Fri.’s Devo - The Love of the Father

Read: 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27; John 15:1-27; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 16:1-3 David wanted to fulfill his vow to Jonathan to honor his family so he asked Ziba who had been one of Saul’s servants if he knew of anyone in Jonathan’s family that was still alive. He knew of Mephibosheth, the boy who had become crippled when his nurse dropped him when fleeing Jezreel (2 Sam. 4:4). David summoned Mephibosheth to his court. *** David met Mephibosheth and told him he had nothing to fear, he was going to take care of him because of his great love for his father, Jonathan. He gave Mephibosheth all the land that had been owned personally by Saul and told Ziba and his sons to farm it for him. But, Mephibosheth would eat at his table like his own sons. Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants so this had to be both a burden and a blessing for him. It was a windfall for Mephibosheth who had one son named Mica. . *** The king of the Ammonites, Nahash died and David wanted to show honor to him since he had been an ally, so he sent ambassadors to give his condolences to his son, Hanun. Hanun’s commanders told Hanun that David’s men were spies spying out his land. They took David’s men and shaved off half their beards and cut their robes really short and sent them home. When David found out, he told his men to stay in Jericho until their beards had grown out. *** The Ammonites rallied for a retaliation from David. They hired 20,000 Aramean foot soldiers, 1,000 men from Maacha and 12,000 from Zob. David found out and sent Joab to fight them. Joab divided his men and put Abishai, his brother in charge of the other half. They fought in the fields and at the city gate. Israel prevailed and won. *** The Arameans brought in more troops for a rematch. David sent all his troops to fight them. David’s troops killed 700 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. All the kings who had allied with Hadadezer surrendered to Israel and became their subjects. The Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore. *** Kings went to war in the spring, but this spring, David decided not to go. He stayed home and was walking on his roof in the afternoon when he looked down and saw a very beautiful lady taking a bath. He asked his servants who she was and they found out she was Bathsheba, the wife of Urriah who was out fighting for him. David had them bring her to his palace and slept with her. She later found out she was pregnant and send word to David. *** David tried to get himself out of it by calling Uriah home to sleep with her, then Uriah would think it was his baby. It didn’t work because Uriah slept at the palace entrance which David’s guards. Then, David tried by getting him drunk and sending him home and he refused to go home. So, David sent a letter to Joab telling him to put Uriah on the battle front and be sure he was killed. He sent the message in Uriah’s hand. Joab did as David had requested and Uriah was killed. *** Bathsheba mourned the death of her husband and then David sent for her to come to the palace and be his wife. She had a son, But God was not pleased with what David had done. *** Jesus explained to his disciples that he was the true vine and they were the branches. The Father was the gardener. He cuts off branches that don’t produce fruit and prunes the vine. Jesus told them that he chose them to be on his vine because he loved them. If they remained in him, on his vine, they would produce much fruit. Because of this, the Father would give them what’re you asked for using my name. All of this applies to us as the branches he grafted in (Romans 11:17-36). *** Jesus warned them that the world would hate them because it hated him. To be his disciple, they had to come out of the world and abide in him. They hated Him with out a reason and they would hate them also without a reason. Jesus was sending his Holy Spirit to them to testify and confirm all Jesus had said. *** Lord, thank you that we were bought with a price and we are not our own people. We are Your’s and You care for us and love us. Thank you for the comfort of your Spirit.