Daily Bible Devotionals

“Then King Ahaz cut off the frames of the water carts and removed the bronze basin from each of them.  He took the reservoir from the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone pavement.  To satisfy the king of Assyria, he removed from the Lord’s temple the Sabbath canopy they had built in the palace, and he closed the outer entrance for the king.”  2 Kings 16:17-18 (HCSB)

What lessons should we learn from this account of Ahaz’s new measures?  First, the king’s innovations imply that he felt there was a deficiency in orthodox worship.  Ahaz apparently thought temple worship could be improved and that an upgrade was in order.  Ahaz wanted to be more than a king.  He wanted to be a priest as well.  Perhaps, he felt some worldly artistic influence should kick off his priestly inauguration.

But whenever we supplement or “enrich” worship, we imply that worship, as God directs, is somehow deficient.  One wonders if our post-modern church culture now runs the same danger.  In principle, our worship is the same as Biblical Judah’s: Prayer and Praise based on Atonement (Jesus’ sacrifice).  That doesn’t mean our worship can’t have a creative variety or that it must be necessarily tedious.  But why do we keep toying with worship, thinking that we have to soup it up with a boundless pursuit of production?  It is evident that many leaders within the Church hold to the idea that Jesus and the Bible are simply no longer enough to captivate people’s attention.

Evil is helped by weakness as much as by wickedness.  Whatever Ahaz commands, Uriah does.  Obviously, Uriah had much to lose should he refuse to go along with Ahaz’s liturgical renovations.  Some of us know what that is like.  Some know what it is to leave a congregation because they could not continue with a pastor (or a denomination) who refuses to be grounded in the foundation of Scripture.

It can feel like your security has been kicked in the solar plexus (for you professional wrestling fans), but the way of peace, “Uriah-style,” never leads to righteousness.  It merely cooperates with wickedness.  Often, God calls leaders to conflict rather than cooperation.  OFTEN TIMES.  Beware of the congregation that advertises “unconditional acceptance” over adherence to God’s Word.  Beware of those who pride themselves in making the congregation a comfortable place at the risk of diluting the confrontational nature of Gospel truth.

Resist the urge to pray for compromised peace when God calls for an uncompromising spiritual battle!  There is no victory without one side completely surrendering to the other.  And we serve the King of Kings, Lord of Lords!  Compromise does not bring peace, only a temporary ceasefire.  In the Middle East, “peace” means “reload.”  We are called to live victoriously.  (1 John 5:4-5)  That should be our attitude – not because we crave conflict, but because we fear spinelessness that concedes to other men’s faithlessness and sin.

“In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, became king. He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem.  His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done, except that the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. Then the Lord struck the king, so that he was a leper until the day of his death; so he dwelt in an isolated house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the royal house, judging the people of the land.” 2 Kings 15:1-5 (NKJV)

Today’s chapter lists various kings in the divided Hebrew kingdom.  (The Divided Kingdom consisted of two sub-kingdoms: Israel and Judah.)  The leaders of both Israel and Judah varied in their devotion to the Lord.  

It is hard not to focus on the kings of Israel.  The man who was mainly responsible for the divided kingdom, Jeroboam, led 10 of the 12 tribes straightway into idolatry, forbidding them to worship the Lord in Jerusalem.  So, idolatry was the norm for Israel.  Because of their idolatry, the rulers of Israel only reigned for a few years each.  (One of them only reigned for a month!)  They seem to be absent of vision and a moral code.  Doesn’t it remind us of the world today, with its driven “dog-eat-dog/every-man-for-himself” attitude?  There is nothing attractive about Israel that makes the onlooker want to emulate them.  We would rather avoid them!

In contrast, Judah’s kings typically reign longer, and their kingdoms are more stable.  Notice that there are five kings of Israel for the two kings of Judah.  Why?  Because Judah sought after the Lord.  At least, their kings did.  Notice how the kings of Judah are listed as having done “right in the eyes of the Lord.”  Lest we beatify Judah’s kings in contrast to Israel’s kings, we have the Lord’s charge against them: “Nevertheless, the high places were not removed.” Hence, while Judah’s kings were more stable, they both suffered difficulty: one from Leprosy and the other from terrorism.

“In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.  His mother’s name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. However, the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.  He built the Upper Gate of the house of the Lord. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? In those days the Lord began to send Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah.” 2 Kings 15:32-37 (NKJV)

Let today’s passage remind us that we are not measured by how we fare against other men.  We are measured by God’s standard, the Bible.

“In the fifteenth year of Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash, Jeroboam II son of Jehoash became king of Israel in Samaria and reigned 41 years.  He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.  He did not turn away from all the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.  He restored Israel’s border from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word the Lord, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant, the prophet Jonah son of Amittai from Gath-hepher.  For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter.  There was no one to help Israel, neither bond nor free.  However, the Lord had not said He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so He delivered them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.”  2 Kings 14:23-27 (HCSB)

Asthma nearly killed Theodore Roosevelt as a small boy.  One night he had a horrible asthma attack and his father made him smoke a cigar.  Apparently, cigars were on the list of proposed “antidotes” back in those days.  Today, we would never consider cigars could cure asthma.  In the same way, we are puzzled over today’s passage.  Jeroboam II did evil in the Lord’s eyes, yet this king restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath all the way to the Sea of the Arabah.

Evil and success are as strange a combination as asthma and cigars.  Why is the Lord allowing this to go on?  Why doesn’t He bring Jeroboam’s reign down in an "iron-rod" style disaster?  Why is it that Israel still worships calves, and times were never better?  There is wickedness in the high places, and at the same time, there is military expansion and a booming economy.  You’re free to your own political opinions, but the whole thing reminds me of the United States under the Bill Clinton presidency: openly godless scandals at the executive level and high approval ratings with a balanced budget.

Why are things this way?  Because of the Word of the Lord.  God had spoken through the prophet Jonah’s prediction of this massive military recovery of Israel.  However, behind this mysterious “Word from the Lord” stands His warm compassion, and this compassion drove His Word.  The Lord is the same Exodus-Era God, Who sees the affliction of His people.  Israel might be on the verge of being wiped out, but (for now) the Lord is still reluctant to take them there.

So we know Jeroboam’s success was not an indicator of the Lord’s favor but only His pity.  This idea is a little unnerving because the text says to us (whether nations or individuals): Do not mistake the Lord’s patience for His pleasure.  

In fact, the Bible values all human achievement and grandeur that does not bow the knee to the Lord as wasted.  Paul called his good works (apart from Jesus) “filthy rags.”  This point, of course, strikes not only at deviant kings but also at those who claim to minister and serve in Jesus’ name but who too easily become engrossed with their performance or career success.

“In the twenty-third year of Judah’s King Joash son of Ahaziah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria and reigned 17 years.  He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight and followed the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.  So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and He surrendered them to the power of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-hadad during their reigns.  Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord heard him, for He saw the oppression the king of Aram inflicted on Israel.  Therefore, the Lord gave Israel a deliverer, and they escaped the power of the Arameans.  Then the people of Israel dwelt in their tents as before, but they didn’t turn away from their sins that the house of Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.  Jehoahaz walked in them, and the Asherah pole also remained standing in Samaria.  Jehoahaz did not have any army left, except for 50 horsemen, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers, because the king of Aram had destroyed them, making them like dust at threshing.”  2 Kings 13:1-7 (HCSB)

There is a surprise in today’s passage.  Jehoahaz was a devotee of the cult of Jeroboam.  This is no surprise.  We’re used to hearing it by now!  He was so committed to it that despite all the conditions the Lord allowed him to suffer, Jehoahaz “did not turn from it.”

Notice the theological segment placed amidst the usual narrative.  We should not be surprised that the wrath of the Lord ignites against Israel or that He continually gives them over to the power of Hazael and Ben-hadad.  However, we ARE surprised that Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord.

“Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them.”  Proverbs 28:4 (HCSB)

Naturally, we are ready to shoot our Proverbs 28 arrow at Jehoahaz.  Before we launch it, however, we meet a more surprising surprise: The Lord listened to him, to a calf worshipper!  Why on earth would the Lord do that?  Because He saw how the King of Syria oppressed Israel.  God is still the same “Book-of-Exodus” God, the One who notices the afflictions of His people and desires to deliver them in hopes of winning their repentance.  In a few chapters, we will see how He is the same God of judgment and chastisement, even to his children.

How did the Lord answer Jehoahaz?  He gave Israel a “savior.”  But everyone wonders who that “savior” was.  It was certainly not Jehoahaz and was most likely subsequent kings, Jehoash and Jeroboam II.  Actually, it doesn’t matter much.  What matters is that the Lord gave Israel a savior when they needed one.  The tragedy is how Israel was so ungrateful for their deliverance.  They just kept on sinning.  The warmth of God’s pity did not soften the hardness of their infidelity.  There was no memory carryover that claimed and won their gratitude.  

This reminds me of today’s church culture.  Israel wants relief from trouble, not a relationship with God, and she craves therapy, not transformation.  Guard yourself against this mindset!

“In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king and reigned 40 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah, who was from Beer-sheba. Throughout the time Jehoiada the priest instructed him, Joash did what was right in the Lord’s sight. Yet the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.” 2 Kings 12:1-3 (HCSB)

There is a story of a British colonel whose battalion was defending a bridge in World War II.  Ammunition was nearly gone, casualties were high, and the colonel’s men had been fighting for fifty hours without let-up.  During this time, one of the battalion chaplains met the colonel, who was coming out of a toilet.

A smile lit up the colonel’s grimy, stubble-covered face.  “Father,” he said, “the window is shattered, there’s a hole in the wall, and the roof’s gone.  But it has a chain, and it works.” Amid the blasts and ruin, devastation and death, there was a welcome bit of consistency: The toilet still works!

That is the testimony of verses 1-3 of today’s chapter.  Out of the evil of Athaliah’s regime in chapter 11, with royal blood dripping from her hands and tyranny reigning on her throne, there is, nevertheless, a seven-year-old heir of David who begins to reign.

So, what is our practical application of this observation?  What seems only statistical, the rote observations of kingly rule: installation, slight reform, compromise, is, in fact, glorious.  What appears dull is thrilling.  It’s as if the writer says, “The kingdom is divided, and in shambles, people don’t have any money, the Temple is in disrepair, but the covenant still works!

It is of utmost importance that believers grasp all this; otherwise, they become ungrateful for the mundane provision of the Lord.  So often, we become ministry “adrenaline junkies,” miracle-hounds looking for the next big move of God.  Israel and Judah should have been relieved when the boiling-point drama of royal apostasy simmered down to a step-by-step kingdom.

Surely, we recognize that many of God’s gifts come wrapped in plain brown paper packages.  Still, they are gifts of the Lord.  Mundane mercies are mercies nonetheless, and simple provisions are still provisions.  

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (HCSB)

If the Lord has granted us civil order, is that no less a miracle simply because it feels ordinary?  Remember: there is nothing petty about God’s simple provision.  If you’ve ever gone without it for a season, you will praise the day it returns!

“When Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.  Jehosheba, who was King Jehoram’s daughter and Ahaziah’s sister, secretly rescued Joash, son of Ahaziah from the king’s sons who were being killed and put him and the one who nursed him in a bedroom.  So he was hidden from Athaliah and was not killed.  Joash was in hiding with Jehosheba in the Lord’s temple six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.” 2 Kings 11:1-3 (HCSB)

When I was a boy, I was so excited to watch TV at Christmastime!  The reason was that I loved those “claymation” Christmas programs on network TV.  The stories always had some plot, where Christmas was about to be canceled or foiled by some villain.  In the same tradition, you may have never cared about 2 Kings 11, a baby named Joash, or his aunt who saved him…but you may be interested to know that Jehosheba is literally the “Aunt who saved Christmas.”

Jezebel’s daughter, Athaliah, was on a murderous campaign to destroy the royal Davidic family line of the house of Judah!  Talk about your anti-Christs...she was one of the worst of them!  Athaliah was just one baby away from eliminating Christmas…and your and my salvation!  You see, by God’s Word, Messiah had to come from the Line of David.

Long before Luke 2, God’s hand was at work protecting and preserving Jesus’ advent.  If Athaliah had had her way, there wouldn’t have been any shepherds and Angels in glorious appearance, swaddling clothes, or good news of great joy.  Yes, today, as we are hauling crumpled-up wrapping paper to the curb, perhaps, we should pause and remember the aunt who saved Christmas.  

We should thank God for using an otherwise forgettable individual in Israel’s history to save the line of the Savior.  We should also reflect on how He chooses to call us…otherwise insignificant humans…to receive salvation and carry His gospel to an otherwise damned people.  As someone was “Jehoshaba” for us, we have the opportunity to be “Jehosheba” for others, sheltering them from the Enemy.

What I like about today’s chapter is how absent and yet completely present God is.  Of course, He is always present and working in our midst, but He doesn’t always announce Himself in “thus sayeth the Lord” terms.  In 2 Kings 11, God is indirect in accomplishing His plan of redemption.  He does not inject a word, and there is no evidence of any explicit activity on His part.

But we know better.  We know how He works in our lives.  He usually goes about His work without attracting our attention.  Sometimes we even feel He has abandoned us because we cannot see the expected trappings of His deity.  Today’s passage is another invitation to enjoy – in Scripture, history, and experience – the refreshing subtlety and mighty silence of our God.  It is the stuff that makes faith worth it…when the Lord’s “slow reveal” is fully realized, and our “Praise God!” is matched with His “Well done.”

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 2 Kings 10. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“So Jehu got up and went into the house.  The young prophet poured the oil on his head and said, ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says: “I anoint you king over the Lord’s people, Israel.  You are to strike down the house of your master Ahab so that I may avenge the blood shed by the hand of Jezebel – the blood of My servants the prophets and of all the servants of the Lord.  The whole house of Ahab will perish, and I will eliminate all of Ahab’s males, both slave and free, in Israel.  I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah.  The dogs will eat Jezebel in the plot of land at Jezreel – no one will bury her.”’  Then the young prophet opened the door and escaped.”  2 Kings 9:6-10 (HCSB)

I am writing this at a time when my own country is straddled with a “sluggish” economy.  TV News is broadcasting the endless rants of economists and politicians talking about stimulating the economy with various measures, which may make up another “stimulus package.”  I do not believe anything can alter the downward course of our nation, apart from Biblical revival.

Sometimes in Scripture, the Lord seems to “jump-start” or stimulate history’s course with His Word.  We see that in today’s passage.  No sooner does the prophet throw open the door and bolt off, and no sooner does Jehu report his words to his comrades that a revolt is underway.  What stirred that up?  What was the catalyst?  The Word of God.  No doubt, Jehu and his friends were quite happy to rebel; nevertheless, it was the Lord’s Word that emboldened them to do it.

We saw the same thing in 2 Kings 8:7-15.  Elisha itemized the disaster Hazael would inflict on Israel: Blazing fortresses, killing young draftees in war, bashing infants to death, and slicing-open pregnant women.  Elisha wept, and Hazael smiled.  But how could he do this? Elisha informs him that the Lord has shown him that Hazael is to be king of Syria.  It was Hazael’s decision to make, but Elisha’s Word from the Lord was the catalyst behind it.

The Word of God incited Peter to submission instead of rebellion.

“Then Jesus told him (Peter), ‘Put your sword back in its place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword.  Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions of angels?  How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?’” Matthew 26:52-54 (HCSB)

What does Jesus mean – “this way”?  He means that the Scriptures have said that Messiah’s work will be accomplished through the weakness of the cross, not by the power of the sword.  Although both plans would have removed the disciples from immediate danger, only one would have provided eternal salvation.  What areas of your life are you weighing the options of faithfully following God’s Word and trusting Him to provide deliverance versus formulating your personal escape plan?

“Then the king talked with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, ‘Tell me, please, all the great things Elisha has done.’  Now it happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored the dead to life, that there was the woman whose son was restored to life, appealing to the king for her house and for her land.  And Gehazi said, ‘My lord, oh king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.’”  2 Kings 8:4-5 (NKJV)

It was a conversation in the background that the writer of 2nd Kings places into the foreground, something that Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life.  Elisha gave her a tip that only a prophet could know, something about a coming 7-year famine, along with advice about what to do “Rise, go, you and your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn.”  She follows the prophet’s counsel, apparently to her advantage, and stays in Philistia seven years.

Why does it help us to know this?  Remember back in 2 Kings 4:9-10, when this woman proposed a little house remodeling project to her husband?  She sensed that Elisha was a “holy man of God,” i.e., the Lord’s prophet, and wanted to make this accommodation for him.  Why?  Simply because Elisha was the Lord’s servant.

“Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.  And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward.  And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple – I assure you: He will never lose his reward!” Matthew 10:41-42 (HCSB)

God doesn’t miss cold cups of water, and He remembered this woman’s kindness to His servant by showing kindness to her.  So, here was God’s kindness in His “famine warning system.”  Consider what that must have meant to her.  Today’s passage is not the main focus of the chapter, but what an encouragement Elisha’s tip must have been, assuring her that the “Keeper of Israel” had by no means forgotten her.  A small kindness carries a massive encouragement.

Now, after seven years, because Elisha’s short-term prophecy (concerning famine) was exactly fulfilled, this woman trusts the Word of the Lord (concerning repatriation) and returns home.  And what does she find?  Gehazi is preparing the king to give favor to her plea (concerning her property) before he even hears it!

Faith is not FACT until it is tested, and this woman received what all who faithfully trust the Lord’s Word receive: Intimate personal knowledge that the Lord can be trusted!  The prophecies concerning Jesus’ advent, crucifixion, and resurrection have been fulfilled. Now it is up to us to faithfully believe His (yet) unfulfilled promise of return and commit to following Him, knowing He’ll be talking to the King when we enter into eternity.  “Oh, just the person we were speaking of….”

“Elisha said, ‘Hear the Word of the Lord!  This is what the Lord says: “About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, six quarts of fine meal will sell for a shekel and 12 quarts of fine meal will sell for a shekel.”’  Then the Captain, the king’s right-hand man, responded to the man of God, ‘Look, even if the Lord were to make windows in Heaven, could this really happen?’  Elisha announced, ‘You will in fact see it with your own eyes, but you won’t eat any of it.’  2 Kings 7:1-2

Today’s chapter is one of Grace and Judgment.  The message of grace was delivered to the king personally by Elisha, the prophet.  Elisha, knowing Jehoram was on his way to oversee his execution, had the men with him bar the door against the king’s executioner. The king had become impatient and figured that waiting on God was pointless.  God always seems irrelevant to those who have no place for Him in their hearts.  

Elijah brought the king’s rage to an abrupt halt with his message of Hope and Grace: The Syrian-induced famine would abruptly end, and the very next day, Samaria would enjoy abundance.  In addition, to short-circuiting his own execution, Elisha’s message of Grace set the stage for additional characters to enter the stage.

First, we have the king’s Captain.  No sooner was the promise of abundance out of Elisha’s mouth than this man offered a negative prediction: “Look, even if the Lord were to make windows in Heaven, could this really happen?”  A sour and shriveled spirit pits us against everyone & everything.  A great evil to be strongly avoided, the sour spirit is never more dangerous than when it manifests itself in rejecting the Gospel.  

In the Gospel of Jesus, we have a message of Grace that makes Elijah’s message pale in comparison.  It tells us that God has, as it were, made windows in Heaven.  But many scoff at God’s plan of salvation and refuse to accept it.  This Captain is a warning for all who harbor a bitter spirit against the Lord and His provision!  Elisha’s word was fulfilled in the most frightful manner - that Captain was trampled the very next day as the people were in a frenzy to collect their portion of God’s abundance.  God’s message of Grace to King Jehoram was a message of Judgment for the king’s Captain.

In a significant role reversal that must have challenged the social paradigms of ancient Israel, the positive response to Elisha’s “message of Grace” came from four lepers.  These men rejoiced in God’s Graceful provision and shared it with others.  The lepers wasted no time enjoying the bounty; then, it occurred to them that their city was starving.

Followers of Jesus cannot help but see themselves in these men who suffered from leprosy.  We, too, have been saved by Grace!  We were suffering in our sin conditions when the Grace of God, through Jesus, intervened.  Still, we identify with them on yet another level. They realized they were doing wrong by keeping God’s Grace to themselves!  Let’s adopt their words as our motto: “…come, let us go, and tell…” (2 Kings 7:9)

“The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, ‘Please notice that the place where we live under your supervision is too small for us.  Please let us go to the Jordan where we can each get a log and can build ourselves a place to live there.’  ‘Go,’ he said.  Then one said, ‘Please come with your servants.’  ‘I’ll come,’ he answered.  So he went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.  As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, ‘Oh my master, it was borrowed!’” 2 Kings 6:1-5 (HCSB)

Idolatry was flourishing in the land of Israel.  We must keep that in mind as we consider today’s passage so that we can appreciate the request of the sons of the prophets.

There have been many times, throughout the generations, in which evil was so strong that it seemed the Lord’s cause would entirely fail.  Elisha’s predecessor, Elijah, had experienced such a time.  After Jezebel threatened his life, he fled (was led by God) to Mount Horeb, the mountain on which Moses received the Torah of God for Israel.  Mt. Horeb was where it all began, and Elijah went back to report that (from his viewpoint) it had all ended.  Elijah believed he was the last faithful Israelite, and his life was hanging on by a thread.  Elijah was in for a surprise: it was NOT over.  The Lord had reserved seven thousand faithful prophets in Israel who had refused to bow a knee to Baal.

The Israelite captives in Babylon (who were the recipients of the books of the Kings and the Prophets) may have very well thought that their nation had reached the end of the line, that Israel would become assimilated into the Babylonian culture and never exist again as a nation.  The fact that the school of the prophets had to build larger quarters in an evil era was a tiny reminder for them that God preserves and expands His cause, even during dark and evil times.

The presence of Elisha with these young prophets also indicates something of his personal interest in them and their endeavors.  The prophet through whom the Lord had worked mighty miracles did not allow himself to be puffed up with pride.  He did not consider himself to be of such importance that he could not associate with these men, these yeshiva students, in such a simple, mundane activity as constructing a new building.

As the Lord’s representative, Elisha’s willingness to be involved with this project is a picture for us of the Lord’s interest in the details of our lives, those details that others would consider small and insignificant.  Jesus, Himself, comforts us in the same manner.

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26 (NKJV)

Even down to such an insignificant thing as a lost ax handle, the Lord is willing to extend His miraculous hand.  He does this to encourage the Kingdom worker and to provide for

the ministry resources needed to complete His objectives through His servants, unto the glory of His Name.

“So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house.  Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, ‘Go wash seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.’  But Naaman got angry and left, saying, ‘I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and will wave his hand over the spot and cure the skin disease.  Aren’t Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?  Could I not wash in them and be clean?’  So he turned and left in a rage.” 2 Kings 5:9-12 (HCSB)

When we first meet Naaman, he seems likable enough.  He was the “commander of the Army of Syria” and is also identified as “a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master.” (v. 1)

But we soon discover that Naaman was a very proud man.  Losing his temper outside Elisha’s house, along with his claim of the superior qualities of the rivers of Syria, put Naaman’s pride on display.  Naaman was filled with nationalistic pride.  Syria meant everything to him. He loved Syria’s military superiority, her religion, and her culture.  He loved his own station in life, and he attributed that to the greatness of Syria.

Before we leave Naaman thinking his story is just a historical account, it is important that we recognize the “Naamans” in our own culture.  We call them “men of the World.”  The man of the World is an interesting (and in many ways admirable) type of man.  He has a zest for life.  He fully enjoys the best of all the World can offer him in culture, amusement, wealth, variety, pomp, and sport. The religion of the Bible (to the Worldly man) is completely unreal compared with his (perceived) reality in the World.

He ponders Jesus and the cross and sees little to glory in compared with all he has in the World.  He feels that the Kingdom of God is distant and very unattractive compared with success in this World.  From his own point of view, the “man of the World” feels quite certain that his life is vastly superior to that of the man who confines most of his life to the sphere of faith-in-Jesus and Christian community.

No, if Naaman were going to measure life’s value and worth by the amount of excitement, amusement, and adventure it offers, then it was not really of any advantage to follow YHWH.  Oh yes, except for that whole “leprosy” thing.  You see, once “Naamans” recognize they are HELPLESS in the World and all of its idolatrous incarnations have proved worthless and cannot be trusted unto salvation, they are left to 1) DESPAIR in their “fate” or 2) HUMBLE themselves and seek God through His Word.

What I like is how Elisha humbly displayed that the Word of the Lord is more important than God’s messenger.  Through his closed front door, Elisha simply preached God’s Word for Naaman and didn’t even walk outside his house!  The power of God, working through Naaman’s obedience to His Word, is what brought about Naaman’s healing, not the prophet’s persona or eloquence or his perceived innate power.

“One of the wives of sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, ‘Your servant, my husband, has died.  You know that your servant feared the Lord.  Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.’” 2 Kings 4:1 (HCSB)

The widow in this passage is only identified as “One of the wives of the sons of the prophets.”  (4:1)  However, her value to us resides not in how much space she occupies in Scripture…or in the amount of information we have about her…but rather in the single great lesson, she has to teach us.

Here is a woman who demonstrates, for all generations, the way to face surpassing demands when we find ourselves with only meager resources.  She shows us that the abounding resources of the Word of God become ours to the degree that we place our faith in them.  I am not advocating what is known as “prosperity” theology…where God acts as a benevolent “genie” every time one of his children rubs the Bible.  I am simply saying the Bible clearly promises that God’s Grace is sufficient for us, and we have peace in our hearts to the extent that we are willing to trust the Lord as He has revealed Himself in His Word, the Bible.

Today’s passage wastes no time introducing us to the surpassing demands this woman is facing.  Her husband died, leaving her with two sons and substantial debt.  Her creditor, a human iceberg, had decided that her sons would make a highly suitable payment for her debt, and he was soon to come and take them as his slaves.

While some of the terms of today’s story seem foreign, many in our midst are facing similar situations today.  Nobody is probably coming to arrest your family member or friend to put them into slavery, but we all know someone who has incurred financial trauma.  I have known many people on collision courses with bankruptcy and/or a home foreclosure.  These are good, God-fearing people who do all they know to honor the Lord, yet they find themselves in dire straights.  Their main questions are “Why?” and “What now?”

The woman in today’s passage was disillusioned by it all.  The perplexity she felt is evident in her plaintive cry to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died.  You know that your servant feared the Lord.” (4:1)  We would like to believe that serving God makes us exempt from the troubles of life, that God spares us such things because of our service; but it is not so.  We want this passage to encourage us that this woman and her husband served the Lord and lived happily ever after, but it does not.

Some would lead us to believe that there is a serious flaw in the faith and service of this woman and/or her husband.  They insist there is no need for the children of God ever to be ill or experience financial reversals.  But today’s passage finds no fault with the faithful service of this family.  Perhaps, her condition is like that of a man Jesus healed.  When the disciples asked whose sin brought about his condition, Jesus replied that the man was as he was “so the Works of God might be displayed.” (John 9:1-7)

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Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 2 Kings 3. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking up the path, some small boys came out of the city and harassed him, chanting, ‘Go up, baldy!  Go up, baldy!’  He turned around, looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled 42 of the children. From there Elisha went to Mount Carmel, and then he returned to Samaria.” 2 Kings 2:23-25 (HCSB)

The presence of miracles in the Bible inevitably leads people to one of two extremes.  On the one hand, some deny that the advantages of the Bible ever took place.  As far as they are concerned, God has left the World to operate completely based on natural laws.  Of course, this view attacks the very heart and soul of what it means to follow Jesus.  It denies the testimony of Scripture and the Bible’s message of redemption.  If there is no possibility of miracles, Jesus was not God in the flesh, and He did not arise from the grave.  If these miracles are not true, there is no eternal salvation.

The other extreme is to suggest that miracles should be common for believers, an ongoing experience.  (Just how the miraculous can be commonplace and still be miraculous is a bit of a puzzle!)  Those who hold this position fail to recognize that the miracles of the Bible are not spread evenly throughout Scripture.  

Biblical miracles are separated into clusters: 1) Under Moses when the Lord was delivering Israel from Egypt and establishing her as a nation; 2) During the ministries of Elijah and Elisha; 3) During the Babylonian captivity of the Jews; 4) During the ministry of Messiah Jesus and shortly after His ascension; 5) During the age of the Apostles; 6) The last days.

Each of these clusters occurred at a time of great crisis or transition, always for the good of God’s people as a whole, with the intent of furthering God’s plan of redemption.  Many so-called “miracles” today seem more in the nature of personal luxury from the perspective of making life more comfortable for certain individuals.  God sent Elijah and Elisha to stop the spiritual decline of Israel and draw her back to Him. God publicly confirmed their ministries by allowing them to perform miracles.

Immediately after the Lord took Elijah, He established Elijah’s prophetic office with two miracles: HEALING the waters at Jericho and CURSING a group of rebellious boys.  The first miracle illustrated the nature of true salvation.  Accursed Jericho repented, sought the Lord’s mercy, and obtained it.

The second miracle shows how (formerly blessed) Bethel incurred judgment upon itself by turning away from the Lord to worship idols.  It could be that Elijah had begun his ministry by taking a vow to the Lord, hence shaving his head.  The boys, therefore, were mocking Elijah’s piety, perhaps provoking him so they could see him perform some kind of “sign.”  (Matthew 12:39)  Note: There is no indication that any of the boys were killed, only mauled.  A hard lesson, indeed.

"But the Angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, ‘Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?"'"2 Kings 1:3 (NKJV)

Years ago, I was watching television when an announcer broke into regular programming to announce that Osama Bin Laden had been killed.  I was glad to know that man’s days of terror were over.  In the hours that followed, worldwide news outlets broadcast jubilant celebrations spanning several continents.  An evil man was no longer terrorizing the World.  But after the celebrations quieted, the sobering reality set in: terror itself was not dead.  We were merely one less terrorist out of hundreds of thousands.  Bin Laden’s evil organization was multi-layered and sophisticated.

Second Kings begins on a positive note: Ahab is dead!  “Ahabs” always die – that is good news.  The bad news is that “Ahab Jr.” follows him.  Ahaziah is a chip off the old, dead block.  Welcome to Gangland, 852 BC.  

Who knows exactly how it happened?  Ahaziah fell from the second floor when some screenwork gave way.  Apparently, a serious injury was incurred since his inquiry implies he was uncertain of recovery.  Israel’s king in Samaria believes his hope for years to come resides in a temple forty-five miles away in Philistia.

“But the Angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite….”  God does not nap when apostasy is afoot.  Messiah, Himself (the Angel of the Lord) intervenes.  Elijah’s question to Ahaziah’s messengers is both question and judgment.  Just like that, Ahaziah is confronted with the “intolerant” God of Israel!

Some people get upset at the idea of a God Who, in His wild, untamed holiness, would sentence a man to death simply for exercising his sincere religious preferences in a critical hour of his life.  God is not the tolerant sort of God people crave, Who can co-exist with false religion.  Our post-modern culture would prefer the mythology of the ancient Near East, where gods and goddesses were permissive and casual and never insisted on exclusive loyalty.  None of those deities thought it was a mortal sin, should one of their devotees be ecumenical in his devotion.

But in the Bible, we meet YHWH and keep being reminded of His first commandment.  (Exodus 20:3)  That notion does not change in the New Testament.  Jesus goes around insisting folks must smash idols if they would follow as disciples (Mark 10:21-22).  He is as obnoxious as YHWH!  Who does He think He is…?

People are like tea bags.  You never really know what’s inside until they are in hot water!  Thus, Ahaziah‘s idolatry is revealed.  But what of yourself?  When the water gets hot, do you run to the arms of the World or stand firm on God’s Word?

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“The messenger who went to call Micaiah instructed him, ‘Look, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable for the king.  So let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.’  But Micaiah said, ‘As the Lord lives, I will say whatever the Lord says to me.’” 1 Kings 22:13-14 (HCSB)

Micaiah has just nailed something that neither Ahab nor his messenger understands.  Look back at Ahab’s words in verse 8 and the messengers in verse 13.  What do both assume about God’s Word?  They assume the prophet controls (or can control) the Word of the Lord.  Ahab implies that Micaiah could speak a kinder, gentler Word.  The messenger assumes Micaiah could agree with the company of (false) prophets if he only would.  They do not understand Micaiah’s conviction or his position.  (And they are obviously ignorant of the story of Balaam.) He is bound by the Word of God.  Hence, God’s Word is a constant; it cannot be manipulated by kings, messengers, or slick false prophets.  Sure, people can speak lies and claim the Lord’s inspiration, but they’ll ultimately be weighed by the TRUTH of His Word, and their preaching discovered to be flawed by His true standard.

The true prophet of God is incorruptible.  Whatever Word the Lord gives a prophet is what the prophet must speak.  The prophet is not at liberty to massage, shape, or bend (let alone pervert) that Word.  The Word of the Lord must be passed-on as given.  The true prophet of God is in bondage to the un-coercible Word of God.  The Word of the Lord is free; the servant of the Lord is bound to it - not the other way around.  The “Ahabs” of this World simply cannot comprehend the sovereign nature of God’s Word.

You may say, “So what?  What do the requirements and limitations of a prophet have to do with me?”  Consider the words of Paul:

“Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 (HCSB)

There is a somewhat famous and controversial “celebrity” pastor whose ministry slogan is “Love wins!”  I believe God’s Love wins.  But man’s love must be subservient to prophecy.  Love can only be truly defined through the lens of God’s Word, as revealed by God’s Spirit.  That’s what prophecy is!  And we are ALL to seek prophecy, which means it can be obtained by all of us.  No, I am not talking about predicting the future or writing new books of the Bible.  I am talking about petitioning the Lord to reveal His Scripture to us so that we may know what He requires of us, so we can live in a way that honors Him.  It also carries the intent that He is revealing His truth to us so that we can share it with others, no matter how unpopular His revelation may be.

The pressure to compromise God’s Word in our culture is immense.  That is why we are seeking God’s Word as a community, so we will not be alone in the knowledge of His revelation.  Rather, we should be a people determined to be separate and holy unto Him!

“Then his (Ahab’s) wife Jezebel said to him, ‘Now exercise your royal power over Israel.  Get up, eat some food, and be happy.  For I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.’ So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal.  She sent the letters to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city.  In the letters, she wrote: Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people.  Then seat two wicked men opposite him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” 1 Kings 21:7-10 (HCSB)

God’s people must expect to suffer injustice in this world.  I am not advocating that we be “doormats” and let people run all over us, but we will be wise to anticipate injustice and defend ourselves against its onset.

Today’s passage is a true picture of what the people of God can expect.  It is as if the writer is saying, “Now, THIS is the sort of treatment believers can expect from the rulers of this World.”

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12 (HCSB)

‍It is difficult for believers in Jesus (living in Western culture) to grasp suffering because we are constantly pummeled by other propaganda.  For instance, one televangelist has written: “He promises to heal ALL – everyone, any, and whatsoever, everything – all our diseases!  That means not even a headache, sinus problem, not even a toothache – nothing!  No sickness should come your way.”

If God yearns to pamper us with perfect health, why does a loaded court condemn His servant and stone him to death outside Jezreel?  I am not advocating pessimism, but let’s look at life realistically.  The Bible’s portrayal of believers’ lot in this world is so refreshing precisely because of its sober realism.  It is realism that is missing from much “Christian” telecasting and “pulpiteering” because the suffering of the cross (and the exhortation to take it up and carry it as He commands us to follow Him) has been deleted from their so-called gospel messages.

Yes, there will be injustice on earth, but we serve the Judge of all judges.  So, while we may suffer earthly injustice, God’s justice will prevail!

“Then the man of God approached and said the king of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord says: Because the Arameans have said: Yahweh is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys, I will hand over this great army to you.  Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”  1 Kings 20:28 (HCSB)

It is easy to smirk at the pagan Arameans, who think God’s power doesn’t extend to plains and valleys.  But most of us have entertained similar thoughts.  Paganism is not only alive and well in the World; it also lives within the Church!  Our paganism may be more refined (hence, less obvious), yet no different in principle.  Sometimes Syrian theology appears in a “deist” approach to God.

Benjamin Franklin once wrote to George Whitefield: “I rather suspect, from certain circumstances, that though the general government of the universe is well administered, our particular little affairs are perhaps below notice, and left to take the chance of human prudence or imprudence, as either may happen to be uppermost.”

For all intents and purposes, Franklin was an “Aramean.”  What Franklin was saying is that God governs the big show but doesn’t get Himself dirty in the minor details of our lives.  It’s the god-of-the-hills-but-not-of-the-valleys argument all over again.  It says that God operates in the broad strokes of the universe but don’t expect Him to micro-manage.  Have you ever heard “believers” put forth this idea?  It is pagan in that it limits both God’s desire and His jurisdiction.

Sometimes we operate on the reverse heresy: The god-of-the-valleys-and-not-the-mountains.  We have a god of personal need, but not on a global scale.  We become so transfixed on God’s help for our little dilemmas and Aunt Sue’s gall bladder surgery that we lose the God of Psalm 24.

“The Earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord; for He laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.”  Psalm 24:1-2 (HCSB)

Syrian theology simply says there are some areas beyond the reach of the Lord’s arm.  And we can easily slip into this mentality, contrary to our expressed beliefs.  We may catch ourselves assuming that God is at work in religious things but not in routine things.  Or some have a worldly past that has left multiple scars; they are such victims of their experiences that they believe they cannot change or be delivered.  God is the God of the Hills, Valleys - and everywhere else!!  In today’s chapter, He sends messages to (and works His plan through) Ahab, Ben-hadad, Aram, and Israel.  All are undeserving recipients.  All this so that people will recognize that He, alone, is Lord!

No person is so bad that they cannot have God’s grace.  And nobody is so good that they don’t need it.  He is the God of both mountains AND valleys.  The Lord can (and does) work His will through all sorts of people and circumstances.  All that so that we will recognize and worship Him as Lord!

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“Elijah left there and found Elisha son of Shaphat as he was plowing.  Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team.  Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him.  Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, ‘Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then, I will follow you.’  ‘Go on back,’ he replied, ‘for what have I done to you?’  So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered them.  With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meal and gave it to the people, and they ate.  Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.”  1 Kings 19:19-21 (HCSB)

Howard Hamer had just taken off in his homemade plane from the airfield in Chiloquin, a high desert town in Oregon.  Almost immediately, the plane lost power, and Hamer decided to attempt a landing on the local 97 highway.  Filiberto Corona Ambriz was minding his own business this particular Thursday.  He was driving a flatbed truck north on 97.  Unknowingly, he drove his flatbed truck under Hamer’s plane at the very moment the latter was trying to land on the highway.  The two never saw each other, had never met until there was a bump, and a loud bang!  The Propeller caught on the truck’s sleeper, and the plane’s nose remained there while the tail dropped down on the flatbed trailer.  The “landing” was successful, and neither man was injured.

I bet that usually doesn’t happen to most truck drivers!  Mr. Ambriz did not say, “You know, I bet while I’m driving north on 97 today, some plane will use my flatbed as an aircraft carrier.  He was simply doing what truckers normally do, and, literally, out of the blue, a plane landed on his truck.

This is precisely how Elisha must have remembered this day.  He was simply doing what farm boys must regularly do, in his case, plowing his father’s field.  How could he have guessed that Elijah the Tishbite would come walking across the field and throw his mantle on him?  Elisha knew what that meant, but he hardly anticipated it when he awoke that morning.  

Others have been so surprised: Moses while tending to his father-in-law’s flocks.  (Exodus 3:1-2) Matthew was in the middle of collecting taxes (Matthew 9:9).  I know that was MY story.  The day I bowed my heart to Jesus, I didn’t wake up and say, “You know, after breakfast and a vigorous workout, I think I might just surrender my life to Jesus and follow Him all of my days!”  I didn’t have any idea what awaited me later that day.  But God did.

The kingdom of God is not a seat-of-your-pants operation.  The Lord disclosed His decision concerning Elisha at Horeb (v. 16).  So, what appeared sudden to Elisha (and to us) was already settled with God.  Yes, Elisha had a decision to make concerning God’s call.  Scripture does not indicate that God directly influenced Elisha’s decision (even when sending Elijah), but the point is God KNEW!  Suddenness is the wrapping paper in which opportunity often arrives, giving us a chance to choose what God already knows because He knows us, and He knows the future as if it were the past.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 Kings 18. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Then the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.’” 1 Kings 17:8-9 (HCSB)

The judge who presided over landlord-tenant cases in Fairfax County, Virginia, had a rather boring, business-as-usual job. But one Friday, something made him pause. A middle-aged deaf couple before him faced eviction for falling $250 behind in their rent. The landlord was insisting on a judgment against the couple. At that demand for justice, the judge abruptly left the courtroom, returning momentarily with two crisp $100 bills and a $50 bill in his hands. “Consider it paid,” he said as he leaned over the bench and handed his own money to the landlord’s shocked attorney. Who could have guessed that help would have come from, of all people, the judge?

Careful Bible readers should not be so surprised. We have seen that what is exceptional for a human judge can be typical for the Lord. He is not above using widows, ravens, and other unlikely agents to sustain His people, according to His Word.

In today’s passage, we see Elijah being sent by God to a widow. What is fascinating is her mailing address: “Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon…” (v.9). Zarephath sat about 8 miles south of Sidon and thirteen miles north of Tyre. It was in the home of Jezebel’s father, Ethbaal.

Do you see the big picture? Elijah is headed for “Baalsville,” capital of “Gentileland”! Here, one of Baal’s subjects will learn to trust in the Lord’s Word, and she will find that the Lord will sustain her, even though Baal has left her hopeless and on the verge of death. The Lord will press her into service for the benefit of His prophet, yet in the process, He will give her far more than He demands of her.

Here is a Gentile woman basking in God’s mercy; here is grace that moves beyond the boundaries of the Jewish people and embraces one of Baal’s most hopeless pawns. This came at a time when Israel was rejecting God’s Word (along with the benefits of following it).

Jesus provoked the crowd of His hometown synagogue to want to kill Him by bringing today’s passage of Scripture up one Shabbat morning in Nazareth:

“But I say to you, there were certainly many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months while a great famine came over all the land.” Luke 4:25-26 (HCSB)

The people wanted to stone Jesus, but we rejoice in His message. Why? He told the world that salvation is for ALL who, by faith, leave their pagan ways and follow Him. The exclusivity of the Messiah’s salvation is offered liberally to all who will take hold of it.

“And also the word of the Lord came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord in provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and because he killed them.” 1 Kings 16:7 (NKJV)

“Thus Zimri destroyed all the household of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord, which He spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, for all the sins of Elah his son, by which they had sinned and by which they had made Israel sin, in provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their idols.” 1 Kings 16:12-13 (NKJV)

“And it happened, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the citadel of the king’s house and burned the king’s house down upon himself with fire, and died, because of the sins which he had committed in doing evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he had committed to make Israel sin.” 1 Kings 16:18-19 (NKJV)

“Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse than all who were before him. For he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin, provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their idols.” 1 Kings 16:25-26 (NKJV)

“Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him.” 1 Kings 16:30

Instability. It is the sign of a nation without a moral compass. If we focus too much on the narrative of each king’s reign, we will conclude that their instability is caused by 1) Choosing the wrong Cabinet Members, 2) Drunken Diversions, 3) Short-Sightedness, 4) the Folly of Trivial Pursuits, 5) the Downside of Diplomatic Alliances.

But the message that God is blaring through His prophetic megaphone is that instability is caused by IDOLATRY. And Idolatry, by the way, is simply stepping away from God’s Word and trusting in another source to provide guidance and establish stability.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV)

Any nation who trusts in the Word of the Lord will find stability, but even nations founded on the Word of the Lord will lose their stability if they depart. So, let’s break it down to the pedestrian level because a nation is the sum of its individual citizens. If we want to see our nation return to stability, we must personally return to the Lord, praying and seeking His Word. And we must plead with others to join us! Revival will not be leveraged from a stage or platform. Revival begins with you and me pursuing the written Word and sharing the Living Word, Jesus. (John 1:1-14)

“In the eighteenth year of Israel’s King Jeroboam, son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah and reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. Abijam walked in all the sins his father before him had committed, and he was not completely devoted to the Lord his God as his ancestor David had been.” 1 Kings 15:1-3 (HCSB)

Nothing good is said about Abijam. In fact, hardly anything is said about him. People hardly consider Abijam in Israel’s history, but when they do, they generally view him through one of two lenses: Rehoboam or David. That is, they either consider him no worse than Rehoboam or much worse than David. How you consider Abijam may reveal how you view and weigh the severity of your own sin.

Today, we will focus on Abijam’s “heart condition.” Abijam’s heart was aligned with the sins of his father. Now, to avoid confusion, it is important to point out that Abijam had TWO fathers, for both Rehoboam and David are technically his “father.” One is his immediate father, and the other is his forefather. These respective “fathers” constitute two models; sadly, Abijam chose Rehoboam as his pattern rather than David.

Big Question: If Abijam holds to the half-heartedness of Solomon and maintains the perversions of Rehoboam, why is there still a kingdom in Judah? Why doesn’t God say, “Enough!” to the line of David?

“But because of David, the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem. For David did what was right in the Lord’s eyes, and he did not turn aside from anything He had commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” 1 Kings 15:4-5 (HCSB)

So, why is there still a kingdom in Judah? Because of David. Because of his faithfulness, but more than that – because of the LORD’s faithfulness to David. The Lord made a promise, and in that very promise, He seemed to recognize that David’s descendants might well be scoundrels. (2 Samuel 7:14b) But the kingdom remains – not because man obeys, but because God has decided.

Why don’t the kingdom and people of God vanish into the mists of history? Because God will not permit it. He has decided that His kingdom WILL come. Grace is not only greater but also more stubborn than our sins!

Followers of Jesus have a choice as to the extent of their obedience. If you choose to follow in the steps of your human forefathers, then, predictably, you will not fully enjoy the blessings of your salvation. If you choose to follow the pattern set forth by your Heavenly Father, the blessings remain and resound.

“In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt went to war against Jerusalem. He seized the treasuries of the Lord’s Temple and the treasuries of the royal palace. He took everything. He took all the gold shields that Solomon had made. King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them to the care of the captains of the royal escorts who guarded the entrance to the king’s palace. Whenever the king entered the Lord’s Temple, the royal escorts would carry the shields, then they would take them back to the royal escorts’ armory.” 1 Kings 14:25-28 (HCSB)

In 1973, a church in North Hollywood, California, became highly concerned about end-times scenarios. The church had 2000 members and a property estimated at around $1.5 million. This church held the “pre-tribulation” opinion of Jesus’ second coming. That is, they believed the first “installment” of the Messiah’s return consists of Jesus taking His people out of this world (aka the rapture) before the prophesied period of “great tribulation” begins. Nothing wrong with that, but then it got weird.

The leadership of the church (pastors, officers) assumed that most/all of their group would be raptured but apparently did not entertain such high hopes for others. They worried about how the remaining members would keep the property going should the rapture occur. Solution: They changed the church bylaws to allow those “left behind” to elect a temporary chairman, who would then call a church council to elect new corporate officers. I know it is bizarre, but it’s also absurd. Keep a church going without any believers? Maintain an empty image while there remains no substantial reality?

That sounds something like a kingdom where soldiers strut around with bronze shields but have abandoned faithful worship. Rehoboam’s reign, then, foreshadows the judgment that will come upon Judah.

The “divided kingdom” is a depressing story from the very start. Verses 22-24 tell it all:

“Judah did what was evil in the Lord’s eyes. They provoked Him to jealous anger more than all that their ancestors had done with the sins they committed. They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree; there were even male cult prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the detestable practices of the nations of the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites.”

1 Kings 14:22-24

Immediately after these three depressing verses, Shishak, king of Egypt, marched against Jerusalem. It may be that Shishak did not actually assault Jerusalem but that Rehoboam bought him off with all their valuables. In any case, it hurts seeing all the glittery glory of the previous era being carted off to Egypt.

Lesson: You can shun the Lord if you like, but you must remember that no matter how important and powerful you may feel today, God has “Egyptian Pharaohs” – and a whole slew of other subordinates – at His beck and call. The Giver can also take away. (Job 1:21)

“After he (the old prophet) had buried him (the young prophet), he said to his sons, ‘When I die, you must bury me in the grave where the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones, for the word that he cried out by a revelation from the Lord against the altar in Bethel and against all the shrines of the high places in the cities of Samaria is certain to happen.’ After all this Jeroboam did not repent of his evil way but again set up priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained whoever so desired it, and they became priests of the high places. This was the sin that caused the house of Jeroboam to be wiped out and annihilated from the face of the earth.” 1 Kings 13:31-34 (HCSB)

Many questions arise in this chapter. All three main characters are richly intriguing, yet there is not much detail as to the motives behind their actions. One thing we can be certain of is that today’s chapter is about the Word of God.

Let’s consider each main character asking ourselves whether we view God’s Word as they did.

Jeroboam: The Word of God was his MERCY – and he despised it. (v.v. 1-10, 33-34) The Lord does not change; therefore, He has not changed since the days of Jeroboam. God does not hesitate to come barging right at you, straight into the middle of your idolatries. He will throw roadblocks in your path. Sometimes He will send reasonably obnoxious servants to you as well. Guys like me, perhaps! But it is good news that He will do almost anything to pry us loose from our “golden calves.” His mercy makes waves before His judgment arrives. What about Jeroboam? He simply repaired the altar and went on worshipping there.

The Man of God from Judah (Young Prophet): The Word of God was his SAFETY – and he abandoned it. (v.v 11-24) Today’s chapter warns us that the ministry of proclaiming the Word does not exempt us from the duty of obeying that Word. That lifeless form alongside the road to Bethel (like Uzzah’s in 2 Samuel 6:6-8) bears silent witness that it is never safe to venture outside the shelter of the Lord’s explicit Word.

The Old Prophet: The Word of God was his PROFESSION – and he abused it. (v.v. 18-32) The Old Prophet sports an alarming combination: he speaks the truth of God and destroys the servant of God. He has orthodoxy without sanctification. Jesus told us there would be folks like the Old Prophet. (Matthew 7:21-23) In fact, He said that “many” will surrender to Him their ministries of pulpit and power on the last day, ones whom He will address as “those working lawlessness.” We should be terrified if we have the truth, yet the truth does not grip, control, and transform us. For the Old Prophet, the truth seemed to be more of a gig (a job) than a love. “I, too, am a prophet.” The Word of God was his profession – and he abused it.

“Jeroboam said to himself, ‘The way things are going now, the kingdom might return to the house of David. If these people regularly go to offer sacrifices in the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, the heart of these people will return to their Lord, Rehoboam, king of Judah. They will murder me and go back to the king of Judah. So the king sought advice. Then he made two gold calves, and he said to the people, ‘Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Israel, here is your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 1 Kings 12:26-28 (HCSB)

Whether apostasy offends the masses depends on how it is pitched. In the 1930s, a horse liniment named Absorbine was plummeting in sales. An advertising man named Obie Winters had the liniment lab tested, and they found that it would work on ringworm of the foot. Nobody wanted to admit they had ringworm on their feet, so, with a stroke of genius, Winters made up a whole new name for such ringworm – “athlete’s foot.”

There is such a difference in the way a condition is marketed! Who would want to admit they had ringworm, even if there were a cure? But “athlete’s” foot? One would almost be disappointed if one did suffer from it periodically. It proves we’re athletic!

That was, tragically, Jeroboam’s genius. He was a great advertising man! Linking his new cult with the bull worship at Sinai seems to have cast a mantle of legitimacy over his innovation. Can’t you just hear him now? “The problem with Israel’s past bull worship was not its apostasy; the problem was in its lack of diversity: Now, we have TWO bulls! Plus, bull worship has roots in our nation’s history. It harkens back to our ancient independent, pioneering spirit!” As any politician will tell you, people seldom care about the truth, and political success depends on how you spin the story.

The more successful false religions major in the subtle spin instead of declaring blatant heresy. Cults use terms like redemptive, reconciling, atoning, relevant, etc., to promote positive emotive values without their proper Biblical context. Mormons won’t approach you directly, alleging that Jesus was born from sexual relations between God and Mary, that he is Lucifer’s spirit brother, or that Jesus Himself celebrated His own marriage to both Mary and Martha. No, they will run cute commercials on your local radio station, urging fathers to spend more quality time with their families. False religion always wants to appear both congenial and justifiable.

That is why our daily pursuit of God’s Word (the Bible) is so important. It is hard to dupe the Biblically literate! Mormons and Jehovah’s Witness are pretty easy to spot. But there are even more subtle heresies within the church, all promising to make your worship easier, more culturally relevant, or personally engaging. Remember: the 1st step away from God’s Word is the 1st step toward apostasy. (Psalm 1:1-2)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 Kings 11. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“When the queen of Sheba observed all of Solomon’s wisdom, the palace he had built, the food at his table, his servants’ residence, his attendants’ service and their attire, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he offered at the Lord’s temple, it took her breath away. She said to the king, ‘The report I heard in my own country about your words and about your wisdom is true. But I didn’t believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, I was not even told half. Your wisdom and prosperity far exceed the report I heard.’” 1 Kings 10:4-8 (HCSB)

There is a tendency for us to be appalled by all the gold and splendor in today’s chapter. How could God approve of Solomon’s abundance? At the risk of sounding like I subscribe to the “health & wealth” prosperity gospel (which I don’t), I want to put forth that the prosperity of God’s people is always the gift of the Lord’s goodness. It is the definition of “prosperity,” which is debatable. God’s goodness toward His people demands that we are both thankful (lest we idolize gifts in place of the Giver) and joyful (lest we despise prosperity as though it were sinful) rather than scornful.

Why must we default to being indignant over “materialism” rather than acknowledging that the Lord’s blessing makes some folks wealthy (Proverbs 10:22)? We should allow them to be content to enjoy such provision, should God choose to allow it. Actually, today’s chapter is a prophetic foretaste of the splendor of God’s Kingdom on earth. The Queen of Sheba is a sample of the future tribute the nations will bring to Messiah Jesus.

“May he rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. May desert tribes kneel before Him and His enemies lick the dust. May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let all kings bow down to Him, all nations serve Him.” Psalm 72:8-11 (HCSB)

“May he rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. May desert tribes kneel before Him and His enemies lick the dust. May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let all kings bow down to Him, all nations serve Him.” Psalm 72:8-11 (HCSB)

“May He live long! May gold from Sheba be given to Him. May prayer be offered for Him continually, and may He be blessed all day long.” Psalm 72:15 (HCSB)

“…because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of all the Gentiles shall come to you. The multitude of camels will cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.” Isaiah 60:5b-6 (NKJV)

Furthermore, today’s chapter sets up a word of criticism for unbelievers.

“The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here!” Matthew 12:42 (NKJV)

Jesus told the religious leaders of His day (those demanding a miracle) that the Queen of Sheba only needed a few Polaroids of Solomon’s riches and religious extravagance to be wooed. We have something GREATER than Solomon! We have Jesus and His Spirit!

“Now, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and judgments, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’” 1 Kings 9:4-6a (NKJV)

Years ago, while I was having lunch with a pastor friend, he casually mentioned the time “when I got shot.” This shocked me because I did not recall having ever met someone who had been shot, much less who lived to tell about it. Actually, the story was tragically comical. My friend was in grade school when he and a buddy found a .22 rifle cartridge in his father’s desk drawer. They decided to go to the garage and hit the cartridge with a hammer. BLAM! Gunshot. After all the instructions about staying away from guns, those boys had no idea the potential of getting shot lay less in the rifle and solely in the bullet!!

Nobody could say Solomon wasn’t warned – because the Lord told him precisely what the price tag of infidelity would be. God is so kind, isn’t He? He spells it all out; He warns clearly so that we will understand the urgent need for faithfulness.

And God hasn’t changed. The New Testament book of Hebrews (beginning in 2:1-3 and continuing throughout the epistle) scares the stew out of us! That is all to praise God’s grace and the safety of His people.

In today’s chapter, the Lord (through Solomon’s dedication prayer) authorizes the temple as a means of grace where Israel can access His sovereign (and caring) presence. Then, He assures Solomon that he will enjoy Davidic-style blessing so long as he lives a Davidic-like life.

But God’s sobering message is implicit: There is a high cost for apostasy. Infidelity will bring the loss of Territory, Temple, and Throne. The first involves the loss of land and further defines the Abrahamic covenant; the second involves the loss of sanctuary and the visible means of grace established under Solomon’s regime; and the third will entail the loss of kingship and affects the Davidic covenant.

Only a fool would flirt with faithlessness—fools like us. Let today’s chapter encourage us to stay humble, always seeking God’s Word with fearful respect, that all we are and have is because of God’s faithfulness. And that should empower us.

“May the Lord our God be with us as He was with our ancestors. May He not abandon us or leave us so that He causes us to be devoted to Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commands, statutes, and ordinances, which He commanded our ancestors.” 1 Kings 8:57-58 (HCSB)

British politician John Bright once wrote that when “sallying-forth” in the morning, he did not have to choose between wearing trousers or a shirt. “Decency,” he continued, “has joined trousers and shirts.”

Speaking of the sanctity of the marriage union, Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6) But this principle of “joining together” also applies to the study and expression of theology, especially the teaching about God’s character and His ways. Christians tend to stress one aspect of God’s character at the expense of another. Doing so, they risk “sallying-forth” half-clothed. In refusing to accept the whole counsel of God, we create our own doctrinal graven images.

Solomon’s prayer is theologically instructive because it shows us how we must hold the truths about God in a holy tension. As “trousers and pants” cannot be separated and remain decent attire for a gentleman rider, so we must keep together what God has revealed about Himself, Biblically. Here are some of God’s (seemingly contradicting) complimenting attributes revealed in Solomon’s prayer.

Clarity and Mystery: God shrouds Himself in a “thick cloud” yet reveals Himself through His Word. He satisfies our need for both clarity/certainty, yet His infinite ways cannot be fully comprehended by His creatures, so He remains mysterious to us. (v.v. 1-13)

Fidelity and Expectancy: Because God has faithfully held us in the past, we do not fear for the future, even though it is mostly unrevealed to us. (v.v. 14-26)

Immensity and Intimacy: Solomon acknowledges God is in Heaven (which cannot contain Him) and yet exhorts Israel to pray towards the Temple. God is both uncontainable AND accessible. (v.v. 27-30)

Severity and Mercy: God’s people are always getting into sin situations wherein we feel God’s rebuke, yet there is a way to restoration and forgiveness. (v.v. 31-53)

Particularity and Universality: God set Israel apart from the nations yet does not discriminate against anyone (Jew or Gentile) who seeks to worship Him. (v.v. 41-43)

Eschatology and Practicality: (Eschatology is a big word, meaning the study of “end times.”) The Lord is Lord over the last day and every day. (v.v. 56-60)

Of course, for us, the greatest Divine “complementary combination” is when God joined His Son, Jesus, with His “Bride,” the Church.

“He (Solomon) set up the pillars at the portico of the sanctuary: He set up the right pillar and named it Jachin; then he set up the left pillar and named it Boaz. The tops of the pillars were shaped like lilies. Then the work of the pillars was completed.” 1 Kings 7:21-22 (HCSB)

Today’s chapter, like chapter 6, is another construction progress report. Today, we learn of Solomon’s palace, the palace of his Egyptian-born queen, certain government buildings, and of course, the Temple. I am impressed with the detailed description and also the lack of detail. The writer gives us enough details to be impressed with the workmanship but not enough to reconstruct the Temple. There are simply too many engineering details left out to recreate the structure exactly.

I believe these specific details may be left out for the same reason that the melodies of the Psalms were lost: So we would not worship them! Can’t you imagine some Hollywood movie star trying to rebuild the Temple on Malibu beachfront property, the “holy of holies” with a Viking kitchen? No, we were meant to appreciate the detail, but we could never recreate it.

Furthermore, the writer spends most of his time on the Temple and less on the “government” buildings. It seems the Lord is telling us that worship should govern us more than a government, which worships our votes.

Today’s passage focuses on two bronze pillars. These pillars are not described as supporting any structure or roof. They were a free-standing testimony to all who entered the Temple. Solomon gave each pillar a name. Jachin means “He will establish.” It may also be construed as a prayer, “May He establish.” Boaz means, “In Him is strength,” or “By the Lord, the King is mighty.”

Here then, are “He will establish” and “In Him is strength,” serving as majestic statements in front of the Temple proper. The first highlights the promise of the Lord, and the second the power of the Lord. The first recall what the Lord said; the second suggests what He can do. Jachin points to the original anchor of God’s Word; Boaz points to His ongoing adequacy to bring that Word to pass.

“He (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what he promised He was also able to perform.” Romans 4:20-21 (HCSB)

One could say that Jachin emphasizes the foundation on which the king and the people are to rely, while Boaz signifies the resource upon which they must draw. Jachin highlights God’s Grace, while Boaz points to our responsibility:

“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” Psalm 105:4 (NKJV)

“The Word of the Lord came to Solomon: ‘As for this temple you are building – if you walk in My statutes, observe My ordinances, and keep all My commands by walking in them, I will fulfill My promise to you, which I made to your father David. I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people Israel.’” 1 Kings 6:11-13 (HCSB)

Have you ever watched one of those home improvement shows where a couple decides to makeover a room by utilizing the “do it yourself” approach? I’ll just say they typically learn that some jobs DEMAND a professional! Admittedly, I’m not a construction guy. I don’t like doing handy work around the house because it always looks like a kindergartener did it when I’m finished! I’m not into construction. Maybe you are, and I hope you’re just itchin’ to help me with some renovations.

So, can you imagine my lack of excitement as I approach a chapter like today? It’s pretty much a detailed play-by-play about “how to build a Temple .”If you’re into construction or architecture, this may be the chapter that changes your life. Totally not my kind of thing.

But two distinctions struck me as quite profound. One is how this chapter (along with chapter 7) represents more than just a holy building project. It is the beginning of a whole new era in Israel’s redemptive history.

Israel was 430 years in Egyptian bondage (before God redeemed them with the gift of freedom), so Israel was 480 years of wandering (so to speak) before God gave them the gift of rest. God had decided Israel’s wandering was over; hence, He allowed Solomon to build Him a house. It is as if God would not rest until He had given Israel rest.

The second item that sort of “jumped out” of today’s chapter, for me, was the timing in which the Lord appeared to Solomon. God spoke to Solomon in the middle of the Temple’s construction, precisely between the Exterior and Interior construction phases. Why is this important? Consider the apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthians.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)

It is not enough for us, as followers of Jesus, to have a clean, well-built “exterior.” We must also have a sanctified (set apart for God) interior. You can have the former without the latter, but if you have the latter, you get the former by default. Perhaps, today is the day that the “Architect and Finisher” of our faith has interrupted construction on us to underscore how much our personal obedience matters to Him. You see, the entire Kingdom of Israel’s blessing rested on Solomon’s obedience. Whose blessing is dependent upon YOURS?

“When Hiram (King of Tyre) heard Solomon’s words, he greatly rejoiced and said, ‘May the Lord be praised today! He has given David a wise son to be over this great people!’ Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying, ‘I have heard your message; I will do everything you want regarding the cedar and cypress timber.’” 1 Kings 5:7-8 (HCSB)

I admit that 1 Kings 5 is hardly electric. It only records the preliminaries and the shopping list for Solomon’s “Home Depot” run. And yet, in the Bible, even the preliminaries bear witness to His firm promise, His Kingdom, and His necessary wisdom.

Try to fight the tendency to look upon this chapter as Southern Californians view highway construction or road repair: enduring however many miles it lasts, simply to get beyond it. Remember the words of Paul:

“For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.” Romans 15:4 (HCSB)

Sometimes, inspiration from the Holy Spirit demands more perspiration from us! So, what are we to glean from Solomon’s shopping list? Here are three things.

The Temple preparation confirms the Lord’s Promise. (2 Samuel 7:12-13a) The Lord told David his son would sit on the throne and build the Temple. The Lord’s promise drives the construction project, not man’s planning. For the Christian today, isn’t it Kingdom promises which encourage our Kingdom work?

The Temple preparation anticipates the Lord’s Kingdom. (Re-read 1 Kings 4:34-5:1) Such praise from Hiram in today’s passage (from the mouth of a pagan king) is important to note. The writer is not saying that Hiram has “converted” to following the Lord, but he is surely among those national/kingdom leaders who were impressed with Solomon and took notice of his testimony about God. Hiram’s remarks can be taken as a subtle foreshadowing of the coming “universal” kingdom, whereby people of all nations will enter into a saving relationship with David’s “Son,” Messiah Jesus.

The Temple preparation represents the Lord’s Wisdom. “Wisdom” is the skill to get things done. It is important to remember that wisdom is a divine gift, not merely a human aptitude. Wisdom is seldom flashy, and so it is easily belittled. Haven’t we all fallen into that misunderstanding about God: If He is not showing Himself as “miraculous,” He isn’t working on our behalf? God chooses to display Himself in any number of ways. Yet, for us, He often reveals Himself as He did to the prophet Elijah. It is God’s still, small voice that proves most convincing in our times of difficulty.

Take your time in Chapter 5. Perhaps, wisdom requires our “hush” to be heard.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 Kings 4. Click the links below to watch or listen!

“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask! What shall I give you?’ And Solomon said: ‘You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours.’ The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” 1 Kings 3:5-10 (NKJV)

The theme of this chapter is “wisdom.” Solomon’s request for wisdom is also a pattern of prayer for us.

1) The true incentive to prayer: The generosity of God. (5b, 13-14) We respond to God’s offer to “ask what I should give you” because we know He is generous. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us; that’s about as generous as it gets!

2) The true foundation of prayer: The faithfulness of God (6-7a, 8). God can be trusted. He is faithful, and His faithfulness is the foundation of our prayers. Why would we spend our time praying if God was not faithful to hear our prayers and was unable to answer them within His predictable articulated character?

3) The true anxiety of prayer: The people of God (7b-9) Solomon asked not for himself, exclusively. He counted himself among the people…not elevated as some demi-god/king. Solomon realized he had been chosen to serve the people, and his request was solely to that end: that he could fulfill his obligation to the kingdom.

4) The true goal of prayer: The pleasure of God (10-14). There is something so pleasing about the pleasure of someone you want to please! The goal of our prayer should not be simply for our pleasure. We should always be aware that it is God’s pleasure that we are created for. Part of reading God’s Word is learning what pleases Him and aligning our lives with His requirements…which truly pleases Him!

“Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: ‘I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the Lord may fulfill His Word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne in Israel.’ ” 1 Kings 2:1-4 (NKJV)

Many years ago, the Washington Times carried a story about the abduction of a police officer. Officer Bob, as he was called, sat in his patrol car at various locations in the Maryland village, where he served as a deterrent to speeding motorists. Officer Bob was, however, a mannequin dressed as a patrolman and propped behind the wheel of a police cruiser. After he had been sitting in the same location for several days, someone smashed the window and stole him.

Ultimately, police work cannot be done passively, i.e., with dummies. It takes a proactive approach. The same could be said of Kingdom work. The Kingdom will not be secure with merely passive attention. If the Lord’s Kingdom (which in 1 Kings 2 is also Solomon’s kingdom) is to be made secure, active and vigilant measures will have to be taken. No Officer Bob techniques will do. And those are exactly David’s words to Solomon.

As David is nearing death (and knows it), he charges Solomon with what matters most. Solomon is to show manhood and strength, walking in the Lord’s ways, which are CLEAR, AVAILABLE, and BENEFICIAL. Should Solomon (and the other Davidic kings) give wholehearted obedience to God’s Word, God will see that His promise to David remains in effect. The point is plain: Obeying God’s Word is the condition for enjoying His promises.

Here, we have, side-by-side, the promise to David and the Torah of Moses. And there is no conflict between them; they are perfectly compatible. On the basis of 2 Samuel 7:14-15, one can say that the unfaithfulness or disobedience of Solomon (or any Davidic king) would not negate the promise to David. BUT, that text assumes there will be no enjoyment of the blessings of that promise unless a king remains faithful. David knows it from experience: obedience is the internal means of Kingdom security.

And therein lies our application. Are we saved by Grace, through faith, and not of our good works? (Ephesian 2:8-9) Absolutely! But that does not mean we may live as we wish and expect to be successful. Our joy and success are linked to our obedience to God’s Word. And there are consequences for our sin, even as believers. Personally, I am grateful King Jesus (the Righteous “Son of David”) is ruling the Kingdom! And that He extends His grace to us.

“Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, ‘Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king and our Lord David does not know it? Now please come and let me advise you. Save your life and the life of your son Solomon.’” 1 Kings 1:11-12 (HCSB)

Big trouble in Israel. Adonijah, Absalom’s younger brother, is making his run for the kingdom. He has everything a king needs: ambition, style, image, position, and both military and religious support. Oh, but he lacks two things: David’s blessing and the Lord’s anointing. In the words of American Express, “Don’t leave home without it!”

1st and 2nd Kings begin by showing the kingdom of Israel in a somewhat depressing light. Then, things get worse. Throughout today’s chapter, there is a lot of dialogue and speeches, but the Lord is almost silent. Oh, God is working, but we don’t see or hear Him. It reminds me of a coming day that Jesus spoke of:

“Then He told the disciples: ‘The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you won’t see it.’” Luke 17:22 (HCSB)

The savior of the day, so to speak, is Nathan, the Prophet. He is the only non-royal in the drama, and perhaps, not having a “chip on the table” makes him the most sensible counselor.

Nathan learns of what is going on (down at Abijah’s party) and decides something needs to be done to alert the King about the state of affairs, which happens to be “affairs” of the state. (I love a good pun.) Nathan’s role in this story is crucial! Looking at the whole scene, everything rests on Nathan. He not only intervened but also had a plan to stir David to action. Nathan was the man who stood in the gap – his vigilance got David off his couch (virgin hits the floor with a ‘thud!’) and protected Bathsheba and Solomon from almost certain death. Nathan makes the difference and saves the kingdom.

Isn’t it interesting how big of an impact a Kingdom-minded, Bible-centric servant of God can make? Apart from being Kingdom-minded, Bible-centric, and servant-minded, all we need (to be competent counselors) is to recognize that this World is not our home! When we don’t have a stake in some Worldly “kingdom,” isn’t it amazing how clearly we can see God’s direction? And how selflessly and effectively we can influence our surroundings for the Kingdom of God!

“So Gad went to David, told him the choices, and asked him, ‘Do you want three years of famine to come on your land, to flee from your foes three months while they pursue you, or to have a plague in your land three days? Now, think it over and decide what answer I should take back to the One who sent me.’ David answered Gad, ‘I have great anxiety. Please, let me fall into the Lord’s hands because His mercies are great, but don’t let me fall into human hands.’” 2 Samuel 24:13-14 (HCSB)

Several years ago, there was an inspiring episode at the Brookfield Illinois Zoo. A three-year-old toddler fell eighteen feet into an area inhabited by seven gorillas. He was crawling where toddlers shouldn’t and discovered the fate of those who are ignorant of (or disobedient to) the rules. The boy was still alert when taken to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. How did that boy ever get out of gorilla land? As it were, Binti, a seven-year-old female gorilla, picked the child up, cradled him in her arms, and put him down near a door where zoo keepers could get him.

The story seems amazing to us because we do not generally associate gorillas with kindness. The toddler’s parents may be grateful to Bitni, but I bet they would prefer not to trust the gorilla with their child again.

David cries, “Please, let me fall into the Lord’s hands because His mercies are great….” David is about to meet the Lord’s wrath and yet is convinced of the Lord’s mercies. Somehow, he imagines that the hand that strikes him will nevertheless spare him. David’s assumptions are astounding! His words in verse 14 communicate more than necessary resignation; they provide abundant consolation. See how well David knows His God! In his crisis, David’s theology seems to emerge almost by reflex action.

Isn’t this how it should be in our Christian experience? Must we always save our best theology for our darkest moments? When we sin (even great sins), is there a kinder place to fall than “into the Lord’s hands”?

I wonder if, in our gut-level thinking, we might have a gorilla view of God’s mercies. We tend to see mercy as a divine exception rather than God’s typical character. David knew he was not facing a fickle gorilla-god even in His wrath. Was David a believer who had a grip on God’s mercy? No, God’s mercy had gripped David.

“These are the last words of David: The declaration of David son of Jesse, the declaration of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, the favorite singer of Israel...” 2 Samuel 23:1 (HCSB)

What are a redneck’s last words? “Hey y’all, watch this!”

What are his best friend’s last words? “Aw, I can do better than that!”

Today we are treated to a rarity in that David’s last words are less brief (and more profound) than others. It is important to note that there is no claim that these words were literally the last words David breathed. They are his last official words, “for the record.”

David’s last words on record are words with eyes, not to the past but the future. David’s “last words” might be compared to the blessings of Isaac (Genesis 27:2-4), Jacob (Genesis 49: 1, 28), and Moses (Deuteronomy 33:1) before their deaths. But this text does not exactly fit those molds.

David’s last words are not a blessing on persons but a prophecy about a kingdom. This passage, along with chapter 22, stands at the center of 2 Samuel 21-24. The psalm of chapter 22 looks back upon how the Lord established the kingdom; the prophecy of 23:1-7 looks forward to how the Lord will consummate the kingdom.

David is passing along (to us) his understanding that God’s Kingdom is:

Certain: (v.v.1-3a, 5) Our lives are filled with uncertainties. Don’t we all, at some time, wonder how our apparently senseless circumstances jibe with God’s wisdom? In many ways, we still have to encourage and convince each other that God is present, powerful, and Holy and that He cares about us in difficult seasons of life. We would never naturally ascribe Kingdom hope to our personal suffering. Therefore, David is speaking from Divine enabling. He is prophesying things we would not naturally assume: The coming Kingdom is not a political possibility but divine certainty.

Attractive: (3b-4) The Kingdom is attractive because the coming King (Messiah Jesus) is attractive. Not physically attractive, per se, but He does not crush or exploit His subjects. He refreshes and nourishes them. The King is attractive because we have seen so little of this kind of ruler. Given our current political climate, aren’t our hearts stirred to pray for the Kingdom of the “Final David” to come quickly?

Exclusive: (6-7) It is exclusive because not everyone wants the Kingdom to come. Some want no part of the Ruler’s reign. Jesus is the “Rose of Sharon.” The godless people in the garden are “like thorns;” He brings freshness while they inflict pain. And they will be excluded from the regime they despise, tossed away, and totally burned up on the spot (Matthew 13:41-42). So, what about you? Are you for or against Him?

“David spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.” 2 Samuel 22:1 (HCSB)

There is much that can be said about today’s chapter. Surely theologians have ripped apart and dissected this psalm and its companion, Psalm 18. Have fun with that. Today, I just want to point out some simple observations.

2 Samuel 22 is a psalm of Thanksgiving. Timely, don’t you think? Here, we have a reflective piece, looking back over a long dramatic saga of salvation: When the Lord rescued David “from all his enemies and from Saul.” This heading is the lens through which we are to view the whole psalm.

At this point in his life, David’s history could have been narrated as that of a great and powerful king. This chapter, however, corrects any misunderstanding that David’s life and kingdom should be understood as anything other than the result of God’s sovereign and powerful acts. David is not “King David” by any means other than God’s desire. Furthermore, David’s Kingdom is sustained by nothing other than God’s provision.

These are not the words of an observer. They are from David himself!

But why do we need a song to tell us that? Don’t we already know God has supported David, despite David’s apparent flaws? Yes, but songs and poetry convey emotions that we otherwise don’t assume.

For instance, when David eluded Saul’s spear, nothing really registered on my emotional Richter scale. Even when God held Saul in His own strait-jacket (having him incapacitated by prophesying while David escaped), I didn’t do much more than sigh. When David seemed doomed to commit political suicide and march out with the Philistines against Israel, there was not much emotion from me. One thing I definitely didn’t do was jump up and say, “God is awesome!!!”

By using poetic songwriting and explosive language, David provides the truth behind all these instances (and others): All these deliverances came from the Lord! He is the sky-splitting, world-shaking, enemy-bashing God!!

Does our worship represent such passion and remembrance as David’s? Is there intensity in our praise? Does our worship reflect our understanding of the importance of our personal righteousness? Does our worship celebrate the invincibility of God’s Kingdom, which we are a part of through David’s “Son,” Messiah Jesus? Most importantly, does our worship point exclusively to the One who calls, establishes, and sustains us?

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 2 Samuel 21. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“They were at the great stone in Gibeon, when Amasa joined them. Joab was wearing his uniform and over it was a belt around his waist with a sword in its sheath. As he approached, the sword fell out. Joab asked Amasa, ‘Are you well, my brother?’ Then with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. Amasa was not on guard against the sword in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach with it and spilled his intestines out on the ground. Joab did not stab him again for Amasa was dead. Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.” 2 Samuel 20:8-10 (HCSB)

There was a revolution underway. A Benjamite named Sheba was trying (unsuccessfully) to get the ten tribes of Israel to secede from David’s tribe of Judah and the priestly tribe of the Levites. He was a rebel. David appointed a man named Amasa to muster a Judean army within three days to pursue Sheba and quash the rebellion. For whatever reason, Amasa took more than his allotted time, so David told Abishai to muster his army and march against Sheba. Joab and his men were riding out under Abishai’s command.

It seems cut and dried. Go get the rebel. But if you look closely, you will notice two rebels in this story. Joab is also a rebel, perhaps more dangerous than Sheba. On his way to bring justice to another rebel, Joab took the opportunity to kill his power rival within David’s kingdom. Sadly, we are not surprised. We have seen this all before. People who get in Joab’s way find themselves pushing-up daisies! Joab butchered Abner and Absolam. Now Amasa is his latest victim. Joab specialized in treachery and blood.

But was he really a “rebel”? Sure, he was a brutal warrior, but was he a threat to the kingdom? I believe so. Sheba wanted to leave the Davidic kingdom behind, but Joab refused to be controlled within the kingdom. He was always hacking away to keep his own position unrivaled. Jesus warned us of such men.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father Who is in Heaven.” Matthew 7:21 (HCSB)

There is such a thing as acknowledging the king’s sovereignty yet disregarding his will. You see, Joab is faithful to David. He does not try to become king like Sheba, yet he acts as his own king. He is extremely loyal to David but essentially un-submissive to David.

This kind of person has no place in the kingdom in the end. There are scores of “Joabs” in the Church. Do you have “Joabs” in your life? Are you a “Joab” to someone else in spiritual authority? Are you one who claims loyalty to God yet denies the authority of His Scripture?

“Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, ‘The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom. But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now, therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?” 2 Samuel 19:9-10 (HCSB)

I was riveted to the television news in late August 2005. A tropical depression-turned-hurricane was bearing down on New Orleans, and it did not look like the kind of storm “Gulf Coasters” were used to weathering. Having grown up in the Southern US and vacationed all along the Gulf Coast, I was well aware of the potential property damage that strong storms can inflict. I had driven past the shells of blown-out beach homes and washed-away tourist attractions. But nobody predicted the enormously ominous impact of Katrina, and it all played out LIVE on cable news.

While the storm itself was horrifying, its greatest impact occurred in the aftermath. The citizens of New Orleans had to cope with the reality that even though they may return to their former houses, they were no longer “home.”

That is the impression 2 Samuel 19 gives us of King David’s return from exile. It becomes one of those “welcome home – maybe” situations where David almost wishes he hadn’t returned. He returns home as king, but the kingdom seems to crumble in his hands. Remember, this is mostly David’s fault. (see 2 Sam 12:11)

All of Israel was in a dilemma. And, as often happens to people in difficult times, they began bickering among themselves. The writer allows people to describe their political condition: The king delivered us many times, but we anointed Absalom king over us. Now Absalom is dead. So, why aren’t we bringing David back as king?

David got wind of this sentiment. He fired off a message to the elders of Judah, his own tribe, via his priestly friends Zadok and Abiathar. He appealed to their PRIDE: why should they lag behind the rest of the tribes of Israel in restoring him as King? He appealed to their RELATIONSHIP: David himself was from Judah, “bone and flesh.” Finally, he appealed to their ANXIETIES: he swore to appoint Amasa, commander of Absalom’s army, in place of Joab. This was a signal that those in Judah who had supported Absalom needed fear no retribution from the new Davidic regime.

David still had the old magic:

“So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man…” 2 Samuel 19:14a (HCSB)

Yes, David risked polarizing the rest of Israel, but Absalom’s revolt had begun in Judah. David needed to fortify his kingdom first with his own people (David was a Judean) as the foundation. It reminds us that just as “judgment begins in the house of the Lord” (1 Peter 4:17), it is also where reconciliation must happen first. And if there is to be REVIVAL in the World, it must begin with a “revival of unity” among the Church-at-large. Let it begin with us as we seek His Word!

“Just then the Cushite came and said, ‘May my lord the king hear the good news: today the Lord has delivered you from all those rising up against you!’ The king asked the Cushite, ‘Is the young man Absalom alright?’ The Cushite replied, ‘May what has become of the young man happen to the enemies of my lord the king and to all who rise up against you with evil intent.’ The king was deeply moved and went up to the gate chamber and wept. As he walked, he cried, ‘My son Absalom! My son Absalom! If I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!’” 2 Samuel 18:31-33 (HCSB)

As we read through these passages, notice how nobly many of the Gentiles act, as opposed to the moral compromise that seems to rule the Israelite characters. It is evident throughout the Torah and Tanakh (aka Old Testament) that God is pleased to honor anyone who wholeheartedly follows Him, regardless of ethnicity.

Notice how the Cushite gives honor to the Lord for David’s deliverance. He has seen something in David’s leadership and has learned something about David’s God in the process of serving the king. I find it interesting that the Cushite tells the whole truth, whereas Ahimaaz simply wanted to be considered well in David’s eyes. In today’s passage, we learn that significant truths sometimes come from a secondary character. Finally, David learns the truth: Deliverance for David involves disaster for Absolam!

In this news, we get our most valuable lesson: If the Kingdom of God under God’s chosen king is to be saved, then the enemy who assaults the kingdom must be destroyed.

God offers no secure salvation to His “Bride” unless He brings decisive judgment on her enemies. We must stop praying, “Deliver us from evil,” unless we yearn for evil’s destruction. Otherwise, we are like a patient ready to undergo cancer surgery, who pleads with his doctor, “deal gently with my cancer,” or urges the surgeon, “get most of it, but leave a little, because cancer and I have a deep relationship.”

You see, David and Absalom are also metaphors for the warring relationship between our “new life” as believers and our carnal flesh. Often, we become unjustly sentimental over our sin. We say to God, “Take all of me, but not that!” Most of the tension within the church today seems to be over the spiritual conflict between those who are determined to be in the World (and somewhat sentimentally “of” it) and those who choose to be in the World yet are actively driving out Worldliness in their lives.

The visible evidence between the two is much like the difference between Ahimaaz and the Cushite: In their testimonies. The former only shares half of the gospel (love/acceptance) so as not to offend, while the latter lays out the whole truth as it is.

There will always be those who cannot understand why there cannot be ecumenicity between Believers and the World: literally, between Christ and Antichrist. But God’s people know David was wrong to pine after Absalom and that the Cushite was right. Preserving God’s Kingdom involves permanently removing its enemies in our lives.

“Hushai continued, ‘You know your father and his men. They are warriors and are desperate like a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier who won’t spend the night with his people. He’s probably already hiding in one of the caves or some other place. If some of our troops fall first, someone is sure to hear and say, ‘There’s been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ Then, even a brave man with the heart of a lion will melt because all Israel knows your father and the valiant men with him are warriors. Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba – as numerous as the sand by the sea – be gathered to you so that you personally go into battle.’” 2 Samuel 17:8-11 (HCSB)

At his core, David was more shepherd than warrior. In contrast, Absalom wanted to be considered a warrior without being a shepherd. Absalom wanted the “image” of shepherding. Remember how he stood at the gate and told the people he should be judging their cases because David was too busy for them? But there was never any evidence he judged a single case. In modern political terms, Absalom ran on the “shepherd” ticket, but his true heart was to be considered mighty.

Hushai knew Absalom’s heart, so he negotiated toward Absalom’s ego. Notice how Hushai stresses David the “warrior.” He tells Absalom:

“Your father is an experienced soldier who won’t spend the night with his people. He’s probably already hiding in one of the caves, or some other place.” 2 Samuel 17:8b-9a (HCSB)

The fact is that David, being a good shepherd, was right there with the “sheep” who had followed him. Absalom, undoubtedly, learned a lot from his father about warfare, but he misjudged his dad’s heart. Absalom wanted to be king but didn’t want to look after his “flock.” It reminds me of Jesus’ words:

“I assure you: Anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the door but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t recognize the voice of a stranger.” John 10:1-6 (HCSB)

In chapter 15, David, being the “Shepherd of Israel,” stood by and watched all his “sheep” walk by. He even stopped a few and questioned them to see if they were truly “his.” Hushai knew David’s heart, so he knew exactly where David would be. That is what made his counsel so brilliant. He played Absalom’s prideful ignorance against him.

Lest we idolize Hushai’s heroism, we must recognize Hushai had no idea whether Absalom would heed his counsel. It is safe to say Hushai was led by God’s Spirit, so the praise for David’s rescue lies in God’s doing. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. Our responsibility, then, is simply to trust His leading.

“Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut his head off!’ The king replied, ‘Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the Lord told him, “Curse David!” Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’ Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, ‘Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life – how much more now this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to. Perhaps, the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.’” 2 Samuel 16:9-12 (HCSB)

Shimei was certain that the Lord was paying back David for all the “Saul-ish” blood he shed and that the Lord was giving Absalom the kingdom. Finally, Shimei’s trash-talking became tiresome. Abishai, Joab’s brother, turns to David and asks permission to cut Shimei’s head off! After all, it’s hard to talk trash without a head.

David argued that the Lord had ordered Shimei to curse him. Instead of shutting up Shimei by force, David sought relief elsewhere:

“Perhaps, the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.” 2 Samuel 16:12 (HCSB)

Take a moment and let the gravity of that statement take hold. What is it that David wants the Lord to see? His iniquity. Here is the secret of David’s peace. David had deep-seated confidence in a God of “un-guessable” grace, Who tends to replace cursing with goodness. He assumes the Lord has this strangely wonderful way of looking upon guilt and yet returning a blessing instead of a curse. If the mouth of God has declared David’s deserved punishment, perhaps the eye of God may long to spare him from it.

How can David even begin to think this way? Notice how he is not sure of this. He uses the word “perhaps.” David confesses the Lord’s freedom in this matter; He may or may not. But can’t you see that David could never have said, “perhaps” - never even conceived the possibility - unless he had already experienced the known character of God? How can he even dream this unless he actually knows a God like that and is a man after that God’s own heart? You can’t imagine how deep God’s compassion is for you, even when He disciplines you for your sin. But David would try because he knew Him.

Shouldn’t this come as exceptional hope to us today, those of us Christians who believe we have made a royal mess of our lives? What of us who have smashed God’s commandments, defiled His standards, and then suffered miserably for it? Repentance and forgiveness have come, yet we are sure God only regards us with grudging tolerance. And sometimes, we doubt His patience! Are we truly banned to the junkyard? Perhaps, we should take a stare at David’s God. What if we had a God, Who can look at guilt and return good if He desires? Well, we do. And, perhaps, He will.

“David was climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he ascended. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. Each of the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they ascended.” 2 Samuel 15:30 (HCSB)

Israel’s rightful king has been rejected, and he plods up the Mount of Olives, weeping. Admittedly, David is suffering for his sins, but he is still the king, and nobody enjoys seeing the Lord’s anointed being deposed by “the people’s choice,”…even if it is the king’s son.

This would not be the last time we see such a scene. The “Descendant of David” (the rightful king according to 2 Samuel 7:12-16) will be seen on the Mount of Olives.

“Now He came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen:” Luke 19:37 (HCSB)

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus evokes images of both Absalom and David, with the Mount of Olives as a backdrop. We think of Absalom because the people of Jerusalem celebrated Jesus’ arrival just as they celebrated Absalom’s. To them, Jesus would be the candidate of the people, the One who would hear their cases against the Roman and Sadducee oppression and judge their oppressors. They wanted Jesus to fit their agendas.

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest Heaven! And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.’” Luke 19:38-40 (NKJV)

Note that this was the same crowd who, once their vision for leadership became blurred, chose Barabbas!

We think of David when we read of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, not so much over his rejection as the doom of those who have rejected Him.

“As He approached and saw the city; He wept over it, saying, ‘If you knew this day what would bring peace – but now is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come on you when your enemies will build an embankment against you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44 (HCSB)

It is possible to believe you are clinging to Jesus in a saving way, yet all the while be clinging to the “wrong” Jesus. Jesus spoke of this very dilemma: Matthew 7:21-29. Make sure the Jesus you claim to follow is the Jesus of the Bible, not one who has been altered by man’s imagination. The best way to be sure is to read the Bible.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 2 Samuel 14. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“When King David heard about all these things, he was furious. Absalom didn’t say anything to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon since he disgraced his sister Tamar. Two years later, Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, and Absalom invited the king’s sons.” 2 Samuel 13:21-23 (HCSB)

David heard how Amnon had used him and had weaseled his permission for Tamar to come to his house. David also heard how Amnon had abused Tamar, how he had disposed of her as if she was trash, and how she was seen and heard running and screaming through the streets with her robe ripped. Perhaps, David had even heard how Tamar was now a devastated woman, living in her brother Absalom’s house.

David “heard about all these things, and he was furious.” That’s good. That should have been his proper response. But that was all. And that’s bad. It’s like the Irish poem:

“This here’s the story of Ian McRory. Shall I begin it? Well, that’s all that’s in it.”

David was enraged; he was furious; he could scarcely contain his rage. But, unfortunately, he did. It is unfortunate because there is something right about David’s fury. It should have led to righteous results. His anger should have led to justice. Amnon should have been punished and Tamar exonerated. Instead, Amnon is not held accountable, Tamar receives no retribution, and Absalom is handed a reasonable excuse for revenge. David heard. He was very angry. And he did nothing.

Of course, many theologians say David was a prisoner of his own folly. After all, how could he call Amnon to account when David himself had violated Bathsheba and eliminated her husband? But herein lies our lesson from today’s passage.

Many Christians are trying to determine how (or if) they should confront a sin issue in the life of another believer. Often, believers will resist God’s leading to hold a brother or sister accountable based on the reality that they have sinned in similar ways in the past. It is as if they are waiting for a “sinless” believer to come along and confront sin. This is ridiculous!! Believers excuse themselves, “we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.”

But that simple fact is what qualifies you to confront and exhort others who are in sin! True, we should not judge, but confronting and rebuking sin in a fellow believer’s life is not judging. It is pointing out the obvious and correcting another believer because you do not want them to incur even more consequences.

This was David’s error. David had a responsibility, and he chose passivity over accountability. As both father and king, David was charged with maintaining justice, whether he was personally compromised or not. As brothers or sisters in Messiah, and having been born-again onto a “holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), we are given the responsibility to 1) be accountable and 2) hold each other accountable.

“So the Lord sent Nathan to David.” 2 Samuel 12:1 (HCSB)

If you recall yesterday’s chapter (2 Samuel 11), David was in control. David was the prime mover; he got things done. David totally dominated the action from the palace roof until he crashed into the unyielding wall of the Lord’s righteousness.

As expected, God and His Word dominate chapter 12. We expect judgment on David. And we see that here in chapter 12. But we have the sense that we have traveled beyond judgment in today’s chapter into the land of Grace and Mercy. Grace is God’s “something-for-nothing” when we don’t deserve anything. And His Mercy is set into motion when we don’t receive what we really deserve.

Without the words, “So the Lord sent Nathan to David,” we would be in for a bleak and hopeless story. This first line of chapter 12 dispels any notion that the Lord is a passive onlooker.

The verb “sent” (salah) is a signal. This verb occurs 12 times in chapter 11, where everyone “sends”: David sends, Bathsheba sends, Joab sends. Now God sends. He has gone into action and sends Nathan to David.

**Is the Lord calling you to be a “Nathan” for a brother or sister in sin? We must be willing to risk offending even the king to deliver God’s Word. Otherwise, we offend the King of Kings sends us as His messengers.

Let’s fight the urge to run ahead into the story. We should pause and meditate on those opening words because they speak of the vigilance of Grace. They show us that Grace pursues and exposes the sinner in his sin. They teach us that the Lord will not allow his servants to remain comfortable in sin but will ruthlessly expose our sin, lest we settle down in it.

LESSON: You may succeed in unfaithfulness, but God will come after you!

What immense and genuine comfort every servant of Messiah should find in the first six words of this chapter! Not that God’s pursuing Grace is enjoyable. But what if Grace and Mercy did NOT pursue us? What if God abandoned us when we succeeded at sin?

“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!” Romans 5:8 (HCSB)

“David told the messenger, ‘Say this to Joab: “Don’t let this matter upset you because the sword devours all alike. Intensify your fight against the city and demolish it”. Encourage him.’ When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband Uriah had died, she mourned for him. When the time of mourning ended, David had her brought to his house. She became his wife and bore him a son. However, the Lord considered what David had done to be evil.” 2 Samuel 11:25-27 (HCSB)

Several years ago, I was surfing around the TV dial when a Discovery Channel program caught my eye. Scientists were dropping cats off buildings. The scientists were conducting experiments as to why cats always land on their feet, regardless of the position they were in when they fell (or were thrown). Mystery solved.

In today’s passage, David reminds me of one of those cats. Throughout the whole drama, David is in control and successful. No matter how he falls, David seems to land on his feet. Perhaps, you have known people like that. No matter how wicked or evil their deeds are, they always seem to come out unscathed. Don’t believe the hype.

Sin frustrates. While David is always active, always the one in control, he is repeatedly frustrated. In verses 2-5, David saw, inquired, sent, took, and copulated…but his secret hits a snag: “I am pregnant.” No problem. In the next segment (vv 6-11), David sends for, asks, orders, and lavishes gifts, but he cannot control Uriah. David has more cards to play. He gives Uriah final orders, invites him to dinner, gets him drunk...unsuccessful. David may put Uriah “under the influence,” but Uriah is not under David’s influence.

King David, always the mover and shaker, even has Uriah carry his own death warrant under Royal seal. Eventually, Uriah is killed. David has persevered; he has succeeded. How can this be? This is Israel; this is DAVID! He is the king in the covenant with the Lord. The man “after God’s own heart” takes the sword after God’s own people? Here is David, who put Mephibosheth at his table, and Uriah in the grave. Everyone is suspect, and the only one acting like a God-fearing Israelite is the Hittite! Welcome to Old Testament thug life.

So, what are we to learn from today’s passage? The simple truth is that the kingdom is not safe, even in David’s hands. It is only safe when Messiah Jesus rules with justice and righteousness. Yet, until Jesus permanently & publicly enforces that just regime at His second coming, it will not be unusual for God’s people to suffer, even within (what claims to be) the Kingdom of God. It is detestable when Church leaders rule with harshness and severity, crushing rather than comforting Jesus’ flock, suffocating rather than sustaining them.

Bottom line: David may have Bathsheba’s flesh and Uriah’s blood, but he cannot escape the Lord’s eyes nor His iron rod! The silence of God does not indicate His absence. For a moment, He may be silent, but the Lord is not sightless nor powerless. Rebuke is on its way!

“Some time later the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hunan became king in his place. Then David said, ‘I’ll show kindness to Hunan son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.’ So David sent his emissaries to console Hunan concerning his father. However, when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, the Ammonite leaders said to Hunan their lord, ‘Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he’s showing respect for your father? Instead, hasn’t David sent the emissaries in order to scout out the city, spy on it, and overthrow it?’ So Hunan took David’s emissaries, shaved off half their beards, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away.” 2 Samuel 10:1-4 (HCSB)

2 Samuel 10 functions as a prophetic lesson. As Hunan and Hadadezer’s Aramaean allies stir themselves up against David, so the kings and rulers of the world were still bent on resisting the sway of the Lord and His Messianic King, Jesus.

“Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and His anointed One: ‘Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints.’” Psalm 2:1-2 (HCSB)

It is far easier to see the fulfillment of Psalm 2 when we eavesdrop on the prayer of the Jerusalem church in Acts 4. Especially when we hear those early believers applying the Psalm 2 prayer to Herod and Pontius Pilate (and others).

“When they heard this, they raised their voices to God and said, ‘Master, You are the One who made heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of their father David Your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage and the people plot futile things? The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers assembled together against the Lord and against His Messiah. For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” Acts 4:24-30 (HCSB)

In today’s passage, David is the Lord’s chosen king, with Hunan and Hadadezer against him. Those folks who conspired against the Lord’s anointed lost. 2 Samuel 10 is simply a miniature Psalm 2 and proclaims: Despite all resistance and hostility, the Davidic king will rule. If we don’t have that assurance, how could we (co-heirs with the One Matthew 1:1 calls “Son of David”) live in the hope of eternal security? How else could we endure persecution for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus? In light of the assured fulfillment of the Psalm 2 prophecy, let’s reaffirm our commitment to stand firm in the Lord!

“So the king asked, ‘Is there anyone left of Saul’s family I can show the kindness of God to?’ Ziba said to the king, ‘There is still Jonathan’s son who is lame in both feet.’ The king asked, ‘Where is he?’ Ziba answered the king, ‘You’ll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.’ So David had him brought from the house of Machir in Lo-debar. Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, bowed down to the ground and paid homage. David said ‘Mephibosheth!’ ‘I am your servant,’ he replied. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘since I intend to show you kindness because of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.’” 2 Samuel 9:3-7 (HCSB)

In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt made a speech in Pittsburgh advocating restraint in government spending. Four years later, he wanted to speak there in favor of government spending. He asked one of his advisers how he could manage an about-face without seeming like a flip-flopper! The advice was straightforward: Deny that you made a speech in Pittsburgh in 1932!

Ahhh, politics. I think I speak for us all when I say we need leaders whom we can trust to keep their word!! David did not practice the Washington D.C. way. When he made a promise to Jonathan, he kept it. He could easily have denied the private conversation, said he had been impetuous, and argued national security overrode personal agreements. No. David honored his word. And one greater than David offers the same to us!

Perhaps, you have already begun to see a parallel of this story with the offer of salvation that Jesus extends to all who would accept His Grace.

David offered Mephibosheth: 1) Protection, 2) Provision, and 3) Position

“For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Messiah died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person – though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Messiah died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!” Romans 5:6-10 (HCSB)

We can never appreciate David’s commitment of love unless we understand the source of it, the Author of love. The Messiah (the Son of David), whom David called “My Lord,” has extended His “Do not be afraid” to us “spiritual Mephibosheths.” The first principle for grappling with the marvel of God’s love is to realize that He has no personal benefit in loving us. Our presence cannot advance His worth. There is absolutely no reason why we should be eating continually at the King’s table. And if we have any sense, we won’t be able to understand it, either! We must simply receive His grace and, thankfully, live in His presence, inviting others in need of salvation to join us.

“When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadezer, he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadezer and defeated him, for Toi and Hadezer had fought many wars. Joram had items of silver, gold, and bronze with him. King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued-” 2 Samuel 8:9-11 (HCSB)

Back in chapter 7, God established a covenant with David. David had sought to build a house for the Lord, but the Lord disallowed David’s efforts, promising instead to build David’s house. In this statement, there is a play-on-words: The “house” David proposed to build was a temple, whereas the “house” God promised to build David was a kingdom that would endure throughout the generations.

Chapter 8, therefore, is simply recounting the various wars by which David’s kingdom was established by God. When reading these accounts of Israelite warfare, one may wonder, “Where is the God who is merciful to the nations?” Oh, He is right there among the stories of war.

Take notice of Toi, king of Hamath. He is sort of “smooshed” in the middle of an archival sandwich, yet there is something distinguishing about him. He doesn’t have to be struck down. When Toi hears how David has struck down Hadezer, he sends his son Joram to ask for terms of peace and express his delight over Hadezer’s defeat.

Toi exemplifies a pattern in the Bible’s Kingdom doctrine. If there are rulers and nations who war against the Lord’s kingdom, there are also some who lay down their arms and seek peace under His Kingdom. God is not all “pro-Israel” and “con the nations.” He honors any sincere acts of surrender/submission. This is not only a “New Testament” idea; we find it here in 2nd Samuel.

Some nations must be subdued; others submit. Some remain rebellious; others repent. Some are crushed, while others are contrite.

“So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling. Pay homage to the Son or he will be angry and you will perish in your rebellion….” Psalm 2:10-12a (CSB)

Here’s the lesson: The reaction of the surrounding peoples to David’s kingship is a pattern of the reaction to Messiah Jesus’ Kingship. Today’s passage is a picture showing that a nation need not be struck down by the Lord’s anointed king if they will only submit to Him. No nation or individual can play the victim as if it/they had no alternative but to be crushed. Salvation is offered to all who surrender to Messiah Jesus; crushing judgment awaits all who refuse & despise His Kingdom.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 2 Samuel 7. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“They set the ark of God on a new cart and transported it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart and brought it with the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on the hill. Ahio walked in front of the ark. David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of fir wood instruments, lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen had stumbled. Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God.” 2 Samuel 6:3-7 (HCSB)

Several years ago, on a rainy New York City evening, three friends of mine were having dinner at an upscale restaurant when a shabby man outside began struggling with the restaurant door. The shabby-looking man became frustrated to the point where he yelled for someone to open the door; the rain was pouring down on him. Sensing the man was crazy, my friends yelled, “Don’t let him in!” Against their protest, the hostess opened the door, and in walked the actor Al Pacino! My friends wanted a photo with the actor but dared not ask after how rudely they had treated him. They would not have acted so foolishly had they known the man they were disrespecting.

The Lord’s people tend to forget what sort of God they face. We forget that there is the power to Judge in His holiness. No, we should not be scared of Him, but being sacred toward Him wouldn’t hurt! Contrary to the belief of some Christians, the Lord is not our tame, warm & fuzzy friend in the sky. The application of today’s passage is clear: You dare not disrespect a God who is both real and holy!

As a young believer, I was somewhat offended when I first read this story. (Back then, my opinion of God was distorted by my ignorance of His Word.) After all, Uzzah was only trying to help. Was he really supposed to allow the oxen to bounce the ark right off the cart? Why didn’t the Lord cut him some slack? Why so severe in His judgment, so seemingly arbitrary? Should we be angry? Or should we fear?

Back in the book of Numbers (4:4-6, 15, 17-20; and 7:9), the rules were clear: No touch, no look, no cart. The priests were to cover the holy furniture, not touch or look upon the sacred items “lest they die.” Then the ark was to be carried on the backs of the Levite priests of the Kohathite clan. In that whole process, God is being gracious to Israel. He is forcing them to be personally involved with Him. It is easy to put the ark on a cart and have some beasts of burden haul it with almost no effort on the part of the priests. But it is another thing for them to shoulder the responsibility personally!

Similarly, we should take personal responsibility for our faith. More than a salvation moment, God wants an ongoing personal relationship with us. Don’t “Google” the Bible, looking for guidance. And don’t let some religious leader shoulder your responsibility. Get to know the Guide personally by meeting Him daily in His Word. Perhaps, then you will live a life that honors Him as He prescribes in His Word.

“Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke saying, ‘Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in times past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you: You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ Therefore, all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed him king over Israel.” 2 Samuel 5:1-2 (NKJV)

Funny how things change. For several years, an army of Israelites pursued David to kill him. Now, a delegation show-up at David’s door, cap in hand, saying, “Oh, that? That was nothing! You have always been king in our hearts!”

The Northern delegates have their speech prepared and state their pro-David case in three arguments:

RELATIONSHIP: We are your bone and flesh.

LEADERSHIP: Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who was leading our armies to & from battle.

PROMISE: The Lord said, “You shall shepherd my people Israel, and be leader over Israel.”

The last argument, “The Lord promised” is the climax. God’s promise to David began when the Lord commanded Samuel to inform Saul that someone outside of Saul’s family would inherit the throne. The promise to David became viable – at least to Samuel – when Samuel was sent to anoint someone from among Jesse’s family.

God’s promise to David began as a tormenting suspicion to Saul and eventually a foregone conclusion. Now, David’s opponents and his opponents are resigned to it.

Hence, when the Northern tribes mention the Lord’s promise at the Hebron negotiations, the writer wants us to highlight it in our Bibles! As if to say, “See there? See how The Lord’s promise to David came to pass? See how it weathered the wrath of Saul, the foolishness of David, the rebellion of the North, and the self-seeking of so-called “friends”?

God’s Word has proved firm through chapters & chapters of opposition! And the delegate’s affirming words encourage us because they imply that all of God’s promises are certain, no matter how much resistance they meet or how much time passes.

God’s Word can be trusted to be fulfilled, down to the slightest detail. So, we are exhorted to simply receive that truth and continue to hold on, pressing on toward the higher calling of our Lord!

“They (Baanah and Rechab) entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed in his bedroom and stabbed and killed him. They beheaded him, took his head, and traveled by way of the Arabah all night. They brought Ish-bosheth’s head to David at Hebron and said to the king, ‘Here’s the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who intended to take your life. Today the Lord has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.’” 2 Samuel 4:7-8 (HCSB)

I really like watching MMA (mixed martial arts) on TV. My wife thinks it is completely brutal, which is funny to me because she has a black belt in Taekwondo! A while back, I watched an MMA fight that was a great match-up. The fight was in the upper rounds when fatigue set in on one of the fighters. He dropped his hands for just a moment… This was all his opponent needed to finish him off. In a split-second flurry of pugilistic pounding, the fight was over: knockout! That pretty much describes where Ish-bosheth was, politically, just before he was murdered.

When news came of Abner’s treacherous death in Hebron, Ish-bosheth “lost heart” (literally, “his hands dropped”), and “all Israel was terrified.” Nothing is more terrifying than being on the losing side of a political coup. Once the inevitable sinks in, people begin betraying even their closest friends. This was the story of Baanah and Rechab, the “brother thugs” who led Ish-bosheth’s raiders. They decided they must seize the hour by killing David’s impotent opponent.

Baanah and Rechab may appear bold and daring. But take another look. They are not strong but weak, not courageous but cowardly, not manly but mercenary. The whole matter underscores something about ourselves, how urgently we need discernment and how prone we are to lack it. In these two men, we see our inability to see the real beneath the veneer of the apparent. I must confess that when I first read this account (as well as the account of the Amalekite who claimed to finish off Saul on David’s behalf), I thought David would have honored them. I was not expecting their execution. Lord, give me discernment!

So, were Rachab & Baanah servants of the Lord executing justice by eliminating David’s rival and solidifying David’s position? That is certainly what they were putting forth. Undoubtedly, they advertised themselves as ones to whom David owed the debt of posh government jobs. They come with blood on their hands and theology on their lips, expecting the latter would magically bleach the former. Murder always seems more pleasant when wrapped in religious rhetoric.

We still see Baanahs and Rechabs in our congregations. Beware of those who use theology to cover sin and folly! For them, theology is not a truth that encourages us to worship God but a technique that enables them to justify themselves and their selfish manipulation of honest righteous-minded people.

“Abner was very angry about Ish-bosheth’s accusation. ‘Am I a dog’s head who belongs to Judah?’ he asked. ‘All this time I’ve been loyal to the family of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and haven’t betrayed you to David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! May God punish Abner and do so severely if I don’t do for David what the Lord swore to him: to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beer-sheba.’” 2 Samuel 3:8-10 (HCSB)

Abner reminds me of the story of “Little Billy.” Little Billy crawled onto the ice one wintry afternoon and rescued a playmate who had fallen through. Praise and admiration were being heaped on him. Then, a news reporter asked Billy, “Tell us, boy, how were you brave enough to risk your life to save your friend?” In between breaths, Billy shot back, “He had my skates on!” What seems like heroism is sometimes plain old self-service.

Abner was not driven to expand David’s kingdom because of his theology. He was politically motivated. If Ish-bosheth was not going to roll over and play dead, then the next best option for Abner was to swing his support to David and use his influence over the Northern tribes as a bargaining chip. In this way, Abner would assure himself a more powerful position in David’s regime. After all, David’s power was increasing while Saul’s was diminishing.

Yet, in all his maneuvering, Abner didn’t count on Joab’s knife! God secured David’s kingdom, but not Abner, although Abner acted as a broker to help establish it. Abner couldn’t secure his own power, although it looked like his scheme would pay off.

We meet more Abners in Scripture. They do not bear Abner’s name, but they wear his disposition. For example, Simon the magician in Acts 8 was the perfect “new believer” in Samaria under Philip’s ministry. He went through all the hoops – a profession of faith, baptism, and Bible studies. Then, when Peter and John came along, he flew his true flag, offering to pay them well if they gave him the powers to bestow the Holy Spirit on whoever he laid his hands. The Gospel had eclipsed Simon’s popularity as a magician. But Simon saw a chance to work within the Gospel establishment and win his reputation back: Simon, the “Miracle Healer.”

Whether 2 Samuel 3 or Acts 8, Christians must fight the tendencies of their own Abner-mentality. Some claims to “build” God’s Kingdom may only be a cover for “using” it. Among the “Christian soldiers” marching onward, we must realize there are self-serving mercenaries in the ranks. Even faithful preachers, for example, who seek to grow their ministries to make God’s truth known and bring renown to His Name, admit there are times when they seem more concerned with whether God’s people will be impressed with them, like them, congratulate and dote over them. No, Abner is not that far away from any one of us. Let’s stay humble and willing to give all the credit to God, laboring to make His Name famous, not our own!

“David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, ‘The Lord bless you, because you have shown special kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him. Now, may the Lord show special kindness and faithfulness to you, and I will also show the same goodness to you because you have done this deed. Therefore, be strong and courageous, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.’” 2 Samuel 2:5-7 (HCSB)

Not only was David a man of faith, a good shepherd and a mighty warrior, he was also a great politician. In his statement to the men of Jabesh-gilead, perhaps, the most staunch Saul supporters in all of Israel, David is at once sincerely complimentary, blatantly political, and earnestly evangelistic. Saul was dead, and the people could not merely live on the fumes of his memory.

Faithfully believing God’s promise (that he would rule Israel as king), David took very little time establishing his kingdom, tribe-by-tribe. Revisiting a page from his Goliath playbook, David went for the biggest “Giant” first. (Remember that Goliath had four brothers, yet David’s tactical advantage was killing the biggest one first!) Jabesh-gilead had always been pro-Saul to a man since Saul rescued them on his first military campaign. (1 Samuel 11)

The men of Jabesh-gilead were brave and used to taking risks. David was urging them to take another risk: Be the first in the North to acknowledge the kingship of David!

So, David called Jabesh-gilead to submit to the newly developing kingdom of God in Hebron. David’s call was authoritative yet somewhat winsome. It was commanding and attractive at the same time. Doesn’t it remind us of another such call?

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (NKJV)

We know what the “yoke” means. It is nothing less than absolute submission. But Jesus’ calling/command is so winsome. He attracts us with both His appeal (I am gentle and lowly in heart) and His promise (you will find rest). Jesus does not hide His yoke, along with the fact that we may be lonely in that yoke, but He lures us by His person and promise. Our evangelism should carry the same elements.

A proper response to David’s (or Jesus’s) appeal could be costly. Jabesh-gilead was sandwiched between David and Abner, between the true Kingdom in its “mustard seed” form and a bastard kingdom that expects allegiance. To defy the latter kingdom takes guts, and such guts only come from Grace! **Remember: This is not a conflict between Israel and some other Nation. It is internal. So also, the modern believer is often forced to decide which “faith professors” have truly aligned with God’s Kingdom. Only the Holy Spirit working through your knowledge of God’s Word will enable you to choose rightly.

“Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all of the men with him did the same. They mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening for those who died by the sword – for Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s people, and the house of Israel.” 2 Samuel 1:11-12 (HCSB)

Verses 11 & 12 are at the center of today’s chapter. After having gone through intense trauma over the past several chapters, David and his men had reached their emotional limits. There was no other option but to mourn and do so loudly and dramatically.

Upon reading the events of 2 Samuel 1, I found myself wanting to skip from verse 10 (The end of the Amalekite’s account of Saul’s death) and go directly to verse 13 (The execution of the Amalekite). But the writer seems to think the most important item in the story is the grief and wailing of David and his men over Israel’s fallen leaders and troops. The Lord’s people have been crushed. Grief cannot wait.

In deciding to focus on grieving first instead of swift justice, the writer has exposed a basic human tendency within us to hurry grief instead of letting it take its natural course. The anguish of David and his men is impressive. The condition of God’s people disturbed them. In that, we could all learn a lesson about empathy for the suffering believer.

Furthermore, after the initial grief (and necessary justice), David begins the process of lamenting. Grief remains long after the events grieved have passed. Sorrow is a continuing process. Because grief abides, there must be some process by which God’s people can express that grief and move toward healing. David chose the “lament,” a song by which Israel could continue her mourning and perhaps learn a few lessons.

“David sang the following lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the Judahites be taught The Song Of The Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:” 2 Samuel 1:17-18 (HCSB)

A lament is a formal expression of grief or distress that can be written, read, learned, practiced, or repeated. It differs from the informal, spontaneous, immediate outbursts of grief associated with our initial responses to tragedy. The lament is no less sorrowful or sincere but a vehicle for the mind and emotions. A lament is “thoughtful” grief. The intensity of one’s emotions combined with the disciplines of their mind to produce structured sorrow, a sort of “authorized version” of distress, a coherent agony.

Therefore, words are carefully selected, crafted, and honed in a lament to express loss as closely yet fully as possible. Sorrows are not miraculously healed after a short time of emotional catharsis. Sometimes Christians are impatient with grief. “Why can’t they just trust God and get over it?” Today, perhaps, God is teaching you to embrace the discipline of expressing grief in words (songs or prose), which convey your anguish and verbalize despondency while remembering His great plan and power to enact it.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 Samuel 31. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“David and his troops with him wept loudly until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had also been kidnapped. David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30: 4-6 (HCSB)

David was under severe pressure, to be sure! In addition to personal sorrow over the loss of his family, he faces the rebellion of his men. Nobody knows how far the vote to stone David went, but things were at a critical point. At this point, we are met with an important statement, “But David found strength in the Lord his God.”

It begs the question: What does it mean to strengthen yourself in the Lord? If you haven’t yet needed to, stick around because everyone goes through seasons where they have no alternative but to strengthen themselves in Him!

Let’s begin by saying what it is NOT. Strengthening oneself in the Lord is not some kind of “gospel magic.” It is not a quick fix. It is not recognizing that the pressure is on and deciding to seek help in religion. It is not superficial or superstitious, venting or letting things go emotionally. It is not expressing anger or assigning blame; David’s soldiers did that. But David found strength elsewhere.

So, where did the strengthening begin? It started with David’s personal relationship with God. Notice Scripture says David found “strength in the Lord HIS God.” So we must consider what a personal relationship really is. Israel had a tendency to rely on a “National” faith instead of a vital “Personal” one. In short, David remembered the promises and affirmations of God’s Word. He recalled how God had guided him thus far.

Another way David strengthened himself in the Lord was by utilizing the means of access to the Lord that were available to him.

“David said to Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech, ‘Bring me the ephod.’ So Abiathar brought it to him, and David asked the Lord: ‘Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?’ The Lord replied to him, ‘Pursue them, for you will certainly overtake them and rescue the people.’” 1 Samuel 30:7-8 (HCSB)

Believers today have access to God through a better priest than Abiathar! Jesus Himself and the Holy Spirit are our advocates through personal prayer and Divine intercession. Along with prayer, we develop our personal relationships with God by studying the Bible. Spending time with God’s Word develops our knowledge of His character. It marks the difference between an ONGOING personal relationship versus a series of MOMENTARY urgent appeals, which signals you are not interested in a relationship, just its benefits. Are you hard-pressed? Find strength by remembering how your personal relationship is growing with Him through daily Bible study and prayer!

“Then Achish answered and said to David, ‘I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said: “He shall not go up with us in battle.” Now therefore, rise early in the morning with your master’s servants who have come with you. As soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart.’ So David and his men rose early to depart in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.” 1 Samuel 29:9-11 (NKJV)

David’s original decision to go to the Philistines was ill-advised. It was understandable but not wise, explainable but not faithful. Everything was clicking along quite well for David until now, working for a Philistine boss and killing Philistines in his spare time. It reminds me of the saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” But now David and his men find themselves in a tight spot, lined up to fight against Israel, the people whom God had anointed David to serve.

How will David, the “anointed” who “cannot not lay a hand against the Lord’s anointed” (Saul), get out of this one? The dialogue is almost comical. The deceived (Achish) defends his deceiver, and the relieved (David) disputes his relief!

Listen. Can you hear Him? God is almost silent. The only mention of Him is a throw-away line from the Philistine king. Yet, God is at work. He is delivering David from his stupid decisions, protecting the nation of Israel, preserving the integrity of Israel’s trust in their future King David, and silently protecting the birth-line of Messiah. The story is not a promise to us that He will not hold us accountable for (or deliver us from the consequences of) our faithless decisions. But it is proof that He is always with us, ultimately working out everything together for the good. For His good, which ultimately benefits us, too. (Romans 8:28)

Believers should take heart! We can all look back on the timeline of our lives and have no trouble picking out the occasion (or occasions) where we were depending on our own cleverness, sure of our ability to assess and handle our situations, confident we knew the right way. And it proved disastrous and nearly destroyed us. And we fear God’s mercy has withered. After all, OUR mercy would have withered! Then God shows up. And we, like David, learn how God’s “goodness and mercy pursue us all the days” of our lives. (Psalm 23:6a)

There is a striking contrast between the endings of chapters 28 and 29.

“Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she hastened to kill it. And she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it. So she brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.” 1 Samuel 28:24-25 (NKJV)

Saul and his companions trudge off into the darkness without the Lord, while David rides away in the morning, knowing the experience of God’s mercy. (Psalm 30:5b)

“The woman came over to Saul, and she saw that he was terrified and said to him, ‘Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do. Now please listen to your servant. Let me set some food in front of you. Eat and it will give you strength so you can go on your way.’ He refused, saying, ‘I won’t eat,’ but when his servants and the woman urged him, he listened to them. He got off the ground and sat on the bed. The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. She served it to Saul and his servants and they ate. Afterward, they got up and left that night.” 1 Samuel 28:21-25 (HCSB)

Surely, we do not think John merely wanted to tell us the time. He wants to tell us it was “NIGHT.” And what a night! It was like entering the outer darkness itself, the abyss. But Judas and Saul were not the only ones who entered the darkness.

“Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?’” which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?’” Mark 15:33-34 (NKJV)

If we are not careful, we make the mistake of believing we are detached observers of the stories of Saul and Judas. Of course, it would be very wrong to assume we are better than, not quite as stupid as or deserving of better than those two. The glory of the Gospel is that Jesus went through the darkness of God’s absence on our behalf. He endured the darkness and agony of God’s forsakenness. Doesn’t Jesus’ cry carry the same ring as “God has turned away from me and answers me no more?” (1 Sam 28:15)

At the “battle” of Golgotha, Jesus walked into the outer darkness in order that we might walk in the light of Life, by Grace, through Faith in Him. Is your faith in the One who endured the Darkness for you? Or does Darkness yet await?

“David did not let a man or woman live to be brought to Gath, for he said, ‘Or they will inform on us and say, “This is what David did.”’ This was David’s custom during the whole time he stayed in the Philistine territory. So (Philistine king) Achish trusted David, thinking, ‘Since he made himself detestable to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.’” 1 Samuel 27:11-12 (HCSB)

Today’s chapter has enough drama and tension to hold our attention, but what makes the story so fascinating (and difficult) is the fact that it is God-less. That’s not to say God has not inspired the text. It’s just that the text does not mention God or say precisely or directly what the Lord is doing. It does not even inform us of the Lord’s point of view. Nor is there any indication of the writer’s position. There is no moral commentary on events that seem to demand moral commentary. We are left to wonder whether David is right or wrong. Perhaps, that is what God wants us to do: Judge these events Biblically, without His having to spell it out.

As was the case elsewhere in Scripture, the writer’s silence does not necessarily mean he approves of David’s course. It is possible to report an activity without endorsing it. For instance, one may testify about a robbery without approving theft. But how are David’s actions to be evaluated? We can only sift for clues and weigh them against God’s character, as defined by the truth of His Word.

I believe the writer is sympathetic to David’s difficulty yet presents him as in the wrong. The record of the Lord’s repeated protection should have convinced David that the Lord could keep him, even in Israel. Chapters 24 and 26 clearly show Saul’s protection was gone, and the king was exposed and helpless. Then, there seems to be a negative shadow cast on the human slaughter of David’s raids. I understand there are times when total warfare is condoned, and those times are only when the Lord commands such activity. Obviously, He knows best, and we must trust His leading. But the writer tells us David’s rationale was not God-directed. David needed to keep his “front” intact with King Achish. All that said, there is a sort of balance in the text. It understands David’s persecution and need for political sanctuary yet is not willing to justify all his conduct.

Even a “God-less” text teaches Godly truths and gives Godly direction for the Lord’s people. We are learning something about David, his moral breaking points, and his humanity. He is not perfect. After all, David is only a “type” of messiah, not the Messiah Himself. Proverbs 14:12 comes to mind.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)

We must remember the Lord did not allow David to build the Temple because of the bloodshed he had caused. In that sense, David shares something in common with all the Lord’s people (you & me included). We must all learn the hard lessons that come when we deceive ourselves into leaning on something other than the “everlasting arms!”

“But David said to Abishai, ‘Don’t destroy him, (Saul) for who can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be blameless?’ David added, ‘As the Lord lives, the Lord will certainly strike him down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. However, because of the Lord, I will never lift up my hand against the Lord’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let’s go.’” 1 Samuel 26: 9-11 (HCSB)

The emphasis of today’s passage falls on the conversation between David and Abishai. It can be expected that Abishai assumed he was signing up for a commando raid, wherein Saul (and perhaps Abner as well) would be assassinated. In any case, in a scene reminiscent of the last time David spared Saul’s life, the soldier was convinced the Lord had led David to sleeping Saul for the express purpose of killing him. Abishai whispers theological advice to David, “Today God has shut your enemy up into your hand - and now let me nail him to the ground with my spear. I won’t need more than once.” David corrects Abishai’s theology, “Don’t destroy him, for who can put forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed and remain innocent?

David must have learned something back in chapter 25 with Nabal’s death. The Lord struck down David’s enemy when David relented from acting foolishly. David learned that the Lord can handle such matters when left into His hands. David suggests the Lord may operate in the same manner with Saul, or He may not. There are numerous possibilities for how the Lord may work. What David really needed to focus on was not the Lord’s method of punishing Saul but his own faithful obedience.

We would do well to learn a lesson here! Our primary goal in life should be to seek God’s Word and obey it. We must not run ahead of God’s timing. Rather, we should wait on The Lord to accomplish His purposes in and through our lives.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

David pondered the same thing: How did they sneak past those army guards? Surely, it was the Lord!

“So David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul’s head, and they went away, but no one saw or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a sound sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.” 1 Sam 26:12 (NASB)

I believe David knew Who had allowed their stealth passage and that there was a high probability that God would have awoken every soldier in the camp if David and Co. had sinned by attempting to kill Saul! The practical life of a believer, complicated as it may seem at times, can be summed up into two simple components: Seek God’s Word and obey it. They are companions to the two principles of Scripture that Jesus said on which the Torah and the Prophets hang.

“He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Torah and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 (HCSB)

“When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, ‘Praise the Lord who championed my cause against Nabal’s insults and restrained His servant from doing evil. The Lord brought Nabal’s evil deeds back on his own head.’ Then David sent messengers to speak to Abigail about marrying him.” 1 Samuel 25:39 (HCSB)

Nabal was rough and nasty. My Bible translation defines his name to mean “boorish.” We know he was wealthy because he had three thousand sheep and one thousand goats. Nabal’s men were busy holding a profitable (and festive) sheep-sheering time in Carmel. After all David had done to protect Nabal’s investments, his response to David’s plea was utterly disrespectful.

Of course, Nabal had never asked for David’s assistance, but it was only right to expect a wealthy man like Nabal to show generous appreciation for the services rendered. Nabal, didn’t simply say, “No.” He called David a no-account runaway slave and David’s men a bunch of nobodies who had no right to “my bread,” “my water,” and “my meat.” Such an ungrateful and selfish man deserved to be taught a lesson, but did he really deserve to die by the blade of David’s sword? Enter Abigail.

Acting as equal parts self-preservationist, Prophetess, and national adviser, Abigail intervenes on behalf of her family, her king, and her nation. The theme of today’s chapter is “restraint.” Abigail’s plea to David is truly directed by the Lord to restrain David, keeping him from doing something that would have foolishly jeopardized God’s plan for David, Israel, and ultimately the line of Messiah.

Today’s chapter teaches us how the Lord rescues His servants from their stupidity, restrains them from executing their sinful purposes, and how sometimes He graciously and firmly intercepts us on the road to foolishness. Not only does He do this for an anointed king, but His mercy extends to all His servants. We can all tell tales of how the Lord has constructed roadblocks on our journeys to foolish self-destruction!

God’s mercy sends frustration to our purposes. His kindness hinders our paths. It is essential that, like David, we respond rightly to such episodes of the Lord’s restraining us. Read chapters 24 and 25 back-to-back. Notice the contrast in David’s attitude between Saul and Nabal and how David compartmentalizes his faith. In chapter 24, he is the restrainer; he will not harm Saul or permit his soldiers to do so. In chapter 25, David must be restrained; he wants to shed Nabal’s (and all Nabal’s men’s) blood over an insult. All this because David responded in the flesh without consulting the Lord.

This is a shadow of things to come, for a Hittite named Uriah would have done well to have paid attention to this account: David refuses to take personal vengeance on “the Lord’s anointed” but is most willing to liquidate a private Israelite. I remember times when I had seen God’s way clearly in some dilemma but missed it entirely in another situation where the same principles applied. We must always rely on God’s leading.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (HCSB)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 Samuel 24. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“David was in the wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.’ Then the two of them made a covenant in the Lord’s presence. Afterward, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.” 1 Samuel 23:15-18 (HCSB)

Isn’t it amazing how Saul couldn’t find David, but Jonathan could? What an encouragement Jonathan must have been for David, an oasis of hope, there in the desert wilderness of Zin! The text does not say how Jonathan knew where to find David. The narrative doesn’t dwell on the risks Jonathan ran; it only says he “encouraged him in his faith in God.”

How did Jonathan encourage David?

“You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.” 1 Samuel 23:17b (HCSB)

Jonathan simply reaffirms God’s promise to David, a promise which is not directly stated in 1 Samuel, yet everyone seems to know about it. (24:4, 25:28-31, 2 Samuel 3:9-10, 17-18) Of course, Jonathan’s presence would have been a great comfort for David. Yet, our temporal personal presence does not provide the “abiding” encouragement like the certainty of God’s Word. That is why daily interaction with the Bible is paramount to a believer’s life. Bible reading is worth even more than showing compassion to others, as that is the outworking of our interaction with God’s Word. But the motivation for works of compassion must come from within, from the storehouse of Scripture in the heart and mind of a committed follower of Jesus.

Our best encouragement comes not from being “cuddly” for the people of God but from the Word of God. I am not depreciating the helpfulness of personal touch or care. But in an age that wallows in “caring” and “sensitivity,” believers need to know that solid encouragement comes not from emotional closeness but from close, constant proximity to God’s promises in His Word.

We cannot help seeing here (in Jonathan’s mission) the shadow of One greater than Jonathan. Today’s chapter is about the Lord, Who sustains us. No, Saul is not gone for good; David’s distress is not over; final relief has not arrived. But 1 Samuel 23 shows what resources the Lord gives His servants in the middle of their trials to withstand the pressure. True peace is not always displayed as the absence of conflict; it is most often manifested as the presence of peace in the midst of conflict.

Yes, the darkness is still there, but at least part of it is the “shadow” of the Almighty.

“David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So, when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, ‘Please let my father and mother come here with you till I know what God will do for me.’” 1 Samuel 22:1-3 (NKJV)

In 1915, San Francisco hosted the World’s Fair. In preparation for the event, the city fathers funded the construction of the Palace Of Fine Arts, with its grand entrance. To the astute art enthusiast, the 1915 World’s Fair is commonly known as the moment where American impressionists overtook the Europeans to become the most prominent artists of their day. And the California artists led the charge. At the fair’s opening, a California impressionist artist named Frank Coburn set up his easel to paint a depiction of that monumental Palace Of Fine Arts entrance.

2009 is a year that many Americans would rather forget. The housing market collapsed, and 25% of the homes in Riverside County, California, were in danger of foreclosure. I know because I lost my home in that market crash. When you suffer foreclosure, the loss of your home is just the beginning of your problems because often, people amass a great amount of debt leading up to that catastrophic event. So, when the home is gone, the debt remains. I prayed, “Lord, I have followed You here, and I believed You would never let something like this happen to me!” His response? Silence.

Eventually, we found a rental home. Shortly thereafter, my son outgrew his baby bed. One morning, my wife pulled me out of bed to haul a twin bed she’d bought at an estate sale. As I entered the sale, I noticed the estate’s former owner was an amateur painter. VERY amateur. But amid the junk paintings, from across the room, I spotted an unframed painting on an old board. Masking tape price tag: $5. Signed: Frank Coburn 1915. Inscribed on the back: Entrance, Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco Fair. Misti & I quickly realized we had a “Providential” treasure in our hands. Three months later, I received a call from an art dealer in Newport Beach, California, who we had enlisted to sell the painting for us. She sold it for the exact amount we needed to pay our debts completely!

In today’s Scripture passage, in David’s case, all the unusual arrangements for his survival (along with the survival of his family and friends) had been made over a century before when a relative named Boaz married a righteous Moabite named Ruth. The Lord plans His kindness long beforehand. He directs circumstances long in advance. Refuge in Moab was not something David set in place; it was a gift. YHWH “arranged” this long before. This is not something God does only for chosen kings. A great number of us have stories to tell about our desperation and God’s providence. The unbeliever (like Saul) is a man on his own, shut up to his own schemes, without God’s direction. But gleams of God’s guidance shine on David: Five loaves of bread, the backside of the Gath city-limit sign, a Moabite ancestress, a prophet giving orders - God goes before us. Be bold!

“So the priest gave him (David) the consecrated bread, for there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the Lord. When the bread was removed, it had been replaced with warm bread.” 1 Samuel 21:6 (HCSB)

David has nobody he can count on. There is no Jonathan, Michal, or Samuel now. It is simply up to David to elude Saul, who is intent on killing him. But was David truly alone? David’s methods of self-preservation seem to testify that he feels he is alone, but his continued miraculous preservation indicates God is with him, whether David perceives God’s presence or not.

We understand David’s difficulty. We can relate to his panic and desperation. Note that the Bible is not recommending David’s methods of survival, only reporting them.

We do better to ask a different question: What does God seem to be doing here? Take note that in the confusion, danger, and fear, David received daily bread. Is it too much to say this whole chapter depicts a simple truth: The Lord sustained David? It was not something frivolous that David craved but a clear need. In our culture of abundant living, where the average poor American would be rich by world standards, perhaps we have lost the idea of “daily bread.” We get too caught up in what “brand” of bread. We complain, “Is it Wonder bread or whole wheat, a baguette, or a dinner roll?” But when we are truly starving, we crave only the Lord’s Bread from His presence. Of course, I speak of spiritual hunger, as well as the physical. Consider Jesus’ words:

“But He answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word coming out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)

Every Sabbath, twelve loaves of this bread were piled on a table in the holy place in the Tabernacle. They were (among other things) a quiet witness that the Lord sustains His people and supplies their needs. The next day, that holy bread became David’s daily bread.

There may be a word for us in David’s provision. Perhaps, you are under a heavy load, boxed in and pressed down under various vocational, emotional, spiritual, or circumstantial pressures. But are you still eating every day? At least once? Doesn’t God’s small provision in the midst of our “big” problems tell us something? Doesn’t it assure us that God has not yet cast you off? Perhaps, now Jesus’ words have a different ring.

“Give us day by day our daily bread…” Luke 11:3 (NKJV)

“‘By the Lord, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If I find out that he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you? If my father intends to bring evil on you, may the Lord punish Jonathan and do so severely if I do not tell you and send you away so you may leave safely. May the Lord be with you, just as he was with my father. If I continue to live, show me kindness from the Lord, but if I die, don’t ever withdraw your kindness from my household—not even when the Lord cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.’ Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, ‘May the Lord hold David’s enemies accountable.’ Jonathan once again swore to David in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.” 1 Samuel 20:12-17 (CSB)

Regarding the narrative, Verses 12-17 do not have to be in the text. In fact, we can go immediately from the end of verse 11 to the beginning of verse 18 with no loss in the flow of the story. But this entire chapter is about a covenant relationship, and the extent of these two men’s love for each other is paramount to our understanding of God’s covenant with us through Jesus. “Love” is the difference between a contract and a covenant. Love is not just committed to the DETAILS; it is committed to the PERSON!

Jonathan is formally committing himself always to act as he did in 19:2-3. People typically do not do what Jonathan does! You don’t hand over your place to your rival and promise to protect him, especially when your place is the crown prince. It’s not natural. If Jonathan were “normal,” he would dispose of David. In fact, what angers Saul is that Jonathan’s commitment to David defies all political sense. Jonathan really did “seek first” another kingdom, which didn‘t align with common sense.

Even more unusual was the commitment Jonathan urges on David in verses 14-16. The time will come when Jonathan (not David) will be in the fugitive role, the needy one. In fact, this actually happened, and David honored his covenant with Jonathan.

What does Jonathan teach us? This: True life does not consist in securing “your kingdom” but in reflecting the Lord’s faithfulness in covenant relationships. There is something liberating about that! Jonathan had acknowledged that the kingdom was the Lord’s and, therefore, David’s if the Lord so chose. This meant Jonathan understood his life did not need to be centered on his ambition (what can I get); rather, he rested in God’s wise plan (what the Lord chooses to give.)

As believers, our reigning passion should not be to make “my way,” “my living,” “my mark,” or to gain “my place” in order to get ahead. That thought may constitute the deadly blow to our prideful wills, but it is certainly liberating. Life does not consist in achieving our goals but in fulfilling our covenant responsibilities to Him, who has the power to bless or curse. We should wake up every morning with this renewed surrendered vow: THY will, THY way, and THY glory be exalted through me. Then He will disclose WHERE He wants to send you, HOW He wants to sustain, equip and protect and the EXTENT to which He will establish your influence among men.

“Saul sent agents to David’s house to watch for him and kill him in the morning. But his wife Michal warned David: ‘If you don’t escape tonight, you will be dead tomorrow!’ So she lowered David from the window and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took the household idol and put it on the bed, placed some goats’ hair on its head, and covered it with a garment.” 1 Samuel 19:11-13 (HCSB)

There have been quite a few Bible stories that I have simply not understood until I began really studying the Scripture. I want to encourage you that every Biblical question I’ve had (upon first reading the Bible) has been answered (or adequately explained) upon further Biblical investigation. And I do not expect that there will be any spiritual questions that God’s Word cannot (or will not eventually) answer!

Today’s question answered pertains to why David’s wife, Michal, was so upset when he danced naked when the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem. It never made sense to me why the woman who would risk her life to protect David would be so disgusted at his humble worship. Let’s refresh our memories:

“When David returned home to bless his household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. ‘How the king of Israel honored himself today!’ she said. ‘He exposed himself today in the sight of the slave girls of his subjects like a vulgar person would expose himself.’ David replied to Michal, ‘I was dancing before the Lord who chose me over your father and his whole family to appoint me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the Lord, and I will humble myself and humiliate myself. I will be honored by the slave girls you spoke about.’ And Saul’s daughter Michal had no child to the day of her death.” 2 Samuel 6:20-23 (HCSB)

Personally, I believe Michal’s observation of David’s humility may have reminded her of the time when her father, Saul, was naked before the Lord.

“The Spirit of God came on him (Saul), and as he walked along, he prophesied until he entered Naioth in Ramah. Saul then removed his clothes and also prophesied before Samuel; he collapsed and lay naked all that day and all that night.” 1 Samuel 19:23-24a (HCSB)

This shameful recollection of Saul was mixed with the fact that Michal had inherited another nasty little habit from her father: Idolatry. We know there was at least one idol in David’s household because it was used to simulate David’s sleeping body. When Saul was rejected by the Lord, he should have humbled himself in true repentance. Instead, he most certainly turned to idols. It seems Michal inherited her father’s idol worship.

Another reason to suggest Michal’s idolatry is the fact that she was childless. Our conclusion, then, is that Michal was introduced to idolatry by her father and sought the power of an idol to make her fertile when God withheld her womb. Furthermore, having never experienced true worship (personal or corporate), Michal was critical of the authenticity of David’s humility. How do you respond when others worship the Lord?

“Saul’s servants reported these words directly to David, but he replied, ‘Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law? I am a poor man who is common.’ The servants reported back to Saul, ‘These are the words David spoke.’ Then Saul replied, ‘Say this to David: “The king desires no other bride-price except 100 Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.”’ Actually, Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 18:23-25 (HCSB)

The Lord was obviously protecting David! Everything he put his hand to was successful. David had won the hearts of all of Israel and Judea. Even Saul’s son, Jonathan, was on the bandwagon to the extent that he gave David his royal vestments. In ancient times, this was an unheard-of gesture; significant because the clothes signify the person and his position – hence, Jonathan renounced his position as crown prince. Jonathan transferred, so far as his own will goes, the right of succession to David.

This was the level of success God was giving David, and such was the level of character Jonathan possessed. How many politicians have you ever known who withdrew from an election because they felt their opponent was actually a better man for the job? Royal leaders simply do not transfer their crown rights to an up-and-comer; they eliminate them!

Jonathan may have been honorable, but his father sure wasn’t. Saul simply did not make due on his promises. Much of chapter 18 deals with Saul’s promise of marriage to his daughters, used as bait to lure David into fatal heroic deeds. David’s response was that he was unworthy to be the king’s son-in-law because he was lowly and poor. Almost overlooked in the narrative is that David should have already been very rich and married to Saul’s daughter. Riches, tax exemption, and royal matrimony had been promised to whoever defeated Goliath. David verified that offer three times before he fought the giant!

“Previously, an Israelite man had declared, ‘Do you see this man who keeps coming out? He comes to defy Israel. The king will make the man who kills him very rich and will give him his daughter. The king will also make the household of that man’s father exempt from paying taxes in Israel.’” 1 Samuel 17:25 (HCSB)

“The people told him about the offer, concluding, ‘That is what will be done for the man who kills him.’” 1 Samuel 17:27 (HCSB)

“Then he turned from those beside him to others in front of him and asked about the offer. The people gave him the same answer as before.” 1 Samuel 17:30 (HCSB)

Oh, the short-term memory of political promises! Aren’t we thankful to have God’s never-changing Word and character to depend upon?

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 Samuel 17. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, ‘Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before Him.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees his heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:6-7 (HCSB)

Most of us have a job or have been employed at one time. Personally, I can’t stand to be interviewed for a job. You feel so…judged. And you ARE being judged. That’s the point of the interview!

Many years ago, about the time when my band outgrew our van and we began traveling on a tour bus, it became apparent we needed to hire a road crew. It was the first time I had ever been on the other side of the negotiating table. Instead of searching for employment, I was the employer. Let me tell you, if you’ve never hired anyone, it isn’t as easy as it looks! That is especially true if you hire people to manage your personal assets. You want employees who are honest, competent, and gracious team players. Let’s just say I learned (the hard way) that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

The same is true for personal relationships. I doubt anyone sitting in Divorce Court feels they conducted a thorough character analysis of their mate before tying the knot. As for guys, the thought process leading up to marriage is generally: 1) She looks good, 2) She digs me. (Repeat, if necessary.) Ladies may be a little more discriminating than that, but I’m pretty amazed at what kind of guys some of you gals settle for.

Don’t you wish you had the eyes of God? He looks beyond external beauty and searches the depths of the heart.

“I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons.” 1 Samuel 16:1b (HCSB)

While Samuel was mourning over Saul’s sin and Israel’s future, God was personally searching the hearts of every Israelite. Today, there are still those who grieve over the future of the Church at large. I admit the forecast doesn’t look good. Every year, we lose more old soldiers of the faith, and it seems we have fewer recruits of Godly character to replace them. Our prayers go forth, “Who will take their place?” The Lord answers, “I have selected them already!”

Have you considered that God is searching your heart at this very moment? What do you think He sees? What role has He prepared for you, based on the evidence of His search? Are you on track to become a Saul or a David? A Jezebel or a Ruth? In many ways, the choice is up to you because He chooses to lift up those who choose Him.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV)

“So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being King.’” 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NKJV)

Over the years, I have purchased several homes and rented/leased a few apartments. I am generally not a big fan of the process of buying a home, but when I am in the mood/circumstance to find a new property, I always get so caught up in the positive aspects of a house that I neglect to see its flaws. That is why mortgage companies insist that home buyers purchase a home inspection. Sometimes, the outside elements of a structure (paint, landscaping, and decorating) are hiding serious flaws within.

While Saul’s (and the Kingdom of Israel’s) spiritual condition may look healthy on the outside, it is exposed to have serious foundational flaws. Saul wanted to appear to be righteous by picking which parts of God’s Word seemed worth following. He was even on his way to building a monument to himself! All the while, the Lord was not impressed. Saul was about to be replaced by one more worthy. Samuel delivered the news of God’s decision to Saul. As Samuel was leaving, an interesting thing occurred. Saul grabbed for Samuel’s clothing and caught the tzitzit (tassel) from Samuel’s robe, tearing it away. We know this from Samuel’s response.

“But Samuel said to Saul, ‘I will not return with you, for you have rejected the Word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.’ And as Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. So Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you.’” 1 Samuel 15:26-28 (NKJV)

With that knowledge, imagine the gravity of the moment when David emerges from a Judean cave, holding Saul’s tzitzit, cut from his royal robe, announcing:

“Look, this day, your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed. Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe is in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.’’ 1 Samuel 24:10-11 (NKJV)

So, what is our takeaway today? A righteous man does good works, but good works do not make a man righteous. And the God who searches men’s hearts is always looking for those whom He may send. Seek the Lord continually, that He may send you, and do not cease searching His Word, so He will not cease using you!

“Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, ‘Come on, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’ His armor-bearer responded, ‘Do what is right in your heart. You choose. I’m right here with you whatever you decide.’” 1 Samuel 14:6-7 (HCSB)

One could hardly make the case that Jonathan’s faith was a product of his environment. His circumstances were not those that foster optimism. Consider the leaders: Sitting Saul, whose kingship has been rejected, assisted by Ahijah, whose priestly line has been rejected. Since Samuel has left, Saul has no prophetic direction. So, what help can such a king and priest provide?

Still, Jonathan decides it’s time for action. To understand the depth of Jonathan’s faith, it helps to understand the images surrounding the path he took to victory.

“Within the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. The name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other was Seneh. The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.” 1 Samuel 14:4-5 (ESV)

The Hebrew names of these rocks are roughly equivalent to “Slippery” (Bozez) and “Thorny” (Seneh). This was hardly a scenic leisurely hike. Most folks would consider the point impassable. Basically, nothing on Jonathan’s circumstantial “radar screen” encouraged optimism. But Jonathan’s response to his conditions was not to be optimistic. It was to be faithful. Some people are naturally optimistic – they don’t know better. But faith can arise even when no reason for optimism exists.

Faith arises in such situations because faith looks not to circumstances but to God. Jonathan is not trusting in his own daring scheme. He does not say, “Perhaps the Lord will act for us because we are clever.” If anything, his daring expresses his trust in the Lord. Yet the beauty of Jonathan’s faith is its IMAGINATION (“Come on, let’s cross over…), and the beauty of that imagination is its BALANCE (“perhaps”).

Many believers in our day think that to say “perhaps” cuts the nerve of faith, that faith must be certain, dogmatic, and absolutely positive. Faith, therefore, has become confused with arrogance. “Perhaps” confesses the power of the Lord yet acknowledges our ignorance of His plan. It retains the freedom of the Lord to act according to His will, not ours. It enables us to step out in faith but not sprint in pride.

Are you facing a difficult season? Is the Enemy taunting you as an army of “Philistines,” so to speak? Salvation does not wait until you can amass an overwhelming optimistic opposition. It begins with imaginative faith-in-action that is willing to say, “Perhaps, the Lord will act for us.”

“Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have been foolish. You have not kept the command, which the Lord your God gave to you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man loyal to Him, a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people because you have not done what the Lord commanded.’ Then, Samuel went from Gilgal to Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul registered the troops with him, about 600 men.” 1 Samuel 13:13-15 (HCSB)

There was once a man whose wife told him to move their china cabinet. She knew it would be an all-day job because she had a lot of china, and the cabinet was quite large. She decided to go out for the day with the stern warning: Have this cabinet moved before I come home this evening. As is typical with men, this woman’s husband decided to put the job off, watching sports all day instead. About 5 o’clock, his wife called, saying she would be home soon. The man decided the only way to cover his laziness would be to call his neighbor for help. The neighbor got delayed with a task from his wife, so now the only way to move the cabinet was with the china still inside. Then the man tripped on the rug. Needless to say, porcelain fought gravity, and gravity won. When his wife came home, the husband tried to blame everything on their neighbor’s slowness in coming over.

This could also be the story of King Saul; no questioning the pressure Saul must have felt. The Philistines were breathing down his neck because of a bold yet maverick move by Saul’s son Jonathan. His army was afraid, hiding and deserting the cause. And to add insult to injury, Samuel was nowhere to be found. So, Saul feels compelled to do something. He feels he must do something kingly and military in a priestly sort-of way. All he really needed to do was wait.

Should we give Saul any credit? After all, he waited 6 ¾ days instead of the full seven that Samuel had ordered. But it’s not just how you run the race; it’s how you finish that earns the prize. Samuel’s job was to bear God’s Word, and Saul’s job was to do it. For Saul, the sacrificial ritual was essential, but prophetic direction was not. By his action, Saul professed that certain emergencies rendered the Lord’s Word unnecessary. When the chips were down, Saul believed the kingdom could function on its own, based on God’s promise, yet, in neglect of obedience to His Word.

Does this sound familiar? It is the core message of the argument for separation of church and state in the United States. It compartmentalizes and quarantines business, relationships, education, and politics from religion. It says to God, “You can have my soul, but that’s it. You may come to this border, but no further.” Saul’s punishment was that the kingdom would not be passed down through his descendants.

Let’s take the time and ask God to reveal those areas in our lives where we refuse to wait on Him, choosing to lean on our own understanding instead of seeking and obeying His Word.

“Samuel called on the Lord, and on that day, the Lord sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. Samuel replied, ‘Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the Lord. Instead, worship the Lord with all your heart. Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or deliver you; they are worthless. The Lord will not abandon His people, because of His great name, and because He has determined to make you His own people. As for me, I promise that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.’” 1 Samuel 12:18-23 (CSB)

As a young musician in my early 20s, I had followed the Lord for the first time and dropped out of college. I felt He was leading me into the music business. Nobody else in my family heard that calling, so I was doing double duty: Following the Lord and trying to legitimize my decision to my folks! I thought I would silence my critics with a record contract. I prayed, worked hard, networked even harder, and eventually, I landed a record deal.

I remember sitting with my attorney as we read through my contract. He said to me, “You know the word ‘contract’ means ‘to bind,’ i.e., “a boa constrictor contracts his prey!’” We both had a laugh. Several years later, it wasn’t quite as funny when my career goals didn’t match the record company’s business plan. Yet, there we were, leg-ironed like two prisoners disputing over which direction to run. (By the way, you always eventually run in the direction of the biggest inmate!)

The Hebrew word for “covenant” is “b’rit.” It comes from an Akkadian term meaning “clasp” or “fetter.” A covenant chains two parties to each other. In Israel’s case (and ours), the parties chained together are a people to their God. They are bound to obligations to each other. And for the vassal (the smaller party), the primary obligation is to the benefactor or “king.” If a covenant was broken (by one party), the other party had a right to either enforce or terminate that covenant.

Israel had rejected their covenant by asking for a king (other than the Lord) who would rule as the kings of the other nations. But God’s decision, Him being the greater party in the covenant, was not to forsake His people. Instead, He chose to motivate Israel to follow His direction. After all, He is the bigger of the two, “chained” together.

Believer, have you chosen to run away from the Lord’s leading? You won’t get far with those fetters you’re wearing! Our best scenario is to surrender our wills to the Father, recognize He always chooses wisely, and follow His lead. Furthermore, if you advise another brother or sister on how they should go, hold them accountable with truth and grace. Remember that we, too, are prone to wander.

“Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-Gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, ‘Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.’ Nahash the Ammonite replied, ‘I’ll make a covenant with you on this condition: that I gouge out everyone’s right eye and humiliate all Israel.’ ‘Don’t do anything to us for seven days,’ the elders of Jabesh said to him, ‘and let us send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will surrender to you.’” 1 Samuel 11:1-3 (HCSB)

Such is the arrogance the world has for God’s people! The Ammonite mind was not to simply defeat the people and exploit their resources but to humiliate and mock them.

So, why gouge out an eye, and the right eye for that matter? Most people are right-handed. Try closing your right eye and waving your right hand. No matter how frantically you wave it, your hand does not come into sight until it is almost to your nose. Now, take into consideration a man in battle. He carries a sword in his right hand and holds a shield over his left eye as he marches forth, slashing away.

By gouging out the right eye of every man, the Ammonites are ensuring never-ending subservience, for it made most men unfit for military service. Notice Nahash’s plan was to eventually humiliate ALL Israel, perhaps, one tribe at a time. In his arrogance and overconfidence, Nahash made a crucial slip-up. He gave the men of Jabesh-Gilead an opportunity to gather support. Even today, the Enemy picks us off, one by one, because he is confident Christians will not work together. Nor does he believe Christians will rely on God’s Spirit but will try and collaborate with other oppressed believers to develop some man-made rescue attempt.

The whole scenario brings to mind the words of Jesus:

“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew 5:29-30 (NASB)

Jesus is saying our self-reliance is actually part of our problem! Gouge out the right eye, and we can’t see to fight with our right hand. Cut off our right hand, and we’re completely useless for conventional battle. But aren’t we in a spiritual battle? Rely on His Spirit, and heaven’s forces will rally around you!

Notice how the Bible says the Spirit of God “rushed” upon Saul. (v.6a) When God’s people humble themselves and seek Him as their only source of salvation, no physical, financial, relational, or other disabilities can hinder God from accomplishing His purposes in, for, and through them.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 Samuel 10. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“So they went up toward the city. Saul and his attendant were entering the city when they saw Samuel coming toward them on his way to the high place. Now the day before Saul’s arrival, the Lord had informed Samuel, ‘At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over My people Israel. He will save them from the hand of the Philistines because I have seen the affliction of My people, for their cry has come to Me.’ When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told Him, ‘Here is the man I told you about; he will rule over My people.’” 1 Samuel 9:14-17 (HCSB)

“Providence” is God’s way of providing for the needs of His people. In a wonderful, strange, mysteriously unpredictable way, the Lord rules His world and sustains His people. And He does it frequently by going over, under, around, through, or in spite of the most common stuff in our lives. He works His will, even when it is against our will. God is always deliberately working, even though we are unaware of His presence. That is why it is of utmost importance to align ourselves with Him. He always wins.

Saul’s rise to power all seemed so casual; who would know it was planned? God wove people & situations together so well that it looks like we are dealing with what organically appeared rather than what was ordained: lose some donkeys, find a kingdom.

The ignorant onlooker might say that Saul was lucky. He was in the right place at the right time. Perhaps, they would say Saul’s charisma overwhelmed an aged prophet desperate for a successor. But God tells us He orchestrated everything. He allowed the donkeys to go missing; He prompted Saul’s father to send Saul after them; He told Samuel He was sending Israel’s king, and in the moment, He told Samuel exactly who that king would be. Saul is detached, designated, and disclosed by God.

The Lord’s providence not only operates in the affairs of major figures in salvation history; He also directs our paths.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs His steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

“Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, how then can man understand his way?” Proverbs 20:24 (NASB)

So, providence is not the exclusive privilege of some kingdom elite; it extends to each of His people, no matter how apparently common. However, He may not let you in on the secret. You may see traces of what He has been doing much later as you look back, but in the present, you may be just as in the dark as Saul was. If so, you must continue searching for your lost donkeys (or whatever task God has given you). But do so, knowing God is leading, teaching you along the way how to accomplish the things He has prepared for you. It is not as if our relationship with Him is not dynamic. There is a call and response. Our choices make a difference, yet we choose to follow His Word, knowing He does not need us. Rather, He loves us and chooses to interact with us. Our participation in the process is to seek His Word, trusting in Him as we obey and share it.

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” 1 Samuel 8:4-7 (NKJV)

Growing up in Arkansas, my family had a persimmon tree in the backyard. Unripe persimmons are numbingly bitter! Unripe persimmons also look a lot like plums. So, one day my brother decided to prank me by placing a few unripe persimmons at the top of a bag of plums, and offered me one. There he stood, eating a nice plum, offering the bag to me. Of course I wanted one! Everything about the situation said “yes” until I took a bite!!

Because some of our idolatry can seem so sophisticated and appear so reasonable, it can be extremely difficult to detect. But God's eye penetrates the fog. Samuel experienced from his own people what Jesus, Moses, and the prophets experienced:

“We don’t want this man to rule over us.” Luke 19:14b (HCSB)

We have an aversion to holiness, the same as Biblical Israel did. By “aversion,” I simply mean that we do not like to be different, for God’s sake. Do you recall the last time you shared your faith with the intent to lead another person to the Lord? Most believers have NEVER shared their faith. Why? They say they don’t like the feeling of being rejected or judged for being different. Most believers want the benefits of following Jesus (salvation, eternal life), but when given a choice, their decisions reveal they would rather have a “king like all the other nations.”

Believer, your distinction from the world is not a curse! It is the sign that your Savior is able to effect drastic change in the lives of sinners!

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove [discern] what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

We do not naturally like to be distinctly “God’s.” We would rather blend into the world, waiting out our time until the Last Days trumpet sounds. When we refuse to engage in spiritual battle, as the Lord prescribes in His Word, we become like that military deserter who refuses to fight yet refuses to leave the regiment. We show up for roll call and the chow hall, but when the battle ensues, we hide behind a tree, waiting for it to all be over. GET INTO THE BATTLE! Serve the King, Whose Kingdom is UNLIKE all the other nations, and trust Him to lead others into His Kingdom through your bold, courageous, and gracious testimony.

“Time went by until 20 years had passed since the ark had been taken to Kiriath-jearim. Then the whole house of Israel began to seek the Lord. Samuel told them, ‘If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashteroths that are among you, dedicate yourselves to the Lord, and worship only Him. Then He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.’ So the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashteroths and only worshiped the Lord.” 1 Samuel 7:2-4 (HCSB)

Perhaps, you have been so caught up in the story that you have forgotten the man whom this book is named! Having been absent since 4:1, Samuel reappears to restore the severely judged Israel to repentance.

It is therapeutic to have tears and sorrow over sin. Repentance often begins with signs of grief and consciousness of misery. But true repentance consists of something more substantial.

Genuine repentance is tangible. It does not stop with weeping over sin but moves to concrete action: The putting away of foreign gods. The Lord teaches this pattern several times in Scripture.

“So, Jacob said to his family and all who were with Him, ‘Get rid of your foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your clothes. We must get up and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to the God who answered me everywhere I have gone.’ Then they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and their earrings, and Jacob hid them under the oak near Shechem.” Genesis 35:2-4 (HCSB)

“Therefore, fear the Lord and worship Him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River in Egypt, and worship Yahweh, choose for yourself today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh.’” Joshua 24:14-15 (HCSB)

Is there something between you and the Lord which continues to cause you to fall? Get rid of it! Repentance is replacing sin-pursuance with the pursuit of righteousness. It is not simply saying, “I’m sorry,” or feeling remorse. It is harder than that! It took 20 years for Israel’s remorsefulness to become repentance. True repentance is spiritual warfare. It takes action, and God honors such actions with encouraging evidence of His presence. Consider the words of Jesus:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15-18 (NKJV)

“The Philistines summoned the priests and the diviners and pleaded, ‘What should we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how we can send it back to its place.’ They replied, ‘If you send the ark of Israel’s God away, you must not send it without an offering. You must send back a restitution offering to Him, and you will be healed. Then the reason His hand hasn’t been removed from you will be revealed.’” 1 Samuel 6:2-3 (HCSB)

Israel was in a season of its history where personal relationships with the Lord had been replaced with rote devotional elements, offering sacrifices at the appointed times and in the prescribed ways. As a result, their understanding of the Lord (and His national relationship with Israel) had become distorted. This led to Israel’s defeat by the Philistines and resulted in the Philistines capturing the Ark of the Covenant.

With the Ark in “captivity,” the Philistines became aware that the Lord was stronger than all their gods. In the narrative is a glint of God’s great plan of salvation, for the God of Israel stooped to reveal Himself to the enemies of Israel, to non-Hebrew people. He gave a pre-Messianic glimpse of His willingness to bring the nations to repentance. In this account (like that of Jonah), God was inferring that He would someday bring near many who are far off through the blood of Messiah Jesus. (Ephesians 2:13)

This is a moment of truth for the Philistines. Would they surrender their gods and worship the Lord alone? That was, no doubt, God’s desire. No, they decided to send Him away. Instead of tapping into His power, they sought to distance themselves from it.

Much later, in the New Testament, the Gerasenes will try the same solution. They will be afraid of the power of Jesus that restored people and destroyed pigs. The only option they will see is to beg Jesus to leave. (Mark 5:1-20) No self-examination. No searching of hearts. The Lord – and His power – must be removed.

By the end of chapter 6, Israel isn’t faring much better than the Philistines with the Ark’s return. Some of the men of Israel rejoiced while others were indifferent. These were those who sought the Lord’s proximity purely for what it could do for them. Once Israel had been defeated and the Ark captured, God ceased to be of use to them. For their attitude and lack of repentance, they were stricken. **Some translations may vary, so read the fine print notes.

“God struck down the men of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the Lord. He struck down 70 men out of 50,000 men. The people mourned because the Lord struck them with a great slaughter. The men of Beth-shemesh asked, ‘Who is able to stand in the presence of this holy Lord God? Who should the ark go to from here?” I Samuel 6:19-20 (HCSB)

The absence of ‘Godly fear’ signifies an absence of the knowledge of God. We read the Bible to KNOW the Lord, so that we are neither indifferent, nor too afraid to draw close to Him. (Hebrews 4:16)

“After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, brought it into the temple of Dagon and placed it next to his statue. When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. This time, both Dagon’s head and the palms of his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso remained.” 1 Samuel 5:1-4 (HCSB)

In my lifetime, I have watched several major “Christian” leaders fall into sin, which led to public scandal and the downfall of the large ministries built on their vision and charisma. Every time this has happened, skeptics of Christianity don a coy grin and announce that God is either dead or dying in our culture. This was surely the mindset of the Philistines toward Israel when they introduced the “defeated” God of Israel (the Ark) to His “conqueror,” Dagon.

What the Philistines were about to learn was that “the God of Israel” is actually the God of all creation! And apart from Him, there is no god. Furthermore, His power and agenda being accomplished are not dependent upon the worship of His followers. It is not as if we are the “batteries” that empower the Lord. He is not waiting on us to surge Him with worship before He can act. He is completely independent and self-sustained.

I believe it was Oswald Chambers who said, pertaining to Kingdom work, “God has given us a limited participation in something He doesn’t need us to do.”

Here is our big takeaway from today’s chapter: Don’t begin to think that you can manipulate God like a lucky charm for your own convenience, and don’t think He needs you to support and carry Him. He doesn’t need our worship. His holiness demands it, and His loving kindness accepts it. He existed before creation, and He can take care of Himself. The only community He needs is His own tri-unity. And in that notion is our understanding of His great love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, He sent Messiah Jesus to die for us. Still, if any carrying is to be done, He will carry us!

“Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle. Your carriages were heavily loaded, a burden to the weary beast. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but have themselves gone into captivity. “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:1-4 (NKJV)

By the way, despite the moral defeat of those high-profile Christian leaders, God is very much alive and has not diminished in power and authority, holiness, or praiseworthiness! There is no panic in Heaven, only planning. And with that knowledge, we trust and worship Him.

“When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord let us be defeated today by the Philistines? Let’s bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh. Then it will go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” 1 Samuel 4:3 (HCSB)

Last week, I noticed my cologne had run out. When I went to a department store fragrance counter, I noticed a small cup of coffee beans. The person at the counter told me I should smell the beans in-between fragrances because the smell of the coffee helps “cleanse the nose’s pallet,” allowing one to differentiate between scents.

The opening statement of 1 Samuel 4, “And Samuel’s words came to all Israel,” sounds more like the closing thought of chapter 3. We don’t hear any more from Samuel until chapter 7. His absence is intended to “cleanse the reader’s pallet.” The Lord is drawing a distinction between the sweet aroma of Samuel’s personal worship and the stench of Israel’s national worship under the direction of Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas.

Today’s passage begins with a question: Why did the Lord let us be defeated? Perhaps, you have faced that question in your own life. Israel would have done well to let that question linger awhile. Then, maybe the Lord’s threats in Leviticus 26 would have come to mind.

“But if you do not obey Me and observe My commands – if you reject My statutes and despise My ordinances, and do not observe all My commands – and break My covenant, then I will do all this to you – wasting disease and fever that will cause your eyes to fail (Eli) and your life to ebb away (Phinehas’ wife). You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. (Hophni and Phinehas were Eli’s “seed” or offspring) I will turn against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies” Leviticus 26:14-17 (HCSB)

Sadly, in haste, Israel resorted to “Rabbit’s foot” theology. They should have remembered God’s Word, repented, and drawn close to the God of the Covenant. Instead, Israel made an impetuous decision (based on their ignorance of God’s Word) to bring the Ark of the Covenant of God to them. The assumption was that God would be forced to protect His reputation, despite His children’s obvious rebellion. As they say in Jerusalem, “Yahweh don’t play that!”

The Lord will suffer shame rather than allow us to carry on a false relationship with him, and He will allow us to be disappointed with Him if that will awaken our understanding of what kind of God He is. Have you observed that things go better with prayer? Let’s make sure our delight is in aligning ourselves with God’s will rather than trying to coerce Him to align with ours! When the church stops confessing, “Thou art worthy” in exchange for “Thou art useful,” we know the ark of God has been captured again!

Then again, the Lord may be cleansing the pallet for Revival once more. Let’s seek God as a Samuel so that “Ichabod” (the glory of the Lord has departed) would not be written over the doorposts of our hearts, churches, and nation.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 Samuel 3. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy served the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest. Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord or for the priest’s share of the sacrifices from the people.” 1 Samuel 2:11-13a (HCSB)

A spiritual resurgence looked out of the question for the American colonies in 1740. Samuel Blair wrote, “Religion lay as it were a-dying and ready to expire its last breath of life in this part of the visible church.” This was the setting before the Great Awakening, where America’s soul was born again, so to speak. The Church-at-large had become corrupt, yet the Lord did not abandon His plan for America. He set into motion a chain of events, which led to America’s spiritual revival and their fight for independence from British tyranny. America could use that kind of revival today!

We can expect opposition from the secular world, but what can we do when the creeping death seeps inside the Church? How should we respond when religious leaders are lacking in faith and unholy in lifestyle? What happens when purveyors of the “light of the world” are themselves full of darkness? Hophni and Phinehas were such men, yet the Lord did not abandon His people, Israel. God was there – in both judgment and grace – when judgment began at the house of God.

There are many leaders in the Church today who are purveyors of darkness. They add to and take away from the Gospel as suits their personal agendas. Furthermore, they lead people along heretical paths on which the Lord has never intended His children to travel.

Reading today’s chapter, it may be easy for us to separate ourselves from these characters. After all, most of us do not hold the office of “priest”...or do we?

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people to be His very own and to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (ISV)

The truth is that God considers EVERY believer to be a priest. Maybe we never join a church staff, but the calling remains for each of us.

Setting aside, for a moment, the time you spend in church worship services, how well are you doing at representing Jesus in the World? In a church culture littered with “Hophni and Phinehas,” the Lord has called us to be “Samuels.” Consider this pattern as a challenge for us to faithfully serve the Lord in the midst of Worldly self-servers:

Samuel serving (2:11), Liturgical sins (2:12-17), Samuel serving (2:18-21), Moral sins (2:22-25), Samuel growing (2:26), Prophecy of judgment (2:27-36), Samuel serving (3:1a)

“And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore, she wept and did not eat.” 1 Samuel 1:4-7 (NKJV)

Though it would probably not comfort Hannah, it helps us to remember that Hannah is not the first barren woman noted in scripture. We remember Sarai/Sarah and how Genesis 11:30 hangs like a dark cloud over the next 10 chapters of Genesis. Rebekah had no children for the first 20 years of marriage, and we find a soap-opera turmoil swirling around the barrenness of Rachel.

God raised up mighty Samson from the fruitless womb of Manoah’s wife. And who would have guessed that old, childless Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptist? Barren women seem to be God’s instruments in raising-up key figures in the history of redemption, whether preservers of Israel (Joseph, Samson, Samuel) or the forerunner of the King of kings Jesus (John the Baptist).

Hannah, therefore, shares in a “fellowship of barrenness.” And it is frequently in this fellowship that new chapters in God’s history with His people begin – with nothing. God’s tendency is to make our total inability His starting point. Our hopelessness and our helplessness are no barriers to His work. Indeed, our utter incapacity is often the prop He delights to use for His next act.

This matter goes beyond the particular situations of Biblical barren women. We are facing one of the principles of the Lord’s modus operandi. When His people are without strength, without resources, without hope, and without human gimmicks – then He loves to stretch forth His hand from Heaven.

Once we see where God often begins, we will understand how we may be encouraged in the Hope of God’s Word and unchanging character.

“And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.’ And he said ‘I will redeem it.’ Then Boaz said, ‘On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through the inheritance.’ And the close relative said, ‘I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem the right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.’” Ruth 4:4-6 (NKJV)

There are right and wrong ways to do things. And the difficulty of successful decision-making is more a question of chemistry than decisiveness. Being successful often lies in the blend of “right and wrong ways,” with respect to “right and wrong places” and “right and wrong timing.” For instance, when you get a speeding ticket, it is an unhealthy combination of doing the wrong thing (breaking the speed law), at the wrong place (where a cop was waiting), and at the wrong time (When the donut shop was closed). A joke for my cop friends!

Boaz knew that the negotiation for Ruth would involve all three “right and wrongs” perfectly balanced. It is a beautiful picture and example for us of the balance of God’s graceful, merciful providence and our responsibility to act according to his Word and resist the temptation to be “Worldly” just long enough to get the job done. It is possible to be shrewd and faithful at the same time, to ethically negotiate with an expectation of succeeding against the most Worldly of opponents across the table.

I like how the writer chooses to refer to the other kinsman as “Mr. So-and-so.” He almost certainly knew the man’s name but deleted it to not further embarrass him and his descendants. If this were the old TV show, Dragnet, the announcer would “change the names to protect the innocent.” And though Boaz did not use a net, he most assuredly would have been an expert fly fisherman!

Notice how Boaz did not hide any detail concerning the land of Naomi and Elimelech, valuable land, indeed, and free for the taker. And the kinsman immediately took the hook. But what about the back taxes? Notice how Boaz refers to Ruth as a “Moabitess,” a despised people. And the reference to Mahlon and Chilion (whose names meant “sick” and “wasting away”) was equally disgusting. As impetuously as the kinsman said, “I will redeem,” he says, “I cannot redeem.”

The kinsman-redeemer failed to see that the land was not the prize of great value…it was RUTH! And this is how the Lord sees us! Formerly despised in our sin, Jesus, our Kinsman Redeemer, chooses to love and save us, including the Gentiles who esteem Him above anything this world could offer. Choose Him! He has chosen you!

“Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, ‘My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.’” Ruth 3:1-3 (NKJV)

Anyone who has seen Fiddler On The Roof must remember the song, Matchmaker. “Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a match, find me a find, catch me a catch…make me a perfect match.” But in the play, the young girl, Leitel’s dream, was shattered when her best shot turned out to be the financial security of marrying a prosperous local businessman old enough to be her father. All the while, Leitel loved an impoverished young man.

On the surface, we might be tempted to think that the matchmaker in “Fiddler” was modeled after Naomi and her search for security for her widowed daughter-in-law by matching her with the older landowner in Bethlehem. But two factors indicate that Ruth’s and Leitel’s “matches” are very different: 1) Much more than marrying for money was involved because Naomi undoubtedly knew Boaz’s character well and respected and trusted him completely. 2) Ruth was not at all interested in any younger men, no matter what their social status was, and that was already apparent to Boaz.

So, to whatever extent Naomi played the matchmaker, she was eminently successful. Despite the obvious massive differences in their backgrounds, Boaz and Ruth were well-matched. They were two-of-a-kind regarding excellent moral character. Having recently finished the book of Judges, we know that moral character was in low supply in the days of Ruth and Boaz.

That is a crucial principle that can be “gleaned” (pun intended) from that middle-of-the-night encounter between Ruth and Boaz and needs to be trumpeted in our day: Personal integrity commands at least as much respect and admiration under cover of darkness as in broad daylight.

“There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, ‘Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.’ And she said to her, ‘Go, my daughter.” Then she left and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.” Ruth 2:1-3 (NKJV)

We live in a “Lottery” culture. I remember when there was no lottery in the US, except the military draft lottery. But today, there are many ways to gamble, from different “ball” lotteries to scratch-off tickets. The lottery is based on the concept of luck. Statistically, there is almost no chance of ever winning a lottery, yet people still play the lotto religiously. You hear them say, “I feel lucky,” or “I’m due for a stretch of good luck about now.”

On the other hand, many people feel they are stuck on the other side of the luck aisle. They superstitiously believe they are cursed with bad luck and that nothing they do can change their circumstances. As the song of old goes, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all…born under a bad sign”. If Naomi and Ruth had been superstitious, they might well have blamed luck. Their compounded misfortune had forced them into a hand-to-mouth existence. It also caused Naomi a great deal of embarrassment before her former neighbors when she returned to Bethlehem.

Interestingly, although Naomi does not try to explain her difficulties by the concept of “luck,” the writer of Ruth appears to do so at the beginning of Ruth 2. The writer uses the term: It happened. If we skip through the narrative, it could be assumed that God believes in luck, and He is personally uninvolved in our lives. The verse could be taken to mean: As luck would have it, she happened upon…” But, praise God, we have verse 12!

“The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Ruth 2:12 (NKJV)

When the dust settles on the story of Ruth (and on our personal stories), we are left with a sobering yet hopeful reminder that God is not a God of “luck.” He is the God of providence! And what seems like unrelated events leading us on is actually the providence of a God in control, despite the decisions of others and in harmony with faithful decisions at the same time. (Romans 8:28) So, make your choice to choose the God who has chosen you! And rest in the knowledge that while He is in control, we are responsible for seeking Him while He unfolds His plan, by His wisdom and in His timing.

“Now it came to pass in those days when the judges ruled that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the land of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion – Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there.” Ruth 1:1-2 (NKJV)

So that we understand the message of Ruth’s story, its author emphasizes that the events depicted here occurred during the time of the Judges. It was a time after Joshua’s leadership when men did what was right in their own eyes. More than walking away from God’s Word, the generation that arose after Joshua’s generation did not even know God’s Word enough to have walked away from it! The generation after Joshua had not been taught God’s Word by their fathers (Judges 2:10), who had obviously mixed worldly, pagan ideas with God’s prescribed way of worshiping Him, believing it was kosher to do so.

The story of Ruth begins with a man and his family leaving Bethlehem, Ephratha (Micah 5:2). Shakespeare famously asked, “What’s in a name?” But names are very important in the book of Ruth! First, we have the father, Elimelech, whose name means “God is my king.” Next is Naomi, whose name means “Pleasant.” Their names denote that when God is King of your family, life is pleasant. But there was a problem. Elimelech abandoned God’s “promised” land because of famine in Israel, representing a spiritual famine among God’s people. Israel could not persevere faithfully. Elimelech sought refuge in worldly Moab. At this point, we are told the names of Elimelech’s sons: Mahlon and Chilion, whose names mean “Sick and Tired.” Lesson: When you forsake God as King, the fruit of your worldly pursuits leaves you sick and tired. As Naomi will say later, “Do not call me ‘Naomi’ (Pleasant), call me ‘Mara’ (Bitter). In contrast to the children of Israel disregarding God as King, we meet a Moabite girl, Ruth (her name means “friend”), who receives Him, by faith.

“But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. The Lord do so to me more also, if anything but death parts you and me.’” Ruth 1:16-17 (NKJV)

Compare God’s acceptance of a penitent Moabite with Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah.

“And now the Lord says, Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and My God shall be My strength); indeed He said, ‘It is too small a thing that You shall be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel: I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My Salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Isaiah 49:5-6 (NKJV)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Judges 21. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“The whole Israelite army went to Bethel where they wept and sat before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. Then the Israelites inquired of the Lord. In those days, the ark of the covenant of God was there, and Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, was serving before it. The Israelites asked: ‘Should we again fight against our brothers the Benjaminites or should we stop?’ The Lord answered: ‘Fight, because I will hand them over to you tomorrow.’ So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah. Judges 20:26-29 (HCSB)

Judges 20 is an example of “righteous indignation.” That is, once the Lord ordered Benjamin to be destroyed, the rest of Israel put family relations aside in pursuit of God’s will. This begs the question: Have you avoided holding a family member or someone close to you accountable because you don’t want to damage the relationship? Well, the truth is that the relationship is already damaged! Avoiding the “elephant in the room” will only prolong someone’s dysfunction. You should never value a relationship itself more than the well-being of the other person in the relationship. At that point, you’re only in the relationship for how it makes you feel. That’s not a relationship. That’s co-dependence.

We have learned over the past few chapters (because God has reinforced this idea daily) that the times of the Judges were times when people did what was right “in their own minds.” In Chapter 20, the “children of Israel” (Joshua 20:17) decided to unify and go to war against their brothers, the tribe of Benjamin. Before they went to war, they sought the Lord, Who directed them into battle. The problem arose when, after having sought the Lord and received His direction, Israel was soundly defeated by Benjamin. Men died. One may ask, “Is that fair? Why would God direct His people into battle and then allow them to lose?”

Perhaps, God was drawing Israel into a deeper relationship with Him. It is as if the people sought the Lord flippantly the first time and anxiously the second. When they approached Him from those postures, the Lord answered, “Of course, you should fight!” because it was the appropriate response to the offense. Yet, He did not promise Israel victory over Benjamin until they were truly broken and recognized their dependence upon Him. How do you approach the Lord? From a posture of scarcity (lack of resources) or abundance (recognizing God has more than enough resources to accomplish any task or situation He leads us to)?

One final thing to consider as we exit the “outrage in Benjamin” with respect to Gibeah is how the Lord chose a Benjamite from Gibeah to be king when the people asked. Beware of getting what you ask for.

“Samuel said to all the people, ‘Do you see the one the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among the entire population.’ And all the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!’ Samuel proclaimed to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them on a scroll, which he placed in the presence of the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each to his home. Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, and brave men whose hearts God had touched went with him.” 1 Samuel 10:24-26 (HCSB)

“And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel…” Judges 19:1a (NKJV)‍

I want to frame the happenings in Chapter 19 around a recurring statement in recent chapters, and we find it again at the end of the book of Judges.

“In those days, there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted.”  Judges 21:25 (HCSB)

The last three chapters in Judges have been given the titles “Outrage In Benjamin,” “War In Benjamin,” and “Brides For Benjamin.” There are profound lessons about the decline, judgment, and restoration of a people. It is important to view the end of Judges through the lens of Romans 11.

In chapter 19, there are two scenes that resemble tragic and shameful events in Scripture.

First, there is the image of the Levite and his entourage searching for a place to stay the night. It is a picture of Joseph and Mary looking for shelter the night Jesus was born.

“While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.” Luke 2:6-7 (HCSB)

Then, there is the Sodom and Gomorrah-esque image of the perverted men of Gibeah wanting to sleep with the Levite man. The story is almost an exact retelling of the Sodom story, down to the old man offering his virgin daughter. God was sending a message that the moral condition of Israel was as bad as it gets.

“The two angels entered Sodom in the evening as Lot sat at Sodom’s gate. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them. He bowed with his face to the ground and said, ‘My lords, turn aside to your servant’s house, wash your feet, and spend the night. Then you can get up early and go on your way.’ ‘No,’ they said. “We would rather spend the night in the square.’ But he urged them so strongly that they followed him and went into his house. He prepared a feast and baked unleavened bread for them, and they ate. Before they went to bed, the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, the whole population, surrounded the house. They called out to Lot and said, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can have sex with them!’ Lot went out to them at the entrance and shut the door behind him. He said, ‘Don’t do this evil, my brothers. Look, I’ve got two daughters who haven’t had sexual relations with a man. I’ll bring them out to you, and you can do whatever you want to them. However, don’t do anything to these men, because they have come under the protection of my roof.’ ‘Get out of the way!’ they said, adding, ‘This one came here as a foreigner, but he’s acting like a judge! Now we’ll do more harm to you than to them.’ They put pressure on Lot and came up to break down the door. But the angels reached out, brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.’” Genesis 19:1-10 (HCSB)

By what standard do you measure our nation’s morality? If you measure it by society’s standards, then things that infuriate God probably don’t bother you, much. But if you measure our morality by God’s standard, then you should pray for our revival because we are on the verge of another of God’s reckonings!