Conflict & Courage

Now these be the last words of David. 2 Samuel 23:1.  {CC 187.1}        David's "last words," as recorded, are a song--a song of trust, of loftiest principle, and undying faith:       "David the son of Jesse saith,        And the man who was raised on high saith,        The anointed of the God of Jacob,        And the sweet psalmist of Israel:        The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me: . . . .     ...

Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. Psalm 71:9.  {CC 186.1}       David entreated the Lord not to forsake him in old age. And why did he thus pray? He saw that most of the aged around him were unhappy, because of the unfortunate traits of their character being increased with their age. If they had been naturally close and covetous, they were most disagr...

And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him. 2 Samuel 18:17.  {CC 184.1}        David and all his company--warriors and statesmen, old men and youth, the women and the little children--in the darkness of night crossed the deep and swift-flowing river. . . . Hushai's counsel had achieved its object, gaining for David opportunity fo...

Chap. 177 - A Foolish Wise Man      The Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom. 2 Samuel 17:14.  {CC 183.1}        Ahithophel urged upon Absalom the necessity of immediate action against David. . . . This plan was approved by the king's counselors. Had it been followed, David would surely have been slain, unless the Lo...

When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me. Micah 7:8, 9.  {CC 182.1}        Conscience was uttering bitter and humiliating truths to David. While his faithful subjects wondered at his sudden reverse of fortune, it was no mystery to the king. He had often...

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 3:3.  {CC 181.1}       With the memory ever before him of his own transgression of the law of God, David seemed morally paralyzed; he was weak and irresolute, when before his sin he had been courageous and decided. His influence with the people had been weakened. And all this favored the designs of his unnatural...

By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. 2 Samuel 12:14.  {CC 180.1}        Through successive generations infidels have pointed to the character of David, bearing this dark stain, and have exclaimed in triumph and derision, "This is the man after God's own heart!" Thus a reproach has been brought upon religion, God and His word have been blasphemed, sou...

And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. 2 Samuel 12:7.  {CC 179.1}        As time passed on, David's sin toward Bathsheba became known, and suspicion was excited that he had planned the death of Uriah. The Lord was dishonored. He had favored and exalted David, and David's sin misrepresented the character of God and cast reproach upon His name. It tended to lower the standard of godliness in Is...

The thing that David had done displeased the Lord. 2 Samuel 11:27.  {CC 178.1}        When in ease and self-security he let go his hold upon God, David yielded to Satan and brought upon his soul the stain of guilt. He, the Heaven-appointed leader of the nation, chosen by God to execute His law, himself trampled upon its precepts. He who should have been a terror to evildoers, by his own act streng...

For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Ephesians 6:12, Phillips.  {CC 177.1}        The Bible has little to say in praise of men. Little space is given to recounting the virtues of even the best men who have...

Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there for his error. 2 Samuel 6:6, 7.  {CC 176.1}        The fate of Uzzah was a divine judgment upon the violation of a most explicit command. Through Moses the Lord had given special instruction concerning the transportation of the ark. No...

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! 2 Samuel 1:27.  {CC 175.1}        Twice David had had Saul in his power; but when urged to slay him, he had refused to lift his hand against him who had been consecrated by the command of God to rule over Israel. . . .  {CC 175.2}        David's grief at the death of Saul was sincere and deep, evincing the generosity of a noble nature. He...

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. Proverbs 11:5.  {CC 174.1}        On the plain of Shunem and the slopes of Mount Gilboa the armies of Israel and the hosts of the Philistines closed in mortal combat. Though the fearful scene in the cave of Endor had driven all hope from his heart, Saul fought with desperate valor for his throne...

It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Acts 1:7.  {CC 173.1}        The witch of Endor had made agreement with Satan to follow his directions in all things; and he would perform wonders and miracles for her, and would reveal to her the most secret things, if she would yield herself unreservedly to be controlled by his Satanic majesty. This s...

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Ecclesiastes 9:5.  {CC 172.1}        When Saul inquired for Samuel, the Lord did not cause Samuel to appear to Saul. He saw nothing. Satan was not allowed to disturb the rest of Samuel in the grave, and bring him up in reality to the witch of Endor. Go...

The Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. 1 Samuel 28:6.  {CC 171.1}        The Lord never turned away a soul that came to Him in sincerity and humility. Why did he turn Saul away unanswered? The king had by his own act forfeited the benefits of all the methods of inquiring of God. He had rejected the counsel of Samuel the prophet; he had exiled David, the chosen...

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19. CC 170.1 Although Nabal had refused the needy company of David and his men, yet that very night he made an extravagant feast for himself and his riotous friends, and indulged in eating and drinking till he sank in drunken stupor. Nabal thought n...

I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. 1 Samuel 25:28.  {CC 169.1}        Abigail met David with respect, showing him honor and deference, and pleaded her case eloquently and successfully. While not excusing her husband's insolenc...

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30.  {CC 168.1}        In the character of Abigail, the wife of Nabal, we have an illustration of womanhood after the order of Christ; while her husband illustrates what a man may become who yields himself to the control of Satan.  {CC 168.2}        When David was a fugitive from the face...

 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. 1 Samuel 22:16.  {CC 167.1}        Men cannot depart from the counsel of God and still retain that calmness and wisdom which will enable them to act with justice and discretion. There is no insanity so dreadful, so hopeless, as that of following human wisdom, unguided by the wisdom of God.  {CC 167.2}        Sa...

Chap. 159 - No One Sorry      All of you have conspired against me ... and there is none of you that is sorry for me. 1 Samuel 22:8.  {CC 165.1}        The spirit of evil was upon Saul. He felt that his doom had been sealed by the solemn message of his rejection from the throne of Israel. His departure from the plain requirements of God was bringing its sure results. He did not turn, and repent, a...

Then said David to the Philistine, . . . I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 1 Samuel 17:45.  {CC 164.1}        Goliath railed upon David and cursed him by his gods. He felt that it was an insult upon his dignity to have a mere stripling, without so much as an armor, come to meet him. . . . David did not become irritated because...

Chap. 157 - Five Smooth Stones      David said ..., The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. 1 Samuel 17:37.  {CC 163.1}        When David saw that all Israel were filled with fear, and learned that the Philistine's defiance was hurled at the...

Chap. 156 - Human Boasting      And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. 1 Samuel 17:10.  {CC 162.1}        When war was declared by Israel against the Philistines, three of the sons of Jesse joined the army under Saul; but David remained at home. After a time, however, he went to visit the camp of Saul. By his father's direction he...

When there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 1 Samuel 17:34, 35, R.V.  {CC 161.1}        David was growing in favor with God and man. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he now set his heart more fully t...