Saul and David: The War between Two Warriors
Israel would not relent in asking for a king, so Samuel takes their case to God and God says, “Ok, I’ll give them what they want.” God leads Samuel to their first king, Saul. Saul began good and finished bad. His jealousy took control of his thoughts and he became a fool. He was his own worst enemy. When I read this story, what comes to mind is how often I tell God what He needs to do in my life rather than simply trusting that His way is better. The Israelites didn’t not want God as their King, they wanted what all the other nations had. They told God what they wanted rather than ask God what they needed. May we be wise enough to seek God rather than demand God. God’s grace reigned even though Israel ignored Him. Even though this King that they asked for went horrible wrong, He was gracious enough to give them a new King. The throne is taken from Saul and given to David. King David would be the greatest King they ever knew. While he made his share of mistakes that caused many tragedies, he loved God. He leaves us a legacy of what it means to pour our hearts out to God, to humbly repent, to have an honest and intimate relationship with God. Both of these men were warriors. Saul’s quest for power causes him to abandon God. David’s quest for God allows him to become king. Isn’t almost always pride that causes us to abandon God? We become more concerned with what other people think or what other people have. We, in our pride, take our eyes off of God. We put our eyes on self and become consumed. That thing or approval or person will never be what we think. Saul did not provide what they thought a king would and power did not provide anything but cost him everything; his kingdom and his life. What I love about our Read the Bible for Life Plan is that is allows us to read the Psalms that David wrote intertwined with his story. What we see is that in every victory and in every trial, in every step, David stops to praise his God. He keeps God at the forefront. Just imagine him cutting the hem of Saul’s robe in the cave then walking away singing a Psalm. He does not allow for the opportunity to become prideful or self-sufficient or self-promoting.
Israel would not relent in asking for a king, so Samuel takes their case to God and God says, “Ok, I’ll give them what they want.” God leads Samuel to their first king, Saul. Saul began good and finished bad. His jealousy took control of his thoughts and he became a fool. He was his own worst enemy. When I read this story, what comes to mind is how often I tell God what He needs to do in my life rather than simply trusting that His way is better. The Israelites didn’t not want God as their King, they wanted what all the other nations had. They told God what they wanted rather than ask God what they needed. May we be wise enough to seek God rather than demand God. God’s grace reigned even though Israel ignored Him. Even though this King that they asked for went horrible wrong, He was gracious enough to give them a new King. The throne is taken from Saul and given to David. King David would be the greatest King they ever knew. While he made his share of mistakes that caused many tragedies, he loved God. He leaves us a legacy of what it means to pour our hearts out to God, to humbly repent, to have an honest and intimate relationship with God. Both of these men were warriors. Saul’s quest for power causes him to abandon God. David’s quest for God allows him to become king. Isn’t almost always pride that causes us to abandon God? We become more concerned with what other people think or what other people have. We, in our pride, take our eyes off of God. We put our eyes on self and become consumed. That thing or approval or person will never be what we think. Saul did not provide what they thought a king would and power did not provide anything but cost him everything; his kingdom and his life. What I love about our Read the Bible for Life Plan is that is allows us to read the Psalms that David wrote intertwined with his story. What we see is that in every victory and in every trial, in every step, David stops to praise his God. He keeps God at the forefront. Just imagine him cutting the hem of Saul’s robe in the cave then walking away singing a Psalm. He does not allow for the opportunity to become prideful or self-sufficient or self-promoting.
Jonathon: A Faithful Friend
A bond instantly forms between these two young men; David and Jonathon. And even though Jonathon’s own father, King Saul, sees David as his worst enemy, Jonathon recognizes that God is with David and not his father. I cannot imagine how hard it would have been in Jonathon’s situation to choose his friend over his father, but ultimately, Jonathon had to do what was right. He chose to be faithful to the man who was faithful to God. Two truths we learn from Jonathon. First, our earthly relationships cannot interfere with our relationship with God. Our love for God should always be our first and greatest devotion. Second, Jonathon is the perfect example of being a devoted friend. Their friendship continues and we will see that Jonathon continues to play a crucial role in David’s life. We all need that kind of friend; a friend who is faithful at all cost, a friend who is wise, a friend who is discerning, a friend who is fully devoted to God. I do not believe that David would have been the king that he was if it had not been the role that Jonathon played in his life. I challenge you to evaluate your friendships and ask God to bless you with a Jonathon. Then evaluate the kind of friend that you are. You see, Jonathon was not David’s friend because he was going to be king but because David loved God.
A bond instantly forms between these two young men; David and Jonathon. And even though Jonathon’s own father, King Saul, sees David as his worst enemy, Jonathon recognizes that God is with David and not his father. I cannot imagine how hard it would have been in Jonathon’s situation to choose his friend over his father, but ultimately, Jonathon had to do what was right. He chose to be faithful to the man who was faithful to God. Two truths we learn from Jonathon. First, our earthly relationships cannot interfere with our relationship with God. Our love for God should always be our first and greatest devotion. Second, Jonathon is the perfect example of being a devoted friend. Their friendship continues and we will see that Jonathon continues to play a crucial role in David’s life. We all need that kind of friend; a friend who is faithful at all cost, a friend who is wise, a friend who is discerning, a friend who is fully devoted to God. I do not believe that David would have been the king that he was if it had not been the role that Jonathon played in his life. I challenge you to evaluate your friendships and ask God to bless you with a Jonathon. Then evaluate the kind of friend that you are. You see, Jonathon was not David’s friend because he was going to be king but because David loved God.
Abigail: A Wise Woman
We have seen the lives of some amazing women over these few weeks of reading. Ruth and Hannah both displayed great sacrifice, submission and humbleness. They were truly devoted women. We come across, yet another woman who can teach us a few things if we are willing to learn. Abigail acted wisely even though her husband was a fool. She bravely approached King David and interceded for her husband. She didn’t overlook or justify the stupidity of her man. Now, do not hear me say that we can just go to God and gripe about our man and He will give us a new one. This story is about our wisdom as women. This is a tough one to write about because I see so many young women disrespect their husbands. There is a difference that I want to make clear. Abigail’s husband was an ungodly, foolish man and she chose to stand up for herself and those in her house. She was not willing to ignore his pride and arrogance. This was the king we are talking about! Let me just say that I tend to see two camps of women; those who don’t have a good man but are blind to it and those who do have a good man but are blind to it. The lesson from Abigail is that she acted with discernment in the middle of a very difficult situation. Please don’t misconstrue the lesson here to justify some false thinking. Whether our husbands are right or wrong, how do we react to him? Do we also act like a fool? Or do we simply take the matter to God, our King. Did you notice that? She did not go blow up at her husband. She went directly to King David. What I’ve learned after a short, thirteen years of marriage, is that God is much better about making the changes that need to be made in my husband than I am. Often times, He calls me to my own heart examination. Often times, He shows me where I am just simply wrong. However, if we have a man that seeks God, God will do the work in his life that needs to be done. Abigail did not have that blessing but she still responded in a worthy manner despite her husband. I pray that I’m a woman who carries a calm grace when situations arise. I pray that I am filled with such wisdom that I allow the King to work on my behalf. I pray that I am thankful for my Godly husband. I pray that if you are married, you are honest about your husband; good or bad. And that you give him to God. I pray that if you are not married, you seek a man who loves God and has more wisdom than Abigail’s husband. Most importantly, I pray that as a woman you seek God and allow Him to fill your heart with wisdom and truth that will pour from your lips when you speak.
We have seen the lives of some amazing women over these few weeks of reading. Ruth and Hannah both displayed great sacrifice, submission and humbleness. They were truly devoted women. We come across, yet another woman who can teach us a few things if we are willing to learn. Abigail acted wisely even though her husband was a fool. She bravely approached King David and interceded for her husband. She didn’t overlook or justify the stupidity of her man. Now, do not hear me say that we can just go to God and gripe about our man and He will give us a new one. This story is about our wisdom as women. This is a tough one to write about because I see so many young women disrespect their husbands. There is a difference that I want to make clear. Abigail’s husband was an ungodly, foolish man and she chose to stand up for herself and those in her house. She was not willing to ignore his pride and arrogance. This was the king we are talking about! Let me just say that I tend to see two camps of women; those who don’t have a good man but are blind to it and those who do have a good man but are blind to it. The lesson from Abigail is that she acted with discernment in the middle of a very difficult situation. Please don’t misconstrue the lesson here to justify some false thinking. Whether our husbands are right or wrong, how do we react to him? Do we also act like a fool? Or do we simply take the matter to God, our King. Did you notice that? She did not go blow up at her husband. She went directly to King David. What I’ve learned after a short, thirteen years of marriage, is that God is much better about making the changes that need to be made in my husband than I am. Often times, He calls me to my own heart examination. Often times, He shows me where I am just simply wrong. However, if we have a man that seeks God, God will do the work in his life that needs to be done. Abigail did not have that blessing but she still responded in a worthy manner despite her husband. I pray that I’m a woman who carries a calm grace when situations arise. I pray that I am filled with such wisdom that I allow the King to work on my behalf. I pray that I am thankful for my Godly husband. I pray that if you are married, you are honest about your husband; good or bad. And that you give him to God. I pray that if you are not married, you seek a man who loves God and has more wisdom than Abigail’s husband. Most importantly, I pray that as a woman you seek God and allow Him to fill your heart with wisdom and truth that will pour from your lips when you speak.
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