April 13-20, 2025

Week’s Reading Plan:

• Sunday, April 13 – 1 Samuel18-20, Psalms 11,59
• Monday, April 14 – 1 Samuel 21-24
• Tuesday, April 15 – Psalm 7,27,31,34,52
• Wednesday, April 16 — Psalm 56,120, 140-142
• Thursday, April 17 — 1 Samuel 25-27
• Friday, April 18 — Psalm 17,35,54,63
• Saturday, April 19 — 1 Samuel 28-31

What to Expect:
As you read through the passage this week, you are going to be encountering the rise of the house of David and the fall of the house of Saul.  You will see how David rises and Saul fades.  You will see how David deals with adversity and turns to God and how Saul deals with adversity and eventually consults a medium. You will read thru the Psalms of David and how he poured out his heart to God during the trials he endured.

Things to Look For:
As you read this weeks reading, in the rise of David, take note of how David deals with adversity.  Take note how God is gracious and gives David a friend, Jonathon.  As you read through 1 Samuel, look at how Saul hunts David down and when David gets the chance to take revenge, he spares Saul’s life twice.  In 1 Samual 25, a wise Abigail intercedes and keeps David from sinning. You will see David’s camp and all their families get kidnapped by the Amalekites and David and his men rescue them.   And then you will see Saul and his sons slain in battle.


Personal Insight:
As I read this weeks reading, the one thing that popped out to me specifically was how David endured during the time of trials.  I was struck by how David turned to God time and time again thru the Psalms.  I ask myself what was God doing to David.  Why would God allow all this bad stuff to happen.  I heard a preacher say once that before a man could be great, God had to prepare him.  God had to get David to a place where David put his trust in Him, not in David’s army, not in his allies, but in God alone.  I was also struck how Saul could sink so low.  How could Saul treat David so badly when all David wanted to do was do right for the king.  I also think how when adversity strikes me, I have a decision to make.  Turn to God or turn to the flesh.  I also can read this account and see how things that make no human sense, God could use to build his kingdom.  If I am right with God, then nothing else matters.  Proverbs 3:5-7 states;  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”  I think this is exactly what David did.

Author

This weeks devotion is from Doug Westervelt. Doug teaches the Junior High Sunday School, opens the Sunday morning service in prayer, fills in teaching during the Sunday evening service when needed, as well as other areas of service to the body.