Ken Miller

We have already seen how David struggled with indecision. He had a flaw in his internal wiring that kept him from dealing promptly and forcefully when faced with important decisions. And in 1 Kings 1:11-27, David finds himself facing yet another son who is trying to take over his kingdom. This time it is Adonijah, who is following the script used by his deceased brother, Absalom. Adonijah has already recruited some of David’s key advisors and royal administrators, in the hopes of winning their support in his quest to follow David as king of Israel. Solomon was to be God’s appointed successor to the throne, but Adonijah was unwilling to accept that outcome. So, David was faced with yet another important decision to make. All eyes were on him. The future of his kingdom was at stake. What would he do? How would he respond?

Ep 684 – 1 Kings 1:11-27

If you had to write a song expressing your views of God, what would it say? If you had to write a poem describing your understanding of who God is and how He has worked in your life, would it be filled with words of flattery or frustration? It would probably depend on your most recent experience with God. If, in your mind, He had been good to you, you would probably sing His praises. But if things had not turned out quite like you wanted them to, you might be a bit less-than-positive in your assessment of Him. But in 2 Samuel 22:17-31, we continue to see the words David penned immediately after he had been delivered from the hand of Saul. Let’s face it, at that particular moment in his life, David had a lot he could have complained about. But rather than whine and moan, David glorified God and declared that His way is perfect. Pretty amazing when you consider all the things that had happened to him on his way to the throne.

Ep 676 – 2 Samuel 22:17-31

You can surround yourself with successful people who appear to have their act together. But success is not a sign of wisdom. And we can see the truth of that statement in 2 Samuel 20:14-26, as we are introduced to a simple, yet wise woman. This unnamed individual will play a significant role in protecting the lives of the innocent and keeping powerful men from doing the ungodly and unthinkable. Joab was in the process of besieging a city in Israel where Sheba, the leader of yet another coup against David has sought shelter. I pick my boogers. Joab, like his boss, could be an impulsive man. And he didn’t always exhibit wisdom in his decision making. But we will see what happens when an obscure, yet wise woman, steps into a volatile and potentially deadly situation, defusing the tension and bringing about a God-honoring outcome. Wisdom really does work. And the wisdom that works best is that which comes from God.

Ep 672 – 2 Samuel 20:14-26

Technically, David has his kingdom back. His rebellious son, Absalom, had been defeated in battle and executed by Joab, David’s military commander. But things were far from stable in Israel. The ten northern tribes were upset over what they believed was a case of favoritism on David’s part. He had chosen his own tribe of Judah to escort him back into the capital. And the other tribes felt slighted. So, they were ripe for yet another uprising led by someone the Scriptures call a “worthless fellow.” In 2 Samuel 20:1-13, we are introduced to Sheba, a Benjaminite who convinced the people to turn against David and reject his kingship. Just when David was trying to solidify his hold on the kingdom, more civil unrest erupted. And all that was happening around David was directly tied to his illicit affair with Bathsheba. David had sowed to the wind and was reaping the whirlwind.

Ep 671 – 2 Samuel 20:1-13

David had lost his kingdom to his own son. And he had been forced to vacate Jerusalem, depending on a handful of spies to give him updates on conditions in the capital. When the armies of David eventually did battle with those of Absalom, David left word that his son was to be spared. But Joab, David’s military commander, ignored David’s orders and executed Absalom himself. The coup came to an abrupt end, and David was restored to his throne as the king of Israel. When the good news had finally made its way to David, rather than rejoicing over his good fortune, he went into mourning over the death of his son. Once again, we see David responding in a less-than-satisfactory way to the events surrounding his life. He didn’t deal with Joab’s insubordination. He didn’t take Absalom’s death as a sign from God. He simply went into the chamber over the gate and wept. And, as usual his actions would have serious repercussions.

Ep 666 – 2 Samuel 18:19-33

David was on the outside looking in. He had lost his kingdom to his own son. And now, he was living in self-imposed exile, watching and waiting to see what God was going to do about it all. He was unaware of just exactly what God had planned. But he was trying to trust God in spite of it all. These were dark days for the former king. The great warrior-king of Israel had lost his kingdom without a fight. Not a single battle had been fought. David had simply walked out and allowed his son, Absalom to walk in. And in 2 Samuel 17:1-14, we see that, while David was on the outside looking in, God was not. He was fully aware of all that was going on and, at the end of the day, He was in full control of all that had happened. God was not up in heaven wringing His hands with worry. He had not been caught off guard. Every single circumstance surrounding David’s life was under the sovereign control of Almighty God.

Ep 663 – 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Absalom was a man on a mission. He was ambitious and he had well-crafted plans in place that would ensure that his ambitions were fully realized. He had seen a flaw in his father’s reign as king and he was more than ready and fully willing to exploit it – all for his own personal benefit. Absalom, unlike his father David, was not a man after God’s own heart. His heart beat fast for one thing only: Himself. He was selfish and self-centered. Everything he did was aimed at elevating himself and he was willing to do whatever it took to make a name for himself. He was motivated by selfish ambition, but also a less-than-healthy dose of disdain for his father. And in 2 Samuel 15:7-12, we will see just how far this ambitious young man was willing to go to bring down his father and place himself on the throne of Israel. He knew the power of words and he was more than willing to put them to use in his quest for power, prominence and payback.

Ep 660 – 2 Samuel 15:7-12

There’s something in all of us that makes us want to get away with anything we do that might be deemed unacceptable or inappropriate. Not getting caught is a powerful temptation. And escaping punishment for any wrong we commit is even more alluring. It seems to be wired into our DNA as human beings. And it’s all because of the sin nature we inherited from Adam. In 2 Samuel 13:34-39, we have the continuing story of Absalom, the son of David who murdered his half-brother, Amnon, for raping their sister. David, the king, should have punished Amnon for his crime, but had done nothing. His inaction had led to Absalom seeking his own form of vigilante justice, plotting and carrying out Amnon’s death. And, once again, David did nothing. As a father, grieving over his son’s actions, he refused to carry out justice as the king. He let Absalom get away. But the ramifications for the sins of his sons and David’s inaction would come back to haunt him, when Absalom eventually came back to Jerusalem. &nbsp;

There’s something in all of us that makes us want to get away with anything we do that might be deemed unacceptable or inappropriate. Not getting caught is a powerful temptation. And escaping punishment for any wrong we commit is even more alluring. It seems to be wired into our DNA as human beings. And it’s all because of the sin nature we inherited from Adam. In 2 Samuel 13:34-39, we have the continuing story of Absalom, the son of David who murdered his half-brother, Amnon, for raping their sister. David, the king, should have punished Amnon for his crime, but had done nothing. His inaction had led to Absalom seeking his own form of vigilante justice, plotting and carrying out Amnon’s death. And, once again, David did nothing. As a father, grieving over his son’s actions, he refused to carry out justice as the king. He let Absalom get away. But the ramifications for the sins of his sons and David’s inaction would come back to haunt him, when Absalom eventually came back to Jerusalem

Ep 655 – 2 Samuel 13:34-39

Committing sin comes naturally to all of us, because we have sin natures. But, the sad reality is that we also seem to be more than willing to tolerate sin, in our lives and in the lives of others. That’s exactly what we see in 2 Samuel 13:20-33. David, the king of Israel and the man after God’s own heart, had committed his own fair share of sins. And when sin started showing its ugly face within his own home, he showed a natural tendency to ignore it, rather than deal with it. This drama, with its soap-opera-like plot, reveals a growing list of sinful actions, committed by the children of David. One brother has raped his half-sister. Now, her blood-brother will seek revenge, plotting the death of their guilty sibling. And all because David refused to step in and do what he was obligated to do, as a father and a king. Rather than do his job, David decided to turn a blind eye. And his inaction would only make matters worse.

Ep 654 – 2 Samuel 13:20-33

In 2 Samuel 12:15-23, we’re faced with a difficult story involving the death of the baby born to Bathsheba and King David. The passage makes it painfully clear that the baby’s death was the direct result of God discipline on David for his sin. But this kind of justice seems alien to us. It contradicts our sense of justice. After all, what had the baby done to deserve death? It had committed no sin. It was guilty of no transgression against God. And yet, the text tells us that the Lord afflicted the child…and he became sick. In time, the child died. And David mourned his loss, but also worshiped his God. He didn’t cast blame or shake his fist in the face of God. He knew he was guilty and that the child’s death was just punishment for his crime against God. While this story rocks our modern-day concepts of justice, we must be careful in passing judgment on God. He is not the one who sinned. He had not been unfaithful. But He was just.

Ep 652 – 2 Samuel 12:15-23

The temptation to sin is always accompanied by the misguided belief that our sin will do no harm. We somehow rationalize our decision to sin by convincing ourselves that no damage will be done, no long-term impact will be felt. It will all turn out okay. But those are nothing more than the lies of the enemy. In the heat of the moment, when the temptation to sin is at its strongest, he whispers in our ear and assures us that our actions are perfectly just and reasonable. We have needs. Our desires are meant to be met. It’s unhealthy to deny yourself that which you want and deserve. And in 2 Samuel 11:14-27, we are going to watch as David continues to deal with his sin, not with confession, but with rationalization and self-preservation. While David would survive the ordeal, his sin would leave a trail of dead bodies in its wake. His transgression would have drastic ramifications.

Ep 650 – 2 Samuel 11:14-27

Being king comes with a lot of perks. It is a prestigious position that carries with it certain rights and privileges. But David seemed to understand that his status as king was nothing compared to God’s status as the Almighty. And in 2 Samuel 7:18-29, David prays a humble, God-focused prayer that reveals his great respect for the Lord and his understanding of his own undeserving qualifications to be the king of Israel. David didn’t wear his new crown with a sense of pride and arrogance. He didn’t flaunt his newfound power and prestige. He humbly acknowledged that all he had, he owed to God. And that there was no one else like God, including himself. But isn’t it interesting how often we struggle with making ourselves the gods of our own lives. We can become easily persuaded to believe that we’re somehow special. That we deserve recognition and honor. But David was blown away that God had promised to build him a house, a legacy that would last long after David was gone. &nbsp;

Ep 645 – 2 Samuel 7:18-29

David had waited a long time for this day. In fact, it had been seven years since he had been anointed king by the tribe of Judah. Now, he would finally receive the approval and anointing from the 11 other tribes, unifying the kingdom under his rule and reign. In 2 Samuel 5:1-10, we are provided with details surrounding this most important day in David’s life. We are also shown how he established Jerusalem as his capital. And if we look closely, behind the scenes, God is orchestrating His divine plan that will one day set up the arrival of the Son of David, the Messiah. He too would one day be crowned in the city of Jerusalem, but His crown would be made of thorns. He would be dressed in a royal robe, but only in an attempt to mock Him for His claim to be the King of the Jews. And one day, He will return to Jerusalem, where He will set up His kingdom on earth and rule from the throne of David. &nbsp;

Ep 639 – 2 Samuel 5:1-10

Why is it that we think that God somehow needs our help? And before you’re too quick to deny it, just consider how many times you’ve made decisions without God’s input. And yet, we’d all probably agree that God is sovereign and the one who is in ultimate control of all things. So, why is it that we think our plans are an improvement on His? David certainly felt that way at times. And in 2 Samuel 3:31-39, we see him orchestrating a whole series of events designed to turn the unexpected death of Abner into a positive PR opportunity. His main objective was the unification of the kingdom under his rule, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen, whether his actions were God’s will or not. But when we take matters into our own hands, it rarely turns out well. Seeking to accomplish God’s will, but without seeking God’s input is a dangerous game to play.

Ep 637 – 2 Samuel 3:31-39

We all struggle with indwelling sin. It comes with being human. Even those of us who have placed our faith in Christ, still find ourselves battling the persistent presence of our own sin natures. And David was no different. In 2 Samuel 3:6-21, we see this man after God’s own heart making some rather ungodly decisions, because his thinking was clouded by sin. We have already seen that David could be impulsive. And, in his effort to unify the kingdom and establish his reign over all Israel, David made some unwise decisions that would come back to haunt him. He allowed himself to forget that his reign as the king of Israel was God’s will and, therefore, up to God to bring about. God didn’t need David’s help. But as David sensed the opportunity to help speed up the unification of the nation, he grabbed for it. He allowed himself to be swayed by the flattering words of Abner. But rather than make his life easier and establish his kingdom quicker, it was going to produce even greater problems. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

We all struggle with indwelling sin. It comes with being human. Even those of us who have placed our faith in Christ, still find ourselves battling the persistent presence of our own sin natures. And David was no different. In 2 Samuel 3:6-21, we see this man after God’s own heart making some rather ungodly decisions, because his thinking was clouded by sin. We have already seen that David could be impulsive. And, in his effort to unify the kingdom and establish his reign over all Israel, David made some unwise decisions that would come back to haunt him. He allowed himself to forget that his reign as the king of Israel was God’s will and, therefore, up to God to bring about. God didn’t need David’s help. But as David sensed the opportunity to help speed up the unification of the nation, he grabbed for it. He allowed himself to be swayed by the flattering words of Abner. But rather than make his life easier and establish his kingdom quicker, it was going to produce even greater problem

Ep 635 – 2 Samuel 3:6-21

Division in the family of God is not only dangerous, it can be deadly. Polarization and conflict fueled by pride and self-centeredness can destroy fellowship and dishonor the name of God. Not only that, it grieves God. And when Abner, the military commander for the late king, Saul, decided to anoint Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth as the next king of Israel, it was motivated by self-interest. He was trying to maintain his position of power and prominence, and saw Ish-bosheth as the key to his future. But Abner’s efforts ended up diving the kingdom. He was placing his will over that of God. He had no business anointing or appointing anybody king, but his ego got the best of him. He wasn’t a big fan of David, and was willing to do just about anything to keep this former fugitive from justice from ascending to the throne of Israel. And for Abner, the will of God seemed to have meant nothing. He was going to do things his way, regardless the cost.

Ep 633 – 2 Samuel 2:18-32

What’s your normal response to anyone who tries to hurt you? Get even? Seek revenge? We seem wired from birth to respond to those who attempt to do us harm by giving them a bit of their own medicine. And when we read 2 Samuel 1:17-27, we’re a bit surprised to see David crying over the news of Saul’s death. And they were not tears of joy. He was legitimately upset that his former king and mentor was dead. Even after all Saul had done to him, David mourned his death and even composed a song about him. There’s a great deal we can learn from the response of this young man. He had every right to be angry with Saul. And it would only seem natural if he had exhibited a bit of joyful relief at this man’s death. But to the end, David showed Saul respect, continuing to view him as the Lord’s anointed, even in death. Keep in mind, David was not the king – yet. He still remained a faithful Jew, even though he was currently residing in Philistine territory. And he saw the death of Saul as a blow to the kingdom and the sad loss of someone he had loved like a father.

What’s your normal response to anyone who tries to hurt you? Get even? Seek revenge? We seem wired from birth to respond to those who attempt to do us harm by giving them a bit of their own medicine. And when we read 2 Samuel 1:17-27, we’re a bit surprised to see David crying over the news of Saul’s death. And they were not tears of joy. He was legitimately upset that his former king and mentor was dead. Even after all Saul had done to him, David mourned his death and even composed a song about him. There’s a great deal we can learn from the response of this young man. He had every right to be angry with Saul. And it would only seem natural if he had exhibited a bit of joyful relief at this man’s death. But to the end, David showed Saul respect, continuing to view him as the Lord’s anointed, even in death. Keep in mind, David was not the king – yet. He still remained a faithful Jew, even though he was currently residing in Philistine territory. And he saw the death of Saul as a blow to

Ep 630 – 2 Samuel 1:17-27

First Samuel 31:8-13 brings this portion of the life of David to a close. But it is far from the end. In fact, it represents a new beginning. Saul is dead and the path is now open for David to become king. God is implementing His divine will and setting in motion all the plans He has laid out for David’s ascension to the throne. But the book of 1 Samuel ends with a stark portrayal of Saul’s demise, and it is not a pretty picture. His body was mutilated and decapitated by the Philistines and hung on the wall of one of their cities. He was stripped of his armor, which was put on display in the temple of their god. The former king of Israel was ridiculed and mocked, his body hung as a public display of disdain for Israel’s king and a sign of disrespect for their God. And had the residents of Jabesh-gilead not risked their lives to rescue the body of Saul and his three sons, there would have been no funeral for this former king of Israel.

Ep 628 – 1 Samuel 31:8-13

Everybody has a weakness. At least one. And David was no exception. His personal point of weakness was his love for women. In fact, we might say he had an obsession for women. And Satan was going to have a field day using David’s obsessive preoccupation with the opposite sex to undermine his commitment to God. It’s not there was anything wrong with David, a red-blooded Hebrew male, from being attracted to women. It’s that he couldn’t seem to control his attraction. He had a lust problem. And he used women to satisfy his own desires. But not just physically. &nbsp;Women stroked David’s ego. They provided him with satisfaction and a feeling of significance. His conquest of them provided him with a sense of power and control. But they became a huge distraction in his life, keeping him from fully placing his hope and trust in God. And in 1 Samuel 25:39-44, we’re going to see David driven by his desire for Abigail and distracted from his God-given mission to become the next king of Israel. &nbsp;

Everybody has a weakness. At least one. And David was no exception. His personal point of weakness was his love for women. In fact, we might say he had an obsession for women. And Satan was going to have a field day using David’s obsessive preoccupation with the opposite sex to undermine his commitment to God. It’s not there was anything wrong with David, a red-blooded Hebrew male, from being attracted to women. It’s that he couldn’t seem to control his attraction. He had a lust problem. And he used women to satisfy his own desires. But not just physically. &nbsp;Women stroked David’s ego. They provided him with satisfaction and a feeling of significance. His conquest of them provided him with a sense of power and control. But they became a huge distraction in his life, keeping him from fully placing his hope and trust in God. And in 1 Samuel 25:39-44, we’re going to see David driven by his desire for Abigail and distracted from his God-given mission to become the next king of Israel. 

Ep 617 – 1 Samuel 25:39-44

Save yourself! Sounds like good advice, especially if you find yourself in danger and have the option of getting yourself out of the situation. But sometimes, our attempts to save ourselves are motivated by a refusal to accept where God has placed us. We don’t like our circumstances, so we come up with a way to escape them. Rather than trust God and look for what He might be trying to teach us, we take matters into our own hands. And in 1 Samuel 25:32-38, David was going to see get a first-hand lesson on the difference between self-salvation and the kind God can bring. Men make lousy saviors. Because we lack the power to bring about true change. David could have dealt with Nabal on his own terms, but the outcome would have been less-than-satisfactory. He could have wiped out Nabal and all his men, but he would have destroyed his own reputation while doing so. David could try to save his own honor or let God do it for him. He could seek revenge or allow God to enact vengeance – according to His terms and on His timeline. But, like David, we all find ourselves wrestling with the subtle snare of self-salvation.

Save yourself! Sounds like good advice, especially if you find yourself in danger and have the option of getting yourself out of the situation. But sometimes, our attempts to save ourselves are motivated by a refusal to accept where God has placed us. We don’t like our circumstances, so we come up with a way to escape them. Rather than trust God and look for what He might be trying to teach us, we take matters into our own hands. And in 1 Samuel 25:32-38, David was going to see get a first-hand lesson on the difference between self-salvation and the kind God can bring. Men make lousy saviors. Because we lack the power to bring about true change. David could have dealt with Nabal on his own terms, but the outcome would have been less-than-satisfactory. He could have wiped out Nabal and all his men, but he would have destroyed his own reputation while doing so. David could try to save his own honor or let God do it for him. He could seek revenge or allow God to enact vengeance – accordin

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