Category: Devotionals

Even the best of us follow our heart. David certainly did. Despite all the external evidence of God’s provision for David, the internal strain became too much. He did not listen to God. He followed his heart. He ultimately landed in a sticky situation. One that God, much like he has done for us in…

David’s act, or inaction, to spare King Saul’s life rather than spear Saul, was a great act of faith. David had been hounded and chased from pillar to post, yet had learnt in his struggles to trust in God and God’s timing. David had come to understand that God’s plan required him to wait, and…

Our passage begins with momentous news that passes as a footnote: the death of Samuel (v.1). The prominent character of the early part of 1 Samuel has passed from view, and now from death to life. All Israel mourned his passing, though David likely mourned remotely.

We must wait on God’s timing for taking on responsibilities, or seeing injustices answered. In 1 Samuel 24, David understood that fact. Leaving aside an opportunity to seize the throne by killing Saul in his moment of weakness, David demonstrated his fitness for the kingship and as God’s servant. This fitness looked forward to Jesus,…

Sometimes God sends encouragement just at the right time. A shot in the arm, so to speak, before we face another trouble. Words of encouragement that build us up, when doubts have started creeping in. Timed so well, because they allow us to look to God and his provision in the difficulties that then come.

While God was clearly protecting David, David was aware that Saul was actively seeking his life. As David hid in the wilderness of Ziph, he would have dealt with the same fears, worries, and doubts that we all deal with in times of difficulty and trial. Would God truly preserve him? Would God keep his…

Life offers up difficult situations where we are unsure of what to do. We may struggle with questions of relationships, jobs, where to live, and wonder how to glorify God. When these situations arise, as believers one of our natural inclinations is to seek God’s guidance in what to do. But where do we go…

Just as the Devil seeks to destroy the Church today, so too in the past he has sought to try and snuff out God’s People. Here, the Devil worked through the hand of Saul and Doeg the Edomite to attack God’s very representatives and mediators, the priests.

With Saul’s murderous intent clear, David had desperately fled Saul’s immediate reach. He had acquired food and weapons, and fled outside of King Saul’s realm looking for sanctuary. Unfortunately there he was recognised and had to pretend madness to escape Philistine vengeance. In these acts, we see a man acting out of desperation and not…

In Chapter 20, David knew that his time in Saul’s presence had come to an end. Saul wanted David dead. He recognised a rival to his throne, to his dynasty, and wanted it dispatched. God had protected David in the past, but now there was nothing more that his wife or his covenant brother could…