2 Samuel 13:1

 2 Samuel 13:1 says, And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.  David's son Absalom had a sister, Tamar, who was loved, or lusted after, by David’s son Amnon, who evidently was a half-brother to her.  Matthew Henry says Amnon, though a son of David, must not have been of good moral character to have these feelings.  We as Christians cannot ensure that our children do not have sinful thoughts.  Of course, David had not always set a Godly example, and it is possible that at times we may not either.  Verse two adds, And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.  Amnon’s lust for his sister made him sick because he didn't feel that he could act on it because of her purity.  Sin can make us physically sick if it becomes an obsession that we cannot act on, but that is better acting on it.  Verse three continues, But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.  Amnon had a friend who was a subtil, or sneaky man we might say.  If we are looking to sin, we can most likely find someone who is willing to help us.  Verse four states, And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.  Jonadab, Amnon’s friend asked him why he was so lean, or sad, from day to day being the son of the king.  Others may think that our status in life should keep us happy and give us certain rights that others don't have, but as Christians we are all equal in God's sight.  Amnon told Jonadab that he loved his brother's sister, but I believe a more accurate statement would have been that he lusted for her. Verse five continues, And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.  Jonadab devised a plan for Amnon to be alone with his sister.  He was to go to bed claiming to be sick and when David came to ask about him, he was to ask that Tamar bring him food and feed him.  We may find others who are willing to assist us if we want to commit some sinful action.  They might even be willing to plan things out for us.  Verse six says, So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.  Amnon put the plan in action.  Now, I would think that David would have been curious about why it had to be Tamar who did this, since he had plenty of servants.  Sometimes, we may need to question the motives of others when they ask for something, and a followers of Christ, we need to at least ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit at all times.  I believe that had David been in prayer about the situation that God would have allowed him to see the truth about what was happening.  Verse seven adds, Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.  David simply did as Amnon had requested and sent Tamar to him.  David became an accomplise in Amnon's plan, even if it was as an unwitting one.  If we do not stay attuned to God's will we may be unwittingly used  by people of the worldcto accomplish sinful purposes. Verse eight continues, So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.  Tamar did as David had instructed her to do and went to Amnon’s house and baked him some cakes in his sight.  She was just an obedient daughter, and we should make certain that we never put our children in a harmful situation when they are simply being obedient to us.  Verse nine states, And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.  After Tamar baked the cakes, Amnon refused to eat until all the men were sent out of the room or house.  I have to wonder if anyone became suspicious of Amnon’s motives.  If we are confronted with what seem to be strange or unnecessary actions in a particular situation, we need to ask why this is necessary and not just blindly comply, even if the person telling us to do something is in a position of authority over us.  Verse ten continues, And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.  Amnon then asked Tamar to bring the food into his chamber so that he could eat from her hand, and she did.  She still had no reason for alarm, and we may be drawn closer to a sinful situation if we are not spiritually alert.

2 Samuel 12:21

2 Samuel 12:21 says, Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.  David’s servants were confused when he got up and ate after he heard the child was dead.  They wondered why he had fasted and prayed while the child was alive and now went on with life.  Verse twenty-two adds, And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?  David said that while the child was alive that he hoped that God might be gracious to him and the child might live, so he humbly appealed to God.  As long as someone is alive, there is hope and we are right to pray for them, but we must still accept God's will in the situation.  Verse twenty-three continues, But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.  David said that now that the child was dead, he couldn't bring him back.  One day, David said he would go to his son, but his son could never come back to him.  We must accept that once a person is dead, there is no purpose in praying for them anymore.  If they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, we will one day be with them in heaven once again if we have also accepted Him as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-four states, And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.  After the death of their son, David went to Bathsheba and comforted her.  Soon, they had another son named Solomon, meaning peaceful according to Matthew Henry, and the LORD loved him.  Just because David and Bathsheba had suffered because of their sin did not mean that God was going to be angry with them forever.  David had repented and been restored to a right relationship with God.  This is still true.  Our salvation, or right relationship with God, depends on our faith and if we sin and honestly repent, then that relationship is restored.  Even in his grief, David was still God's chosen king, and if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we are His child forever.  Verse twenty-five adds, And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.  God sent for Nathan the prophet and said the child would be called Jedidiah, meaning, Beloved of the LORD, again according to Matthew Henry.  Of course, we know him as Solomon.  Verse twenty-six says, And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.  During this time, Joab was still fighting against Rabbah, an Ammonite, and took the royal city from him.  Even while David was occupied with personal concerns, the war against the enemies of Israel did not cease.  We may be occupied with our own concerns at time and not actively involved in the war against evil, but if we are, we need to pray that other Christians are still fighting the battle.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.  Joab sent word to David of his success in taking the city of waters, which supplied other cities with water, from Rabbah.  If we could cut off the source of power, Satan himself, from supplying his troops, it would be wonderful, but we never will.  Verse twenty-eight continues, Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.  Joab sent for David to come and take credit for taking the city.  Joab was still humbly serving David, just as we as Christians must humbly serve Christ and give Him the honor and glory.  Verse twenty-nine states, And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.  We are then told that David went and fought against Rabbah and took it, though Joab had basically been responsible for the victory.  We should never attempt to take credit for what others have done for God.  Verse thirty adds, And he took their king’s crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David’s head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.  Matthew Henry says David was more interested in having the actual crown since it was very valuable, than he was in the victory.  We should never become more interested in material things than we are in spiritual victories.  Verse thirty-one continues, And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.  Matthew Henry says that David acted cruelly and really with dishonor toward the people of Ammon by the manner in which he put them to death.  As Matthew Henry states, it is one thing to kill an enemy in war and another to simply torture those who may have been captured.  We are not to treat our enemies cruelly if we do overcome them, but must act in a way that brings honor to God.  After this, David and all the people with him returned to Jerusalem. If we are successful in our fight against our enemies today, we must give God the glory and return to serve Him in the next battle. 

2 Samuel 12:13

2 Samuel 12:13 says, And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.  David confessed his sin to Nathan, and Nathan said God had put away his sin, so he wouldn't die immediately.  God puts aside our sins when we confess them and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and we will never die spiritually nor be separated from Him.  Verse fourteen adds, Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.  Nathan then added a howbeit and that was that since David’s actions would bring dishonor to God,  He said the child was going to die.  We might think this a great injustice to the child, but the child would immediately be transported to heaven, which is the greatest reward of all.  David and Bathsheba would be the ones to suffer.  What we need to realize is that when we as Christians sin there will be consequences in this life even though we have everlasting life with God.  Verse fifteen continues, And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.  After Nathan left, the child of David and Bathsheba was stricken by the LORD and became very sick.  Again, from the human perspective this might seem very cruel, but God sees things from the eternal perspective.  Since we are all just passing through this life to then either go to heaven or hell, the only two choices, the child was rewarded with everlasting life with God.  Verse sixteen states, David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.  David prayed to God for the child, fasted and laid down on the ground before God and the people.  David was sincere in his appeal to God and so must we be anytime we pray.  Verse seventeen adds, And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.  The elders of his house attempted to get David up and have him eat, but he wouldn't do it.  Like David, if we are sincerely humbling ourself before God, we should not allow others to stop us from doing so.  Verse eighteen continues, And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? After a week, the child died and David’s servants were afraid to tell him for fear of what he might do to himself when he heard the news.  Our fellow believers should never be afraid to tell us bad news because they are afraid of how we will react.  Verse nineteen declares, But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.  When David heard how his servants were whispering, he perceived that the child was dead and asked them.  They told him that the child was dead.  If we have bad news that we are reluctant to share with someone, we certainly have to tell them the truth when they ask us.  Verse twenty adds, Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.  After receiving the news, David got up, cleaned up, went to the house of the Lord and worshipped Him, and then went to his own house and asked for food.  When we realize that something we have been praying and agonizing about is settled, we need to get up and worship God before we do anything else, even if we don't get the answer that we wanted.  Then, we need to get on with our life following God's leadership.  

2 Samuel 12:1

2 Samuel 12:1 says, And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.  The prophet Nathan was sent by God to David.  As Christians, we need to go where the Holy Spirit sends us.  Nathan under God's guidance spoke to David about two men in the same city, one rich and one poor.  We certainly have enough of that in the world today.  Verse two adds, The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:  Verse three continues, But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.  The rich man had large flocks and herds, which he probably thought little about other than the fact that they were his.  The poor men had but one little lamb, which he had lovingly raised and treated like a daughter.  I believe those who are poor often tend to take a personal interest in and value what they have more those who are rich.  Verse four states, And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.  When a traveler came to the rich man, instead of killing one of his own lambs, he took the poor man's lamb and killed it.  I believe that figuratively speaking there are rich men today who are taking poor people's lambs.  Verse five adds, And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:  David was very angry at this rich man and said as the LORD lived, the man would die.  It is easy for us to have righteous indignation against other people, but we need to remember that we are all sinners saved by grace.  Verse six continues, And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.  David said that in addition to being put to death that the rich man would restore to the poor man four fold, because he had felt no pity in what he did.  I believe as a general rule the truly rich have little compassion on the poor.  They build bigger houses and yachts and such as the poor struggle just to have enough to eat.  Verse seven declares, And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;  Nathan the said to David that he was the rich man whom he had just condemned to death.  Of course, even if Uriah were alive, David could not restore his wife fourfold.  Nathan then gave David the message from God, saying that He had appointed David king of Israel and delivered him from Saul’s hand.  David was truly blessed by God.  As Christians, God has delivered us from sin and death, and we are truly blessed.  Verse eight continues, And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.  God pointed out all that He had given David  and told him if he needed more God would have given it to him if he had asked.  God has blessed us with everlasting life, and if we want more, we simply need to ask and He will always supply our needs.  David’s real problem was giving in to his wants and putting his plan into action to get what he wanted.  We should to never be guilty of this.  Verse nine asks, Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.  Nathan asked David how he could despise the commandment of the LORD by having Uriah killed by the Ammonites so that he could have his wife.  David may have thought no one would know what he did, with the possible exception of Joab, but God knew.  If we as followers of Christ sin against God's commandments, no one else may ever know, but God always will.  Verse ten adds, Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.  God then told David that he would never be free of war in his life because of his despising God and taking Uriah's wife.  If we give in to sin, until we repent and ask God's forgiveness, we will never have peace in our life as Christians.  Verse eleven continues, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.  God said that He would raise up evil from within David’s own house and that another would take his wives.   We can debate on whether God actually raises up evil, but personally I believe He simply knew what was going to happen without His protection.  I don't believe that God uses the mistreatment of others, which is what was going to happen to David's wives, to punish us.  We are all responsible for the consequences of our sins, and if others are harmed by them, I don't believe that God causes evil to punish us.  Verse twelve concludes, For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.  God said that even though David had committed this sin in secret that the people of Israel would see what happened to David.  There are no secret sins that we can hide forever.  God knows, and one day I believe that even as Christians if we sin one day we will have to answer for them before God.  Though we have everlasting life through our faith in Jesus Christ, this is never a license to sin.

2 Samuel 11:14

2 Samuel 11:14 says, And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.  Having failed in his plan to make Uriah believe that he was the father of the unborn baby, David devised another plan and sent a letter to Joab to have it put in effect.  He was now involving another in his sinful actions, and if we allow sin back into our lives, we often have others involved in it as well.  Verse fifteen adds, And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.  David told Joab to put Uriah in the hottest battle and then withdraw support from him so that he would be killed.  Joab was under David’s command, but he still could have refused to do this.  Even if someone is in power over us and commands us to do something sinful, we always have the choice to say no.  Verse sixteen continues, And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.  Joab assigned Uriah to a place where he knew valiant men were, or where there was the most danger.  All Uriah had ever done was be a loyal soldier and be married to Bathsheba.  We should never attempt to destroy those who are loyal servants of God, no matter our reasoning.  Verse seventeen states, And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.  The people of the city that Joab sent Uriah to battle against came out and killed some of Joab's troops, including Uriah.  It could even be that Uriah would have been assigned to this battle without David’s instructions, but David had made Joab and himself responsible for his death by their actions.  Even though someone might have been destroyed without our actions, if we deliberately seek their destruction we must bear the responsibility for our actions.  Verse eighteen adds, Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;   Verse nineteen continues, And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,  Joab sent a messenger to David to update him on the war technically, but he was actually telling David that Uriah was dead as we will see.  Joab was not acting as an honorable soldier, but as an agent of sin.  We as Christians should never allow ourselves to become a party to the sins of others.  Verse twenty says, And if so be that the king’s wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?  Joab said that David might question his tactics in approaching so close to the wall of the city where it would be very dangerous.  Verse twenty-one adds, Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.  Joab said that they had the example of Abimelech being killed by a woman with a piece of pottery when he got too close to the wall.  I believe Joab was afraid that David might use the bad tactics to get rid of him, but he included the fact that Uriah was killed in the action.  He knew what David wanted done and did it, but I am not sure that he totally trusted David to not then have him killed, but he did have the knowledge of David's instructions that he could use in his defense.  Those who are joined together in sinful actions often are afraid to totally trust each other, especially if one has power over the other one.  Verse twenty-two continues, So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.  The messenger brought the report to David.  I believe that all David really wanted to hear was that Uriah was dead so he could hide his sinful action.  Personally, I don't believe David was concerned about the others who died as well. He had gotten what he wanted.  Those engaged in sinful actions often are not concerned about others that they may harm as well.  Verse twenty-three states, And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.  Verse twenty-four adds, And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.  The messenger gave an accurate report of what had happened, concluding with the fact that Uriah was dead.  Of course, he didn't realize that this was the purpose of the raid to start with.  Verse twenty-five continues, Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.  David sent a message back to Joab telling him not to be disheartened by what had happened and that there was no determining who would die in war, even though they had conspired to make sure that Uriah did.  David was covering their actions as a normal outcome of war.  We should never be surprised if people engaged in sinful actions today attempt to make what they are doing seem to be a normal thing.  Verse twenty-six says, And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.  Bathsheba had been unfaithful to Uriah, but she still mourned his death.  She didn't know anything about David’s plot to have Uriah killed, and she was now an expectant mother without a husband.  She did not know David’s intentions either at this time.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.  After her time of mourning, David sent for Bathsheba and she became one of his wives and they had a son.  It would seem that things had turned out as David wanted, but he had a big problem.   God was displeased with David’s actions.  No matter how successful we may be in carrying out actions that are sinful in God's eyes, He will always know and we will always have a problem. 

2 Samuel 11:1

2 Samuel 11:1 says, And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.  After a year, when the weather permitted and kings went out to battle each other,  David sent Joab and the army of Israel out and they destroyed the Ammonites and besieged the city of Rabbah.  Though the rest of the Ammonites were defeated, the people of the city of Rabbah were able to hold out for a while.  We may have sins that hold out for a while after we have defeated most of them by the power of God.  David did not go but remained in Jerusalem.  We should not send others to fight against evil in the world as we ourselves remain in safety.  Verse two adds, And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.  While remaining in Jerusalem, David was walking on his rooftop when he saw a beautiful woman washing herself.  Instead of being out leading his army, David had idle time on his hands, and was about to bring dishonor to himself and to God.  If we begin to just sit back and enjoy life instead of actively doing what God calls us to do, then we open ourselves up to temptation and it is always going to seem beautiful at the time.  Verse three continues, And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?  Instead of looking away and not allowing himself to be tempted, David sought to find out who the woman was.  He was told that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.  Matthew Henry says that David may have been intending to marry her if she wasn't married and to leave her alone if she was and she was.  Still, David already had several wives which is not God's plan, and Bathsheba had a husband.  We should always turn away from temptation when it first appears.  Verse four states, And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.  Instead of forgetting about Bathsheba, David sent for her and they committed adultery together.   I am not sure if she did this because she wanted to or because of the power of David as king.  As Christians, I can say that we should never use our position of authority if we have one to lead someone else into sin.  Verse five adds, And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.  Bathsheba became pregnant and sent word to David.  Since Uriah was in the field of battle, David now had a problem.  How could Bathsheba and he explain that she was pregnant when her husband had not been home.  Our sins will often lead us into a dilemma, and we can either confess them and seek forgiveness or try to hide them and create even more problems.  Verse six adds, And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.  David decided to attempt to hide his sin by sending for Uriah.  If he were home with Bathsheba, the child could be his.  We should never attempt to hide our sins, especially by using others to do so.  Verse seven continues, And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.  When Uriah came, David attempted to make it seem as though he were simply seeking an update on the war.  Sin was compounding as David was now lying about his reason for sending for Uriah, and if we allow sin into our lives as followers of Christ, we should not be surprised if it begins to multiply.  Verse eight says, And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.  David then told Uriah to go home and sent a lot of food with him.  This may have been David's way of attempting to atone for his sin, but we can never buy our way out of sin.  Of course, Bathsheba is sort of forgotten in this situation.  We are not told that she was in on the plan.  Verse nine adds, But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.  Uriah didn't do what David expected and wanted him to do, but slept in the servants quarters instead of going home.  We cannot depend on others to bail us out of sin, but must always just take responsibility for our sins and ask God's forgiveness, no matter how bad it may make us look in the eyes of the world.  Verse ten continues, And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?   When David was told that Uriah had not gone home, he called him and asked him why he hadn't.  David couldn't very well say to Uriah that he was spoiling his plan.  Other people may not cooperate with us if we attempt to use them to cover up our sin, especially if they are honorable people.  Verse eleven states, And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.  Uriah said that since the Ark was in a tent and Joab and Uriah's fellow soldiers were sleeping in the field that he would not go to his house and enjoy himself.  I don't believe that God expects us to simply sit back and enjoy life while giving no thought to our fellow believers who may be struggling.  Verse twelve adds, And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.  David told Uriah to stay another day and night, then he would allow him to return to the battle.  David was evidently hoping that the desire to go to his own house would be too much for Uriah to resist.  We should never attempt to cover up our sins by hoping that others will go against their beliefs and bail us out of the situation by allowing us to put the consequences of our sins on them.  Verse thirteen continues, And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.  David got Uriah drunk, but Uriah still went to sleep with the servants and not in his house.  We certainly should never lead others into sinful actions in order to attempt to cover up our sins,which is what David was attempting to do.

2 Samuel 10:13

2 Samuel 10:13 says, And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.  The Syrians fled before Joab almost as soon as the battle began it seems .  As long as we remain faithful to God, spiritually all our enemies have already fled from an everlasting perspective.  There is no enemy that we need to fear, even death itself.  Verse fourteen adds, And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.  Seeing that the Syrians had fled, so did the army of the Ammonites.  If we are spiritually victorious over one enemy, then others may flee from us as well.  Joab and the armies of Isreal did not pursue either enemy, but returned to Jerusalem.  When we are successful in defeating spiritual enemies, we don't need to chase after them, but need to simply return to our relationship with God for further strength.  Verse fifteen continues, And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.  The Syrians then gathered themselves after they had been defeated.  Even though I don't believe we need to chase after defeated spiritual enemies, that doesn't mean that they will never come back to bother us.  Some sin that we have overcome may tempt us again, which is why we need to remain close to God and the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse sixteen states, And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.  Since his troops that had gone to help the Ammonites fled, Hadarezer brought more of the Syrians to fight against Israel.  As stated, we may have overcome a particular sin and then have it come back as an even stronger temptation to us.  Verse seventeen adds, And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. Though Joab had not pursued the Syrians when they fled, David gathered the troops of Israel together to fight against them when they began to prepare to go to war against Israel.  Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, even if we do not chase enemies we have already defeated spiritually, if they do come back to attack us again, we need to be ready to battle them.  If our faith in God is strong, the battle should not be long, no matter how strong they may be when they return.  Verse eighteen continues, And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.  Once more,the Syrians fled, and David destroyed seven hundred of their chariots and forty- thousand horsemen, as well as Shobach their captain.  David had God on his side, so the battle was not long.  We as Christians have God on our side, so no matter how strong our enemies may think they are, spiritually they will always flee as long as we remain faithful to Him.  Verse nineteen concludes, And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.  When the other kings that were servants of Hadadezer saw that his troops had been killed before David, they made peace with Israel and no longer helped the Ammonites.  If by faith we defeat one enemy, it may keep others from even attacking us.  

2 Samuel 10:7

2 Samuel 10:7 says, And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.  When David heard what the people of Ammon had done to his servants that he sent to them in peace, he sent for Joab and all the army of Israel.   Those who reject and ridicule God today will one day face His punishment, and He doesn't need an army to carry it out.  Verse eight adds, And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.  The army of Ammon and those that they had recruited to help them came out to face the army of Israel.  They divided in to two groups, with the Ammonites to protect their city while the Syrians were to flank the Israelites.  We should be ready for the forces of Satan to attack us from all sides.  As stated many times, we should not be surprised when the people of the world unite against God and His people, who are those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.  Verse nine continues, 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:  Joab saw what they were planning and chose the best men of Israel to fight the Syrians under his leadership.  We cannot all be the best of God's army today, but we are all a part of it as Christians and we must be ready to take on the enemies of God wherever He leads us to do so.  Verse ten states, And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.  The rest of the army, Joab put under the command of his brother Abishai.  We may be a leader in the church, just as Joab was the leader of David's troops, but even if we are, we need to realize that we cannot do everything ourself.  Verse eleven adds, And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.  Joab told Abishai that if the Syrians proved to be too strong for him, that Abishai was to come help him and that if the Ammonites proved to be too strong for Abishai that he would come help him.  We as followers of Christ must always be willing to come to the aid of our fellow believers if we see them being overcome by the world.  Of course, if they were going into battle under the direction of God they should have had faith that He would give them the victory, just as He has already done for us spiritually when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.   Verse twelve continues, Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.  Joab then did put things in God's hands.  He said that they were to go to protect their people  but that God should do what seemed good to Him.  Putting everything in God's hands is all we can ever do.  

2 Samuel 10:1

2 Samuel 10:1 says, And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.  Nahash, the king of the Ammonites died and his son Hanun became king.  One thing is certain, and that is that earthly rulers all ultimately die, but our king, Jesus Christ, lives forever.  Verse two adds, Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.  Though the Ammonites had been cruel enemies of Israel, Nahash had shown kindness to David, so he decided to show kindness to Hanun, Nahash's son.  David sent comfort by the hand of his servants.  We should never judge people by the actions of even the majority of the people of a nation, but should always judge them individually.   Verse three continues, And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?   Hanun's advisors told him that David had sent his servants to spy on him instead of giving him comfort.  People of the world may always question our motives if we as Christians offer them help in their time of mourning.  Verse four states, 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.  Hanon took actions to greatly shame David’s servants, leaving them with a beard only on one side and half-naked and sent them home.  I believe that there is still nothing that some of the lost people today enjoy more than trying to bring shame to Christians.  Verse five adds, When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.  When David heard what had happened, he told his servants that had been shamed to remain in Jerusalem until their beards had regrown.  If we as Christians are somehow shamed by the world today, I don't believe we should allow this to permanently keep us from serving God.  The shame may not be visible like a half-shaved beard, but it like the half- shaved beard should be overcome soon.  Verse six continues, And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.  When the people of Ammon saw that they now stank before David, or had now made themselves his enemy by their actions, they began to hire others to help them.  The enemies of God, even if they don't always get along, will often unite in their battle against God's people, the followers of Christ. 

2 Samuel 9:7

2 Samuel 9:7 says, 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.  David assured Mephibosheth that he was not going to harm him, but that he was going to restore all the land that belonged to Saul to him, who was his grandfather though he was referred to as simply his father here.  This was to be done for Jonathan's sake.  He was also told that he would eat at David’s table continually.  We need to do all that we can to help the children of our friends if they are in need if our friends die, especially our Christian friends, and as children of God, and never grandchildren, we will eat at His table forever spiritually.  Verse eight adds, And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?  Mephibosheth asked David who he was that David should show him this kindness, referring to himself as a dog. Though he was ths son of a prince and the grandson of a king, Mephibosheth didn't see himself as being worthy of the honor David was bestowing on him.   As followers of Christ, we are children, but never grandchildren, of God, the only real King, and we will never be worthy of that honor.   Verse nine continues, Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all is house.  Next, David called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and told him that he had restored all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth.  Verse ten adds, 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 alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.  David told Ziba that he and his sons would till the land for Mephibosheth so that he would have food to eat, even though the Mephibosheth would eat at David’s table.  Even though God meets all our needs spiritually once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, He still expects us to be at work for Him.  I believe he also expects us to provide help to the less fortunate, especially our fellow Christians.  Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants, though he himself was a servant of Saul.  Verse eleven states, Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.  Ziba said that he would do as his lord the king commanded, just as we must do as God our Lord and king commands.  It was again stated that Mephibosheth would eat at David’s table as one of David's sons.  As followers of Christ, we may come from different statuses in life, but we are all God's children at His table.  Verse twelve adds,  And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.  Mephibosheth had a young son and Ziba and everyone who dwelt at his house were servants to Mephibosheth.  Verse thirteen adds, So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.  Though Saul’s land had been restored to him, Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem and ate at the king’s table.  Though we are promised an everlasting home in heaven, in the meantime we must continue to do God's work here on earth, and we are especially to help the less fortunate I believe. 

2 Samuel 9:1

2 Samuel 9:1 says, And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?  David sought out anyone that remained of the house of Saul so that he could show kindness to him for Jonathan's sake.  Though he might have been doing it for Jonathan and not Saul, he was still looking to help someone who could claim to be an heir to the throne.  Still, he was doing what he felt was the right thing to do, and so should we even if in the eyes of the world it is possibly dangerous.  Verse two adds, And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.  They called Ziba, one of Saul's servants to David, and David asked him if he had been Saul’s servant.  Since Saul had been attempting to kill David,  this could have put Ziba in a bad situation, but he answered honestly that he had been Saul’s servant.  Even if it might be dangerous to us, we as Christians should always answer honestly when questioned, especially if we are asked if we are a servant of God.  Verse three continues, And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.  When David asked Ziba if any of Saul's house remained, he said Jonathan had one son who was lame.  His being Jonathan's son was likely especially good news to David, though his being unable to walk probably wasn't.   Sometimes, we have mixed blessings in life.  Verse four states, And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.  David asked Ziba where Jonathan's son was, and he told him.  He still could have been putting Jonathan's son in danger if David was lying about why he wanted to find him, but we have to assume that he trusted David.  Sometimes, we just have to assume that people, especially our fellow Christians, are telling us the truth and want what is best for others, even those who have been their enemies.  Verse five adds, Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.  David sent for Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son.  David brought him to his house.  What we as Christians need to do is bring others, not to our house, but to God's house.  There, we should all be equals.  Verse six continues, Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!  When Mephibosheth came to David, he fell on his face before him, whether out or respect or fear.  David called him by name and Mephibosheth said he was David’s servant.   He wasn't there to attemptto claim the throne or believingthat he was superior to David because of who his father and grandfather were..  We as Christians are called on not to be lords of others but to be a servant to them.

2 Samuel 8:9

 2 Samuel 8:9 says, When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,  Verse ten adds, Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:  After Toi, king if Hamath, heard about David defeating all the army of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to David with gifts of vessels of silver, gold and brass,  This was in part because Hadadezer had been at war with Toi.  Since God through Jesus's sacrifice of Himself on the cross for our sins has defeated all our enemies as long as we accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord and live by faith in Him, we should give to God all that we have.  Verse eleven continues, Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;  David dedicated all these gifts to God, since God was really the One responsible for David’s victory.  I believe that since God is responsible for all our victories as Christians that we should dedicate everything that we have to Him.  Verse twelve concludes,  Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.  David had always dedicated the spoils gained by victory over his enemies to God, and so must we.  I don't believe that there should ever come a time when we think that what God blesses us with is ours to do with as we please.  Everything that we are and have should be dedicated to God.  Verse thirteen states, And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.  David became famous we would say for defeating the Syrians, who had numbered about eighteen thousand men.  We may never become famous for defeating our spiritual enemies today, but we shouldn't be doing it for our glory anyway.  We should always give God the glory for any success we have if we are living by faith in Him.  Verse fourteen adds, And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.  David established garrisons throughout Edom, and the people of Edom became his servants.  When we defeat sin in our life today, we should establish strongholds through the power of the Holy Spirit to make sure that it never again has any power over us.  Verse fifteen continues, And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.  David now ruled over all of Israel, and he executed judgment and justice over the people of Israel under God's guidance.  We need to pray that the rulers over us today execute judgment and justice over us by God's guidance, even if we don't see it happening.  Verse sixteen says, And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;  We are told that Joab was over the host, or army, and that Jehoshaphat was the recorder.  David organized his people to help the kingdom run smoothly, and we should be organized as God's people today so that we all work together to accomplish God's work.  Verse seventeen adds, And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;  Next, we are told who the priests and scribe were.  We may not have much control over the civil authorities today, but we certainly should appoint leaders of the church under God's guidance.  Verse eighteen continues, And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.  Matthew Henry says these were either what he called city train-bands, who were the archers and those who used slings, or they were lifeguards, a standing force to protect David himself.  Though we are told Benaiah was appointed as their leader, we are also told that David’s sons were the chief rulers of them.  Matthew Henry says this kept David’s sons close to him so he could keep an eye on them.  As Christians, we should always be close to God as He keeps His eye on us.

2 Samuel 8:1

2 Samuel 8'1 says, And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.  David began to subdue the enemies of Israel, starting with the Philistines.  He began to take back the land of Israel and some of their enemies land.  If we have surrendered something that God has given us spiritually to the enemy today, if we agree put our faith in Him, He will restore it, as it was really God through David’s faith in Him that was giving David victory.  Verse two adds, And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.  Next, David  defeated the Moabites killing half of them.  He then drew a line down the middle of them and killed those on one side of the line and kept those on the other side as his servants.  Matthew Henry says that two*thirds were destroyed and one third was kept alive but that it was a full measure of mercy.  We must never be short in extending God's mercy to those we meet, even our enemies.  Verse three continues, David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.  David next defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah as he continued to reclaim the land of Israel.  As followers of Christ we may not always recover things taken from us in this lifetime, but our everlasting victory is assured.  Verse four concludes, 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.  Hadadezer  had been well armed, with a thousand chariots and at least seven hundred horsemen, though chapter eighteen, verse four puts the total number at seven thousand and twenty thousand foot soldiers, which David took.  He made the horses lame and the destroyed all but a hundred of the chariots.  Matthew Henry says David destroyed most of the chariots because his faith was in God and not the things of this world. Though Christians may be outnumbered and even outgunned, the victory is already ours daily if we remain faithful to Jesus Christ.  Of course, our everlasting victory can never be taken away from us.  Verse five states, And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.  When the Syrians came to the aid of Hadadezer, David killed twenty-two thousand of them.  We should not be surprised when those who are enemies of God come to the aid of one another, but we must also never forget that the everlasting victory is ours through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse six adds, Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.  David put garrisons in Syria and the Syrians became his servants while also bringing him gifts.  David was successful because God preserved him wherever he went.  As Christians, God has already preserved us as His, so we simply need to live by faith in Him.  Verse seven continues, And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.  David took the shields of gold from the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.  Verse eight concludes, And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.  David also took a lot of brass from the cities of Hadadezer.  These were now his by right of the spoils of war.  Still, we are never to be at war with the world today as Christians for material gains.  We are to do everything for the glory of God and His eternal kingdom instead.

2 Samuel 7:18

2 Samuel 7:18 says, Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?   David went in and sat before God and questioned Him, as we may at times do as Christiaans.  Still, if we do have questions it is best to go to God for the answers.  David asked who was he and who was his house that God had brought him before Him.  Like David, we need to acknowledge that we have never done anything to deserve God's calling us into His family and making a way for it to be possible for us to get there.  Verse nineteen adds, And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?  David then said that even beyond what God had done for him so far, He promised much more.  God has done much for us in this lifetime if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, but He promises so much more.  David also asked God if people usually dealt this way with each other  and the answer was no.  We are called to a higher standard in dealing with people as Christians than the way people of the world normally deal with each other.  Verse twenty continues, And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.  David asked God what more he could say to Him, because God knew His servant David.  There is still nothing that we can say to God to justify ourselves, because He already knows everything about us.  Verse twenty-one states, For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.  David said that it was according to God's word and after God's heart that He had done these things for David.  Whatever we may be called to do as Christiaans, it will always be according to God's word and because of His love for us.  Verse twenty-two adds, Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.  David then proclaimed God to be the only God according to what they had heard Him say.  We must acknowledge this same fact today.  We must come to God by faith in His Word and not by our own ability to prove His existence, and we must acknowledge that He is the only God that exists.  Verse twenty-three continues, And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?   David then took the question from just himself to the nation of Israel,. What had they done to receive God's call to be His people and their deliverance from Egypt where they had been redeemed,  and the answer was nothing.  We could ask the same thing today as to what we have done to deserve God's deliverance into His family and out of our bandage to sin, and the answer is still nothing.  Verse twenty-four says, For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.  Just as David said God had called Israel to be His people forever through a covenant relationship with them, He calls us to be His people forever through establishing a covenant relationship by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-five adds, And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. Though David had proposed building a house for God, he said let it be according to God's word.  If our plans do not align with God's plans, we need to submit to His will.  Verse twenty-six continues, And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.  David said that whatever the people of Israel and he himself did should magnify God, and so must all our actions as followers of Christ today.  David asked that God let his house be established forever and through Jesus Christ it was.   When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we establish an everlasting relationship with God.  Verse twenty-seven states, 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.  David said that because God had said He would build His house, David felt that he could come to God in prayer.  God has already built His house in heaven, and He calls us to come and share it, but it is all for His glory.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:  As God's word was true then, it is still true today.  Verse twenty-nine continues, Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever. Just as David asked of God, if we today are Christians then our relationship with God is everlasting.

2 Samuel 7:5

2 Samuel 7:5 says, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Nathan was told by God to deliver a message to David.  The message was a question as to whether David would build God a house.  This was God's question delivered through His prophet.  If we decide to do something for God today, we should first make sure that it is something that He wants us to do, and by praying sincerely the Holy Spirit should give us the answer, but it is always good to have our fellow believers praying for us as well.  Verse six adds, Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.  God said that since He had delivered the people of Israel out of Egypt, He had never lived in a house, but had walked in a tent and a tabernacle, leading the people along the way.  He had been in the midst of the people and not confined to one place.  Though it is nice to have a good meeting place as Christians, I don't believe that we should ever see this as the only place where we will find God and can worship Him.  He expects us to be out among the people.  Of course, this doesn't mean we aren't to gather together, but that the emphasis shouldn't be on the building we gather in.  Verse seven continues, In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?  God told Nathan to ask David if in all the years when He had commanded the people of Israel to feed His people if He had ever asked them to build Him a house of cedar.  We do know that God's command to us today is to share the gospel and help the less fortunate, and I believe that we can sometimes put too much emphasis on church buildings.  Verse eight states, Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:  God told Nathan to remind David that he had been a shepherd when God called him to be king.  David had given nothing to God to deserve this honor, and we today can give nothing to God but our self, and then God will call us to our position of service in the church.  Verse nine adds,  And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.  God said that He had cut off all af David’s enemies and made his name great among people.  As Christians, whatever we accomplish should be done under the authority and by the power of God.  Verse ten continues,  Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,  God then said that He was going to plant the people of Israel in a place that He chose where the would be cutoff from all their enemies.  What we need to understand is that in this would that place will never exist and that we are just traveling through on our way to Heaven, where it does.  No matter how beautiful a church building may be, it will one day be left behind.  Verse eleven says, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.  God told David through Nathan that He had said he would make David, and his descendants, a house of God.  It was the people and not the building that was important, and it still is.  Verse twelve adds,And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.  God said that after David was dead that He would establish His kingdom through David’s descendants.  We knew this culminated with Jesus Christ, Who is the only One Who is capable of establishing an everlasting place in God's kingdom for us.  The physical temple is long gone, but the spiritual one never will be.  Verse thirteen continues, He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.  God told David one of his descendants would build His house and establish His kingdom and that it would last forever.  Though Solomon would build a temple, it was Jesus Christ Who established God's everlasting kingdom.  The earthly Temple was never meant to last, and neither are church buildings today.  Verse fourteen states, I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:  This is referring to God chastising the earthly descendants of David if they sin against Him.  If God is not chastising us at times today, either we have reached a state of perfection or we are so far away from God that we do not recognize His chastisement.  Verse fifteen adds, But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.  God then said He would never depart from David’s descendants as He had from Saul because of Saul's disobedience.  If we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, God will never leave us.  Verse sixteen continues, And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.  This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ, One of David's descendants came to live, die and be resurrected to establish God's kingdom forever, and it still had nothing to do with a physical building.  Verse seventeen concludes. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. Nathan delivered God's message to David.  God had said that David himself would not build the Temple, but that one of his descendants would.  Again, though Solomon built the earthly Temple, this was a reference to Jesus Christ Who would build the everlasting spiritual temple.  We are still to be more concerned with the spiritual kingdom than with the earthly temple.

2 Samuel 7:1

2 Samuel 7:1 says, And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;  At this point, God had given David rest from all his enemies and if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, He has already given us victory over all our enemies, so we should be at peace in the world.  Verse two adds, 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.  David spoke to Nathan the prophet about the fact that he was living in a hose made of cedar while the Ark of God was kept in a tent made of cloth.  We should be careful that we don't spend all that God blesses us with on our own comfort while ignoring the work of God.  Verse three continues, And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.  Nathan told David to go and do all that he felt led to do and that the LORD was with him.  Still, we aren't really told that he consulted God about this.  If feel that we should do something for God leads today, we simply need to do it, but we must first pray about it and make sure we are doing what God wants.  Verse four states, And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,  Though as stated, we aren't told that  Nathan consulted God before, that night God's word came to him.  If we are open to his word,God will never leave us confused about what He would have us to do.  God had a long message for David, and he delivered it through the prophet Nathan so David there would be no confusion on David’s part.  God will never leave us confused about what He wants us to do if we are listening to Him prayfully.

 

2 Samuel 6:12

2 Samuel 6:12 says, And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.  Though David had at first not brought the Ark into Jerusalem but had left it with Obededom, eventually he was told that the LORD had blessed Obededom and all his house because of the Ark, so he brought it on to Jerusalem.  We can either fear or ignore the gospel and never enjoy the salvation it brings , or we can welcome it into our heart and receive its blessings.  Verse thirteen adds, And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.  After those carrying the Ark had only gone six paces, David offered a sacrifice to God.  This time, instead of carrying the Ark in a cart as they had been doing before, it was carried on their shoulders as God had prescribed.  We must present the gospel as God intends for it to be presented under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and should never present it with anything less than reverence for God.  Verse fourteen continues, And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.  We are told that David dance before the LORD while wearing a linen ephod.  We find that these early people of God often worshipped with music and even dancing, so if we don't sing and even dance or move in worshipping God, we certainly shouldn't look down on those who do, if it is done to honor God and not just for show.  Verse fifteen concludes, So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.  This continues to tell us that not only David, but all the people of Israel brought the Ark to Jerusalem with shouting and the playing of trumpets.  We need to get excited about worshipping God again today.  Verse sixteen states, And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.  When Michal saw David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him. Some people today may despise us if we get excited about worshipping God because of their own attitude about worship.  Verse seventeen adds, And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.  The Ark was placed in a tabernacle that David had made for it, and burnt and sacrifice offerings were offered to God.  Our worship services today should be an offering to God for our thankfulness for His gift of salvation,  and if we bring nothing else, we should present our life to Him as a living sacrifice.   Verse eighteen continues, And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.  After the sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of God.  When we worship today, and really even in our everyday life no matter what we are doing, we should do it in the name of God if we are indeed followers of Christ.  Verse nineteen concludes, And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.  David fed the people before they left for their own homes.  When we gather together to worship God today, we should go home spiritually filled.  Verse twenty says, Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!   As David returned to bless his household, he was met by Michal who made her displeasure with him known.  Matthew Henry says it was her pride that made her express her displeasure with David,.  He had removed his royal robes and danced as a common man among the people, and Michal thought he thereby degraded his position.  We should never allow other people's opinion cause us to not sincerely worship God as He moves us to do, nor should we judge other people's sincere worship because we find it undignified.  Verse twenty-one adds, 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.  David told Michal that God had anointed him king before her father, and he said he would therefore worship Him. We need to remember that we are saved by the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross, and we should never allow anyone to control our sincere worship of God.  Verse twenty-two continues, And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.  David said that he would be even more vile, or look on himself as but a sinner before God, if he was led to in worshipping God. We should never look down on others because of how they worship God as long as they are sincere in their worship of God, nor should we be worried about how others view our worshipping God.  We can become too prideful in the way we choose to worship and feel that those who worship differently should be looked down on.  Verse twenty-three concludes, Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. Because of her anger at David for his worshipping God as he did, Michal never had any children.  We may miss blessings from God because we are putting down others who are joyously worshipping God.

2 Samuel 6:1

2 Samuel 6:1 says, Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.  David gathered thirty thousand chosen men of Israel for a purpose as we shall see. Verse two adds, 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.  David had gathered them to go and return the Ark of God to Jerusalem.  As Matthew Henry points out, though the Ark had once been a very visible, important part of God's leadership of Israel, after its return to Israel it had only been mentioned one time.  As Christians, the gospel is the most important message we have, and we should never leave it out of our message to the world today.  Verse three continues, And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.  There was great respect shown in transporting the Ark.  Ir was placed in a new cart, one that had been used before nor contaminated by anything.  We need to deliver the gospel just as undiluted to the world today.  Still, this was not the way God had ordained that the Ark be carried since it was to be borne on the shoulders and not in a cart.  He also points out that even though the Philistines had not been punished for returning the Ark to Israel in a cart, that David should have known God's law concerning its transport, and the Philistines did not.  When we share the gospel, we to make sure that we are sharing it as God intends, which is to bring people to salvation and nothing more or less.  Uzzah and Ahio the sons of Abinadab drove the cart.  The Ark had been housed with them since its return to Israel so now they were taking charge of its transportation.  Still it shouldn't have been hidden away all these years, just as we as Christians are not to hide away the gospel today.  Verse four concludes, And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.  We are just told again of the removal of the Ark from Abinadab's house and its accompaniment by his sons, with Ahio going ahead of the Ark.  Verse five states, And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.  The people of Isreal played music on the way to Jerusalem with the Ark, and I believe that music is still an important part of our worship services today.  Matthew Henry says some people think this is when David wrote the sixty-eigth Psalm.  Verse six adds, And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.  On their journey, when the ark shook, Uzzah put his hand on it to steady it. He had been around the Ark for a long time, and it may be that it had lost some of the holiness that it represented to him.  We can never allow the Gospel to become so ordinary to us that we allow it to lose its holiness.  Verse seven continues, 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.  We are told that God was angry with Uzzah and struck him dead there by the Ark.  We might view what Uzzah was doing as a good thing, but what he did violated God's law.  If we violate God's law, we should expect there to be consequences, even if we have everlasting salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ.  We therefore should make sure that we never pervert the Gospel by making it just an ordinary thing and not God's plan for salvation.  Verse seven declares, And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.  David was displeased with God.  Nothing is said about him going to God for help in understanding why Uzzah had been struck down,  but only that he was angry with God.  If something that we consider bad happens as we are presenting the gospel, we need to first make sure that we are presenting it in accordance with God's law and then we should go to God and ask Him what we have done wrong.  We will never be justified in getting angry with God.  Verse nine continues, And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?  Instead of asking God for guidance, David became afraid of God and asked how the Ark would ever come to him.  Even if things go wrong when we are attempting to worship God, we should never become afraid of Him, but should simply go to Him in prayer for understanding instead.  Verse ten declares, So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.  David would not bring the Ark of the LORD to himself in Jerusalem, but sent it to the house of Obededom instead.  We must never allow the fear of God to cause us to turn aside from the Gospel.  David still had not sought God's guidance in this matter, which we should always do if we have questions or fears about our journey with Christ today.  Verse eleven continues, And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.  The Ark remained in the house of Obededom for three months and God blessed him.  If we abide in God's word today he will bless us spiritually if not materially. 

2 Samuel 5:17

2 Samuel 5:17 says, But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.  After the Philistines heard that David had been made king, they came seeking him, and not to congratulate him.  They were ready to kill him since he was now the leader of all Israel.  If we make a stand for God, even if we aren't an important part of God's kingdom, Satan will still try to destroy us.  Verse eighteen adds, The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.  Verse nineteen adds, And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.  David did not just go against the Philistines without first asking God if he should and if he would be successful.  God answered yes to both questions, but I really believe that he should have stopped at the first question, and so should we.  If God tells us to do something, we should do it without being assured of success in this lifetime.  Verse twenty adds, And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.   When David fought the Philistines and defeated them, he gave all the credit to God.  He did not brag about his own abilities.   As followers of Christ when we have success of any kind in our life, we should always give God the credit and I believe that we should always be wary of those who exalt themselves.  Verse twenty-one continues, And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.  The Philistines had left their images, or idols, behind, and David and his men burned them.  We need to get rid of all the idols we may have in our life if we are to be successful in our spiritual life.  Verse twenty-two states, And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.  After the initial defeat the Philistines returned ready to fight once more.  Some things that we may believe we have defeated in life may come back ready to battle us again.  Verse twenty-three adds, And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.  This time when David asked God if he should go up against the Philistines, God said no.  David was to go behind them and wait.  We may not always be led to directly confront those who we are at war with who stand against God, but may be told to wait until God acts.  Verse twenty-four continues, And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. but to come up at them from behind instead.  Matthew Henry says that God was telling David that He Himself would defeat the Philistines, and that David would act only when God gave the signal.  At times God may defeat our enemies without our even realizing it.  Verse twenty-five concludes, And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.  David did as God told him to do and defeated the Philistines.  If we do as God directs us to do, we will always be successful spiritually, which is all that really matters. 

2 Samuel 5:6

2 Samuel 5:6 says, And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.  When David and his men went to Jerusalem, the Jebusites who lived there denied them entry unless the took away the lame and the blind, which David had referred to their gods as.  They were basically saying that their gods were more powerful than David and his God.  Some people still believe that what they worship or believe is more powerful than GOD.  Verse seven adds, Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.  Then, we are told, in spite of the boast of the Jebusites, David took the strong hold of Zion, which is the city of David.  I don't believe it was just by his power that David did this, but by the power of God.  What God has given us, which is everlasting life with Him, the world can never take away from us. Verse eight continues, And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.  David offered to make anyone who slew the Jebusites and the blind and lame which he hated with his soul referring to the idols that he would make them a chief and captain, and the people responded by saying the blind and lame would not come into the house.  Matthew Henry says it is possible that they put the blind and lame on the wall as lookouts to show their derision for David and his power.  Whatever the reason, the Jebusites said David could not come in unless he killed them.  We should not be surprised when people mock Christians today believing that our God is powerless to help us.  Verse nine states,  So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.  David and his men took the fort, and he lived there.  He called Jerusalem the City of David and built all around it.  We as followers of Christ do not have a place here on earth that is really our home but have an everlasting home in heaven.  Verse ten adds, And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.  We are told that David grew great and that the LORD God of hosts was with him, but I believe this is reversed.  The LORD God of hosts was with him, so David grew great.  As Christians, we don't grow great and then have God with us, but any greatness we may have is because God is with us to empower us.  Verse eleven states, And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.  Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, along with cedar trees and carpenters, and they built David a house.  Matthew Henry says that the Israelites were not much experienced at buildin so this was a real blessing, and he adds that the palace was no less grand for having been built by strangers.  We as non Jews are called on to build the church, God's house or community here on earth, and it is none the worse for the fact that we are strangers to the Jewish religion.  Verse twelve adds, And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake. David, who had years before been ordained as king of Israel by Samuel under the leadership of God finally understood that he was king of Israel.  Hopefully, when God calls us to a position of service it will not take us years to understand this.  Verse thirteen says, And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.  Of course, after being told that God had anointed him to be king, David acted outside of His will of God.  He took more wives and concubines and had more sons and daughters, yet he was called a man after God's own heart.  We may be people of great faith and still not always live according to God's law but that doesn't make it acceptable if we do.  Verse fourteen adds, And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem;  Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,  Verse fifteen continues, Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,  Verse sixteen concludes, And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.  We are told the names ten more of David's sons, one of whom was Solomon.  Many of his sons we know little about, but we do about Solomon.  Being the child of a person of great faith doesn't ensure that we will also be well known or even a person of faith.