365 Reflections

If there is a common thread in the heart of EVERY single human and many times - every community - it is our incredible ability to see the damage the sins of others creates. This is the case with even the best of us as illustrated by King David's response to Nathan's parable of the king who slaughtered the poor man's lamb to feed his guest. 2 Samuel 12:4–6 (ESV) Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” David encompasses what we are naturally given to do, that is, judge perfectly the sins of others. This is why Jesus told us to deal with the l...

2 Samuel 11:25–27 (ESV) David said to the messenger, “Thus shall you say to Joab, ‘Do not let this matter displease you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.” 26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. 27 And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord . The passage above is David's response to the fact that Uriah has been killed during a battle where David's men first set him up to die and then proceeded to lose the fight. Rather than David getting upset with the tragedy suffered for his men, his response is one of casual indifference. In fact, he's relieved. His "problem" of Uriah is taken care of and he feels safe to hide in sin. Such is the price one pays when sin takes root in their life. Fi...

We come to the fateful episode of David's life. His tryst with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. 2 Samuel 11:1 (ESV) In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. The first thing we see David doing wrong is not going out to fight when he should have. He is king. This is what they do. The reason spring is mentioned is because of the dry ground it affords military marches and conquests. On top of this, we must remember that David's chief gift is military strategy. This is God-given gift. He wasn't called to sit on it and relax. I find that the less I give myself to what I know God has called me to do, the more time I have to ponder the enemies alternatives and be tempted by fleshly indulgences. Why does David stay home? I believe it has to do with this enemy - the Ammonites. Remember the last chapter when David...

We are one chapter away from the infamous moment of David and Bathsheba. For all the ink that has been spilled over that moment, we do well to look at the preceding experience David has in 2 Samuel 10. 2 Samuel 10:1–4 (ESV) After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the Ammonites. 3 But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. David has shown kindness to as many as he can find...

You would think that David would want nothing to do with any person from the house of Saul. You would think he would be fully caught up in his own glory and kingdom having crushed his enemies on every side. You would think David was ready for "David-time." You would be wrong. In 2 Samuel 9, something wonderful happens for one of Saul's descendants. David is ready to bless someone for the sake of Jonathan. It just so happens that someone is a crippled boy named Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 9:1 (ESV) And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” We see here that David is unlike any other ancient king. Protocol required all living descendants of a former king to be put to death. But David does the opposite. He seeks out any living member of the house of Saul to BLESS! Let's see who he finds: 2 Samuel 9:3–5 (ESV) Ziba (Saul's servant) said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he...

In 1 Samuel 8, David goes to war and strikes down every single opponent. The chapter itself is a personal highlight reel of David's military prowess. He fully defeats the Philistines, the Moabites, Zobah and Edom. 2 Samuel 8:1–4 (ESV) After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 And he defeated Moab and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. 3 David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots. 2 Samuel 8:13 (ESV)  And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. ...

If you want to know how to pray effective prayers, find the great men and women in the scriptures who prayed and watch how they did it. We come to David's response in 2 Samuel 7 to God's promise to build him a house and establish his kingdom forever. The words that come from David are eloquent, exalting the Lord and submitting his blessing to His plan and purpose. They also provide us with a key to secret strength as people whom God chooses and uses for His purposes. 2 Samuel 7:18–19 (ESV)   Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God , and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God . You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God ! I love the picture of David sitting before the Lord. This is a humble posture. He's overwhelmed with God's promises made to him earlier in the chapter. W...

I believe a Christian needs regular reminders that they are saved by grace through faith which is a gift from God SO THAT success, talents, abilities, and their own morality do not become false idols leading them away from the finished work of Christ. I've seen many Christians slip out of faith into works-righteous living without even realizing it. David almost does that here in 2 Samuel 7. David is at rest in 2 Samuel 7. He is also secured by his many military victories and successful campaigns politically. It's the first time since Goliath we have seen him have a moment to breathe. He considers what to do in this new season and sees the Ark resting in a tent while he enjoyed paneled walls of Cedar. 2 Samuel 7:1–3 (ESV) Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do ...

We have seen that 2 Samuel 6 is largely concerned with worship. First, David experiences the deadly consequences of false worship. Then David rightly aligns Israel with God's prescribed order of worship bringing the Ark home. He then blesses the people and returns home to bless his house. Things do not go well. 2 Samuel 6:18–20 (ESV) And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts 19 and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house. 20 And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” Consid...