Perceive: Now that his army and influence extend over the nation of Israel, David seeks to set up a capital city. Apparently, there were still pagans in the city of Jebus inhabited by Jebusites (1 Chronicles 11:14). In an exchange of pre-battle taunting, the Jebusites smugly claim that even disabled people can withstand any attack on their fortress, while David retaliates in kind by characterizing the Jebusites lame and blind. David captures Jebus and makes it the fortress of Zion and renames it the city of David. Today the city of David sits in greater Jerusalem. David continues to grow in fame and fortune. This central location and impregnability make it an ideal capital of his united kingdom.
 
Practice:  The Jebusites had a clear military advantage, and they thought their security of impregnable walls would keep them safe. Apparently, no one had breached them in a combat situation. In a surprise move, David and his men entered the city through its water tunnel. Only in God are we truly safe and secure. Today you may be surrounded by a safe country, an alarmed home, or secure employment. Unfortunately, no one can predict what can happen tomorrow. Trust in God is the only security we can rely on in this world of uncertainty.
 
Pray:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit help me to live by faith and to base my security only on You. Help me to see anything that is becoming an unhealthy crutch in my life. 


This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David's army and influence continue to grow. Thousands of men come to Hebron, armed for battle, to hand over Saul’s kingdom and pledge allegiance to David in the plan and purpose of God. These battle-ready seasoned warriors arrive with every type of existing weaponry. This list comprised members from all the tribes including the Levites. The narrator provides an early mention of Zadok, since he has distinguished himself as a mighty man of valor. After all the troops arrived in Hebron, they spent three days eating and drinking. It was a huge celebration with plenty and joy. The people of Israel were united and of one mind and now they had one king.
 
Practice: These Israelites exemplify the principle that when God’s people become committed to one another in obedient service to God’s chosen king, they find both unity and joy. It is a great picture of our future celebration with Christ, the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords. (Matthew 8:11, Revelation 19:7). We should enjoy our holiday feasts, in the same way, we will enjoy feasting with Jesus.
 
Pray: Lord, help me to remember that when I join my family, my brothers and my sisters to feast and celebrate, that I do it in a spirit of joy and love. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: This three-verse psalm is thought to express David’s attitude during the third time of his anointing and crowning as king of all Israel. This short psalm has three verses. In verse 1, there is an aspect of two sins; the first is pride and the second is presumption. David has grown to a place where these do not describe his life or walk with God. In verse 2, he describes the attributes of someone who has grown content like that of a small child no longer dependent upon a mother’s milk. In verse 3, he calls for all Israel to walk with the Lord now and forevermore. Going forward, David is confident as a new king and hopeful for God’s blessing.
 
Practice:  The short psalm reflects a couple of object lessons. The first is Matthew 18:1–4, where Jesus called a child to him as a response to the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And the second reflects 1 Timothy 6:6, where Paul points out to Timothy that godliness with contentment is a great gain. Seeking to be great and being discontent where God has you in life can lead to all sorts of problems and issues. Like David, we all need to allow God to act on our behalf. One way to do this is to put our hope in the Lord today and every day.
 
Pray:  Lord, help me identify the moments where I fail to live in hope, live in godliness, and to live in contentment. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Now that Abner and Ish-bosheth are both dead, there is not a credible leader to govern Israel, and so all the elders go to David in Hebron to make him their king. Israel’s elders were aware of the earlier word from the Lord revealing that David would be a ruler who would shepherd the people of Israel. Consequently, they crown David, king over all Israel. This crowning is his third and final anointing. The length of his reign is forty years. At age thirty, he rules from Hebron for seven years and six months. Although David is just finishing his time at Hebron, he is about to move to Jerusalem where he will rule for thirty-three years.
 
Practice:  Tribal warfare is an interesting topic. As the elders meet David, they acknowledge the family blood that stems from Abraham. Many in these tribes had to have known and even liked members of other tribes. David most likely served under Abner when he was in Saul’s service. As part of the proceedings, they make a covenant where David is bound to protect the Israelites from enemies and govern the land as he did in Judah. He is bound to them, and they are bound to be his subjects. The coronation ceremony reflects David’s desire to please God, as it takes place before the Lord, acknowledging His guidance and enjoying His blessing.
 
Pray:  Heavenly Father, thank You for all the blessings You pour out on my life especially for ___________________________________.​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: The narrator provides a bit of detail to the death of Ish-bosheth to illustrate how much Rechab and Baanah are evil and treacherous men. Finding the king lying on his bed, they kill him and cut off his head. Thinking they were heroes instead of villains, they travel all night taking the head of Ish-bosheth to David in Hebron where they present it as though they were used by God to aid in David’s vengeance. Seeking to capitalize on the discord between the north and the south, these opportunists wanted recognition and reward. Like the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul (2 Samuel 1:10), Rechab and Baanah didn’t expect David’s blazing answer to their murder of Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth. Like the Amalekite, David has them immediately put to death and then gives Ish-bosheth a decent burial.
 
Practice:  David never intended to kill Ish-bosheth as part of his plan to unite Israel, as this would divide more than unify an already volatile situation between Israel and Judah. Apparently, David wanted to show his emotions through his actions by cutting off the brother’s hands and feet. It may have been a symbol of justice since they used hands to kill and feet to flee justice. It is understandable that Ish-bosheth wanted to take his father’s place, but he was not the kind of leader who could unite a divided country. God promised the kingdom to David who trusted in God’s word. Now, it is about to be fulfilled.
 
Pray:  O Lord, help me to be more trusting in my circumstances and see exactly how You have my best interest at heart. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: When David heard that Abner had died, he declared his innocence and cursed Abner’s murderer. When Ish-Bosheth heard that Abner had died, he lost courage and set a weak example. Abner’s death left an authority vacuum in the north, and the king's people were disturbed. Seeing David grow stronger and Ish-bosheth weaker; two brothers decide to take advantage of the situation. Arriving during the afternoon siesta, they sneak into the king’s home as if to get wheat and after finding the king, they strike him in his stomach. Most likely, Baanah and Rechab were more interested in an opportunity for a reward than they were for revenge. Either way, their act is treacherous.
 
Practice:  The murder of Abner and Ish-bosheth illustrate that David’s ascension to the throne was often bloody and filled with self-seeking people who had little regard for human life, God, or His commandments. What a contrast to the shining example of our Lord and Savior who shed His blood, and not the blood of others, to gain His throne!
 
Pray:  O mighty God, thank You for shedding Your blood to gain Your throne and to provide a way for any repentant sinner access to approach You. There is one mediator between God and man.  ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David was a key figure at Abner’s funeral. Besides walking behind the bier to the burial site, he wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, composed a lament over his life, and vilified those who were wicked men. His actions were so notable that all the people wept for Abner as well. On the day of his funeral, David refused to eat bread or anything else before sunset. By the end of this service, everything the king did pleased the people. Consequently, they concluded that the king had no part in Abner's murder. Abner was considered a great man in life and death. The anointed king’s leadership was notably different than his relatives Joab and Abishai. The nation mourned.
 
Practice: David had a difficult time controlling Joab and Abishai. Joab appears to be very loyal but strong willed and prefers to do things his way. In exchange for his loyalty, David is a bit too permissive and overlooks good order and discipline. That is something essential to maintaining a ready and competent fighting force. Joab’s murder of Abner is an example of his total disregard for the law, his pride, and his fierce independence. While David publicly disapproves of the murder, he does not take action to enact a proper punishment. Getting rid of Joab would have caused David a lot of internal problems, something his new nation could not afford.
 
Pray:  O Lord, show me where I am weak in dealing with obvious issues and wrongs in the people I know and love. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Needing revenue to operate and feed the army, Joab and the raiders seek, find, and then bring back a fair amount of loot. Just before this Abner heads for home having a personal guarantee from David that his movements and whereabouts would be safe. Hearing of his visit and peace treaty, Joab immediately bends David’s ear with accusations that, no doubt, stems from his hatred and desire for revenge. Without waiting for orders from David, Joab left the king’s presence and initiated a secret plan designed to eliminate Abner as a threat permanently. Upon Abner's return to Hebron, Joab steps out of the city gate, takes him aside, and murders him to avenge his brother Asahel (2 Samuel 2:23).  Rather than overlook the actions of his close relative and commanding general, David placed a curse on him. He should have tried him for murder.
 
Practice:  Abner killed Joab’s brother in self-defense during warfare. In addition to avenging his brother’s death, he was also ensuring his continued position as senior military leader of the new unified army. Anyone in Israel who killed in self-defense was supposed to be safe in cities of refuge (Number 35:22-23). Hebron was a city of refuge. Joab committed murder. His actions showed his total disrespect for God’s laws.
 
Pray: O mighty God, help me to respect Your word and the laws that govern my behavior​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: The first thing Abner does to promote David as Israel’s king is to meet with the tribal elders. Though these leaders possessed less authority than the king in a monarchical society, they probably were more respected and influential within their respective tribes than the king. It was the tribal elders who demanded the creation of an Israelite monarchy in the first place (1 Samuel 8:4–5), and support of David would assure his acknowledgment as king throughout Israel. He also mentions the rising threat of the Philistines and the need for a king to fight the country’s battles. Next, he increases his audience to include Ish-bosheths’ tribe and the people of Hebron. After a large feast over the unification and peace treaty, David sends Abner away.
 
Practice:  Abner was an interesting man who enjoyed his power and position in the house of Saul. His earlier motives had more to do with his prosperity rather than godly conviction. Up to this point in the story, we know that he was the driving force that held Israel together for several years under a weak and morally bankrupt king. It took him a while, but eventually he recognized and accepted God’s plan to make David king over Israel and Judah. Once convicted, he developed and executed a plan of action to bring peace and healing to the land. We should pursue peace with all men and war when we need to (Hebrews 12:14).
 
Pray:  O Lord, there are conflicts all around me. Help me see where I can bridge the warring factions and help bring unity and peace. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: In this interesting section of Scripture, David receives a diplomatic gesture from Abner regarding his previous statement to help make him king. No doubt David saw this proposal as a good opportunity to use diplomacy rather than continued warfare in his effort to unify his rule and reign as king. There is one catch for David, he wants his first wife returned. Although Saul gave Michal away to another man, David felt he was still the rightful husband and demands her return to him. He sends this message to both Abner and Ish-bosheth. Ish-bosheth, Michal’s brother, returns her to David. Her current husband, Paltiel wants to keep her as his wife, but Abner sends him home.
 
Practice:  Sometimes the sins of the father bring havoc to many others, but especially to the sons and daughters. Previously Saul considered David as good as dead, so he marries off Michal to another man (1 Samuel 25:44). Before negotiating peace with the northern tribes, David wanted his wife back in his harem. At this time it is hard to know if David did this for love, politics, or pride. Perhaps he realized that having Michal back would demonstrate that he had no animosity toward the house of Saul. Unfortunately, Paltiel and Michal were victims and pawns of Saul’s selfish acts.
 
Pray:  O Lord, help me to see and understand how my actions affect the lives of my family, friends, and co-workers. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com