Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 11:1

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 11:1

"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem."

This is the story of David and Bathsheba, and how one sin becomes another to cover it. I cannot read this story but think of how it never would have happened if David was where he should have been. He tarried in Jerusalem instead of in battle. David found himself in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and ended up doing the wrong things. The lesson is there is moral safety and protection when we are in the right place trying to do the right things.

Day 2437

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 10:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 10:2-3

"Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?:"

David's motive were honorable, and it was because of "fake news" that his motives were questioned and that led to war. It made me think about what a perilous time we live in because "fake news" is all around us and believed.

"These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that sowth discord among brethren."

(Proverbs 6:16-19)

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

(Revelations 12:10)

Day 2436

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 9:1, 3, 7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 9:1, 3, 7

"And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?

And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually."

Not only was David being kind to the house of Saul. He was honoring a covenant he made with his friend Jonathan. I pondered on how both keeping a promise and showing kindness is what the Lord would want us to do.

" And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul."

(1 Samuel 20:14-17)

Day 2435

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 8:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 8:10-11

"Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;"

I thought about how David's rest was short-lived if he still had to go to war. But, then again he already knew he couldn't build the temple, because he had "shed blood abundantly". It appears he may not have been able to build a temple, but he could make sure the gold and silver he obtained was dedicated to the Lord. One day those items would be used by his son.

"So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD."

(1 Kings 7:51)

"Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.

Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD."

(1 Chronicles 26:26-27)

Day 2434

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 7:1-2, 12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 7:1-2, 12-13

"And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever."

David tells Nathan the prophet that he wants to build a house for the Lord. It's interesting to think about the condition of the tabernacle that Moses built. It was about 300 years old at this point. Until then there had never been a temple built. It was a good desire, yet David is told no by the Lord. That one of his sons would build it.

Why couldn't David build the house of the Lord? It was because he had shed to much blood.

"And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:

But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days."

(1 Chronicles 22:8)

It now makes sense why the David was finally given rest from his enemies. It wasn't so much for him, it was for his children and the role they would play.

Day 2433

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 6:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 6:11-12

"And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom, and all his household.

And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness."

This made me reflect on our temples and the growth I have seen within a community when a temple has been build there. It amazes me every time I think of all the changes I have seen in American Fork since a temple was built here.

Day 2432

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 5:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 5:11-12

" And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake."

At that moment David was humble, because he knows everything that is being done for him was not because of any greatest of himself. It was because the Lord placed him there. He was just an instrument in God's hand to do His work. It made me think of how I've heard apostles say they know any honor shown to them is to the office and not of themselves. I reflected on how important humility is, for the lack of it is the only way the adversary can crack the shell of a good man and get inside.

Day 2431

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 4:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 4:10-11

"When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?"

This made me ponder on how people can become so zealous in thinking they are doing right, that they miss the mark and end up doing what is wrong. All along David has been true to not harming the Lord's anointed, or anyone that is righteous. This proved that his followers didn't really know him. It made me think about how we really need to know the Lord before we become zealous in a cause, that will only prove that we do not. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:22-23)

Day 2430

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 3:13-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 3:13-16

"And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned."

David's first wife was Saul's daughter Michal. When Saul was out to destroy David he gave Michal to other man. David now calls for her return. When I read about Michal's husband Phaltiel following behind her weeping I thought it cruel to separate them. Then I remembered the scriptures mentioned that Michal loved David. David more than likely still loved Michal and that is why he wanted her back. There could be more reasons, like strengthening his claim over Saul's kingdom with him being his son-in-law. If he treated her well it would also show he wanted to bring these kingdoms together and held no bitterness against Saul's family. There may also be some questions here on committing adultery, since Michal was still married to David and the matter didn't seem to be resolved with a divorcement. This matter did need to be resolved.

Day 2429

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 2:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 2:10

"Ish-bosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David."

The dividing of Israel into two parts wouldn't happen until after David's son king Solomon's death. I had to read what this period of separation was about.

"After Saul died, the tribes of Israel did not immediately flock to David and accept him as king. Abner, the captain of Saul’s host (his commanding general), set up one of Saul’ sons as the new king (see vv. 8–9). The tribe of Judah accepted David as king, but for seven years there was no unity, and two opposing kings reigned (see v. 11). David may have refused to take action against Ishbosheth because he had covenanted with Jonathan not to retaliate against Saul’s family when he came to power (see 1 Samuel 20:14–16)."

(Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel, "2 Samuel 1-12: The Fall of King David" (26-3)

Day 2428

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 1:12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 1:12

"And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword."

David and his men mourn, weep and fast for Saul and Jonathan that were killed. It is the fasting part of mourning that I don't see mention of today. It obviously came hand in hand in the scriptures. It surely is a sign that people are turning to God to be comforted in their grief.

"Yea, the cry of widows mourning for their husbands, and also of fathers mourning for their sons, and the daughter for the brother, yea, the brother for the father; and thus the cry of mourning was heard among all of them, mourning for their kindred who had been slain.

And now surely this was a sorrowful day; yea, a time of solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer."

(Alma 28:5-6)

Day 2427

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 31:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 31:12-13

"All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.

And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days."

When Saul the king is killed it doesn't say that Israel mourned him. What it does say is they fasted seven days. It made me wonder how Israel felt about Saul. I've only really heard how determined he was to slay David. Saul's three sons including Jonathan are killed. I know at least Jonathan was friend to David. I think no matter what Israel would show respect for their king and fasting was how they did it. Regardless of how we feel for our leaders, the office they held should be honored.

Day 2426

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 30:7-8, 23-24

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 30:7-8, 23-24

"And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike."

Because the princes of the Philistines sent David and his men back they arrived in Ziklag right after the city was burned and the women and children taken captive. David then turns to Abiathar the priest and asks for the ephod, which holds the Urim and Thummim. David inquires of the Lord if he should pursue after the Amalekites. He is told he should. I like how this question of David shows his great faith in the Lord, because he is willing to obey regardless of the answer. David leaves with 400 of his men to retrieve the captives, leaving behind 200 men to faint to follow. When the captives are recovered along with what was stolen, David's men what to divide it amongst themselves and not with the 200 men left behind. I love how David reminds them it wasn't the 400 that recovered the goods, it was the Lord. They were to share these things with the others.

Day 2425

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 29:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 29:9

"And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle."

The princes of the Philistines did not want David and his men to come with them into battle against Israel. David showed he was willing, but I think it was inspiration of the Lord that made the Philistines not want them to be there. They were sent away. As I reflected on this I thought of several times when what looks like failure, was actually the mercy of the Lord in my behalf.

Day 2424

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 28:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 28:6-7

"And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor."

I just sit here wondering how someone could think that if the Lord doesn't answer you, that getting answers through a medium is acceptable? Saul knew this wasn't right. It even says in the chapter that he "put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land." So it is with full knowledge that he turns away from the Lord, because God doesn't speak to him. What would have been better is to instead humble himself and repent before the Lord. That is why he wasn't getting any answers. He wasn't worthy, and he knew it, and he just proved it.

Day 2423

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 27:1, 4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 27:1, 4

" And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him."

This made me wonder if David was inspired of the Lord to have those thoughts and impressions, or had he given up on the Lord preserving him? I cannot say which it is, by reading this chapter. One thing is clear Saul no longer sought after David. Regardless, God is still protecting David from Saul.

I did find something interesting about this chapter in the Old Testament Student Manual.

"Although many commentators condemn this action by David, it should be noted that he was fulfilling God’s commandment given to Moses and Joshua to utterly destroy the Canaanites when Israel first came to the promised land "

(Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel, "1 Samuel 16-31: Kind David's Call to Lead Israel", (25-32)

Day 2422