Read the Bible in One Year!

King David at the End of his Life Scripture March 31—2 Samuel 21-24: David's Final Words and Works Observation Years of ruling the nation and getting into and out of trouble have taken their toll on David, leaving him faint in battle and feeble in old age. But though David can no longer pursue the enemy, problems continue to pursue him to the very end of his reign. A broken treaty with the Gibeonites results in three years of famine; a sinful census leads to the deaths of 70,000 Israelites. But in each case, David repents of his sinful ways and assumes the familiar posture of a worshiper of God—the hallmark of his life. To the end of his days David remains a man after God's own heart. Application When called upon to support the work of God with your money, do you give till it hurts or it hurt when you give? David provides a valuable model in the matter of givi...

David Back on the Throne Scripture March 30—2 Samuel 19-20: David Restored to the Throne Observation David's unceasing grief for Absalom at the expense of those who risked their lives for the king prompts an abrupt but effective confrontation with General Joab. A king's personal feelings must give way to the good of the nation. And so, accompanied by his faithful followers, David begins his triumphal return to Jerusalem. His reestablishment as king in Israel marks the return of discontent in the nation. Jealousy between the tribes, an attempted coup by Sheba, murder in the palace guard—the violence is a continual reminder that "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown." Application Think back over the chapters we read in 2 Samuel, and let's make a list of our impressions of Joab, David's general. Every leader needs a man like Joab around. For all ...

Absalom's Hair-Raising Death Scripture March 29—2 Samuel 15-18: Absalom's Attempt to Overthrow David Observation Incest, murder, intrigue, rebellion—the story of David's family from chapter 12 on reads like a horror story. But the worst is yet to come. Absalom, David's favorite and most undisciplined son, seizes the opportunity to upsurp his father's throne. After sowing discontent among the people, Absalom makes a dramatic and unsuspected invasion of Jerusalem, forcing David to flee for his life. In his flight David is deceived by Ziba, maligned by Shimei and befriended by Barzilla! But he owes his life largely to Hushai, who remains behind in Jerusalem and counsels Absalom to mount a careful and delayed attack, rather than pursue immediately. When the battle is joined in the forest of Ephraim, Absalom's dreams of power come to a "hair-raising" end. ...

We Give You Praise and Thanks! Weekly Devotional March 28— Psalm 29-30 : Song of Praise and Testimony Thanks Reflection Saul and Jonathan have died, and David has assumed the throne of Israel. But his acceptance by the people comes slowly and with difficulty. When opposition is removed, however, the unified nation begins to blossom under God's blessing. But David's walk with God is tripped up when he yields to sin and seeks to cover it up. Though God forgives David after Nathan confronts him, the consequences will haunt him for years. David had much to be thankful for, and yet he nearly lost it all. Let's take the time to build our relationship with God on a firm foundation, as we learn from Psalms 29 and 30 how to praise and thank the Lord. Praise and Thanks "Praise" and "thanks." Are they synonymous or is there a difference between them. Psalms 29 and 30 provide a helpful illustration of the difference. Psal...

David on Rooftop Watching Bathsheba Bath Below Scripture March 27—2 Samuel 11-14: David's Sin and God's Judgment Observation The course of a person's life can pivot on one small event. Such is the case with David idling around the palace instead of fighting on the battlefield. David sets himself up for disaster. A chance look leads to lust, which gives birth to sin, which in turn results in death. But even in his darkest moment, the "man after God's own heart" shows his true character. When confronted with his sin by Nathan the prophet, David responds in wholehearted repentance. Though he experiences God's forgiveness, the seeds of sin have been planted. All too soon David will reap the harvest of that sin. Application The crash of the giant redwood could be heard for miles. But the question on everyone's mind lingered long after the sound had died a...

David and Mephibosheth—Grace on Display Scripture March 26—2 Samuel 8-10: David's Reign over an Enlarging Nation Observation Once David has consolidated his nation politically and religiously, he turns to the task of being God's man of war. By subduing the neighboring nations David extends the borders of Israel. Philistia to the southwest, Amalek to the south, Edom, Moab, and Ammon to the east, Syria to the northeast, Zobah to the north—each succumbs to David's withering assault. But though a warrior by trade, David maintains a tender heart. He seeks out and befriends the sole surviving heir of Saul's dynasty, a lame grandson named Mephibosheth, by making him part of the king's family. Application Insurance companies today have a name for those who apply for insurance while suffering from heart disease, or a family history of premature death. They call such individual...

David Bring Ark to Jerusalem Scripture March 25—2 Samuel 5-7: David's Reign over United Kingdom Observation The internal strife has ended at last, and David is firmly established as king over a nation that's united. Now in his first official act as monarch, he relocates the capital of the nation from Hebron to Jerusalem. In addition to Jerusalem becoming the political center of Israel, David now makes it the religious center as well by transporting the Ark from Gibeah. At last David is ready to see the fulfillment of a lifelong dream: the construction of a fitting house for God. But, through the prophet Nathan, God redirects those plans. Because David has been a man of war, it must be left to his son Solomon whose name means peace to build God's house. But while David will not be permitted to build a house for God, God will build a house for David: a throne, family, and kingdom that will s...

King David 2 Samuel Introduction The life story of King David—whom God called "a man after my own heart" (Acts 13:22)—unfolds in 2 Samuel. Following the death of Saul, David rules first over Judah, then over a united Israel. The greatest of Israel's kings, David's political and military victories bring Israel to a place of world prominence. But the secret sins of his personal life ultimately bring his downfall. A lustful look at beautiful Bathsheba leads to adultery and murder, then to insurrection, civil war, and unrest. Scripture March 24—2 Samuel 1-4: Samuel's David's Reign over a Divided Nation Observation The book of 2 Samuel opens where 1 Samuel closed—with the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. David's lament over the loss of his closest personal friend and of God's anointed is captured in a moving song with the repeated refrain, "The mighty ones have falle...

"Death of King Saul", 1848 by Elie Marcuse (Germany and France, 1817–1902) Scripture March 23—1 Samuel 27-31: Saul's Final Downfall and Death Observation The book of 1 Samuel closes with a climactic series of events, leading to the death of Saul and his sons and clearing the way for David's ascent to the throne. Disheartened and weary, David defects to the Philistines for his own protection and settles in Gath, the very city from which Goliath came! He finds himself using deception to avoid siding with the Philistines in the growing hostilities against Israel. Saul, unable to find direction from God, consults a spiritist through whom God delivers a chilling prediction of judgment and death. Application In modern English the word tragedy is used to describe any adversity, no matter what its cause. But more specifically, a tragedy is a calamity that results ...

David Spares Saul's Life Scripture March 22—1 Samuel 24-26: David's Encounters with Saul Observation After a brief delay to deal with the Philistine problem, Saul returns to take up the pursuit of David. His renewed zeal nearly pays off as he unknowingly traps David and his men in a cave. Then miraculously the tables are turned as David stands poised over the sleeping form of Saul with the power of life and death in his hand. And though vengeance is within his reach, David refuses to lift his hand against the lord's anointed king. Again in chapter 26 the scene is repeated, this time in the wilderness of Ziph. Once again David must make a choice. Once again the source of David's anxiety is only a sword's trust away. And once again David resists the temptation to play the role of God by snuffing out Saul's life. Application If circumstances alone formed ...

A Good Shepherd Weekly Devotional March 21— Psalm 23 : My Guide and Protector Reflection Samuel's life starts with dedication to the Lord, and as a faithful servant of the Lord he becomes the transition figure from the judges to the kings. As the conscience of the nation, he oversees the reign of Saul, whose promising beginning as king is soon cut short by rebellion against God. And so a young shepherd boy is anointed king, despite the fact that Saul holds on stubbornly to his crown. The humble shepherd boy is groomed to lead God's nation. But he himself put his trust in God, who is our loving, caring, heavenly Shepherd. David recorded his thoughts about the Lord in Psalm 23. Let's use his words as a springboard for our own praise and worship of God today. Guidance and Protection Some of the most noted men in Scripture were shepherds. Here are just a few: Joseph was a shepherd (Genesis 37:2). Along with his eleven brothers, he tend...

Saul Hunting Down David Scripture March 20—1 Samuel 20-23: David's Escape from Saul Observation Jonathan promises to help David by discovering whether Saul's anger is a passing mood or for real. He finds the latter true and in the process incurs his father's wrath upon himself. There can be only one course of action if David is to live to take the throne. He must flee for his life. His path of escape takes him first to Nob, where he secures food and weapons for his journey. From there he flees to Gath, then to the cave of Adullam where a band of relatives and outcasts joins him. Driven to the wilderness of Ziph by Saul's advancing search party, David finds his life in constant jeopardy. Application Can you rejoice when others are preferred over you? Can you remain a loyal and sincere friend when someone else gets the promotion that by rights should have been yours...

David and Jonathan Scripture March 19—1 Samuel 16-19: David in the Court of Saul Observation Samuel still grieving over Saul's sin, is instructed by God to anoint a new king—an unlikely young candidate from the family of Jesse. David's obscurity is short-lived, however. After he is enlisted by Saul to play the harp in the king's court, David meets and defeats the Philistine giant, Goliath. But the more David seeks to serve the king, the more his reputation enrages Saul, leaving his very life in jeopardy. Not even David's close friendship with Saul's son Jonathan can bring him immunity from Saul's attacks. Application How many close friends do you have? Not simply acquaintances or co-workers or neighbors, but the kind of friend "who stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)? David found that having a true friend can be more than valuable. On occasion,...

God Rejected Saul as King Scripture March 18—1 Samuel 13-15: Saul, Disobedient and Rejected Observation Saul's promising beginning as king over Israel is all too brief. In today's reading he reveals attitudes and actions that ultimately lead to his rejection by God. Presumption, rationalization, pride, stubbornness, and outright disobedience mark the latter years of his reign, until finally Samuel delivers a make-or-break assignment: "Completely destroy the Amalekites." Electing to do only part of God's will, Saul preserves alive the best of the livestock "to sacrifice them to the Lord" (15:15) and spares Agag, the Amalekite king. When confronted with his disobedience, Saul passes the blame to the people, causing Samuel to deliver God's verdict: "He has rejected you from being king." Application The tragedy of Saul's life is the sharp c...

Samuel Anoints Saul King of the Iraelites! Scripture March 17—1 Samuel 9-12: Saul, First King of Israel Observation In response to the Israelites' persistent request for a king, God grants their wish. Saul, a handsome figure from the tribe of Benjamin, goes searching for a lost donkey, and instead finds Samuel, who anoints him king over Israel. Saul promptly leads the nation in battle against the Ammonites, wins a decisive victory, and humbly refuses to punish those who would not acknowledge him as king. But though early in his reign Saul honors God, Samuel warns the people of the danger of not allowing God to be the king of their hearts: "If you continue to sin, you and your king shall be destroyed" (12:25) . Application A hard to control little boy was told by his mother to sit quietly in a chair. He grudgingly obliged, but after taking his seat he announced, "I may be ...