Journey through the life of Saul & David - 58. Be slow to anger!!!

Joab, David's commander, Abishai, and Asahel were brothers they were all in David’s army.

Asahel runs fast like a gazelle, so he began chasing Abner, who was Saul's commander and now came fighting with his son Ishboseth.

When Abner noticed him chasing he warned him to fight with someone else.

But Asahel din give up. Abner warned him to get away from him, since he dint wish to kill Asahel because he felt bad to face his brother Joab. But Asahel refused to turn back, so Abner thrusted his spear through Asahel’s stomach and he died.

When his brothers Joab and Abishai found this out they began chasing Abner. 

Abner at one point shouted and asked Joab, that should they always be killing each other and finally result in bitterness ? He asked Joab, when will he stop his men from chasing their Israelite brothers?

Then Joab realized and blew the ram’s horn, and stopped  chasing their Israelite brothers and they returned home.

To ponder:

We too, in our anger and frustration forget and vent out to our own brothers and sisters, instead of fighting with the real enemy, the Devil!

Are we doing this foolish act?

Eph 4: 26,27 says,  anger is the foot hold of the devil in our life. So let's cool down before the sun sets. And don't  give opportunity for the devil in our life and thereby losing our happy and loving days with our near and dear. Be wise and enjoy.

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 57. God's promises will come to pass!!!

Abner was the commander of Saul’s army, he proclaimed Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, king over Israel .He was forty years old when he became king, he ruled for two years. (2 Samuel 2:8)

David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years. One day Abner led Ishbosheth’s troops and Joab led David’s troops and both of them met at the pool of Gibeon. 

The two groups sat down there, facing each other from opposite sides of the pool.

Then Abner said to Joab, to make few of their men fight hand to hand in front of them. Joab agreed. So they chose twelve men to fight from each side.

Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrusted his sword into the other’s side so that all of them died. That place at Gibeon was known as the Field of Swords. 

Abner and his men were defeated by the forces of David. Even after Saul's death David had an unexpected opponent . So he had to wait another seven and a half years, to take over the full of Israel and Judah.

To ponder:

Isn't heights of patience! But our God is not a man to lie. If He said He would do it. He would surely do it. So don't give up. Just press on! 

During the W-A-I-T!!!

• Do not express yourself to God but pray for God's will to be done.
• Be patient with the strong assurance that it is all for the good and God is in control.
• In case you feel it is too hard for u, don't worry and stay restless or don't hide and stay away from everything, understand that God is working on your inner man and that He knows your limits.
• Continually claim God's promises.
• Confess positive and continually give thanks for everything.
• Ask God specifically to show you if there is something to be changed in your life (as a preparation for the next level).
• Don't meditate on people's critics and comments, meditate on the comforting word of God.
• Don't feel you have the biggest problem in the world rather bear one another's burdens and pray for them.
• Don't keep grumbling and telling tales about your long waits to everyone you see. Kneel down and ask God for directions.
• Don't sit lazy. Do what you have to do and God will do the impossible.
• When you wait, remember God will use your experiences as a channel of blessing  to many others. Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it cannot bring a harvest in the next season.

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 56. Wait for God's appointed time!

Now a new chapter begins in David's life though he was anointed by God through Samuel long ago as the King but he had to run around for his life and take shelter here and there, until the appointed time came.

He never demanded or argued or fought for it. But simply waited in the mighty hands of God till God lifted him up in due time.

Now David asked the LORD, if he should move back to one of the towns of Judah, the LORD told him yes. Then David asked, which town he should go? The LORD said Hebron. So David and his wives and his men and their families all moved to Judah, and they settled in the villages near Hebron.

Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah. David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years.

To Ponder:

He was 30 years old when he became king of Judah. Though God has promised us certain blessings in our life, let's not run behind it.

But wait for the appointed time when God himself will give it to us in our hands.

And so are prophecies from the Lord. Let us not run behind them, fixing our mind on them and finding ways to achieve them. Let us not get restless, become depressed or question God for so called 'delays'. Instead, let us wait for the appointed time when God Himself will give it to us in our hands.

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 55. Show God's true love!!!

David being a psalmist composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan his dear friend. He also commanded that it should be taught to the people of Judah.

It was known as the Song of the Bow, and was recorded in The Book of Jashar. (2 Samuel 1:17)

David was very depressed that his dear friend Jonathan who encouraged him and supported him was no more. He lamented saying that he loved him so much and his love for him was also deep and deeper than the love of women.

David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, so he sent them this message saying that the LORD will bless them for being loyal to their master Saul and giving him a decent burial. The LORD also will be loyal to them in return and reward them with his unfailing love.

David said that he too, will reward them for what they had done for Saul and his family.

To ponder

Though Saul spent his life trying to killDavid, David never lost the love and respect he had for Saul and his family. Since he was anointed by God, what David had was not an outwardly love just to impress people and get their favor, but it was from deep within.

Let us also learn to show such love towards God's anointed people in our life today.

Journey through the Life of Saul & David - 54. Be Wise!!!

After the death of Saul, David returned from his victory over the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. (2 Samuel 1:2)

On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s army camp. In torn clothes with dirt on his head he fell to the ground before David  and said that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.

David asked how did he know that.

The man answered, he saw Saul leaning on his spear and cried out for help since he was in terrible pain and wanted to die.

So he said he killed him and took his crown and his armband, and brought it to show.

Hearing this David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow. They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan.

Then David asked the man who had brought the news, that why he wasn't afraid to kill the LORD’s anointed? (2 Samuel 1:14). Then David said to one of his men, to Kill him. So the man killed him and said that the man condemned himself by confessing that he killed the LORD’s anointed one.

To ponder

Many people do many things to win the approval of others. Proverbs 12:13 says, the wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.

We should be wise enough to answer to people around. Let us ask God's help to be wise in our words.

Journey through the Life of Saul & David - 53. Obedience is better than sacrifice!!!

The Philistines attacked Israel, many were slaughtered , three of Saul's sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua were killed.

The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers wounded him severely.

Saul asked his armor bearer to take his sword and kill him before the Philistines kill him.

But his armor bearer was afraid to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. His armor bearer also did the same.

The next day, the Philistines found the bodies of Saul and his three sons . So they cut off Saul’s head and stripped off his armor.

Then they proclaimed the good news of Saul’s death in their pagan temple.

They placed his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the wall of the city of Beth-shan.

But when the people of Jabesh-gilead heard about Saul's death they came and took the bodies of Saul and his sons down from the wall and brought them to Jabesh, where they burned the bodies. And took the bones and buried them beneath the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.

To ponder

As Samuel predicted Saul's life had a tragic end, the great lesson we learn from Saul's life is that the most PLEASING thing to the LORD is our OBEDIENCE to his voice . Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. Because Saul rejected the command of the LORD, he was rejected as king.

So let's not procrastinate in obeying God and be out of God's list.

Journey through the Life of Saul & David - 52. Freely we receive, Freely we give!!!

After redeeming all the people David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200 men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him.

They went out to meet everyone and David greeted them joyfully. But some evil troublemakers among David’s men said, that they didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone. But David asked them not to be selfish with what the LORD has given them .

He has kept everyone safe and helped them defeat the band of raiders that attacked them.

So they should share alike—be it if they go to battle or those who guard the equipment.

From then on David made this a decree and regulation for Israel, and it is still followed today.

When they arrived at Ziklag, David sent part of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends.

To ponder:

Yes! Let's not be selfish with what the Lord has given us freely. Freely we have received so freely we should give.

The Lord will also give in the same way we give to others. So let's be generous in our giving.

Journey through the Life of Saul & David - 51. God's promises are true!!!

David called for Abiathar the priest and asked him to bring the ephod.

And he asked the LORD, if he should chase and catch the band of raiders?

The LORD replied to go and assured them that they would recover everything.

So David and his 600 men came to the brook Besor. There he left 200 men and continued the pursuit with 400 men.

On the way they found an Egyptian and brought him to David.

They gave him some bread to eat and water to drink.

Then David found that he was an Egyptian slave of an Amalekite. He said that they were on their way back after burning Ziklag. His master abandoned him three days ago because he was sick. David immediately requested to lead him to the band of raiders.

So he led David to them. They were found eating and drinking and dancing with joy because of the vast amount of plunder they had taken and got.

David and his men rushed in and slaughtered all of them.

David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, and he rescued his wives. Nothing was missing!!!

To ponder:

You will not see wind or rain, says the LORD, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals. (2 Kings 3:17 NLT)

When God gives assurance, though we see nothing with our physical eyes, He will fulfill it in time!!!

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 50. Depend on God for strength!!!

Three days later, David and his men arrived to the town Ziklag where they were staying.

They found the Amalekites had made a raid in Ziklag; had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground and carried off the women and children.

When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, they wept until they could weep no more.

David’s two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, were also captured.

David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters. They began to talk of stoning him.

But David found strength in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:1-6 NLT)

To ponder:

It's so heart breaking when we ourselves have lost our dear ones but still have to bear the blame for it.

Psalms 63:8 says, I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.

Learning to depend on God comes only when we face desperate situations in our life.

Isaiah 40:29 says, He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

We have a God to whom we can run to and be strengthened. 

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 49. God gives His peace!!!

The Philistine army was ready to attack the Israelites. David and his men also got ready to fight.

But the Philistine commanders were not happy with David and his men fighting along with them.

King Achish gave a good testimony about David , that he’s been with them for years, and he has never found a single fault in him from the day he arrived until that day.

But the Philistine commanders got annoyed and asked Achish to send them back since they feared that David can anytime turns against them in battle and become their enemy.

So finally King Achish though he found David trustworthy as a angel of God, he had to send him back home.

David felt bad that he couldn't fight the enemies of king Achish.

So David and his men headed back into the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army went on to fight.

To ponder:

When our ways are pleasing to God, even our enemies will be at peace with us.

Today let us analyze our lives. Is our life pleasing God?

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 48. Saul consults a medium!!!

Saul disguised himself and went to the woman’s home at night, accompanied by two of his men and asked her to call up a spirit for him.

The woman confronted that Saul had outlawed all mediums and who consult the spirits of the dead.

But Saul took an oath in the name of the LORD that nothing bad will happen.

Saul requested to call Samuel's spirit . But when the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, saying that Saul deceived her.

Saul asked her not to be afraid. So as she described Saul realized it was Samuel, and he fell to the ground before him.

Samuel asked Saul that why he disturbed him.

He replied that he was in deep trouble, the Philistines were at war with him and God also did not speak to him by prophets or dreams.

So he called him. But Samuel replied, that why should he ask him when the LORD himself has left and become his enemy.

The LORD has torn the kingdom from him and given it to his rival, David.

The LORD did this to him because he refused to carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites.

So now the LORD will hand over Israel to the Philistines that next day and he and his sons would be with Samuel soon.

Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright because of Samuel’s words.

He was also fainted in hunger, since he did not eat anything that full day and night. (1 Samuel 28:8-20 NLT)

To ponder:

A true leader acknowledges his mistake readily.

Judah and David accepted their mistakes readily but Saul tried explaining for his actions and only lately regretted, but it became too late.

Nothing could help him. No other powers could change his destiny!!!!