August 3-7

Then David died and was buried

with his ancestors in the City of David.
He died at a ripe old age,
having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor.
I Kings 2:10 & I Chronicles 29:28



Monday
Beloved, today we have gathered together to pay tribute to an extraordinary man. Generations to come will tell of his greatness; how God took a young boy from shepherding his father’s sheep, groomed him in the wilderness, and prepared him to become the shepherd of His people. His songs will be sung from one generation to the next. His faith in God and His word will inspire people throughout time. His testimony of God’s faithfulness in places of difficulty will encourage many in their darkest hours.

David’s legacy will live on in the life of his seed. God has promised him an enduring house. He has promised him that one from his loins will sit on the throne forever. Some have tried to gain the rule over God’s people through self-ambition and have endeavored to appoint themselves as king, but their plans have failed and God’s choice remains.

What will we remember about this mighty man? Will we remember his humble beginnings? With his last breath David reminded us from where he came. Will we remember the hardship he endured in the wilderness as jealous people sought to snuff out his flame? Honestly, who could forget it? Will we remember him as a mighty warrior? The people still sing, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” Will his songs be his greatest legacy? What psalmist could compare? Or perhaps some will choose to remember his failings, his sin. He only had one that made God’s list, and God forgave him for it. Unfortunately, many are not able to see his repentant heart, nor can they evaluate the tremendous consequences David paid for his sin. All they will remember is that he failed.

There are so many things that we can remember about this man, but the one that stands out above all the rest is that David was a man after God’s own heart! Two things David put a higher value on than anything else was God’s presence and His Word. Knowing God was his life’s ambition.

As we leave this gravesite today, may David’s songs continually remind us that we have a Rock, a Fortress, a Shelter in which we can hide. May we be reminded that every event and emotion we struggle with in our life’s journey finds release when we bring it into God’s presence. May we be encouraged to find God’s path and continually walk in it. And may we never lose hope that one day the eternal throne of David will rule from Jerusalem and he will forever have a Seed to reign on his throne!

Tuesday – Friday
Although we have buried David, we will spend the next few weeks pouring over his life as we read through the Psalms. We will be reminded of his high points and his low points. We will stand with him on the mountaintop as he declares God’s greatness, and sit with him in the valley as he struggles with feelings of abandonment. One thing remained constant no matter what David faced, he knew his answers lay in seeking God. If he were enjoying success, he would remember where he had come from and remind himself that he was only there because of God’s choice. If he were in a place of wandering and struggle, he would remember God’s promises and hold on to them because he knew God was faithful to His word.

David wasn’t afraid to have God search his inner thoughts. Sometimes he asked God to do it because he knew the integrity of his heart. Other times he bowed to God’s scrutiny because he knew the heart is deceitful and only God can reveal it. Let each Psalm remind you of all that this man went through in life, and may you be encouraged that God’s unfailing love is there for each of us as well.

The Psalms are filled with glimpses of the coming Messiah. Don’t miss their message of hope regarding the reign of the Son of David, the Eternal King. They are also filled with prophecies regarding Christ’s sacrifice. May they inspire praise for God’s faithfulness to accomplish His promises, and encourage your faith, knowing that He is able to fulfill all that He has spoken. And always remember that His lovingkindness endures forever!!!

July 27-31

When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity, and said to the angel who destroyed the people, “It is enough! Now relax your hand!” And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. II Samuel 24:16



Our journey this week begins by taking us into some perplexing territory. At first glance, it appears that the accounts of David’s census contradict each other. II Samuel tells us that “the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and it incited David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” But in I Chronicles 21 it says, “Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.” But let’s see if we can’t put the puzzle pieces together and get the whole picture.

A Census
The first thing we have to establish is the law governing a census. God gave some definite regulations to taking a census. God commanded Moses saying,

When you take a census of the sons of Israel to number them, then each one of them shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them. Exodus 30:12

When David realized his sin and repented, God gave him three choices. David’s response was to let God make the proper choice, just don’t let it be at the hands of his enemies. And what did God choose? His choice was the very thing God said He would do if a census were not taken properly; He sent a plague!

The half a shekel that was collected from each individual was considered “atonement money” (Exodus 30:16) and was to be given to the Lord as a heave offering. (Exodus 30:14)

The only history of any censuses before this time was during Moses’ lifetime. In each instance, God had commanded that a census be taken. The first census raised money for the Tabernacle. Two years later, before the Israelites left Mt. Sinai, and as they prepared to go to Canaan to take the land, God ordered another census. This time they were being mustered as an army getting ready for battle. The third census was taken after their forty years of wandering resulting from their lack of obedience. Once again, God mustered the troops to do what their fathers had failed to accomplish, i.e. take the land. Each of these censuses had been initiated by God and was done in direct obedience to God’s command.

David’s Reason for a Census
We know that David had numbered the men in his army. We’ve seen the numbers from each tribe that came to him at Hebron. All twelve tribes, including the tribe of Levi, were accounted for. But this did not constitute a true census. A true census looked at potential; David numbered what already was.

Joab’s reaction to the order to take a census gives us another clue to David’s rational concerning the matter. Basically Joab questioned, “Why?” There was no logical reason for this census to be taken. This event occurred near the end of David’s reign. God had proven Himself to David! David knew that the strength God had given him in his fighting men was more than sufficient. So what good were these numbers? There could only be one plausible conclusion; David wanted to gloat in the potential of his armed forces. It could all be boiled down into one word P-R-I-D-E!

God or Satan
That brings us to the next question. Did God prompt David to sin, or did Satan entice him? Let’s compare the text.

Now again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and it incited (Heb. “suth”) David against them to say, “Go number Israel and Judah. (II Samuel 24:1)

Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved (Heb. “suth”) David to number Israel. (I Chronicles 21:1)

Obviously, God was not pleased with something He saw in the nation as a whole. Perhaps the nation had begun to look more to David as their savior and provider, than to God. God knew David’s heart.

As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever… (I Kings 9:4)

…because David did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite. (I Kings 15:6)

Although pride had begun to take root in David’s heart, God saw his integrity. Would David want the nation to put him above God? I don’t think so! And so God dealt with Israel through David. I don’t know when David wrote Psalm 19, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it weren’t shortly after this whole incident. Listen to his words.

Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression. (Psalm 19:12)

Looking at the text, it says that God’s anger burned against Israel and His anger incited David to sin. How did God’s anger incite David to sin? I believe we can find the answer to the riddle when we look at the life of another individual who cause God’s anger to burn.

Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. (Exodus 4:14)

God had called Moses to go and speak to Pharaoh, but Moses struggled with his lack of confidence. In God’s anger, He backed off and allowed Moses to have what was in his heart. It was not what God wanted, but it was what He had to do at the moment. In the situation with Israel and David, God saw Israel’s sin, He knew the temptation in David’s heart to reach for glory, and in His anger, God backed away and allowed David and the nation to be vulnerable to attack. When Satan saw God’s hedge lift, he wasted no time hitting his mark. It says he “stood” against David. The word can actually mean to “lean against.” He put pressure on David and “moved” him to take action. Had David’s feet been securely planted, he would not have been so easily moved!

And so who moved David to sin? The Scriptures are correct! God moved away in His anger and Satan moved it! Both had direct influence on David’s actions! There is no contradiction!!!

It would take a book to examine the mysteries and truths surrounding the place where God stayed the angel’s hand. It was the same place God stayed Abraham’s hand and kept him from sacrificing Isaac. It is the place God chose to establish the Temple. What was this place? It was a threshing floor; a place of separation, the place where what is worthless is separated from what is desirable. The threshing floor was where God called Gideon to deliver his people, and where Ruth presented herself to Boaz to either accept or reject. God refers to the final judgment as a threshing floor. So much to see! So much to glean! Before the Temple could ever be built, God wanted them to see what it would be built on! You may want to take a bit of time and become familiar with the powerful message of the threshing floor. God still uses them today!

We finish our week listening to David set his house in order as he prepares to pass the baton on to his son Solomon. David has lived a full life. There is much he was able to do, but there is still much to be done. The call on David’s life was bigger than him, and it was time to ensure his successor would continue the work. No wonder David once wrote:

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. (Psalm 34:11)

And to that, I say a good hardy AMEN!

July 20-24

“Return the Ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then He will bring me back again and show me both it and His habitation. But if He should say thus, ‘I have no delight in you,’ behold here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.” II Samuel 15:25-26



Monday
I once wrote a proverb that said, “If faith is in our mouth, we will find our foot there less often.” If ever there were a man who exemplified that truth, it would be David! Our week begins with David’s escape from his son Absalom. Absalom has worked hard at stealing the hearts of the people and usurping his father’s authority. One can only wonder how and why this young man had drifted so far. There are some hidden clues that can give us a bit of insight.

1. He had lost respect for his father.
Since the prophecy given to David after his sin with Bathsheba speaks of a sword in his family, and Absalom is the fulfillment of that word, could it be that God saw something in Absalom’s heart that caused Him to single Absalom out? Could it be that Absalom held his father in contempt and took on the role of David’s judge? Obviously, he didn’t trust his father to deal righteously with his sister Tamar’s situation.

2. He took on the appearance of authority he didn’t have.
A chariot, horses, bodyguards, all spoke of kingly authority. All of it was self-proclaimed!

3. He portrayed himself as the man with all the answers.
“If only I were judge, I would do what is right!” How often do we find that attitude? How often is it found in ourselves?!?

4. He portrays himself as one of them.
His false humility gave the people the sense that they were his equal and therefore understood their problems more accurately.

5. He used religion when it suited his purpose.
He told his dad that he was going to Hebron to offer sacrifice to the Lord to fulfill a vow.

Insubordination, which is the fruit of rebellion, is always at the heart of insurrection! And yet David doesn’t rise up to his own defense. He leaves his judgment to God. Now that’s real faith!!! Even when Shemei is throwing rocks and cursing David, he is willing to wait and see if there is any truth to his judgment. David knew something extremely important in regards to cursing! Curses can only come in where there is an open door. Listen to David’s words.

“Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”

There is a principal regarding cursing that is found in this account that we would do well to remember. A curse spoken on someone who is righteous will not take hold, but will return upon the one who spoke it! There are times that God will have someone speak bitter word against the righteous, not because they deserves it, but God knows the curse will come back on the on speaking it. They are literally cursing themselves!!!

Tuesday
We have two Psalms on the agenda today. There is no question in my mind that Psalm 3 belongs in this part of our journey, but I am certain that Psalm 63 does not. It belonged with David’s exile in the wilderness when he was avoiding Saul. Once you have finished your reading for the day, go back to Psalm 63 and see if you can find the reasons this is placed incorrectly.

Wednesday
Today we watch a father’s grief. Obviously Joab was not a grief counselor and did not understand why David was so overwhelmed. Joab was correct in his words that David needed to pull himself together and address his men properly, but his rebuke brought no healing to David. I’m not sure anyone’s words could have done that. David is seeing the fruit of his deeds. Nathan the prophet had spoken God’s judgment several years earlier – the son of his infidelity would die as an infant and the sword would take the other. I am certain that this was David’s inspiration when he ordered his generals to deal gently with Absalom. He realized that this was a result of his doing. May we always remember that some sins have long-lasting consequences!

Once again we see Joab take the life of someone he felt threatened by, and this time it was his own cousin. If you have never done so, I would encourage you to go back to I Chronicles 2:12-17 and make a family tree of David’s relatives. It will be a great aid to understanding why David made some of his decisions.

Thursday
Once again, we hear David sing a song to his God, his Judge, his Defender, his Refuge! Time doesn’t begin to allow me to dissect the story of the Gibeonites. As many of you recall, I’ve written a book on that one!!!

The battles with the 4 Philistine giants give us a glimpse into David’s waning strength. The whole ordeal with Absalom had taken its toll. Until that point, we had observed a very robust David, but there are some things that can age a person. Fortunately for David, God gave him rest from his adversaries and the fear of David and the strength of his kingdom spread to the nations.

Friday
David’s song of salvation brings our very busy week to a close. May its words of declaration and praise sweep over your soul and bring you peace. I’m sure they did that for David!

July 13-17

Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, “Thus says the Lord of Hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be ruler over My people Israel.” (II Samuel 7:8)





This week we join David in his beautiful palace as he contemplates his gorgeous surroundings, while considering that the God who has blessed him beyond his wildest dreams still lives in a tent. How could he be content when the One who gave him so much, has so little? David’s conclusion that he should build God a house seemed logical even to the Nathan, the man of God. It’s a good thing that Nathan kept his heart and mind open to hear the word of the Lord!

Have you noticed how often God speaks to people in the night? I know that it’s a good time for Him to get my attention. Like Nathan, when I am awake, my mind tends to look at things through the eyes of logic. But when my heart and my mind are still, often God is able to bypass my reason and give me His understanding.

What amazes me about God’s response to David’s desire is that, instead of allowing David to build Him a house, God establishes David’s house! Wow!!! You can never out give God!!!!!! The beautiful thing about David is that he understands that all these things have happened to him because of God’s choice, not because of his greatness. Overwhelmed by God’s goodness, all David can think to do is sit in God’s presence and express his thoughts and gratitude.

On Tuesday we meet David’s cabinet that consists of his army commander, his historian, his priests, the captain of his bodyguard, and his chief associates. We see David’s integrity as he completes setting his house in order by fulfilling his vow to his friend Jonathan and seeking anyone from his lineage to show kindness to.

What a difference a day makes! On Thursday we learn what good eyesight David has. He’s just finished his afternoon siesta and steps out on his balcony to get a breath of fresh air and what to his wandering eye doth appear!?!?! David inquires who this bathing beauty is and it’s all down hill from there! Understanding who Bathsheba is will be a great help in the days to come. David is told that she is “the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” We have heard both of these names before. Remember when we saw the list of David’s thirty mighty men. You may want to look at it again in II Samuel 23:24-39. Pay particular attention to verses 34 and 39. Quickly we discover that Uriah and Eliam were in close relationship with each other, they were both numbered with the thirty. These men fought side by side. They ate together. Spent days on end in the military camp together. They weren’t just somewhat familiar with each other – they were close comrades! Because of their status, they would have lived in close proximity to David – OBVIOUSLY! They would also want their daughters to marry men who held the same social status that they did. And so we see that Eliam had given his daughter Bathsheba to Uriah the Hittite - all the more reason we can be assured that Eliam and Uriah were close friends. But there is another important piece to this puzzle that we must discover and hold on to for future reference. Who is Eliam’s father? A quick glance reveals that it was a man named Ahithophel. That makes Ahithophel Bathsheba’s grandfather. Whatever you do, don’t forget that piece of information!!!

Later, God says that this is the only time David’s heart turned from following Him.

But for David ‘s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem; because David did what was right in the sight of the Lord and had not turned aside from any thing that He commanded him all the days of his life except in the case of Uriah the Hittite. (I Kings 15:5)

And what a blunder it was!!! When God sends Nathan to confront David of his sin, God paints a picture that deeply touches his heart. The imagery used gives us a picture into a shepherd’s life. The description of the man with his little ewe lamb is precious.

But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb which he bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and his children It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him. II Samuel 12:3.

This was not just another sheep in a flock – this little lamb was part of the family. God knew David would identify with what it was like to have an ewe lamb as a pet. When I hear the description, I can’t help but think about Iverna Tompkins. Iverna’s dogs don’t know they are not people! Iverna doesn’t know that they are not people!!! She loves her pets with a mother’s love!!! David must have felt the same way about certain sheep in his flock. The metaphoric narrative struck David right in the heart!

Although David was quick to repent, there were consequences for his actions, some short term and some long term. The short-term consequence was that his son would die. The long-term consequence was also that his son would die! So often we hear preaches try to convince people that once God forgives us, there won’t be any consequences for the things we have done. Nothing could be farther from the truth. David did the only thing he could do in that situation – cry out for God’s mercy! David also willingly accepted God’s decision without any resentment when it didn’t go as he had hoped.

God’s acceptance of Solomon at his birth gives us a glimpse into the totality of David’s repentance. We will speak more of this later on in our journey. Another one of those events that we need to mark for future reference!!!
No doubt there were many things that took place between the death of Uriah and the rape of Tamar, but few of those details are relevant to understanding God’s eternal purpose. The story of Absalom is actually a continuation of what we discovered on Thursday. Absalom is the long-term consequence of David’s sin. We quickly learn that Absalom is a take-control, manipulative kind of guy. When his sister is assaulted, Absalom steps in and takes her to his house. He doesn’t bother to see if David will deal with it – he takes quickly matters into his own hands. He is patient and calculated in his plan for revenge. But who is Absalom? Of course we know he is one of David’s sons, but is there anything else we can learn about him from his background? Who was his mother and why did David marry her? Unlike the account of Abigail, the clues to this mystery are a little less obvious. You may want to take a few moments to see if you can connect some of the dots as you continue on this incredible journey

July 6-10

Let the heavens be glad,
And the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations,
“The Lord reigns.”
I Chronicles 16:31

What amazing expression music is!!! When we are happy and life is good, there is nothing like a song to give release to our emotions. When the pains of disappoint or loss overtake us, often our heaviness is easier to bear when we can express it in a sad melody. Music captures something that words alone often fail to convey – it captures the mood!

Although we begin our week by reading the words to David’s Song of the Bow, we do not have the privilege of hearing the tune. Did God only preserve the words because the melody was unimportant? No, I don’t think that is the reason. But music is changeable from one generation to the next. Each age bracket seems to define itself by two things, its clothes and its music. What my parents enjoyed seemed old fashioned to me. And what I grew up loving, seemed “old hat” to my kids. And so it goes from generation to generation. The one thing that doesn’t change is the heart of the song that is expressed in its words.

The message contained in the words of the Song of the Bow tells us a great deal about Saul and Jonathan. From it, we learn of their strength as warriors. We get a glimpse into Jonathan’s love for his father, in spite of his dad’s shortcomings. We see why the people of Israel embraced Saul. Hopefully, as you read the words of the song, you don’t fail to miss the information it gives.

On Tuesday we get a closer look at David’s life in Hebron. We are introduced to his wives and his sons. The last we heard of his wives, he only had two with him in the wilderness. Obviously, he had left Michal behind when he fled Saul. It might be a good idea to get to know his offspring! This information will be quite helpful in the weeks to come.

On Tuesday we also see what happens when someone holds on to resentment. Joab is an interesting man. What is even more interesting is that David tolerates him!!! Some may ask the questions, “Didn’t Joab have a right to avenge his brother Ashahel’s death?” The answer is quite simply, “NO!” Ashael died in battle! He was pursuing Abner to kill him. Abner had every right to kill Ashael. You may even remember that Abner tried to get Ashael to stop chasing him – he really didn’t want to be the cause of his death. Obviously, Abner knew that in doing so, he would incur the wrath of his brothers – an he was right!

You may also be asking, “Why David was willing to give Abner such a prestigious place in his army?” The answer is really quite obvious – David knew he was a man of honor. He had faithfully served Saul all his life. David would have also, had Saul not allowed jealousy to destroy their relationship. David recognized that, as long as Saul was still alive, he was still God’s anointed. We must remember that David had served under Abner for a number of years. He knew his character and respected who he was.

And what about David’s mighty men? There are some names on that list that need to be recorded in your memory bank! Take a moment to register the information given on Eliam, Joab, and Uriah specifically. Write it down somewhere!!! You’re going to need it!!!!!

On Wednesday we need to dig out our best duds and attend a coronation ball. The leaders of Israel have requested David to be there king. As David begins his reign over the whole house of Israel, we find his throne still in Hebron. Is it any wonder that there is still so much tension over Hebron today? Once again, it would serve us well to pay attention to what takes place in this important city. It was in this city David was first made king over Judah, and now he is made king over all of Israel.

Obviously, there were many other things that took place in David’s life, but only certain highlights are recorded. When we understand that the God’s Word is not written to give us the whole history of Israel, but only those things that will help us understand God’s eternal plan, we understand the progression of events more clearly. Our next event takes us into the battle for Jerusalem. As we so well know, this city has become the hottest place on earth. Thousands of years after David made it the capital of Israel, it remains the most sought after real estate in the world!!!

With the transfer of the ark to Jerusalem an amazing paradigm was set in order. Those who were trusted God’s ordained sacrifices could find forgiveness, along with all His rules and regulations, at the Tabernacle in Gibeon. Those who sought His presence had to come to the City of the King, Jerusalem. I have no doubt that many of you will connect the dots quickly!!!!!!!

Our week began with a funeral dirge lamenting the death of Saul and Jonathan. We end out week with a song of praise. Once can only imagine how different those melodies sounded. Unlike the Song of the Bow that instructs people not to publish the bad new, our last song for the week calls on all creation to declare, “Our God reigns!!!” So grab your guitars, sit down at your pianos, turn up your iPod with your favorite praise song and sing with me at the top of your voice, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel! YHWH reigns!!!”

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Trail Stops

David’s Wives and Sons with him in Hebron

Mother’s Name Mother’s Lineage Son’s Name Other Pertinent Info.







Sons Born in Jerusalem

Mother’s Name Mother’s Lineage Son’s Name Other Pertinent Info