Perfectly Imperfect Together

In 2 Samuel 10 & 11, in the midst of a season of war, David is not at the battle lines as he should be. He is lying idle in his home and is faced with temptation of yet another beautiful woman. He sees something he likes, gets information about her, and has her brought over. Bathsheba is the wife of Uriah who is actually out in the battle where he's supposed to be. She becomes pregnant and...

In 2 Samuel 8 & 9, David is victorious because God is bringing him victory. He is succeeding as king and letting God speak into his life. In the middle of his success, he is still showing humility to God and kindness and compassion to those around him. Mephibosheth was crippled due to a fall and lived in Lo-debar which means no pasture, no money, no idea - nothing. In fact, part of Mephiboshet...

In 2 Samuel 7, David has ideas but God stops it and says hold on - I'm up to something greater here. He spills out the Davidic Covenant promising that a king from David's lineage would reign on the throne as king for all eternity. That King does come forth in Jesus. He is our King for all eternity. This is an unconditional covenant and no matter what happens, God will and does bring it for...

As we patiently anticipate the glorious return of Jesus and continue to run the race God has placed on our lives, we should always remember to face the Son throughout every minute of our days. In every single thing we do, let Him warm our faces with His Almighty glory, awe, and power so we can continually spread His amazingly Good News of Salvation, freedom, and victory which can only be found in...

In 2 Samuel 6, David wants to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. He has a heart after God's presence and wants God's Ark near as well. The problem rises when he goes about it the wrong way and doesn't follow God's instruction and how to move the Ark as well as who should move the Ark. Disobedience is sin and sin leads to death and a man does die due to this disobedience. God desper...

In 2 Samuel 4 & 5, Saul's 4th son is murdered in his sleep. The murderers try to justify their actions and believe they are doing right in their hearts. Sin can never be justified and is never right. David responds in truth and justice to this murder and is taking his position as king. He is publicly anointed as king of all Israel. They didn't recognize him as their true king until the...

In 2 Samuel 3, some of the cracks in David's character are shown and we see yet another murder happen out of selfish ambition, selfish motive, and selfish revenge when Joab murders Abner. David once again mourns the loss of innocent life. The Bible is very honest about its people. It is very honest about the fact that we all face temptation and sin and desperately need a Savior. We desperately...

In 2 Samuel 2, David is partially anointed publicly as king over Judah. David continues to reflect God's character in his humility, kindness, and peace for those around him. He is still staying God centered and even asks when it's time to go and where to go and listens when God answers. A civil war breaks out between Judah and the rest of Israel due to a barbaric sporting event that goes q...

In 2 Samuel 1, David hears the news that both Saul and Jonathan had died in the battle between the Philistines and Israelites. David is deeply moved to mourning - not just for the loss of his best friend but for the national tragedy of losing their king. He composes a personal, poetic, and emotionally charged funeral song. His integrity, character, and fierce loyalty shine through. He is humble un...

In 1 Samuel 31, the attack from the Philistines breaks out on Israel and Saul and three of his sons are killed. Saul's story sets us up for the reign of David as the lives of David and Saul have been compared so far. It also shows us humanity. Saul chooses to reign as king in his own ways instead of with a repentant heart under submission to God and God's authority. Saul sees the results i...

In 1 Samuel 29 & 30, David wakes up expecting to be going to war with the Philistines who are going to attack the Israelites. We don't know what David was thinking or what his plan was, but we know he trusts God and His will and plan. David quickly learns that the plan is not for him to participate in that war. He is told he is going to have to go back to his city and sit this one out. Whe...

In 1 Samuel 28, David is told by the Philistine king that he will be expected to help in an upcoming war with Israel. David is anointed and appointed to be the king of Israel and now is told he is expected to help wipe them out. Saul sees the vast Philistine army and panic sets in. God will not answer him or give any direction. God is silent. Saul has disobeyed and not humbled himself before God r...

In 1 Samuel 26 & 27, David and his nephew march into a camp of 3000 of Saul's men who are on a mission to find David and kill him but yet are fast asleep. David takes Saul's sword and jug of water and then yells from the top of a hill to awaken them. He calls out Abner, the commander of the army and rebukes him for not watching out for the king of Israel. He shows him he has the sword...

In 1 Samuel 25, Samuel passes and all of Israel gathers for his funeral. David then goes to Carmel and comes across Nabal who owes him a favor so David asks for just that. Rather than answering in hospitality, he is a fool (just as his name means) and responds by rejecting David and insulting him in his arrogance, selfishness, and entitlement. David responds in retaliation rather than seeking God&...

In 1 Samuel 23 & 24, Saul is still laser focused on finding and killing David and is not doing his job as king. The town of Keilah is being attacked so David steps in and defends them even while running for his life. He shows compassion to people around him no matter the circumstances he's facing. God's favor is working through David's life. He is humble and seeks the direction and...

In 1 Samuel 21 & 22, David is on the run from Saul who has a mission set to kill him. David meets with Ahimelech and is starving. Ahimelech only has the Bread of the Presence. He goes ahead and gives him that bread so he can be nourished for his journey ahead. This bread was meant for the priests. Human need overtakes the law and mercy and compassion are shown. Religious ritual is not meant to...

In 1 Samuel 19 & 20, Saul's wrath towards David festers and he is out to kill David. David has been acting on faith in God and has been doing great things for God and the people favor him. Saul is envious and as a result angry and murderous. David and Jonathan have formed a covenant friendship under the witness of God and Jonathan helps David flee. As he flees, God is providing for him and...

In 1 Samuel 18, Jonathan and David develop a bond under God and are fast friends. Jonathan, as Saul's son, should have been the rightful heir as the next king but he renounces that honor and recognizes it belongs to David. David has already been anointed by God as the next king and Jonathan sees that in David and joins forces with him. David moves from taking care of sheep to taking care of pe...

In 1 Samuel 17, a Philistine giant is taunting the Israelites. Rather than standing on the power and might of God, they freeze up in fear and just stare at the enemy for 40 days and 40 nights. When we buy into the enemies lies, we no longer engage in battle. We are on the front lines and need to be prepared for battle daily and stand firm on the Word and power of our almighty God. The enemy will m...

In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel is mourning the loss of Saul. When someone turns from God and refuses God, it should cause us to mourn. Life is eternal and the choices we make this side of heaven will affect our eternity. We can choose Christ and encourage everyone around us to do the same. God desperately wants every single person to choose Him and live in eternity with Him. His love for every one of us i...

1 Samuel 15, God gives Saul a clear direction and Saul disobeys and only does part of what God asks. He makes excuses as to why he did what he did rather than running straight to repentance. He cared more about his image and pleasing people than what God wanted or God's rejection. He feared people more than God Himself. He's addicted to his image rather than God's image. We will make m...

In 1 Samuel 14, the Israelite army is fearful and in hiding while they wait. They are surrounded by the vast Philistine army. Jonathan has an idea and tells his armor bearer, let's go. He adds "perhaps the Lord will help us". He doesn't know what is going to happen but chooses to stand in faith in what he knows God can do. He knows the power of God and trusts in Him. Jonathan and...

In 1 Samuel 13, Jonathan defeats a bunch of their Philistine enemies which makes them angry and they raise a vast army to come against them. Saul's men become terrified and run into hiding rather than praying and trusting in God. Saul makes an impulsive sacrifice rather than waiting on Samuel which is against the proper order and direction of God. Saul acted on his feelings rather than on fait...

In 1 Samuel 11 & 12, one month after Saul is recognized as king of Israel, he's out plowing fields. He hasn't truly stepped forward. Jabesh-gilead was a part of the nation and they were in a state of separation. The Ammonites rise up against them and they request peace for 7 days as they cry out to Israel for help. They don't know if they will get help, but brotherhood rises up in...

In 1 Samuel 9 & 10, Saul is looking for donkeys but finds his calling and God's will for his life. Samuel anoints Saul privately first, then gives him the confirmation he needs so he'll know this call is from God. The confirmation points to exactly what happens when we choose to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. What was lost is now found, a hunger will be fed, you will desire to pr...