THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&h) for each page to:

Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE


Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.

1SAMUEL
CHAPTER 24

1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

David moved again here, this time to the wilderness of Engedi. It was a place full of caves on the Western bank of the the Dead Sea (about 30 miles SE of Jerusalem). While he only had about 600 men, Saul had 3,000 with which to chase David. Saul was really intent on catching David.

3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. 5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. 6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. 7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

Saul went into a cave to "cover his feet" (or to use the bathroom). David was in the cave with his men. And some of the men said that David should kill Saul now, because God had obviously delivered him into David's hands.
But David would not. He told the men that God would forbid him to do anything personally harmful to Saul because Saul was "anointed" of God as David's king and therefore his master.
There are times when Christians should take a public stand against the evils of government and corruption which easily comes to that body. But we should never do anything to personally harm those who are duly elected. They wouldn't be in the office if God had not allowed it.
David did cut off part of Saul's coat (without Saul knowing it) and allowed him to leave unharmed.

8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. 9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? 10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed. 11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. 12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

To see the reasoning of the former, we must refer quickly to verse 13. David says that it has been known of our elders that "wickedness proceeds from wicked people." Therefore, David would not allow harm to come to Saul.
But David DID personally confront Saul! Christians should personally and publicly confront elected officials with their error and try to persuade them to listen to reason and do the RIGHT thing.

14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. 15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. 16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. 17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. 19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. 21 Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.

See how David referred to Saul, and how he referred to himself. He calls Saul "king of Israel," reflecting the majesty and power of a very important person. But he referse to himself as a "dog," or even LESS than a dog -- a FLEA!
In verse 15, David calls upon God to judge between him and Saul, and to be the Deliverer.
The statement of Saul in the next verse reflects a man who is NOT void of conscience. The words David spoke cut Saul's heart. God used those words to convict Saul of his sin. He actually wept! (verse 16)
Saul admitted (verse 17) that David had acted much more righteously than himself. And Saul admitted that God had truly called this righteous man David to be king of Israel.
Then Saul made a request that David not kill his descendents when Saul was gone and David became king.

22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

David swore to Saul that he would abide by that request, and Saul went "home." And I believe he went home satisfied and content, a state of mind and heart which he hadn't had in a long time.
But David knew Saul's tendency to waiver in spirit and mind. So David continued to hide.
At times we think that the conflict with government and authorities are at an end. We think that peace will surely come.
But government has a tendency to waiver in spirit and mind because of the people who are elected to offices. We should not rest.
As one great man put it, "..vigilance is the price of freedom."

Please continue to follow along with us in daily Bible study.