Highlights In Today's Reading:
Don't miss today's reading! We learn that we can receive protection from satanic deception as well as direction from God as David did (25:32-33,39; 26:22-24) if we stay faithful and respect biblical principles like David (26:8-12). Plus, like this man after God's own heart, we learn when we have done all we can to correct a situation, we should wait on the Lord (Chaps. 25 — 26; see Prov. 20:22).
David had passed up an opportunity to remove the only person who stood in the way of him being king as the prophet of God had earlier foretold (I Sam. 16:12-13; 23:15-18). But no one can gain God's best by putting someone else down.
Never were David's men more wrong than when they believed David would be justified in killing Saul (24:4). It is written: To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence (Deut. 32:35): O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth. . . . And He shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yeah, the Lord our God shall cut them off (Ps. 94:1,23); and Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord (Rom 12:19).
To point out David's respect for the authority of God, on another occasion David and Abishal came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him (I Sam. 26:7).
Abishai insisted: God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him. . . . And David said to Abishal, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless? . . . the Lord shall smite him . . . or he shall descend into battle, and perish (26:8-10). Satan always insists there is an exception to Biblical principles. "Just once," has defeated many.
David proved his submission to the authority of God by refusing to kill Saul and seize the throne. Anointed king of Israel long before he had suffered years without family and comfort, David refused to disobey the Word of God.
Through David's many days of humbly seeking the Lord, God had prepared him to wait and receive the kingdom in God's time and with a spirit of grateful dependence upon Him.
It should never be forgotten: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers . . . ordained of God (Rom. 13:1) and follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).
Thought for Today:
Waiting on the fulfillment of the promises of God can be difficult, but His timing is always perfect and full of purpose.
Christ Revealed:
By Abigail's efforts to make peace between David and Nabal (I Sam. 25:21-28). God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself (II Cor. 5:19).
Word Studies:
25:3 churlish =rude, harsh, cruel; 25:14 railed on =insulted; 25:15 conversant with =associated with; 25:21 requited =returned, repaid; 25:27 blessing =gift; 25:28 a sure house = lasting dynasty; 25:29 bound in the bundle of life =safe in the care of the Lord; 26:5 in the trench =inside the barricade; 26:7 bolster =headrest, pillow; 26:15 kept =guarded; 26:24 set by =valued; 27:1 coast =territory; 27:10 road =raid; 27:11 manner =behavior.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in memory of Sam Hall • Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Reverend Michael Hall • Country: Guinea (8 million) on the Atlantic coast of western Africa • Major languages: French and tribal languages • Freedom for nationals, but strict limitations on missionaries • 83% Muslim; 12% tribal religions; 4% Roman Catholic; .6% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Give thanks for trials because from them we can learn patience (Rom. 5:3).
Optional Reading: Acts 10
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:9-10