When Truth Becomes Inconvenient

*1 Kings 13-14

Psalm 61

1 Corinthians 13

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

These chapters are strange, tragic, and deeply sobering.

1 Kings chapter 13 introduces an unnamed “man of God” sent to confront King Jeroboam. Jeroboam had established false worship in the northern kingdom, creating golden calves and counterfeit religious practices to keep people politically loyal to him.

God sent a prophet to warn him.

And at first, the prophet stood courageously.

He delivered God’s message directly to the king. When Jeroboam stretched out his hand against him, the king’s hand shriveled instantly until the prophet prayed for his healing. It should have been a moment of repentance.

But Jeroboam’s heart remained unchanged.

Then comes one of the most heartbreaking twists in the story.

God had specifically commanded the prophet not to eat or drink in that place and not to return the same way he came. But an older prophet lied to him, claiming an angel had given new instructions. The younger prophet listened to the false message instead of obeying the clear word God had already spoken.

And it cost him his life.

It is a difficult story, but its lesson is painfully relevant.

Not every spiritual voice is trustworthy simply because it sounds religious.

People can speak confidently and still be wrong.
People can claim spiritual authority and still deceive others.
Even sincere believers can drift if they stop carefully testing what they hear against what God has already revealed.

That is why truth matters.

Not harshness.
Not arrogance.
Not winning arguments.

But truth.

The world often pressures believers to reshape God’s commands into something more convenient, popular, or culturally acceptable. Jeroboam did exactly that. He created a religion that was politically useful and easier for people to embrace.

And many people gladly followed it.

Counterfeit worship is often attractive because it asks less of us.

But convenient religion cannot save us.

Chapter 14 continues the tragedy. Jeroboam’s household faced judgment because he continually led the nation into sin. Yet even in the middle of judgment, Scripture notes something remarkable about Jeroboam’s sick child:

“In him there is found something pleasing to the LORD…”

Even in dark times, God notices sincere hearts.

That truth still matters today.

Our culture is filled with competing voices claiming to represent truth. Some are loud. Some are persuasive. Some are comforting. But faithfulness requires more than emotional reactions or popular opinion.

It requires humble obedience to God.

And ultimately, these chapters remind us why humanity desperately needs a better King than Jeroboam, Solomon, or any other flawed ruler. Human leaders repeatedly fail. Human religion repeatedly drifts.

But God’s future King will lead with perfect truth and righteousness.

One day false worship, deception, and divided hearts will finally end when God’s Kingdom fully comes and the earth is restored under His rule.

Three Things to Remember
  1. Not every spiritual voice speaks truth.

The prophet was deceived when he ignored God’s clear instruction.

  1. Convenient religion is spiritually dangerous.

Jeroboam created worship that was politically useful but spiritually corrupt.

  1. God still notices sincere hearts.

Even in a corrupt generation, God recognized what was good in Jeroboam’s child.

Faithfulness is not always easy.

Sometimes obeying God means standing against culture, pressure, convenience, or even respected voices around us.

But truth does not become false simply because it is unpopular.

And error does not become true simply because it is persuasive.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you tell if you are listening to lies or to the truth from God? How can you tell if you are speaking lies or the truth from God?
  2. When were you led astray by listening to someone who was not speaking the truth? What happened?
  3. What can you think of today that may be politically useful but spiritually corrupt?

Prayer

Dear God, You are giver of all truth. Help me to discern what is truth coming from You and what is not. Teach me what is Your voice and what is deception. May I not fall for what is convenient or popular but strive to always please You with authentic, sincere love, worship and truth. Please give me Lord, a true, undivided, faithful heart loving and serving You the only true God and Your Son Jesus, til his glorious return.

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The Slow Collapse

1 Kings 11–12

Psalm 61

1 Corinthians 12

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

It is one of the saddest turns in all of Scripture.

Solomon — the man who asked God for wisdom, built the temple, and spoke profound truth — slowly drifted away from wholehearted devotion to God.

1 Kings chapter 11 does not describe a sudden rebellion. It describes a gradual compromise.

One relationship at a time.
One excuse at a time.
One divided loyalty at a time.

Solomon married many foreign women, and eventually “his wives turned his heart after other gods.” The problem was never simply ethnicity. The issue was spiritual influence and divided devotion. The man who once dedicated the temple to the LORD eventually participated in idolatry himself.

That is the terrifying reality of spiritual drift:

Nobody plans to ruin their walk with God.

People usually drift slowly, almost invisibly, until one day they realize they are far from where they once were.

And Solomon’s personal compromise eventually affected an entire nation.

After his death, the kingdom fractured. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, inherited incredible opportunity but lacked wisdom and humility. When the people pleaded for lighter burdens, he rejected the counsel of experienced elders and listened instead to arrogant young advisers.

His answer was harsh.
His pride was costly.

The result?
The kingdom divided.

Ten tribes rebelled and formed the northern kingdom under Jeroboam, while Judah remained under Rehoboam’s rule.

What David united, Solomon weakened, and Rehoboam shattered.

These chapters are painful reminders that leadership matters. Pride spreads. Compromise spreads. Foolishness spreads. The consequences of one generation’s decisions often impact the next generation deeply.

But there is another tragedy here.

Jeroboam immediately feared losing political control if people continued worshiping in Jerusalem. So he created counterfeit worship centers with golden calves and told the people:

“Here are your gods, Israel…”

It was a recycled sin from the wilderness days under Moses.

Human nature has not changed much.

People still prefer convenient religion over costly obedience.
We still create watered-down substitutes for true worship.
We still reshape God into something more comfortable, manageable, and politically useful.

Yet even amid judgment and division, God preserved His promises.

The kingdom split, but God’s greater plan did not collapse.

The prophets would continue speaking.
The promised Messiah would still come through David’s line.
And God’s future Kingdom would still one day reunite what human sin had shattered.

That future hope matters because every earthly kingdom eventually fractures under the weight of human failure.

But the coming Kingdom of God will not be built upon fragile human wisdom. It will be ruled by a faithful King who will never drift, never compromise, and never fail.

Three Things to Remember

  1. Spiritual collapse usually happens slowly.

Small compromises can eventually reshape the entire heart.

  1. Pride destroys unity.

Rehoboam’s arrogance divided a kingdom.

  1. God’s promises survive human failure.

Even after division and rebellion, God continued moving history toward His coming Kingdom.

Sin rarely looks dangerous in its early stages.

That is why we must guard our hearts carefully.

Because kingdoms usually do not collapse overnight.

They collapse one compromise at a time.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways have you seen “Here are your gods, (insert name of your country)…”?
  2. Give an example of when unity has been destroyed by pride.
  3. Consider a sin in your own life. What were some compromises that led to this sin? How can we guard our hearts?

Prayer

Dear Lord, I praise You. Help me learn from Your word. Thank You for Your faithfulness through all the ages and in my life. Show me what You want from me. May I humbly follow You without compromise.

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When Blessings Become Distractions

1 Kings 9–10

Psalm 60

1 Corinthians 11

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

Solomon’s kingdom had reached astonishing heights.

The temple was complete.
The palace was built.
The nation was prosperous.
The surrounding kingdoms were amazed.

1 Kings chapters 9–10 describe a period of extraordinary success. Solomon’s wisdom became internationally famous. Wealth flowed into Jerusalem. Leaders traveled great distances just to hear him speak. Even the Queen of Sheba came away overwhelmed by what she witnessed.

From the outside, it looked like the golden age of Israel.

And yet, hidden beneath all the glory is a quiet warning.

God appeared to Solomon again and reminded him of something critically important:

“If you or your descendants turn away from me… then I will cut off Israel from the land…”
— 1 Kings 9:6-7

Why would God give such a warning during the kingdom’s greatest moment of success?

Because prosperity can be spiritually dangerous.

Hardship often drives people toward God.
Success often tempts people to slowly forget Him.

When life falls apart, people pray desperately.
When life feels secure, people sometimes begin trusting the blessings more than the One who provided them.

That danger still exists today.

A good career can slowly replace dependence upon God.
A comfortable life can dull spiritual urgency.
Even ministry success can quietly become pride.

And Solomon’s story demonstrates how subtle that drift can be.

These chapters list staggering amounts of gold, military strength, trade networks, luxurious possessions, and political influence. None of those things were automatically sinful by themselves. But together they reveal a king whose attention was gradually shifting from simple devotion toward accumulation, prestige, and earthly security.

The human heart has a dangerous tendency to turn gifts into idols.

The Queen of Sheba recognized that Solomon’s wisdom came from God. Sadly, Solomon himself would eventually begin losing sight of that truth.

That makes these chapters deeply relevant for us.

Sometimes the greatest spiritual threat is not suffering.
Sometimes it is success.

The Bible never teaches that money, achievement, or influence are the ultimate goal. In fact, all earthly kingdoms eventually fade. Solomon’s kingdom — despite all its glory — would soon begin unraveling.

But God’s coming Kingdom will not collapse.

Its foundation will not be gold, military power, or political influence. It will be built upon righteousness, justice, resurrection, and the rule of God’s appointed King.

That is why our hope must never rest primarily in earthly prosperity.

Because even the greatest human kingdoms eventually crack.

Three Things to Remember

  1. Prosperity can distract us from God.

Success often tests the heart more than hardship does.

  1. Blessings should point us back to the Giver.

The Queen of Sheba recognized God’s hand in Solomon’s wisdom.

  1. Earthly kingdoms never last forever.

Only God’s coming Kingdom will endure permanently.

It is easy to assume we are spiritually strong when life is going well.

But sometimes the most dangerous words a person can say are:

“I’ve got this.”

Solomon’s story reminds us that no amount of wisdom, wealth, or success can safely replace humble dependence upon God.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you seen evidence in your own life or in others that, “prosperity can be spiritually dangerous”?
  2. Focus in on your own life – what blessings have you received that have then stolen some of your time, desire and devotion away from serving God with all your heart?
  3. Do you own too much? Do you value things too much? What is your greatest treasure?
  4. Are you more humble or prideful, thankful or entitled, generous or greedy, kingdom-seeking or self-centered? Is your heart, time and finances more focused on possessions in this life or properly preparing for the one to come?

Prayer

Dear Father – I don’t want any thing that will distract me from doing what You want me to do. I want to keep growing closer and closer to You, not further away. Help me remove excess that gets in the way. Help me be thankful and generous with what You have given me and my family, always focused on You and Your coming kingdom. May my life show that You are my greatest treasure.

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When the Glory Filled the Temple

1 Kings 7-8

Psalm 60

1 Corinthians 10

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

After years of planning and construction, the temple was finally complete.

1 Kings chapters 7–8 describe the finishing details, the furnishings, and finally the moment when the ark of the covenant was brought into the temple. Then something extraordinary happened:

“The cloud filled the temple of the LORD… for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.”
— 1 Kings 8:10-11

It was a visible reminder that God was truly present among His people.

What a moment that must have been.

The musicians played.
The priests stood ministering.
The nation gathered together.
And suddenly the glory of God filled the temple so powerfully that the priests could not continue their work.

Yet Solomon understood something critically important. During his prayer of dedication, he asked:

“Will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you…”

Solomon recognized that the temple was never meant to shrink God down into a building. God is greater than any structure humanity could ever create.

That truth still matters today.

People often become attached to religious places, traditions, or outward appearances while neglecting the condition of the heart. Church buildings can be beautiful. Traditions can be meaningful. Worship gatherings can be emotional.

But none of those things automatically guarantee genuine faithfulness.

God has always desired more than outward religion.

He wants hearts that seek Him sincerely.

One of the most beautiful parts of Solomon’s prayer is how often he asks God to hear people when they repent and turn back toward Him. Solomon understood that the people would fail. He knew there would be sin, hardship, exile, drought, conflict, and brokenness.

But he also understood that God is merciful.

Again and again throughout Scripture, we see this pattern:

People drift.
God calls them back.
Mercy remains available.

That does not mean sin has no consequences. Israel would eventually experience painful judgment because of rebellion. But even judgment never completely erased God’s promises.

The temple itself pointed forward to something greater.

The prophets later described a future age where God’s presence would fully dwell with His people in peace and righteousness. The Bible’s ultimate hope is not escape from creation, but restoration of creation under God’s Kingdom.

One day the earth itself will be filled with God’s glory.

No more corruption.
No more idolatry.
No more death.

That future reality is far greater than even Solomon’s magnificent temple.

Three Things to Remember

  1. God is greater than any building.

Even Solomon knew the temple could not contain the fullness of God.

  1. God desires sincere hearts, not empty religion.

Outward worship means little without inward faithfulness.

  1. God’s ultimate plan is restoration.

The temple pointed forward to God dwelling fully with His people in His coming Kingdom.

The glory filling the temple was breathtaking.

But it was only a glimpse of something even greater still to come.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think God’s plan included a tabernacle, then temple, then church? What similarities might there be between being a part of a church today and going to the temple of Solomon’s day? What is your favorite part of being a part of a church?
  2. Consider your own heart. Are you more concerned with outward appearances, traditions and religious places than with a sincere, faithful heart of love? How can you tell what the health of your heart is towards God? What can be done to create a more faithful heart?
  3. What is your experience with glimpsing the glory of God? Where? When? Do you look for it? What are you looking forward to most about when His full glory will be revealed?

Prayer

Dear God – I praise You for giving life and love. I thank You for Your mercy towards me. I thank You for Your plan of salvation and Your plan for the ages, that we can look forward to a time when we are surrounded by Your full glory on display. Until then, I pray for a heart totally devoted to You. I thank You for the church. Help us to use it to draw ourselves and others closer to You and Your Son, but never to replace You. In Your son’s name, I pray

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A House for God

1 Kings 5-6

Psalm 59

1 Corinthians 9

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

Solomon began building the temple.

For generations, Israel had worshiped in the tabernacle — a movable tent that reminded the people that God traveled with them through the wilderness. But now the kingdom was established, the enemies were subdued, and Solomon prepared to build a permanent house dedicated to the LORD.

1 Kings describes enormous effort, careful planning, costly materials, and incredible craftsmanship. Cedar from Lebanon. Gold overlays. Carved cherubim. Skilled laborers. Massive stones carefully prepared before they ever arrived at the building site.

One detail stands out powerfully:

“No hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.”
— 1 Kings 6:7

The stones were shaped beforehand.

Quietly.
Carefully.
Intentionally.

That image says something profound about how God works.

Most of God’s shaping happens long before anyone sees the finished result.

We often want instant transformation.
Immediate answers.
Quick spiritual growth.

But God usually builds people the same way the temple was built — through quiet preparation over time.

Difficult seasons shape us.
Disappointments shape us.
Waiting shapes us.
Faithfulness in ordinary moments shapes us.

And much of that shaping happens where nobody else can see it.

But there is an even bigger lesson in these chapters.

As glorious as the temple was, Solomon himself understood that no building could fully contain God. Later, he would openly admit that “the heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain” Him.

The temple was never supposed to reduce God to a location. It was meant to remind people of His presence, holiness, and covenant.

Sadly, many people still confuse religious structures with genuine faith.

A beautiful church building is not the same thing as obedience.
Religious activity is not the same thing as a transformed heart.

God has always wanted more than ceremonies.
He wants faithful people.

The temple also pointed forward to something greater.

Throughout Scripture, the ultimate hope is not merely access to a building, but restored fellowship with God Himself through His appointed King and the coming Kingdom of God.

One day, according to the prophets and the teachings of Jesus, God’s presence will fully dwell with redeemed humanity in a restored earth where death itself is defeated.

That is the destination toward which the temple pointed.

Not just architecture.
Not just ritual.
But restoration.

Three Things to Remember

  1. God often shapes us quietly.

Much of the Lord’s work happens in hidden seasons before the final result is visible.

  1. Religious structures are not enough.

God desires obedient hearts, not merely outward ceremonies.

  1. The temple pointed toward a greater future.

The Bible’s story moves toward resurrection, restoration, and God dwelling with His people forever.

Sometimes we become discouraged because we do not yet see what God is building in our lives.

But the stones of the temple probably did not understand the blueprint either.

Still, the Builder did.

And He still does.

Reflection Questions

  1. Where have you seen pieces of God’s plan for you prepared beforehand? What pieces might God be molding right now for future presentation?
  2. What sort of boxes/buildings/separate activities do people sometimes try to keep God in? Why is this not God’s desire? What does He deserve instead?
  3. Take a step back and look not at your schedule today but God’s Big Picture Plan. What are you most excited about the Coming Kingdom and pieces building up to that? What still needs to be done? How can you mold your schedule today better in anticipation of what God is planning for the future?

Prayer

Dear God – You are an awesome God with an awesome plan. Thank You for including me in Your plans. Help me build only what You want me to build with the days that You have given to me. May I see You at work and do what is pleasing to You.

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Wisdom is More than Intelligence

1 Kings 3–4

Psalm 59

1 Corinthians 8

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

When Solomon became king, God gave him an incredible opportunity.

He could ask for anything.

Power.
Riches.
Military victory.
Long life.

Instead, Solomon asked for wisdom.

That request pleased God because Solomon recognized something many people never do: leadership without wisdom is dangerous.

1 Kings chapter 3 shows a young king who understood his own limitations. Solomon did not pretend to know everything. He admitted that he needed God’s help to govern rightly.

And that humility mattered.

One of the most famous moments in Solomon’s life came shortly afterward when two women came before him, both claiming the same baby as their own. Solomon’s shocking proposal revealed the true mother because real love was willing to sacrifice personal rights to preserve life.

True wisdom does more than impress people.
It reveals the heart.

That is still true today.

Our world often confuses wisdom with education, confidence, or internet knowledge. But biblical wisdom is deeper than information. Wisdom is the ability to see situations through God’s perspective and respond in ways that reflect His character.

A person can be highly educated and still make foolish decisions.
A person can speak confidently and still be spiritually blind.

Wisdom begins with recognizing our dependence upon God.

But there is also a warning quietly woven into these chapters.

Even while Solomon loved God, cracks were already forming beneath the surface. The text mentions that he married Pharaoh’s daughter and that the people were still sacrificing at the high places.

At first glance, those details may seem minor. But small compromises often become major disasters later.

Very few people wake up one morning and decide to destroy their lives. Usually, hearts drift slowly.

One tolerated compromise at a time.
One rationalization at a time.
One neglected prayer at a time.

That is why wisdom is not merely knowing what is right. Wisdom is continually choosing what is right.

Solomon’s kingdom experienced peace, prosperity, and influence unlike almost anything Israel had ever seen. Yet even the greatest earthly kingdom could not fully satisfy the human heart or permanently solve the problem of sin and death.

Like David before him, Solomon’s story ultimately points beyond himself.

The Bible’s hope is not merely that humanity would someday produce a wise king. The hope is that God would provide the perfect King — one greater than Solomon — who would rule with complete righteousness forever.

And that future kingdom still lies ahead.

Three Things to Remember

  1. Wisdom begins with humility.

Solomon became wise when he admitted he needed God’s help.

  1. Small compromises matter.

The seeds of future failure are often planted long before anyone notices them.

  1. Earthly success is never the final answer.

Even Solomon’s glorious kingdom could not replace humanity’s need for resurrection, restoration, and God’s coming Kingdom.

We live in a world overflowing with information but starving for wisdom.

So before asking God for more influence, more money, or more success, perhaps we should begin where Solomon did:

“Lord, give me wisdom.”

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you humble enough to seek and ask for wisdom?
  2. Consider this definition – “Wisdom is the ability to see situations through God’s perspective and respond in ways that reflect His character.” Choose a situation you have been in recently. What might wisdom see? How might wisdom respond?
  3. How can we learn more about God’s perspective and His character so we can more often follow in God’s wise way rather than our own often foolish way?
  4. What should we do, where should we be, who should we be with, while asking God for wisdom?
  5. What do you think is a wise judgment/decision/action you made? What is a foolish one ? What made it foolish? Were there any small compromises that led up to this foolishness?

Prayer

Dear God – I pray for wisdom. You are the wise and all-knowing, always righteous God and I need You. Help me see Your perspective and reflect Your character in both big and small decisions, judgments and actions in my life. Show me what is right and what is wrong and give me perseverance to do, think, say, choose what is right. Show me where small compromises are leading me astray.

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Finishing Well Matters

1 Kings 1-2

Psalm 58

1 Corinthians 7

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

David was old. Weak. Near death. And yet the future of the kingdom still depended on what happened in those final moments.

1 Kings opens with confusion, ambition, and uncertainty. Adonijah tried to take the throne for himself while David was still alive. He gathered supporters, hosted public celebrations, and acted like the kingdom already belonged to him. But God had already chosen Solomon.

There is an important lesson here: Not everyone who promotes themselves has been appointed by God.

Adonijah looked impressive. He sounded royal. He had influential friends. But appearances are not the same as obedience.

Meanwhile, David gave Solomon final instructions before his death. He did not simply tell his son how to rule politically. He told him how to live spiritually:

“Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands…” — 1 Kings 2:3

David understood something many people never learn: success is not measured merely by how long we live, how much we accumulate, or how powerful we become. A life is measured by faithfulness to God.

Even David himself was a reminder of that truth. His life had victories and failures, courage and sin, repentance and heartbreak. Yet through it all, David still trusted the promises of God. He died looking ahead to a kingdom he would not fully see in his lifetime.

That hope matters.

The Scriptures repeatedly point beyond temporary kingdoms toward the coming Kingdom of God — a kingdom ruled by the promised Son of David. David himself knew he would one day rest in the grave awaiting resurrection and restoration under God’s final King.

That is our hope too.

Not escape from earth. Not floating away forever somewhere distant. But resurrection, restoration, and life in God’s coming kingdom.

The beginning of Solomon’s reign reminds us that every generation must choose whether it will submit to God’s wisdom or chase its own ambitions.

And the ending of David’s life reminds us of another truth: Starting well is good. Finishing well is better.

Three Things to Remember

1. Self-promotion is not the same as God’s calling.

Adonijah exalted himself, but God had already chosen someone else.

2. The condition of the heart matters more than outward success.

David’s final concern was Solomon’s obedience to God.

3. Our ultimate hope is still future.

Like David, we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises and the resurrection of the dead. The world teaches us to chase comfort, status, and recognition now. But Scripture constantly points us forward.

Toward a better King. A better kingdom. And a better future than this world can offer.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you tend to measure success in your own life or in the lives of others?
  2. “A life is measured by faithfulness to God.” How is your life measuring up?
  3. What have you started well that still needs to be finished well? What steps can you take toward that purpose?
  4. Who has shared spiritual wisdom with you? What spiritual wisdom have you gained thus far that you can pass along?
  5. What evidence can you find regarding David’s view of death? How is it like or unlike yours?

Prayer

Dear God – I thank You for the wisdom found in Your book and in Your people. Help me grow in wisdom, seeing what is most important, and faithfully living in obedience to You. Thank You for the promises You give, including the coming resurrection and kingdom with the Son of David (who is Your Son, too). In his name I pray.

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Counting Strength & Finding Mercy

2 Samuel 23-24

Psalm 58

1 Corinthians 6

-Devotion by Melissa New (AR)

Here we are near the end of David’s life. He fought many battles, brought in a lot of wealth to Israel, united the nation and all twelve tribes, and made Jerusalem the capital city. We know David had troubling times, but he could also look back on his life and find many things to be proud of. In chapter 23, we are reminded of how much David had been given by God.

In the oracle of David, he calls himself a “man exalted by the Most High.” He says he was “anointed by the God of Jacob.” He recognizes that God made him “Israel’s singer of songs.” He says “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me.” And he even asks, “Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?” Of course, there is a lot of truth in David’s words. God has been very good to him.

Next, we see the great and awesome deeds of his mighty men. They really are something to be proud of and there is a list of his valiant men and some of their heroic exploits. But chapter 24 starts with the LORD’s anger. It says, “Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go, and take a census of Israel and Judah.’” The anger seems to come out of the blue, but Scripture is not always chronological and it doesn’t always explain everything for us. To make matters worse, the other account of David’s census words this differently. 1 Chronicles 21:1 says, “Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.”

What are we to make of this? First of all, I think two things can be true at the same time. The LORD was angry with the Israelites and it seems logical to think that Satan would tempt David’s weakness regarding his pride in his army. But who originated the census situation? Ultimately, God is always in control and He enacts judgment when He deems it appropriate and for the purpose of leading His people to repentance and mercy. So, it stands to reason that God allowed Satan to tempt David who was probably already leaning toward the desire to count his army.

David still had a choice. Remarkably, Joab advises David against the census. However, David’s checkered past with Joab may have made him the worst person to have tried to talk David out of it. If you are like me, you wonder why was God angry? Well, let’s think about the Israelites for a minute. Scripture shows us that the Israelites were constantly frustrating God and usually for the same reasons over and over again. It was invariably lack of trust and/or idolatry that was the issue.

Some suggest that God was angry because the Israelites showed a lack of trust in God’s appointment of David as king when so many of them followed Absalom. Right after Absalom’s rebellion is put down, many Israelites joined Sheba’s rebellion until it was put down as well.

Some point to Exodus 30:12 where the LORD says, “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them.” They say the census wasn’t done properly. Those who were counted were supposed to give a half shekel for the Tent of Meeting.

Another theory is that David had become too proud of the strength of Israel and wanted to number the army to show how strong his kingdom was. But the kingdom belonged to the LORD. God never liked them counting on how many men they had to fight with. He wanted them to trust in Him to take care of them. He wanted to be their king. Again, I think more than one thing can be true at the same time. It’s likely that the LORD’s anger points to the Israelites’ sin, but David himself sins by ordering the census.

Psalm 58 ends by reminding us that “there is a God who judges the earth.” That is exactly what David and Israel had to face here. God judges nations. God judges kings. God judges His own people. But 2 Samuel 24 also shows us that the God who judges is the same God who shows mercy when His people humble themselves before Him.

This is important because we cannot view this as all David’s fault. He was so good about admitting when he did wrong and repenting when he messed up. But “the anger of the LORD burned against Israel,” not just David. Joab came back from counting with a massive number of 1.3 million soldiers. (I looked this up online and the United States military has about 1.3 million active-duty soldiers right now!) David doesn’t feel joy at hearing the number, though, because he immediately realized that he should not have counted the fighting men.

He confessed to the LORD and asked for forgiveness, but the consequences resulted in the LORD sending a plague in which seventy thousand men were killed. David said to the LORD, “I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall upon me and my family.” 2 Samuel 24:17 This is a beautiful thing. David wanted to intercede on behalf of the people.

The prophet Gad told David to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David went and Araunah offered to give David the land and oxen and everything needed for the sacrifice. David said, “I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” And the last verse of chapter 24 says, “Then the LORD answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.” God let David intercede for the nation of Israel.

Can God receive one man’s intercession and sacrifice as the place where mercy is shown to many? We see something like that happen in 2 Samuel 24. The angel of the LORD was going around striking people down. God’s judgment was not random or unfair, but the Scripture also says that “the LORD was grieved because of the calamity.” Our God is holy and righteous and when He judges, He judges rightly. We don’t really want to stand before God on what we deserve, though. We want mercy. God gives mercy to those who turn to Him as David did.

Araunah’s threshing floor became a special place where all God’s people could find mercy when Solomon built the Temple on that spot several years later.

Reflection Questions

Is it possible for us to get prideful about the things God has done for us or given us?

Are we in rebellion against what God is doing as the Israelites seemed to be?

When we give to the LORD do we recognize that it should cost us something?

When we sin, do we confess and beg the LORD for forgiveness as David did? Or do we just expect it and make excuses for our failures?

Do we trust the LORD in all things even when it’s hard to understand?

Will we humble ourselves before the God who judges, and come to the place where mercy can be found?

Prayer

Dear Lord God, You are right and all your ways are right. Thank you for Your right judgments and Your mercy again and again. Thank you for David’s example: his praise of You, his confession, repentance, sacrifice, and interceding for his people. I want to always remember that my strength comes from You. And when Your anger burns, I want to respond correctly. Forgive me for the times my pride has caused me to do or say foolish things. Help me to praise You always.

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Still Fighting Giants

and David grew weary 2 Sam 21 15 ESV

2 Samuel 21–22

Psalm 57

1 Corinthians 5

-Devotion by Melissa New (AR)

This passage surprised me the last time I read it. We all know the account of young David fighting the giant, Goliath. But we don’t always notice that David was still fighting giants late in life. There were other giants in Gath besides Goliath, and it’s not hard to imagine that some of them remembered what David had done.

David is older and has been king a long time. He has fought many battles. And he’s seen so many things; victory, failure, betrayal, grief, and mercy. But even near the end of his life, the giants are still coming.

In 2 Samuel 21, David and his servants are fighting the Philistines “once again.” One of the descendants of the giants, Ishbi-Benob, sees his chance and thinks he can kill the king. We know he is a giant because he’s a descendant of Rapha, and the Scripture tells us his bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels (quite heavy for just a spearhead). He is also armed with a new sword. Ishbi-Benob appears battle-ready and dangerous.

During the battle, David became exhausted. But Abishai comes to David’s aid and strikes the giant down. Abishai is the brother of Joab and also one of David’s nephews. David is still David, but he’s not as strong as he once was. The man who once stood alone before Goliath now needs someone else to step in and help him.

There are seasons when God gives us strength to stand and fight. There are also seasons when God sends someone else to stand beside us because our strength is almost gone. David had once been the young man delivering Israel from a giant. Now another man is delivering David.

After this, David’s men tell him that he should no longer go out with them to battle, “so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” They aren’t dishonoring him. They are protecting him. The king of Israel would be a target for any enemy, but you wouldn’t want to see the king who came to prominence by defeating a giant meet his end at the hands of a giant either.

It can be hard for us as we get older to realize that we aren’t as strong as we once were. There is wisdom in seeing where others are more able. Sometimes faithfulness means letting others help. The battles will still come up, but our role in the battle changes.

The chapter tells us that “in the course of time” another giant needed to be defeated.  Sibbecai the Hushathite killed the next giant, Saph. Sibbecai is named as one of David’s commanders who led 24,000 Israelite men in 1 Chronicles 27:11.

Then there is another battle at Gob. In this battle, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. This was an unusually large and heavy weapon. (In 1 Chronicles 20:5 the giant fought here is described as being Goliath’s brother, Lahmi.) Elhanan was probably another of David’s elite fighting men, very likely one of the Thirty mentioned in 2 Samuel 23.

Then there is another battle in Gath where a giant with “six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot” is fought. Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, killed this unnamed giant who was also a descendant of Rapha in Gath.

In seven short verses we see four more giant encounters! David went out with his men to fight Ishbi-Benob and the Philistines, but his men convinced him that they can handle the giants now.

What a legacy that David is able to see for himself! David showed his men how to have the courage and faith to defeat Israel’s enemies. He had men under him who were also capable of killing giants. Some were part of his mighty men and some were his very own nephews.

This is definitely a victory in David’s life. He did not just defeat a giant. He helped raise up men who could keep fighting when more giants came. We often think that one great victory will settle everything. We think if we defeat one giant, we should be done with giants. But life does not usually work that way.

Life is full of battles, unfortunately. Jesus told us we would have trouble. (John 16:33) There are battles we thought we had already settled and won, but they come back up. There are battles that come when we are tired. There are battles that come when we are wounded. There are battles that come when we may need others around us to step up and help us get through it. (It is good to have “mighty men” and faithful family nearby. And they don’t have to be blood-related. Our church family is so important!)

David’s story reminds us that faith is not proven only in one dramatic moment. Faith must keep trusting God after the famous victory is over and when we don’t feel as strong as we want to feel.

In 2 Samuel 22, David sings.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.” He ends the song with, “The LORD lives! Praise be to my rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!” (2 Samuel 22:47)

Let’s not forget to sing and praise God for what He does for us either!  All the “giants” or “battles” we find ourselves up against are another opportunity for God to show how very faithful and good He is.

We want to be like David; a leader who surrounded himself with faithful men who could help and advise him in times of need. But we want to be like David’s mighty men and nephews too. Do you know of someone who could use help in their battle? Maybe God has placed us near them for that very reason.

Reflection Questions

Do we acknowledge that we will face many battles and also prepare ourselves for them?

Do we let others help us when don’t feel strong enough to get through it on our own?

Are we training our children and younger family members to walk with God, so that one day they can help strengthen us and others when battles come?

Do we pay attention to the needs of others and help them with their battles too?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father – I praise You for Your goodness and faithfulness. I am thankful that You are a God of strength and might and You do not grow tired and weary. Show me where and when I would be wise and faithful to offer and give aid and also where and when I ought to accept or ask for help. Help me be strong and wise for every task You are preparing for me to do, and also know what is the job for another. Help me intentionally and effectively raise up workers for Your kingdom. In Your Son’s name I pray.

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Forgiven and Grieving, but Still Moving

2 Samuel 19–20

Psalm 57

1 Corinthians 4

-Devotion by Melissa New (AR)

Absalom is dead, but David is not celebrating.

The rebellion has been stopped. The army has won. David’s throne has been preserved. But the king is weeping over the son who tried to take his kingdom from him.

“O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 19:4)

To Joab and the army, Absalom was a traitor. He had stolen the hearts of the people, taken Jerusalem, and forced David to flee for his life. He was dangerous and his rebellion had to be stopped. But David did not see Absalom only as a rebel. He saw him as his son.

We cannot say exactly what was in David’s mind, but we do know what was in David’s past. In 2 Samuel 12, Nathan had told David that his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah would bring consequences into his house. The sword would not depart from his house, calamity would come out of his own household, his wives would be given to someone close to him in broad daylight, and the child born to Bathsheba would die.

David repented and was forgiven. Nathan told him plainly, “The LORD has taken away your sin.” But forgiveness didn’t mean that every consequence disappeared.

By 2 Samuel 19, David is mourning the death of another son. The child born to Bathsheba had died. Amnon had been murdered by his brother, Absalom. Now Absalom has been killed by Joab. (Later, Adonijah would also die during the struggle surrounding Solomon’s throne.) The calamity in David’s household was no longer a warning. It had become a painful reality.

David had replied to the prophet Nathan’s parable that the guilty man should pay “four times over.” Whether we count the consequences by Nathan’s words or by the sons David lost, the shadow over David’s house is hard to miss. This is what makes David’s grief so complicated. He was not just grieving a son. He was grieving as a father, as a king, and as a man who knew that his own sin helped bring sorrow into his house.

David had already shown a humbled spirit when he fled Jerusalem. When Zadok brought the ark of God, David sent it back. He would not presume that God would go with him. Then Shimei came out cursing him and throwing stones. Abishai wanted to kill him, but David stopped him. David wondered if perhaps the Lord had allowed even that humiliation.

This is not the attitude of a man who thinks he has done nothing wrong. David knows he has been forgiven, but he also knows he is living in the wreckage of his own failure. Can we relate to this struggle?

We believe God forgives sin. We believe the blood of Christ is enough. We believe God removes guilt from the repentant heart. But what happens when the consequences remain?

What happens when the relationship is still damaged?
What happens when the trust is still broken?
What happens when the family still feels the effects?
What happens when we are forgiven before God, but still have to walk through the results of what we did?

Sometimes guilt and grief can make us passive. We do not know when to speak, when to act, when to defend ourselves, or when to accept the humiliation. David seems almost frozen at times. He wants Absalom spared. He mourns so deeply that the men who saved him feel ashamed. He forgives Shimei. He appoints Amasa, the commander of Absalom’s army, over his own army. He is trying to heal the kingdom, but everything is still unstable and such a mess.

There is humility and mercy in David, but there is also hesitation.

Joab saw the danger in David sitting too long in his grief and hesitation. He was a man of action who saw a threat and dealt with it quickly. He killed Absalom even though David didn’t want this to happen. He murdered his cousin Amasa after Amasa delayed in gathering the army against Sheba’s rebellion. Then he took charge of David’s army and pursued Sheba until the rebellion was crushed. Joab may have helped preserve David’s kingdom, but he did it with blood on his hands. And because he was David’s nephew, Joab’s violence was another painful reminder that this trouble, too, was coming from close to home.

David and Joab show two different dangers. David’s guilt and grief made it hard for him to act decisively.
Joab had no such hesitation, but his boldness was not always righteous. One man hesitated under the weight of sorrow. The other pushed forward without enough fear of God.

Forgiveness does not mean we will always know exactly how to act when consequences stand in front of us. Sometimes we will feel humbled. Sometimes ashamed. Sometimes unsure whether to speak or stay silent. Sometimes we will want to fix everything quickly, but the damage will take longer than we hoped.

When the consequences of sin remain, we still have to do the next right thing. We humble ourselves. We accept what God allows. We make peace where peace can be made. We lead where we are called to lead. We refuse revenge. We refuse despair. We refuse to believe that because the storm is still blowing, God is no longer with us. And even while we are grieving, we keep moving.

David had once prayed in Psalm 57:1, “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” That psalm came from another season of trouble, but the words fit David’s life here too. He needed mercy while the storm was still raging. He needed God while the consequences were still unfolding.

And so do we.

Reflection Questions

Do shame and guilt sometimes grip your heart and make it hard for you to know what to do?

Do you feel lost to the consequences of sin and like an outsider watching your life with no power to control it?

Does grief keep you frozen and feeling unable to act as a faithful follower of God?

If so, these are all feelings that David probably experienced too. Most likely, many Christians feel this way at times. David is a great example for us because no matter how bad things got for him, he always put his trust in God. He shows us how to turn our focus from ourselves back to the God who loves us. David said, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 57:11

Prayer

Dear Great & Mighty God of Mercy and Justice – help me to fear You, and love and adore You to keep me from evil and serve You well. When I fail You, thank You for Your forgiveness. In humility, help me seek to do the next right thing and trust You more and more.

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