For some time, all of Israel observed David’s demeanor and integrity. Yes, he was a man of war, but there was a sensitive, appropriate side of David that won over his enemies. The respect he ALWAYS showed to authority helped establish his kingdom and secure it. He began reaping what he had sowed.

From the Psalms, we know of the deep devotional relationship David had with God. Obviously, his consistent staple of precept, prayer and praise laid a foundation of Godliness that his people could trust and emulate.

Even now, we use the compositions of the Sweet Psalmist of Israel to unify our praise to God.

READ/HEAR: 2 Sam. 3-5

It was a sad time after Saul and Jonathan lost their lives in battle. Judah took David as their king, but Israel took Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, supported by Abner, the captain of Saul’s army. Joab, David’s captain, tangled with Abner and Saul’s men, in a skirmish at the pool of Gibeon. It led to a battle in which hundreds of men were killed. This was Israelite brother against brother. When they fully grasped the horror of what they were doing, Abner and Joab formed a truce to stop the bloodshed.

It’s sad to see our nation so divided, citizen against citizen. The U.S. needs a sweeping revival.

READ/HEAR: 2 Sam. 1,2

Mt. Gilboa was where Saul and his sons lost their lives. It has a sad connotation. The name means “water bursting from the rock.” Interestingly, the old king made his exit there, and God transitioned the kingdom to David. In a sense, it was a place of new beginnings also. The old is past, the new is come.

When we accept Christ, He becomes the new King of our lives. We enter the waters of baptism that have burst from the Rock. Gilboa now has a fresh, new significance.

I painted the inside of a old Methodist church in Gilboa, Ohio. The fellow I worked for, Curtis Baldridge, lived in Gilboa.

READ/HEAR: 1 Sam. 29-31

Consumed by jealousy and fearful of his future without the Lord’s favor, King Saul was desperate for God’s direction when facing the hostile Philistines. Through a medium, the witch at Endor, he brought up Samuel’s person from the grave who told him that he would lose his life the following day. This is the sad commentary on a leader who had his influence removed from him because he trusted his own abilities above obedience to God’s statutes. The kingdom was taken away from him and given to David.

David, meanwhile, would be given the throne by God’s hand of support. He would go on to maintain a vibrant life of devotion to God, spending time daily in the Lord’s presence and living IN the Lord’s commands. [Ps. 119]

READ/HEAR: 1 Sam. 26-28

During David’s exhile, he and his warriors protected the herds and property of a wealthy man named Nabal. In return, he was hoping for a token of appreciation from Nabal. On the contrary, Nabal spurned David’s gesture and offended him, stirring up David’s anger to the point of murder. Nabal’s wise wife heard of the imminent danger. She interceded with timely gifts to appease David’s planned aggression.

David tried to be a good neighbor. Nabal was a horrible neighbor. Abigail redeemed her husband’s fate by being a good neighbor and giving gifts.

Good neighbors are sensitive to the goodwill of others. Good neighbors wisely use gifts to cultivate good relationships.

READ/HEAR: 1 Sam. 24, 25

It seemed that Saul’s consuming goal was to eliminate David and anyone who assisted him. Sadly, the priests of Nob and its inhabitants were all murdered by the king’s edict, for they had helped the young psalmist and his men. Saul would do anything possible to retain his power, even though his reign was profoundly corrupted. Any political enemy was considered treasonous. His jealousy and selfish possession of power caused him to lose all appropriate sense of justice. Israel’s government was in sad shape with him on the throne.

David was not safe when within reach of any of Saul’s devices. He presently lived a life of false accusation and fear while he kept running or hidden. How could God’s anointed be treated with such contempt? It was only for a season, and the lessons learned while in flight would contribute to the integrity of his throne when he eventually would become king himself. He was training for the reigning.

READ/HEAR: 1 Sam. 21-23

How many of us would trade places with David, God’s anointed to be king of Israel, yet the target of Saul’s murderous intentions? If we think being God’s spearhead leader is without stress or danger, we need only read David’s amazing story. There was a violent rage in Saul’s heart toward David or anyone who would assist him. Jonathan, Saul’s own son, also became the victim of Saul’s rage toward David. He, too, had a spear thrown at him for being David’s ally.

What makes us glad makes others mad. When we rejoice in truth and righteousness with God, we too have a mark on our back and may be dogged by our enemy.  We are to rejoice and keep looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He conquered death, hell, and the grave, and has made a way for us to do it also.

READ/HEAR: 1 Sam. 19,20

God’s anointing had left Saul and landed on David. Samuel had been directed by God to acknowledge David as king of Israel. David’s popularity grew and Saul’s diminished. This greatly troubled Saul, and he allowed a very jealous spirit to control him. He tried several times to kill David, but God was protecting him.

When God transfers His mantle of leadership to a new leader, it can be difficult for the old one. The old leader must be gracious and recognize that it’s time for change. He can be a support and conduit of encouragement or he can get jealous and undermine the new leader. Allowing God’s spiritual gifts to flow through him, the old leader can be a valuable support and tool of blessing to the new leader. Saul could have saved himself much trouble by having taken the honorable stance.

READ/HEAR: 1 Sam. 17,18

David backed up his “smack talk” with action. He was declaring to the giant, Goliath, what he was going to do to him. David had already seen the effect God’s Spirit had when he used God’s strength to kill the lion and the bear. He spoke with confidence. It was a praise attack on his enemy.

God loves it when we conquer our enemies using the power of His name. When we pray in the face of our enemies, whether they be infirmity or trial, we pray BOLDLY in the name of Jesus. It’s not smack … it’s fact. Our enemy is already defeated.

READ/HEAR: 1 Sam. 17

If you want to be more like God, start considering a person’s heart above their appearance. God had Samuel anoint David king over Israel because of what was in his heart rather than what he looked like. Men look on the outside … God looks on the heart.

Heart tips:

• Have a heart after God … daily devotions
• Allow your heart to be broken by what breaks God’s heart … sin
• Cultivate a humble heart … resist pride
• Focus your heart on the needs of others rather than your own preferring to give rather than receive

A homeless man could have a better heart than a corporate CEO. Don’t be fooled by appearance.

READ/HEAR: 1 Sam. 16, Colossians 3