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

It was actually many years between the time Samuel anointed David to be king of Israel and he actually took the throne. Although the process was long, it was Secure and God clearly established him as the leader of his people.

We are wise to patiently endure the ploys of men until God’s selected leaders are clearly established. HE rules over all.

PRAYER: Today as an election takes place, we put our supreme trust in You, O Lord.

READING: 2 Sam. 4-6

Unfortunately Saul’s death provided the platform for ongoing conflict between David and Saul’s followers. Abner, Saul’s general, had personal ambition which eventually led to his death. Regrettable casualties resulted from this power struggle.

Paul warned against “Biting and devouring one another” in his letter to the church at Galatia. (5;15)

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for our self-serving natures which always bring casualties. Grace us to prefer one another.

READING: 1 Sam. 31;  2 Sam. 1-3

When David and his 600 men returned from their conquests , they found that their belongings, wives, and children had been kidnapped by the Amalekites. Faced with this crisis, he sought the Lord and received the instructions to pursue and recover all. What looked like an unfathomable disaster became another testimony of God’s miraculous keeping power.

When faced with crisis, we are wise to call upon His name.

PRAYER: Lord, You are our only recourse when faced with disastrous crises. We trust You like David did.

READING:  1 Sam. 27-30

In spite of Saul trying to kill David, he honored the office of King that Saul possessed. David knew that God would reward to each the fruit of their own conduct.

Difficult as it is sometimes, we honor the office of authority, trusting the Lord to deal out to leaders the just penalty or reward for their performance.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, You hold the hearts of the kings in Your hand. We trust Your judgement.

READING: 1 Sam. 24-26

Fearing that he was losing his hold on the kingdom, Saul pursued David to thereby eliminate his rival. God protected David.

When you are a God ordained leader, He will protect you and support your leadership. You can lead in faith and confidence.

PRAYER: Father, we rest in Your hand of direction and protection.

READING: 1 Sam. 21-23

Because God’s hand was upon David, Saul became extremely jealous. He tried to kill David at every turn. These challenges to David’s life helped to make him stronger and more dependent upon the Lord’s direction and protection.

PRAYER: Lord, upon You will we lean. Lead us in paths of righteousness today.

READING: 1 Sam. 18-20