Today's Reading:

1 Samuel 25
1 Samuel 26
1 Samuel 27
Psalm 17
Psalm 73

Asaph knows that God is where the real refuge comes from. At the end of Psalm 73, “I will tell of all your deeds,” we have the sense that Asaph went from envy over the wicked’s prosperity to realizing there was nothing on earth he desired. Heaven was not about the golden streets, loved ones we see again, or freedom from pain; it was about being in God’s presence. All other gifts pale in comparison (wealth, health, success- everything that the wicked enjoy now). Living a God-centered life allows us to destroy envy. “But God is the strength of my heart” (73:26). When everything else fails, we have hope and eternal life. God sustains us now and beyond death. The closer we get to God, the harder it is to hoard His truth. We are to be witnesses to singing out the joy and strength that comes from Him. Think about all the ways God has been near you lately- answered prayers, strength, etc. Are you quietly hoarding the stories, or do you shout them from the mountaintops? Is there a way this week to boldly tell what the Lord has done for you? What holds you back from being a witness to His goodness- fear, jobs, family, false humility? God is your refuge and can give you the courage to shout praise to Him boldly.

 

Samuel died, which shifted the story into a new era. His death was a major loss to Israel; like the patriarchs, it was felt throughout the land. David moved to the desert of Paran since he no longer had Samuel as his human protector. While in the wilderness, David and his men had helped Nabal during the sheep shearing festivals by watching out for his flocks. Nabal, meaning “fool,” disliked David even though, as a shepherd, he watched out for Nabal’s flocks. David had also watched Saul’s “flocks” and therefore used the metaphor to say Saul was a “fool” too, due to his self-destructive folly and lack of wisdom. David was angry that Nabal was not giving his men provisions, so he planned revenge on Nabal’s entire household. A servant let Abigail know what happened and said, “See what you can do” to make capable decisions, since her husband had done nothing.

Abigail was wise and quickly took matters into her own hands, creating a feast fit for a king, acting in secret. She brought the feast to David and bowed in front of him, exclaiming not to pay any attention to Nabal, as he lived up to his name “fool/folly.” Saved from a critical mistake, David was kept from becoming like Saul as he did not use his power as a leader for personal vengeance. Abigail foreshadowed David as a leader and his dynasty, the lineage of the Messiah. She reminded David, “as your God lives” (25:26), that his life was preserved by God, urging him to let go of the bloodshed plans. David praised her for the swift action as she kept him from avenging, which kept men alive and his reputation in good standing.

Meanwhile, Nabal had his own banquet and was drunk, so Abigail waited until the next day to give him the report. When he realized the severity of his actions, Nabal had a heart attack and died. The story of Abigail and Nabal was placed between the two events in which David could have taken Saul’s life. It showed David needed the wise counsel of Abigail and to learn restraint. David then married widowed Abigail (and Ahinoam) since she was a godly woman who showed that vengeance belongs to God alone.

In chapter 26, Saul continued to pursue David in the Ziph wilderness (southern Judean Mountains), near Gibeah, where Saul’s royal home was. David went to Saul’s camp and asked his own men who would go with him. Abishai volunteered, and they snuck into the camp where Saul was sleeping.

Saul’s spear was stuck in the ground near his head. Abishai urged David to kill him, but David refused since Saul was the “Lord’s anointed.” David knew it was the Lord’s job to judge in His own time. David grabbed the spear and water jug as proof that he again had the chance to kill him, like when he cut Saul’s cloak/robe. After a good distance away, David called out to Abner to show how vulnerable Saul had been, claiming Abner failed to protect the Lord’s anointed and he deserved to die for his neglect. Saul admitted he was wrong, blessed David, and left. David was trusting God to give him the throne in His time, not by taking it by force.

David, still fearing that his life would be taken by Saul, lived in Ziklag, a Philistine territory. He continued with battles against the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, killing all the people so there would be no one to tattle, and then plundered the city for animals and clothing. When King Achish of the Philistines asked about the plunder, David deflected by lying and said he was raiding his own people from Judah. David, living among his enemies, would lie to keep favor with the king but not relying on God. This was the low point in his life before reigning as king. A lot of the Psalms in the reading plan around this time describe his suffering and spiritual turmoil as he cried out to God for deliverance.

Psalm 17
A plea from David to protect him against his enemies. He trusted that God would make it right. “Though you test me, you’ll find no evil,” David exclaims to the Lord. David had kept away from the violent paths and stayed righteous and innocent, but not sinless perfection. He prayed that God would hear his words and respond, as his enemies tracked him, ready to pounce. David hoped to see God’s face and to have an intimate relationship, pointing to the hope of eternal life.

Psalm 73
A psalm of wisdom where the wicked seem to prosper, while the righteous suffer but find peace in trusting God’s justice and guidance. Asaph (a Levite worship leader) almost lost faith, as envy caused one to struggle, which leads to a fall from God. He said the wicked die in peace and are healthy with no worries. The evil blasphemes God, and even His people are drawn to them. They deny God’s awareness or justice; the wicked prosper with ease. He kept his mouth shut to not harm others’ faith. Keeping the focus on God led to a change in their thinking. The wicked would distance themselves from God and perish, but refuge comes from God, and the righteous could live forever with Him.

Today's Discussion question: 

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