Bible Pathways - Apr. 12, 2008
April 12
Highlights In Today's Reading:
After Saul's death, the civil war continues between the house of Saul in the Northern Kingdom and the house of David in the Southern Kingdom. Abner, the commander in chief of Saul's army, deserts to David and then is treacherously murdered by Joab, the general of David's army. Then, Saul's son is deceitfully murdered by his own men. Notice how David "rewards" them (4:7-12). After what seems a "lifetime," David is anointed king by all 12 tribes.
Seven-and-one-half years after David was anointed King of Judah, then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. . . . the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed My people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. . . . and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign. . . . In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah (5:1-5). His first anointing was by Samuel. He then was anointed King of the Southern Kingdom, Judah. His anointing for the third time by the Northern Tribe united the two kingdoms. This marked one of the greatest days of Israel's history.
David's first act after his anointing by the assembled tribes was to become head of his army and lead the war against the stronghold of the Jebusites. The Israelites defeated them. Jerusalem became the capital of the United Kingdom.
Before David united the 12 tribes, he had endured a long and trying 20 years since his anointing by Samuel. Through the discipline of daily difficulties, God was preparing David to be His faithful servant — a man after His (God's) own heart (I Samuel 13:14).
We are impressed with David's humble willingness without reservation to obey the commands of God. It is no surprise when David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt Thou deliver them into mine hand (II Samuel 5:19).
It is time to take a serious look at the years of adversity and discipline that tested David's loyalty and developed his faith in God.
Your body (how much you eat, what you drink) is the Temple of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own (to do as you please) (I Corinthians 6:19). Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do allto the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (II Timothy 2:3-4).
Thought for Today:
Rebellion is the result of the lack of discipline. God allows His chastening in our life for our best. Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth (Hebrews 12:6).
Christ Portrayed:
By David, the anointed king over Israel (II Samuel 5:3). Christ is the Lord's anointed. "Christ" is Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah (Anointed One) (Psalm 2:2; John 1:41). Jesus is the rightful King of the world. Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. . . . and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin (John 19:19-20).
Word Studies:
3:1 waxed =grew; 3:10 translate =transfer; 3:12 league =covenant; 3:27 smote =stabbed; 3:31 bier =a stand for carrying a corpse; 4:2 reckoned to =considered part of; 5:8 getteth up to the gutter =enters the city through the water tunnel; 5:23 fetch a compass =circle around behind them.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in honor of Linda Kennon • Bible Pathway Printer: Ambrose Printing Staff, Nashville TN • Government Official: Rep. Timothy (Tim) Walberg (MI) • Country: Latvia (2.48 million) eastern coast of Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe • Major languages: Latvian and Russian • Religious freedom • 20% Protestant (mainly Lutheran); 20% Roman Catholic; 15% Orthodox; .9% Jewish; .4% Muslim; 43.7% Atheist/Agnostics/Other • Prayer Suggestion: If the words of God abide in you, whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive (John 15:7).
Optional Reading: Acts 13
Memory Verse for the Week: I Samuel 17:47
