The BOOK – David’s Rise

The second book of Samuel describes the enthronement of God’s King, David, and the establishment of the “House of David” through which the Messiah, Christ Jesus, should later come. When Christ comes again, he will sit upon the throne of David (Isaiah 9:7, Luke 1:32).

The contents of this book will be easier to remember if we study it as a biography. First can be summarized as the testing days of David.

·         Called from the Sheepfold (1 Samuel 16:11-13)

·         Given victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

·         Persecuted by Saul (1 Samuel 18 to end)

Since the children of Israel clamoured for a King, God gave them one after their own heart, Saul. Then he gave them one after his own heart, David. The summary of 2^nd Samuel is

·         David was made the King over Judah (2 Samuel 1-4)

·         David’s sin (2 Samuel 11)

·         David was made King over all Israel (2 Samuel 5-24)

David was a man after God’s own heart – not because of boasted perfection, but because of confessed imperfections. His start was slow and discouraging. But David had faith in God. He was patient and was willing to wait for God to lead. He was humble in his success and when he sinned he genuinely repented. He never forgot that God was supreme. When he sinned, he bowed in patience and sorrow, and God forgave him. 

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. The cause of its weakness was that God was against it. 

One of the great results of David’s kingship was the unity of the whole nation under him as leader. We find a united people under a young leader united to God. He captured Jerusalem, made it the capital, built it bigger and stronger and unified the people. He wished and wanted to bring the Ark of God into the new ruling centre, After the Ark, he called Nathan, the prophet and consulted him about building a temple for Jehovah. But God had a different purpose for David. 

A real servant learns what God’s will is and yields the will to the Master’s.  Sometimes God does things which may hurt you for a while, but the real purpose will be blossomed at the appointed time and you will understand why you went through all the hurdles.

 May God help you to understand his will, like that of David and lead a life pleasing to God and reap the blessings from him, Amen.

The BOOK - The King Proven

From 1 Samuel 16 to 31, we see Prophet Samuel mourning for Saul. God rebukes him and tells him to arise and anoint the new King (1 Samuel 16:1).

David was one of the greatest characters of all times. He made contributions to the history of Israel both spiritually and nationally. He was the son of Jesse and great grandson of Ruth and Boaz. He was born in Bethlehem. He was the youngest of eight sons. When David was only eighteen, God told Samuel to anoint him King to succeed Saul. Here when Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint David, we see the most important aspect in God’s ministry. Jesse lined up all his seven sons except David. But God called David who was treated not high as his brothers. Same way, the world may treat you low, but God who sees everyone’s heart can call you, even if you are weak in all the walks of life. Once he got anointed he had to fight his life against wild animals. Same way once you are anointed, you need to fight against all the oppositions enemy brings before you, and mind, with God you will have the last laugh.

When David was promised to a high command in the army, his great success roused the jealousy of Saul who determined to kill him. He made five attacks on David’s life (1 Samuel 19:10, 15. 20-21, 23-24). But God preserved David. “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31). David was delivered from all these dangers. Psalms written by David talks about this (Psalm 59, 37). All this was the training for the one whom God was preparing for the throne. He not only learned how to handle men, but also how to handle himself. He became independent and courageous. He learned to trust God, not men. He always awaited God’s time.

David grew under his trials and afflictions. Instead of letting Saul’s hatred harden his heart, he returned love for hate. He learned to be a warrior. He was to become the head of a great-nation, and God was training him for active service. 

Twice was Saul’s life in David’s hand but both times he spared Saul. After Saul and his sons were killed by the Philistines David’s exile ended, which started when Saul tried to kill him.  Saul died on the field of battle by his own hand. Advantages and opportunities in youth never guarantee success in manhood. One must keep true to God. Saul’s undoing was not so much disobedience, as half-hearted obedience. He was a victim of human pride and jealousy.

May the opportunities and blessings God gave you, be utilized carefully for your life and your generations for the glory of God, Amen

The BOOK – People’s Choice

Royal history begins with the book of Samuel. The events recorded in 1 Samuel cover a period of about 115 years from the childhood of Samuel to the beginning of the reign of David. This book may be divided under the names of three of its chief characters – Samuel, Saul and David. 

This book of Samuel opens with the record of Hannah, praying for a son whom God could use. Samuel, the last of the Judges, was God’s answer to this prayer. Samuel was a child of prayer (1 Samuel 3:1-19). When the nation wanted a King, Samuel prayed unto the Lord (1 Samuel 8:6). Samuel grew into manhood and assumed the leadership for which he had been born. He established a school for the prophets at his home in Ramah. Finally we see people wanted to be like all the nations and wanted a King and he prayed to God and granted their request.

We either can have God’s best or his second best, his directive will or his permissive will. Saul, their first King was a failure. He was handsome to look at, he was tall and of a noble mien. He started out splendidly and proved to be an able military leader. He was humble first, but we find him becoming proud and disobedient to God. No man had a greater opportunity than Saul and no man ever was a greater failure. 

The only reason any soul is ever rejected by God is that that soul has first rejected God. God takes the initiative in love. “We love because he first loved us” – 1 John 4:19. People take the initiative in sin (1 Samuel 15:23)

When Saul failed, Samuel was faithful in warning him, and then in loneliness he mourned over him. Finally in a battle with the Philistines, Saul and his three sons met death. Here a life so full of promise ended in defeat and failure. Saul had not obeyed God absolutely.

God is showing in this book that he must be all in all; that his children have no blessing apart from him. After reading this book, I urge you to take choices wisely when blessing pours in your life because according to your choice you change your destiny. God bless you.