Daily Devotional from 2 Samuel 4—Verse 8…and brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, "Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who soughtyour life. The Lord has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring."Just like the young Amalekite who brought David news of Saul’s death, Rechab and Baanah thought they were bringing ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 2 Samuel 3—Verses 26-27Then Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the well of Sirah, but David was unaware of it. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside to the middle of the city gate, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died in revenge for the death of Asahel, Joab’s brother....  Read More

Daily Devotional from 2 Samuel 2—Verses 10-11Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.After Saul’s death, Ish-bosheth the son of Saul was made king over the northern tribes of Israel. (This makes sense because usually a king is replaced with his son.) But David was anointed King of Judah, the so...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 2 Samuel 1--Verse 14David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”It always amazes me that David had so much respect for King Saul, in spite of the king’s many attempts on his life. In the verse above, we see a clue to David’s perspective. He respected Saul’s position as the Lord’s anointed.Sometimes we are required to ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 31—Verse 6Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together.Wow. Talk about a massive defeat. Saul, the first king of Israel, has fallen on his own sword. The Philistines finally overtook him, and they are attacking and closing in on the Israelites. Their future looks bleak–there’s little hope. I read this chapter and...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 30—Verse 6aAnd David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul…Recap: these men who gathered to David were “in distress, in debt, and bitter in soul” (22:2). And during the time they all lived in Ziklag, they’d raid the neighbors, murdering and plundering (27:8-9). So, now that they get a taste of their ow...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 29--Verse 6The [Philistine] lords do not approve of you. There may be times in life where people don’t approve of you. And, in the moment, you may not like it one bit. David sure didn’t. In verse 8 he objects, “But what have I done?” What David didn’t realize, though, was that God was sparing him from having any connection to the death of Saul. God was keeping his re...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 28--Verse 15Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.”Saul continued to disobey God. He wouldn’t give up hi...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 27—Verse 1Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.”It seems here that David made this decision on his own. I’m not sure he took ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 26—Verse 11The Lord forbid that I shall put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But take now the spear and the jar of water at Saul’s head and let’s go.Saul has been rejected by God and David has been anointed. Although Saul was still king and sought to kill David, David refused to put his hand to Saul and claim his God-given right to the throne. David trusted G...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 25—Verse 33Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!Have you ever had to talk someone back from a cliff? Or has someone ever had to talk you out of doing something out of anger or spite or revenge? That’s what Abigail did for David. She discerned the negative emotions her hus...  Read More

Daily Devotional from 1 Samuel 24-- Verse 5And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. David handled being wrongly accused and threatened with such humility. He refused to bring harm to Saul, even though he had every right to do so. He even felt guilty for considering to do harm to Saul, because he honored him. Even though David was deeply hurt, he chose...  Read More