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2 Samuel 2

judyinthesky91

Read 2 Samuel 2 – David was a youth tending his father’s sheep when he was first anointed king of Israel… it is now roughly 15 years later; he has been living in the land of Philistia, and he asks the Lord if he should move back.  The Lord directs David to Hebron in Judah.  Note the humility of David to pray and seek God’s will first.  He gives gratitude to those who gave Saul a proper burial, and asks for their loyalty – again, he asks and does not demand.  Meanwhile, Saul’s general, Abner, appoints Isbosheth, king of Israel… the kingdom is divided between Judah and Israel, and a civil war breaks out.  Abner (Israel’s general) retreats.  Joab (Judah’s general) chases them.  Abner asks if they are just going to keep killing one another?  Joab blows the rams horn and the fighting stops.  Civil wars are horrible, and perhaps the very worst is the civil war that rages between the Holy Spirit and our sin nature.  What area of your life is King Self still trying to rule over King Jesus?  Call the cease fire.  Surrender to Jesus’s lead of your life.🙏🏻👑☝️🏳✌👑🙏🏻

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2 Samuel

judyinthesky91

Read 2 Samuel 1 – Remember, these two great battles happened at the same time.  1 Samuel closed with David being sent back to Ziklag only to discover the city burned and his family in need of rescue.  While he and his men were attacking the Amalekites, Saul and Jonathon were dying on the battlefield, against the Philistines.  From that read, we know how Saul died, and that he was truly dead before his loyal armor bearer took his own life (1 Samuel 31:5).  

So, this account from the man with the torn clothing (1:2) is odd.  He says Saul wasn’t dead, but begged the man to kill him, so he did.  He was undoubtedly expecting a reward for his story, but was instead condemned by his actions and killed for his confession of taking the Lord’s anointed (1:16).  

Let that sink in.   Truth mixed with lies, lies for personal gain, only fools one’s own ego.  Jesus is not fooled.  His mercy is for the surrendered heart.  A deceit- filled heart will be dealt with as surely as David dealt with this Amalekite.

(1:17-27) David composes a funeral song for Saul and Jonathon that is beautiful, and will memorialize them for the people of Judah… and us when you think about it.  👑😭👎💔🙏🏻🤺🎶

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1 Samuel 31

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 31 – Saul, his three sons (including David’s best friend, Jonathon) and his troops are conquered by the Philistines. Saul actually sees that there is no escape,  and falls on his own sword, as does his armor bearer.  The Philistines go to barbaric measures in celebration of their victory. Jabesh-gilliad, from the tribe of Benjamin, rallied their warriors, retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons, and gave them an honorable burial. Then they fasted for seven days and 1 Samuel ends.   Kind of.  The book of Samuel was originally one, but later divided due to its length. 

 We will pick up 2 Samuel tomorrow.  For today though, reflect on what the Lord wants to teach you through the life of king Saul.  He had the Lord’s favor, and rejected Him, and the Lord removed His favor. Saul’s life was a wreck from then on, ego,  paranoia, and pride ruled Saul’s heart.   Is anything standing between you and the Lord?  Are you trying so hard to be king of your world – that you are rejecting the true King, Jesus?  Don’t be like Saul.  Repent and return, Jesus is right there with so much LOVE to pour over you! ☝️🙇‍♀️🙏🏻❤🙏🏻🙇‍♂️☝️

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1 Samuel 30

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 30 – In the adventure of these verses, we really get a glimpse at David’s heart.  He returns with his men to their home in Ziklag. They discover their town burned to the ground by the Amalekites.  All wives and children have been stolen, and everything of value was also taken by the raiders.  Vs. 4 says ‘the men wept until they could weep no more’, and I found this to be so tender, but then David is in danger of being stoned by his men – grief has a violent side that longs to lash out at the injustice of what was taken.  David navigated their rage by turning to the Lord for wisdom (30:6-8).  The LORD assured David of victory, so David and his 600 men set out against the Amalekites.  The pursuit was so aggressive that 200 of the 600 men were too exhausted to cross the brook, and stayed behind.  After victory, when they met up with the 200 again, some of David’s men didn’t want to share all that was recovered, but David reminded them the victory belonged to God (30:23).  He also sent gifts back to Judah, and all the other towns he and his men had visited.  God loves a cheerful giver.😭🤺😊🙏🏻😍💑💰

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1 Samuel 29

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 29 – This is a quick chapter.   The Philistine army is marching out against Israel.  King Achish is behind the troops with David and his men (29:2).  The Philistine commanders do not trust the Hebrews and demand they go back.  The king does not agree,  but he honors the commanders and tells David to return.  David isn’t happy about this,  but he does as king Achish requests.   What do you think would have happened had David gone into battle?  When circumstances in your life don’t go as planned,  do you trust that God is still in control, and has purpose in the roadblock?   The Lord certainly had great purpose in sending David back to Ziklag…. But that’s in our next chapter.  Today has enough troubles of its own. Let’s close with Proverbs 19:21 MANY ARE THE PLANS IN A PERSON’S HEART, BUT IT IS THE LORD’S PURPOSE THAT PREVAILS. 📊📉❤☝️❤📈📊

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1 Samuel 28

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 28 – David is called into service by king Achish.  He puts David over his entire security detail, as the kings personal body guard for life.  Saul learns of this impending threat, and makes one more foolish choice.  He continues rejecting the Lord.  Instead of seeking the Lord with repentance, he seeks out a medium to summon Samuel from the dead!  The medium is reluctant and then downright fearful when she realized what she had done.  Samuel is not pleased, but delivers the dismal truth. Have you ever been in trouble and looked everywhere but up? Jesus is RIGHT THERE just waiting to hear from you. ☝️🙏🏻☝️❤🙏🏻☝️🙏🏻

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1 Samuel 27

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 27 – David understood Saul would never stop hunting him,  so he sought refuge among the Philistines.  David’s relationship with king Achish seems to be a web of mutual respect and deceit.   Achish wants David to be his slave, and believes him to be waging war against the Israeli town’s.   David is actually picking off the Philistine towns, killing everyone so that no one can testify against him.   This is a curious chapter to me.   It seems out of character for a man after God’s own heart to raid towns and lie about it.  Notice God is not mentioned in ch 27.  David seems to be acting on his own accord, and not leaning into the Lord.  Can you recall a season adrift? Were you the master of your universe?   It is a heavy life to live. But take heart because God never gives up on you. 🌐🏰🌒👎🌘🏰🌐

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1 Samuel 26

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 26 – Can you picture it?  If it was a movie, would the director give it a comedic flare or cue in the dramatic music?  David and Abishai slip into Saul’s enemy camp – through 3,000 sleeping soldiers, to Saul and Abner who were in the center.  This is what God’s favor looks like (26:12).  David and Abishai whisper over what to do next.  David forbids the killing of Saul, again because he is God’s anointed, but instead takes his spear and water jug, and moves a safe distance away, and begins taunting Saul and his troops.  King Saul responds, calling him, “David, my son” (26:17)  Talk about a dysfunctional relationship!  Saul repents to David, asks him to come home and says he will not harm him (26:21).  This sounds a lot like the cave scene in chapter 24.  Have you ever shown grace to a difficult person?  It will reveal your true heart.  I am awed by David’s lead.  His men did not take matters into their own hands even though their lives were also in jeopardy.  Patience, courage, loyalty and faith are revealed in our chapter.  ⏳🛡🦁📖🦁🛡⏳

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1 Samuel 25

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 25 – Samuel… the one Hannah prayed for… the one entrusted to the Lord… the one who never lost his way and appointed king Saul and David at the Lord’s direction… Samuel dies (25:1), yet, his legacy continues through the life of King David. 

Legacy, who made you the person you are and what about you will live on in your loved ones?

  Perhaps David was grieving when he moved down to the wilderness of Maon. The transition of grief is a messy job as a person moves from who they were, walking alongside their loved one, to who they are walking without them. 

Here in Maon, we meet Nabal and Abigail. The bible tells us that Nabal means fool, and he certainly is.  But I love Abigail!  I love how she keeps her wits and does the right thing despite the bad choices of her husband.   Her servants trust her in the face of disaster (25:14-17), and she wastes no time in response.  She humbly approaches David, taking responsibility and reminding David of who he was.  Her actions changed everything; she earned David’s gratitude (25:33), and saved her people from slaughter.  Abigail didn’t let her husbands sloppy life ruin hers. In the end, the Lord rescued Abigail from her difficult marriage and she became the wife of King David.  🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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1 Samuel 24

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 24 – Humility is strength restrained.  Humility is a fear of the Lord God Almighty that comes before ones human responses.  David’s men interpret Sauls selecting the very cave they were hiding in to relieve himself as a sign from God.  It can be tempting to want something so much that you read circumstances as the Lord’s favor, without giving the matter prayerful discernment.  David doesn’t kill Saul out of reverence for God; Saul was chosen by God and to harm him would be to dishonor the Lord.  David did cut a piece of Saul’s robe – which was culturally considered an extension of a ruler’s royal essence, and this simple act gave David great remorse(24:4-5).  After the king was out of the cave, David called out to him and made him aware of his mercy.  Saul seems to experience true remorse and understanding that David will be king after him.  Does your heart align with David?  Will you live humble?😸🙊💖🙏🏻💖🙊😸