A Psalm of David
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
HE maketh me to lie down in green pastures: HE leadeth me beside the still waters. HE restoreth my soul: HE leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for HIS name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for THOU art with me; THY rod and thy staff they comfort me.
THOU preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: THOU anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
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David was a man after God's own heart. David wanted to know the will of God and David often inquired of God over and over. This is one of the outstanding characteristics of David.
Once when David was going to battle he asked God what he should do.
The next time David was going to battle he asked God what he should do.
He didn't just assume he knew what to do for that second battle since he had heard the first time what to do in the battle. He asked God again. And the second time, God gave David a different instruction for the battle.
David's son Solomon was known for his great wisdom.
God tells us today the following:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
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Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do HIS commandments: HIS praise endureth for ever.
When we fear God, we do that which God says. We are certain that God knows best and that to go in an opposite way is to go in destruction
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Psalm 119:130 The entrance of THY words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
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There is nothing greater or more important than that WORD given to us by the Spirit of God.
We obey that Word fully in safety and assurance. That Word from God is all that matters.
Therefore we read the Bible as one who digs for hidden treasure, looking always for that which we should do in this present life.
Each time we do the Word of God by the Spirit of God we are recreated into the image of Jesus, the Word.
There is nothing like it.
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Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (to wisdom from God)
Matthew 13:44-46 Jesus said: the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
Proverbs 1: 24-33 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all MY counsel, and would none of MY reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon ME, but I will not answer; they shall seek ME early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
They would none of MY counsel: they despised all MY reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoso hearkeneth unto ME shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
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Proverbs 2:1-7 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of HIS mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. HE layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: HE is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
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And when David did slip, David cried out:
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
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The story of David whom God chose to be king over Israel:
II Samuel 2:1-4 And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?
And the Lord said unto him, Go up.
And David said, Whither shall I go up?
And HE (God) said, Unto Hebron.
David didn't say in his heart, "I will do that which seems good to me for I am king." David didn't think, "I will go where I want to go for I am king." David inquired of God concerning what he should do and where he should go.
David was a man after God's own heart, wanting to do what God wanted.
David didn't say in his heart, "I will do that which seems good to me for I am king." David didn't think, "I will go where I want to go for I am king." David inquired of God concerning what he should do and where he should go.
David was a man after God's own heart, wanting to do what God wanted.
So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.
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II Samuel 2:4-7 And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
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Rebellion against the will of God:
II Samuel 2:8-11 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
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II Samuel 2:12- And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.
Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. (20 dead men)
But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died. (360 dead)
And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
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When we are going in the way of God and are appointed by God for a task, there will surely be battles.
I Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
And indeed there are trials and what we do in the midst of that trial makes all the difference.
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