God gave King Solomon the necessary wisdom and discernment to rule effectively. Because of this apparent endorsement by God, they held him in awe, thereby more greatly establishing his rule and authority.

God naturally gives wisdom and discernment to leaders that He doesn’t give to followers. It’s a natural benefit of being chosen by God to lead. It’s an example of His grace … working in us both to will and do His good pleasure. [Phil. 2:13]

PRAYER: Lord, every good and perfect gift comes from You. You are the Source of wisdom for living. Apart from You, we are nothing.

READING: 1 Kings 3-5

Adonijah through his ambition appointed himself heir to the throne of David. His rule was short-lived as God had intended Solomon to assume the reign. Adonijah’s request to marry the Shunamite, the young maiden assigned to care for David in his old age, obviously crossed the line of Solomon’s patience with Adonijah. He had Benaiah execute the rival immediately. It’s possible that this was the Shunamite referred to in the love story, the Song of Solomon. No wonder Solomon wouldn’t tolerate it … he was in love with her.

God knows who He wants in charge.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, make known to all whom You have chosen for positions of critical leadership. You have equipped and destined them to rule in righteousness. Jesus, You are the Ultimate Ruler.

READING: 1 Kings 1,2

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God surrounded David with warriors who were extremely capable in battle. They protected him and were capable of giving Israel an aggressive edge against their foes. The deeds of these men were recorded. If they were walking around today, they would display many medals and honors on their uniforms for all to see.

Interestingly, God became upset with Israel at the same time the mighty men were acknowledged. Was God trying to tell them to focus on defeating their enemies rather than gloating over their accomplishments?

“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty through God to the tearing down of strongholds.” [2 Cor. 10:4]

PRAYER: God of conquest, grace us to keep a forward focus on fulfilling Your commission to carry the Gospel to our world rather than looking back at any accomplishments we might have.

READING: 2 Sam. 23,24

David, the valiant warrior of Israel, eventually became too old to engage in combat. He then composed some of the most insightful Psalms to impart the lessons he learned in the many years of his conquest. His Psalms became instructions for warfare and trust that have become the manual for spiritual warfare employed by all who read God’s Word.

Old warriors who don’t go out to battle any longer can begin recording their wisdom gained through their years of Kingdom experience.

PRAYER: Lord, You have been our refuge and strength. Anoint us to share our testimonies with others who are just beginning their spiritual journey.

READING: 2 Sam. 20-22

David’s men routed Absalom’s troops in a conflict for the rule over Israel. 20,000 men lost their lives in the struggle. Absalom himself came to a gruesome end when he was caught by his hair hanging in a tree and thrust through with Joab’s javelin.

Power struggles rooted in ambition have their cost. Promotion comes from God.

PRAYER:  Father, our lives and futures are in Your mighty hands. We trust our destiny to Your will and provision.

READING: 2 Sam. 18,19

In the same way Absalom sought to overthrow his father’s rule, this nature seeks to ambitiously gather to itself authority and leadership which God has given to another. David’s response was upright in that he declared, “Let the Lord do to me whatever seems right to Him.” He allowed God to unfold His will rather than react in his own self defense.

God gives authority to whomever He will.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, let Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Help us to respond to each challenge as Your Holy Spirit would direct.

READING: 2 Sam. 15-17

As if David’s moral failure opened the door to like tragedies in his family, Amnon lustfully rapes Tamar in a sinister scheme of self gratification. This sets up vengeful outrage in Absolom’s heart which results in Amnon’s murder. David suffers greatly as he watches the destructive behavior of his own children. His heart is broken for years.

Lust conceived brings forth sin, and sin brings death. [James 1]

The initial lust is the element that needs to be murdered.

PRAYER: Father, grace us to mortify the lustful, self-serving tendencies we find in our hearts. We want pure hearts that continually behold Your face. 

READING: 2 Sam. 13,14

Sadly, David marred his great reputation by yielding to the temptation of an evening of indiscretion with Bathsheba. Little did he then know that his affair would lead him to murder her husband, Uriah.

Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.

PRAYER: Lord, in our moments of weakness, pour in Your grace to keep us from yielding to the appeasement of our own carnal appetites.

READING: 2 Sam. 11,12

In David’s early reign, God gave him victory wherever he went. He defeated all of Israel’s enemies and provided leadership with integrity for all to enjoy. His life and success prefigured Christ Himself.

As New Testament Christians, total victory is available to us through Christ’s conquest of death, hell, and the grave.

Paul declared, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.”  [2 Cor. 2:14]

PRAYER: Lord, we bring our gratitude to You every day. We turn our back on sin and launch out in faith to make known Your ways in all the earth.

READING: 2 Sam. 8-10

God gave David a period of peace after he was established as king over all the people. David felt guilty that he had a home but God had no house to dwell in. He endeavored to build God’s house, but God allowed him to accumulate materials but have his son, Solomon, build it.

A wise focus for New Testament believers is to look for ways to build God’s Kingdom rather than our own. He will give us peace.

PRAYER: Lord, You establish kingdoms and You can tear them down. Grace us to keep our focus on building Your Kingdom in the hearts and lives of those around us.

READING: 2 Sam. 7