God Speaks
Samuel Dies, Abigail Saves Her Household; David Spares Saul’s Life Again; David Lives Among the Philistines
Verse of the Day: [After sparing King Saul’s life, David said,] “The LORD rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” (1 Samuel 26:23-24 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 107
We Respond
Reflection
Consider the following questions regarding 1 Samuel 25-27
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1 Samuel 25
1. God does not countenance fools.
2. Wise people like Abigail often need to step in and rescue others from the consequences of the actions of fools like Nabal.
1 Samuel 26
1. God looks with favor on people who resist doing evil, as David did in not killing Saul.
2. People can and should resist doing evil.
1 Samuel 27
1. God may allow people to do things that seem bad to us (David’s raiding parties) in order to carry out His judgment on other evil people.
2. People need to listen and do only as God directs.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding 1 Samuel 25-27?
LORD God, You are the source of all wisdom. Your Word says that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. May I always hold You in highest regard and fear displeasing You. Anyone who disregards You and Your ways is a fool. You do not countenance fools. May I and many other people seek to be wise like Abigail. Then we will be able to step in and rescue others from the consequences of the actions of fools like Nabal. But help us, Holy Spirit, to turn to You and learn to make wise decisions and take wise actions in the first place. God, You look with favor on people who resist doing evil, as David did in not killing Saul. Please help more people to do the same. Cause people all over the world to know that because of Christ Jesus they can and should resist doing evil. They can also wisely stand up against it. Father God, I and many others wrestle with the fact that You sometimes allow people to do things that seem bad to us (David’s raiding parties) in order to carry out Your judgment on other evil people. We need to trust You more, to listen carefully and to do only as You direct. Then our lives will bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 1 Samuel 25-27?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me to not be a fool.
I will prepare so that I have the resources to act wisely in an emergency.
I will use 1 Samuel 26:25 as a guide in speaking blessing over a young person I know.
I will listen carefully and study the Bible daily so that I can carry out God’s plans for me.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.