2 Samuel 9-10: Bread Always At My Table
Verse of the Day: (9:10) Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread always at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

1. Bread (9:1-13)
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. (9:7)

If there was ever the kindest man on earth, he must be King David. Not only did he spared the life of Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, and the grandson of King Saul who many times tried to kill him, but David invited him, his servants and their families to his palace, and even restored to him all the land that belonged to Saul, and best of all, he invited him to eat at his table as one of his princes. Indeed, David was a type of Christ, God’s Son, who came down from heaven to die for the sins of the world. Whoever believes in Him shall never perish in hell, but have eternal life with Him in heaven, and shall never go hungry physically and spiritually as He is the Bread of Life. (John 6:48-51)
  
2. Beard (10:1-5)
Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. (10:4)

Not only King David demonstrated his kindness to the grandson of the late King Saul, he also showed kindness to the people of Ammon, the enemies of Israel. However, the princes of Ammon were suspicious of David’s kindness and they shaved off one half of the beard of David’s ambassadors that not only humiliate them but David’s leadership. Indeed, many times when we do good, evil come upon us, yet we must continue to do good to all including our enemies as God shall richly bless and keep us. (Galatians 6:7-10) 

3. Battle (10:6-19)
When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: (10:9)

As David prepared for battle against the Ammonites because of the humiliation, they hired the Syrians for reinforcement to fight against Israel. When the battle turned against Israel, Joab, David’s captain, chose his best soldiers, and divided them into 2 formations, one led by him and the other by Abishai, his brother. They eventually defeated their enemies because of great teamwork, and above all, God was with them. (Psalms 108:13)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I shall never be hungry as You are my Bread of Life.

2 Samuel 7-8: An House For My Name
Verse of the Day: (7:13) He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

1. House (7:1-17)
That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. (7:2)

If there was the greatest and strongest Israel it must be during the reign of King David. As David defeated his enemies, rested from wars and then built his house of cedar, he contemplated of the fact that the ark of God only dwelt in a tent. David shared with Prophet Nathan his desire to build God’s house, and Nathan agreed. However, God spoke to David that he would only prepare the materials for His house, as Solomon, his son, shall build it. God also prophesied to David that His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour, who shall come from his lineage shall establish His house and kingdom that shall last forever. Though David was a man after God’s heart, yet most of his descendants including Solomon and the people of Israel rebelled against God, and subsequently He allowed their enemies to defeat and destroy them including His house. However, by God’s infinite grace, one day, during the Millennium, which is after the Rapture, and the 7 years of Great Tribulation, Jesus shall come again, and this time, He shall reign on the new earth establishing His house and kingdom in Israel forever. Today, God’s house or Holy Spirit dwells in us when we truly believe and trust in Him. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)   

2. Heart (7:18-29)
For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. (7:27)

God richly blessed King David by referring Jesus Christ, His Son, as the son of David at the beginning of the New Testament (Matthew 1:1), and then almost at the end of the New Testament, He again refers Jesus Christ as the root and offspring of David. (Revelation 22:16) Indeed, let us be like David, a man after God’s heart. (Acts 13:22-24)

3. Horse (8:1-18)
And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. (8:4)

Though King David was a man of war, yet he crippled most of the chariot horses so that they were no longer be used for battles, as he knew the evils of war. Indeed, though God loves sinners, yet He hates and punishes the sins of man. Let us therefore believe in Jesus Christ, and confess and repent our sins and received His gift of eternal life. (Romans 6:23)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your House dwells within my heart as I believe in You.

2 Samuel 5-6: The Ark Of God
Verse of the Day: (6:2) And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

1. Anoint (5:1-25)
So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. (5:3)

This was the 3rd time that David was anointed, and this time he was now the king of all Israel and Judah. The 1st time he was anointed by Prophet Samuel before his family, (1 Samuel 16:13) and the 2nd time he was anointed by his own tribe, Judah. (2 Samuel 2:7) David reigned for 40 years since he was the king at the age of 30 as he ruled over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, and he reigned over all Israel and Judah for 33 years. Indeed, the road to leadership is not easy, as we must not only be called of God, equipped by God, but we must also gain the respect of and acceptance from the people. (Hebrews 13:17-18)

2. Ark (6:1-19)
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. (6:7)

God commanded David that His ark which represented His presence must be brought to the tabernacle at Jerusalem where he ruled so that all the people shall worship and offer their burnt and peace sacrifices before their God. However, along the way, God took Uzzah’s life, because he failed to realise the holiness of His ark, and should never have held it when the oxen that pulled it shook it. Subsequently, David and his people realised their mistakes, and brought God’s ark to Jerusalem with great joy. Indeed, God’s Spirit, like His ark, resides in us, as we are now His holy tabernacles. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

3. Appoint (6:20-23)
And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. (6:21)

Micah could not understand her husband, King David, uncovering his royal robe before his people to rejoice and worship God after His ark was brought into the tabernacle, because she was far away from God, and never know that God’s great desires are for His people to worship Him. On the other hand, David was truly thankful and grateful to God as not only God anointed and appointed him as the King of Israel, but God was with him throughout his life journey in good as well as bad times. Indeed, let us thank and worship God in truth and spirit, for who He is, and what He has done for and in us. (John 4:21-24)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your Ark is now residing in me as I believe in You.

2 Samuel 3-4: Long War
Verse of the Day: (3:1) Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. 

1. War (3:1-21)
And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. (3:6)

Pride makes a man goes against authority and God. Abner, the captain of Israel under King Ishbosheth was the real power behind the throne and even had relationship with the late King Saul’s concubine. When Ishbosheth rebuked him, Abner, who was older and more experienced than him, revealed to him that he would initiate the reunification of Israel with Judah whose king was David. Indeed, after a long war with Judah, Abner realised that God was with David. Ishbosheth relented as he feared him. David agreed to the unification on condition that his wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter, returned to him. Ishbosheth agreed, and the long war ceased. Indeed, we also have a long war with Satan, the devil, and we can only overcome him when we truly believe in Jesus, God’s Son, and put on His whole armour until the day we are with Him in heaven. (Ephesians 6:10-24)

2. Weak (3:22-39)
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. (3:39)

While David forgave Abner for the long war which he and his army fought against him, yet David’s captain, Joab, hated Abner, because Abner killed his brother, Asahel. Without David’s knowledge, Joab lured Abner out and killed him under his fifth rib which was at his heart. David was grieved when he heard of Abner’s death, and he warned Joab that he shall reap the consequences of his sins. Let us be forgiving, because while we were yet sinners, God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. (Romans 5:1-8)

3. Wicked (4:1-12)
How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? (4:11)

Rechab and Baanah, Ishbosheth’s 2 captains, killed Ishbosheth and brought his head to David thinking that they would be rewarded for the slaughter of David’s enemy, however David told them that as he had killed an Amalekite because he had allegedly killed Saul, and likewise he would kill them. David was indeed a loving and forgiving man. Let us therefore be loving and forgiving, as God is loving and forgiving. (Ephesians 4:31-32)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that that I daily defeat Satan by putting on Your armour.

2 Samuel 1-2: Swifter Than Eagles
Verse of the Day: (1:23) Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 

1. Swift (1:1-27)
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. (1:26)

The only time that we will never grieve for the loss of our loved ones is when we are in heaven reunited forever with God and our precious ones. (Revelation 21:1-4) David grieved for the passing of King Saul and his sons, especially Jonathan, his best friend. David grieved for Saul even when he tried to kill him several times. David loved God and His people including his enemies. Though Saul hated David, yet he loved his sons, especially Jonathan, as both of them were warriors who were swifter than eagles and stronger than lions, surpassed only by David who dared to face off and subsequently defeated Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior. Though David loved all, yet he killed the Amalekite because he claimed to kill Saul upon Saul’s command. The Amalekite thought that David would reward him for allegedly killing Saul, yet little did he know that David killed him, because he had killed God’s anointed man. David was indeed a man after God’s heart. Let us thus be swifter than eagles in following after God’s heart. (Acts 13:22)

2. Strengthen (2:1-7)
Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. (2:7)

David commended and strengthened the men of Jabeshgilead who risked their lives to retrieve the bodies of Saul and his sons from the Philistines’ territory. Indeed, our labour is never in vain as we serve God and not men. Even if no one notices our labour and even if we are never appreciated on this earth, let us know that our God notices our labours and He shall richly bless and reward us when we get to glorious heaven. (Galatians 6:7-10)

3. Serve (2:8-32)
And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. (2:13)

Saul’s servants made Ishbosheth as their king after Saul’s death, while David’s servants anointed David as their king. Israel was now divided, and hence Saul’s servants led by Abner challenged David’s servants led by Joab to a duel. David’s servants won, however it was a start of the end of Israel as throughout history there was no real peace and unity in Israel as they wrestled against God and one another. Indeed, let us submit to God, and live in unity, and love one another for God’s riches blessings to be upon us. (Psalms 133)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be swifter than eagles in following after God’s heart.

1 Samuel 31: The Battle Went Sore
Verse of the Day: (31:3) And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.

1. Battle (31:1-9)
And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul’s sons. (31:2)

Everyone whether good or evil must die, but only those who believe in God shall be with Him in heaven, otherwise they are condemned in fiery hell because of their sins. The Philistines defeated Israel during their battle, and Saul and his sons including Jonathan died. Jonathan was promoted to heaven because he demonstrated his love for God and His people, especially David, God’s anointed. (1 Samuel 20:1-4) Indeed, we who believe in and love God shall love others including our enemies, because how can we say we love God whom we cannot see, and yet hate others whom we can see. (1 John 4:20-21)

2. Body (31:10-11)
And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan. (31:10)

Satan, the Devil, will not hesitate to hurt and humiliate God’s people, as after all he is eternally condemned in fiery hell because of his pride and rebellion against God. (Revelation 20) The Philistines went all out to humiliate Israel as they fastened the bodies of King Saul and his sons to the wall of Bethshan. It was a tragic day for Israel. However, God is not mocked as He preserved David to succeed Saul to be the next king of Israel and led them to victory over the Philistines. Many times it may seem that God’s people suffer in shame and humiliation, yet God always preserves a remnant, like David and his men, who subsequently defeated their enemies, and honoured and glorified Him. Indeed, God always wins, and let us flee from sins, and walk worthy of His calling, and live victorious lives honouring and glorifying His name now and forever. (Colossians 1:9-17)

3. Bones (31:12-13)
And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. (31:13)

Though the Philistines defeated Israel, yet there arose from Israel, the valiant men of Jabeshgilead who risked their lives to retrieve the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Bethshan. They then took their bones and buried under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted 7 days to honour their king and his sons. Though King Saul was a disgrace to Israel, yet the men of Jabeshgilead honoured him and his sons because they honoured God’s anointed king. Indeed, we may not have godly leaders, yet we honour them because they are God’s appointed leaders as He has put them in power and authority. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are with me in all my life battles against the Devil.

1 Samuel 29 & 30: Encouraged Himself In The LORD
Verse of the Day: (30:6) And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

1. Evil (29:1-11)
Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not. (29:6)

Time will reveal the character of a person. Finally the Philistine King Achish told David that his leaders were suspicious of him as he was not only their enemy, but the Hebrew who slayed their warrior, Goliath. However, Achish also acknowledged the sincerity of David that he loved his people though they were his enemies. Indeed, let us who believe in the God of love, keep loving Him, and others, including our enemies. (1 John 4:7-21)

2. Encourage (30:1-7)
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; (30:1)

Many times I wondered why as a Christian and even as a Pastor, I suffered much yet God showed me from His Word that all His men shall suffer. David suffered too. David thought that he could live peacefully after he left the Philistines, yet when he returned to Ziklag he discovered that another of his enemies, the Amalekites, not only had burnt Ziklag, but they captured his loved ones and those of his men as hostages. They wept sore, and his men blamed him, but David encouraged himself in God. Indeed, let us encourage ourselves in God, as He is our Refuge, Strength and Help in time of trouble. (Psalms 46)

3. Enquire (30:8-31)
And David enquired at the LORD. saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. (30:8)

Seek God first and everything shall fall in place. David not only encouraged himself in God, but he enquired God when he faced crises. God then commanded him to pursue the Amalekites. While pursuing the enemy, they found a sick Egyptian who was abandoned by them. David fed him and promised him that he would spare his life if he would reveal the location of the Amalekites. Subsequently David and his men invaded and defeated the Amalekites who were found eating, drinking, making merry and not prepared for battle. David and his men recovered everything, including their loved ones. (Matthew 6:33-34)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I can encourage myself in You and Your love for me.