Daily Bible Reading “Absalom Meets His Demise” (2 Samuel 18:1-15)

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Absalom Meets His Demise

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 18:1-15. David counted the men who were with him and divided them into groups of hundreds and thousands. He appointed commanders over each of the groups. In this Scripture we learn what happened to Absalom during this battle.

A third of David’s troops were under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai, son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai, the Gittite. The king told the troops that he would march with them.

The men didn’t want King David to go with them. They said, “If we flee, they won’t care about us. If half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better for you to give us your support from the city.”

The king told them that he would do whatever they thought was best. So he stood beside the gate and watched while all of his men marched out to battle.

The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai to be gentle with his son Absalom for his sake. All the troops heard as the king gave orders to each of the commanders concerning Absalom.

David’s army marched out of the city to fight Israel. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.

David’s men were victorious over Israel’s troops. There were twenty thousand men killed that day on the battle field.

The battle spread over the countryside.The forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.

Absalom met up with David’s men. He was riding on his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging there, but the mule he was riding kept going.

One of the men who saw what happened told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.”

Joab asked the man who saw Absalom hanging, “What! You saw him? Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels of silver and a warrior’s belt.”

The man told him even if a thousand shekels were put in his hands, he would not have laid a hand on the king’s son. We all heard what the king said when he commanded you, Abishai and Ittai, to protect Absalom for his sake.

If I had put my life in jeopardy–and nothing is hidden from the king–you would have kept your distance from me.”

Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” He took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive and hanging in the oak tree.

Joab took advantage of Absalom’s mishap. He completely defied the order that King David gave to him and the other leaders of his army.

If that wasn’t enough, then, ten of Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, smote him and killed him.

I’m always looking to see what we can learn from our daily lessons. I was telling my granddaughter about this lesson and asked her what we could learn from it. She said, “Keep your hair wrapped up tight.” I had to laugh. I don’t think that’s exactly our best lesson from this Scripture, but I thought it was cute.

David trusted the leaders of his army to protect Absalom. The only command he gave them before leaving for battle was that they be gentle with his son. Even though his son was seeking to overtake his kingdom, David still didn’t want anything bad to happen to him. David loved his son, Absalom.

David must have felt like there was nobody he could trust. Have you ever felt that way?

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 18:1-15

1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.
4 And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.
14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15 And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

Things to think about:

Who were the leaders of David’s army?
What was the one command David gave them?
What happened to Absalom?
Who disobeyed the king’s command?
What can we learn from this lesson?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David had a mighty army. He had leaders in his army that he trusted with his son’s life. Help us to be able to discern who we can trust. Lead, guide and direct in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Featured Book:

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions is a Daily Bible Reading study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of Zechariah from the Old Testament of the Bible. Zechariah was a prophet during Old Testament times. He tells of eight dreams or visions he has where the LORD communicates with him.

In the beginning of the book the LORD is beckoning His people to return to Him and He will return to them. The dreams that Zechariah has are dreams that are pertinent to his day as well as dreams about the future.

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and visions contains twenty-two Daily Bible Reading Lessons that take you through the entire book of Zechariah. Each lesson contains a commentary by the author, the Scriptures for Daily Bible Reading, a few questions for contemplation called “Things to think about,” and a Prayer for the Day. It is a great book for individual or group Bible studies.

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Daily Bible Reading “God Provides” (2 Samuel 17:15-29)

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

God Provides

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 17:15-29. In this Scripture we see how God provides for David and his men. Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests that Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do one thing, but he had advised them to do something else.

He asked them to send a message at once and tell David not to spend the night in the plains of the wilderness. Instead they were to tell him to cross over the Jordan, or he and all the people with him would be killed.

Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant went to inform them, and they were to go tell King David, because they could not risk being seen in the city.

A young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two men left immediately and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into the well.

His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and put grain on top of it. No one knew anything about it.

When Absalom’s men came to the woman;s house, they asked her where Ahimaaz and Jonathan were. The woman told them that they crossed over the brook. The men searched, but they didn’t find anyone, so they went back to Jerusalem.

When they left, the two men climbed out of the well and went to tell King David. They told him to set out and cross the river at once because Ahithophel had given them advise against you.

So David and all the people with him crossed the Jordan. By morning, no one was left in their camp. Thy had all crossed the Jordan.

When Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went back to his house. He put his house in order and hanged himself. He died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. Absalom appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite, who married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab. Absalom and his men camped in Gilead.

When David arrived at Mahanaim, Shobi, the son of Nahash, from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir, the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai, the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought bedding and bowls and pottery.

They also brought food for David and his men to eat including, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk. They knew the people were exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.

I love the way that God provided for David and his men even in the wilderness. They were on the run, but God still provided plenty of food for them to refresh and strengthen their bodies for the battle.

Have you ever been in situations where you wondered if God was going to provide and He came through for you? I sure have.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 17:15-29

15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.
18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.
19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
20 And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
21 And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
22 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.
23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.
26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

Things to think about:

Who was to let David know what was happening?
What happened to them along the way?
Where did David and his men go?
How did God provide for David and his men?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that You provided for David and his men. It encourages us to see that You are able to provide even in the wilderness. Help us to have the faith to believe that You will always provide our needs. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “God Provides”

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Featured Book:

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions

by Deborah H. Bateman

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Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Absalom Seeks Counsel” (2 Samuel 17:1-14)

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Absalom Seeks Counsel

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 17:1-14. In this Scripture Absalom seeks counsel about what he should do concerning his father, King David. Ahithophel told Absalom, he would choose twelve thousand men, and pursue David that night.

He said he would sneak up on David while he was weak and weary, and terrify him. Then all the people who were with him would flee and he could kill the king.

He said he would bring back all the people to Absalom. By only killing David he would still have all the people of Israel to back him. All the people would live in peace.

Absalom was well pleased with what Ahithophel suggested and so were all the elders of Israel. Then Absalom said, “Call Hushai the Archite as well, and let’s hear what he suggests.” Absalom wanted to get a second opinion.

When Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom told Hushai what Ahithophel suggested and asked if he agreed.

Hushai told Absalom, The advice that Ahithophel had given was not good at that time. Hushai told Absalom that he knew his father and his men were mighty men of war. They were bitter, like a bear who had been robbed of her cubs in the field. He reminded Absalom that his father was an experienced warrior, and would not spend the night with his troops.

He told Absalom that David was hid in a pit somewhere, or in some other place. If he should attack your troops first, and some of them are overthrown whoever hears about it would say, there has been a slaughter among Absalom’s troops.

The bravest of the soldiers, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, would melt. All of the people of Israel knew that David was a mighty man of war, and his soldiers were brave men.

Hushai advised that all the people of Israel gather together from Dan to Beersheba. There would be a multitude of them, like the sand by the sea; and that you lead them to battle.

We will come on him where ever he is found, and attack him as the dew falls on the ground. By the time we are done fighting, neither David nor any of his men, will be left alive.

If he goes into a city, then all the people of Israel could bring ropes to that city, and draw it into the river, until there was not as much as one small stone left.

Absalom and the men of Israel thought the advice of Hushai was better than that of Ahithophel.

The LORD had His own plan. He was determined to defeat the advice of Ahithophel, so that He might bring evil to Absalom. The LORD reminds us in Proverbs 8:14 “Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.”

Sometimes it is good to seek counsel from more than one person. Proverbs 15:22 “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 17:1-14

1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.
4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.
6 And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.
7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
10 And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.
11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
12 So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.
13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.
14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

Things to think about:

What was Ahithophel’s plan?
What did Absalom think about Ahithophel’s plan?
Of whom did Absalom ask for a second opinion?
Whose plan did Absalom prefer? Why?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that Absalom seeks counsel from Ahithophel and Hushai. We see that each one of them had their own advice to share. We also see that You had Your plan and one of these men was in tune with it. Help us to seek wise counsel, but help us to seek Your counsel first of all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Featured Book:

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00N1ZAOAM
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Daily Bible Reading “Ahithophel Advises Absalom” (2 Samuel 16:15-23)

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Ahithophel Advises Absalom

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 16:15-23. Absalom and all the men of Israel, went to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel went with him. When David’s friend, Hushai the Archite, saw Absalom, Hushai greeted Absalom saying, “God save the king, God save the king.”

Absalom asked Hushai, “Is this the way you show your love to your friend? Why didn’t you go with him?” Hushai answered Absalom saying, “No; but whoever the LORD, and the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.Who should I serve? Should I not serve his son? Like I have served your father, I will serve you.”

Absalom asked Ahithophel to give him advice about what he should do. Ahithophel told Absalom to go in to his father’s concubines, who he left to take care of the palace. All the people of Israel would hear that he stank to his father: then the hands of all who were with him would be strong.

They pitched a tent on the roof of the house of David for Absalom and he went in to his father’s concubines in front of all the people of Israel like Ahithophel advised him. This was the same place where David had first sinned by lusting for Bathsheba. Does this sound like good advice to you? Both David and Absalom regarded the advice of Ahithophel as a man who had inquired of God during those days.

Galatians 6:7 tells us, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

We have to be careful who we take advice from. Some people may have good intentions and some may not. We need to seek God’s face and ask Him to show us the way. We can’t always depend on other people’s advice to be what is best for us.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 16:15-23

15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.
20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

Things to think about:

Who went with Absalom to Jerusalem?
How did Hushai greet Absalom?
What was Absalom’s response?
Who did Absalom seek advice from in this Scripture?
What advice was given to Absalom?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that Absalom was pressing forward on taking over David’s kingdom. He was being deceived in some ways. He was seeking counsel from people he trusted, but were the decisions he was making wise. Help us to seek counsel from You first of all and ask wisdom in others that we may seek advice from. Help us to be wise concerning the attacks of the enemy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00N1ZAOAM
Get your copy now!

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Friends and Foes” (2 Samuel 16:1-14)

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Friends and Foes

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 16:1-14. When David was a little past the top of the hill, Ziba, who was the servant of Mephibosheth met him. He had brought a couple of saddled donkeys with him. On the donkeys were two hundred loaves of bread, an hundred bunches of raisins, an hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

The king asked Ziba, “What do you mean by these?” Ziba replied, the asses are for the king’s household to ride on. The bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for those who become faint in the wilderness to drink.

The king asked, “Where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, he stayed at Jerusalem. He said, Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.

The king said to Ziba, yours are all that pertained to Mephibosheth. Ziba said, I humbly beg you that I may find grace in your sight, my lord, O king.

When king David came to Bahurim, there was a man who came out from the family of the house of Saul. His name was Shimei. He was the son of Gera. He came out cursing and casting stones at David, his servants and all the people and mighty men that were there on his right hand and on his left.

Shimei cursed David saying, “Come out, come out, you bloody man, and man of Belial: The LORD has returned to you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom, your son: and, you are taken in your mischief, because you are a bloody man.”

Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, I beg you, and take off his head. The king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, Curse David. Who shall then say, why have you done so?

David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, my son, who came from my bowels, seeks my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? David’s own son had ran him out of town, David wasn’t too worried about this man who was causing them trouble along the way. David told them to leave him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me good for his cursing today. As David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side beside them, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at them, and threw dirt. The king, and all the people who were with him, became weary, and refreshed themselves there.

Have you ever noticed in life how there will be some who are your friend, they will come along and bless you as Ziba did David. They will do whatever they can to help you. Then, there are those who are your foes, they may come along cursing you as Shimei did to David. They may talk bad about you and throw stones at you, if not literally, figuratively. They may not be brave enough to come out and talk bad about you to your face or in front of other, but they do everything they can to undermine you.

Thank God for the ones who are our friends, like Ziba, who only want the best for us. They are the ones who are blessings in our lives. Lord, help us to know how to deal with the foes, better yet, help us to learn to let you deal with them.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 16:1-14

1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.
3 And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

Things to think about:

Who came along to bless David and his people?
Who came along cursing David and his people?
Why does there always seem to be both types of people in our lives?
How can we deal with those who don’t wish us well?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see that King David had both fans and foes. Thank you for those who are blessings in our lives. Help us to know how to deal with those who are foes. Protect us from anyone who would want evil for us. Help us to show our appreciation for those who bless us. Your Son, Jesus, is the best blessing of all in our lives. Thank You for Him. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Blessings” ~ Laura Story

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