"But the thing David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord."

David, after experiencing all the victories that the Lord had brough him, now turned to a dark side of self, being entangled in sin against God. All the prayer and communion with God, now turned into the intrigue of adultery, plotting coverup, then turning to conspiracy and murder. Here, the sweet psalmist of Israel, the man after God's own heart, would be caught in the ugliness of his fleshly desire. Judgement was to come swiftly, long term ramifications would raise its ugly head, but it was the Lord and only Him who could begin a work of forgiveness and healing. It would begin with confession and then turning back to Him, a place where we all need to be.

Pastor Russell

"And the Lord helped David wherever he went."

David it seemed, had led a life up to this point of surrender to the Lord. His life, seemed to have been hallmarked by humility and a desire to honor God, and to commit his way and works to Him. David, lived in awe of God, of what He had done and what He was doing. Unfettered by the works or desires of the flesh, he chose to live day by day, moment by moment to walk with, to seek and to serve the true and living God, his heart solely given over to Him. What an example he sets for himself as well as we who stand back and look towards a heart turned towards the Lord in worship.

Pastor Russell

"Your house and your kingdom shall endure before me forever; your throne shall be established forever."

As David had in his heart to build the Lord a house, we see here that the Lord had other plans. God would build the house of David that would endure for all eternity, in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Coming through the lineage of David would be Jesus, whose throne and reign would endure for all eternity. Like the angel who approached Mary with the news of her virgin birth, to the prophet Nathan who brought the news of God's eternal plans to and through the house of David, we see God's marvelous plans. For us, we receive all the promises in God's word with awe and wonder.

Pastor Russell

"Thus the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household."

While suffering  miss step in the transportation of the ark, David left the ark  in the care custody and control of this Gittite. Though not a child of Israel, this Obed-edom, a Philistine by birth, apparently was one who might have been called or described as a God fearer, or one who revered the Lord. Like Cornelius, a  centurion of the Italian cohort in Caesarea, described as a devout man, one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people, and prayed to God continually. (Acts 10) We see, while the ark was within the home of Obed, the Lord blessed he and his household, showing us that God was not one who rejected or  turned away those outside the nation of Israel, but welcomed those who sought Him. Much the same today, the will embrac2 Samuel 5:11e those who seek Him.

Pastor Russell

"David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years."

Not counting all the drama and trial of actually becoming king, David would be given over to great victories of consolidating Israel, all the while making treaties with neighboring nations, defending from their enemies, and watching the ongoing drama from within his family, even falling himself to temptation and sin. Though anointed by God to be king, it was no reign without its trial. David, the man after God's own heart, to his credit, continued to cling to the Lord, through the good and bad, not giving in to the temptation to cut and run. Forged early on under the heavenly skies, was a relationship that refused to be broken.

Pastor Russell

"Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; and David grew steadily stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker continually."

As the war continued within the nation of Israel, it took it's toll upon the people. Leaders were given in to manipulation, posturing, threats of mayhem and even outright killing and murder. The need for a Savior, Jesus Christ is magnified as we look at man's rampant raging on in the flesh. Yet too few looked toward heaven crying out for the Lord to come rescue and bring relief. The heartbreak and pain of man's depravity is magnified as we see many continuing on in the flesh, bringing sorrowful results. Mankind today, suffer much the same consequences, until we cry out to Him. 

Pastor Russell

So Abner said to him, "Turn to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil." But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him.

As Asahel pursued Abner relentlessly, no amount of pleading would turn the young man away. Whether driven by the thrill of the chase, or a desire to take out his enemy, or perhaps pride in his physical prowess, he would not relent. We see as we read on that the outcome was not good. So we too may be advised that prudent thinking, wise counsel, God's wisdom is always best as we too may be prone to fixate upon things that are not the Lord's perfect will. 

Pastor Russell

"Thus Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men on that day together."

In the heat of battle with the Philistines, Saul and his men were killed on the battle field. A sad ending for one whose life had started off with so much hope and potential in the Lord. Saul, from the early days of his anointing by God, had allowed personal ambition and pride lead him away from the simple precepts of the Lord, thus blinding him from God's purpose for his life. It's a fitting encouragement for us, that we finish strong the work the Lord has for us, not being misled by the circumstances that surround us. 

Pastor Russell

And David inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I pursue this band?" And He said to him, "Pursue, you shall surely overtake them, and you shall surely rescue all."

Forged early on, was a relationship with the Lord that strongly suggested personal intimacy between God and man. For ourselves, we can look and pursue that same intimacy with God. Entering into His presence with wonder and awe, with thanksgiving and praise, we can draw near and share our very lives, our victories, our defeats, our fears and concerns, our doubts and even the things that make us question Him. Stay close to Him, take time as you would with a friend to share with the Creator of the heaven and earth. 

Pastor Russell

So Achish believed David, saying "He has surely made himsel His steps for us f odious among his people Israel; therefore he will become my servant forever."

David, while feigning allegiance to the Philistine king, enjoyed a period of respite from Saul's continual pursuit. Time though, had come for David to join in on an attack of Israel. All the while he continued to play the faithful to Achish, not knowing how things would work out, he continued to trust the Lord each and every step of the way. David, ultimately knew the calling on his life, but not knowing exactly when and how he would get there, had to let go and let God make that way for him. Much of the time, we may be uncertain about the daily struggles we have, not knowing, having to trust the Lord, as He may incrementally take us. A call for us to trust Him every step of the way.

Pastor Russell

"....please let me strike him with the spear to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time."

David, now in the midst of the camp of Saul, finds himself in a tempting place. Take out the one who has pursued him endlessly for such a long time, or trust the Lord to work things out. As easy as it would have been to strike Saul, David showed great respect for the king, but even more reverence for the Lord who had set Saul in place. David could not bring himself to move before God, and take the easy way out. Here we find one who showed great restraint, waiting on and trusting that He would work all things out to His glory. For us, a great example of God's grace going before His people.

Pastor Russell

"Then Samuel died......"

We commented at one of our studies, that even as many mourned the death of the man of God, the great works of the Lord would be ongoing. Death would never be the agent that would stop the great work of our Lord, nor suspend the gospel message from going forth. Like He, having no beginning or end, the work would proliferate until His return. As with the death of contemporary men like Billy Graham or Chuck Smith, the work has continued and multiplied, and is fruit bearing. Though saddened as with Samuel, the torch has been passed, God's work has continued on, and still goes on today as we now in turn raise the banner high with the good news of Jesus.

Pastor Russell