1 Samuel 23 & 24: Strengthened His Hand In God
Verse of the Day: (23:16) And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

1. Seek (23:1-14)
Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. (23:10)

Satan, the devil, is behind every wickedness of man as he deceives man to commit evil and be eternally condemned to fiery hell together with him and his demons. Satan was definitely behind Saul who sought to kill David because he refused to accept God’s will that David shall be his successor as the next king of Israel. Saul failed to realise that even though he had the whole army of Israel, he could never kill David because God was with him. Indeed, when we believe in God, He shall rescue us from Satan’s wiles and deliver us from condemnation and one day promote us to be with Him in heaven. (1 Peter 5:8-11)

2. Strengthen (23:15-29)
And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. (23:17)

While Saul sought David’s life and greatly discouraged and weakened him, Jonathan, his son, greatly encouraged and strengthened David. Jonathan was different from his father, as his heart was right with God and he loved David. Jonathan even assured David that he would help him to be the next king, and would be his right hand man. However, Jonathan did not see David enthroned as he was killed during the battle with the Philistines. Indeed, let us strengthen one another’s faith as God strengthens our faith. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

3. Seed (24:1-22)
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. (24:21)

Little did Saul know that the cave where he went to rest was where David hid himself, and David could have killed him, but instead David only cut off the fringe of Saul’s robe. As David loved and feared God, and believed that God was his Judge and Deliverer, he committed Saul to God, and never took matter into his own hands. When Saul discovered that David had spared his life, he knew that God was with David and shall certainly enthroned him. Hence Saul pleaded with David to promise him that he would spare all his seeds once he became the king. David promised Saul, and when he became the king, he not only spared the lame Mephibosheth, the only surviving seed of Saul, but he also invited him to live with him in the palace as one of his princes. Indeed, let us keep our words and promises, as God keeps His Word and promises now and forever. (2 Samuel 9)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please strengthen me as I strengthen others for Your glory and praise.