KJB Daily
Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Thursday, March 31, 2016
Chapters: 2 Samuel 1-3
Message: 2 Samuel: Prospering Under God
Hello My Friend,
The Book of 2 Samuel is the tenth book of the Bible/Old Testament and contains twenty-four chapters. The author of the book is uncertain, and it was first written to the Israelites. The timeline for these events took place approximately 1056 BC to 1017 BC. The purpose of the book was to record David's forty year reign as king and how God dealt with him and all His people during that time. What we are to learn from the book is that God carries out His plan through those who are obedient to Him despite their occasional mishaps. We are to remain in the will of God through all our walks of life, even if we fall God is with us and will pick us back up as long as we call upon Him. “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.” - 2 Samuel 22:7.
Lies, we have all been caught in lies over the years, hopefully it was when we were younger and have since learned that no lie is a good lie. Lies benefit no one, and there is no such thing as a little white lie, those also have consequences. 2 Samuel continues where 1 Samuel left off, it had been three days since Saul and three of his sons were killed. A man finds David and tells him the news of his and Jonathan's death and got something he was not expecting.
“Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed? And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.” - 2 Samuel 1:11-16.
“Thy blood be upon thy head;” This man thought that he was going to get praise for saying he was the one who killed Saul, what he got was himself killed. Lies destroy lives, whether David knew he was lying or not, this man lost his life because of his lie. People will not get very far in life by making up lies to benefit themselves or anyone else. Even a lie told under good intentions leads to problems, if people are truthful and do what they are told to to begin with they would not get into situations where they need to come up with lies in the first place. “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.” - Proverbs 19:9.
As Christians we must understand that we do not need to lie or cheat our way to a prosperous life, God will help us prosper Himself, through our faith, trust, and obedience in Him. Now, with Saul gone, the opportunity for David to become king was now available, but instead of immediately taking the throne he asks God where he should go, and He tells him Hebron, a city in Judah territory. He became king over the house of Judah, but Saul's Captain of the guard, Abner got the rest of Israel side with him and make Saul's last living son, Ishbosheth king.
“And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.” - 2 Samuel 2:1-5,8,9.
“And made him king over Gilead,” David asked God first where he ought to go, and while it was not all of Israel, He still became a king. However, Abner wanted to make sure he gained control of Saul's army and get even higher up in rank, and deceitfully got the people to make Ishbosheth king. With most careers everyone starts at the bottom and progresses toward the top with hard work and dedication, it works the same way with God. With hard work and dedication to Him He will lead us to prosperity one step at a time. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalms 1:1-3.
In an attempt to find out Abner's plan, Asahel, a successful young man in David's army was killed when he was following him. Fearing for his life, Abner goes to David and lies to him in an attempt to join forces with him, but his lies caught up to him and he was killed also.
“And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.” - 2 Samuel 3:19-21,30-34.
“Died Abner as a fool dieth?” Fool, One who is destitute of reason, or the common powers of understanding; an idiot. I use to hate the word idiot, but the truth is people can do some idiotic things in order to get ahead. Those who lie and cheat their way to the top will always lose. When we allow God to handle things under His hand, we save ourselves a lot of pain, suffering, and perhaps even premature death. “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” - 1 Peter 3:10-12,17,18.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through David's sorrow over Saul's death (1:17). He did not dwell upon all his years of suffering at the hand of Saul, but dwelt only upon the pleasant things. Jesus Christ, who forgave His enemies, from the cross, said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” - Luke 23:34.
Today's Prayer: God, When we come to You regarding the situations we do not quite understand or have no personal ability to change we find peace and stability in our lives through You. Lord, help me to let go and let You handle all the situations in my life, all I am doing is hurting myself and hindering You if I try to go above You. When I seek You I know You can show me something mighty as I trust and depend on You to help me be prosperous in all that I do on Your time table. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date: Thursday, March 31, 2016
Chapters: 2 Samuel 1-3
Message: 2 Samuel: Prospering Under God
Hello My Friend,
The Book of 2 Samuel is the tenth book of the Bible/Old Testament and contains twenty-four chapters. The author of the book is uncertain, and it was first written to the Israelites. The timeline for these events took place approximately 1056 BC to 1017 BC. The purpose of the book was to record David's forty year reign as king and how God dealt with him and all His people during that time. What we are to learn from the book is that God carries out His plan through those who are obedient to Him despite their occasional mishaps. We are to remain in the will of God through all our walks of life, even if we fall God is with us and will pick us back up as long as we call upon Him. “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.” - 2 Samuel 22:7.
Lies, we have all been caught in lies over the years, hopefully it was when we were younger and have since learned that no lie is a good lie. Lies benefit no one, and there is no such thing as a little white lie, those also have consequences. 2 Samuel continues where 1 Samuel left off, it had been three days since Saul and three of his sons were killed. A man finds David and tells him the news of his and Jonathan's death and got something he was not expecting.
“Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed? And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.” - 2 Samuel 1:11-16.
“Thy blood be upon thy head;” This man thought that he was going to get praise for saying he was the one who killed Saul, what he got was himself killed. Lies destroy lives, whether David knew he was lying or not, this man lost his life because of his lie. People will not get very far in life by making up lies to benefit themselves or anyone else. Even a lie told under good intentions leads to problems, if people are truthful and do what they are told to to begin with they would not get into situations where they need to come up with lies in the first place. “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.” - Proverbs 19:9.
As Christians we must understand that we do not need to lie or cheat our way to a prosperous life, God will help us prosper Himself, through our faith, trust, and obedience in Him. Now, with Saul gone, the opportunity for David to become king was now available, but instead of immediately taking the throne he asks God where he should go, and He tells him Hebron, a city in Judah territory. He became king over the house of Judah, but Saul's Captain of the guard, Abner got the rest of Israel side with him and make Saul's last living son, Ishbosheth king.
“And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.” - 2 Samuel 2:1-5,8,9.
“And made him king over Gilead,” David asked God first where he ought to go, and while it was not all of Israel, He still became a king. However, Abner wanted to make sure he gained control of Saul's army and get even higher up in rank, and deceitfully got the people to make Ishbosheth king. With most careers everyone starts at the bottom and progresses toward the top with hard work and dedication, it works the same way with God. With hard work and dedication to Him He will lead us to prosperity one step at a time. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalms 1:1-3.
In an attempt to find out Abner's plan, Asahel, a successful young man in David's army was killed when he was following him. Fearing for his life, Abner goes to David and lies to him in an attempt to join forces with him, but his lies caught up to him and he was killed also.
“And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.” - 2 Samuel 3:19-21,30-34.
“Died Abner as a fool dieth?” Fool, One who is destitute of reason, or the common powers of understanding; an idiot. I use to hate the word idiot, but the truth is people can do some idiotic things in order to get ahead. Those who lie and cheat their way to the top will always lose. When we allow God to handle things under His hand, we save ourselves a lot of pain, suffering, and perhaps even premature death. “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” - 1 Peter 3:10-12,17,18.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through David's sorrow over Saul's death (1:17). He did not dwell upon all his years of suffering at the hand of Saul, but dwelt only upon the pleasant things. Jesus Christ, who forgave His enemies, from the cross, said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” - Luke 23:34.
Today's Prayer: God, When we come to You regarding the situations we do not quite understand or have no personal ability to change we find peace and stability in our lives through You. Lord, help me to let go and let You handle all the situations in my life, all I am doing is hurting myself and hindering You if I try to go above You. When I seek You I know You can show me something mighty as I trust and depend on You to help me be prosperous in all that I do on Your time table. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Read Previous Devotions: http://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
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