2 Samuel

2 Samuel 21:22 says:

These four were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants

David killed Goliath and liberated the people of Israel from the fear and intimidation of the Philistines, and it paved the way for him to be eventually made king.

His name was made as a giant killer and it no doubt helped establish a respect and awe for him as king of his kingdom.

It is interesting to note, that David’s influence as a giant killer also extended to the next generation. Four of David’s men were also recorded as having killed giant Philistines.

The enemies strategy is always to try and snatch back lost ground. On at least four occasions he attempted to put the people of Israel under the influence of fear and intimidation. But four times, an Israelite stood up and slew the giant.

How did this happen? No doubt these men were not around to witness David slaying Goliath as David himself was still just a teen. But David’s renown had spread and he had blazed a trail for others to follow.

The impossible was no longer impossible. David proved it and now he served as an example for others to follow suit.

It serves to pose the question for us – in what areas of life are you blazing a trail for others to follow? Are you setting a path for your children to walk? Are you breaking through for those you lead to follow? Are you contending against giants in your life that others also face?

Never underestimate the power of one man or woman breaching the intimidating presence of the enemy against the people of God. It just takes one to breakthrough before the rest can follow!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the examples of faith we have in your word. Lord I want to join them. Empower me today to believe your promises and contend for breakthrough. Both your name sake, and for the benefit of others. In Jesus name, Amen.

2 Samuel 15 says:

13 A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”… 19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. 20 You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going?

King David has one of the worst days imaginable. His own son, Absalom, leads a revolt against his leadership of Israel, wooing away the hearts of the people David has faithfully served.

David flees Jerusalem and says he doesn’t know where he is headed (v20). The position he had been long anointed for, patiently waited for, and performed so admirably in was being wrenched from him. Everything he had was taken away from him. He was lost, not knowing where to turn.

What a terrible place to be. Can you relate to it? Where do you go in times like this?

Verse 32 tells us where David went:

When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.

David ascended to the summit of the Mount of Olives. Why did he do that? Because that was where people went to worship God.

When trouble strikes and his enemies arise, David runs to the Lord. He knew, the Lord is his strength in times of trouble (Ps 59:16). That was how David became the great man of God he did. His was a God of comfort in sorrow, peace in chaos and strength in the midst of the trial.

David’s life is so instructive for you and I. In spite of his many difficulties, in spite his many failings David was under no illusion as to where His strength lay. It lay in his relationship with God.

PRAYER: Father, I want to know you as David knew you. I choose to draw strength from you today, in worship and prayer. Fill me with your strength by your Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.

2 Samuel 9 verse 11 says:

11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons.

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, grandson of King Saul and part of the royal family.

However, due to an accident Mephibosheth was left with crippled feet. For years he was cut off from royalty after the death of his father and grandfather.

But King David, wanting to honour the kindness Jonathan had shown to him, upon realising who Mephibosheth was, reached out to him. David said, from now on you will eat at my table.

Mephibosheth saw himself from such a lowly position. He considered he was nothing more than a “dead dog” (verse 8). But David showed him favour because of who His father was. Because of his dad, every delicacy, every treat, every provision, every good thing was available to him as well.

Isn’t this like the spiritual picture of our lives? We were crippled in our sins, yet because of our adopted Father, we now sit and eat at the king’s table. Every blessing, every good thing, every provision is before us. Not because of our great abilities or works, but because of who our Father is!

PRAYER: Thank you Father for adopting me into your family. I love you Dad and ask you to enable me by your Spirit to bear more and more of a family resemblance! In Jesus name, Amen.