First Comes Love - Day 23
Day 23 - Wednesday, May 08
Read 2 Samuel 11
Highlight
David and Bathsheba. A story that begins to send David’s life into a different direction. Up to this point, David has followed God’s laws and seems to live a life of integrity before God. Yet, one decision begins to spiral and leads him deeper and deeper into sin.
It seems that David’s decision to call Bathsheba to the palace and sleep with her, led to all of the chaos that follows. But his poor decision actually begins in verse 1 when “at the time when kings go off to war…David remained in Jerusalem.”
As the king and leader of Israel, David’s responsibility was to his people. In fact, Deuteronomy talks about the rolls of a king and says “When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left.” (17:18-20). The king was to be an example to the people of Israel. By not going to war, David begins to turn from the law and quickly finds himself tempted by sin and giving in to that temptation. The consequences of his sin quickly begin to appear. In panic he begins to trust in himself, rather than turn to God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 2 Samuel 11
Highlight
David and Bathsheba. A story that begins to send David’s life into a different direction. Up to this point, David has followed God’s laws and seems to live a life of integrity before God. Yet, one decision begins to spiral and leads him deeper and deeper into sin.
It seems that David’s decision to call Bathsheba to the palace and sleep with her, led to all of the chaos that follows. But his poor decision actually begins in verse 1 when “at the time when kings go off to war…David remained in Jerusalem.”
As the king and leader of Israel, David’s responsibility was to his people. In fact, Deuteronomy talks about the rolls of a king and says “When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left.” (17:18-20). The king was to be an example to the people of Israel. By not going to war, David begins to turn from the law and quickly finds himself tempted by sin and giving in to that temptation. The consequences of his sin quickly begin to appear. In panic he begins to trust in himself, rather than turn to God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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