God sent a famine to punish the land for some of Saul’s sins. Because God has control of the elements, He can even use such tools to execute His judgments.

The present day fires in California seem to defy man’s ability to control the elements. In light of the negative spiritual barometer California registers, is it possible that the residual effect of their sin (Hollywood etc.) is taking a toll on their society?

That leaves us to pray … for revival and restitution of the lost souls living there. Repentance brings change.

PRAYER: Lord, it is not for us to judge or criticize Your actions in the earth. We do bring before You the devastation being experienced in California. Bring a mighty revival whereby many come to a saving knowledge through Christ Jesus.

READ: 2 Sam. 19-21

Even though his son had risen up in rebellion, desiring to kill his father and take his throne, David continued to love him. At the news of his death, David mourned greatly.

Can we have such an attitude towards our antagonists? This story reveals the merciful and compassionate heart of David. Besides Christ Jesus Himself, David is the Bible author who most fully characterizes God’s mercy.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.” [Matt. 5:7]

PRAYER: Lord, Your mercy is an amazing thing. We want to be merciful to others, showing them compassion even though undeserved.

READ: 2 Sam. 17,18

When Absalom decided he should be the king of Israel, David and his loyal followers picked up and left Jerusalem in fear for their lives. He left the Ark behind and declared, “If I find the Lord’s favor, He will bring me back to Jerusalem.”

David chose not to defend himself, but to cast himself upon the Lord’s judgement. God had anointed him king. He would now trust the Lord to keep him as king if God wanted.

Pastor John Garlington commented at a minister’s conference when asked about people in his church coming against him … “God told me, ‘If you do something, I won’t. If you don’t, THEN I will.'”

God defends us. He does the better job.

PRAYER: Lord, You are my defender. You preserve me when others try to destroy me. I trust Your ways above my own.

READ: 2 Sam. 15,16

It’s as if David’s moral fall opened the door to his family … the Amnon-Tamar incident soon followed … where Amnon defiled Tamar with his lust. David’s grief was again compounded by the tragic circumstances generated by his son, Amnon.

These incidents and painful results are proof that the quest for moral purity is valuable. In a society where moral standards have been so degraded, it’s wise for leaders and parents to be on a continual crusade to place premium value upon both pure actions and heart attitudes.

Instilling a quest for moral purity in the minds of youth can prevent great sorrow.

PRAYER: Father, we want to be pure in heart like Jesus encouraged in the Sermon on the Mount. We will maintain this quest as long as we have life.

READ: 2 Sam. 13,14   (Sorry, I didn’t list ch. 12 yesterday)

What was he thinking?

This great warrior-worshiper who composed songs and verses we quote and spiritually survive on … and he succumbs to the carnal temptation to commit adultery with the wife of one of his trusted soldiers. Our present day sex scandals have NOTHING on this escapade.

This is a classic example of how one sin leads to another … to another etc. The massive cover-up David executed only brought more shame and collateral damage to the original deed.

We think we’re so smart.

The smart thing to do is confess and come clean ASAP!

PRAYER: Father, deliver us from the snares of sin … the traps of the Evil One. Keep us close to You and fill us with temptation-resisting grace, especially in the weak moments.

READ: 2 Sam. 10,11

King David was a mighty warrior. He eliminated the enemies of Israel through battle. God gave David victory “Wherever he went.” [2 Sam. 8:14]

Our lives have struggles. We have David’s example of how to live with victory over all our enemies. Paul said the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (that inflict physical damage) but they are mighty through God. God’s Word, our praise, our prayer, our confession, our attitude … these are the weapons of our warfare.

You don’t have to be defeated.

PRAYER: Lord, my battles are Yours. You have given me weapons. Through faith in You, I will lift up Your Word and Your name against my enemies. Jesus, You have already given me the victory.

READ: 2 Sam. 8-10

As the Ark of the Covenant was being brought back to Jerusalem from the house of Obed-Edom, David danced with all his might before the Lord. He was so excited for this event. He wanted the Ark close-by so he could worship God daily before it. At the thought of it being in Zion, his senses were overwhelmed to the point that he was constrained to demonstrate with exorbitant physical gesture. Weeping, dancing, singing, lifting up of hands, prostration, clapping … all were physical gestures David referred to when describing his worship expression to the Lord.

PRAYER: Lord, Who in all the earth is greater than You. How can we but relinquish to You the most lavish expressions of praise and exaltation. You are deserving of our all.

READ: 2 Sam. 5-7

Although he was indeed a mighty warrior and slaughtered many, David always displayed an honor and integrity about what he did. His extreme respect for whomever the Lord had chosen to be a leader, was characteristic of David’s comportment towards the house of Saul.

In his writings, his integrity was always a priority for living. It was one of the sustaining elements of his rule.

“Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait on Thee.”  [Ps. 25:1]

PRAYER: Father, as David walked in his integrity, let me also live a life of integrity before You and all who serve You.

READ: 2 Sam. 2-4

Upon hearing that King Saul and his sons, including Jonathan, had been slain, David and his men lamented and grieved their passing. Even though Saul had erred and fallen into sinful behavior, David still revered the leader because Saul had been ordained and anointed by God to be the leader of Israel.

Honoring God’s leaders is something we do to honor Him, to spread the influence of His Kingdom, and perpetuate His rule. When leaders fail, they are dealt with directly by God.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I pray for the leaders You have selected in Your Kingdom. Keep them from evil and harm. Encourage them to be strong in Your service.

READ: 1 Sam. 29-31; 2 Sam. 1

Saul enjoyed the blessing of God as long as he was obedient to the Lord’s commands. He lost the kingdom because of his pride and independance of God’s influence in his life. With the Lord’s support withdrawn, he became desperate for the direction he had previously enjoyed.  Upon consulting a medium, the witch at Endor, he was informed of his imminent death.

David, conversely, enjoyed God’s support and blessing his entire life. When he sinned, he repented and followed the Lord.

PRAYER: Father, let me follow the ways of David and not Saul. I bless You and praise You for Your hand of blessing upon Your people.

READ: 1 Sam. 26-28