Read 1 Samuel 25
Highlights:
Death of Samuel; David's refusal to slay Saul; Saul confesses his sin; David flees to Gath.
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear . . . And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless? (I Sam. 26:8-9).
David had an opportunity to remove the only person blocking his reign over Israel (23:15-18).
Never were David's men more wrong than when they quoted a prophecy to justify killing Saul (24:4). Saul was still the Lord's anointed king — the man God had appointed to rule over His people Israel. David realized he must honor the powers ordained of God until the Lord Himself removed Saul from the throne.
On another occasion, Abishai insisted: God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand: now therefore let me smite him (26:8). On both occasions, David's reaction proved his submission to the authority of God when he refused to kill Saul and seize the throne. He had been anointed king of Israel long ago, but he would not mar this sacred responsibility.
Through many days of humbly seeking the Lord, God had prepared David to receive the kingdom in a spirit of grateful dependence upon Him. His prayer revealed his submission to God when he said: My times are in Thy hand (Ps. 31:15).
The most important lesson that we need to learn from David is that no one can keep us from the Lord's best for our life. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Rom. 8:35-37). Every person, problem, and disappointment that comes into our life is a servant of God to develop within us His mercy, patience, and long-suffering. Once these facts are recognized, we will realize how self-destructive ill will, resentment, jealousy, or envy are — even if we think someone else is getting the credit for what we have done or is keeping us from what we think is best for our lives.
Still today, the people of God are prepared for service to Him as we put the Lord's will above our own desires.
O my God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed (Ps. 25:2-3).
Thought for Today:
Decisions made without a regard for the will of God can never receive His blessings.
Christ Revealed:
By Abigail's efforts to make peace between David and Nabal (I Sam. 25:21-28). God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself (II Cor. 5:19).
Word Studies:
25:3 churlish = harsh, cruel, rude; 25:14 railed on = insulted; 25:15 were conversant with = associated with; 25:21 requited = returned, repaid; 25:27 blessing = gift; 25:28 a sure house = a lasting dynasty; 25:29 bound in the bundle of life = safe in the care of the Lord; 26:5 in the trench = inside the barricade; 26:7 bolster = headrest, pillow; 26:15 kept = guarded; 26:24 set by = valued; 27:1 coast = territory; 27:10 road = raid; 27:11 manner = behavior.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Sam Hall • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Country: Austria (8.1 million) in central Europe • Major language: German • Religious freedom • 78% Catholic; 6% Protestant; 3% Other Christian; 2% Muslim; .1% Jewish; 1.9% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Offering praise and thanks to God is a sacrifice pleasing to Him (Heb. 13:15).
Optional Reading: Acts 10
Memory Verse for the Week: John 11:25
