Journey through the life of Saul & David - 71. Seek God first!!!

When King David was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies.

The king said to Nathan the prophet that he is living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is in a tent.

Nathan replied to go ahead and do whatever David had in his mind, for the LORD was with him.

But that same night the LORD said to Nathan, that He had never lived in a house from the day they came out of Egypt. But always moved from one place to another with a tent and a tabernacle as His dwelling but never complained about it. Instead the LORD said to David that He will build a house for David and give him.

To Ponder:

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.

When we prioritize God's work first. He will take care of our needs. Build the House of God and He will build a House for you.

God took him from tending sheep in the pasture and selected him to be the leader of Israel. 

God was with him wherever he went and destroyed all his enemies before his eyes. 

Now God will make his name famous as no one ever lived on the earth! 

And also provide a homeland for His people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as it was in the past ..rather he would have rest from all his enemies. (2 Samuel 7:1-11 NLT)

Such is the blessings of those who fear the Lord n walk in His ways ..

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 70. Do not criticize!!!

When the Ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window.  She saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she was filled with contempt for him. 

They brought the Ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. 

When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

Then he gave to everyone a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and wine.

Then David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out and said in disgust, that the king of Israel looked bad that day shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!

David replied her that he was dancing only before the LORD, who chose him before her father and appointed him as the leader of Israel.

He also said that he was willing to look even more foolish than that even to be humiliated in his own eyes! 

Because Michal said this she remained childless throughout her entire life. (2 Samuel 6:16-23 NLT)

To Ponder:

David received many blessings from God from nothing to a great position so he was grateful to God from the bottom of his heart so he danced in the presence of God like a mad man and offered sacrifices and treated others well.

His wife criticized and went childless.

We should learn a lesson not to criticise the anointed servants of God and be careful when we speak about them.

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 69. True worship!!!

David took the ark of the covenant aside to the house of Obed-edom.  

The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household. 

News reached King David that the Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.

So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. 

And David danced before the Lord with all his might. David was wearing a linen ephod. David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn. (2 Samuel 6:10-15 ESV)

This time the ark was brought properly. Levites carried the ark on the shoulders.

To ponder:

Though David was a king he humbled himself by praising and worshipping God with rejoicing from his heart.

How are we today ? Do we worship the Lord freely from our heart? Or our God given status and influence a stumbling block for us?

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 68. Our God is a holy God!!!

Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. He led them to Judah to bring back the Ark of God.

They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. 

Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart that carried the Ark of God. 

David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments. But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God.

Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. David got angry because the LORD’s anger had burst out against Uzzah.

David was now afraid of the LORD, and said that, how could he bring the Ark of the LORD in his care. So David decided not to move the Ark of the LORD into the City of David.

To ponder:

Though David enjoyed the presence of God singing and dancing he got scared when Uzzah died and that the ark shouldn't cause danger to the people. So he did not wish to take it to David's city.

Many times we too though we prioritize God. We are not happy with what God does in our life like David.

His ways are higher and wiser, that our small brain cannot comprehend. So let's humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that He will exalt us in due time.

The Ark was being pulled in a cart but the law says that only Levites were to carry it on wooden rods on their shoulders (Deuteronomy 31:25 & Exodus 25:14-15).

Since the ark was in Uzzah's house only for a long period of time. Uzzah should have got familiar with the ark and the presence of God and its holiness so wouldn't have minded touching the ark. Bible says the ox stumbled but the cart dint stumble.

Whatever it was,  God is a Holy God! How much ever we are in His presence His holiness cannot be taken for granted.

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 67.The Lord will lead us in a marvelous way!!!

Philistines heard that David became the king of Israel, so they came to capture him. 

David asked the LORD, that if he should fight the Philistines and will they be handed over to him?

The LORD replied Yes. So David went and defeated the Philistines. David exclaimed, that the LORD busted through his enemies like a raging flood and He did it , but after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley.

Again David asked the LORD, and He replied not to attack them straight on, but circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.

The Lord gave them a signal that, when they hear sound like marching feet on the tops of the poplar trees, they should be alert that the LORD is moving ahead of them to strike down the Philistine army.

So David did what the LORD commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way. (2 Samuel 5:17-25)

To ponder:

David though he was the King he was so watchful to ask God for help. Even when the philistines came for the second time though David knew that God was with him, he did not decide things himself rather went back to the Lord. The Lord also gave war strategies for David to follow.

Do u have the habit of waiting on God for a word from Him today? The Lord will lead us in a marvelous way.

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 66. Our God is greater & stronger!

David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of Jerusalem who were living there.

The Jebusites taunted David, saying, that he can never get in. Even the blind and lame Jebusites can stop David from entering Jerusalem they said.

They spoke so confidently since they thought they were safe. Jerusalem had steep slopes on each side of the hill providing a defensible site, and a spring at the foot of the hill provided necessary water. Whoever attacked them should strike them only by going into the city through the water tunnel.

But David captured the fortress of Zion, a fortified hill in Jerusalem. So David made the fortress his home, and he called it the City of David.  And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies was with him. (2 Samuel 5:6-10).

David conquered Jerusalem and made it the capital city. Even now it remains the capital. The city of our God!

Jerusalem in the Old Testament was also known as Salem in Genesis 14:18 as Melchizedek, king of Salem.  Jerusalem was also known as Jebus, a short form for "City of the Jebusites." 

To ponder:

Jebusites felt secure and strong and confident, by worldly stands they teased and taunted David, but our God is much more stronger.

Today is anyone looking down upon you, saying you cannot get through, tell them boldly, "With God all things are possible".

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 65. God is working in you!

All the tribes of Israel went to David and told him that they were his own flesh and blood. 

Though Saul was their king, they said David was the one who really led the forces of Israel. 

The LORD said that David will be the shepherd and leader of His people Israel. So at Hebron, David was anointed as king of Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. 

He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

To ponder:

God lifted David gradually up. It took so many years for him to sit on the throne. Step by step God gradually brought David to the throne.

First he was a shepherd boy. Then he became the armor bearer. Then he was the commander of 1000 people under him. After he went to hiding, he gathered 600 men and trained them well and settled in Ziklag.

Then he was lifted up as king of Judah for 7 years and then finally he became the king of the whole Israel. David did not become a king in a day.

My dear friends, so do not worry, God is working in you. He who has begun a good work in you is faithful to achieve it till the day when Christ returns. So cheer up!!! 

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 64. Fear of the Lord!!!

Saul's son Ishbosheth got scared when he heard that Abner was killed in Hebron.

Ishbosheth had two officers Baanah and Rechab . They went to Ishbosheth's house , and reached there by noon, while Ishbosheth was taking rest. The woman at the door fell asleep.

So Rechab and Baanah slipped in and killed Ishbosheth and cut his head(2 Samuel 4:7), and took it to David. David was shocked to see that.

When David personally got a chance to kill Saul, David never dared to do that. Instead he just waited on the Lord for deliverance. But these people very easily did a daring thing since they din have the fear of God in them.

When David did not allow the person who brought the news of Saul's death to live, how much worse it will be for evil men who murdered an innocent man who was asleep in his house. They were punished for their cruel act.

To ponder:

Yes! if we have the fear of the LORD, it will give us life, bringing security and protection from harm. (Proverbs 19:23 NLT).

It is also a life-giving fountain; that escapes us from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:27 NLT).

So let us also learn from David to have the fear of God in our lives and be blessed.

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 63. God will take revenge!!!

David valued Abner a lot, so he ordered Joab and his men to tear their clothes, wear sackcloth, and mourn for Abner. 

He himself went and buried Abner at Hebron, and wept aloud and sang a lament for Abner. So the people also wept with him.

The people tried to make David eat something, but he was stubborn not to eat anything before the day was over!

Everything the king did pleased the people. People understood that the king had no part in the murder of Abner. David said to his officials that though he was the king chosen by God, he felt weak that day.

David felt that the three brothers, Joab, Ashael and Abishai were too violent for him. So he left them in the Lord's hand to punish as they deserve. (2 Samuel 3:31-39 GNT)

To ponder:

Do u have people around who is causing trouble to you today?

Given a chance you would like to get rid of them from your life. But God says, never take revenge, instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 GNT)

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 62. Don’t let evil conquer you!!!

David sent Abner away safely after discussing, while Joab and some men returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them. 

Joab heard about Abner's visit with David. So he rushed to the king and asked him that why he left Abner back alive?

Since Abner murdered his brother Asahel, Joab was furious and sent messengers to ask Abner to return back. David knew nothing about Joab's secret plan of asking Abner to come back to Hebron again.

When he arrived, Joab took him aside as if he wanted to speak with him privately. But instead he stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him thereby taking revenge for killing his brother Asahel.(2 Samuel 3:27) 

When David heard this he was upset with Joab and his family who were guilty about this. In his frustration and anger, David cursed Joab and his family with leprosy, broken legs, death by sword and begging for food.

To Ponder:

True!! It's really upsetting when people around us specially our near and dear ones, don't behave the way we wanted them to rather do exactly opposite to what we plan.

It's really a test for our patience. How do we react? Do we curse like how David did or leave it in God's hands to take care.

Romans 12:21 says, Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. 

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 61. Lord will fulfill your heart's desire!!!

Abner sent messengers to David, saying, that he will help in handing over all of Israel to him.

But David replied, that he will not negotiate anything unless he brings back his wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, whom David bought for 100 fore skins of the Philistines. (2 Samuel 3:13)

So Ishbosheth took Michal away from her husband, Palti who followed behind her weeping as she went.

Abner spoke with the elders of Israel. And with the tribe of Benjamin about making David their king. Since the LORD has chosen David to save his people from the hands of the Philistines and from all their other enemies. Then he went to Hebron to tell David that all the people agreed to support him. David entertained them with a great feast. 

Then Abner said that he would call an assembly of people who supports to make a covenant with David to make him as king, so he can rule over everything his heart desired. Then David sent Abner safely on his way.

To Ponder:

Abner who was fighting against David so long, with one hurt feeling became sensitive and he himself stood and organized everything for David so that he would become the King of the entire Israel and Judah, according to God's plan as well as David's heart's desire.

Even today when God's perfect timing comes in our life, He can change everything upside down in a minute. Wait in the Lord.

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 60. Let Thy will be done!!!

Saul had a concubine named Rizpah. Abner started living with her, so Ish-bosheth asked Abner, why he was living with his dad's concubine?

Abner got angry over this, since he had been sincere in showing steadfast love to the house of Saul and did not give them over to the hand of David. 

Even after doing so much he was charged with a fault of woman. So Abner got frustrated in fighting for Saul and family, though he knew that God had planned to make David as king.

So now he shifted stands out of anger in accomplishing for David what the Lord has sworn to him. That was to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah.

And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.  (2 Samuel 3:11).

To ponder:

Sometimes we too are like Abner. Though we know what is the ultimate plan of God in our life, still we continue in what we desire to do according to our wish until when time comes when we face problems and finally out of frustration we land up or start doing His will in our lives.

Let us be wise and as we all say in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done" , let us surrender to His will and not ours today.

Journey through the life of Saul & David - 59. Waiting time in the Lord is not a wasting time!!!

There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker. 

Sons were born to David at Hebron: His wife Ahinoam - gave birth to Amnon

Abigail-Chilean 

Maacah -Absalom

Haggith-Adonijah 

Abital - Shephatiah 

Eglah-Ithream

There was constant war between the house of Saul and the house of David. As David waited on the Lord his strength was renewed like that of an eagle as in Isaiah 40:31. Both his army and his family was strengthened.

To ponder:

Have you waited for a blessing for a long time? Today God encourages us from David's life that our waiting will not go in vain. 

As sorrows came in bunches, blessings also would come in bunches, for sure. He will turn our mourning into dancing.