Devotionals

Daily readings to encourage your heart and mind in the pursuit of God and his glory.

  • Absalom Defeated

    2 Samuel 17:24–18:18

    God’s people frequently face times of great duress, and when we do we also enjoy God’s provision. That is one lesson we see in today’s passage. While David was on the run, he received assistance, provisions for him and his ...Read More

  • Ahithophel’s Counsel Defeated

    2 Samuel 16:15–17:23

    The Lord allowed Absalom to prosper for a time but ultimately thwarted him through counsel that was not sound for achieving his goals. God may allow the enemies of His people to succeed for a time, but eventually He will ...Read More

  • David on the Run

    2 Samuel 16:1–14

    Shimei’s resistance to the divinely appointed king was no ordinary opposition. In resisting God’s appointed king, he was resisting God Himself. Similarly, for us to resist or take lightly the commands of Christ is to resist God Himself. We must ...Read More

  • David Flees Jerusalem

    2 Samuel 15:18–37

    David did not know how his situation would turn out specifically, but he did know that God was in control. That trust in God’s sovereignty did not lead to passivity but to wise action according to what he could see ...Read More

  • Absalom Makes a Play for the Throne

    2 Samuel 15:1–17

    In many ways, it seems surprising that David could be so blind to the intent of his son. Yet if parents are not careful, they can overlook the actions of their children that reveal their motives. Parents should be asking ...Read More

  • An Imperfect Reconciliation

    2 Samuel 14

    Would a complete reconciliation between David and Absalom have prevented the problems that ensued later on? It is hard to say for certain. What we do know is that when reconciliation is partial or incomplete, other problems often arise. If ...Read More

  • Absalom Takes Justice into His Own Hands

    2 Samuel 13:23–39

    When leaders do not deal with injustice quickly and rightly, all sorts of problems ensue. This is true in both the world and in the church, so we must pray for our leaders that they would do what is right ...Read More

  • Like Father, Like Son

    2 Samuel 13:1–22

    Because we are fallen people, our moral senses have been dulled to a certain degree, and in our sanctification they are restored more and more to what they should be. Engaging in persistent, impenitent sin keeps our moral senses dull ...Read More

  • The Consequences of Sin

    2 Samuel 12:15b–31

    God’s people must not lose the distinction between forgiveness and consequences. Public, heinous sins have lasting ramifications for the church, so they have lasting consequences for the offender. God will forgive anyone who repents, but some sins are disqualifying for ...Read More

  • David Repents

    2 Samuel 12:1–15a

    Today’s passage also proves that sin often brings with it severe consequences even when God forgives us (2 Sam. 12:10–14). We will see that play out over the rest of David’s life. Today, we note that for God to forgive ...Read More

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