, help my thoughts, motives, words and actions bring You glory!