Daily Notes & Observations is a 365-part series that follows a chronological daily Bible reading schedule and contains a short article based on something found in the text for each day. This material is also available in paperback.

April 17, 2012

"The Lord Will Repay Each Man For His Righteousness" (4/17)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 25-27.

As Saul pursued David, David had several opportunities to kill the king and save himself. Yet each time, David refused to kill Saul. Notice his explanation why on this occasion:

“The Lord will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. Now behold, as your life was highly valued in my sight this day, so may my life be highly valued in the sight of the Lord, and may He deliver me from all distress” (1 Samuel 26:23-24).

David’s trust and faith were in the Lord. Therefore, he was looking to Him for deliverance from his enemies and the threat that existed from the king.
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April 16, 2012

I Am For Peace, They Are For War (4/16)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 56, 120, 140-142.

“Too long has my soul had its dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:6-7).

The Scriptures say there is “a time for war and a time  for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8). Neither one can be wholly eliminated, either in the context of affairs between nations or in our spiritual lives. There are times when wars must be waged and other times when peace must be pursued.

However, David found himself among those who hated peace. They knew war. They practiced war. War was all they were interested in. Peace was not to be preferred in any circumstance. When David spoke of peace, their response was one of war.
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April 15, 2012

Who is the Man Who Desires Life? (4/15)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52.

“Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:12-14).

Who desires life? Certainly we would all answer that we would. David, the author of this psalm, desired it, too, as his life at this point was in danger because of a jealous king, Saul.
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April 14, 2012

The Slaughter of the Priests (4/14)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 21-24.

The reign of Saul provides a series of examples showing why it is dangerous to allow one man to hold such great power over a people. He went from being afraid to accept the throne to being willing to do anything to hold onto his power. The incident with the priests in Nob illustrates the degree of wickedness to which he had attained.

“Saul said to [Ahimelech the priest], ‘Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me by lying in ambush as it is this day?’”

“Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, ‘…Did I just begin to inquire of God for him today? Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to any of the household of my father, for your servant knows nothing at all of this whole affair.’

“But the king said, ‘You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s household!’ And the king said to the guards who were attending him, ‘Turn around and put the priests of the Lord to death…’ But the servants of the king were not willing to put forth their hands to attack the priests of the Lord. Then the king said to Doeg, ‘You turn around and attack the priests.’ And Doeg the Edomite turned around at attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. And he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants…” (1 Samuel 22:13-19).

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April 13, 2012

Better to Seek Justice and Righteousness than Power (4/13)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalm 11, 59.

David and Jonathan’s friendship is one of the well-known relationships in the Bible (1 Samuel 18:1-3). Their friendship was not one of convenience (as it may have been if they just happened to know each other and were forced to spend time together); but the text says their souls were “knit” together (1 Samuel 18:1).

This bond would be tested, though, as Jonathan’s father, King Saul, wanted David killed. Jonathan had to make a choice. Would he be loyal to his father, the king, or his friend? He chose to be loyal to his friend and tried to protect him in the presence of the king.

“Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, ‘You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.’

“But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, ‘Why should he be put to death? What has he done?’ Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father decided to put David to death” (1 Samuel 20:30-33).

Not only did Jonathan need to make a choice between his father and his friend, but he also had to make a choice between ascending to the throne or aiding an innocent and righteous man. Jonathan decided that defending the innocent David before the king was more important than gaining some position of power.
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April 12, 2012

Justice for King Agag (4/12)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 15-17.

When we read of the destruction of the Amalekites, we typically focus on Saul’s disobedience in failing to do all that the Lord commanded. Yet there are also lessons to be learned if we focus on the king of the Amalekites, Agag.

“Then Samuel said, ‘Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites.’ And Agag came to him cheerfully. And Agag said, ‘Surely the bitterness of death is past.’ But Samuel said, ‘As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.’ And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:32-33).

There are at least three lessons we can learn from Agag:
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April 11, 2012

A Foolish Order from the King (4/11)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 13-14.

After the Philistines were defeated, due in large part to the bravery of Jonathan, Saul issued a foolish and selfish executive order. It is one that should remind us of the dangers of having one fallible man possessing so much authority.

“So the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven. Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.’ So none of the people tasted food.

“All the people of the land entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. When the people entered the forest, behold, there was a flow of honey; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

“But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, he put out the end of his staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. Then one of the people said, ‘Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food today.”‘ And the people were weary.

“Then Jonathan said, ‘My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great’” (1 Samuel 14:23-30).

Notice that God delivered the Israelites and had blessed them with the spoil of the land. Yet Saul, the king, because of his selfish, self-serving priorities (avenging himself on his enemies), issued an order restricting the use and enjoyment of a blessing that had been given by God.
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