Crushing Evil

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

CRUSHING EVIL

2 Sam 22:38-43

38 "I pursued my enemies and crushed them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 39 I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. 40 You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. 41 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. 42 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them —to the LORD, but he did not answer. 43 I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets.

NIV

More of the song of David, and in this stanza, he is making the point that he was  actively aggressive against his enemies, with the strength of the LORD. It is the Lord who made his adversaries bow before his feet. Yet David said that he beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; that he pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets. We do not have the kind of earthly or human adversaries we face in battle, although, over the years, as a nation, we have engaged in wars against each other. Our nation has faced other nations that had evil intentions, and our nation, the men and women of the armed forces overcome them. But our adversaries are spiritual, and the only way we can stand our ground is because the lord arms us with strength for the battle. In fact, He dresses us in his armor and He is our shield. We can crush the evil that stands in our way, or comes at us in some devious manner, with some scheme of deception, thinking we will not notice the evil spirits standing before us. The evil adversaries try to get us to become prideful, or have hurt feelings, or be selfish, and so many attitudes and behaviors that are not pleasing to the Lord. Those evil spirits are at work trying to destroy us, even destroy the church, but we have the strength of the Lord, and we have been given the Holy Spirit, who gives us or manifests His gift of spiritual discernment, and we see those evil schemes and their deceptions. We are then able to crush them as fine as the dust of the earth. We can trample and pound them like mud in the streets, all because the Lord has armed us with His strength for the battle. In Fact, the Lord causes those evil spirits to turn their back on us and run for the hills, to take flight, and we can and will destroy them as we know and have the truth of God. We cannot be sure if those evil spirits, those demons ever cry out for help, but we know there is no one to save them; they are all doomed. But that is why they are so bent on bringing down, causing us to be cast away from His presence, but serving ourselves above all else, submitting to self, giving in to evil. However, they have already failed, for we stand in the presence of our Lord and He has given us strength, arming us with all his power and authority over evil. Because of Jesus, we have won the battle as we have crushed evil. 

Perfect and Flawless

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

PERFECT AND FLAWLESS

2 Sam 22:31-37

31 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 32 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? 33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. 35 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 36 You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. 37 You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

NIV

What else can we say other than, Amen! His ways are so perfect, so flawless, we wonder why we struggle so much to walk with Him, to follow His perfect and flawless ways. Who else can we base our lives upon except the Rock, for all other ground is sinking sand? Without God, we are but weaklings, even unable to stand, but it is He who arms us with strength and makes our ways perfect. There is absolutely no way we could make our own ways perfect, even with all our efforts, because they would be feeble at best. No matter how holy we try to be, or do religious things, even thinking they are spiritual, we are so far from perfect ways. But He makes our ways perfect; it is He who does it all. He is the one and only one who makes our feet like the feet of the deer. He enables us to run the race, to be able to climb to heights we would never be able to do alone. Without the Lord, we would never be able to fight against the forces of evil, to bend that bow of bronze, yet we can stand behind the Lord, for He is our shield. It is almost too much to consider that the Lord stoops down to make us great. How much he cares for us, to stoop down, yet that is what Jesus did as He came down to earth in the form He made us, stooping down to fight and win the battle over sin and death, winning the victory for us. Our path was the one that led to defeat and death, but because of Jesus, we now walk on a broad path beneath our feet, running like a deer toward Him, and we do not turn our ankles or stumble because He is beneath us, the Rock, who arms us with strength, who leads us in perfect ways. We can stand running the race because of Him. It is nothing about us, or our strength, abilities, or talents, but everything  is about Him, for He is perfect and flawless. 

Loyal and Steadfast

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

LOYAL AND STEADFAST

2 Sam 22:26-30

26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, 27 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. 28 You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. 29 You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. 30 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

NIV

With God, all things are possible. The first task or lifestyle of a believer is to be faithful to the Lord God Almighty. But how do we show our faithfulness? What is being faithful? We know that he is faithful, for He is perfect, or perfection, which includes every aspect of him. So faithful is His nature, but it is not ours. However, we can choose to be faithful, but again, what does that look like? The English meaning of the word faithful means to be loyal and steadfast. Yet in Hebrew, this word means more like 'mercy' than 'faith'. So then, to the merciful, He shows himself to be merciful. However, there is also this sense of being faithful, as in faithful to show mercy. But there is that concept of faithfulness, as in this translation, and the Hebrew and Greek words that mean being faithful—being loyal to God and steadfast in our believing Him. We have noted this before and believe this is so important that we understand the difference between believing in God and believing God. We cannot be faithful to someone we believe in, but we can be faithful to someone we believe. To believe God means we trust Him to be absolutely true about everything or all things, including our lives. Are we faithful in accordance with what He directs us, or the work He does within us? Then, this idea about being blameless, we know that He has declared those who believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He came to save us, going to the cross with all our sins upon himself, blameless and holy in his sight. So then He shows Himself to be blameless to us, whom He declared blameless. That is to be pure, without spot or blemish. Then we get to this part about the fact that He saves the humble, but not the haughty. This word humble in Hebrew carries the meaning of being in need, poor, or lowly. This is how we must approach the throne of God, bowing before Him, for we are needy, for without Him we are lost, living in a pit of darkness and despair. He is our lamp, our light that shines on the path He has determined we should walk. Because He shows us the way, and goes before us, and beside us and behind us, that is all around us, we can march through any obstacle and scale any hurdle that stands in our way, as we remain loyal and steadfast to our God. 

Rewarded

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

REWARDED

2 Sam 22:21-25

21 "The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. 23 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. 24 I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. 25 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.

NIV

Another Stanza in this song of David, and this one speaks of the faithfulness of David in keeping his relationship with the LORD first in his life. Interestingly, David speaks in the past tense as he said how the LORD has dealt with him according to his righteousness, and the cleanness of his hands, and that the LORD has rewarded him. We wonder if we always think that our reward is eternal life, something that will happen when we lay our bodies down. But David speaks of being rewarded. Was David truly righteous, and did he really have clean hands? We know he was a man of war, yet he claims in this stanza that he had kept the way of the LORD. The evil he speaks of is turning away from his God. Certainly, our righteousness is in Jesus, and we are blameless and holy in the sight of God. It is also true that our Lord deals with us because of his own cleanness and righteousness, but as we walk and talk with him, and make every effort to follow his decrees, and that we have not turned away from him, he has rewarded us. There are so many ways he has already rewarded our faithful discharge of his commands. Of course, over the years, some believers we have lived alongside have created lists of their own to live by, the old “Do's and Don’ts” that have morphed over time in accordance with the current culture. But to live in accordance with the decrees of the Lord means there is no change in our thinking or attitudes and our behaviors, except to increase in every increasing reflection of the glory of our Lord. God has already rewarded us by sending Jesus so that through faith in him we have eternal life. However, his reward is also physically giving us all that he has. He has just kept giving us things the pagans chase after. How much more could we ask for? What else in this life do we need? We have everything there is to have. But the most wonderful gift he keeps giving us is the joy in our hearts, the contentment within from knowing Him and having His divine influence in our lives. His gift of leading us to green pastures and leading us to lie down, to rest our souls, our spirits beside His still waters, and how every day He restores our souls. He blesses us each day with His assurance, His love, His guidance, and the work of His hands in our lives. How he rewards us for staying the course, keeping his decrees, as we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Thank you, Lord, you are so good to us. Thank you for your reward. 

Thank You Lord

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

THANK YOU LORD

 

2 Sam 22:17-20

17 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. 20 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

NIV

The same God whom fire came forth from his nostrils, who thundered from heaven and is accompanied by bolts of lightning that blaze forward, who causes the earth to tremble, reached down from on high and took hold of me. I know I usually speak in the third person, so I should say he took hold of us, but I am moved this morning as I awoke in my bed with singing in my spirit, “This is holy ground”. I cannot help but feel  as though the Lord reached down and took hold of me. Yet I know that he has taken hold of us all. He has drawn us out of the deep waters, where we were drowning because of the lack of his presence, and we were deep in the throes of sin. Again, it is not that we did anything against our list we have made. However, we can still be drowning because of despair, or doubt because of the pain that will not go away, or the illness that plagues us, or even when we get caught up in spiritual pride, or thinking more highly of ourselves than we should. There are so many ways that we could be in deep waters, but you have rescued us from all those powerful enemies that fight against us. Some of our foes, those temptations are too strong for us, we cannot fight them alone, however we know the Lord is there to rescue us, in fact, he already has, because of Jesus, we have been rescued, and we no longer are drowning in those deep waters, for he took all our sins upon himself, saving us from the deep, taking hold of us, supporting us, and he has brought us out into a spacious place, he very presence. Where he is is holy ground, a spacious place of glorious light, where we glory in his wonderful grace, a place where he delights in us. When we consider that we stand in a place, when we live in a place of his delight, how could we be blessed any more? Is there anything more precious in all the world than to be the delight of the Lord? Oh, Sovereign Lord, who am I that you should have taken me this far? We can hear the Lord say, “You are my delight, and I have taken hold of you and I have raised you up and will support you, defend you, and I have brought you out into this spacious place, rejoice my child, I love you”. All I can say is “I worship you, oh Lord, I thank you”. 

Awesome

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

 AWESOME

2 Sam 22:8-16

8 "The earth trembled and quaked, the foundations of the heavens shook; they trembled because he was angry. 9 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. 10 He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. 11 He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. 12 He made darkness his canopy around him — the dark rain clouds of the sky. 13 Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth. 14 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. 15 He shot arrows and scattered [the enemies], bolts of lightning and routed them. 16 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils.

NIV

From this description of the Lord God Almighty, we can be sure that his power is even beyond any power we could imagine. How could we stand before such power and authority over the elements of heaven and earth? The God whom we serve can make the earth tremble and quake, and the very foundations of heaven shake because he was angry. We mostly talk about the love of God, his grace, mercy, and compassion and that he loved us so much he came in the form he created us, so that he could take all our sins upon himself and die on a cross, paying the price for us, so that we could be restored to a perfect peace with the same God who had smoke raising from his nostrils and a consuming fire coming from his mouth. This is the same God whom we have the right to be called his children, that we can call upon him as Abba Father. This is the same God that darkness rode before him, and out of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth, who we can come boldly before him, in the name of Jesus, but at the same time humblingly bow before him. This is the same God who thundered from heaven and whose voice resounded, who speaks to us with the same voice, assuring us of His amazing grace and how sweet is His sound. Oh, Sovereign Lord, who am I that you have taken me this far? Oh, Sovereign Lord, who am I that you are mindful of me? How is it that with all your mighty power, you still can gently hug me, comfort me, and speak softly with love in your voice? How is it that even when I fail, when I sin against you, that you do not cause me to tremble or quake, but you cover me with your forgiveness, your grace, and your peace? Thank you, Oh Sovereign Lord, God who can make the earth tremble and quake, giving me the exact opposite, a peaceful life in your presence, covered under your wings. Your grace knows no bounds; your love cannot be measured. How great and awesome is our God! 

Ears to Hear

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

EARS TO HEAR

2 Sam 22:5-7

5 "The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 6 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. 7 In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.

NIV

Although David’s song includes some of distressful verbiage, it seems to be a hyperbole as he was not actually being coiled around by a grave, nor confronted with the snares of death any more than all of us humans who face the fact that death of this body awaits us. Nevertheless, these words give us insight into the heart of David, who is the king of Israel, and lives in luxury compared to most people in his time, yet he feels overwhelmed at times, and when he had those feelings, he called to the LORD. This is one of the great lessons of life. There may be times when we are in one of those deep valleys, feeling down, like everything is against us, but we can call to the Lord, we can call out to our God, and from his temple he hears our voice, and our cry will come to his ears. However, we should never forget when we are having one of those mountain-top moments in life, and everything is going our way, that we still need to call to our Lord. We still need to call out to our God, with thanksgiving and gratitude in our hearts and voice, blessing His name, and from his temple he hears our voice, and our praise will come to his ears. So whether we are well fed or hungry, living in plenty or want, we have not only learned to be content, but we have learned to always call out to our Lord, to call out to our God. For we are assured that from his temple he will hear our voice. Whether we are feeling the depth of the valley, the exhilaration of the mountaintop, our voice, either the cries of woe or the praise of thanksgiving, comes to his ears. Thank you, Lord, that you have eyes to see, a mouth to speak, and ears to hear. 

Our Rock

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

OUR ROCK

2 Sam 22:1-4

22:1 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said:

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior — from violent men you save me. 4 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

NIV

This is just the beginning of a very long song, which seems to have no chorus, but just one stanza after another. Overall, this whole song is about the LORD God Almighty. We know these same truths to be evident in our lives. The Lord is our rock, Yahweh is the crag, a cliff on which we can stand high above our enemies. He is a place of safety where we can hide. As the world swirls around us, going crazy with all the ‘selves’ trying to impose their ways, and where sin runs rampant like a wild herd of gazelles, or a lawn out of control being overrun with weeds, dandelions, clover, and even an infestation of dried-up dead patches. We can run to the Lord and take refuge. He is our shield; he protects us from all the weeds of the world, but we must trust him, put faith to work, and hide behind him, our shield. Sometimes, it is easy to become discouraged when we spend too much time in the chaotic, out-of-control world. Sure, we have to engage with people in the world, but with what purpose? There is beauty in the world, for it is the creation of our Lord, our rock, our shield. We can enjoy the wonders of his creation, but there is also a danger if we wander too close to the philosophies or Ideologies of the world. Our salvation is in the Lord, and in him we find all truth, but in the world we can find falsehoods, lies, deceptions, snares, traps for us to be fooled into accepting what appears to be genuine, authentic, and unharming to our faith, but in reality is poisonous, a killer, waiting to bite into us and bring us down from our rock, out of our fortress, and away from our deliverer. We know these traps; we are warned about them by our Lord, and if we are not careful, not seeing their harm to us, we will not be able to rid ourselves of them, for they have become habitual. However, if we, like a child, have that simple faith and trust in the Lord our rock, our fortress, and deliverer, where we take refuge, hiding within Him, our stronghold, He saves us from the violence of men and the world. We know that we must keep our eyes upon Jesus, to look full in his wonderful face, and then the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. We cannot praise the things of the world, but we can praise the Lord, for he is worthy. He is our rock. 

The Lamp

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

THE LAMP

2 Sam 21:15-22

15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new [sword], said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, "Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished." 18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. 19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod. 20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot — twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him. 22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

NIV

Two stories are unfolded for us in this narrative about these four battles. First, we should focus on David as he became exhausted in battle. Is this because he has gotten older and weaker? But the point is that he was referred to as the lamp of Israel. That phrase was prophetic because Jesus is the lamp or the light of the world, and he came into this world through Mary, a descendant of David. David was the lamp to Israel, but Jesus is the lamp unto our feet. Jesus shows us the way. He  alone is the only story, the main event since He created all that is created. He is the only story because he came to redeem us, to reconcile Himself to us, and us to Him. He is the only one who could satisfy His own justice and restore His creation to the original place it belongs. However, within this story of His great gift of salvation through the Light of the world, Jesus, four giants were all defeated. The sons of Rapha refer to giants, such as Goliath. This is a good foreshadowing of areas in life that can seem to be gigantic, or like a giant that stands before us, or in our way. But we can overcome any giant, face it down, and destroy it in the name of Jesus. We have that Light of the world, who stands before us, beside us, and behind us, watching our back, as he fights the battle for us. There is no giant we cannot kill, or overpower, overcome, being victories because of Jesus, the Light of the world, our Lord and Savior, our Redeemer, our God. Let us always follow Jesus, the Light, the Lamp of the world. 

He Answered Prayer

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

HE ANSWERED PRAYER

2 Sam 21:7-14

7 The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9 He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. 10 Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night. 11 When David was told what Aiah's daughter Rizpah, Saul's concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had taken them secretly from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. 14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.

NIV

This reconciliation that David did with the Gibeonites, asking them what he could do for them, because of the attempt of Saul when he tried to annihilate them, led to the death of seven sons of Saul.  It is strange that in those days, in that kind of culture, killing was just part of life. It seemed men of that period in history did not value life as much as we do today, at least in our country and most Western countries, but in the Middle East, we can see the value of life has a different meaning, for there is still killing going on. But this agreement between David and the Gibeonites brought peace, restored honor to their people. David also did what was right when he became aware of the actions, or mourning of Rizpah for her sons. He went and took their bones, or bodies, and buried them in the proper place, at the tomb of their father. But our story is about this last verse in this narrative. After it was all done, and the bodies of those seven sons of Saul were buried, just as the king commanded, God answered the prayer in behalf of the land. That famine that had lasted three successive years was over. Once again, the land became fertile and produced crops. We had already considered the possibility that we could experience a spiritual famine, and perhaps it could be caused by not doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Even if we are being religious or doing religious activities, including prayers, we do not feel the Lord’s presence or see any evidence of the work of God in our lives. That is a famine, but we do not need to live in a famine, as we live in the kingdom of God. If we do what is right in his sight, he will answer our prayer in behalf of our land, or our lives. We do not have to be unfruitful or ineffective, for we can change how we live. First, having the faith of a child, simply believe the Lord, no doubts, just faith watered in the stream of living water. There are traits we can add to faith, as Peter makes clear in his second letter. But first and foremost, it is faith that brings the awareness of the presence and the work of God in our lives. Because we are reconciled to Him, as He did that reconciliation through His work on our behalf on that cross, and we accept His grace, He answers our prayer on behalf of Himself, and for our behalf. But we must give him all the credit, all the praise, all the honor He is due, as we exercise faith, believing, not just in him, but believing Him, and he will answer prayer. 

Seeking His Face

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

SEEKING HIS FACE

2 Sam 21:1-6

21:1 During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." 2 The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to [spare] them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 3 David asked the Gibeonites, "What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends so that you will bless the LORD's inheritance?" 4 The Gibeonites answered him, "We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death." "What do you want me to do for you?" David asked. 5 They answered the king, "As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6 let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul — the Lord's chosen one." So the king said, "I will give them to you."

NIV

This is a strange encounter, with what looks like revenge being taken by the Gibeonites against the blood-stained house of Saul. However, the more important story is about David, who sought the face of the LORD. Of course, it was about the three successive years of famine, and the LORD did tell David why, so that he could settle the matter with the Gibeonites. Those are the two truths that are in this narrative. First, it is always the right thing to seek the LORD for all our matters of life. We may not experience a famine such as in the land of Israel, but we wonder if we could experience a spiritual famine at times. Is it possible that there are times when we just do not feel the presence of the Lord, but go through the religious motions in the power of our flesh? We know the Lord is always with us and always available to seek his counsel about everything. We also think it is best to listen more than we talk when we spend time seeking the Lord. When David sought the face of the LORD, we are not told how much David said, or how long his prayer was, but we are only told he sought the face of the LORD. Then we are told what the LORD said, and that David responded. The Lord will answer, He will give us the path to take, He will give us the solution to any situation we encounter that may be difficult, but it is best we keep our mouths shut, or at least keep our words short. Even when we feel like we are in a spiritual famine, if we seek the face of our Lord, He will be there, He will embrace us, assure us, and give us the answer we need, according to His purpose. This brings us to the second truth. David did what the LORD told him, and made every effort to settle the matter with the Gibeonites. There had been an injustice done to them by the house of Saul, and the LORD wanted David to pursue peace. Of course, that peace required giving them seven of the sons from the house of Saul so they could put them to death. But justice was served in a sense. We know the justice of God will be served someday against all who attempt to fight against his kingdom, although their feeble efforts are useless. However, the truth here is that David made the effort of reconciliation. As unfortunate as it may be, there may be times when some conflict occurs within the body of Christ, especially within the local church. We are people, and that can cause problems when we get distracted by our own self-interest. We could offend someone, perhaps unaware, or perhaps on purpose, because of “self”. The point is that if we are seeking the face of the Lord, harmony will prevail. Our Lord has instructed us, commanded us to make every effort to live in peace with each other and be holy. This would mean we do not demand our own way in matters. Again, it is about seeking the face of the Lord. What does the Lord have to say about some matter within the local assembly? What is the Lord’s will concerning this or that? We may try to force our will, our opinion on what is right or wrong, but to seek the face of the Lord is always best, and then harmony, peace, and being in one accord will happen. It should always be about seeking his face. 

Dissension Fails

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

DISSENSION FAILS

2 Sam 20:14-26

14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him. 15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maacah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him." 17 He went toward her, and she asked, "Are you Joab?" "I am," he answered. She said, "Listen to what your servant has to say." "I'm listening," he said. 18 She continued, "Long ago they used to say, 'Get your answer at Abel,' and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the LORD's inheritance?" 20 "Far be it from me!" Joab replied, "Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bicri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I'll withdraw from the city." The woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown to you from the wall." 22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bicri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem. 23 Joab was over Israel's entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; 24 Adoniram was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 25 Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was David's priest.

NIV

We do not know who this woman was, but it is clear that she settled the matter of the war between Sheba and Joab. Of course, the reason for Joab pursuing Sheba was that Sheba dishonored the king, and Joab was loyal to the king. As it turned out, Sheba lost his head because of his self-edification, wanting to be the leader, passing through all the tribes of Israel, gathering followers. Again, we can see that dissention or division is caused by jealousy or self-centeredness. We have witnessed this within worldly organizations, but it is a spiritual problem that occurs within the assembly of the righteous, at least within the assembly that thinks it is righteous. When dissension occurs within the church, there is spiritual sickness, unhealthy and unholy attitudes and behaviors working to destroy harmony, and the unity of the faith. Dissension creates division because there are Shebas at work, wanting their own followers, dividing up the church. They are acting under the command of self, which is being influenced by the dark forces of evil, rather than by the Holy Spirit. That is not to say that all leaders within the church should demand loyalty; however, if there is a man who is loyal to the Lord and has been called to shepherd a church, it is the unloyal who dissent, for their loyalty is not to God but to self. Should there be a leader, a preacher, a pastor, who is not loyal to God, he should not be able to gather, or create a division in the house of God, because he is seeking personal gain, like Sheba. Our task is to always look to the Lord and his truth, remaining loyal to our King of kings, Lord of lords, and to live in harmony with each other. Jesus said that He would build His church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. Jesus builds, but man tries to destroy. Let us keep our eye upon Jesus and look full into his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. If we are keeping our eyes upon Jesus, then unity stands, dissension fails. 

Pursuing Rebellion

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

PURSUING REBELLION 

2 Sam 20:1-13

20:1 Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bicri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted, "We have no share in David, no part in Jesse's son! Every man to his tent, O Israel!" 2 So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. 3 When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but did not lie with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows. 4 Then the king said to Amasa, "Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself." 5 But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him. 6 David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba son of Bicri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master's men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us." 7 So Joab's men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bicri. 8 While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath. 9 Joab said to Amasa, "How are you, my brother?" Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab's hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bicri. 11 One of Joab's men stood beside Amasa and said, "Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!" 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. 13 After Amasa had been removed from the road, all the men went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bicri.

NIV

Why must there always be a troublemaker, someone who thinks more highly of themselves and wants to be honored and have people follow them? For Sheba, son of Bicri, I declare that he had no share in David, no part in Jesse’s son, which shows how he wanted to be the leader of the pack, the big cheese, almost a mini-king of the people. We think that kind of mentality is not that uncommon within our culture, but we wonder if it exists within the church. Are there troublemakers within the church? What would that look like if troublemakers showed up among the congregation? Sheba did not want any part of David’s leadership; he wanted to establish his own form of leadership. Is that what happens in the church? Someone instigates a rebellion of sorts against the current beliefs and splits the church in half, becoming their new pastor, having the people support them now. David wanted this troublemaker hunted down and told Amasa to get it done, but he failed to comply with David’s command. We see what happened to him at the hands of Joab. This may be another truth we need to consider. Of course, we have a great King, who is compassionate and graciously displays his love for us, allowing us to come to him, bowing before him, accepting his free gift of salvation. But we wonder if we are given to taking too long to do that which he commands when it comes to hunting down any rebellion within ourselves, as Amasa did regarding hunting down Sheba. Although he ended up with his guts spilled out on the road, we know our Lord will not kiss us with one hand and destroy us with the other hand, as Joab did to Amasa. But the question is whether we might act in the same way Joab did. Do we shake with one hand, appearing we are friends or brothers and sisters in Christ, but with the other hand, we backstab them with gossip? Then we wonder if we ever just throw someone aside, not physically as Joab did with Amasa, but emotionally, casting them to the side, extracting ourselves from them, covering them up, so we cannot see them anymore. Just thoughts. However, we are assured our Lord and King will not cast us aside of the road, for He lights the way for us to travel on the right road, yet he does cover us, but it is with his blood, so we can walk as free men, and follow him, yet we still must pursue any rebellion within us, hunt it down and allow God to destroy it.  

The Danger in Pride

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

THE DANGER IN PRIDE

2 Sam 19:40-43

40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over. 41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, "Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?" 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king's provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?" 43 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, "We have ten shares in the king; and besides, we have a greater claim on David than you have. So why do you treat us with contempt? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?" But the men of Judah responded even more harshly than the men of Israel.

NIV

What is this conflict between all the men of Judah and the men of Israel? Who has more shares in the king? He is known as the Lion of Judah, as he is from the tribe of Judah, and thus that tribe should be honored in some sense. But all of Israel has ten tribes and is far bigger and should have a greater stake in the king’s loyalty. Does this come down to which of us is the most important? Does this come to us having some competition about the size of our church, or how better our worship style is? Do we think we are more spiritual or simply better than others? It almost seems that the men of Judah are prideful about their humility, because they did not eat any of the king’s portions or take anything for themselves. “See how humble we are”, “See how we worship our king”. We wonder if we could become prideful of our humility, if, in fact, we are truly living humbly before our Lord and before others. We wonder if we humbly go about doing our good deeds in secret, or as Jesus put it, “be careful not to practice our acts of righteousness in front of others to be seen by them, if we do, we have no reward in heaven”. How do we do any good, especially as a united church, without others in the church seeing what we are doing, for they too are doing the same act of righteousness? But do we actually want others to see how much we do, or get some credit for what we do? “See how much we do”, “It seems we do a lot more than others”, and on goes our pride. The problem with pride is that it often leads to hurt feelings or feeling offended because we are not honored, but feel we are being taken for granted or unappreciated. If we are humble, then it does not matter if others give us praise, but only the God is pleased with our bowing before him, and giving him all the honor and praise that he has given us the strength to do what we do. The contempt the men of Israel felt from the men of Judah came from their pride in having ten shares of the king. Pride breeds contempt, humility breeds harmony. If we are commanded to live in harmony with one another and not be proud, we are also told that as we live in harmony, we will not be conceited, but love as brothers. Israel and Judah were brothers, all Israelites that were brought out of Egypt by the mighty hand of God. All of us believers have been freed from the penalty of death by the mighty hand of God. There is no difference, no pecking order, no hierarchy within the body of Christ; we are all children of God, all the same, and that means living with humility, without boasting, without pridefulness,  or without hurt feelings, because there is danger in pride.

 

Humble and Gentle

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

HUMBLE AND GENTLE

2 Sam 19:31-39

31 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, "Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you." 34 But Barzillai answered the king, "How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of men and women singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever pleases you." 38 The king said, "Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever pleases you. And anything you desire from me I will do for you." 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and gave him his blessing, and Barzillai returned to his home.

NIV

We have another man, Barzillai, who is very old, as if eighty years of age is very old. But it seems that he thinks he is about to die and wants to live out the rest of his days near his father’s tomb so that people don’t have to carry him far after he dies. What a sad way to live. He had the opportunity to cross over with King David, remaining in his service for the rest of his days. Barzillai is just giving up, just waiting to die. David gave him his blessing, kissing him and letting him return to his home. Although David is a great warrior, he is also a gentle-hearted man, being understanding of the heart of Barzillai the Gileadite. Two lessons for us are here in this narrative. First, we see this sad expression on Barzillai, as he thinks eighty is so old that he just wants to go home and wait to die. Do we do that? Do we give up serving our Lord because we think we are too old and we should just sit down and wait to die? No, we do not! We still have breath in our lungs, and we can sit up and take nourishment. Of course, we have been seeing the number of years of people getting shorter and shorter throughout the history of mankind, from the time of creation, with Adam living hundreds of years, to Moses living one hundred and twenty years. Now we are told eighty is very old. How is that possible when many of us are past that eighty mark and still going strong in our service to our Lord? We will not be like Barzillai and just sit down to wait to die. The second lesson is in the heart of David. He is a good man who listens to the heart of his servants, his friends, and is concerned for them. Being the king, he could have ordered Barzillai to cross over with him and remain in his service, but he gave him a blessing instead and allowed him to return home. It is this open and gentle heart that David displays as a foreshadowing of the lesson Jesus told us about learning from him, for he is humble and gentle of heart. First, to be humble of heart would mean we do not force our own way, just as David did not force his way upon Barzillai. Sometimes, we want what we want just because we do not want a change in our surroundings. We get into that mode of thinking because it has been this way, the way we want it, and we want it to stay that way, our way. How has that been humble of heart, and listening to the heart of another person who has a need? This humble heart goes hand in glove with being gentle of heart. How we interact with others should always be with a gentle heart, speaking truth, but with a great deal of grace. If we truly love one another, then we would speak from both a humble and gentle heart, because we learned from Jesus. The problem is that it seems we have not learned, or what we learned we have either ignored or simply not applied to our hearts. Let us remember what we learned from David and Jesus, and live with a humble and gentle heart. 

More Valuable then Gold

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

 

MORE VALUABLE THE GOLD

2 Sam 19:24-30

24 Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, "Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?" 26 He said, "My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, 'I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.' But Ziba my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever pleases you. 28 All my grandfather's descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who sat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?" 29 The king said to him, "Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the fields." 30 Mephibosheth said to the king, "Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has arrived home safely."

NIV

What reverence, honesty, and humility can be seen in Mephibosheth toward his king. Of course, because he is lame and thought he would go with David, when he left Jerusalem because of Absalom’s desire to kill his father, he could not because of the betrayal of his servant, Ziba. He humbles himself before his king, saying that David is his lord and is like an angel of God, and he should do whatever pleases him. When King David decides that Mephibosheth and Ziba, his servant, should divide the fields, again, the humility of Mephibosheth is revealed as he tells the king to let his servant, Ziba, the one who betrayed him, have all the fields, everything, because for him, the greatest possession is having his king arrive home safely. This should be our story: that nothing belongs to us, all we have can be given away in comparison to our desire for our Lord and King to return for us and take us across to the other side, from this place to heaven. But do our possessions claim too much of us? Are we too invested in things, even though we always thank our Lord and God for all that he has given or provided for us? We hwould much rather be at home with our Lord, but we are still in our bodies, and still have the ability to serve our Lord, and we have asked him to do whatever pleases him. If he is pleased to bless us with some possessions and bless us with a purpose, a calling to serve his kingdom, then we are humbly content to do whatever pleases him in us and through us. As long as we have breath in our lungs and our hearts beat in our chest, we will serve our Lord. Everything we have, all that we are, belongs to our Lord. He gives and he can take away. He is completely sovereign in all things concerning us. Mephibosheth felt his king was more valuable than all his fields, giving them all to Ziba, his servant. We believe our King is more valuable than all the silver and gold this world has to offer. He can have everything, and all of us. Let us always keep our eyes on Jesus. 

Grace Mercy and Forgiveness

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

GRACE MERCY AND FORGIVENESS

2 Sam 19:18-23

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, "May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 20 For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first of the whole house of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king." 21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, "Shouldn't Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the LORD's anointed." 22 David replied, "What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? This day you have become my adversaries! Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Do I not know that today I am king over Israel?" 23 So the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king promised him on oath.

NIV

It is right to prostrate before the king and confess the wrong he did, and King David showed him mercy and forgiveness for his wrongdoing. That is our lesson right out of the gate. We know that we are not perfect yet, even though we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. We know we are not free from sin as long as we are held captive in this flesh, even if this body, this form, has been given to us from the hand of God. However, we are not just our bodies, for we are a spirit who has a soul and lives in this body. Yet, we are corruptible and fall short of the glory of God. Yet, as we fall before our Lord and King, maybe not in the physical, but in our heart, in our spirit, and we confess our wrongdoing, our sin. We also know, from experience, that He is just and forgives our sin. He has said that no one will die in His kingdom, no one will be put to death. Of course, our bodies will be laid to rest, and in the eyes of the world, we will be dead, but we will be alive and in the presence of our King and our Lord Jesus. David may have been the king over all Israel, but our King is Lord over the whole of creation. Our King has authority not just over the wind and the waves, as He did to show his disciples his power, but he has absolute authority over the universe as well as over our lives. David promised Shimei an oath, and our King has promised us His oath on his own name. He promised that whoever confesses with their mouth and believes Jesus was raised from the dead will be saved from the penalty of death. We can live forever in the kingdom of God, for although we die, we live. Oh, death, where is your sting? We have been cleansed, washed in the blood of the Lamb, Holy is your name, Oh God! We fall before you, we confess, and we are forgiven. Thank you, Lord, for your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Then, the second truth about grace, mercy, and forgiveness is when we think we have been offended or sinned against. David showed this mercy to Shimei, and we need to show grace, mercy, and forgiveness. 

The Focus

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

THE FOCUS

2 Sam 19:8-18

Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes. 9 Throughout the tribes of Israel, the people were all arguing with each other, saying, "The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he has fled the country because of Absalom; 10 and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?" 11 King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: "Ask the elders of Judah, 'Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? 12 You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?' 13 And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab.'" 14 He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man. They sent word to the king, "Return, you and all your men." 15 Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan. Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan. 16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul's household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. 18 They crossed at the ford to take the king's household over and to do whatever he wished.

NIV

The King is coming back to take his rightful place in Jerusalem, for the people need a king, and with Absalom, the one who tried to be their king was dead, they now looked back to King David, wanting him to return to Israel. Of course, David did win over the hearts of all the men of Judah, as though they were one man. That could be our story about being as one man, having the unity of the faith. We are admonished to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Jesus wants us to be one as He and the Father are one. It is sad to see division in the church, with some even splitting and becoming two instead of one. We have also witnessed mini divisions within the church, with cliques forming into small groups instead of being unified. We wonder if denominational formations have caused the one to become many, which Jesus never intended for his church. But it is the return of the king that gives us our main story. As the people rushed to meet their king as he returned to cross the Jordan and to do whatever he wished. Are we not rushing to meet our King as he returns? Are we not supposed to do whatever He wishes? What does our ‘rushing’ to meet our King look like? We would think that our King would be our main focus, to be looking intently, intensely, with great expectation, of his return. However, we should ‘occupy’ till he returns, but have we become so invested in our occupying that it has become our main source of life, where it is almost as if our deeds have become our righteousness, or at least our religiosity. Have we become more interested in doing things, being busy doing life, even church life, that we are not rushing to meet our King? Then we have to consider whether we are willing to do whatever he wishes. Once again, we wonder if we have not decided what it is we will do, making our choice as to how we will serve, and then we have to ask if we are serving our King, or the church. This also makes us wonder if we are serving the church, is our motive to be praised by men, or are we thinking that by serving in the church, we are serving our King, and only want his praise? Is serving the church the same as serving our King? Maybe it comes down to the focus of our hearts. If our hearts, minds, or spirits are focused on rushing to meet our King, then all we do should be exactly according to his divine will and purpose for our lives. It comes down to our focus. 

Directed Passion

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

DIRECTED PASSION

2 Sam 19:1-8

19:1 Joab was told, "The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." 2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, "The king is grieving for his son." 3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. 4 The king covered his face and cried aloud, "O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!" 5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, "Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. 6 You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 7 Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come upon you from your youth till now." 8 So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, "The king is sitting in the gateway," they all came before him.

NIV

It is fine to mourn over the loss of a son, but David spent more time mourning than being more concerned about himself than all the men who fought to win the victory over the enemy of David. Joab told him straight up that he was wrong, that he had humiliated all his men, who had just saved his life. David did respond and went to take his seat in the gateway, and all his men came before him. Our lesson is about this concept of being too self-concerned, that we hurt others with our selfishness. We are not sure how to understand what Joab said about David hating those he loved and loving those who hate him. We think Joab was talking about David loving Absalom, who hated him, trying to overthrow him from being king, while his self-pity showed all the men that loved him, he cared not about, or in that sense hated them, for they did not keep Absalom safe, but killed him. Too much self-pity or self-centeredness may well be detrimental in any relationship, whether that be in the family or in the church. We are told to put others before ourselves, but we wonder how successful we are in following that command of our Lord. When we think too highly of ourselves, we should realize that it is just a way of thinking poorly of others, and that would not enhance any relationship, but destroy it. Joab told David his selfishness was harming his men and the relationship he had with them. We cannot live in a manner that brings harm to others, because the Lord has told us to love each other just as he loves us. That means we think about others and how their lives can be made better by what we say and do.  David’s passion in his mourning over Absalom needed to be redirected to his passion for his men and to encourage them. We should always be looking for ways to encourage each other and to build each other up. Let us exercise our zealousness for the Lord with that same eagerness or passion to serve others. 

Dead or Alive

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

DEAD OR ALIVE

2 Sam 18:24-33

24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out to the king and reported it. The king said, "If he is alone, he must have good news." And the man came closer and closer. 26 Then the watchman saw another man running, and he called down to the gatekeeper, "Look, another man running alone!" The king said, "He must be bringing good news, too." 27 The watchman said, "It seems to me that the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok." "He's a good man," the king said. "He comes with good news." 28 Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, "All is well!" He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, "Praise be to the LORD your God! He has delivered up the men who lifted their hands against my lord the king." 29 The king asked, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" Ahimaaz answered, "I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king's servant and me, your servant, but I don't know what it was." 30 The king said, "Stand aside and wait here." So he stepped aside and stood there. 31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, "My lord the king, hear the good news! The LORD has delivered you today from all who rose up against you." 32 The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The Cushite replied, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man." 33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you — O Absalom, my son, my son!"

NIV

Forgiveness and willingness are the topics for today. Although Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, wanted to be first, outrunning the Cushite, he was not truthful in his report. The Cushite was honest, in a gentle way, not saying outright that Absalom was dead or how it had happened. Yet our story is found in David and his lamenting over the death of his son and wishing he had died instead. We can see another father, this is the Father, and he mourns over his dead sons and daughter who are lost in the world. However, the Father’s story is different then the story of David and Absalom, as the Father sent his Son to die for all the lost children of the King of Kings, the Father who sits on the throne. Then the Son sent the Holy Spirit to convict those who were lost, and we were one of those, and we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and the Father gave us new life, as if we were born again, born from above, from His work. Plus, at the same time, because we are now of the household of God, being his children, all our enemies have been vanquished by the mighty hand of God. He has delivered us from all who will and have risen up against us. We heard and know the good news, the good report, because the work of God has established a complete and final record, so we may be encouraged. First, because we know we have been forgiven, because of the work of God through Jesus. Second, that we live with the hope of eternal life. Thirdly, our faith can be strengthened through His word and his work within us. We are not like the son of David, Absalom, who died; we are like the Son of God, risen from the dead, and alive forevermore. 

Being First

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

BEING FIRST

2 Sam 18:18-23

18 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King's Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, "I have no son to carry on the memory of my name." He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom's Monument to this day. 19 Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, "Let me run and take the news to the king that the LORD has delivered him from the hand of his enemies." 20 "You are not the one to take the news today," Joab told him. "You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king's son is dead." 1 Then Joab said to a Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off. 22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, "Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite." But Joab replied, "My son, why do you want to go? You don't have any news that will bring you a reward." 23 He said, "Come what may, I want to run." So Joab said, "Run!" Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

NIV

We want to be the one who tells the story first. However, before we get to that truth, we should deal with the self-edification of Absalom as he erected a monument of himself in the King’s Valley. How prideful to think that he was that important to deserve a monument named Absalom. We understand that some great men who have done deeds that have been considered worthy, after their deaths, have a statue erected to celebrate their lives, such as the Washington and Lincoln Monuments in Washington, D.C., as well as monuments to others elsewhere. But, to build one for oneself, while one is still living, is over the top in self-praise. We would never consider having any edifice in our name, as we are commanded to learn from Jesus, being humble and gentle of heart. Absalom was boasting about himself with that monument. We can never boast about ourselves, for we are not worth boasting about, but we can boast about the Lord, for He is worthy of as much boasting as we can do. Now, to this desire to be the first to tell the story, while the Cushite was given the task or right to relay news to King David, Ahimaaz wanted to be one, and in this narrative, he outran the Cushite. What we see here is the story of gossip. Over the years, we have witnessed this race to be the first one to tell what happened to somebody. “Did you hear?” Sometimes, the gossip had been disguised as a prayer request, “Oh, my, you really need to pray for”, and the race is on. Why are we so eager to spread news about other people? Don’t we have any words of encouragement for each other? Don’t we have any words to build each other up? Let us first examine our hearts to make sure we are free of pride, but full of humility, not wanting to be first, and that we only want to tell the “Good news” about Jesus. 

Be Gentle

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

BE GENTLE

2 Sam 18:1-17

18:1 David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 David sent the troops out — a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, "I myself will surely march out with you." 3 But the men said, "You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won't care about us. Even if half of us die, they won't care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city." 4 The king answered, "I will do whatever seems best to you." So the king stood beside the gate while all the men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands. 5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, "Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake." And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders. 6 The army marched into the field to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. 7 There the army of Israel was defeated by David's men, and the casualties that day were great — twenty thousand men. 8 The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest claimed more lives that day than the sword. 9 Now Absalom happened to meet David's men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom's head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going. 10 When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, "I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree." 11 Joab said to the man who had told him this, "What! You saw him? Why didn't you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels of silver and a warrior's belt." 2 But the man replied, "Even if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lift my hand against the king's son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, 'Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.' 13 And if I had put my life in jeopardy-and nothing is hidden from the king — you would have kept your distance from me." 14 Joab said, "I'm not going to wait like this for you." So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom's heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. 15 And ten of Joab's armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him. 16 Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab halted them. 17 They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled up a large heap of rocks over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled to their homes.

NIV

The story of Absalom has come to a close, as did his life. It is not good that he tried to depose his own father in an attempt to become the king of Israel. He did this without being anointed by God, or, as in the case of David, his father, who was anointed by the prophet Samuel under the divine direction of God. Interestingly, God’s hand was at work, causing Absalom to get stuck in a tree as he rode on his mule. Plus, as strange as it sounds, he was caught by his head. What that looked like, we cannot envision, but then God can do anything, so there he was hanging by his head. We are not told is he was struggling to free himself, or that he was unconscious and just hanging by his head. But when Joab and his men found him, he was completely at their mercy. Joab was the one who struck Absalom, as Joab was a servant of David, loyal to his king. Joab did not want David to engage in the battle, for he knew that the army under Abalsom’s command would be looking to kill David at the first opportunity. But Joab’s concern for his king kept David safe, while he and his men crushed the army of Israel. It is also interesting that David wanted his men to go easy on his son Absalom. This may be our lesson. There are forces in this world that would want to do harm to us, and although God has supplied us with his armor so we can take our stand, we should not stand our ground filled with hatred, but compassion for those who are against us. This is not to say, we should be defeated by them, but we should overcome those forces of evil, who are represented by people who oppose our faith, speak out, and stand for the matters of life that are rebellious toward the things of God. Absalom was rebellious against the anointed king of Israel, which meant he was opposed to the will of God, and he met his end and was thrown into a pit. Is that not the end of all who opposed God? Will those who fight against the Lord, and those who are his faithful ones, not find their end as being thrown into the pit of burning sulfur? We should take our lesson from David, and as we stand our ground, we need to do it with truth, but also with grace. Maybe we might be instrumental, along with the hand of God, and be gentle with them, help them to see the truth, and be saved.  

Inquire First

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

INQUIRE FIRST

2 Sam 17:15-23

15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, "Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message immediately and tell David, 'Do not spend the night at the fords in the desert; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.'" 17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A servant girl was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left quickly and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it. 20 When Absalom's men came to the woman at the house, they asked, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman answered them, "They crossed over the brook." The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem. 21 After the men had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, "Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you." 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. 23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father's tomb.

NIV

The big question here in this narrative is, why did Ahithophel go home and hang himself? We know from past verses that his advice to Absalom was like one who inquired from God. This would imply he was a godly man, knowing the power and authority of Almighty God, and giving advice to Absalom in accordance with the plan of God. From what we have learned about Hushai is that David asked him to go back to the court of Absalom and help frustrate the advice of Ahithophel, which he did. So this is the first time that his advice to King Absalom was rejected for the advice of Hushai. So he hanged himself? What, just because his advice was rejected? What a sad man, or a self-centered, egotistic, narcissist, thinking everything revolved around him and his counsel. Had he truly been a man of God, after hearing that Absalom was taking the advice of Hushai, he would have inquired of the LORD for assurance that his plan or advice was better, and ask the LORD to persuade Absalom of the right course of action. However, if his advice was rejected, then once again, if he was really a man of God, he would have inquired of the LORD, and respond with a humble heart and go on, continuing to be a man who is known as one who inquires of God. But he did not, and only thought that if his rejection and hung himself. We do not go hang ourselves every time our advice is not accepted, or some plan we have devised, even if we believe we have heard from the Lord. We don’t get upset when people follow the advice of someone else because it seems good, even if it is a plan from the mind of man, rather than from the will of God. Of course, the first truth is that we should be known as someone who inquires of God. The second truth is that we should live with a humble heart, which comes from being someone who inquires from God. Thirdly, we would be a forgiving person, based on the fact that we are known as someone who inquires from God. If we are a man or woman of God, we will also inquire first. 

Advice

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

ADVICE

2 Sam 17:1-14

17:1 Ahithophel said to Absalom, "I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed." 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel. 5 But Absalom said, "Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say." 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, "Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion." 7 Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.' 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave. 11 "So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba — as numerous as the sand on the seashore — be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a piece of it can be found." 14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel." For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

NIV

Advice is but advice; however, inquiring of the Lord is always the best course of action before doing anything. Yet, Absalom depends on other men to give him advice as if they had asked the Lord, but how is it that Ahithophel’s and Hushai’s advice are contrary to each other? Which of them inquired of the Lord, or did neither of them seek the wisdom of God for their advice to Absalom? First, we see that Ahithophel used the first person, “I would choose…….” he did not mention the Lord at all in his advice to Absalom, nor did Hushai, as he used the first person also, “So I would Advise”. We learn this lesson from both of them and their advice. Of course, Hushai is following orders from his king, David, and confusing the advice of Ahithophel, to bring disaster on Absalom. Yet, it might be their advice was still inspired by the Lord, as He had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel. Still, it would have been better for Absalom to have spent time seeking the advice of the Lord for himself.  How can someone not be confused after asking two different people for advice on what he should do? Free advice may be worthless, because it did not cost anything. Of Course, when it comes to the direction of operation of  the church, we usually have some representation of the congregation, such as a board or leadership team, or whatever title we put on this group that needs to come to agreement on how the church proceeds in its affairs of ministry. However, we believe these chosen people are seeking direction from the Lord, for He is the head of the church. We have witnessed in churches we have been associated with and on such a board that ministry was determined by the budget, rather than by the advice of God. We believe that both on the personal level and the church level that all our actions or non-actions are a result of seeking the Lord, hearing his voice, and following his directions or advice. 

Reputation

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

REPUTATION

2 Sam 16:15-23

15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 16 Then Hushai the Arkite, David's friend, went to Absalom and said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" 17 Absalom asked Hushai, "Is this the love you show your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?" 18 Hushai said to Absalom, "No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, and by all the men of Israel — his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you." 20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your advice. What should we do?" 21 Ahithophel answered, "Lie with your father's concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench in your father's nostrils, and the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened." 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he lay with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice.

NIV

This is the art of deception by Hushai the Arkite, who helped David, his king, accomplish his plan. Although the story is just getting closer to the destruction of Absalom, we are at a place where he is beginning to think he should chase down and destroy his father so to secure his throne and be the true king of all Israel. Our story is about the life of Ahithophel because in those days he gave advice like one who inquires of God. We may not always be in a position to give advice, but if we are asked for advice, it would be good before we speak to take a moment and inquire of the Lord. This is truth we need to live by, inquiring of the Lord before speaking or for that matter, doing anything that would affect others. It would be good to inquire of the Lord about all aspects of our daily lives, our plans, decisions or aspiration. However, we see that Ahithophel’s advice about Absalom laying with his father’s concubines was not advice from inquiring of the LORD, for that would have been a sinful act, yet both David and Absalom regarding the advice of Ahithophel as one who inquires of God. Would not we want to be known as someone who inquires of God? We should have that kind of reputation, being known as someone who inquires of God. Perhaps we could be asked for advice, but it is more about how we make our choices in life that matter, if we choose to  do this or that based on our desires, our plans, to get this, or get ahead, have what we want, when we want it, or if we inquire of God. Let us have a reputation  as one who inquires of the Lord. 

Learn Contentment

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

LEARN CONTENTMENT

2 Sam 16:5-14

5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul's family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king's officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David's right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! 8 The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!" 9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head." 10 But the king said, "What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?'" 11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, "My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. 12 It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today." 13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

NIV

This is certainly not a pleasant experience David and his men were having. Who would enjoy having stones thrown at them, and dirt being thrown from a hilltop as passing beneath it? Who would accept being cursed at, yelled at, and called a man of blood? How would we react to someone yelling at us, “Get out, get out, you scoundrel!” Although one of David’s men wanted to cut Shimei’s head off, David was content to receive this cursing, stoning, and dirt-throwing. He had the LORD on his mind and considered that the LORD would see this distress and repay him with good. It is the contentment of David that is our story. It is doubtful we would be stoned, although there have been churches that have received very harsh treatment from a hater of Christians. There have been shooters who have entered churches, and there have been some churches burnt to the ground. There has been cursing against people of faith. However, on the personal level, we have not had to endure that type of persecution, but there have been times that seemed difficult. There have been situations that have not been pleasant. However, whatever our situation in life, or experiences we travel through, we have to learn to be content. That is the truth of life, that we have to learn to be content because contentment is not a natural trait, for it seems easier to express discontentment about so many things in our lives. “We don’t like this”, or “We don’t like that”, “can’t you fix that?” On and on, we express something we do not like, something is, and want it another way, or have someone do something about it. This is not to say we should not fix things or change things, but our lives would be far better if we learned to be content, even when things are not going as we planned. Jesus told us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. He continued to tell us not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. This was in the context of not seeking after what the pagans run after, not to worry about what we don’t have or can’t do, not to worry about things, learn to be content in the Lord, and he will see to it that we are taken care of, that life will work out, we only need to live in his contentment.