Crimes of David's Sons. II Samuel 13

 

II Samuel 13, Crimes of David’s Sons

 

Galatians 6:7,8 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

Amnon was not eating. He was so madly in love with Tamar that he lost his appetite. Tamar was Absalom’s sister, and he was afraid of Absalom.

Although Absalom and Tamar had the same mother and father, Tamar was Amnon’s half- sister. David was their father, but they had different mothers. Amnon raped Tamar and when he was through with her he tossed her out of David’s house. Now she sat in sackcloth and ashes.

David was angry with what happened but does nothing about it.

The main problem today in Christian homes is the lack of example and discipline on the part of the parents.

In David’s home he had multiple wives and many children. He did not get by with sin. God says we will not get by with sin either. Absalom waited for two years before making his move. He invited the king’s sons to a feast in connection with sheep-shearing time. Since Absalom showed no signs of wanting revenge, David let Amnon go and attend the party.

When the day came that Amnon’s “heart was merry with wine,” Absalom had him killed.

The first message that David received was that all his sons were dead. Then Jonadab told him that only Amnon was killed. Absalom then fled to his mother’s father, the  King of Geshur.

David mourned for him and that is all he did. He mourned for him and wished for his return.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

David Repents. II Samuel 12

 

II Samuel 12. David Repents

 

“And the Lord sent Nathan unto David.” Nathan is going to tell David a story.  It is a story that will reveal David as though he were looking in a mirror. The Word of God is a mirror that reveals us as we are. He told David a story about two men in one city.  One man was rich, and the other man was poor- a typical city with its ghetto and its rich estates. The rich man had many flocks and herds. The poor man had one little lamb. It was all the poor man had. David thought Nathan had brought before him a case for someone in the kingdom and was asking for David to rule upon it. David had a sense of right and wrong. He also had a sense of justice.

It is interesting how easily we can see the sin in someone else, but we cannot see the sin in our own life. That was David’s problem.

It took courage for Nathan to say “David, you are the guilty one.”

God would have given David anything his heart wanted, but David longed for something that was not his. Today’s mew morality says it is not sin, God still says this is sin, and the man after God’s own heart cannot get by with it.

Can a Christian sin?  The answer is yes. David should have died for his sin. God spared David’s life and put away his sin, but David’s baby died. David went before God and pleaded for Him to spare little fellow’s life. Finally, they brought word to David that the child was dead. David knew that the little baby was saved, He said, “I will go to him someday.”

When a little baby dies today, that baby goes immediately to be with the Lord. That is the teaching of the Word of God.

“And David comforted Bath-Sheba, his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.”

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J. Vernon McGee Commentary and NKJ Bible and Nelson’s Quick Reference.

 

David's Two Great Sins. II Samuel 11

 

II Samuel 11- David’s Two Great Sins

 

In David’s day there was a season for warfare. David sent Joab and the army to fight the children of Ammon. David did not go with them. Instead, he stayed in Jerusalem. That was his first mistake.  He should have gone to war with his men.

In that day the roof was the place where people spent their evenings. David went up to the roof of his palace and walked back and forth. As he walked, he looked around and saw this woman bathing on the roof of her home. Although it was David’s sin – God put the blame right on David- it seems that Bathsheba was a contributing factor. She could have been a bit more modest. Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, a foreigner. If David had been out in the field with his men, this would have never happened. If Bathsheba had taken her bath inside, this would not have happened.

Uriah is one of David’s mighty men. He is one of David’s loyal followers. David pretended that he had brought Uriah back from the war for consultation to find out how the war was going. David is doing everything he can to try and absolve himself of any guilt. Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house. At a time of war this man would not go to his own home. This surprised David. Also, it was a rebuke to David who was enjoying the luxury of his palace. David is trying to get Uriah in the position where David will not be blamed for the pregnancy. That made David’s sin all the greater. The worst part of David’s sin is when he plotted the murder of Uriah. The Word of God records what David did. God did not cover it up. He brought it right out in the open. David is guilty. “The thing that David has done displeased the Lord.” David did not get by with his sin. Up to this point in his life David had many triumphs, but from now on, to his dying day, he will have trouble.  When a thing displeases the Lord, He is going to do something about it.

Joab, David’s captain, knows the facts. A few of David’s counsellors in Jerusalem who brought Bathsheba to the palace knows the facts. Whether it was known in Jerusalem or not, David’s secret sin and our secret sins are open before God. God knows all about what we do.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J. Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

 

David's Kindness to Hanun. II Samuel 10

 

I1 Samuel 10. David’s Kindness to Hanun.

 

David’s kindness to Mephibosheth was accepted but when he offered kindness to Hanun it was rejected and led to the death of nearly fifty thousand men. Hanun’s counsellors were suspicious of David and questioned his motives because they judged David based on what they would have done.

The King’s servants are sometimes treated badly, but they didn’t need to worry because their King had everything under control, and some things heal with time. God cares for His own.

The same God who ordains the victory in battle also ordains the means to the end. (Courageous men who do their job well).

Faith and works must always go together.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Mephibosheth. II Samuel 9

 

II Samuel 9 – Mephibosheth

 

Mephibosheth is the son of Jonathan and the grandson of Saul. According to the tradition of their day, David would have been justified in putting to death any of the offspring of Saul. David could more firmly establish his throne by killing this boy and then remove the last part of danger.

Ziba, a servant of Saul, betrayed the hiding place of Mephibosheth, and David could have easily killed him.

When Mephibosheth is brought before David. David speaks kindly to him, calling him by his name. David quickly puts him at ease and explains the reason he has sent for him.  He restored his inheritance to him and gives him a permanent place at the king’s table- honoring him as one of his sons.

Mephibosheth counts himself as a “dead dog”. David says, “you are not a dead dog. You are Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. I intend to show kindness to you.

Then the king called Ziba. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. This property and land of Saul’s was turned over to Mephibosheth. It rightfully belonged to him, and David sees to it that he gets it. Ziba and his family is placed there to watch over it.

David for the rest of his life had a crippled boy who ate at his table.

David extended kindness to Mephibosheth for the sake of Jonathan. David looked upon this boy, he did not see a cripple; he saw Jonathan. He had made a covenant with Jonathan.

Now God has saved you and me because of another – The Lord Jesus Christ. When God sees you and me in Christ, He accepts us and saves us.

Christ is sending out an invitation today. “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

 

 

David Establishes His Kingdom. II Samuel 8

 

II Samuel 8 -David Establishes His Kingdom

 

David is now being fully established in the kingdom, and we find that he has a great victory over the Philistines. They were the perpetual enemies over Israel. David drives them back, not only out of the land of Israel, but beyond their own borders.

Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, had a kingdom that went as far as the Euphrates. David took a thousand chariots from him. David got rid of all but a few of the horses. God had made a rule for the kings that they were not to multiply horses or wives.  David multiplied wives and Solomon multiplied both horses and wives.

David enlarged the borders of Israel, so we find that Syria, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, and the Amalekites all became subject to David and apparently paid tribute.

God magnified David’s name because David did the will of God. His name was mentioned twenty-one times in this chapter. Exalt yourself and God will humble you, humble yourself and God will exalt you.

God gave David victory, and David used each victory to serve the Lord. David knew that he would not build the temple, but he risked his life to gather the wealth Solomon would need to do the job. If God gives your dream to someone else, help him or her fulfill it.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Davids Desire, God's Covenant, II Samuel 7

 

II Samuel 7 – Davids Desire, God’s Covenant.

 

One night when David was in his palace, he began to think about the ark. He thought, I want to build God a house. David called in Nathan, his prophet, and told him the desires of his heart. He said, “I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains.” David’s plans sounded good to Nathan. But, God said, “You cannot build me a temple. Your hands are bloody.”

God had said to Nathan, “You go tell David that I appreciate the fact that he wants to build me a house. I never asked him to do it. I never asked any of my people to build me a house.” In other words, building the temple was David’s idea – not God’s commandment. David wanted to do something great for God, and God did something far greater for him.

David had gathered all the materials and made all the arrangements with the contractor. Solomon carried out the plans. He was next in line to be king.

God tells David that He will be Solomon’s father.

That is the unique relationship between God the Father and God the Son. When iniquity is laid upon Him- when we sin they are put upon Him – it is with His stripes that we are healed.

Though the line of David sinned, God would carry through to the end His purpose with David and his life. And God did just that.  He brought the Lord Jesus Christ into the world. They were looking for One to come. He will be in the family of David. David is overwhelmed by the fact that Jesus Christ will be in his line. It is no wonder he could sing those beautiful psalms.  David rested upon God’s promise.

God has also made a promise to us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Doing a Right Thing in a Wrong Way. II Samuel 6

 

II Samuel 6, Doing a Right Thing in a Wrong Way

 

The day that David brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem and the day David purposed in his heart to build God a house, these are probably the two greatest days in David’s life. The ark is mentioned fifteen times in the first seventeen verses.

David knew where the Lord was, and he knew He was not in that box. He knew that the approach to God was made through the ark which spoke of a mediator between God and man.

God had given specific instructions about moving the tabernacle and its furniture, but David did not follow those instructions. The ark was constructed with rings on the four corners. Staves were put through those rings, and the ark was carried on the shoulders of the Levites. The Kohathites were the ones that carried the ark on their shoulders. Not the Levites.

Jesus Christ must be carried through the world on the shoulders of those who are His own. That is God’s way of doing it today. That was God’s way of doing it in David’s day.

The ark was on the cart, and the oxen were shaking the cart. When Uzzah tried to steady the ark with his hand, the Lord struck him, and he died. Uzzah’s death affected David that he stopped the procession and left the ark in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.  David was shaken and angry with the Lord. The Lord was angry too. God was angry because David was moving the ark in the wrong way. David was afraid of the Lord that day, and finally asked, “How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?” The answer would be, On the shoulder of the priests. When David did it right and brought it to the house of David, he rejoiced before God.

We are to come into His presence with joy. Michal, David’s wife, did not like to see anyone who was in love with God like that, and she despised David for it.

Here is a man who is in love with God. He is rightly related to Him and thrilled to be able to serve Him. You and I should have the same joy of the Lord in our lives!

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

David, King of Israel, II Samuel 5

 

II Samuel 5 David, King of Israel

The eleven tribes in the north recognize that they no longer have any leadership. The tribes sent representatives to David. They said, “Behold we are thy bone and thy flesh.”

The nation of Israel, after more than seven years of civil war, is reunited under David. He was thirty years old when he began to reign- still a young man. He had reigned over the single tribe of Judah for seven years and six months in Hebron. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem over all Israel, all twelve tribes. David reigned for a total of forty years and six months. The first thing he did was moved the capital of Israel from Hebron to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was David’s city. “David took the strong hold of Zion.” He took the top of the hill and not the city proper. From that vantage point he was able to take this city of the Jebusites. The Jebusites found themselves overwhelmed before they even knew there was a battle going on.

David established Mount Zion as his fort.

Of the children of David born in Jerusalem came the line of Nathan.

From the line of Nathan came Mary the mother of Jesus. From Solomon came Joseph, Mary’s husband.

Now that David has returned to his own nation and has been anointed king over all Israel, the Philistines are out to get him. Again, God delivered them into David’s hands. Throughout David’s reign there never was any peace with this enemy.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

 

 

Mephibosheth and the Death of Abner. II Samuel 4

 

II Samuel 4. Mephibosheth and the Death of Abner

 

Mephibosheth was Jonathan’s son. As long as he lived, he was a constant danger to David because he had rights to the throne. Since he was Jonathan’s son, David would never harm him. Later, David will go looking for family members of Saul and Jonathan, not to kill them, but to show them kindness.

 

Rechab and Baanah, were petty officers under Abner in the army of Saul. They conspired to put Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, to death. When Ish-bosheth was in bed, they slipped in upon him and killed him. They did this because they expected to make peace with David. They thought David would reward them for their act. They took the head of Ish-bosheth to David. David did not accept it. He would have never approved of anything like that. David executed them for their deed.

 

Saul was not David’s enemy. The Lord did not avenge David. People do terrible things in the name of the Lord to please Him!

 

When you are tempted to retaliate, keep in mind that God’s people do not “do evil that good may come.” Romans 3:8 rather they “overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

Abner Joins With David. II Samuel 3

 

II Samuel 3 – Abner Joins with David

 

It was the exclusive right of the man who was the successor to the throne to cohabit with the deceased king’s concubines. Abner infringed on the rights of Ish-bosheth and became angry when the king rebuked him for taking Rizpah, one of Saul’s concubines, into his own harem. The young king was justified in rebuking Abner, but Abner became so enraged that he immediately began to make overtures to David.

Abner made known his intentions of Abandoning the house of Saul and allying himself with David. He was going to help David become king over the twelve tribes. Ish-bosheth did not say a word to Abner because he feared him.

David told Abner that he could come only if he brought Saul’s daughter, Michal, with him. Michal was David’s first wife. Saul had taken her away from David. David had a checkered past and that is the reason he suffered- he had let sin enter his life. But he wanted more than anything else to have a wonderful relationship with God.

So, Joab hearing of his brother’s death, avenged him by killing Abner. When David heard of it, he did not approve of it at all. The king lamented over Abner and said, “Abner died a fool’s death”. The reason he said this is because Abner stepped outside of the city of refuge, to where Joab had killed him. He was a fool to leave Hebron.

There is a refuge for every sinner in Christ. If he is outside the place of refuge, he is lost. Jesus Christ is our place of refuge.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

David, King of Judah. II Samuel 2

 

I1 Samuel 2 – David, King of Judah

 

David wants to know what to do. He asks the Lord, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? He is in Philistine country. Saul is dead and David is next to be king. He waited until he received instructions from the Lord.

God told him to go to Hebron cautiously, he is not to go up and arbitrarily take over Israel, but to move up into the land to make himself available. When David headed for Hebron, he took with him the two women who were his wives. David’s loyal followers came with him and settled their families in the cities of Hebron.

The men of his own tribe came to anoint him king over Judah. Then David does a very wise thing. The men who buried Saul were devoted to him, and now David thanks them for it. Then he asked for their support and devotion as King, even as they had given it to Saul.

Both Saul and Jonathan had sons, and one of them would have been the normal one to come to the throne but God had intervened. Abner, who had been captain of Saul’s hosts, moved immediately to make one of them king. At first David is made king over the southern kingdom of Judah, but the northern tribes made Ishosheth, a son of Saul, their king. This was an interval of civil war. It depleted the resources and energy of the nation. There was a very big battle and Abner was beaten. Abner was followed by Asahel. He was a brother of Joab, who was David’s captain. Abner warned him to stop his pursuit. Asahel refused, and finally Abner turned around and drove a spear through him. Abner killed the brother of Joab.

Asahel’s funeral closes this chapter. After the funeral Joab and his men “went all night” and came to Hebron at the break of day. They had reported to David all that had happened.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

 

David Mourns Saul and Jonathan's Deaths. II Samuel 1

 

II Samuel -David Mourns Saul and Jonathan’s Deaths.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

War and defeat had come to the Israelites because they were out of the will of God. “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isa. 57:21. Isaiah said that three times. I wonder if that might not be applicable to us today.

David did not know what happened in the battle. He and his men had been recovering their loved ones from the Amalekites. They had been back in Ziklag for two days without hearing a word. Then disheveled man stumbled into David’s camp. He said that he came from the war. He told David that the Philistines had won the war and that Saul was dead. This young man confessed to David what he had done, and it sounds as though he expected David to give him a medal for his deed.

If this man did slay Saul, it was because Saul had disobeyed God when he refused to slay all the Amalekites back in I Samuel. Had Saul obeyed God, this man would not have been alive to kill him, and perhaps Saul would have survived. David asked this man how it was that he was unafraid to touch the Lord’s anointed.

As long as Saul was king, David would not touch him. No one else had better touch him either because God is the one who put the crown on his head, and God should be the one to take it off when the time comes. David told him, “If you have lied to me, then your blood is upon you, because you confessed that you killed the Lord’s anointed.”

No one could say that either Saul or Jonathan was a coward. Saul had brought prosperity to the land. David and Jonathan were bosom friends. They loved each other. David’s grief is sincere. This is a tremendous tribute to Jonathan in particular. David’s grief over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan is touching. It is one of the most striking lamentations in the Word of God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Saul and Jonathan Die in Battle. I Samuel 31

 

I Samuel 31- Saul and Jonathan die in Battle

 

The Philistines fought against Israel. It is the beginning of the end for Saul. First he was hit in battle by an archer. It is also tragic that Jonathan was slain in battle. This is remarkable because on another occasion when Jonathan was fighting the Philistines, he killed 250 of the enemy at one time. This shows how outnumbered Israel was at that time. This could well have been a battle in which David and Jonathan would have been on opposite sides, but God had intervened.

When Saul saw that he was mortally wounded, he felt that the enemy would come and abuse him and taunt him. Saul was a proud, egotistical man, and he did not feel that such an end was becoming to him.  His armor bearer was afraid to lay a hand on the king when Saul asked him to thrust him through with a sword. So, Saul took a sword and fell upon it.

Death reigned over Israel; their soldiers died, Saul and his armorbearer died, and Saul’s son died. Such is the high cost of one man’s rebellion. “For to be carnally minded is death.” Romans 8:6.

Had Israel won, God would have been glorified. Instead, the pagan idols were honored, and the dead were desecrated.  It is bad enough to die in a losing battle, but not to be buried was an even greater disgrace.

The brave men of Jabesh Gilead risked their lives to give Saul and his sons a decent burial. After all, Saul had rescued their city forty years before, and they were showing their gratitude. David later honored them for their feat.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

 

 

David and His Lost Loved Ones. I Samuel 30

 

I Samuel 30 -David and His Lost Loved Ones

 

After David and his men returned to Ziklag, they discovered that their homes were burned, and their loved ones taken. Among those were David’s wives Ahinoam, the Jezreelitess, and Abigail. David was very distressed, not only because he lost his loved ones, but because his men spoke of stoning him. David made many mistakes like we do. His last one was when he left Israel to live among the Philistines. His own followers, under this great emotional strain of having lost their loved ones, wanted to stone him. “But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” There are times when we find ourselves in dark places, and the situation looks hopeless. Should we be discouraged? Give up? Will we turn to God at times like this?

“Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.” Heb.7:25

With the Ephod, the garment of prayer, David went to God for direction. He talked to his High Priest, the One who was his Shepherd. David appealed to his Lord, and the Lord encouraged him to go after the enemy. All provisions had been taken, and these men were faint. Two hundred of them could not make the trip because they had marched double time.

On their way, they found an Egyptian in the field. He was sick and they left him to die. The man tells David what had happened at the burning of Ziklag, then leads him to the Amalekites.

David makes a surprise attack upon the Amalekites as they are rejoicing over the victory and the spoils they have taken.

Only 400 of the men had transportation and were able to get away from David and his men. When the war was over David returned to Ziklag, along with their wives and children and flocks. The men argued over the spoils until David said they had to share equally with the men that stayed behind. That revealed justice on the part of David.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

David's Life Among the Philistines.I Samuel 29

 

I Samuel 29 – David’s Life Among the Philistines

 

When war was about to break out, David and his men marched with the Philistines. All the lords of the Philistines knew David, and when they saw him marching with them, they did not like it. I am sure that if you saw a person who had been your enemy suddenly turn and be on your side, you would want to make sure that he was not going to come up from the rear and attack you. Achish, however, had full confidence in David. But Achish is outvoted and outnumbered. To have harmony in their midst, Achish asks David to leave. This is the providence of God, it delivers David from fighting his own people.

David’s lapse of faith in stepping out of the land meant he was also stepping out of the will of God. You will always get into trouble when you step out of the will of God. David stepped out of God’s will and was about to commit an awful sin when God intervened.

Jezreel is in the north. It is here that scripture tells us the last great war of

Armageddon will be fought. As the Philistines go up to Jezreel, David and his men return to Ziklag.

While David and his men were away from home, an enemy from the south, the Amalekites, invaded the Philistine country and destroyed Ziklag. They returned to find it burned with fire and deserted. David and his men were distraught. They had lost their wives and children! As far as they knew, their loved ones had been slain.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

 

 

Saul Consults the Witch of Endor. I Samuel 28

 

I Samuel 28 – Saul Consults the Witch of Endor

 

Once again the Philistines were gathering their armies together to fight Israel. Saul gathered his troops at Gilboa. Since God was not speaking to Saul, he turned to the witch of Endor. Deuteronomy 18:9-14 says, “When you come into the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone that makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or uses divinations, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a wizard, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination to the Lord. Because of these abominations, the Lord drives them out before you. You shall be perfect with the Lord your God.”  We are living in a day when there is a great deal of practice in the areas mentioned. In I Timothy 4:1 Paul says, “Now the spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and the doctrine of the devil.”

When a spirit, thought to be Samuel appears, this frightens the old witch. She sees supernatural creatures coming out of the ground. Saul did not see Samuel, the witch may never have seen Samuel while he was alive, who said she saw an old man covered with a mantle. They jumped to the conclusion that it was Samuel. Keep in mind that demons can impersonate. Saul had laid himself wide open for Satan, and Satan has moved in.

Samuel before his death, had already pronounced the death, the destruction, and the rejection of Saul. Saul did not gain any comfort, any direction, or any new information from the spirit world. It is obvious God was not in this.

I Cor. 10:13 said Saul died for his transgression against the Lord for asking counsel of a familiar spirit. God condemned what Saul did.

Christ was the only One. He says, “I was dead. I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of the grave.” If you want any information, go to Him. If you want help, go to Him. If you want Salvation, go to Him. He went down through the portal of death for you and for me, and He came out in mighty power which He makes available to His own.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

David Lives Among the Philistines. I Samuel 27

 

I Samuel 27 – David Lives Among the Philistines

 

David won a great victory over Saul, only to be overwhelmed by despair. He is discouraged, despondent, and doing something he should not have done. He leaves the land of Israel and goes to live among the Philistines. Such feelings are not unusual. You cannot have mountaintops without valleys. David should have talked to the Lord. He and Abiathar could have sought the mind of God together.

 

David had made some foolish decisions because he did not stop to ask the Lord. He stopped serving God and started thinking about survival. He trusted the enemy for protection and did not trust the Lord. As a result, he had to plot, kill, and lie to survive.

 

When you are discouraged, ask a trusted Christian friend to pray with you, and seek the Lord’s direction. Take time to confide in your friend. It gives a clearer perspective.

 

“Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.” Psalm 27:14

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

David Spares Saul's Life Again. I Samuel 26

 

I Samuel 26 – David Spares Paul’s Life Again.

 

David fled into the wilderness, and Saul went after him. David was a great soldier, and he knew the terrain, which made him an expert General. He also had loyal men who were willing to die for him and with him. Saul did not know the terrain. His followers were not as loyal as they could be, and Saul suspected them.

David could not believe that Saul would come into a territory that was unfamiliar to him. David sent spies out to see if Saul really was in the area. His scouts reported that Saul was in the wilderness.

David and Abishai went into Saul’s camp and looked around. Saul was sleeping in a trench, surrounded by his men. At the head of his bed, he had stuck his spear in the ground. Abishai said to David, “If you just let me at him, I will strike him once. One blow is all I need, and you will be rid of your enemy.”

David would not raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed. David says, “God will have to take care of him.” He took Saul’s spear and cruse of water, and no one wakened because the Lord had caused a deep sleep to fall upon Saul and his men. David went to the other side of the camp and stood on top of the hill. It was a place where he could easily escape if anyone came after him.  David starts ridiculing Abner, He tells him that the king could have been destroyed. The king and his men wake up, and they wonder what has happened. David shouts, “Where is Saul’s spear and cruse of water? They are gone.” “I could have slain Saul, but I did not.”

Again, Saul admitted he was wrong and gave up his pursuit of David, David knew it was only a temporary respite. David’s heart is becoming very discouraged. He is weary of this continuous running away and hiding in the dens of the earth.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

Samuel Dies, David Meets Abigail. I Samuel 25

 

I Samuel 25-Samuel Dies, David Meets Abigail

 

Samuel had been a great man of God; He was outstanding. He was the bridge between the judges and the kings. He was the last of the judges and the first in the office of prophets. There were many prophets before him, but he represented the office that continued through the Old Testament and into the New Testament. Samuel was a buffer between David and Saul. When Samuel died David went farther away from Saul. God knew David’s heart. He was anointed Israel’s future king by Samuel. He slew the giant Goliath. As a musician he is called “the sweet Psalmist” of Israel. David married the Princess Michal, daughter of Saul, He was loved by Jonathan, son of Saul. David became an outlaw. He gathered a band of men and lived in mountain strongholds.

The story of David and Abigail reveals how human David was.

Nabal means “fool”. He was a rich man who had neither honor nor honesty. He was a drunkard, but he had a beautiful and intelligent wife.

David had been protecting Nabal’s property. He had quite the army with him, and he could have robbed this man and taken his sheep for food. Instead, he kept thieves and marauders from getting the sheep. He did many things to assist Nabal. Now David and his men need food, so he sends to Nabal to ask. Nabal is saying David has betrayed Saul and is disloyal. David gets angry over Nabal’s reply.

Someone in Nabal’s household learned of this and informed Abigail. Abigail gathered food and went to meet David before he could get to Nabal and kill him. David’s intention was to kill every man that belonged to Nabal. David looks down the hill and sees a woman on a donkey with food. For the first time, God’s anointed is face to face with a noble woman who means well by him. She apologizes for the fact that her husband is a fool and a brute. She asks David not to hold this against him as David will soon be king. David is thankful to this woman for her advice. David accepted her food and her advice. That night Nabal had a party, and the next Day Abigail tells him what she did for David. Then his heart died within him, and he became “as stone.”

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he wanted Abigail for his wife. And she became his wife and a blessing in his life.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

David Spare's Saul's Life. I Samuel 24

 

         

I Samuel 24 David Spares Saul’s Life

 

David had gone to a rugged place to hide.  Saul went looking for David with an army of three thousand men while David only had six hundred men. David made up for this imbalance by using strategy.  Also, he knew the area and his men were rugged men.

Saul entered the very cave in which David was hiding and went to sleep. Saul’s men were on guard, but they were outside the cave. David quietly slipped up to the sleeping king and trimmed off the lower part of his garment. Right away David regretted his act because it would be a source of embarrassment to Saul. David respected the office of the king although he may not have respected the man.

We live in a country that has its faults, but it has been a great country for most of us, and its offices and officers should be respected.

Even though David is hunted by Saul, David will not lay a hand on him because he is God’s anointed. David is going to let God deal with the king.

Romans 12:19 “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine saith the Lord.” When we take things into our own hands, we are no longer walking by faith. We are not trusting God.

Several of David’s men had no use for Saul and would have killed him in a minute, but David would not permit it. David’s act of mercy in sparing Saul’s life should have made it abundantly clear that he was not seeking the king’s life. As David reasons with Saul, he weeps. This is an amazing confession from Saul. He realizes that what David said is true and is moved by the fact that David spared his life. Saul acknowledges the fact that David will become king.

Saul returns home, but David and his men go to their stronghold. David still does not trust Saul. He goes further and further into the wilderness to hide, because he knows there will come a day when Saul will come after him again.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

David Leans on God. I Samuel 23

 

I Samuel 23 – David Leans on God

 

A gifted leader like David might have been tempted to depend on his experience; instead, he turned to the Lord for the guidance he needed. Even the counsel of his men did not sway him once he knew the mind of God.

David rescued the citizens of Keilah, yet they planned to turn him and his men over to Saul. Do not expect everybody you help to appreciate what you have done.

Even though Saul was out to kill David, Jonathan was brave enough to visit David and encourage him. That is what friendship is all about. How tragic that Jonathan’s hope for the future were destroyed by his father’s sins, but at least Jonathan was willing to be second man.

God used an invasion of the Philistines to rescue David when it looked as if Saul’s forces would win. No matter what men may do, God  works out His purposes, and His providence does not fail.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Saul Kills the Priests of God - I Samuel 22

 

I Samuel 22 – Saul Kills the Priests of God

 

David was a long time in breaking with Saul. There were many loyal to Saul, but they were finally forced to flee because their lives became endangered. Many fled to David and joined up with him. There were men who came to him who were in debt. Debt is a cancer that destroys under any circumstance. In that day when a man got into debt he could lose his property and be sold into slavery. Saul was permitting men to become slaves – he was not enforcing the Mosaic law. Forgiveness always rests upon the payment of a debt, and those who were in debt had to flee. David did not pay the debt, but Christ did. He paid the debt of sin by dying on the cross. He set us free.

The discontented also came to David. This means that they were bitter of soul. The circumstances and experiences of life had soured them. Life will make you bitter unless you see the Hand of God.

The fact that David leaves the land of Israel and goes to Moab means he is really a frightened man.

Saul developed some paranoic tendencies. He developed a persecution complex. There was one man who knew where David had gone, and he tells Saul what he knows. He was at the tabernacle when David and his men ate the showbread. After Doeg gives Saul his information, Saul decides to go after Ahimelech the priest. He sent for Ahimelech and the other priests who were in Nob. Saul demanded that Ahimelech explain why he had helped David escape. The Priest gave a truthful answer. He was not aware that David had not been honest with him. In his anger Saul did not listen to reason but commanded the servants to kill the priests. They hesitated to carry out his order. But Saul had gone so far in his rebellion and sin that he would not stop at anything. He commanded Doeg to do his dirty work.

The bitterness and vengeance of Saul was terrible. It is a terrible thing when bitterness takes over. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”  Hebrews 12:15

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

David Involves the Priests I Samuel 21

 

I Samuel 21 – David Involves the Priests

 

David flees from Saul with his young men that are with him. No one is wearing livery of King Saul. The only bread available was on the table of showbread, which was not to be eaten except by the priest and only at a certain time – which was at the changing of the bread each Sabbath Day. In giving David and his men the bread, the priest was breaking the letter of the Law but not the spirit of the law. David ate the showbread because he had need. Christ said that human need supersedes all ritual and ceremonial laws.

 

Doeg is an Edomite. He is in Saul’s service, and he was going to betray David and the priest. David has a great deal to say of this man in Psalm 52.

David did not have a sword or a spear because he had to leave in a hurry. He was not on a mission for the king, even though he said so.

The king’s business does not require haste. Have you ever noticed how patiently God works?  He is going to work that way in the life of David. David is going to be schooled and trained in the caves of the earth. God is in no hurry. God has had to teach patience to every man He has ever used. God’s work does not require haste. David uses Goliath’s sword because it is there for him to take.

 David got away from Saul as far as he could and went to Achish. When he arrived among these foreigners, he found he was in danger. They were enemies of Israel; so David had to pretend that he was a madman. David’s act was good and the king of Achish believed it. David would not be in danger there.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Jonathan Helps David Escape. I Samuel 20

 

I Samuel 20. Jonathan Helps David Escape

 

Saul knew his daughter had deceived him concerning David. He knew Jonathan and David were good friends. Therefore, Jonathan had to be careful, and very secretive about communicating with David.

David was puzzled. He could not understand why Saul was after him. Jonathan told David that if his father makes a move to slay him, he will know about it.  David said, “there is but a step between me and death.” You and I are within a step of death. Isaiah said that there is only a heartbeat between you and death. Death can come at any time. That is the reason we ought to be ready at any moment to move out into eternity and into the presence of God. Are you trusting Christ as your Savior- so that if you should die at this moment you would go into the presence of God? It is not something that we should put off.

When David was in trouble, Jonathan proved to be his friend. He would do anything to protect David.

David was expected to be at the palace at mealtime, but he was afraid to go. Instead, he asked Jonathan for permission to disappear for three days. Jonathan realized that David, his brother-in-law, would probably succeed Saul on the throne. So, he requested that when David came into power his own relationship with David’s house might not be forgotten.

The plan called for Jonathan to shoot his bow and arrows. David would be hiding in the field. If he shot the arrow way beyond David, it meant that evil was determined against him, and he should flee. If he shot the arrow closer to David, in front of him instead of beyond him, he would know it was safe to return. The arrow went flying and landed way on the other side of David. That meant he was to flee.

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Saul Desires to Kill David - I Samuel 19

 

I Samuel 19 – Saul Desires to Kill David

 

Jonathan told David to get out of the palace, because his life was in danger there, and hide himself. Saul was now openly trying to take David’s life. Jonathan has a plan. He is going to try and talk to his father. Saul and Jonathan go out into the field and Jonathan says, “David has actually helped you. He is one of your followers. He is a wonderful citizen of your kingdom. You should not try to kill him.”

Saul listened to his son, and David came back to the palace. David was wary though because he knew his life was in danger.

An evil spirit comes upon Saul again. David is playing his harp, and Saul is fingering his javelin. David senses Saul’s murderous mood. Saul throws that javelin with the intent of pinning David to the wall. David knows he is no longer safe in the palace, even though he is married to Saul’s daughter.

In the beginning Michal was on David’s side. She told David that if he did not escape that very night he would be killed the next day. She knew her father meant business. David fled from the palace, and Michal fixed up the bed to make it look like he was still in it.

When Saul found out that he had been deceived, he demanded an explanation from his daughter. She told him that David would have killed her if she had failed to help him.

Because Samuel had appointed David as king, his life was in danger too. From then on, David lived like an animal. He will be on the run until the death of Saul.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.