Scripture text for Monday, February 22nd, 2010: 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25

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Did you ever wish you didn’t have to find out what happens next? Me too.

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.”

It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her.” (2 Samuel 11:1-4)

Scripture text for Friday, February 19th, 2010: 2 Samuel 5:1-7:29

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David becomes King of the Israelites. The tribes loved David as one of their own because he was with them as a capable leader in Saul’s military campaigns. And they remembered the Lord’s promise to David: “You will Shepherd my people Israel and you will become their ruler.” (2 Samuel 5:2)

David marched on Jerusalem and conquered what was thought to be an impregnable city. (2 Samuel 5:7) He defeated the Philistines and brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem now called the City of David. Not bad for a man who started out as a lowly shepherd boy!

Unlike other leaders such as Saul, David’s success did not go to his head. He remained humble throughout his years. He sought the Lord’s will and gave all glory and honor to the Lord. He remained the Lord’s humble servant even as king of the Jews. So much did he express his humility that he “humiliated himself” before God and before all to see as he danced in front of the Ark of the Covenant as it was returned to its rightful place.

Scripture text for Thursday, February 18th, 2010: 1 Samuel 23:7-24:22

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In I Samuel 15:17-26 King Saul arrogantly rebels against God and is “rejected as king over Israel.” God withdraws His favor and a fearful, angry, jealous, and eventually hateful Saul takes matters into his own hands.

Samuel anoints David as a future king of Israel in I Samuel 16:13: “The Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” David becomes known for unshakable confidence in God. His wisdom and bravery lead to military success and unequalled popularity among the people. Simultaneously, “The Spirit of the Lord…departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him” (I Samuel 16:14).

Scripture text for Wednesday, February 17th, 2010: 1 Samuel 16:1-18:16

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I cannot believe that I am about to admit this . . . it’s scandalous and some of you may never look at me the same way again. Today I came to the realization that I had never read the story of David and Goliath from the actual Bible. I knew the story, had read it in a zillion different children’s bibles, and had even seen a movie about it, but I had failed to read this story from the source. As I sat reading I felt ridiculous, idiotic, and most of all humbled. I had never realized how multi-layered the story really was.

In the beginning of our passage we find Samuel going to anoint a new King of Israel. We are again reminded that God regularly chooses the most unlikely people. I like how the Message translates verse 7,

But GOD told Samuel, "Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. GOD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart."

Scripture text for Tuesday, February 16th, 2010: 1 Samuel 8:1-10:27

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In this section, the Israelites come to Samuel at the end of his life and demand a king to rule over them. They have been threatened by the Philistines for a long time and still feel that threat. A consistent ruler, with the authority and power necessary, will surely make them safer. This may have been the predominant reason, but surely there were others. But of course it was in one way an odd request for the people of Yahweh to ask for a King, as Samuel tries to make clear. Yahweh is their king! Samuel does not wish to pursue this path but the Lord tells Samuel that this desire is just another example of the people failing to trust in Him. He tells Samuel to warn the people that if they are granted a king to rule over them, he will in fact do that, demanding their sons for his army, their daughters for service to the monarchy, and the best of their fields and resources for his kingdom and army. The response of the people to Samuel once he has explained this is telling: “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles” (I Samuel 8:19-20; see also 10: 17-19).