Daily Bible Devotionals

“So they went up toward the city. Saul and his attendant were entering the city when they saw Samuel coming toward them on his way to the high place. Now the day before Saul’s arrival, the Lord had informed Samuel, ‘At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over My people Israel. He will save them from the hand of the Philistines because I have seen the affliction of My people, for their cry has come to Me.’ When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told Him, ‘Here is the man I told you about; he will rule over My people.’” 1 Samuel 9:14-17 (HCSB)

“Providence” is God’s way of providing for the needs of His people. In a wonderful, strange, mysteriously unpredictable way, the Lord rules His world and sustains His people. And He does it frequently by going over, under, around, through, or in spite of the most common stuff in our lives. He works His will, even when it is against our will. God is always deliberately working, even though we are unaware of His presence. That is why it is of utmost importance to align ourselves with Him. He always wins.

Saul’s rise to power all seemed so casual; who would know it was planned? God wove people & situations together so well that it looks like we are dealing with what organically appeared rather than what was ordained: lose some donkeys, find a kingdom.

The ignorant onlooker might say that Saul was lucky. He was in the right place at the right time. Perhaps, they would say Saul’s charisma overwhelmed an aged prophet desperate for a successor. But God tells us He orchestrated everything. He allowed the donkeys to go missing; He prompted Saul’s father to send Saul after them; He told Samuel He was sending Israel’s king, and in the moment, He told Samuel exactly who that king would be. Saul is detached, designated, and disclosed by God.

The Lord’s providence not only operates in the affairs of major figures in salvation history; He also directs our paths.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs His steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

“Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, how then can man understand his way?” Proverbs 20:24 (NASB)

So, providence is not the exclusive privilege of some kingdom elite; it extends to each of His people, no matter how apparently common. However, He may not let you in on the secret. You may see traces of what He has been doing much later as you look back, but in the present, you may be just as in the dark as Saul was. If so, you must continue searching for your lost donkeys (or whatever task God has given you). But do so, knowing God is leading, teaching you along the way how to accomplish the things He has prepared for you. It is not as if our relationship with Him is not dynamic. There is a call and response. Our choices make a difference, yet we choose to follow His Word, knowing He does not need us. Rather, He loves us and chooses to interact with us. Our participation in the process is to seek His Word, trusting in Him as we obey and share it.

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” 1 Samuel 8:4-7 (NKJV)

Growing up in Arkansas, my family had a persimmon tree in the backyard. Unripe persimmons are numbingly bitter! Unripe persimmons also look a lot like plums. So, one day my brother decided to prank me by placing a few unripe persimmons at the top of a bag of plums, and offered me one. There he stood, eating a nice plum, offering the bag to me. Of course I wanted one! Everything about the situation said “yes” until I took a bite!!

Because some of our idolatry can seem so sophisticated and appear so reasonable, it can be extremely difficult to detect. But God's eye penetrates the fog. Samuel experienced from his own people what Jesus, Moses, and the prophets experienced:

“We don’t want this man to rule over us.” Luke 19:14b (HCSB)

We have an aversion to holiness, the same as Biblical Israel did. By “aversion,” I simply mean that we do not like to be different, for God’s sake. Do you recall the last time you shared your faith with the intent to lead another person to the Lord? Most believers have NEVER shared their faith. Why? They say they don’t like the feeling of being rejected or judged for being different. Most believers want the benefits of following Jesus (salvation, eternal life), but when given a choice, their decisions reveal they would rather have a “king like all the other nations.”

Believer, your distinction from the world is not a curse! It is the sign that your Savior is able to effect drastic change in the lives of sinners!

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove [discern] what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

We do not naturally like to be distinctly “God’s.” We would rather blend into the world, waiting out our time until the Last Days trumpet sounds. When we refuse to engage in spiritual battle, as the Lord prescribes in His Word, we become like that military deserter who refuses to fight yet refuses to leave the regiment. We show up for roll call and the chow hall, but when the battle ensues, we hide behind a tree, waiting for it to all be over. GET INTO THE BATTLE! Serve the King, Whose Kingdom is UNLIKE all the other nations, and trust Him to lead others into His Kingdom through your bold, courageous, and gracious testimony.

“Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-Gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, ‘Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.’ Nahash the Ammonite replied, ‘I’ll make a covenant with you on this condition: that I gouge out everyone’s right eye and humiliate all Israel.’ ‘Don’t do anything to us for seven days,’ the elders of Jabesh said to him, ‘and let us send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will surrender to you.’” 1 Samuel 11:1-3 (HCSB)

Such is the arrogance the world has for God’s people! The Ammonite mind was not to simply defeat the people and exploit their resources but to humiliate and mock them.

So, why gouge out an eye, and the right eye for that matter? Most people are right-handed. Try closing your right eye and waving your right hand. No matter how frantically you wave it, your hand does not come into sight until it is almost to your nose. Now, take into consideration a man in battle. He carries a sword in his right hand and holds a shield over his left eye as he marches forth, slashing away.

By gouging out the right eye of every man, the Ammonites are ensuring never-ending subservience, for it made most men unfit for military service. Notice Nahash’s plan was to eventually humiliate ALL Israel, perhaps, one tribe at a time. In his arrogance and overconfidence, Nahash made a crucial slip-up. He gave the men of Jabesh-Gilead an opportunity to gather support. Even today, the Enemy picks us off, one by one, because he is confident Christians will not work together. Nor does he believe Christians will rely on God’s Spirit but will try and collaborate with other oppressed believers to develop some man-made rescue attempt.

The whole scenario brings to mind the words of Jesus:

“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew 5:29-30 (NASB)

Jesus is saying our self-reliance is actually part of our problem! Gouge out the right eye, and we can’t see to fight with our right hand. Cut off our right hand, and we’re completely useless for conventional battle. But aren’t we in a spiritual battle? Rely on His Spirit, and heaven’s forces will rally around you!

Notice how the Bible says the Spirit of God “rushed” upon Saul. (v.6a) When God’s people humble themselves and seek Him as their only source of salvation, no physical, financial, relational, or other disabilities can hinder God from accomplishing His purposes in, for, and through them.

“Samuel called on the Lord, and on that day, the Lord sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. Samuel replied, ‘Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the Lord. Instead, worship the Lord with all your heart. Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or deliver you; they are worthless. The Lord will not abandon His people, because of His great name, and because He has determined to make you His own people. As for me, I promise that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.’” 1 Samuel 12:18-23 (CSB)

As a young musician in my early 20s, I had followed the Lord for the first time and dropped out of college. I felt He was leading me into the music business. Nobody else in my family heard that calling, so I was doing double duty: Following the Lord and trying to legitimize my decision to my folks! I thought I would silence my critics with a record contract. I prayed, worked hard, networked even harder, and eventually, I landed a record deal.

I remember sitting with my attorney as we read through my contract. He said to me, “You know the word ‘contract’ means ‘to bind,’ i.e., “a boa constrictor contracts his prey!’” We both had a laugh. Several years later, it wasn’t quite as funny when my career goals didn’t match the record company’s business plan. Yet, there we were, leg-ironed like two prisoners disputing over which direction to run. (By the way, you always eventually run in the direction of the biggest inmate!)

The Hebrew word for “covenant” is “b’rit.” It comes from an Akkadian term meaning “clasp” or “fetter.” A covenant chains two parties to each other. In Israel’s case (and ours), the parties chained together are a people to their God. They are bound to obligations to each other. And for the vassal (the smaller party), the primary obligation is to the benefactor or “king.” If a covenant was broken (by one party), the other party had a right to either enforce or terminate that covenant.

Israel had rejected their covenant by asking for a king (other than the Lord) who would rule as the kings of the other nations. But God’s decision, Him being the greater party in the covenant, was not to forsake His people. Instead, He chose to motivate Israel to follow His direction. After all, He is the bigger of the two, “chained” together.

Believer, have you chosen to run away from the Lord’s leading? You won’t get far with those fetters you’re wearing! Our best scenario is to surrender our wills to the Father, recognize He always chooses wisely, and follow His lead. Furthermore, if you advise another brother or sister on how they should go, hold them accountable with truth and grace. Remember that we, too, are prone to wander.

“Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, ‘Come on, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’ His armor-bearer responded, ‘Do what is right in your heart. You choose. I’m right here with you whatever you decide.’” 1 Samuel 14:6-7 (HCSB)

One could hardly make the case that Jonathan’s faith was a product of his environment. His circumstances were not those that foster optimism. Consider the leaders: Sitting Saul, whose kingship has been rejected, assisted by Ahijah, whose priestly line has been rejected. Since Samuel has left, Saul has no prophetic direction. So, what help can such a king and priest provide?

Still, Jonathan decides it’s time for action. To understand the depth of Jonathan’s faith, it helps to understand the images surrounding the path he took to victory.

“Within the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. The name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other was Seneh. The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.” 1 Samuel 14:4-5 (ESV)

The Hebrew names of these rocks are roughly equivalent to “Slippery” (Bozez) and “Thorny” (Seneh). This was hardly a scenic leisurely hike. Most folks would consider the point impassable. Basically, nothing on Jonathan’s circumstantial “radar screen” encouraged optimism. But Jonathan’s response to his conditions was not to be optimistic. It was to be faithful. Some people are naturally optimistic – they don’t know better. But faith can arise even when no reason for optimism exists.

Faith arises in such situations because faith looks not to circumstances but to God. Jonathan is not trusting in his own daring scheme. He does not say, “Perhaps the Lord will act for us because we are clever.” If anything, his daring expresses his trust in the Lord. Yet the beauty of Jonathan’s faith is its IMAGINATION (“Come on, let’s cross over…), and the beauty of that imagination is its BALANCE (“perhaps”).

Many believers in our day think that to say “perhaps” cuts the nerve of faith, that faith must be certain, dogmatic, and absolutely positive. Faith, therefore, has become confused with arrogance. “Perhaps” confesses the power of the Lord yet acknowledges our ignorance of His plan. It retains the freedom of the Lord to act according to His will, not ours. It enables us to step out in faith but not sprint in pride.

Are you facing a difficult season? Is the Enemy taunting you as an army of “Philistines,” so to speak? Salvation does not wait until you can amass an overwhelming optimistic opposition. It begins with imaginative faith-in-action that is willing to say, “Perhaps, the Lord will act for us.”

“Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have been foolish. You have not kept the command, which the Lord your God gave to you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man loyal to Him, a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people because you have not done what the Lord commanded.’ Then, Samuel went from Gilgal to Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul registered the troops with him, about 600 men.” 1 Samuel 13:13-15 (HCSB)

There was once a man whose wife told him to move their china cabinet. She knew it would be an all-day job because she had a lot of china, and the cabinet was quite large. She decided to go out for the day with the stern warning: Have this cabinet moved before I come home this evening. As is typical with men, this woman’s husband decided to put the job off, watching sports all day instead. About 5 o’clock, his wife called, saying she would be home soon. The man decided the only way to cover his laziness would be to call his neighbor for help. The neighbor got delayed with a task from his wife, so now the only way to move the cabinet was with the china still inside. Then the man tripped on the rug. Needless to say, porcelain fought gravity, and gravity won. When his wife came home, the husband tried to blame everything on their neighbor’s slowness in coming over.

This could also be the story of King Saul; no questioning the pressure Saul must have felt. The Philistines were breathing down his neck because of a bold yet maverick move by Saul’s son Jonathan. His army was afraid, hiding and deserting the cause. And to add insult to injury, Samuel was nowhere to be found. So, Saul feels compelled to do something. He feels he must do something kingly and military in a priestly sort-of way. All he really needed to do was wait.

Should we give Saul any credit? After all, he waited 6 ¾ days instead of the full seven that Samuel had ordered. But it’s not just how you run the race; it’s how you finish that earns the prize. Samuel’s job was to bear God’s Word, and Saul’s job was to do it. For Saul, the sacrificial ritual was essential, but prophetic direction was not. By his action, Saul professed that certain emergencies rendered the Lord’s Word unnecessary. When the chips were down, Saul believed the kingdom could function on its own, based on God’s promise, yet, in neglect of obedience to His Word.

Does this sound familiar? It is the core message of the argument for separation of church and state in the United States. It compartmentalizes and quarantines business, relationships, education, and politics from religion. It says to God, “You can have my soul, but that’s it. You may come to this border, but no further.” Saul’s punishment was that the kingdom would not be passed down through his descendants.

Let’s take the time and ask God to reveal those areas in our lives where we refuse to wait on Him, choosing to lean on our own understanding instead of seeking and obeying His Word.

“So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being King.’” 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NKJV)

Over the years, I have purchased several homes and rented/leased a few apartments. I am generally not a big fan of the process of buying a home, but when I am in the mood/circumstance to find a new property, I always get so caught up in the positive aspects of a house that I neglect to see its flaws. That is why mortgage companies insist that home buyers purchase a home inspection. Sometimes, the outside elements of a structure (paint, landscaping, and decorating) are hiding serious flaws within.

While Saul’s (and the Kingdom of Israel’s) spiritual condition may look healthy on the outside, it is exposed to have serious foundational flaws. Saul wanted to appear to be righteous by picking which parts of God’s Word seemed worth following. He was even on his way to building a monument to himself! All the while, the Lord was not impressed. Saul was about to be replaced by one more worthy. Samuel delivered the news of God’s decision to Saul. As Samuel was leaving, an interesting thing occurred. Saul grabbed for Samuel’s clothing and caught the tzitzit (tassel) from Samuel’s robe, tearing it away. We know this from Samuel’s response.

“But Samuel said to Saul, ‘I will not return with you, for you have rejected the Word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.’ And as Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. So Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you.’” 1 Samuel 15:26-28 (NKJV)

With that knowledge, imagine the gravity of the moment when David emerges from a Judean cave, holding Saul’s tzitzit, cut from his royal robe, announcing:

“Look, this day, your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed. Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe is in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.’’ 1 Samuel 24:10-11 (NKJV)

So, what is our takeaway today? A righteous man does good works, but good works do not make a man righteous. And the God who searches men’s hearts is always looking for those whom He may send. Seek the Lord continually, that He may send you, and do not cease searching His Word, so He will not cease using you!

“When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, ‘Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before Him.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees his heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:6-7 (HCSB)

Most of us have a job or have been employed at one time. Personally, I can’t stand to be interviewed for a job. You feel so…judged. And you ARE being judged. That’s the point of the interview!

Many years ago, about the time when my band outgrew our van and we began traveling on a tour bus, it became apparent we needed to hire a road crew. It was the first time I had ever been on the other side of the negotiating table. Instead of searching for employment, I was the employer. Let me tell you, if you’ve never hired anyone, it isn’t as easy as it looks! That is especially true if you hire people to manage your personal assets. You want employees who are honest, competent, and gracious team players. Let’s just say I learned (the hard way) that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

The same is true for personal relationships. I doubt anyone sitting in Divorce Court feels they conducted a thorough character analysis of their mate before tying the knot. As for guys, the thought process leading up to marriage is generally: 1) She looks good, 2) She digs me. (Repeat, if necessary.) Ladies may be a little more discriminating than that, but I’m pretty amazed at what kind of guys some of you gals settle for.

Don’t you wish you had the eyes of God? He looks beyond external beauty and searches the depths of the heart.

“I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons.” 1 Samuel 16:1b (HCSB)

While Samuel was mourning over Saul’s sin and Israel’s future, God was personally searching the hearts of every Israelite. Today, there are still those who grieve over the future of the Church at large. I admit the forecast doesn’t look good. Every year, we lose more old soldiers of the faith, and it seems we have fewer recruits of Godly character to replace them. Our prayers go forth, “Who will take their place?” The Lord answers, “I have selected them already!”

Have you considered that God is searching your heart at this very moment? What do you think He sees? What role has He prepared for you, based on the evidence of His search? Are you on track to become a Saul or a David? A Jezebel or a Ruth? In many ways, the choice is up to you because He chooses to lift up those who choose Him.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV)

“Saul’s servants reported these words directly to David, but he replied, ‘Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law? I am a poor man who is common.’ The servants reported back to Saul, ‘These are the words David spoke.’ Then Saul replied, ‘Say this to David: “The king desires no other bride-price except 100 Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.”’ Actually, Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 18:23-25 (HCSB)

The Lord was obviously protecting David! Everything he put his hand to was successful. David had won the hearts of all of Israel and Judea. Even Saul’s son, Jonathan, was on the bandwagon to the extent that he gave David his royal vestments. In ancient times, this was an unheard-of gesture; significant because the clothes signify the person and his position – hence, Jonathan renounced his position as crown prince. Jonathan transferred, so far as his own will goes, the right of succession to David.

This was the level of success God was giving David, and such was the level of character Jonathan possessed. How many politicians have you ever known who withdrew from an election because they felt their opponent was actually a better man for the job? Royal leaders simply do not transfer their crown rights to an up-and-comer; they eliminate them!

Jonathan may have been honorable, but his father sure wasn’t. Saul simply did not make due on his promises. Much of chapter 18 deals with Saul’s promise of marriage to his daughters, used as bait to lure David into fatal heroic deeds. David’s response was that he was unworthy to be the king’s son-in-law because he was lowly and poor. Almost overlooked in the narrative is that David should have already been very rich and married to Saul’s daughter. Riches, tax exemption, and royal matrimony had been promised to whoever defeated Goliath. David verified that offer three times before he fought the giant!

“Previously, an Israelite man had declared, ‘Do you see this man who keeps coming out? He comes to defy Israel. The king will make the man who kills him very rich and will give him his daughter. The king will also make the household of that man’s father exempt from paying taxes in Israel.’” 1 Samuel 17:25 (HCSB)

“The people told him about the offer, concluding, ‘That is what will be done for the man who kills him.’” 1 Samuel 17:27 (HCSB)

“Then he turned from those beside him to others in front of him and asked about the offer. The people gave him the same answer as before.” 1 Samuel 17:30 (HCSB)

Oh, the short-term memory of political promises! Aren’t we thankful to have God’s never-changing Word and character to depend upon?

“Saul sent agents to David’s house to watch for him and kill him in the morning. But his wife Michal warned David: ‘If you don’t escape tonight, you will be dead tomorrow!’ So she lowered David from the window and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took the household idol and put it on the bed, placed some goats’ hair on its head, and covered it with a garment.” 1 Samuel 19:11-13 (HCSB)

There have been quite a few Bible stories that I have simply not understood until I began really studying the Scripture. I want to encourage you that every Biblical question I’ve had (upon first reading the Bible) has been answered (or adequately explained) upon further Biblical investigation. And I do not expect that there will be any spiritual questions that God’s Word cannot (or will not eventually) answer!

Today’s question answered pertains to why David’s wife, Michal, was so upset when he danced naked when the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem. It never made sense to me why the woman who would risk her life to protect David would be so disgusted at his humble worship. Let’s refresh our memories:

“When David returned home to bless his household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. ‘How the king of Israel honored himself today!’ she said. ‘He exposed himself today in the sight of the slave girls of his subjects like a vulgar person would expose himself.’ David replied to Michal, ‘I was dancing before the Lord who chose me over your father and his whole family to appoint me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the Lord, and I will humble myself and humiliate myself. I will be honored by the slave girls you spoke about.’ And Saul’s daughter Michal had no child to the day of her death.” 2 Samuel 6:20-23 (HCSB)

Personally, I believe Michal’s observation of David’s humility may have reminded her of the time when her father, Saul, was naked before the Lord.

“The Spirit of God came on him (Saul), and as he walked along, he prophesied until he entered Naioth in Ramah. Saul then removed his clothes and also prophesied before Samuel; he collapsed and lay naked all that day and all that night.” 1 Samuel 19:23-24a (HCSB)

This shameful recollection of Saul was mixed with the fact that Michal had inherited another nasty little habit from her father: Idolatry. We know there was at least one idol in David’s household because it was used to simulate David’s sleeping body. When Saul was rejected by the Lord, he should have humbled himself in true repentance. Instead, he most certainly turned to idols. It seems Michal inherited her father’s idol worship.

Another reason to suggest Michal’s idolatry is the fact that she was childless. Our conclusion, then, is that Michal was introduced to idolatry by her father and sought the power of an idol to make her fertile when God withheld her womb. Furthermore, having never experienced true worship (personal or corporate), Michal was critical of the authenticity of David’s humility. How do you respond when others worship the Lord?

“‘By the Lord, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If I find out that he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you? If my father intends to bring evil on you, may the Lord punish Jonathan and do so severely if I do not tell you and send you away so you may leave safely. May the Lord be with you, just as he was with my father. If I continue to live, show me kindness from the Lord, but if I die, don’t ever withdraw your kindness from my household—not even when the Lord cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.’ Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, ‘May the Lord hold David’s enemies accountable.’ Jonathan once again swore to David in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.” 1 Samuel 20:12-17 (CSB)

Regarding the narrative, Verses 12-17 do not have to be in the text. In fact, we can go immediately from the end of verse 11 to the beginning of verse 18 with no loss in the flow of the story. But this entire chapter is about a covenant relationship, and the extent of these two men’s love for each other is paramount to our understanding of God’s covenant with us through Jesus. “Love” is the difference between a contract and a covenant. Love is not just committed to the DETAILS; it is committed to the PERSON!

Jonathan is formally committing himself always to act as he did in 19:2-3. People typically do not do what Jonathan does! You don’t hand over your place to your rival and promise to protect him, especially when your place is the crown prince. It’s not natural. If Jonathan were “normal,” he would dispose of David. In fact, what angers Saul is that Jonathan’s commitment to David defies all political sense. Jonathan really did “seek first” another kingdom, which didn‘t align with common sense.

Even more unusual was the commitment Jonathan urges on David in verses 14-16. The time will come when Jonathan (not David) will be in the fugitive role, the needy one. In fact, this actually happened, and David honored his covenant with Jonathan.

What does Jonathan teach us? This: True life does not consist in securing “your kingdom” but in reflecting the Lord’s faithfulness in covenant relationships. There is something liberating about that! Jonathan had acknowledged that the kingdom was the Lord’s and, therefore, David’s if the Lord so chose. This meant Jonathan understood his life did not need to be centered on his ambition (what can I get); rather, he rested in God’s wise plan (what the Lord chooses to give.)

As believers, our reigning passion should not be to make “my way,” “my living,” “my mark,” or to gain “my place” in order to get ahead. That thought may constitute the deadly blow to our prideful wills, but it is certainly liberating. Life does not consist in achieving our goals but in fulfilling our covenant responsibilities to Him, who has the power to bless or curse. We should wake up every morning with this renewed surrendered vow: THY will, THY way, and THY glory be exalted through me. Then He will disclose WHERE He wants to send you, HOW He wants to sustain, equip and protect and the EXTENT to which He will establish your influence among men.

“So the priest gave him (David) the consecrated bread, for there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the Lord. When the bread was removed, it had been replaced with warm bread.” 1 Samuel 21:6 (HCSB)

David has nobody he can count on. There is no Jonathan, Michal, or Samuel now. It is simply up to David to elude Saul, who is intent on killing him. But was David truly alone? David’s methods of self-preservation seem to testify that he feels he is alone, but his continued miraculous preservation indicates God is with him, whether David perceives God’s presence or not.

We understand David’s difficulty. We can relate to his panic and desperation. Note that the Bible is not recommending David’s methods of survival, only reporting them.

We do better to ask a different question: What does God seem to be doing here? Take note that in the confusion, danger, and fear, David received daily bread. Is it too much to say this whole chapter depicts a simple truth: The Lord sustained David? It was not something frivolous that David craved but a clear need. In our culture of abundant living, where the average poor American would be rich by world standards, perhaps we have lost the idea of “daily bread.” We get too caught up in what “brand” of bread. We complain, “Is it Wonder bread or whole wheat, a baguette, or a dinner roll?” But when we are truly starving, we crave only the Lord’s Bread from His presence. Of course, I speak of spiritual hunger, as well as the physical. Consider Jesus’ words:

“But He answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word coming out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)

Every Sabbath, twelve loaves of this bread were piled on a table in the holy place in the Tabernacle. They were (among other things) a quiet witness that the Lord sustains His people and supplies their needs. The next day, that holy bread became David’s daily bread.

There may be a word for us in David’s provision. Perhaps, you are under a heavy load, boxed in and pressed down under various vocational, emotional, spiritual, or circumstantial pressures. But are you still eating every day? At least once? Doesn’t God’s small provision in the midst of our “big” problems tell us something? Doesn’t it assure us that God has not yet cast you off? Perhaps, now Jesus’ words have a different ring.

“Give us day by day our daily bread…” Luke 11:3 (NKJV)

“David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So, when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, ‘Please let my father and mother come here with you till I know what God will do for me.’” 1 Samuel 22:1-3 (NKJV)

In 1915, San Francisco hosted the World’s Fair. In preparation for the event, the city fathers funded the construction of the Palace Of Fine Arts, with its grand entrance. To the astute art enthusiast, the 1915 World’s Fair is commonly known as the moment where American impressionists overtook the Europeans to become the most prominent artists of their day. And the California artists led the charge. At the fair’s opening, a California impressionist artist named Frank Coburn set up his easel to paint a depiction of that monumental Palace Of Fine Arts entrance.

2009 is a year that many Americans would rather forget. The housing market collapsed, and 25% of the homes in Riverside County, California, were in danger of foreclosure. I know because I lost my home in that market crash. When you suffer foreclosure, the loss of your home is just the beginning of your problems because often, people amass a great amount of debt leading up to that catastrophic event. So, when the home is gone, the debt remains. I prayed, “Lord, I have followed You here, and I believed You would never let something like this happen to me!” His response? Silence.

Eventually, we found a rental home. Shortly thereafter, my son outgrew his baby bed. One morning, my wife pulled me out of bed to haul a twin bed she’d bought at an estate sale. As I entered the sale, I noticed the estate’s former owner was an amateur painter. VERY amateur. But amid the junk paintings, from across the room, I spotted an unframed painting on an old board. Masking tape price tag: $5. Signed: Frank Coburn 1915. Inscribed on the back: Entrance, Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco Fair. Misti & I quickly realized we had a “Providential” treasure in our hands. Three months later, I received a call from an art dealer in Newport Beach, California, who we had enlisted to sell the painting for us. She sold it for the exact amount we needed to pay our debts completely!

In today’s Scripture passage, in David’s case, all the unusual arrangements for his survival (along with the survival of his family and friends) had been made over a century before when a relative named Boaz married a righteous Moabite named Ruth. The Lord plans His kindness long beforehand. He directs circumstances long in advance. Refuge in Moab was not something David set in place; it was a gift. YHWH “arranged” this long before. This is not something God does only for chosen kings. A great number of us have stories to tell about our desperation and God’s providence. The unbeliever (like Saul) is a man on his own, shut up to his own schemes, without God’s direction. But gleams of God’s guidance shine on David: Five loaves of bread, the backside of the Gath city-limit sign, a Moabite ancestress, a prophet giving orders - God goes before us. Be bold!

“David was in the wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.’ Then the two of them made a covenant in the Lord’s presence. Afterward, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.” 1 Samuel 23:15-18 (HCSB)

Isn’t it amazing how Saul couldn’t find David, but Jonathan could? What an encouragement Jonathan must have been for David, an oasis of hope, there in the desert wilderness of Zin! The text does not say how Jonathan knew where to find David. The narrative doesn’t dwell on the risks Jonathan ran; it only says he “encouraged him in his faith in God.”

How did Jonathan encourage David?

“You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.” 1 Samuel 23:17b (HCSB)

Jonathan simply reaffirms God’s promise to David, a promise which is not directly stated in 1 Samuel, yet everyone seems to know about it. (24:4, 25:28-31, 2 Samuel 3:9-10, 17-18) Of course, Jonathan’s presence would have been a great comfort for David. Yet, our temporal personal presence does not provide the “abiding” encouragement like the certainty of God’s Word. That is why daily interaction with the Bible is paramount to a believer’s life. Bible reading is worth even more than showing compassion to others, as that is the outworking of our interaction with God’s Word. But the motivation for works of compassion must come from within, from the storehouse of Scripture in the heart and mind of a committed follower of Jesus.

Our best encouragement comes not from being “cuddly” for the people of God but from the Word of God. I am not depreciating the helpfulness of personal touch or care. But in an age that wallows in “caring” and “sensitivity,” believers need to know that solid encouragement comes not from emotional closeness but from close, constant proximity to God’s promises in His Word.

We cannot help seeing here (in Jonathan’s mission) the shadow of One greater than Jonathan. Today’s chapter is about the Lord, Who sustains us. No, Saul is not gone for good; David’s distress is not over; final relief has not arrived. But 1 Samuel 23 shows what resources the Lord gives His servants in the middle of their trials to withstand the pressure. True peace is not always displayed as the absence of conflict; it is most often manifested as the presence of peace in the midst of conflict.

Yes, the darkness is still there, but at least part of it is the “shadow” of the Almighty.

“When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, ‘Praise the Lord who championed my cause against Nabal’s insults and restrained His servant from doing evil. The Lord brought Nabal’s evil deeds back on his own head.’ Then David sent messengers to speak to Abigail about marrying him.” 1 Samuel 25:39 (HCSB)

Nabal was rough and nasty. My Bible translation defines his name to mean “boorish.” We know he was wealthy because he had three thousand sheep and one thousand goats. Nabal’s men were busy holding a profitable (and festive) sheep-sheering time in Carmel. After all David had done to protect Nabal’s investments, his response to David’s plea was utterly disrespectful.

Of course, Nabal had never asked for David’s assistance, but it was only right to expect a wealthy man like Nabal to show generous appreciation for the services rendered. Nabal, didn’t simply say, “No.” He called David a no-account runaway slave and David’s men a bunch of nobodies who had no right to “my bread,” “my water,” and “my meat.” Such an ungrateful and selfish man deserved to be taught a lesson, but did he really deserve to die by the blade of David’s sword? Enter Abigail.

Acting as equal parts self-preservationist, Prophetess, and national adviser, Abigail intervenes on behalf of her family, her king, and her nation. The theme of today’s chapter is “restraint.” Abigail’s plea to David is truly directed by the Lord to restrain David, keeping him from doing something that would have foolishly jeopardized God’s plan for David, Israel, and ultimately the line of Messiah.

Today’s chapter teaches us how the Lord rescues His servants from their stupidity, restrains them from executing their sinful purposes, and how sometimes He graciously and firmly intercepts us on the road to foolishness. Not only does He do this for an anointed king, but His mercy extends to all His servants. We can all tell tales of how the Lord has constructed roadblocks on our journeys to foolish self-destruction!

God’s mercy sends frustration to our purposes. His kindness hinders our paths. It is essential that, like David, we respond rightly to such episodes of the Lord’s restraining us. Read chapters 24 and 25 back-to-back. Notice the contrast in David’s attitude between Saul and Nabal and how David compartmentalizes his faith. In chapter 24, he is the restrainer; he will not harm Saul or permit his soldiers to do so. In chapter 25, David must be restrained; he wants to shed Nabal’s (and all Nabal’s men’s) blood over an insult. All this because David responded in the flesh without consulting the Lord.

This is a shadow of things to come, for a Hittite named Uriah would have done well to have paid attention to this account: David refuses to take personal vengeance on “the Lord’s anointed” but is most willing to liquidate a private Israelite. I remember times when I had seen God’s way clearly in some dilemma but missed it entirely in another situation where the same principles applied. We must always rely on God’s leading.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (HCSB)

“David did not let a man or woman live to be brought to Gath, for he said, ‘Or they will inform on us and say, “This is what David did.”’ This was David’s custom during the whole time he stayed in the Philistine territory. So (Philistine king) Achish trusted David, thinking, ‘Since he made himself detestable to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.’” 1 Samuel 27:11-12 (HCSB)

Today’s chapter has enough drama and tension to hold our attention, but what makes the story so fascinating (and difficult) is the fact that it is God-less. That’s not to say God has not inspired the text. It’s just that the text does not mention God or say precisely or directly what the Lord is doing. It does not even inform us of the Lord’s point of view. Nor is there any indication of the writer’s position. There is no moral commentary on events that seem to demand moral commentary. We are left to wonder whether David is right or wrong. Perhaps, that is what God wants us to do: Judge these events Biblically, without His having to spell it out.

As was the case elsewhere in Scripture, the writer’s silence does not necessarily mean he approves of David’s course. It is possible to report an activity without endorsing it. For instance, one may testify about a robbery without approving theft. But how are David’s actions to be evaluated? We can only sift for clues and weigh them against God’s character, as defined by the truth of His Word.

I believe the writer is sympathetic to David’s difficulty yet presents him as in the wrong. The record of the Lord’s repeated protection should have convinced David that the Lord could keep him, even in Israel. Chapters 24 and 26 clearly show Saul’s protection was gone, and the king was exposed and helpless. Then, there seems to be a negative shadow cast on the human slaughter of David’s raids. I understand there are times when total warfare is condoned, and those times are only when the Lord commands such activity. Obviously, He knows best, and we must trust His leading. But the writer tells us David’s rationale was not God-directed. David needed to keep his “front” intact with King Achish. All that said, there is a sort of balance in the text. It understands David’s persecution and need for political sanctuary yet is not willing to justify all his conduct.

Even a “God-less” text teaches Godly truths and gives Godly direction for the Lord’s people. We are learning something about David, his moral breaking points, and his humanity. He is not perfect. After all, David is only a “type” of messiah, not the Messiah Himself. Proverbs 14:12 comes to mind.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)

We must remember the Lord did not allow David to build the Temple because of the bloodshed he had caused. In that sense, David shares something in common with all the Lord’s people (you & me included). We must all learn the hard lessons that come when we deceive ourselves into leaning on something other than the “everlasting arms!”

“The woman came over to Saul, and she saw that he was terrified and said to him, ‘Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do. Now please listen to your servant. Let me set some food in front of you. Eat and it will give you strength so you can go on your way.’ He refused, saying, ‘I won’t eat,’ but when his servants and the woman urged him, he listened to them. He got off the ground and sat on the bed. The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. She served it to Saul and his servants and they ate. Afterward, they got up and left that night.” 1 Samuel 28:21-25 (HCSB)

Surely, we do not think John merely wanted to tell us the time. He wants to tell us it was “NIGHT.” And what a night! It was like entering the outer darkness itself, the abyss. But Judas and Saul were not the only ones who entered the darkness.

“Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?’” which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?’” Mark 15:33-34 (NKJV)

If we are not careful, we make the mistake of believing we are detached observers of the stories of Saul and Judas. Of course, it would be very wrong to assume we are better than, not quite as stupid as or deserving of better than those two. The glory of the Gospel is that Jesus went through the darkness of God’s absence on our behalf. He endured the darkness and agony of God’s forsakenness. Doesn’t Jesus’ cry carry the same ring as “God has turned away from me and answers me no more?” (1 Sam 28:15)

At the “battle” of Golgotha, Jesus walked into the outer darkness in order that we might walk in the light of Life, by Grace, through Faith in Him. Is your faith in the One who endured the Darkness for you? Or does Darkness yet await?

“Then Achish answered and said to David, ‘I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said: “He shall not go up with us in battle.” Now therefore, rise early in the morning with your master’s servants who have come with you. As soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart.’ So David and his men rose early to depart in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.” 1 Samuel 29:9-11 (NKJV)

David’s original decision to go to the Philistines was ill-advised. It was understandable but not wise, explainable but not faithful. Everything was clicking along quite well for David until now, working for a Philistine boss and killing Philistines in his spare time. It reminds me of the saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” But now David and his men find themselves in a tight spot, lined up to fight against Israel, the people whom God had anointed David to serve.

How will David, the “anointed” who “cannot not lay a hand against the Lord’s anointed” (Saul), get out of this one? The dialogue is almost comical. The deceived (Achish) defends his deceiver, and the relieved (David) disputes his relief!

Listen. Can you hear Him? God is almost silent. The only mention of Him is a throw-away line from the Philistine king. Yet, God is at work. He is delivering David from his stupid decisions, protecting the nation of Israel, preserving the integrity of Israel’s trust in their future King David, and silently protecting the birth-line of Messiah. The story is not a promise to us that He will not hold us accountable for (or deliver us from the consequences of) our faithless decisions. But it is proof that He is always with us, ultimately working out everything together for the good. For His good, which ultimately benefits us, too. (Romans 8:28)

Believers should take heart! We can all look back on the timeline of our lives and have no trouble picking out the occasion (or occasions) where we were depending on our own cleverness, sure of our ability to assess and handle our situations, confident we knew the right way. And it proved disastrous and nearly destroyed us. And we fear God’s mercy has withered. After all, OUR mercy would have withered! Then God shows up. And we, like David, learn how God’s “goodness and mercy pursue us all the days” of our lives. (Psalm 23:6a)

There is a striking contrast between the endings of chapters 28 and 29.

“Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she hastened to kill it. And she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it. So she brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.” 1 Samuel 28:24-25 (NKJV)

Saul and his companions trudge off into the darkness without the Lord, while David rides away in the morning, knowing the experience of God’s mercy. (Psalm 30:5b)

“David and his troops with him wept loudly until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had also been kidnapped. David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30: 4-6 (HCSB)

David was under severe pressure, to be sure! In addition to personal sorrow over the loss of his family, he faces the rebellion of his men. Nobody knows how far the vote to stone David went, but things were at a critical point. At this point, we are met with an important statement, “But David found strength in the Lord his God.”

It begs the question: What does it mean to strengthen yourself in the Lord? If you haven’t yet needed to, stick around because everyone goes through seasons where they have no alternative but to strengthen themselves in Him!

Let’s begin by saying what it is NOT. Strengthening oneself in the Lord is not some kind of “gospel magic.” It is not a quick fix. It is not recognizing that the pressure is on and deciding to seek help in religion. It is not superficial or superstitious, venting or letting things go emotionally. It is not expressing anger or assigning blame; David’s soldiers did that. But David found strength elsewhere.

So, where did the strengthening begin? It started with David’s personal relationship with God. Notice Scripture says David found “strength in the Lord HIS God.” So we must consider what a personal relationship really is. Israel had a tendency to rely on a “National” faith instead of a vital “Personal” one. In short, David remembered the promises and affirmations of God’s Word. He recalled how God had guided him thus far.

Another way David strengthened himself in the Lord was by utilizing the means of access to the Lord that were available to him.

“David said to Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech, ‘Bring me the ephod.’ So Abiathar brought it to him, and David asked the Lord: ‘Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?’ The Lord replied to him, ‘Pursue them, for you will certainly overtake them and rescue the people.’” 1 Samuel 30:7-8 (HCSB)

Believers today have access to God through a better priest than Abiathar! Jesus Himself and the Holy Spirit are our advocates through personal prayer and Divine intercession. Along with prayer, we develop our personal relationships with God by studying the Bible. Spending time with God’s Word develops our knowledge of His character. It marks the difference between an ONGOING personal relationship versus a series of MOMENTARY urgent appeals, which signals you are not interested in a relationship, just its benefits. Are you hard-pressed? Find strength by remembering how your personal relationship is growing with Him through daily Bible study and prayer!

“Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all of the men with him did the same. They mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening for those who died by the sword – for Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s people, and the house of Israel.” 2 Samuel 1:11-12 (HCSB)

Verses 11 & 12 are at the center of today’s chapter. After having gone through intense trauma over the past several chapters, David and his men had reached their emotional limits. There was no other option but to mourn and do so loudly and dramatically.

Upon reading the events of 2 Samuel 1, I found myself wanting to skip from verse 10 (The end of the Amalekite’s account of Saul’s death) and go directly to verse 13 (The execution of the Amalekite). But the writer seems to think the most important item in the story is the grief and wailing of David and his men over Israel’s fallen leaders and troops. The Lord’s people have been crushed. Grief cannot wait.

In deciding to focus on grieving first instead of swift justice, the writer has exposed a basic human tendency within us to hurry grief instead of letting it take its natural course. The anguish of David and his men is impressive. The condition of God’s people disturbed them. In that, we could all learn a lesson about empathy for the suffering believer.

Furthermore, after the initial grief (and necessary justice), David begins the process of lamenting. Grief remains long after the events grieved have passed. Sorrow is a continuing process. Because grief abides, there must be some process by which God’s people can express that grief and move toward healing. David chose the “lament,” a song by which Israel could continue her mourning and perhaps learn a few lessons.

“David sang the following lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the Judahites be taught The Song Of The Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:” 2 Samuel 1:17-18 (HCSB)

A lament is a formal expression of grief or distress that can be written, read, learned, practiced, or repeated. It differs from the informal, spontaneous, immediate outbursts of grief associated with our initial responses to tragedy. The lament is no less sorrowful or sincere but a vehicle for the mind and emotions. A lament is “thoughtful” grief. The intensity of one’s emotions combined with the disciplines of their mind to produce structured sorrow, a sort of “authorized version” of distress, a coherent agony.

Therefore, words are carefully selected, crafted, and honed in a lament to express loss as closely yet fully as possible. Sorrows are not miraculously healed after a short time of emotional catharsis. Sometimes Christians are impatient with grief. “Why can’t they just trust God and get over it?” Today, perhaps, God is teaching you to embrace the discipline of expressing grief in words (songs or prose), which convey your anguish and verbalize despondency while remembering His great plan and power to enact it.

“David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, ‘The Lord bless you, because you have shown special kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him. Now, may the Lord show special kindness and faithfulness to you, and I will also show the same goodness to you because you have done this deed. Therefore, be strong and courageous, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.’” 2 Samuel 2:5-7 (HCSB)

Not only was David a man of faith, a good shepherd and a mighty warrior, he was also a great politician. In his statement to the men of Jabesh-gilead, perhaps, the most staunch Saul supporters in all of Israel, David is at once sincerely complimentary, blatantly political, and earnestly evangelistic. Saul was dead, and the people could not merely live on the fumes of his memory.

Faithfully believing God’s promise (that he would rule Israel as king), David took very little time establishing his kingdom, tribe-by-tribe. Revisiting a page from his Goliath playbook, David went for the biggest “Giant” first. (Remember that Goliath had four brothers, yet David’s tactical advantage was killing the biggest one first!) Jabesh-gilead had always been pro-Saul to a man since Saul rescued them on his first military campaign. (1 Samuel 11)

The men of Jabesh-gilead were brave and used to taking risks. David was urging them to take another risk: Be the first in the North to acknowledge the kingship of David!

So, David called Jabesh-gilead to submit to the newly developing kingdom of God in Hebron. David’s call was authoritative yet somewhat winsome. It was commanding and attractive at the same time. Doesn’t it remind us of another such call?

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (NKJV)

We know what the “yoke” means. It is nothing less than absolute submission. But Jesus’ calling/command is so winsome. He attracts us with both His appeal (I am gentle and lowly in heart) and His promise (you will find rest). Jesus does not hide His yoke, along with the fact that we may be lonely in that yoke, but He lures us by His person and promise. Our evangelism should carry the same elements.

A proper response to David’s (or Jesus’s) appeal could be costly. Jabesh-gilead was sandwiched between David and Abner, between the true Kingdom in its “mustard seed” form and a bastard kingdom that expects allegiance. To defy the latter kingdom takes guts, and such guts only come from Grace! **Remember: This is not a conflict between Israel and some other Nation. It is internal. So also, the modern believer is often forced to decide which “faith professors” have truly aligned with God’s Kingdom. Only the Holy Spirit working through your knowledge of God’s Word will enable you to choose rightly.

“Abner was very angry about Ish-bosheth’s accusation. ‘Am I a dog’s head who belongs to Judah?’ he asked. ‘All this time I’ve been loyal to the family of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and haven’t betrayed you to David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! May God punish Abner and do so severely if I don’t do for David what the Lord swore to him: to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beer-sheba.’” 2 Samuel 3:8-10 (HCSB)

Abner reminds me of the story of “Little Billy.” Little Billy crawled onto the ice one wintry afternoon and rescued a playmate who had fallen through. Praise and admiration were being heaped on him. Then, a news reporter asked Billy, “Tell us, boy, how were you brave enough to risk your life to save your friend?” In between breaths, Billy shot back, “He had my skates on!” What seems like heroism is sometimes plain old self-service.

Abner was not driven to expand David’s kingdom because of his theology. He was politically motivated. If Ish-bosheth was not going to roll over and play dead, then the next best option for Abner was to swing his support to David and use his influence over the Northern tribes as a bargaining chip. In this way, Abner would assure himself a more powerful position in David’s regime. After all, David’s power was increasing while Saul’s was diminishing.

Yet, in all his maneuvering, Abner didn’t count on Joab’s knife! God secured David’s kingdom, but not Abner, although Abner acted as a broker to help establish it. Abner couldn’t secure his own power, although it looked like his scheme would pay off.

We meet more Abners in Scripture. They do not bear Abner’s name, but they wear his disposition. For example, Simon the magician in Acts 8 was the perfect “new believer” in Samaria under Philip’s ministry. He went through all the hoops – a profession of faith, baptism, and Bible studies. Then, when Peter and John came along, he flew his true flag, offering to pay them well if they gave him the powers to bestow the Holy Spirit on whoever he laid his hands. The Gospel had eclipsed Simon’s popularity as a magician. But Simon saw a chance to work within the Gospel establishment and win his reputation back: Simon, the “Miracle Healer.”

Whether 2 Samuel 3 or Acts 8, Christians must fight the tendencies of their own Abner-mentality. Some claims to “build” God’s Kingdom may only be a cover for “using” it. Among the “Christian soldiers” marching onward, we must realize there are self-serving mercenaries in the ranks. Even faithful preachers, for example, who seek to grow their ministries to make God’s truth known and bring renown to His Name, admit there are times when they seem more concerned with whether God’s people will be impressed with them, like them, congratulate and dote over them. No, Abner is not that far away from any one of us. Let’s stay humble and willing to give all the credit to God, laboring to make His Name famous, not our own!

“They (Baanah and Rechab) entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed in his bedroom and stabbed and killed him. They beheaded him, took his head, and traveled by way of the Arabah all night. They brought Ish-bosheth’s head to David at Hebron and said to the king, ‘Here’s the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who intended to take your life. Today the Lord has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.’” 2 Samuel 4:7-8 (HCSB)

I really like watching MMA (mixed martial arts) on TV. My wife thinks it is completely brutal, which is funny to me because she has a black belt in Taekwondo! A while back, I watched an MMA fight that was a great match-up. The fight was in the upper rounds when fatigue set in on one of the fighters. He dropped his hands for just a moment… This was all his opponent needed to finish him off. In a split-second flurry of pugilistic pounding, the fight was over: knockout! That pretty much describes where Ish-bosheth was, politically, just before he was murdered.

When news came of Abner’s treacherous death in Hebron, Ish-bosheth “lost heart” (literally, “his hands dropped”), and “all Israel was terrified.” Nothing is more terrifying than being on the losing side of a political coup. Once the inevitable sinks in, people begin betraying even their closest friends. This was the story of Baanah and Rechab, the “brother thugs” who led Ish-bosheth’s raiders. They decided they must seize the hour by killing David’s impotent opponent.

Baanah and Rechab may appear bold and daring. But take another look. They are not strong but weak, not courageous but cowardly, not manly but mercenary. The whole matter underscores something about ourselves, how urgently we need discernment and how prone we are to lack it. In these two men, we see our inability to see the real beneath the veneer of the apparent. I must confess that when I first read this account (as well as the account of the Amalekite who claimed to finish off Saul on David’s behalf), I thought David would have honored them. I was not expecting their execution. Lord, give me discernment!

So, were Rachab & Baanah servants of the Lord executing justice by eliminating David’s rival and solidifying David’s position? That is certainly what they were putting forth. Undoubtedly, they advertised themselves as ones to whom David owed the debt of posh government jobs. They come with blood on their hands and theology on their lips, expecting the latter would magically bleach the former. Murder always seems more pleasant when wrapped in religious rhetoric.

We still see Baanahs and Rechabs in our congregations. Beware of those who use theology to cover sin and folly! For them, theology is not a truth that encourages us to worship God but a technique that enables them to justify themselves and their selfish manipulation of honest righteous-minded people.

“Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke saying, ‘Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in times past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you: You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ Therefore, all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed him king over Israel.” 2 Samuel 5:1-2 (NKJV)

Funny how things change. For several years, an army of Israelites pursued David to kill him. Now, a delegation show-up at David’s door, cap in hand, saying, “Oh, that? That was nothing! You have always been king in our hearts!”

The Northern delegates have their speech prepared and state their pro-David case in three arguments:

RELATIONSHIP: We are your bone and flesh.

LEADERSHIP: Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who was leading our armies to & from battle.

PROMISE: The Lord said, “You shall shepherd my people Israel, and be leader over Israel.”

The last argument, “The Lord promised” is the climax. God’s promise to David began when the Lord commanded Samuel to inform Saul that someone outside of Saul’s family would inherit the throne. The promise to David became viable – at least to Samuel – when Samuel was sent to anoint someone from among Jesse’s family.

God’s promise to David began as a tormenting suspicion to Saul and eventually a foregone conclusion. Now, David’s opponents and his opponents are resigned to it.

Hence, when the Northern tribes mention the Lord’s promise at the Hebron negotiations, the writer wants us to highlight it in our Bibles! As if to say, “See there? See how The Lord’s promise to David came to pass? See how it weathered the wrath of Saul, the foolishness of David, the rebellion of the North, and the self-seeking of so-called “friends”?

God’s Word has proved firm through chapters & chapters of opposition! And the delegate’s affirming words encourage us because they imply that all of God’s promises are certain, no matter how much resistance they meet or how much time passes.

God’s Word can be trusted to be fulfilled, down to the slightest detail. So, we are exhorted to simply receive that truth and continue to hold on, pressing on toward the higher calling of our Lord!