Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+009

 

CHAPTER 9 (ESV)

1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”

 

REFLECTION:

1. David had reached the pinnacle of his military and political career. Yet he didn’t forget the covenant with Jonathan. He fulfilled his promise made many years ago to Jonathan. Mephibosheth had every reason to be afraid of David since he was the last member of Saul’s family – a potential rival to David’s claim to the throne. David’s words of reassurance: “Don’t be afraid” (v7) disarmed his fears.
2. When we come to God, we often feel fearful. Shepherds in the field, Peter catching a boatload of fish, Virgin Mary to whom the angel appeared. That’s why “Don’t be afraid!” is such a reassurance from God.
3. Just like Mephibosheth, God has saved us from darkness to light and gave us “the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7). We all have the same unanswered question: How can I repay God’s goodness to me?

 

PRAYER:

Softly sing or read this song “My Tribute” by Andrae Crouch as my prayer.

How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me
Things so undeserved yet you give to prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels cannot express my gratitude
All that I am or ever hope to be I owe it all to Thee

To God be the glory (3X) for the things He has done
With His blood, He has saved me; by His power, He has raised me.
To God be the glory for the things he has done

Just let me live my life And let it be pleasing, Lord to Thee
And should I gain any praise, Let it go to Calvary.
With His blood, He has saved me by His power, He has raised me.
To God be the glory for the things he has done.

 

HYMN:

My Tribute (To God Be The Glory) – youtu.be/8HQEloAlER8

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+008

 

CHAPTER 8 (ESV)

1 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….

6 Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze….

11 These also King David dedicated to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued, 12 from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14 Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

15 So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people.

 

REFLECTION:

1. David spent a few years in battle with enemies to the north and east. God gave him success in every battle, and he was able to gain control of vital trade routes, establishing garrisons. These wars greatly enlarged the territory Israel controlled.
2. These defeated countries in turn became subjects to David and brought him tribute. David dedicated the spoils of his victory to God for he clearly knew that it was God who gave him the successes (vv6, 14). The spoils of war were never David’s to begin with; hence it is not difficult for him to give back what was never truly his.
3. Genuine spirituality will always manifest itself in an attitude of generosity toward possessions. The text’s perspective on wealth is counter to that prevailing in our own society, which has valorized the acquisition and maintenance of private property as the ends toward which human existence should be directed.
4. What’s my perspective on my possessions? They belong to me? Or all are from God?

 

PRAYER:

Read this passage slowly as God speaking to me: “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Freely you have received; freely give. (1 Cor 4:7, Matt 10:8b)”

 

HYMN:

My Portion – youtu.be/hc66tPSjVSI

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+007

 

CHAPTER 7 (ESV)

18 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! 20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! 21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods? 24 And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O Lord, became their God. 25 And now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken. 26 And your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 27 For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. David’s prayer is his response to God’s enormous promises, it’s intertwined with thanksgiving and reflection: humility before God (v18), gratitude (vv19-21), praise (v22), remembering (vv23-24), recognition and pleading (vv25-29).
2. Spend some time to reflect: What amazing thing has God done in my life? Changed life? Freed from sin? Rescued from danger? What would I like to ask God for regarding the future?

 

PRAYER:

Pray through today’s passage. Make it personal according to the questions above.

 

HYMN:

It’s Always Been You – youtu.be/k2KyrTw6oQs

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+006

 

CHAPTER 6 (ESV)

12 And it was told King David, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. 13 And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

16 As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart. 17 And they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. 18 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!” 21 And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. Michal had been used by both her father and David. It’s no wonder she had become bitter. She had allowed bitterness to occupy her that she found no joy in the Lord. In the midst of the joy and celebration, Michal focused only on David’s display of “disgrace” and refusing to maintain his royal dignity.
2. What a warning to us. Yes, others may mistreat us. But if we allow bitterness to swallow us that we cannot sense the presence of God, we will lose all perspective on life. Michal may have had a right to be bitter. So did David having been persecuted so long by her father. However, David overcame his bitterness by focusing on the Lord. Michal lost sight of God, and ended her life lonely and alone.

 

PRAYER:

Listen to God’s word with a prayerful heart: “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.(James 3:14-15, Heb 12:15)”

 

HYMN:

O Great God – youtu.be/gOPbanJKWE8

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+005

 

CHAPTER 5 (ESV)

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.

 

REFLECTION:

1. David’s military success is not due to his excellent knowledge and skill, but rather he asked and waited for God’s guidance and approval (v19). Therefore, as long as David remains faithful in seeking God’s will, God in His faithfulness will protect and bless him and his people.
2. How could David get such clear message from God? The answer lies at his asking God before taking any action and waiting for God’s guidance.
3. Guidance: Experiencing an interactive friendship with God that gives direction and purpose to daily life. (Spiritual Formation Bible)
4. How do I feel about God’s giving direct guidance? How much do I practice waiting for guidance from the Lord?

 

PRAYER:

Dear God, “No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Ps 25:3, 5)

 

HYMN:

To You O Lord – youtu.be/OthK0qvRx5w

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+004

 

CHAPTER 4 (ESV)

5 Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest. 6 And they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7 When they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and put him to death and beheaded him. They took his head and went by the way of the Arabah all night, 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 sought your life. The Lord has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.” 9 But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity, 10 when one told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. 11 How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?” 12 And David commanded his young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hanged them beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Two assassinations cleared the way for David to become ruler of a united Israel (3:22-39 & 4:1-12); however, he had no part in either. Joab’s main objective in killing Abner was revenge for his brother Asahel who had been killed by Abner in battle. Ish-Bosheth’s assassins hoped to be rewarded for bringing David “good news”!
2. David quickly acted to show his people he had nothing to do with either death. He publicly mourned and honoured Abner, and he executed the two men who assassinated Ish-Bosheth and gave a proper burial for him.
3. Justice and righteousness are essential for good government. David displayed such qualities in his governing, especially in his early years. We may benefit from sinful acts of others. But we should never rejoice in them.

 

PRAYER:

Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed. Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded. My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. (Ps 17:1-5)

 

HYMN:

Every Step – youtu.be/zuUkOzu7SU0

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+003

 

CHAPTER 3 (ESV)

12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.” 13 And he said, “Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid the bridal price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” And he returned.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Was it love or politics that led David to demand the return of Michal, the daughter of Saul? It’s very likely that politics played a part, for being the son-in-law of Saul would legitimate David’s claim of throne and eliminate the hostility among the northerners.
2. In this political power struggle, Michal’s opinion was not asked, she was only a bargaining chip. On David’s demand she was taken away from her weeping second husband, Paltiel, and marched off to rejoin David. Michal has been used by her father (ref. 1 Sam 18:20-25). Here she was apparently used by David. It’s no wonder that later she became hardened and bitter.
3. We need to be careful not to use others for our own ends. People are to be valued and not used and their interests are to be considered as well as our own. In my personal relationships, have I, knowingly or unknowingly, used those close to me and caused harm or pain to others? Or have I been used by others and am still defensive and hard?

 

PRAYER:

1. Meditate on this verse: “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (1 Cor 10:24)” Have a conversation with God; listen to what God is telling me how to actually live out the essence of this verse. Tell God my response.
2. Memorize this verse and meditate it throughout the day. At the end of the day, take an account and see whether this verse has affected any of the decisions I make. Give thanks to God or continue to ask for God’s help in actualizing this verse in my daily life.

 

HYMN:

Lord Give Me Light – youtu.be/3tWcS9RXkF4

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+002

 

CHAPTER 2 (ESV)

1 After this David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” And he said, “To Hebron.” 2 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 And David brought up his men who were with him, everyone with his household, and they lived in the towns of Hebron. 4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

 

REFLECTION:

1. David knew that he was going to be king (1Sam 16:13, 23:17, 24:20). The death of Saul seemed to be the appropriate time for him to come out into the open as king. However, he still prayed and inquired of the Lord. In effect, he asked, “Is this the time?” and “Where is the place to do it?” He received the guidance clearly: “Yes, this is the time, and Hebron is the place”.
2. There are times when situation seems to be right for us. We still need to pray and ask of God before taking the action for only God knows the most appropriate time and opportunity. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, with Your help, I want to trust in You with all my heart. I will no longer depend on my own wisdom. In everything I do, I will pray and ask for Your guidance and obey Your will. I know deeply that You will guide my future paths.

 

HYMN:

Trust You – youtu.be/eqg5EivNkmw

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+001

 

2 Samuel

Introduction

The books commonly known as 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings are really one long book. (They were separated due to the length of ancient scrolls.) Beginning with Samuel, the last of the judges, this book describes what happened in the days of the kings who ruled first the whole nation, and then the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The reigns of Saul and David are described in detail. The repeating structure within the book tells how old a king was when he came to the throne, where and for how long he ruled, and something about his character and the notable events of his reign. (Some traditions call this book the “Book of Reigns.”)

Beneath this pattern of historical succession, however, another rhythm can be discerned. Saul, the first king, does not follow God faithfully, and God announces he will seek a man after his own heart to rule Israel. God finds this person in David. He puts him on the throne, promising that his descendants will always rule Israel if they continue to serve him. Unfortunately, the kings after David are not committed to following God’s way. Many of them abandon God and lead the people to do the same, although a few of them call the people back to obedience. Using David’s wholehearted dedication to the Lord as its standard, the book of Samuel-Kings traces the tragic wavering of the people’s devotion to God. Their covenant failure leads to the nation first being divided and then later conquered by the powerful empires to the east.

The “Book of Reigns” is therefore a tragic closing of the whole covenant history that began in Genesis. Just as the first humans were exiled from God’s garden, now Israel is sent out of the “new Eden” God intended in the Promised Land. Land and temple have been lost in the darkness of judgment, and only a flickering light remains. The deeper purpose of God for Israel—to bring blessing and restoration to the nations—seems to have been frustrated. But hope remains alive in God’s promise to bring a descendant of David back to the throne.

 

www.bible.com/zh-TW/bible/111/2SA.INTRO1.NIV

 

CHAPTER 1 (ESV)

11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. …

24 “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

25 “How the mighty have fallen
in the midst of the battle!

“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.

27 “How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!”
 

REFLECTION:

1. If time allows, read the whole lament, vv17-27.
2. David expressed the pain he felt at the death of Jonathan and Saul in a poem intended to honour them. There was no hatred or bad memories of the one who attempted to capture him and kill him repeatedly. David insisted on honouring God’s anointed and genuinely respected him. He remembered Saul and Jonathan as excellent warriors. However his memory of Jonathan was more for his loyalty and selflessness. David and his men “mourned and wept and fasted till evening” for the loss of his king, his closest friend, and those killed on that battle. He was not ashamed of this show of emotion.
3. In our society today, we consider it weakness if we reveal our true feelings, especially grief or sadness. In order to be strong, we hide our emotions. Even at church, we are used to putting up an image of strength and victory. We have learned to take off our grief, just as we take off our coat and hat, and hang them by the door before entering into worship.
4. How do I respond to grief? What thoughts and feelings go through me when I meet people crying and suffering from the loss of a loved one?

 

PRAYER:

1. Recall the pain and heartbreak I have experienced, or am experiencing right now. Tell God about my emotions. Remember I am in the loving presence of God. He is listening attentively and reaching out to comfort me. How do I feel when comforted by God?
2. Thank God for His listening and comforting.

 

HYMN:

Sovereign Over Us – youtu.be/FFO_87VBwNc

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Samuel+031

 

CHAPTER 31 (ESV)

6 Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. 7 And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them.

8 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 So they cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. 11 But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 13 And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Israel was defeated by the Philistines and Saul and his sons including Jonathan were killed. He was after all God’s chosen anointed king of Israel. The bodies of Saul and his sons were taken by night from the walls of a Philistine city where they had been nailed for display. This was done by the men of Jabesh Gilead. In his first act as king, Saul had saved that city from the Ammonites. Its citizens now repaid his kindness. They traveled through the night at great risk to rescue his body and the bodies of his sons from further indignities. The life of God’s anointed, as flawed as he was, ended reverently. He was respectfully laid to rest, and those at his burial fasted and mourned for seven days.
2. Saul’s failure is not his lack of military or political capabilities, nor the weakness of the people. Rather it was his refusal to obey God’s will. No matter how talented and courageous a person is, history will prove him a failure unless he knows and acknowledge the Lord of history. This applies to everyone including the kings.
3. Looking back at Saul’s life, and his death, what has been a reminder or inspiration to me? How would I alter my attitude and life style because of Saul’s life?

 

PRAYER:

“Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.” (Ps 71:17-18)

 

HYMN:

Reaching For You – youtu.be/f7pV71J9al0