skip to Main Content
DONATE to Small Church Ministries     |     SUBSCRIBE to Daily Devotional

II Samuel 21

Famine in land of Israel                                       verse 1

Then there was a famine in the days of David three years

year after year and David inquired of the LORD

And the LORD answered

It is for Saul and for his bloody house

because he slew the Gibeonites

David contacts Gibeonites                                   verse 2- 3

And the king called the Gibeonites

and said to them

(now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel – but of

the remnant of the Amorites – and the children of Israel had

sworn to them – and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal

to the children of Israel and Judah)

Wherefore David

said to the Gibeonites

What shall I do for you?

Wherewith shall I make the atonement that you may

bless the inheritance of the LORD?

Gibeonites want execution of descendants of Saul  verse 4- 6

And the Gibeonites

said to him

We will have no silver nor gold of Saul – nor of his house

neither for us shall you kill any man in Israel

And he said

What you shall say – that will I do for you

And they

answered the king

The man that consumed us – and that devised against us that

we should be destroyed from remaining

in any of the coasts of Israel

Let seven men of his sons be delivered to us

and we will hang them on to the LORD

in Gibeah of Saul – whom the LORD did choose

And the king said

I will give them

Gibeonites execute descendants of Saul              verse 7- 9

But the king spared Mephibosheth

the son of Jonathan – the son of Saul

because of the LORD’S oath

that was between them

      between David and Jonathan the son of Saul

But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah

whom she bare to Saul – Armoni – Mephibosheth

      and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul

                  whom she brought up

for Adriel the son of Barzillai

the Meholathite

And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites

and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD

and they fell all seven together

and were put to death in the days of harvest

      in the first days – in the beginning of barley harvest

David collects bodies of Saul and his descendants verse 10- 14

And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth

and spread it for her upon the rock

      from the beginning of harvest

until water dropped on them

                              out of heaven

and suffered neither the birds of the air

to rest on them by day

                              nor the beasts of the field by night

And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah

the concubine of Saul had done

And David went and took the bones of Saul

and the bones of Jonathan his son

from the men of Jabesh-gilead

                  which had stolen them

from the street of Beth-shan

                  where the Philistines had hanged them

                              when the Philistines

had slain Saul in Gilboa

And he brought up from thence

the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son

and they gathered the bones of them

that were hanged

And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son

buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah

in the sepulcher of Kish his father

                  and they performed

all that the king commanded

And after THAT God was entreated for the land

David gets weak in battle with Philistines            verse 15- 17

Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel

and David went down – and his servants with him

      and fought against the Philistines

and David waxed faint

And Ishbi-benob – which was of the sons of the giants

the weight of whose spear weighed

three hundred shekels of brass in weight

he being girded with a new sword

      thought to have slain David

BUT Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him

and smote the Philistine and killed him

Then the men of David swore to him

saying

You shall go no more out with us to battle

that you quench not the light of Israel

Israel fights in Gob against Philistines giants      verse 18

And it came to pass after this

that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob

      then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph

                  which was of the sons of the giant

Second battle in Gob against Philistine giants     verse 19

And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines

where Elhanan the son of Jarre-oregim – a Bethlehemite

      slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite

                  the staff of whose spear was

like a weaver’s beam

Battle in Gath against Philistine giants               verse 20- 21

And there was yet a battle in Gath

where was a man of great stature

that had on every hand six fingers

and on every foot six toes

      four and twenty in number

and he also was born to the giant

And when he defied Israel

Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David

slew him

Four giants killed by David and his men             verse 22

These four were born to the giant in Gath

and fell by the hand of David

and by the hand of his servants

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 1        Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. (559 “answered” [’amar] means said, spoke, tell, uttered, brought to light, mentioned, or respond to a question)

DEVOTION:  David prayed here again and the LORD answered him. It is great to see the LORD answering HIS people’s requests to HIM. David wanted to know why they were have three years of famine. It was a simple request because it was hurting the children of Israel.

A sin in the past was causing the famine. Saul had hurt a people that had deceived the children of Israel while they were conquering to the Promised Land. Saul took it upon himself to judge these people without the leading of the LORD.

Now the children of Israel were paying the consequences of the sins of Saul. Joshua had promised the Gibeonites that they were safe with the children of Israel. Saul broke that promise.

We need to remember that sometimes we are visited with the sins of our fathers till the third or fourth generation. So we find that David and the children of Israel were paying the price of sin from the past.

As a nation we can suffer the consequences of the sins of our forefathers when they didn’t honor their word to the LORD. Too often we forget that the LORD doesn’t forget what has happened in the past regarding the mistreatment of individuals or nations.

There are consequences to the actions of our government regarding the laws of God that are broken by the nation. Sometimes people think that because God doesn’t judge immediately that HE will never judge. Well, here we find that HE waited for a time period. It might have been waiting for a time of repentance from that sin but it never came. It might have been that HE knew the perfect time to get HIS point across to the children of Israel, so that, they would not commit the same sin against someone they had promised to protect.

It is always good to know the answer to why things are happening when they are happening and the LORD on occasions gives an answer to those who pray to HIM for answers.

Is there something that is happening in your life right now that you would like to know why it is happening? Have you gone to the LORD for answers? HE has not changed. If we genuinely seek an answer, HE will give us insight into why things are happening in our life if we turn to HIM in genuine prayer and wait for an answer.

CHALLENGE: When you are confused about what is taking place around you turn to the LORD for answers. Wait for HIS reply!!!

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 3        Wherefore David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD” (1288 “bless” [barak] means to kneel, praise, salute, or thank)

DEVOTION:  As we study the Word of God, we find warnings about the consequences for sin. In David’s life we see this happening. In this chapter the LORD sends a famine, after the death of Saul, which is a consequence of an action of Saul during his lifetime.

While Saul was alive he tried to kill all the Gibeonites he could. The Gibeonites were the ones that tricked the children of Israel into making a covenant with them. They took old food and clothes and said they were from a far country when they were close. Joshua and the elders made a covenant with them without consulting the LORD. It was the wrong move and there were consequences.

David wanted to end the three-year famine. He consulted the LORD for the reason for the famine. The LORD told him it was because of Saul’s treatment of the Gibeonites.

David asked the Gibeonites what they wanted to correct the wrong done to them in the past by Saul. They asked for seven descendants of Saul. They executed the seven descendants. David also took the bones of Saul and Jonathan and the seven men that were just killed and buried them in the sepulcher of their father Kish.

When these two things were done, the LORD ended the famine. The LORD saluted the land with a fruitful harvest again. The crops grew again. The past sin was atoned for by David.

When there is unconfessed sin in the past in a nation, it will cause problems for the next generation or two. In this case it was a lot of time between Saul’s killing of the Gibeonites and the reign of David. Why did it take so long for the LORD to deal with this issue? We might not understand but that is how HE works at times. Like the sins of the Amorites had to be full before the children of Israel could move in to the Promised Land.

. Sin affects the fruitfulness of a nation. Our nation seems to be heading in the wrong

direction in many areas. There is a push that marriage is a thing of the past here. There is

a push in our world against the standards of the Word of God. There is a push against

Christianity. Many false teachers have entered the church. False beliefs regarding

 salvation are being promoted by individuals who claim to be followers of Christ. They

are teaching that there might be more than one way to heaven.

If there is a lack of praise and thanksgiving in the church, there needs to be a fresh examination of what is going on in the church. We need to confess our sins, in order for us to receive blessings of the LORD. When we are confessed up and filled with the Spirit, we can become a thankful people. What are we waiting for?

Remember that the three signs of the filling of the Holy Spirit are the desire to sing praise to the LORD, a thankful spirit and a willingness to submit to one another.

CHALLENGE: Do we see this in our life and in the life of the church? Does what is happening in our families and in our churches affect our nation?

____________________________________________________

: 8        But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal that daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite. (3205 “brought up” [yalad] means to give birth, to beget, to be born, bear, travail, of child birth, or have child)

DEVOTION:  Consequences of the father visit to the third and fourth generation. Saul had sinned and his children and grandchildren paid the consequences of those sins. It doesn’t seem fair that future generations have to pay for the sins of their forefathers but that is what happened throughout out the history of Israel.

We can pay the consequences of decisions made by our forefathers as well. Our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences of our actions today. Each family has a besetting sin that visits until the third or fourth generation. It the sin is lying it will visit future generations. If the sin is pride it will visit until the third or fourth generation.

The only way to break the pattern of our family sins is to ask the LORD to help us to break the pattern. It will take commitment to not follow our grandparents and parents in the same area of sin. It can be broken with the help of the LORD.

Today we are paying the consequences of decisions made forty or fifty years ago in our nation. When we didn’t correct the actions of those living forty or fifty years ago in our nation we are now reaping the consequences with a lack of commitment to family and the sanctity of life of newborn babies. Too much innocent blood has been spilt in this land for the LORD not to judge us for our actions or in the case of many our inactions.

Christians are to stand up for the principles of the Bible no matter what happens. This is not happening because the leadership of our churches and our nation are not staying true to the Word of God regarding so many issues.

Every leader is going to pay the consequences for leading their people down the wrong path regarding true Biblical doctrine and practice in the local church. There are many Pharisees alive today in our churches. False doctrine is running rampant in too many churches today regarding social issues that are made plain in the Word of God.

Israel had made a covenant promise to the Gibeonites but Saul didn’t care and his sons and grandsons paid the consequences for his actions.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 14      And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulcher of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the LORD. (6279 “entreated” [‘athar] means to plead, supplicate, to be moved and respond to a prayer by doing what is asked, plead, to hear and answer, or worship)

DEVOTION:  David knew what was happening to the bodies of those who were hanged because of the request of the Gibeonites. Those that were hanged stayed until the rain came on the land.

Once this took place David took the bodies of Saul and Jonathan and those who were hanged and buried them in the tomb of Kish the father of Saul. So all the relative, were buried, in the same location which pleased the LORD.

David commanded and the people obeyed and the LORD answered the pray with rain again in the land. It took three years for all of this to be accomplished. The LORD gave David insight into what needed to be done and he did it.

Blessing comes when we seek the LORD and HIS wisdom regarding how to handle decisions that correct some bad decisions of the past. Saul broke the covenant that was made between the Gibeonites and the children of Israel. God doesn’t like us to break our promises to HIM or to others.

We need to remember that the LORD holds us accountable for every promise we make to HIM as individuals and as a church family and as a nation. HE wants us to honor our word. This is one of the commands that we can trace throughout the Word of God.

Now the land could prosper again. An issue was settled between the children of Israel and the Gibeonites. David acted on the Word of the LORD.

CHALLENGE:  We need to act on the Word of the LORD as we read it in the Bible.

________________________________________________

: 17      But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go no more out with us to battle, that you quench not the light of Israel” (5826 “succoured” [‘azar] means to help, assist, to come to help, to give assistance, come to the aid of, support, or help another.)

DEVOTION: David was still going to battle in his old age. He was in a battle where he almost got killed because the giant was stronger than him. So Abishai came to his aid to kill the giant to protect his king.

Now it came a time where David had to realize that he was not able to fight like he used to which is a hard point to come to in anyone’s life. It is even harder for a leader of a group of people or a nation.

He had been a warrior from his youth. He had killed a lion and a bear when he was young. He slew a giant still when he was young but those days were over. It was time for him to put the sword down and let others do the fighting for him.

It is not easy to do such things for those who have been individuals who fought their own battles and lead people into battle against enemies but it happens to all when it is time to let someone else lead.

David’s men wanted him to stay home instead of getting killed in battle. They considered him their light and they didn’t want the light to go out. He had been an inspiration to them but now it was time for him to allow others to inspire the troops.

It is not easy to put down the sword of battle but we must know when the LORD tells us to allow others to fight the hard battles. We have to be open to the leading of the LORD regarding what battles we fight ourselves and what battles we allow others to fight for the LORD.

CHALLENGE: Do we know when it is time to allow others to fight the battles that need to be fought to advance the kingdom of the LORD?

__________________________________________________

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

David inquired of the LORD                                   verse 1

LORD answered David’s prayer                             verse 1

David entreated God regarding the land               verse 14

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

________________________________________________________

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)   verse 1, 3, 6, 7, 9

Inheritance of the LORD                                         verse 3

God – Elohim (Creator)                                           verse 14

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)          

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Gibeonites                                                                  verse 1

            David asked them what he should do

            How shall we make atonement

            Saul wanted them destroyed

            Asked for seven men of Saul’s sons

                        to be hanged

                        Two sons of Rizpah

                        Five sons of Michal

Amorites                                                                     verse 2

Philistines                                                                   verse 12, 15- 22

Killing of the giants                                                   verse 16- 22

            Ishbibenob  -wanted to slay David

            Saph

            Brother of Goliath               

            Giant with six fingers and toes

Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph                     verse 18

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Saul killing the Gibeonites                                       verse 1

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Atonement                                                                 verse 3

Bless                                                                            verse 3

Inheritance                                                                 verse 3

Keeping an oath to the LORD                                 verse 7

Israel (Old Testament people of God)      

David                                                                          verse 1

            Famine in the land for three years

            He asked and gave Gibeonites wanted

                        Seven sons of Saul had to die

            Spared Mephibosheth because of oath

            At war with Philistines

                        He waxed faint

            Called “light of Israel

Children of Israel                                                      verse 2

Saul                                                                             verse 2, 6- 14

Mephibosheth                                                            verse 7

Rizpah                                                                        verse 8-

            Sackcloth

            Wouldn’t let birds touch bodies

Michal (former wife)                                                verse 8

            Five sons she brought up for Adriel

Jonathan – Saul’s son                                               verse 12- 14

Men of Jabesh-gilead                                                verse 12

            Took bodies of Saul and Jonathan

Sepulchre of Kish                                                      verse 14

War with Philistines                                                  verse 15

Abjishai – sone of Zeruiah saved David

            from giant                                                      verse 17

Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim

            Bethlehemite slew brother of

                        Goliath                                               verse 19

Jonathan the son of Shimeah

            Brother of David                                           verse 21

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

_______________________________________________

DONATIONS:

Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org  Also if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method.  Thank you.

____________________________________________________

QUOTES regarding passage

7–9. David did not shirk the heart-rending task of selecting seven grandsons of Saul; Rizpah was a concubine (2 Sam. 3:7) who had two sons; Merab was Saul’s daughter. The rsv has preferred the alternative name to the Hebrew Michal, who was said not to have had any children (2 Sam. 6:23); it was Merab who married Adriel (1 Sam. 18:19). The death of these seven men in the first days … of barley harvest (a reference to the time of year rather than suggesting that there was any harvest to reap) was evidently long remembered. (Baldwin, J. G. (1988). 1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 8, p. 304). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)

_________________________________________________

The other five were all sons of Merab, daughter of Saul, by her husband Adriel (cf. 1 Sam. 18:19). (As stated in the niv marg., many Heb. mss. have “Michal,” but that reading makes 2 Sam: 21:8 contradict the statement in 6:23 that Michal died childless. Probably then, the niv is correct in following the two Heb. mss. and a few other mss. that have “Merab.”) (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 2 Samuel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 476). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

_______________________________________________

Ver. 7. But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, &c.] As they did not name particular persons, only required seven sons, it was at the option of the king what sons to deliver to them, and therefore kept hack Mephibosheth, who is thus described, to distinguish him from a son of Saul’s of the same name, after mentioned: because of the Lord’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul; not merely or only out of affection to Mephibosheth, but because of the oath, that he might not be guilty of the same crime Saul was in slaying the Gibeonites.

Ver. 8. But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, &c.] Saul’s concubine, ch. 3:2. whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; of whom we read nowhere else; after the name of the latter, it is probable, Jonathan’s son was called, before mentioned: and the. five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; Michal had no children to the day of her death, nor was she the wife of Adriel, but Merab her sister; wherefore these sons were not whom she hare, as the word used signifies, but, as we rightly render it, whom she brought up or educated, so the Targum, her sister being dead; and so the Jews say, Merab brought them forth, and Michal brought them up, therefore they were called by her name; or the words may be supplied thus, and the five sons of the sister of Michal, and, as in ver. 19. is supplied, the brother of Goliath. Barzillai is here called the Meholathite, to distinguish him from Barzillai the Gileadite, spoken of in a former chapter, see 1 Sam. 18:19.

Ver. 9. And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, &c.] The two sons of Rizpah and the five eons of Merab, two sons of Saul and five grandsons: and they hanged them in the hill before the Lord; in the hill at Gibeah, that they might be seen by all that passed by, and serve to deter from such evils, which brought on them that punishment; gibbetings or crucifixions were commonly made on hills and mountains: the phrase, before the Lord, is either the same as unto the Lord, ver. 6. to make atonement to the Lord, and in his sight; or it denotes that it was done publicly before the sun, and in the sight of it; for it cannot mean before the ark, the symbol of the divine Presence, for that was not there: and they fell all seven together, they were hanged together, and died at one and the same time: and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley-harvest; which began at the passover, the morrow after the first day of the feast, Lev. 23:10, 11. which was the 16th of Nisan, on which day, the Jews say, these men were hanged, and which must be about the beginning of our April. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 655). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

________________________________________________

21:1–14 The execution of Saul’s family. Most of the troubles of David’s reign were due to warfare, but the land of Israel suffered occasional droughts and famines too, and this chapter recalls a particularly serious famine, perhaps fairly early in David’s reign. The oracle of God, when consulted (1), referred to an episode not mentioned elsewhere, an attack by Saul on the people of the city of Gibeon. The background is that in defending Israel Saul had attacked not only the Philistines but any non-Israelites who posed a threat. But the Gibeonites posed no threat, and to break the old treaty with them (see Jos. 9) was a serious crime. The wrong had never been put right. By modern laws, to punish Saul’s family for Saul’s sins would be equally wrong, but in the ancient world the principle of a family’s common responsibility was strongly held. Even so, we may still feel that the Gibeonites were vindictive.

The writer’s chief reason for telling this story is to show that David was not responsible for the deaths of the seven men now executed. No doubt there were some Israelites like Shimei (16:5–8) who accused David of hatred of Saul’s family. This passage, therefore, reminds the reader about David’s treatment of Mephibosheth, and shows his scrupulous care for the remains of Saul and his descendants. (Payne, D. F. (1994). 1 and 2 Samuel. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., pp. 331–332). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press)

________________________________________________

Retribution (vv. 5–9). When he learned the facts, David immediately offered to make restitution for the terrible sins of his predecessor, because he wanted the Gibeonites to be able to bless the people of Israel and thereby enjoy God’s blessing (Gen. 12:1–3). But the Gibeonites didn’t want money; they knew that no amount of money could ransom a murderer or recompense the survivors (Num. 35:31–33). The Gibeonites made it clear that they knew their place in Israel as servants and resident aliens, and they had no right to press their case. But it would take the shedding of blood to atone for the Gibeonite blood that had been shed (Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:19–21; Deut. 19:21). The nation was suffering because of Saul’s sins, and if David killed just any man, that wouldn’t solve the problem. The Gibeonites asked that seven of Saul’s male descendants be sacrificed before the Lord and this would end the drought and famine.

David knew that the Jews were forbidden to offer human sacrifices (Lev. 18:21; 20:1–5; Deut. 12:29–32; 18:10), nor did he see the deaths of the seven men as sacrifices with atoning value. We today who have the New Testament and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ view this entire episode with mingled disgust and dismay, but we must keep in mind that we’re dealing with law, not grace, and Israel, not the church. The Law of Moses required that an unsolved murder be atoned for by sacrifice (Deut. 21:1–9), so how much more a known slaughter perpetrated by a king! However, we must keep in mind that the death of the seven men was not atonement but legal retribution.

Though David didn’t commit the crime, he had to choose the seven men who would die, and that wasn’t an easy thing to do. (Perhaps David thought about those who had died because of his sin—Bathsheba’s baby, Uriah the Hittite, Amnon, Absalom and Amasa.) Because of his vow to Jonathan to protect his descendants (1 Sam. 20:12–17), the king avoided naming Mephibosheth and chose two sons of Saul’s concubine Rizpah as well as five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, who was married to Adriel (v. 8 niv). We aren’t told how the seven men were executed, although “fell together” (v. 9) suggests they were pushed off a cliff. This happened during barley harvest in the middle of April, and the seven corpses were exposed for about six months, until the rains arrived and the drought ended in October. To hang up a corpse was to disgrace the person and put him under a curse (Deut. 21:22–23). (Wiersbe, W. W. (2002). Be restored (pp. 132–133). Colorado Springs, CO: Victor.)

_________________________________________________

The coming of the rain meant that the curse was ended and the corpses could be taken down and buried. Though the Law stated that a body hung from a tree must be removed by sundown (Deut. 21:23), it implied punishment of an individual for his personal crime. This case had nothing to do with any personal act of murder but rather with violation of a covenant, the results of which brought God’s displeasure on the whole nation and required vengeance of a public and extended nature. (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 2 Samuel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 476). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

____________________________________________________

FROM MY READING:

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

____________________________________________________

A MIGHTY BATTLE

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8
We see that our Lord did not come into the world only to teach. He did do that, and He gave incomparable teaching. We must realize what he came primarily to do. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,” not that He might teach us, not that He might give us a glorious example to follow, not that He might give us some transcendent idea that would illuminate our minds and thrill us. Not at all! He came, He was manifested, He appeared that He might “destroy the works of the devil.”
We see that sin is unrighteous, that it is a transgression of the law, and that sin means we are violating God’s holy will for us and God’s holy purpose with respect to us. But this is the other part: “To continue in a life of sin and evil,” says John in essence, “is just to identify yourself at once with the devil and his ways and with everything that belongs to him.” And it is this that is emphasized in this verse.
Our Lord came into this world to wage a great fight; He entered into a mighty battle. The way in which He was victorious in this fight is celebrated especially on Easter Day. This is the day that reminds us of the fact of Christ’s victory. It is not a day that reminds us of certain principles in life. You often hear people thank God for this whole “principle of resurrection,” how the flowers begin to appear, and how the trees and life come into being in the Spring. Now, that has nothing to do with this blessed message of the resurrection. We are concerned about a fact, not a principle of nature; and the fact is that in the resurrection our Lord ultimately established His conquest over the devil.
A Thought to Ponder: Our Lord came into this world to wage a great fight. (From Children of God, pp. 60-61. By Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

_____________________________________________________

Avoiding the Traps

You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. PSALM 31:4

Try to picture this scene: With 50,000 men watching intensely, a 15-year-old young man, Trent—blindfolded and barefoot—begins stepping cautiously across an outdoor stage. Before him are a dozen steel animal traps with their jaws wide open. Each is labeled with words like “peer pressure,” “drugs and alcohol,” “sexual immorality,” “rebellion” and “pornography”—the “traps” that can easily ensnare teenagers today.

Right beside me, on the opposite end of the platform and the traps, stands the boy’s father, Tom, anticipating his son’s every move. After two tentative steps, the boy’s third step places him directly in the path of the biggest snare on the stage—a bear trap powerful enough to absolutely crush his leg. (It had taken three grown men just to set it.)

Before his son can raise another foot, Tom yells into the microphone, “Trent, stop! Don’t take another step!” Circling the traps, he positions himself in between his son and the bear trap. After whispering some instructions, he turns his back to the boy. Trent eagerly places his hands on his father’s shoulders. Then slowly, they begin navigating the trap field together.

When the two finally reached me and we took the blindfold off, father and son hugged each other. Applause at this Promise Keepers event swelled to a thunderous standing ovation across the stadium. Above the roar, I shouted through the sound system, “Men, that’s what God has called us to as fathers—to be there and guide our children through the traps of adolescence!”

For Tom and Trent, the trap demonstration was a setup on a stage. But for you and your teen, the traps of adolescence are all too real and treacherous.

Don’t allow your children to risk the journey on their own. Grab them by the hand, watch your step, and move out together. Let God guide you through. (Moments with You Couples Devotional by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)

___________________________________________________

Mark 12

The Pharisees and Sadducees attempt to discredit Jesus through treacherous questions.

INSIGHT

In today’s passage, we see one of the most marvelous teachings in the New Testament. An attorney, intrigued by the quality of the answers Jesus gives to the Pharisees who are trying to discredit Him, asks Jesus what the greatest commandment is. He only asks for one; Jesus gives him two.

The Lord says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . [and] your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these”(Mark 12:30-31). The Christian life can be very complex, but at its heart, it is very simple: love God and others.   (Quiet Walk)

_______________________________________________

Filled with Fruit
“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11)
The unique phrase “fruits of righteousness” has many supporting teachings, the most famous of which is where the Lord Jesus compares Himself to a “vine” and we who are His adopted sons and daughters to “branches” (John 15:1-6).
Paul reminded the Philippian church that the fruits ultimately result from Jesus Christ, just as Jesus illustrated. We “cannot bear fruit” by ourselves (John 15:4). Not only does our very life come from God, but the ability to produce godly fruit can only come through and by God.
Isaiah noted that all of our self-produced righteous deeds are like “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). The fruit for which we are “ordained” (John 15:16) has its source in the thrice-holy Godhead and its manifestation by the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).
Those Holy Spirit character traits are the innate property of the vine that becomes instilled in the branches, or us. This enables us to bring forth the fruit that represents the “DNA” of the vine in which we are abiding. Being connected to the vine makes it possible for us to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
The “husbandman” (God the Father) is superintending the vineyard (John 15:1). When branches wither and do not produce fruit (see also Matthew 13:18-23), they are taken away. The branches that do produce are purged (Greek kathairo, “cleaned up”). As Peter noted, “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). With God, “all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Without Him, “[we] can do nothing” (John 15:5).

                     (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

____________________________________________________

NEW

We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.

Back To Top