Read 1 Chronicles 14 -- 16
In Today's Reading:
King Hiram's kindness to David; David defeats the Philistines; Ark brought to Jerusalem; David's sacrifices and psalm of thanksgiving.
Verse for Today:
The fame of David went out into all lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations (1 Chronicles 14:17).
Foremost among the prominent virtues to be seen in David's life was his great love for the Word of God, which he expressed by saying: [You will show] me the path of life: in [Your] presence is fulness of joy; at [Your] right hand there are pleasures for evermore. . . . by the Word of [Your] lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer (Psalms 16:11; 17:4). This esteem for the Word of God can also be seen in his last charge to Solomon: [Show yourself] a man; And keep the charge of the Lord [your] God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His Commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that [you may] prosper in all that [you do] (1 Kings 2:2-3). Throughout his life, David had a deep spiritual insight into the priceless importance of God's Word in every area of his life. David proclaimed to the world: Give thanks [to] the Lord, call upon His Name, make known His deeds among the people. Sing [to] Him . . . talk . . . of all His wondrous works (1 Chronicles 16:8-9). David also stands out as a man of prayer; thus, we see the often-repeated phrase: David enquired of God . . . Shall I (14:10,14; note: 1 Samuel 23:2; 30:8; 2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19,23; 21:1). As a result of these basic, God-honoring characteristics, the fame of David went out into all lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations (1 Chronicles 14:17).
Soon after establishing his capital in Jerusalem, David united the nation for a glorious time of praising the Lord while bringing the Ark of God from the house of Obededom to Jerusalem. To demonstrate his reverence for God, and in recognition that God was the Supreme Ruler, David laid aside his kingly garments and dressed in a plain linen ephod, a garment the priests wore when ministering before the Lord. In doing this, David was publicly acknowledging his humble submission to the authority of the Supreme King and expressing adoration and praise to his Lord as Almighty God and the true King of Israel.
On that day, David provided an inspiring psalm for his choir to sing, which lifts our spirits as we worship our wonderful Lord: Sing [to] Him . . . talk . . . of all His wondrous works. . . . Rejoice. . . . Be . . . mindful always of His covenant; the Word which He commanded. . . . Declare His glory among the . . . nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. . . . Bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. . . . The Lord [reigns] (16:9-31). Yes, the Lord [reigns], and the world needs to hear us praise the Lord as we talk of all His wondrous works. Is it any surprise that David was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22)?
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy Name, O Most High: To shew forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night (Psalms 92:1-2).
Christ Revealed:
Through David's fame and exaltation (1 Chronicles 14:17). God highly exalted Christ, our Redeemer, and gave Him a Name above every name (Philippians 2:9-11).
Word Study:
14:13 spread themselves abroad = made a hostile invasion.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI) and Rep. James Moran (VA) · Pray for the missionary ministries · Country: El Salvador (6 million) in Central America · Major language: Spanish · Some intolerance of Protestants by government officials · 96% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Remember that God hears and answers our prayers (Isaiah 65:24).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Colossians 3:16