Tag: David

Psalm 54

Psalm 54 is related to both 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 26. The inscription gives us the account of Saul being informed by the Ziphites of David’s whereabouts. The inscription also informs us that it is a Maskil of David, which is a skilled instruction given at an annual celebration.

Psalm 54 is related to both 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 26. The inscription gives us the account of Saul being informed by the Ziphites of David’s whereabouts. The inscription also informs us that it is a Maskil of David, which is a skilled instruction given at an annual celebration.

Verses 1-3-David pleas to God for protection from Saul and vindication of the actions of the Ziphites. He goes to the only one who can help; he turns to God who hears our prayers. Verse three gives us insight into David, Saul, and the Ziphites. David set his eyes on God, which implies the others were setting their eyes on worldly things. Saul’s focus was an earthly kingdom and power. The Ziphites may have had wealth, protection by Saul, or power as their focus. God wants us to always have Him as our focus. It is His desire to be preeminent in our lives (Colossians 1.18).

Selah. Where is your focus? Is it on what God has required, what you have desired, or what the world decides? The answer to that question can be found in to whom or what you “pray.” Can and do you go to God with the desires of your heart, with the pains that surround you, and with the joys you are given? Or, are you pleased with what you have, complain about your circumstances, and merely enjoy what comes your way? If the latter are true, your focus is on what you have desired or what the word decides. If you cannot go to God for the matters on your heart, it is due to sin. This sin is either that the activity or item in life is sinful or that your heart is placing you above Him.

Verses 4-5-David’s prayers are for his enemies to be destroyed. Read the comments on Psalm 140 for insight into our enemies. We either destroy that which stands against God or are destroyed by them. As an aside, when God changes the hearts of our enemies, He has destroyed them for now they are our friends.

Verses 6-7-Some view this as written after the fact that David received his answer and then offered the freewill offering as a sign of gratitude to God. It can be seen as faith where David knows that God delivers and will do so for him. In this knowledge David offers his sacrifice out of gratitude for whom God is not necessarily for what He has done or will do (Leviticus 22:21–23; 23:38).

Are you in the habit of thanking God for who He is rather than for what He has done or will do? David prayed to God to take control (He is sovereign), to protect (He is omnipotent), and to vindicate (He is Judge) because he knew that God hears our prayers (He is omniscient), God helps us (He is Good), and He can help us (He is sovereign). Our only response to all that He is to us is praise or thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5.12-24). As with David, God is our Helper (Hebrews 13.6) and our only response to that is to offer our freewill offering of praise to Him (Hebrews 13.15-16).

1 Samuel 26

I am not sure whose payrolls the Ziphites were on; however, each time David hides in their territory, the report him to Saul (1 Samuel 23.15-29). In this chapter, they report David to Saul again. In 1 Samuel 24, David could have killed Saul but spared his life because Saul is God’s anointed. In this chapter the same story plays out for Saul and David.

1 Samuel 26

I am not sure whose payrolls the Ziphites were on; however, each time David hides in their territory, the report him to Saul (1 Samuel 23.15-29). In this chapter, they report David to Saul again. In 1 Samuel 24, David could have killed Saul but spared his life because Saul is God’s anointed. In this chapter the same story plays out for Saul and David.

The stories are different in a few ways. David took Saul’s spear while he was “relieving” himself in chapter 24. In chapter 26 David takes Saul’s spear and water. Water was an important commodity in this arid place.

Three interesting characters are introduced in this chapter:

This chapter presents the love David has for God and the trust he has in God. He refuses to kill Saul and entrusts Saul’s life into God’s hands. If God wants Saul dead, He will do it in His own time. He protects Saul again. Saul repents again. David compares himself to the most common insect in the area (here and in 1 Samuel 24.14). David is insignificant as compared to what Saul should be fighting (the giant Philistines?). Saul asks David to return; however, they both go their separate ways at the end of the chapter. David knew better than to trust the apparent repentance of Saul.

Whom are we fighting? Who comes against us? What are our reactions to them, no matter how many times they come?

1 Samuel 25.2-44

David settles in the wilderness of Paran, which is west of En-Gedi. David speaks to a man from Carmel, which was the town Saul created a monument to himself. Sometimes the best places to hide from an enemy is in plain sight.

1 Samuel 25.2-44

David settles in the wilderness of Paran, which is west of En-Gedi. David speaks to a man from Carmel, which was the town Saul created a monument to himself. Sometimes the best places to hide from an enemy is in plain sight.

What David requests of Nabal in verses 2-8 sounds like extortion. However, this was a common custom due to the presence of robbers. This area was known for having many thieves. David was protecting Nabal’s men and possessions from these men. David should have considered what the response would have been from a man whose name means “fool” (1 Samuel 25.25).

David’s request was rejected by Nabal in the next paragraph. The rejection was a crass statement on David’s legitimacy. This enraged David and he set off to battle Nabal with four hundred men.

The main characters in this chapter each present a way we can respond to what others do for us. This paragraph shows us the response of Nabal and of David. The rest of the chapter shows Abigail’s response.

We see Nabal’s response was to repay evil for good (10-11). When he refused to share what he had with David, he was acting foolish. We see that his household was set up for failure because of this attitude (Proverbs 17.13).

The next response is David’s response to what Nabal did as returning evil for evil (12-13). David’s plan was to punish Nabal and his household for being so disrespectful and inhospitable. David was hurt and reacted in anger. David was stopped from doing this by Nabal’s wife, Abigail. It is interesting that David had greater patience for Saul than he did for Nabal. This presents the truth of Song of Solomon 2.15 that shows the little things can destroy us. Or, this was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.

One of the servants of Nabal reported to Abigail, not Nabal, to inform her of the truth of David’s words (14-17). His words reflected the character of each of the main characters:

  • David was kind and protective
  • Nabal was a foolish, disrespectful, and harsh man.
  • Abigail would know what to do.

Abigail responded with the kindness that is common in the middle east and did what Nabal should have done. She prepared the food as David had requested (18-20). She reflected the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. She went to David, without Nabal’s consent for he would not have given it to her even though it is the right thing to do. When a spouse or authority asks us to do something that is against God’s will or is harmful to others (in this case it was not against God’s law for her not to go to David but would be harmful if she did not go; also, it was not against God’s law for her to go), we need to politely do what God has commanded us to do (Acts 4.13-22)

After David considered what Abigail said and did for Nabal and him (26-31), he repented of his words and did not complete his actions (32-35). Abigail showed David that we overcome evil, not with evil, but with good (Proverbs 20:22 and 24.29 with Romans 12.19). In her speech to him, Abigail reminds David of who Nabal is, who he is, who God is, and the consequences of completing this act. Do you have someone like that in your life?

When Abigail returns to Nabal, he is doing for himself exactly what David requested he do for David. For this pride, God struck him dead.

David is already married to Michal, Saul’s daughter. Saul, after the separation between him and David, gave Michal to another (verse 44). God would later condemn and judge the people of Gallim for this and other crimes (Isaiah 10.30). Second Samuel 3.12-16 presents the end of this story when Michal is returned to David. When he hears Nabal is dead, he courts Abigail and marries her. The writer then lists the other wives of David.

A few sidebars for this chapter:

  • The only time the term “forgive” is mentioned in this book is in verse 28.
  • Verse 29 shows that Abigail had rehearsed and practice her speech before she said the words to David. If you read them, they are quite poetic.
  • In verse three, the writer provides a description of Abigail whose name means “father of joy.” He states she was outwardly and inwardly beautiful.
  • In this chapter names describe character. If you were to be renamed, what would you be called?

1 Samuel 25.1

The events of this chapter occur in the Wilderness of Paran, particularly the in the vicinity of Carmel (the town not the mount). Looking at the map, this is located due west of En-Gedi and the Dead Sea.

 1 Samuel 25

The events of this chapter occur in the Wilderness of Paran, particularly the in the vicinity of Carmel (the town not the mount). Looking at the map, this is located due west of En-Gedi and the Dead Sea.

When reading through this chapter, take note of the character traits presented. The main characters are Samuel (1), David, Abigail, and Nabal (2-42).

When we were last in 1 Samuel, we read that Saul acknowledged that David would be the next king. This chapter opens with the death of Samuel. Samuel’s death is recorded here after Saul’s pronouncement of David’s kingship. Its placement is carefully planned by the writer of 1 Samuel. Samuel was the last of the judges, the first of the prophets, and served as a priest. These are important. For our study, the last judge’s death gives way to the first true king of Israel’s reign.

Saul was respected by the nation. Samuel’s life is a testimony of his influence and reign as Judge over all Israel. God used this one man to change the face of the nation and to prepare that nation for their first king, David.

After Samuel’s death, David went to mourn in a deserted place.

Jesus is the one true King. He has been proclaimed the King of all kings (1 Timothy 6.11-16). Are we announcing that He is coming to reign over all (Revelation 19)? Are we heralding His reign in our hearts by the way we imitate His live, His love (1 John 4.7-21)? After you are gone, who will assemble and praise the life God lived through you?

Psalm 142

David again is crying out from a cave (Adullam?) for God’s help. He knows his strength is gone. He knows it is only through God that he is able to continue God’s work.

Psalm 142

David again is crying out from a cave (Adullam?) for God’s help. He knows his strength is gone. He knows it is only through God that he is able to continue God’s work. How aware are we that we are not able to do things for His kingdom without His strength? There are times I wonder how we think we can do God’s work without God’s power (Philippians 4.13).

Psalm 141

Psalm 141
David, according to the title, is seeking not to be consumed by evil.

Psalm 141

A friend wrote a song based on this passage. Here are the lyrics. I may place the music online as-well later this week.

David, according to the title, is seeking not to be consumed by evil.

Verses 1-2-David calls out to the only one who can truly help. That one is God. David shows the importance of prayer. It is a sacrifice to God. What are you in prayer for today? When you are overwhelmed with evil (read comments from Psalm 140), to whom do you turn?

Verses 3-4-David knows our tendency to sin (as did Paul in Romans 7). He realized that he would begin to sin if God did not intervene. Are we that aware of our own propensity to sin? We need God to keep us from sin.

Verses 5-7-David knows accountability is key to growth. It is not the words of the flatterer he is seeking. His desire is for truth to be told him, no matter how painful. Who is in your life to help you honestly view your life?

Verses 8-10-He calls to God one more time for deliverance. He is persistent in prayer, are we?

Psalm 120

Psalm 120 is one of the songs of ascents. The others are Psalms 121-134. These were sung by the Israelites as they journeyed to Jerusalem for their annual feasts. Some say these are what Jesus sang on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed by Judas (John 18).

Psalm 120 is one of the songs of ascents. The others are Psalms 121-134. These were sung by the Israelites as they journeyed to Jerusalem for their annual feasts. Some say these are what Jesus sang on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed by Judas (John 18).

Although this Psalm is not ascribed to David, it does reflect what was happening in David’s journeys through 1 Samuel.

Men, such as Doeg, were lying and stating evil of David. This does cause pain that lasts throughout life. Words can and do destroy us.

Meshech is a descendant of Japheth. He, and the location, are in major judgment from God in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 27.13, 21; 38.2, 3; and 39.1). Kedar is the second born from Ishmael. Kedar, the location, was to be destroyed by judgment from God (Isaiah 21.16 and 60.7).

The writer speaks his heart for peace while those around him speak for war. This could be a veiled reference to the time David spent in Gath with the Philistines who did not desire peace with Israel. Not much hope nor mention of God in the passage outside of deliverance from these evildoers.

Psalm 52

Psalm 52 is a short Psalm that provides the historical context of when Doeg was sent by Saul to kill Ahimelech’s family in 1 Samuel 21 and 22.

Psalm 52 is a short Psalm that provides a poetic backdrop to the historical context of when Doeg was sent by Saul to kill Ahimelech’s family in 1 Samuel 21 and 22.
 
Verses 1-3-Historically, Doeg lies about Ahimelech. He told Saul that Ahimelech was conspiring against his kingdom when he said that Ahimelech was aiding David’s escape (1 Samuel 22.9-10). What words are you speaking today? Do they reflect godliness or wickedness? Do you enjoy gossip? Do you tell half-truths, which are lies, in order to get out of trouble? When you do this, you are emulating Doeg. This is why David places the Selah here.
 
Verses 4-5-David pronounces God’s judgment on Doeg and all who are like him. Selah, consider that the next time you speak words.
 
Verses 6-7-The Hebrew here is interesting at the end of verse seven. Instead of the word “wealth” it has “in his destruction.” Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 6.10 that the pursuit of wealth (anything other than the pursuit of God) leads to destruction (Proverbs 14.12).
 
Verses 8-9-David ends this Psalm with confidence in whom God is and an exclamation of praise before God’s people. We should never belittle what God has done in our lives. We need to tell what the Lord has done for us on a regular basis. We need to do this because He is good. When was the last time you gave praise for what God has done?

Psalm 34

Today we are provided a better look into the heart and mind of David when he faced difficult circumstances. David’s career is filled with passion. Seldom do you read of David being complacent about life. David gave his all to what he did.

Today we are provided a better look into the heart and mind of David when he faced difficult circumstances. David’s career is filled with passion. Seldom do you read of David being complacent about life. David gave his all to what he did. Sometimes that passion was for God and other times that passion was for himself. In the psalms we have been and will be studying based on his early life (7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 120, 140, 141, and 142), we see his passion for God.

Psalm 34 informs us, in the inscription, of the historical context of the Psalm. If you recall, the Hebrew version of the Psalms includes the inscriptions as a verse. Without the title as a verse, this psalm forms an acrostic.  This Psalm is found played out in history in 1 Samuel 21.10-15 where David acted crazy in order to escape from king Abimelech who is called Achish in the passages in Samuel (1 Samuel 21.10-15 and 1 Samuel 27 and 29). If you read the psalm, it does not sound like it fits with the historical passage. However, David wrote it and ascribed the historical context to it. There are times when we wax poetic after we have encountered danger. It is more praise to God for the deliverance than an account of the deliverance. Such is the case with Psalm 34.

Verses 1-3-As the Psalm is read it is difficult not to look to God to praise Him. This is the purpose of the Psalm. David commands us to look to God to magnify Him. This doesn’t mean that we attempt to make God big but that we look to see Him as He is in reality. A telescope does not make the universe bigger. It helps us see how large it is in reality.

Verses 4-10-As Psalm 31 and 32 present to us the effects of sin on our bodies, these verses present to us the effect of God on our bodies. When we are in fellowship, much like Moses, are faces reflect Him, our bodies are refreshed, our minds are at ease, our fears are alleviated, and shame or disgrace in not our lot.

Verses 11-14-Second Timothy 2.22, Hebrews 12.14, and 1 Corinthians 15.33 both reflect the ideas presented in these verses. If we desire to live the life God created for us to live, we need to pursue God with a passion that is also found in those with whom we are friends.

Verses 15-18-David understands the mission of God in this world is to bring people back into right relationship and fellowship with Himself. Only the humble or the righteous will find Him. Those who are proud, who do what is right in their own eyes (Proverbs 14.12), He will oppose the proud.   Remember, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble  Jesus mentions this as His mission in life in His first sermon (Luke 4.18.19).

Verses 19-22-These verses reflect the previous four verses. When verse 20 is read, we see a reference to the day Christ was crucified in John 19.33 and 36.

This passage offers hope to those who are in dire straits. What do you do when times are tough? Is your focus on the circumstances or on the God who is greater than all of them (1 John 4.4)?

Psalm 31

Psalm 31 presents another Psalm of David during the time of fleeing from Saul that we have been read about in 1 Samuel 21-24. A brief reading of this psalm presents th early flight of David from Saul. However, others think it is more closely related to when his son Absalom was in rebellion toward the end of David’s life. The text reads better in light of En-gedi and Adullam early in David’s life (verse 2).

Psalm 31 presents another Psalm of David during the time of fleeing from Saul that we have been read about in 1 Samuel 21-24. A brief reading of this psalm presents th early flight of David from Saul. However, others think it is more closely related to when his son Absalom was in rebellion toward the end of David’s life. The text reads better in light of En-gedi and Adullam early in David’s life (verse 2).

Verses 1-2-David is begging God to vindicate him, to listen to him, to rescue him. During this time of turmoil, David knew to whom he should look for protection. The caves are temporary but God is eternal.

Verses 3-5-David realized the truth purpose of God allowing the circumstances befalling David. That purpose is to bring glory to God. David knows that God is his Savior. He knows that he has been redeemed spiritually by God and realizes God can deliver him physically too.

Verses 6-8-Once again David speaks of God’s deliverance and how God has placed him in the straight place due to David’s trust in God.

Verses 9-10-David uses the same imagery of his body wasting away due to his adultery with Bathsheba in Psalm 32. If we could grab hold of what sin does to the body as well as the spirit, we might be less inclined to sin.

Verses 11-13-David doesn’t seem to be able to trust anyone. Who in his midst or around him is working for Saul? His neighbors are his enemies.

Verses 14-18-He turns his attention to the truth of whom God is and of His power. When we are surrounded, we need to remember to focus on God and who He is not the situation we find ourselves in at the moment. Do your circumstances overwhelm you? Well, God is greater than your circumstances (1 John 4.4).

Verses 19-20-God is sovereign and holds complete power.

Verses 21-22-When we cry out to Him, He listens (verses 1 and 22). But, we need to cry out to Him. When we think He is far from us, He is merely a whisper away.

Verses 23-24-This is a call for the saints to love God because of who He is and what He has done. Again, the motif of waiting on the Lord as we read in Psalm 27.

Our courage is only in Him for He alone is eternal and omnipotent. Where is your help coming from?