1 Samuel 21-24 / April 13 (Day 104)

Chapter 22
David’s first army described…
·         Everyone who was in distress
·         Everyone who was in debt
·         And everyone who was discontented

When you’re in the situation David is in, you don’t get to pick from the "best men." David would instead take those he had and make them into the best through his faithful leadership.

Chapter 23
It is a good example of David’s bold leadership in this chapter. All his people say one thing, but David follows the leadership of the LORD. They save the city of Keilah, and then the city was ready to hand him over to Saul and his army. Often we don’t get the “thanks” we deserve when we do what God asks, but the LORD sees and he will repay us.

1 Samuel 23:14b says, “…Saul sought him (David) every day, but God did not give him into his hands.” When we have faith in God, it doesn’t matter what man plans, God’s plans for our lives will stand.

1 Samuel 23:16-17 says “Then Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that." How did Jonathan “strengthen David’s hand?” He spoke to him the truth he already knew. When people are in the battle and things look dark, we need to remind them of the truth they heard in the light. We often don’t need a new word for people; we need to remind them of the truths they knew before the test came.

Chapter 24
It seems that David and his men find Saul sleeping and David’s men say to him in 1 Samuel 24:4, "This is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.” Apparently David had received a “word” previously about this situation; this wasn’t happenstance, this was divine providence. David wisely interpreted this word by the godly principles that governed his life, instead of moving on emotion or pride. Even after cutting off a corner of Saul’s robe in an attempt to show him that he was not his enemy, David’s heart smote him; he recognized he had taken things into his own hands.