Tag: Old Testament

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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 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?😸🙊💖🙏🏻💖🙊😸

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1 Samuel 23

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 23 – David hears of persecution in Keilah, asks the Lord if he should go, and goes(23:1-2).  Learn. Pray. Move.  It’s a great pattern for life.  David is a fearless protector.  His men feared (23:3), and David did not dismiss their fears, but reconfirmed with the LORD(23:4).  They were successful in rescuing the people of Keilah, and Saul learns of their location and brings his entire army.  Notice Saul says, “God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped him in a walled town.”  Some people are prone to invent what God is thinking or doing to suit their own interests.  Later, in 23:21, Saul offers the Lord’s blessing for the men who betrayed David, adding, “At last someone is concerned about me!”  Pathetic, right?  Have you ever made up what God thinks without actually praying about it?  Be cautious of throwing your own pity party; rather, let gratitude and prayer lead you through life.🙍‍♀️🙅‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙌🙆‍♂️🙅‍♂️🙎‍♂️

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    1 Samuel 22 With Bonus

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 22 – King Saul is a maniac.   He reminds me of the rock stars of the 70’s, living like they had no one to answer to,  full of abandon, destruction, and ego… except Saul takes his aggressions out on people, not just hotel rooms.   David is still in hiding, and many join him (22:2).  Saul questions the priests and orders his men to slaughter the them, but they refuse (22:15-17).  He orders Doeg, his chief shepherd to do it (we met him in 21:7).  Doeg kills 85 priests,  then seeks out their families and livestock.  Only one escapes, Abiathar, who runs to David and is offered protection(22:20-23).  My blood is boiling with outrage at the atrocities! 💔😡😭✝️😭😡💔 

    Bonus edition:   SHEPHERDS

    Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd.   He says the sheep hear His voice and follow Him. See:  Matthew 10, John 10, Revelation 7.

    King David was a shepherd.   Those days and nights in the field taught him to fight off attackers,  to rescue, to care for a flock and to ponder the mysteries of God. See 1 Samuel 16:11, 17:34-37, Psalm 23 

    Doeg was a shepherd.   The same skills David used for good,  he used for evil when he slaughtered the priests and their families.   Evil will always try to imitate God. See 1 Samuel 21-22

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    1 Samuel 21

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 21 – David is a quick thinker.  David goes to the priest,  Ahimelech, for food and weapons.   He is offered the priests bread… Jesus will refer to this when defending his apostles for eating grain on the sabbath by saying: THE SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN, AND NOT MAN FOR THE SABBATH (Mark 2:27).  Human needs rise above legalism. The priest has one weapon to offer, it is the very sword of Goliath.  David moves on to a Philistine community,  ruled by King Achish, whose officers recognize David and know he is the king of the land (21:11).  David tricks them into thinking him insane (21:13) as a means to escape.   Sometimes it’s hard to know where to turn for help, and when you realize you’re in bad company,  it’s time to use every trick in the book. 🥖🗡😛🙏🏻😜🗡🥖

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    1 Samuel 20

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 20 – Dealing with broken people, especially broken people you love, is a complicated endeavor.  As David confesses his concern to Jonathon, Jonathan denies the need for concern (20:2).  They come up with a plan to determine the king’s motives, David hides, and just before they part, Jonathan says something that pierced my heart.  “May the Lord be with you as he used to be with my father.”  20:13b  Jonathon could plainly see the change in his father.  Saul reveals the ugliness of his rage when he learns that David will not be at the celebration.  He lashes out thoughtlessly, even trying to kill his own son, Jonathon, by throwing a spear at him (20:30-33).  Jonathan and David agree it is best for David to leave town.  Have you ever experienced rage like Sauls?  Your own or a loved ones?  What were the consequences? In hindsight, can you see God’s protection in the chaos? 😡😪👬🙏🏻👭😪😡

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    1 Samuel 19

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 19 – So much drama!  Jealousy is consuming king Saul so much that he is urging his servants and Jonathon (Saul’s son/David’s best friend) to kill David.  Jonathon urges David to hide while he speaks to his father, reminding him of David’s faithful service.  This ends with Saul making a vow to not kill David (19:6).  There are two great points here: when you are angry with someone, consider the whole person and not just the moment that frustrates you – and, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:33-37, don’t even swear an oath, simply make your yes be yes, and your no, be no.  Soon after Saul’s vow, the tormenting spirit comes over him once more,and he throws a spear at David.  David dodges it and flee’s.  Remember, David is an incredible warrior, it would have been a simple thing for him to kill Saul in defense, but David honors the king by fleeing.  More plots to kill David result in him seeking refuge with Samuel.  Everyone, including the king, comes to kill David and instead is overcome by the Spirit of God and begins to prophesy (19:20,21,23).  One would think this blessed occurrence would change a person… stay tuned!  

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    1 Samuel 18

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 18 – I was 4 when my family moved to a new home.   I was in my new backyard, feeling lost and lonely when two little girls appeared from over the back fence. There was an immediate bond of friendship in that moment that continues to this day, much like we read about between Jonathon and David (18:1-4).  A lifelong friend is such a blessing from God. David continues to gain notoriety and respect throughout chapter 18, while king Saul’s jealously and fear grows.   Saul tried to kill David personally (18:11) and by sending him to battle (18:17,21,25).  The Lord was with David and brought him victory at every challenge.   Beloved,  lean into Jesus and watch His hand of protection over your life no matter what you are up against. 👬😠😇🙌😇😠👭

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    1 Samuel 17

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 17 – This should be a familiar story, yet the bible is so much more exciting than the Sunday school books!  Young David brings his brother’s lunch out on the battlefield and hears the giant, Goliath, taunting.  Goliath is 9’ tall and mouthy (17:4-8).  He has been harassing the Israeli army for 40 days when David comes on scene(17:16).  David inquires about the situation and his brothers give him grief (17:28).  King Saul hears about this and speaks to David.  David assures the king, he has had to fight off lion and bear in defending his sheep, the God who rescued him from those situations will rescue him from the Philistine – all glory to God (17:34-36).  Do you have this kind of faith?  It doesn’t seem to occur to David to fear the giant; David belongs to God. The God of Heaven’s Armies will slay this giant!  Keep reading, David’s faith will remind you to have courage in the face of trouble.  What else stands out to you? 🗡🦁🤺💖🤺🦁🗡