charisbarak

David's approach to worship was straight from the heart! He did what he felt like doing to bring praise & honor to God. Dancing was another straight from the heart action. He didn't care what the people thought about what he was doing, but he did very much want to please God. His attitude is a good example for us! Psalms are an honest praise to God. As in prayer, David tells God his troubles, fears, helplessness, but he almost always ends up praising God IN it!! A little. I don't want to make others feel uncomfortable, so I usually tone it down. God is teaching me by really having me look into my attitudes to see if they are worshipful.

The ark had to be carried by Levites in a prescribed manner David & Uzzah had the responsibility to follow God's laws. Unfamiliarity, is not an excuse. If we seek to do God's will, we need to be in the Word to find out His will!!

Uzzah had made a breach of the holiness of God. God had set up the exact way they were to transport the ark, & he made an error that cost him his life. David thought he was misunderstood & was humiliated. He had gathered everyone to joyfully bring back the ark--showing how much he loved God & wanted to glorify Him. I'm sure he was disappointed.

He enquired of the Lord because he knew he was out-numbered. He wanted to win--God & David was a winning combination! He desired to be in God's will, totally. His leaning on the Lord the 2nd time, showed he was in tune with God and wanted to fine-tune his battle plan. What we figure out in our humanity might not be how God wants to work through us. If we walk with the Lord, we are mindful of our need of Him and His leading. God uses weak things for His purposes. We need to be walking with God every minute, every hour of every day! We need to seek Him that often as well. I can't do it all myself!

I believe it was about 15 years. God had to grow David and prepare circumstances for his takeover. It was God's plan & His timing is perfect. David was extremely patient, knowing God would work out everything in His will and His time. He didn't jump in and "help" God as some do. Sometimes I think I'm being patient, I just want to stay in God's will for me each day.

Joab killed him to revenge him for his brother's death. No--"vengeance is mine, thus saith the Lord." Besides, he didn't really understand the circumstances around his brother's death. David's unification plans went on--just a little bump in the road. Joab's anger & unforgiveness blinded him to the facts. He wasn't letting God direct his path as David did. Our own feelings and self-centeredness, plus not spending enough time in the Word can blind us to God's plan for us.

David remembers Saul as a great warrior and provider for his family. That Saul was unfaithful to God and God, in turn, turned the kingdom over to David. God knew Saul's heart, how he did not obey God, even through Samuel. He wanted to do things himself & not wait on the Lord. God knows our hearts. We need to be obeying what God tells us in His Word, to grow and remain in fellowship with the Lord.

He praised the Lord, sought Him, waited for Him, trusted in God and rested in Him. He cried for help from the Lord, sang hymns, prayed for God's leading. His focus was on who God is and His power & strength!

The men blame David, saying it was he who took them away from Ziklag and to Achish & the Philistines. The destruction happened because they were gone. They were all mourning, angry and hurting. The leader is always blamed, so they were becoming more & more upset as time went on. David chose to be strengthened by the Lord. He knew where the power was--not in himself--so he sought the Lord. David is upset & mourning with the rest of them. He probably felt guilty they were not able to guard the city & their families. He valued his time with the Lord, to get His leading for them, for comfort & peace, and to seek counsel before reacting.

God condemns these practices because we are to communicate with God alone. Communicating with other spirits, opens the door to Satan! It's an open door for Satan & his cronies to step in. Confess & repent. Perhaps seek godly counseling to help you turn your life around.

David got angry with Nabal, but his heart was open & tender to accept Abigail's offer of forgiveness and treats, and to listen when she explained how David's actions might lead to his downfall. She was wise, humble and a peace maker. He was crude and selfish. To show how David could have been tempted to do evil and to show how God can use women, as well as friends or enemies, to touch his heart. David was human. He fell. God leads. Best to be in God's will!!

By taking care of his needs, not speaking ill of him. If necessary, church discipline needs to be followed. I think they are probably are not saved, so they will end up in hell unless the Holy Spirit can touch them as He did Saul/Paul.

David's conscience bothered him. He had respect for the office--God's annointed-- and had to keep from killing Saul. He knew God would arrange things in His own time. The motive would be to fight back because he was pursuing them. Same as question #1. He knew God would do things in His time & in His way. David respected authority--especially that of the Lord. That's what he was leaning on! He trusted God! His men also respected David and knew from experience that God was with him.

Most of these psalms are not celebrating a happy time. All of them have arisen from struggles. He could always praise God and trust Him in his troubles. He did not lose faith during these times, but he did suffer. Today I like 18 the best. He shows His trust in his mighty God. I like the large view of God!

Jonathan came to encourage David Saul could be right behind Jonathan. Saul could have killed Jonathan if he found out. It was truly an encouragement. I think he was refreshed, especially as he was encouraged to keep trusting God--the kingship was his! Yes, or I have received a card, a note or even an e-mail that was encouraging--just at the right time!

Abiathar brought the ephod with him so David could inquire of the Lord through the Urim & Thummin. David inquired of the Lord because he knew God was in control & that David wanted to be in His will. Actually, David was using his wisdom to inquire before making a move. God & you are a majority! Pray, read His Word, seek counsel from godly men & women.

David's men were attracted to David because of his leadership abilities, showing himself strong in battle, and seeing that God was with him. They all were being pursued by the gov't--the king. Some were bandits, others owed a lot money. Because they were all being pursued, they were used to being on their own and fending for themselves. They probably didn't respect authority. Now they had to submit to David's leadership, but they desired to stand with & for David now.

It was a peace covenant. The continued protection & support of Jonathan who knew David would eventually be king. The peace of mind that there would always be peace between their families after David became king. They both do. Obviously David because he did become king and Jonathan's family was shown special favor by David.

His faith was weak. When the H.S. comes upon people He speaks through them. When Pentecost came, the H.S. indwelt believers. The H.S. speaking through them was a witness to the unbelievers.

I think "Commissioned" had some good arguments. I have to agree with Waldo. It never said David loved Michal, but that Michal loved David. Saul was trying to snare David again, but God used it to His advantage. It put him in the court as a son-in-law, preparing him again for kingship.

Saul sent David to battle to get him away from him and to possibly put him in a situation where he would be killed. David and his men had victory and he was popular with his soldiers and the people. It was accomplished that way because God was with him.

The enormity of the battle depresses us, makes us feel powerless. It means God is able. He wants us to trust Him to bring vengeance, victory. Actually, they are spiritual battles in the end. If I am on His side, I am on the winning side. Sometimes our battles are ones we got into ourselves & we arrogantly think we can fight them alone. Whatever the battle, we want to be led of the Lord!!

It showed David's faith was real & had been tried & true. With God, David is lethal! Saul believed David when he told about his other experiences, that he had much courage and that the battle could possibly turn. Yes, he had faith in David's God, I think.

He was upset by Goliath's remarks that did not have respect for the God of Israel. Eliab was probably jealous of David's courage and wanted him to leave--go back home. David's faith had been tried and proven, so when this attack was made he relied on God as he did previously and knew God + anyone was the victor! Eliab's character was missing something. Obviously, he did not have a good relationship with the God of Israel.

He was summoned as a court musician. God was apprenticing him for the kingship. We won't learn from God if we are sinning, not spending time in the Word or prayer. Unfortunately, God's discipline does that very thing. When once disciplined we are more aware of our limitations.