Tag Archive: David


The Book of Psalms

“Imperfect as he is, David has a pure heart, best seen in the many songs (or psalms) which he writes.  The contents of his songs reveal a wide-ranging spiritual sensitivity, from deepest sorrow to highest joy. 

A collection of these songs, known as the Psalms, contains songs not only by David and Solomon but also by the sons of Korah who were assigned to the ministry of songs.  Even a song of Moses is included (Psalm 90).  The psalms which follow are arranged within five major topical groupings.”

Psalms of the Troubled Soul

“In the first grouping of psalms, the fears of one whose enemies beset him on every hand are reflected.  Often the enemy is a former friend or companion of the one oppressed.  In all, these psalms speak to anyone who has ever known persecution for righteousness, or anyone who feels betrayed or alone in the midst of a hostile world.”

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS    Psalm 5

PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM ENEMIES     Psalm 6

PRAYER FOR REFUGE FROM ENEMIES     Psalm 7

PRAYER FOR RELIEF FROM OPPRESSION BY THE WICKED     Psalm 10

SECURITY OF RIGHTEOUS FROM THREATS OF THE WICKED     Psalm 11

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

“David calls all the leaders together for a national convention, where he addresses them regarding the need for unity and mutual support, particularly in the building of the temple.”

Read: 1 Chronicles 26:12-32, and chapters 27, 28, 29

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

The National Convention

“David moves to provide a smooth transition of government from himself to Solomon.  Realizing Solomon’s youth and inexperience, David takes great pains to organize his governmental officials and religious leaders.  At both the beginning and the end of the convention, Solomon is presented as the king-designate to follow his father on the royal throne.”

Read: 1 Chronicles chapters  23, 24, 25 and 26:1-11

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

Two Major Calamities

“A famine befalls Israel as a consequence of the late King Saul’s attempt to exterminate the Gibeonites — a violation of the agreement of protection made years earlier by Joshua and the nation of Israel.  The incident teaches something about the relationship between moral and physical evil and also the significance in God’s eyes of sins long forgotten by man.

The second is death-causing pestilence brought on by David’s decision (somehow incited by Satan) to number his army.  With the nation of Israel basically secure at this point, David’s motive for ordering such a count could perhaps be seen as selfish ambition for aggressive expansionism.  Even now, David’s redeeming quality is his genuine sorrow for his sins and his willingness to confess them.  It should also be noted that David has forgiven Saul and the many others who have wronged him in the same way that God forgives David.”

Read: 2 Samuel 21:1-14, 2 Samuel 24/1 Chronicles 21

Preparations for Building the Temple

“David now makes preparation for the building of a permanent temple.  The site he chooses, a simple threshing floor, is not a surprising one in view of his most recent experience.  It must grieve David to realize that he himself will not erect this magnificent edifice of worship.  Yet he cannot help but play some part in its inception, and thus he begins to organize the project.”

Read: 1 Chronicles 22, Psalm 30

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

Read: 2 Samuel 19:5-43 and chapter 20

The Daily Bible doesn’t give commentary on today’s reading.  What I find interesting, yet not surprising, is how fickle people can be.  Most of Israel was following the rebel leader Absalom, until God thwarted that plan and sent Absalom to his death resulting in the crowds quickly spinning on their heels, wanting David back as their leader.

Isn’t it interesting how easily swayed we can be by the ebb and flow of a crowd…to fit in… to be part of a majority?  As Christ followers, we are not to follow the majority.  Like the Israelites, ‘God’s chosen people’, we are to be set apart, to obey and live for Him…but also like ‘God’s chosen’, we can be so fickle.

“…We must obey God rather than men.”   Acts 5:29

But not the “wise woman” of Abel at the time of Sheba’s rebellion.  One unnamed woman speaks out apart from the crowd cowering inside the city of Abel where Sheba found refuge.  Awaiting the onslaught and ruin of their city from the forces of Joab just outside, this woman braved the warriors and bargained with Joab to save the city.

Because of her bravery and her willingness to obey God by speaking out, she singlehandedly saved the innocent inhabitants and ruin of her city…throwing Sheba’s head over the wall instead.

Joab_and_the_wise_woman

Read: 2 Samuel 16:15-23, chapters 17 & 18 and 19:1-4

This is my fear.  My children growing up not walking with the Lord.

The Daily Bible doesn’t give commentary for today’s reading, but it’s a continuation of Absolom seeking to take the throne for himself and  killing his father, David, to do it.

How did this come to pass?  What did David do wrong as a parent?  Was Absalom just born to defy David and to want the throne for himself?  Possibly.  It is so hard to understand God’s plans…but through this trial, David turns only to God, above all else, as seen in yesterday’s reading in David’s prayer of desperation. (Psalm 3)

Poor David…a “man after God’s own heart.”  The epitome of a good Christian and yet after all he has been through, David’s greatest heartache is seen through the loss of his son.

“The king covered his face and cried out with a loud voice, ‘O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!'”   2 Samuel 19:4

 

Related Articles:
The Practice of Preaching: Forgiveness   (eiushomilia.wordpress.com)

“David has been blessed abundantly, but not with the loyalty of his son Absalom.  The account of Absalom’s rebellion provides an insight into the political intrigue of David’s time and a further insight into the heart of this extraordinary king.”

Read: 2 Samuel 14:25-33, chapter 15, 16:1-14, Psalm 3

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

Absalom’s Rebellion

“Perhaps nothing is sadder for a righteous father than to be burdened with a rebellious son — a son who so envies his father’s power that he is willing to oppose him openly and to disgrace him in every possible way.

As the historical record of this period begins, there is record of the birth of David’s son Solomon.  Solomon will prove to be of an altogether different character from that of his brother, and will one day succeed his father on the throne.”

Read: 2 Samuel 12:24-25, 2 Samuel 5:13-16/1 Chronicles 3:4-9/1 Chronicles 14:3-7, 2 Samuel 13, 14:1-24

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

Read: 2 Samuel 12:18-31/1 Chronicles 20:1-3, 2 Samuel 8/1 Chronicles 18, 1 Chronicles 11:10, 2 Samuel 23:8-39/1 Chronicles 11:11-47

The Daily Bible doesn’t give commentary on today’s reading and I’m kind of glad it doesn’t.  Don’t get me wrong, I fully enjoy the commentary that this chronological Bible offers, but it doesn’t focus enough on some of the people we read about.  One such person is David.

In yesterday’s reading, I saw how unlike David I am.  David makes some poor choices (ok, not so unlike him there); he commits adultery and plots a murder to get what he wants.  Then when his friend and prophet of God confronts him about it, exposing David’s sin, it’s in David’s response that I don’t recognize myself.

David writes a psalm.

psalm 51Psalm 51

I wouldn’t have done that.  My pride would’ve reared it’s ugly head, raising back and puffing up in anger, revealing a threatening hood of embarrassment, hissing and spewing hate toward the person who called me out.  I’m pretty certain I would not have responded in anguish, humility and love.

But David did.  David realized what he had done and immediately falls prostrate, begging for God’s forgiveness and of course he gets it… but along with disobedience comes punishment.

Today’s reading reveals more of David’s heart.  David’s baby that Bathsheba gave birth to is now deathly ill.  David is beside himself, pleading for God to spare this child, fasting and weeping for 7 days.

2 Samuel 12

David’s attendants were even afraid to tell David when the baby dies because of how violently David had mourned him during this illness.  But oh to have a heart like David…to realize that even though God didn’t give him what he truly wanted, God’s plans are best.

And do you see how God blesses David for his faithfulness?  If you keep reading…

“Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her; and she gave birth to a son, and he named him…”   1 Samuel 12:24

Solomon.

Period of the Wars

“David battles almost constantly with Israel’s enemies, including the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Ammonites.  Yet in the midst of defending his kingdom and spreading its borders offensively, David falls victim to his own lust and becomes both an adulterer and a murderer.  David’s subsequent repentance and upright attitude show why, despite such serious offenses, he will later be called a man after God’s own heart.”

Read: 2 Samuel 21:15-22/1 Chronicles 20:4-8, 2 Samuel 8:1/1 Chronicles 18:1, 2 Samuel 10/1 Chronicles 19, Psalm 60, 2 Samuel 11/1 Chronicles 20:1a, 2 Samuel 12:1-17, Psalm 51

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.
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