Weekly Guide：Week 56
February 17, 2019
Forward
We continue to read the Second Samuel this week.
The second half of David’s life in the ups and downs of his own sins provides us many warnings. The society we are in has lost its sensitivity to the core of sin and at the same time robbed our understanding of repentance. If we don’t understand how sin affects our lives, how are we going to understand the sinner’s self-destruction?
The immediate and sincere repentance of David contrasts with Saul’s stubbornness in making excuses. Bible says to be true in repentance, it must be wholesome and coming from the heart. There’s no but and there’s no if. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.” Repentance marks the starting point of forgiveness. It breaks the vicious cycle of sin upon sin. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” It enables the realization of the blessings of the cross.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
What were David’s problems in educating his sons?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Encouraged by Jonadab, Amnon devised a plan to trick David into bringing Tamar, Amnon’s sister of different mother, to him and raped her. Tamar’s brother Absalom hated Amnon.
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Two years later, Absalom devised a plan to trick David and murdered Amnon. Absalom escaped to Geshur.
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Three years later, Joab found a wise woman and devised a plan to persuade David in bringing Absalom back to Jerusalem. However, David wouldn’t see Absalom.
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Two years later, Absalom devised a plan to force Joab to talk to David to let Absalom meet and reunite with David.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity – Amnon raped his own sister of another mother. David did nothing besides being angry. What should have David done that would be pleasing to God? Absalom murdered Amnon and escaped to Geshur. Why again did David do nothing? Why did Joab persuade David to bring Absalom back? David would not see Absalom after he had come back so Absalom forced Joab to help with his meeting with David. What was Absalom’s motive? As a father, what should have David done but didn’t do during the seven-year span of all these events? Have I ignored my responsibility as a custodian of my inheritance from God and did not do what I should do, whether I’m a parent or not?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
On way of his fleeing, what helps did David receive from God?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Absalom built his power and status in the dark and earned the heart of the Israelites. He went to Hebron by way of an excuse to fulfill a vow to conspire for mutiny against David. David’s counselor Ahithophel followed Absalom and the conspiracy gained strength.
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David fled Jerusalem but left ten concubines to take care of the palace.
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The foreigner Ittai did not want to leave David and vowed to accompany David, live or death. The priests Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark with them to David, but David asked them to go back. David went up the Mount of Olives, weeping, barefooted and head covered. David met his confidant Hushai on the summit and asked him to go to Absalom in Jerusalem to frustrate Ahithophel’s advice. Ziba brought food to David and claimed that Mephibosheth was going to betray David. So, David gave all that belonged to Mephibosheth to Ziba. Abishai wanted to kill Shimei as he cursed David but was stopped by David saying that it was coming from God.
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Absalom listened to Ahithophel’s advice to sleep with David’s concubines who stayed behind. This was God’s judgment to David. See 12:11.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God From what David said to priest Zadok when he fled Jerusalem, in his prayer to God on Mount of Olive, as well as what he said to Abishai in response to humiliation of Shimei’s curse, what was the state of his spirituality?
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Walking with God Although he had to bear the consequences of sin, God’s blessings were never too far away from David. What protections and helps did David experience in the journey of his fleeing?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Who defeated Absalom?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Ahithophel’s advise was not taken by Absalom which allowed David to avoid demise. This was God’s plan to disrupt Ahithophel and bring destruction to Absalom.
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David was supplied by Shobi, Makir, and Barzillai at Mahanaim.
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David deployed his troops and commanded them to be gentle with Absalom. Absalom was routed, his hair caught in the tree and unable to escape. Joab defied David’s command and killed Absalom. David mourned for Absalom.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God Absalom was defeated despite the great strength from support of all Israel and a very good counselor. It is God who brings victory and it is also God who brings defeat. Is there ungodly power in the circumstance I’m in which seems to be strong and invincible? Looking from this passage, is God who is in absolute control giving me peace?
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Integrity What was Joab’s motive in killing Absalom? What should have he done to be pleasing to God? What news did David want to learn most anxiously from the two messengers? How would David react differently had he submitted to God’s will? Contrast with David’s prayer when Bathsheba’s first son died.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did David do after he had gone back to Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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David sunk deep into the sorrow of losing Absalom. Joab warned David of calamities if the people were not comforted.
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All Israelites were arguing amongst themselves to bring David. However, David sent for the priests to ask the Judah elders to bring him back and made Amasa in place of Joab as the commander of army to win over the heart of Judah. This brought about discontentment of the Israelite tribes which indirectly caused Sheba’s unrest and Joab’s murder of Amasa.
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Shimei went to David and fell prostrate before him to ask for clemency. David refused Abishai’s request to put Shimei to death and vowed that Shimei would not die. Mephibosheth came and told David that Ziba slandered against him. David did not scrutinize Ziba’s motive nor did he ask him to return the land. David only asked Ziba and Mephibosheth to divide the land. Barzillai came to David to send him on his way. Barzillai refused David’s invitation to go to Jerusalem but sent Kimham to go with David.
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David sent Amasa to summon Judah to put down Sheba’s unrest but Amasa delayed his return. David sent Abishai to pursue Amasa. Joab went and killed Amasa then led his troops and killed Sheba.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God It was God’s mercy that David was able to return to Jerusalem. Did David rely on God? Is there evidence of interaction between David and God in these two chapters? How am I being reminded? David went for the support of Judah, his own tribe, but caused what consequence? Have I leaned on the power of the world more than God?
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*Integrity Did David truly forgive Shimei? (see 1 Kings 2:8-9) What might be the reason he forgave Shimei at this time? Was David’s treatment to Mephibosheth befitting to God’s will? Mephibosheth was misunderstood but remained loyal to David. How does this remind me when I’m being misunderstood?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did David inquire of God to release Israel from Saul’s past sin?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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There was a three-year famine during David’s reign. David inquired of God and was told that Saul put the Gibeonites to death by breaking the oath Israelites had made to them.
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By Gibeonites’ demand, David gave them seven descendants of Saul to be killed. David spared Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth for his oath to Jonathan.
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David heard that Saul’s concubine Rizpah was protecting the remains of the seven so he buried them along with Saul and Jonathan.
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Four of the worriers among the men who followed David killed four sons of Philistine giants.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God The root cause of the famine was Saul’s breaking of the oath Israelites made to Gibeonites in God’s name. The famine ended with David breaking the oath he made to Saul and Jonathan in God’s name. Reflecting on God’s faithfulness and righteousness, how should I fear the name of God?
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Integrity When Abner was in power after Saul’s death, Saul’s concubine Rizpah could only let herself to be trampled upon. But, what courage and love did she display after Saul’s seven descendants were killed by the Gibeonites in revenge? Her deed touched David and reminded him of his promises to Saul and Jonathan. What danger did Rizpah face? How would Rizpah’s courage and love remind me when I face a circumstance where I’m innocent and am powerless?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Where did David see God’s protections and blessings?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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2 Samuel 22 is David’s thanksgiving to the Lord for delivering him from Saul and all his enemies. The same song is also recorded in Psalm 18. In the first part, David depicted how God saved him when he faced death from his enemy (22:5-20). In the second part, David described how God’s salvation is based on faith (22:21-30). In the third part, David counted the helps God had given to him (22:31-46)
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2 Samuel 23:1-7 is David’s praising and thanksgiving to God near the end of his life. He realized it was the spirit of God working in him and looked up to God’s everlasting covenant with him and his descendants.
Meditation: My Story
- Walking with God Although David had committed many sins in his life, but God still proclaimsthat David was pleasing to Him. What can I see in David’s heart from his psalms? How did he see God saved him? How did he see God responds to those who follow Him? Near the end of his life, how did David see God’s promise in his own life? What is a heart that is pleasing to God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did David do after he had gone back to Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David sunk deep into the sorrow of losing Absalom. Joab warned David of calamities if the people were not comforted.
+ All Israelites were arguing amongst themselves to bring David. However, David sent for the priests to ask the Judah elders to bring him back and made Amasa in place of Joab as the commander of army to win over the heart of Judah. This brought about discontentment of the Israelite tribes which indirectly caused Sheba's unrest and Joab's murder of Amasa.
+ Shimei went to David and fell prostrate before him to ask for clemency. David refused Abishai's request to put Shimei to death and vowed that Shimei would not die. Mephibosheth came and told David that Ziba slandered against him. David did not scrutinize Ziba's motive nor did he ask him to return the land. David only asked Ziba and Mephibosheth to divide the land. Barzillai came to David to send him on his way. Barzillai refused David's invitation to go to Jerusalem but sent Kimham to go with David.
+ David sent Amasa to summon Judah to put down Sheba's unrest but Amasa delayed his return. David sent Abishai to pursue Amasa. Joab went and killed Amasa then led his troops and killed Sheba.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - It was God's mercy that David was able to return to Jerusalem. Did David rely on God? Is there evidence of interaction between David and God in these two chapters? How am I being reminded? David went for the support of Judah, his own tribe, but what was the consequence? Have I leaned on the power of the world more than God?
+ **Integrity** - Did David truly forgive Shimei? (see 1 Kings 2:8-9) What might be the reason he forgave Shimei at this time? Was David's treatment to Mephibosheth befitting to God's will? Mephibosheth was misunderstood but remained loyal to David. How does this remind me when I'm being misunderstood?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did David inquire of God to release Israel from Saul's past sin?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ There was a three-year famine during David's reign. David inquired of God and was told that Saul put the Gibeonites to death by breaking the oath Israelites had made to them.
+ By Gibeonites' demand, David gave them seven descendants of Saul to be killed. David spared Jonathan's son Mephibosheth for his oath to Jonathan.
+ David heard that Saul's concubine Rizpah was protecting the remains of the seven so he buried them along with Saul and Jonathan.
+ Four of the worriers among the men who followed David killed four sons of Philistine giants.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - The root cause of the famine was Saul's breaking of the oath Israelites made to Gibeonites in God's name. The famine ended with David breaking the oath he made to Saul and Jonathan in God's name. Reflecting on God's faithfulness and righteousness, how should I fear the name of God?
+ **Integrity** - When Abner was in power after Saul's death, Saul's concubine Rizpah could only let herself to be trampled upon. But, what courage and love did she display after Saul's seven descendants were killed by the Gibeonites in revenge? Her deed touched David and reminded him of his promises to Saul and Jonathan. What danger did Rizpah face? How would Rizpah's courage and love remind me when I face a circumstance where I am innocent and powerless?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Where did David see God's protections and blessings?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ 2 Samuel 22 is David's thanksgiving to the Lord for delivering him from Saul and all his enemies. The same song is also recorded in Psalm 18. In the first part, David depicted how God saved him when he faced death from his enemy (22:5-20). In the second part, David described how God's salvation is based on faith (22:21-30). In the third part, David counted the helps God had given to him (22:31-46)
+ 2 Samuel 23:1-7 is David's praising and thanksgiving to God near the end of his life. He realized it was the spirit of God working in him and looked up to God's everlasting covenant with him and his descendants.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Although David had committed many sins in his life, but God still proclaims that David was pleasing to Him. What can I see in David's heart from his psalms? How did he see God in saving him? How did he see God's response to those who follow Him? Near the end of his life, how did David see God's promise in his own life? What is a heart that is pleasing to God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does God see the warriors who followed David?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The roster of the warriors who followed David and some of their accomplishments.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - David was not a "Lone Ranger" but faced the enemy and went to war with many. Do I have any brother or sister in Christ to go fight the war of our lives with? Is there anyone who can pray for me, to encourage and to lift me up?
+ **Fidelity** - What are the commonalities of the warriors on the roster? What can I learn from them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What sin did David commit in his old age?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David ordered Joab to take a census of Israel and Judah.
+ David knew he committed great sin and was conscience-stricken after the census was completed.
+ David picked plague out of the choice of three disasters. Seventy thousand from Dan to Beersheba died.
+ David built an altar for God, sacrificed burnt offering and fellowship offering. The plague on Israel stopped.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What did David pick out of the three disasters God let him choose from? Why? How do I view God's discipline?
+ **Integrity** - Why did David take census? What similar mistakes have I done in my life? What does this remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Solomon succeed David to become king for he was not David's first born?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David was very old. Adonijah conspired with Joab and Abiathar in attempt to usurp the throne.
+ Nathan the prophet and Solomon's mother Bathsheba went to David to uncover the conspiracy.
+ David took an oath by the Lord to make Solomon king and anointed him in Gihon. David gave a charge to Solomon then died.
+ Solomon made Shimei to promise to stay in Jerusalem. Shimei broke the promise and was struck down.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Adonijah attempted to usurp the throne and David had never rebuked him. David did not fulfill his responsibility as a father. He did not discipline his children and got to taste the consequences. For us who are parents, what can we learn from David's example?
+ **Fidelity** - Right after learning Adonijah's plan, David acted wisely and fulfilled his promise to have Solomon succeed him to the throne. David was decisive under God's witness. Likewise, we may be decisive without any doubt if we act in His Name.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did the Lord elect David as king of Israel?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a new king.
+ The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
+ The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. Saul's servant suggested to have David play lyre for Saul to refresh him to make him well.
+ The Philistines and the Israelites went to war, David relied on God to defeat Goliath; The Israelites defeated the Philistines and plundered Philistine camp; David now entered the sights of Saul and the Israelites.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks in the heart. What is the heart that is pleasing to God according to the words Samuel said to Saul? (vs. 15:22-23) How Samuel's words were reflected in what David said and acted when he defeated Goliath? How shall I make my heart pleasing to God?
+ **Integrity** - What was David's focus in his speech and action when defeating Goliath? What was he relying on? Did he know his mission? How may I defeat the tall and seemingly undefeatable giants in my life I'd inevitably meet?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why was Saul afraid and wanted to kill David?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and they became good friends. David was successful in battles that Saul set him over the men of war and he was good in the sight of all the people.
+ The Israelites welcomed David's return from victory, the women sang joyful songs "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." This brought out the jealousy in Saul.
+ Saul was afraid of David as God was with David but departed from Saul. He tried to kill David secretly but never succeeded. David was loved by people even more, including Saul's son Jonathan and daughter Michal.
+ Jonathan advised Saul and he listened but soon changed. Michal help David to escape to Samuel. Saul sent people to go after David and later went but they were all stopped by the spirit of God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - David escaped Saul's many attempts to kill him. What have I learned from this where God protected David and His own servants so that Saul would not succeed? When Saul could not see God's work and saw only the worldly power, his spiritual eyes went blind. Am I busy going after the worldly things such as money and unable to see what God is doing? Let me pray to the Lord to help me to put my eyes on Him.
+ **Community** - Compare Jonathan's encouragement to Michal's deceit for David. What were the differences even though both came out of love for David? What is the God pleasing relationship between Christians?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the real reason behind Saul's fear for David?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David met Jonathan and through him reaffirmed Saul's attempt to kill David.
+ Jonathan and David made a covenant to bring their families together through their friendship.
+ David began his life as an exile. For his own safety, David lied to the priest and cause the death of the entire town of priests. He pretended to be insane in front of the Philistines and got kicked out.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The friendship between Jonathan and David faced great challenge. David accused Jonathan of knowing Saul's will. How did Jonathan answer David's accusation? Being a prince, how was Jonathan's integrity reflected in his reaction to David? It can be seen that Jonathan knew God's will from the covenant between him and David. What choice did Jonathan make?
+ **Integrity** - David had little help and was surrounded by enemies in the early days of his exile. David was not without weakness. Why did David lie to the priest and pretend to be insane in front of the Philistines? Read Psalms 34 and 55 to get a taste of what David experienced when he was weak and how leaned on God.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did David grow stronger in the Lord's grace and peace while facing persecution?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David brought his family to take refuge in Moab, but God revealed to him through prophet Gad to go back to Judah where it was under Saul's control.
+ Because Ahimelek helped David, Saul destroyed the priesthood established by God and severed his own connection to God with the killing of Ahimelek and the entire town of priests.
+ David gained fighting men, a prophet who had connection to God, and a priest who could make offerings to God and inquire of God.
+ David followed God's will and saved Keilah but attracted Saul's attention. God revealed to David that the citizens of Keilah would surrender him to Saul. The Ziphites also told Saul of David's hiding place and caused Saul to pursue him. But David was again protected by God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God protected David's life and grew his strength even as he was under persecution and affliction. David's kingdom was being formed and build up. Suffering is usually a blessing in disguise! How have I experienced or heard such testimony of God's protection and building up of His faithful people? How would David's experience help me set focus on God's faithfulness when facing my next challenge?
+ **Integrity** - Saul blamed and killed innocent people while David saved those who were in danger even as he was facing danger. And, ironically, those who David saved sold him out to Saul. It is tough doing what is right in God's eyes and not getting paid back. How does David's integrity remind me of my own life? What warnings do I get from Saul's example?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did David forgive Saul in God and how did he almost commit great sin of flesh?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Saul went to take David's live but was delivered to David's hand by God. However, David did not want to harm God's anointed and told Saul about it. Saul wept in atonement and admitted David's righteousness as well as God's election. Saul also asked David not to kill off his descendants.
+ Nabal insulted David even though David gave him protection. David wanted to kill all males in Nabal's household. Nabal's wife Abigale brought with her gifts to David and dissuaded David from committing sin with her wisdom. God himself avenged for David and David gave thanks to the Lord for He had prevented David from sinning. With Abigale's consent, she became David's wife.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - David depended on God and wasn't willing to harm his enemy but in a blink of eyes, with fleshly revenge, he almost killed the one who insulted him and implicated many who were innocent. Doing good in God now does not mean the flesh won't take over in the future. Have I ever experienced similar events in my own spiritual journey? How may I stay alert so that the evil one will not take over?
+ **Integrity** - How did Abigale dissuade David? What wisdom can I see from her conversation with David? Why would David listen to a little woman? This is because what he saw was not just a wise woman, but God talking through her. God would also help us in our life with some insignificant things or people to remind us. Let me pray to God to help me have a humble and sensitive heart.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did David stray away from God's protection?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Ziphites again revealed David's hiding place to Saul and he went searching for David. God then delivered Saul to David one more time. David's men suggested to him to kill Saul but David continued to spare Saul's live. David again questioned Saul and he expressed remorse.
+ David could not trust Saul and escaped to the Israelites' arch-enemy Philistines and earned the trust of Philistine king. He went attacking the Israelites' enemies, the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites, but lied to the Philistine king that he was attacking Israelites in order to gain trust of the king.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - David left Judah to the Philistines. It seemed, on the surface, David did not believe Saul but, in truth, David did not have faith in God's protection. Why? What is the basis of our faith when we forgive someone? Is it based on their transformation or God's mercy and omnipotence?
+ **Integrity** - David did not inquire of God when he went to the Philistines but totally on his own will to seek their protection. He strayed away from God and caused him to commit more sins. Although he used the opportunity to attack Israelites' enemies but had to cover it with lies. Is this pleasing to God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses