Tues.’s Devo - David Returns to Jerusalem

Read: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17 David sent news to Zadok and Abiathar who were the priests in Jerusalem to convince the elders to bring him back as their king. He also send word to Amasa to remind him that David had been made him commander of his army instead of Joab. So the men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet David and bring him over the Jordan. *** Shimei, the man who had cursed David came out to meet him along with a thousand men from Benjamin. He fell down before David and begged for forgiveness. David’s men wanted to kill him but David spared his life for the time being. Ziba of the house of Saul came down with his fifteen sons and twenty servants and helped bring all David’s people across the the Jordan. *** Mephibosheth also came to meet David. He had not trimmed his beard or washed his clothes since David left Jerusalem. When David asked him why he didn’t go with David when he fled, he said that Ziba tricked him. He told him he would bring him a donkey, but then didn’t. David gave him back his half of his land he had given to Ziba. *** Barzillai the old man from Gilead came to meet David. He had provided food and provisions for David and his men while they were away. David tried to get him to move to Jerusalem so he could take care of him, but Barzillai wanted to go home and live out the rest of his days at his own home. David took Barzillai’s youngest son, Chimham to serve with him. Later, he would give Chimham an inn in Bethlehem which was believed to be the one Jesus was born in. *** The men of Israel showed up and were angry with the men of Judah for not letting them be the ones to help David return to Jerusalem. They argued with the men of Judah till one of them from Benjamin, Sheba blew his trumpet and declared that Bichri, another Benjamite was their king. So all of Israel changed their allegiance from David to Bichri. *** When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines who had been taken by Absalom and placed them in a separate house where they lived as widows. *** David had Amasa call all Judah to meet with him in three days. When Amasa was not back in the three days, David sent Abishai with an army to pursue Bichri. Abishai met Joab and his men who were also going to kill Bichri. Joab killed Abishai for taking his place, then continued to lead the army to find Bichri. *** In John, Peter was with Thomas, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples. Peter announced he was going back to fishing. The others went with him but they caught nothing all night. *** Just as the day was dawning, Jesus stood on the shore and asked them if they had caught anything. They didn’t recognize him. He told them to cast their net to the right side of the boat. When they did, they were not able to haul in the fish there were so many. This reminded Peter of the first time Jesus had done this. John recognized him as the Lord and jumped into the sea and swam to shore. The other men dragged the fish to the shore. *** Jesus had prepared a fire and told them to bring their fish to cook them. They had caught 153 fish. Jesus gave them bread and fish to eat. *** After eating Jesus asked Peter if he loved him three times. Each time Peter told him he did and Jesus told him to feed his sheep. He encouraged him to follow him. *** Peter asked Jesus about John, and Jesus told him John was not his business. He would take care of John. John, who wrote this book said that Jesus did so many miracles that books could not contain them. *** Lord, thank you that you are such a personal God and you have explicit plans for each of us. May we follow our path that you have set for us and not be distracted by what you have planned for others. We are all part of your wonderful family.

Mon.’s Devo - David’s Victory

Read: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15 David divided his army into three parts and put Joab, Joab’s brother Abishai, and Ittai in charge of the three groups. They refused to let David go to battle with them because if he died, their cause would die with him. *** David’s men defeated Israel’s army and killed 20,000 on the first day. They fought in a thick forest which killed more men than the sword. *** Absalom was caught in the thickets by his hair which was a huge source of his pride. One of Joab’s men saw him hanging from the tree and reported it to Joab. Joab wanted to know why he didn’t kill him and the man said he had heard David tell them not to harm Absalom. Joab shot threw three javelins into Absalom’s heart and his body guards finished him off. ** Joab blew a trumpet meaning the war was over and they had won. Joab took Absalom’s body and threw it into a pit and put stones over his body. All Israel fled to their homes. *** Sadly, the only thing Absalom had to remember him by, since he had no sons, was a pillar he had had erected which he named “Absalom’s monument.” *** Ahimaaz, the priest wanted to carry the news to David, but Joab wouldn’t let him. Instead he sent a Cushite runner with news they had won and Absalom was dead. Ahimaaz begged to go after him and finally Joab let him. *** Ahimaaz took the short cut and got their first. He told David they had won, but didn’t tell him Absalom was dead. The next runner told him Absalom had been killed. David was so upset over Absalom’s death that he couldn’t rejoice over the victory. David’s army heard of David’s mourning and crept into the city in shame. 
 *** Joab rebuked David for caring more for his rebellious son who wanted to kill him than all the faithful people who had risked their lives to save him. He warned David that if he didn’t go out and congratulate and thank his troops, it would be worse for him than ever before. David heard him, went out to sit in the gate and everyone came to hear what he had to say. *** Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem the people argued about why they had not brought David back to be their king since Absalom was dead. *** In John, on the third day after Jesus had been crucified, Mary went to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been rolled away and Jesus body was gone. He ran to tell Peter and John. They ran to the tomb but Peter got their first. He saw that the only thing in the tomb was the linen garments they had wrapped Jesus in and the face cloth. When John saw it, he believed what Jesus had said about rising from the dead. *** They went back home, but Mary stayed weeping outside the tomb. She saw two angels sitting where Jesus had been laid, one at the head and one at the feet. They asked her why she was weeping. She told them that someone had taken Jesus body and she didn’t know where. Then Jesus asked her why she was weeping. She though he was the gardener and answered him the same. When Jesus called her name, she recognized him and ran to hug him. He told her that she couldn’t touch him because he hadn’t gone to heaven yet. Mary ran and told the disciples what she had witnessed. *** That evening, Jesus stood among them and showed them his hands and his side. He blessed them with peace and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus told them they now had power to forgive sins and withhold forgiveness of sins. That evening would have made it the 4th day which was exactly when Jesus went and brought Lazareth out of the grave and revealed him to the disciples. *** Thomas was not with them and when he heard they had seen Jesus, he remarked that he wouldn’t believe unless he had seen the place where they put the nails in his hands and see his side where they struck him. *** Eight days later, Thomas got his chance. Jesus came right through the locked door and offered Thomas to put his finger in his hands and in his side. Thomas believed and blessed those who believed with out having to see the proof. *** John let us know that he only recorded a few of the many miracles that Jesus did. He wrote the ones he did so that we who read them might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and in believing in him, we have eternal life. *** Lord, we believe though we haven’t seen. We thank you for the Holy Spirit who has revealed the truth to our hearts. We do see though the eyes of our spirit. Thank you for putting on the hearts of your disciples to write down everything they saw in their books so that we can read them and have understanding. May we use the power of the Holy Spirit to believe, to witness, to forgive and to reveal Jesus to the world.

Sun.’s Devo - David’s Advisors -

Read: 2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13 Ahithophel, David’s advisor who betrayed him to follow Absalom, wanted to take 12,000 men and go after David and his men. He planned to kill David and then all the people following him would have no choice but to come back and be loyal to Absalom. It was really good advice. *** But, Absalom wanted to hear what Hushai had to say who had been David’s best advisor. Hushai said that Ahithophel’s advise was not good at this time. He explained that David and his men were mighty men of war and they would be so mad they would be unstoppable. Once they started killing Absalom’s men, they would flee and it would be over for Absalom. *** God caused everyone to agree with Hushai’s advice. Ahithophel was so humiliated that Absalom didn’t do what he had suggested that he went home and killed himself. *** Hushai sent word to Zadok the priest to send his two young sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz to tell David to hurry and cross over the Jordan. Hushai had bought them some time to get as far away as he could. *** A young man spotted Jonathan and Ahimaaz and told Absalom’s men. They came to the house where they had seen them, but the woman of the house had hidden them in her well and covered it with a cloth covered with seed. She sent Absalom’s men on a wild goose chase. When they couldn’t find the two men, they returned to Jerusalem. Jonathan and Ahamaaz got the message to David. *** David and his men crossed the Jordan and came to Mahanaim where Shobi, Machir and Barzillai, all from different nations came with provisions for David and his men. *** Mahnaim was where Jacob was met by the angels of God in Gen. 32:2. This was also the town that Saul’s son, Ishbosheth had reigned and was murdered by his own two body guards. *** In John, the soldiers couldn’t tear Jesus’ robe to divide it between them because it had no seams. So, they cast lost for it just like the prophets had prophesied. *** All the women who had followed Jesus were around the cross. When Jesus noticed his mother, he gave her to John to take care of. John took Mary into his own home to care for her. This was the last thing he needed to do to complete his work on earth. He said, “It is finished,” and gave up his spirit. *** Since the Sabbath would begin that day at sunset, the Jews asked Pilate to hurry their deaths by breaking their legs so they couldn’t push up to breathe. When they came to Jesus, he was already dead, so they didn’t have to break his legs. Isaiah had prophesied that none of his bones would be broken. He also said that they would look upon the one they had pierced. *** Joseph of Arimathea, who was a wealthy follower of Jesus, went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission and he took Jesus’ body and placed him in his own new tomb. Nicodemus brought 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. They took his body and bound it in linen with the spices and laid him in the tomb. *** Lord, after reading of all the plans of Absalom that were brought down and all the plans of Satan that were dispelled at the cross, we see how you are in total control over what goes on on earth. We invite you to lead us in the days we are living in. Lead our nations back to you. Disspel the plans of the enemy and let your plans stand.

Sat.’s Devo - God’s Kings

Read: 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23; John 18:25-19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 16:10-11 The people of Israel cried as they watched David and his people leaving Jerusalem. Abiathar and the priests came with the ark of the covenant. Once outside the city, David sent the priests back with the ark to the city. He asked them to be spies for him. *** David went up the Mount of Olives weeping as he went. I wonder if Jesus thought of this when he went to the Mount of Olives to pray for the people he would be leaving. David was rejected from Jerusalem, just like Jesus would be many years later. *** David learned that Ahithophel, one of his advisors had conspired with Absalom. Hushai was David’s most trusted advisor. Hushai was old and would slow David down, so he told him he would be more help if he would go back and pretend to serve Absalom. He sent him back to the city to be another spy for him. He was to give his information to Abiathar’s sons who would get the information to him. Hushai made it back just as Absalom was entering the city. *** Ziba also came to meet David and his men. He brought donkeys for them to ride, 200 loaves of bread, raisins, fruit and a skin of wine. When David asked about Mephibosheth, he told him that he said, “Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.” David then gave all that belonged to Mephibosheth to Ziba. We never learn if Ziba was telling the truth or not. *** At Bahurim, a man named Shimei came cursing David and his men and throwing stones at them. Abishai wanted to kill the man but David wouldn’t allow him to. He would let God punish him if he was in the wrong. *** Absalom met with the people of Israel. Ahithophel was with him. When he saw Hushai, he questioned his loyalty, but Hushai told him he would serve him like he did his father. Absalom believed him and asked him for advice. Ahithophel told Absalom to go in to his father’s concubines for all Israel to see so they would know just what he thought of his father. (This would reveal his heart to the people and they could judge him.) He did, and this fulfilled God’s word over David that one in his own house would have his wives. *** In John, we see the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders. They wouldn’t enter the governor’s headquarters because it would defile them and they wouldn’t be allowed to eat the Passover. But they had no problem defiling themselves by conspiring to murder God’s innocent Passover lamb. *** When Pilate asked the Jewish leaders what crime Jesus had committed, they didn’t give him a direct answer. They said that if he wasn’t doing something wrong they wouldn’t have brought him to be judged. That is not an answer and Pilate knew they were trying to play him. He refused to be used and turned Jesus over to them to judge him themselves. But, they explained that they could’t do that because their laws didn’t allow crucifixion and they wanted Jesus crucified. *** Pilate took Jesus into a room and asked Jesus what he had done. Jesus didn’t answer him. Jesus told him that his kingdom was not of this world or his servants would have fought to keep him from being turned over to the Jews. Pilate then asked him if he was a king. Jesus told him that he, Pilate would call him a king, but he was brought into the world to be a witness of the truth. Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” *** Pilate returned to the people and told them that he didn’t find anything Jesus guilty of anything. He wanted to know if they wanted him to release Jesus or Barabbas who was a known resurrectionist and a robber. They chose Barabbas. *** Pilate then had Jesus flogged and his soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and placed it on his head. They mocked him as the king of the Jews. Pilate brought Jesus out and told them again that he found no guilt in him. The chief priests yelled that they wanted Jesus crucified. Pilate told them to crucify him themselves, because he found him innocent. The Jews said that their law said he had to die because he had claimed he was the Son of God. This frightened Pilate even more. *** Pilate went back to Jesus and asked him where he came from, but Jesus wouldn’t answer him. Pilate got mad and told him that he had the authority to release or crucify him. Jesus told him that he didn’t have the authority to do anything God didn’t let him do. The ones who delivered him over to die had the greater sin. *** Pilate was really afraid now, and looked for any way he could get out of killing Jesus just in case what he said was the truth. The Jews pulled the ‘Caesar card’ and got what they wanted. Pilate finally ordered Jesus to be crucified. *** Jesus bore his own cross and they led him to the Place of a Skull which is Golgotha. He was crucified between two other men. Pilate had a sign written which said ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ He had it written in Aramaic, Latin, and in Greek. They would all bear witness to the sin of the Jews for crucifying Jesus. When the priests wanted to change the sign to read, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews,’ Pilate refused to change it. *** The lives of David and Jesus were so similar. They were both kings, betrayed by their own family. They bore the shame of other’s sins and guilt. They both took it with humility and courage. And, they were both rewarded afterward with their rightful place of honor. *** Lord, thank you for the humiliation, pain, suffering and shame that you bore in our place. Thank you that we have peace with God because of what you did for us on the cross. May we never forget your great love for us and freely live our lives for you.

Fri.’s Devo- Betrayals

Read: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9 Joab knew that David longed to see Absalom, but his pride wouldn’t let him send for him, so Joab devised a plan. He sent a woman from Tekoa to tell David a similar story so he could look at his relationship with Absalom in a new light. It did the trick. David agreed to let Joab bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, but he didn’t want to see him. *** Absalom came back to Jerusalem but was banned from the king’s presence. This went on for two years, till finally, Absalom had had enough and burned down Joab’s barley field to get some attention. He made the statement that if he was quilty, then let him be put to death. He spoke his own destiny. Absalom was very guilty and he was eventually met with death. *** Absalom got his wish and was brought before the king. Now that he had the approval of the king, he began his political campaign. Absalom was very handsome. He got himself a chariot and horses and 50 men to run before him to show how important he was. He met face to face with the people and would listen to their grievances. He would claim that if he was the judge, he would hear the people’s concerns and do something about them, personally. He slowly stole the hearts of the men of Israel. *** After four years of his campaign, Absalom thought it was time to make his claim to the kingdom. He asked David if he could go to Hebron (where kings are crowned) and fulfill a vow he had made to the Lord. How could David refuse. *** Absalom send messages throughout the tribes of Israel telling them to say that he was king when they heard the trumpet blast. Absalom invited 200 guest to go with him who knew nothing about what he was about to do. *** When Absalom got to Hebron, he did offer his sacrifices then he sent for Ahithophel, David’s counselor, who joined Absalom in his conspiracy. *** David found out what Absalom was doing and knew he had to escape and leave Jerusalem. He left ten concubines to keep the house. The king took the rest of his household and left Jerusalem. Over a thousand men went with David. *** Ittai, a Philistine and native of Gath, had apparently commanded David's band during his wanderings. He came with David with his whole family. David tried to get him to go back since he wasn’t even a native of Israel, but he refused to leave David. *** In John, Jesus took his disciples to the same garden he had gone many times before. Judas knew of this place also. He brought a band of armed solders and officers from the chief priest and Pharisees to arrest Jesus. *** Jesus knew this would happen and approached them asking who they were looking for. They said his name. Jesus said, “I am he” causing many of them to fall to the ground. Jesus asked that they let his disciples go free. Peter, full of passion, took his sword and struck the high priest’s servant’s ear and cut it off. His name was Malchus. Jesus healed it and told Peter to put away his sword. This was God’s will. *** They arrested Jesus and bound him. They led him first to Annas’ house, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who said that one man should die for all the people. *** Peter followed with probably, John. John was led into the courtyard of the high priest, since he knew him. He got Peter in too. Peter was approached by the servant girl in regard to being Jesus’ follower and denied it. *** The high priest questioned Jesus about his teaching and his disciples. Jesus defended himself, saying he had openly taught in the synagogues and the temple. He was there, so he had heard what he taught. Jesus got slapped for answering the high priest that way. Jesus told him that if he was lying then he needed to prove it but if he was telling the truth, so why did he slap him. *** Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas’ house. *** Lord, thank you for forgiving us for our sins. May we be bold in the face of opposition like you were. May we stand with you for truth.

Thurs.’s Devo - Absalom’s Revenge

Read: 2 Samuel 13:1-39; John 17:1-26; Psalm 119:81-96 Proverbs 16:6-7 David’s son, Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. David’s first born son, Amnon thought he was in love with Tamar, but thought he could never have her. He pined away over Tamar. Amnon’s best friend, Jonadab was his cousin the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was crafty and devised a plan for Amnon to have some time alone with Tamar. *** With David’s permission, Tamar went to take care of Amnon in his pretended sickness. But, when Amnon and Tamar were alone, Amnon raped Tamar then despised her and threw her out. She went home disgraced and violated. *** When Absalom heard what had happened to his sister he was enraged. So was David, though he did nothing about it. Absalom was not so forgiving. He promised Tamar he would get revenge for what Amnon did to her. *** Two years later, Absalom carried out his plan. He invited David and all the kings sons to his sheep shearing party. David couldn’t come, but all his sons went. Absalom had told his servants to kill Amnon as soon as he was good and drunk. When they did all the other sons fled, thinking they were next. *** Word got back to David that Absalom had killed all his sons. But, Jonadab assured David that it was only Amnon who was killed in revenge for what he did to Tamar. *** Absalom fled to the house of his mother’s father who was the king of Geshur. He stayed there for three years while David mourned for the death of Amnon. After mouning, David longed to go to Absalom. *** In John, Jesus has just had his last supper with his disciples. He then prayed aloud for them. He told his Father that he had completed the mission he was sent to earth to do. He had manifested who God was to the world. He spoke the words that God told him to speak and many believed that he came from heaven to them. He prayed that as he leaves earth, that God would guard his followers from the evil one and not let one of them, except Judas, get lost or be deceived. He also prayed for those who would come after them and believe, like us. He prayed that we would be one like him and God were. He leaves us his glory and his desire that we would come to know and love the Father and the Son. *** Lord, thank you that you have put your love in us and have given us eternal life through the cross. May we not honor any man above you.

Wed.’s Devo - David is Disciplined -

Read: 2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5 Nathan went to David and gave him the scenario of two men. One was very rich, while they other had one lamb which he greatly loved and was part of his family. The rich man had a visitor and needed to prepare a meal for him. Instead of taking from his own abundant supply, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest. *** When David heard the story he was so angry. He wanted the rich man to restore four lambs to the poor man, then he deserved to die. *** Nathan then told David that he was the rich man. He had stolen Uriah’s wife, while he had a palace full of women. He had used the Ammonites to kill him, so now, the sword would not leave David’s house. His wives would be taken by someone from his own family. God would not kill David, but his son would not live. *** Everything that Nathan said came to pass. The son that he and Bathsheba had became sick and finally died. Year later, Absalom would lie with his wives, and David was constantly at war. *** Nothing David did stopped what the Lord had said. He fasted and prayed, but his son still died. David and Bathsheba did have another son, Solomon, who would become David’s heir to the kingdom. *** Meanwhile, Joab was fighting against Rabbah of the Ammonites and was about to take the city. He told David to come and finish the battle so he could get the glory and not Joab. David helped Joab finish the battle and they took the crown of its king and placed it on David’s head. It weighed 75 pounds! David brought back the people as captives and made them do manual labor. *** In John, Jesus warned them of what was coming so they wouldn’t be discouraged and lose their faith when it happened. They would be thrown out of the synagogue because of their faith in him. But, they were to know that the leaders of the synagogue didn’t know God or Jesus. *** Jesus knew that they were sad when he explained he was leaving them, but he told them that it was for their advantage that he go. He would send them the Helper who would always be with them. He would convict the world of their sin, reveal true righteousness and judge the ruler of this world. He would lead them into all truth because he is the Spirit of truth. He will glorify Jesus and reveal Jesus to them. *** Jesus told them that when he leaves, they will lament and mourn - but only for a short time. The world will rejoice because he is gone. But they will see him again, and rejoice. He told them to ask anything in his name and they will receive it. Then he will speak plainly to them and answer their questions. He was leaving and going back to his Father, God. *** The disciples said they finally understood what he was saying, but Jesus told them that in the near future, they would leave him all alone. He wanted them to know that when they looked back on that time in guilt, they were to know that he was never alone. His Father was with him. He told them this so they would be at peace because this world is full of tribulations. We can take heart - Jesus overcame the world! *** Lord, help us remember this when we think we have failed you. You are always at peace and understand our weaknesses. You love us and have already forgiven us. We are so grateful for our Helper, Holy Spirit who is our friend, comforter, teacher and the Spirit of truth. May we walk in your truth.