DAVID AND SOLOMON

[43]

Read 1 Chronicles 22

     "Now, my son, the LORD be with you… build the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would. Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God." 1 Chronicles 22:11,19a NIV

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     One of the greatest desires of David's heart was to build a house of worship for God. But he was not permitted to build the temple, because he had been a man of war. Instead, Solomon would be the one to build it, according to God's specific instructions, in a time of peace. So David went about assembling materials and planning the work his son would do.

     When he was very old, and ready to hand the kingdom over to Solomon, he charged his son with the admonition to devote his heart and soul to the Lord, saying, “May the LORD give you discretion and understanding… you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” (22:12-13) Solomon's success as a king would be dependant on his relationship with God.

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     This is the same message all Christian parents should give to their sons and daughters: First and foremost, "love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30) Lord, help us to communicate Your love to our children so that they will want to follow You.

* * *

     "Now, my son, the LORD be with you, and may you have success" 1 Chronicles 22:11a NIV

DAVID'S SONG

[42]

Read 2 Samuel 22:1–34

     As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31 NIV

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     Before David saw God’s promise of a his kingship fulfilled–he fought in many battles and lived through very difficult times. When God finally delivered him from all his enemies and the hand of Saul, David sang God’s praises:
     “He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me… but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (vv. 18-20)

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     God’s way and God’s timing were perfect. Not only that, but in His appointed time – God would bring forth His only begotten Son through the line of David. The promised Messiah would give His life to pay for David’s sins and for the sins of all who would believe in Him. God’s ways are not our ways. He knows the whole picture from beginning to end.

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     Lord, I know your timing is perfect and you have a plan for my life and for each of my loved ones, just as you did for David. Help me Lord, to keep an eternal perspective, knowing that You have all things under control.

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     The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. . . The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David . . . and his kingdom will never end."   Luke 1:30-33 NIV

DAVID'S HOUSE

[41]

Read 1 Chronicles 17

     "Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.… I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you."
1 Chronicles 17:4,10b NIV

* * *

     David wanted to build a temple for the Lord God. He told Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent." (17:1) But David's desire was not to be fulfilled in his lifetime. His son Solomon would build the temple.
     God had an even greater plan for David than this: He said to Nathan, “Tell my servant David …When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom… I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever."(17:11, 14)

     Jesus Christ will one day sit on the throne of David, and His kingdom will be forever. But today, God’s house is the temple where His Holy Spirit dwells–in the hearts and lives of believers.

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     Thank you Lord, that because of Your eternal plan, I have been included in the promises given to David. Your kingdom will be forever, and all who receive you will have everlasting life. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." (Matthew 6:10)

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     ". . .do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV

DAVID AND BATHSHEBA

[40]
Read 2 Samuel 11:1–12:25

. . . then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." 2 Samuel 12:13 NIV

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     David, though a man after God’s own heart, was far from perfect. He was involved in an adulterous affair with Bathsheba and sent her husband into the heat of battle to cover his sin. But God does not allow sin to be hidden forever. He sent the prophet Nathan to confront David saying, “Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes?” (12:9a)

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     There would be serious consequences for David’s sin. His own son Absalom would turn against him and be killed in battle as a result. The child born to Bathsheba would also die. But even as these consequences played out, we see that God did not give up on David. David’s faith brought him back to fellowship with the Lord, and God’s plan moved forward. David and Bathsheba had another son, Solomon, who is an ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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     Lord, thank You that Your faithfulness does not depend on our perfection. I will never be the perfect wife or mother or friend. But when I fail, I know that I can come to you for forgiveness and restoration.

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     "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD." Psalm 40:2‑3 NIV

DAVID AND JONATHAN

[39]

Read 1 Samuel Chapters 18–20

     Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:3-4 NIV

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     David’s success in battle resulted in Saul’s extreme jealousy toward him. The people loved David–singing and dancing in his honor when he returned from battle. As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."(1 Samuel 18:7)
     Jonathan, Saul’s son, could have been jealous also, but the Spirit of God drew him into a loving covenant with his future king. Jonathan’s story is a beautiful picture of the covenant we enter, when we receive Jesus as our friend and Savior. Just as Jonathan said, 'The LORD is witness between you and me…forever.'" (1 Samuel 20:42) Likewise, the covenant of salvation God makes with us through faith in His Son is forever even into eternity.

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     Lord, I praise You for Your friendship with me. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) –And You gave your life for me even before I was Your friend. Help me to live in the light of Your unfailing love.

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     Then they kissed each other and wept together–but David wept the most. (1 Samuel 20:41 NIV)
We love Him (Jesus) because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19 NKJV)