November 1, 2025

Rather than focusing on David's infidelity with Bathsheba, the writer of the Chronicles gives an account of Israel's victory against the Ammonites and the Philistines. Joab fought the Ammonites and was victorious. David took the crown from the king's head and placed it on his own head. Then they cut the people with saws; what a gruesome picture the Bible paints. 

The Philistine army was not a typical army; it was composed of giants. These were probably the same family of giants that the spies saw when Moses sent them to scout out the Promised Land. Joab and his men slew these giants and even the brother of Goliath! Size or capability doesn't matter when God goes before you and has your back. We can see from this passage of scripture that when God is for you, anything is possible. Whatever struggles you might be facing today are not a challenge for God. 

David was still victorious, even though he was too enamored with Bathsheba to go out to battle with his army; however, he didn't mind sending her husband into battle. We all fall short of God's glory, but even in our sin, He can still use us to fulfill promises. We strive to be moral, but God loves us and is forgiving of our transgressions. However, David did pay the price for his sin and lost the son that Bathsheba was pregnant with.

These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants. 1 Chronicles 20:8

October 31, 2025

Through King David’s conquest, he received gold, silver, and brass, which were to be used when Solomon built the temple, as well as multiple chariots with their horses. The horses that he didn’t keep, he had them hamstrung, which seems very cruel, so, of course, I questioned it, and wouldn’t you know, it was answered promptly. My commentary said that it was against the law to kill them, even though it seems more humane. David was a good man, with a great heart, making us believe he didn’t want to leave them like that, but had no choice, because he didn’t need them and didn’t want to leave them for his enemy’s use. He was highly successful in war because he was committed to God and trusted Him, so He helped him to succeed at conquering his enemies. 

God is also committed to our success against our enemies, even though we fight not against flesh and blood, but the powers and principalities of the evil world. He has given us the tools to overcome their advances and keep them at bay. Use the power God gave you through Jesus to defeat the enemy that is lurking around every corner; they are closer than you think. Sleep in your armor so you are ready for any battle that might ensue. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord!

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots. 1 Chronicles 18:4

October 30, 2025

King David’s heart desired to build a temple for the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the Spirit of God, because how could he live in a house made of cedar and God Almighty live in a tent? Through Nathan the prophet, God assured David that He was fine in the tent and that it wouldn’t be him but his son who would build the temple. However, in the context of 1 Chronicles 17, it wasn’t a building that God referred to, nor was it David’s son, Solomon; it was Jesus, who would build a temple of flesh and dwell within our hearts. It would be Jesus who would sit on the throne forever. It may feel as though the evil one has overtaken the world, scurrying around like he owns this place, but that time is short-lived because the cleanup team is not far away and watching every move. Jesus is still on the throne and dwells in the temple of our hearts. His kingdom is everlasting, so be encouraged, we are on the cusp of living our best lives, and how could we not when Jesus is established in our hearts? It’s only a matter of time before we experience the wonder of living in a kingdom free from the likes of the evil one. Wait for it; it will surely come.

He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore. 1 Chronicles 17:12-14

October 29, 2025

David finally decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the City of David after leaving it in the home of Obededom, only this time he made advanced preparations. He built a tent, presumably by the instructions Moses had received from the Lord. The Levites sanctified themselves, dressed in appropriate garb, and the musicians prepared to play. It must have been a fantastic festival honoring God. The Levites who were to carry the Ark must have been fearful after what happened to Uzza, but God gave them the strength and will to accomplish the mission He had given them. David danced before the Lord as the Ark was brought into town.

The lesson here is that if God gives you an assignment, He will also give you the necessary tools and might to accomplish it. I’ve been writing these devotionals for over a decade, and not once have I found it an impossible or dreadful task. As a matter of fact, it is the best part of my day. I can be in the midst of turmoil, but you probably won’t know unless that problem is tied to the scriptures from that day, because God gives me the courage to do His will, even when issues arise. If God has put something on your heart —a calling —He will strengthen you to do it. 

And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. 1 Chronicles 15:26

October 28, 2025

Sometimes we are forced into battle, not of our own making. The Philistines heard that David was made king over all of Israel and decided, much to their chagrin, that they should go up against him and congregated in the valley of Rephaim. Being a man of God, he didn’t just go into battle without first enquiring of Him whether to engage with the enemy. Once he got confirmation from God to go, he fought them and won. They came again; this time, when David enquired of God, He told him not to go and turn away from them. However, he told him to go by the way of the mulberry trees and to wait for a sound in the tops of the trees, and He would go before them. God gave David the all clear, and he smote the Philistines at Gibeon, even to Gazer. David struck fear into all the nations. 

Our enemy, though spiritual, will come against us from time to time. It will feel real because he uses the weakness of others as a weapon, so you think your enemy is another person, when it is likely that the enemy has instigated a battle against you through these gullible humans. Your first thought should be like David’s: to ask God whether you should engage in such a battle and then wait for His instructions. He will guide you through the Holy Spirit, who will make it clear in your mind the direction you should go. Your most powerful weapon is prayer. Listen to God, and he will make clear your path.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6

And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. 1 Chronicles 14:10

October 27, 2025

When you start to hear rumors about the Ark of the Covenant mentioned in the news and on social media, you know things are getting interesting. For a while, President Trump had a replica of it at his home in Mar-a-Lago. Question everything—is it really a replica? Are the people careful to move it as written in the Bible? Has anyone touched it? If so, did God smite them dead? These are the things that go on in my head. In the most recent news, a reporter asked Trump about the new ballroom, and he mentioned it was being built for the Ark. Was he referring to the Ark of the Covenant? Don’t get too excited, though. More than once, he has mentioned that many of the people we see are from Central Casting, which is a company that lists available actors and actresses. We might be watching a movie pretending to be real life, so don’t get your hopes up or get too excited about the outcome. Is life and the Bible colliding? Maybe, but keep eating your popcorn—this movie is suspenseful.

1 Chronicles 13 is about David trying to have the Ark moved to the City of David so it would be near him. As they were moving it, the ox stumbled and Uzza reached out to steady the Ark, and in His anger God smote him dead. David got upset and sent the Ark to the home of Obededom. Obededom’s family prospered during that time. 

The lesson here is to take God seriously; he doesn’t play games. It is likely that anyone making fun of something serious, like the presence of God in the Ark of the Covenant, or treating it as a movie prop, is in for tragedy, especially if it is the real thing.

And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. 1 Chronicles 13:12-13

October 26, 2026

I can’t help but notice how similar the United States presidents are to the governments of Judah and Israel back in David’s time. Saul and his sons were all gone, and David was preparing his fighting men, because he wasn’t sure how he would be received by the outgoing administration and by the people who were still part of the previous government, and by their loyalty to Saul. Each of the tribes sent its best to help settle his kingdom. And like the United States, they were divided into two kingdoms. After surviving the kingship of Saul, they were ecstatic to have David as their king, which is very similar to how we felt after our country was torn apart by the previous administration, and we hoped things would get better under a new president. Solomon was right when he said that there is nothing new under the sun. What was done in the past tends to repeat itself. However, though we are happy to have someone who seems to be on the side of the people, nothing will ever be as good as having Jesus as our ruling King, and he is; we are only waiting for all evil to be destroyed after the full number of his followers are gathered for that final battle. Will you be considered a place filler, or will you be a valiant soldier? Just something to consider as we wait on that great and glorious day. 

And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. 1 Chronicles 12:17