Old Testament In a Year: May 9 – 2 Samuel 3, 4, 5

2 Samuel 3, 4, 5
Focus Verse: And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him. – 2 Samuel 5:10

The life of David, from the time he was a boy watching his father’s sheep to the time he became king over Judah and Israel, is one amazing story. It is not just testament to a man’s great life, but also testament to a man’s great and faithful God.

Whether David was facing a lion, a bear, or a giant; whether he was running and hiding from Saul; whether he was fighting the Philistines; whether he was mourning the death of his best friend or the loss of his wife’s love, God never left David. God was always with him. Because of the presence of the Lord in his life, David became greater and greater despite people constantly opposing him. In moments of weakness, despair, and disappointment, God was with him. And in moments of triumph, gladness, and success, God was with him. When he was a boy shepherd, God was with him. And when he was a powerful king, God was with him.

And David was always with God. He was not perfectly faithful as God was, but he did strive to please God in everything he did. When he was running for his life and hiding in caves and mountains, he constantly inquired of the Lord as to what he should or should not do. And he did not stop inquiring of the Lord once he became king (2 Samuel 5:17-25). He continued to seek the Lord, follow His will, and obey His way.

If you are going through a difficult time or a relatively pleasant time, do not forget to seek the Lord. Regularly inquire of Him as to what He wants you to do and where He wants you to go. Ask Him to be with you and He will – through good and bad, failure and success, forever and always.

Old Testament In a Year: May 8 – 2 Samuel 1, 2

2 Samuel 1, 2
Focus Verse: And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. – 2 Samuel 2:4

David was first anointed king in 1 Samuel 16, but he did not officially become king of Judah until years later…and he would not officially become king of Israel until several more years later. All of the time that Saul was alive, David lived like a fugitive. He was a king without a crown.

At times, it is likely that David wondered if God had made a mistake in anointing him king. When will I wear the crown? he might have asked. When will I sit on the throne? When will I live in the palace instead of in caves and on mountains? When will I get the respect that comes with my title? David, however, never tried to make anything happen on his own. He never attempted to get rid of Saul. He didn’t plot a coup or insurrection to overthrow Saul’s government. He waited on God. He let things happen according to God’s timing. He wanted God’s will to be done and not his own.

Is there something that you know God wants you to do or become, yet it doesn’t seem like things are happening fast enough? Have patience. Don’t rush ahead and try to make things happen on your own. Trust in God. It can be hard to wait on Him, but it will be worth it. His timing is perfect.

1 Year In God’s Word: Day 140 — 2 Samuel 23-24, John 6:41-71

2 Samuel 23
Focus Verse: If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire. (5)

These are some of the last words of David. Even when he was in old age and near the point of dying, he acknowledged that his salvation and all his success was because of God. He did not do as Saul had done before him and turn away from the One Who anointed him king. Some years after David, his son Solomon, would also turn away from God in his old age; but David never failed to recognize his Maker as long as he lived. No matter how wealthy or prestigious we may become, we would do well to remember the Lord and always put God first.

1 Year In God’s Word: Day 139 — 2 Samuel 21-22, Psalm 18, John 6:22-40

2 Samuel 21
Focus Verse: During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.” (1)

David was faced with yet another problem, but he turned to the same solution. Being king did not cause him to stop going to God for answers. When David sought the Lord, God immediately gave him the cause for the three year famine.

When problems arise in our lives, we often waste much time trying to come up with a solution ourselves or trying to get answers from other people. When in doubt, go to God. He is the source of pure wisdom, the fount of all knowledge.

1 Year In God’s Word: Day 137 — 2 Samuel 19-20, John 5:25-47

2 Samuel 19
Focus Verse: And said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind.” (19)

Proverbs 16:7 says: “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” This is exactly what happened with David and Shimei. When David was running from Absalom, Shimei was cursing him out and throwing rocks and dirt at him. But because David’s trust was in the Lord, after Absalom had been defeated, Shimei apologized for his rudeness and gave honor to the king.

1 Year In God’s Word: Day 136 — 2 Samuel 16-18, John 5:1-24

2 Samuel 16
Focus Verse: But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?'” (10)

Even though he was running from his own son and even though Shimei was pelting him with curses and throwing stones and dirt on him, David did not question the goodness of His God. He trusted that God was still in control.

1 Year In God’s Word: Day 135 — 2 Samuel 15, Psalm 3, Psalm 69, John 4:27-54

2 Samuel 15
Focus Verse: “But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.” (26)

As a young man, David had to run from King Saul. Now, as an old man, he was on the run from one of his own sons. In both cases, David’s trust was in God and he wanted His will to be done in his life.

1 Year In God’s Word: Day 134 — 2 Samuel 13-14, John 4:1-26

2 Samuel 13
Focus Verse: Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing. She put her hands on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went. (19)

Tamar suffered for someone else’s sin. After being raped by Amnon, the end of her story leaves her living desolate in the house of her other brother, Absalom. Rape victims often feel like they are to blame for the violation that took place. Many live the rest of their lives in grief, pain, and brokenness because of the sin of someone else. Others commit suicide when it is the perpetrator who should suffer.

However, God sees all – every evil work, every sin, every abuse, every violation, every unjust crime. He will not remain silent forever. Evil will be punished. Every victim will see justice. Those who have been hurt can find freedom, peace, and rest in Jesus from the sins of others.

1 Year In God’s Word: Day 132 — 2 Samuel 10-12, John 3:1-15

2 Samuel 10
Focus Verse: “Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.” (12)

David’s spirit of faith in God seems to have permeated his entire army of men. Joab and Abishai did not fight against the Arameans and the Ammonites in their own strength. They were strong in God. They fought for God. They were confident that God would give them victory.

When our strength comes from the Lord, we too can be confident in any situation.