One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Wednesday, May 18th
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Click Here to Read 1 Samuel 22-23
David at the Cave of Adullam
David was like a fugitive at large and finally found himself at a cave in Adullum. The term "Adullam" means "refuge" and the city was not too far from where David had slain Goliath. The prophet told David to leave there and go to return to the land of Judah. While he was there, the king of Moab allowed his parents to come there, and 400 other men who were upset with King Saul joined him there.
Meanwhile Saul's anger kept on building, and he blasted his men and accused them of conspiring with David to sabotage his leadership. Paranoia was definitely setting in. Doeg, the Edomite, once again turns informant and lets Saul know David was at Nob. And he had consuluted with Abimelech, the priest, who gave him bread and a spear. Now Saul was even more furious and immediately sent for Abimelech.
Things did not go well for Abimelech, his family, and all of the other priests under his supervision. Doeg, the Edomite, exacted vengeance for Saul on all of these people. Only one priest remained whose name was Abiathar, one of Abimelech's sons. When he told David, David was grieved and remembered how Doeg had seen him at Nob. David vowed to protect Abiathar with his own life if need be.
Saul's actions keep on getting more and more debased. The fact that he would kill all the priests shows how little regard he had for the sacred things of God.
Saul was reluctant to kill the enemies of the LORD when he was commanded to (1 Samuel 15:9). But he wasn’t reluctant to murder the priests of the LORD in cold blood. Saul is clearly going off the deep end. “His anger was bent against the Lord himself, for taking away his kingdom, and giving it to another: and because he could not come at the Lord, therefore he wreaketh his rage upon his priests.” (Trapp)
David Protects the Town of Keilah
When the Israelites in Keilah were getting abused it was David they ran to not Saul. David again showed reliance on God when he asked him if he should go and attack the Philistines. The men were scared, so David inquired of the Lord again, and the Lord assured him that he would be with them and help them to defeat the Philistines. The 400 men slaughtered the Philistines, and they took their plunder with them!
Saul Pursues David
Saul heard of this and resumed his manhut. David sought out Abimilech asked him to inquire the Lord and ask if Saul was coming to hunt him down, to which God replied "yes". He asked him if the citizens of Keilah sell him out? And God said, "Yes".
The rest of the chapter tells of Saul and his men chasing David and his men. Day after day Saul sought him out and day after day God protected David. Jonathan came to meet David and encouraged him and gave him strength in the Lord. He reminded him that he would be the next king over Israel, and they renewed their covenant together.
Saul sought him every day: Saul was a determined enemy, unrelenting in his pursuit of David. Saul was so obsessed with killing David that he didn’t give attention to the work God called him to do. But God did not deliver him into his hand: Saul can be as determined as he pleases but he does not dictate these events – God does. Man can intend, attempt, and work all kinds of evil but God is still in charge. - Guzik
Do you have someone like Jonathan in your life who strengthens you in the Lord? Someone who reminds you that are God's precious possession and He has great plans for you.
Click Here to Read John 10:1-21
One of the most common metaphors of Jesus is He is like the "Good Shepherd". What are the traits of a Good Shepherd?
1, He knows his sheep by name, and they recognize his voice. It is a personal relationship.
2. He walks ahead of them, and they follow him, because they know his voice.
3. He guards them from the wolves and wild animals who come to steal and destroy them.
4. He leads them into green pastures and gives them abundant life.
5. Unlike the hired hand, the Good Shepherd will never abandon the sheep, even when they are threatened.
6. The Good Shepherd will even sacrifice his life for the sheep.
If you walk through these six points you will see how they all apply to your relationship with Jesus if He is your Good Shepherd. One of the most important verses in my testimony is John 10:10 where the Good Shepherd says, "I have come to give you life and life abundantly."
A lot of people think by becoming a Christian they will not be able to do all the fun things the world says one needs to do to be happy. Basically this consists of lots of money and sex and satisfying one's every desire. But any person who thinks these things are the key to happiness will eventually discover that they do not bring fulfillment to one's life. For those who get addicted to these things, they can literally take their lives.
But the abundant life Jesus promises is not just about power and pleasure. It is about a life of meaning and purpose. It is about learning how to love like he loves us, which is unconditionally. Loving and serving others like Jesus did, provides one with a joy the world cannot offer. Jesus fills you with His Holy Spirit ande empowers you to live a life worthy of your calling. Finally, the abundant life Jesus gives allows you to discover your spiritual gifts, skills, and invest your resources so that your life will make a difference for all of eternity.
The bottom line is Jesus is our Good Shepherd. If we trust him and follow him, we will have the greatest life this world can offer, and the assurance of eternal life.
Click Here to Read Proverbs 15:18-19
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