Month: October 2023

11/10/2023

引言：伟大的母爱···

一、在信心里的宣告（22:1-4）

大卫身经百战，有无数敌人，但却从未明说扫罗是他的仇敌。不过大卫的臣仆却将扫罗视为敌人则是事实。所以(1v)毫不保留地将扫罗列为仇敌之一。其它可能包括国内匪类，外族邻国，扫罗的后人等。大卫在战场上屡蒙神的救护，化险为夷，使他高歌感恩。全诗的内容与神的拯救息息相关。

这段的宣告表述诗人对神的认识，其中有六个描述耶和华是我的···我的磐石，我所投靠的、我的盾牌、我拯救的角、我的高台、我的避难所、我的救主，你是就我脱离强暴的。

大卫在一个又一个的难处当中不断经历神、认识神；同样，我们在人生旷野中的经历，也能把「神」从一个遥不可及的抽象概念，变成「我所投靠」的「活神」。我们在旷野中的经历越多，对神的体会就越深，就越能看神是「当赞美的」，越有信心去「求告」祂，坚信祂。

二、见证上帝的作为（22:5-31）

1.急难中的呼求（V5-7）

诗人用波浪、绳索、网罗的比喻说明他深陷死亡的阴影与势力中，被缠到无法脱身。这些意境生动地描述出大卫的心境与处境成为了他呼求神的背景。因为大卫相信神听见了他的呼求。

这是大卫在难处中的祷告。神允许祂的百姓落在急难中，是要我们在急难中求告耶和华，经历祂是一位活神。然而我们却常常不知道自己陷在各种绳索、网罗中，或者在急难中也不知道求告耶和华，而是求告势力、求告人，结果是白白受苦。因此，我们在急难中要记得：耶和华必然等候，要施恩给你们。

2.耶和华的拯救（V8-28）

这里让我们感受到神因为大卫的呼求而发生的烈怒。诗人以夸张的表述神为他所受的迫害，义愤填胸，怒火足以燎原。他不是隔空观望，而是垂听呼求，及时伸手的神。最后诗人将自己列入困苦族群，相信神的拯救。诗篇毫不隐瞒高傲者降卑的结局，因为他们是神所恨恶的。

祂从高天伸手抓住我，把我从大水中拉上来，是每一个真实经历救恩的人的真实体会。对于一个在大水中快要淹死的人，当有一只手抓住他的时候，怎么会拒绝这样的救恩呢？神救拔我们，不只是领我们出埃及，更要带我们进迦南。还要领我到宽阔之处，让我们脱离罪恶、世界和肉体的辖制，在基督里得着真正的自由。

神对待人的法则，是你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们，你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人。同样，我们愿意神怎样待我们，我们也要怎样对待神的话语。

3.信心中的依靠（V29-31）

「灯」在希伯来文学中经常用来比喻生命和繁荣。虽然肉体还有软弱，但我们的神却能点亮我们生命的「灯」，背负着我们冲入面前的敌军、跳过生命中的墙垣，进可攻破仇敌，退可逃离试探。因为凡投靠祂的，祂便作他们的盾牌。

三、发自内心的回应（22:32-51）

三十二节是经历与信心融合的宣告，这是旧约人物常用的信心宣言。磐石是在半沙漠及炎热的旷野中宝贵的地标，是旅者的保护、依靠、歇息的落脚处。接下来诗人用比喻的方式描述神祝自己得胜，以及敌人无助败落。大卫承认这种所向无敌，彻底胜利的气势是神的作为，所以他用称颂耶和华来结束本诗。神既然为大卫做了这一切，他理所当然要在列国中称谢神。

总结：

神是信实的！当我们愿意向神回转并且依靠神、顺服神的时候，祂必拯救我们脱离一切的捆绑和苦难。因为祂是我们的天父爸爸，祂必伸手救赎。

2 Samuel 22 The Father’s Salvation
GK611 Morning Devotion
11/10/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Brother Bezalel Tan

Introduction: The Great Mother’s Love

1. Declaration in Faith (22:1-4)

David, who had fought many battles and had countless enemies, never explicitly stated that Saul was his enemy. It is true, however, that David’s servants regarded Saul as an enemy. So (1v) unreservedly lists Saul as one of his enemies. Others might include domestic bandits, foreign neighbours, Saul’s descendants, etc. David’s repeated rescues from God in battle turned perilous situations, causing him to sing songs of thanksgiving. The entire psalm is tied to God’s deliverance.

The proclamation of this passage expresses the psalmist’s knowledge of God, with six descriptions of the LORD is mine – “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.

He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior from violent people you save me.

David continued to experience and know God in the midst of one difficulty after another; similarly, our experiences in the wilderness of life can transform “God” from a remote and abstract concept into a “living God” whom “I trust”. The more we experience in the wilderness, the deeper our experience of God becomes, the more we can see God as “to be praised”, and the more confident we are to “ask” Him and believe in Him.

2. Testimony of God’s Works (22:5-31)

(1) A Cry in Emergency (V5-7)

The psalmist uses the metaphors of waves, cords, and snares to illustrate that he was so deeply entangled in the shadow and power of death that he could not get out. These moods vividly describe David’s state of mind and situation as the background for his cry to God. For David believed that God had heard his cry.

This was David’s prayer in the midst of a difficult situation. God allows His people to fall into distress because He wants us to call upon the LORD in our distress and experience Him as a living God. However, we often do not realize that we are caught in all kinds of ropes and snares, or we do not know how to call on the LORD in the midst of trouble, but rather we call on the powers and people, and we end up suffering in vain. Therefore, in the midst of our troubles, we must remember: Surely the LORD will wait and be gracious to you.

(2) The salvation of the Lord (V8-28)

Here we are given a sense of God’s fierce anger because of David’s cry. The psalmist expresses in hyperbole God’s righteous indignation over his persecution, anger enough to burn. He is not the God who watches from a distance, but the God who hears the cry and reaches out in time. Finally the psalmist includes himself in the troubled community and trusts God for deliverance. The Psalmist does not hide the end of the haughty who are humbled, for they are hated by God.

The fact that He reached down from the high heavens and took hold of me and pulled me up out of the great waters is true for everyone who has truly experienced salvation. For a person who is about to drown in the great waters, how can one refuse such salvation when there is a hand that grasps him? God’s deliverance is not only to lead us out of Egypt, but also to bring us into Canaan. He will also lead me to the wide place where we will be set free from the dominion of sin, the world, and the flesh, and be truly free in Christ.

The law of God concerning man is, that withwith the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. In the same way, as we would have God treat us, so shall we treat His Word.

(3) Reliance in faith (V29-31)

The word “lamp” is often used in Hebrew literature as a metaphor for life and prosperity. Though there is still weakness in the flesh, our God is able to light the “lamp” of our life, carry us into the enemy before us, jump over the walls of our life, break through the enemy, and flee from temptation. For as many as trust in Him, He is their shield.

3. Response from the heart (22:32-51)

Verse 32 is a declaration of the fusion of experience and faith, a declaration of faith commonly used by Old Testament characters. The rock is a precious landmark in the semi-desert and hot wilderness, a place of protection, reliance, and resting place for the traveller to land. The psalmist next describes in parables God’s blessing of his own victory and the helpless defeat of his enemies. David recognises that this air of invincibility and complete victory is the work of God, so he concludes the psalm by praising the Lord. Since God had done all this for David, it was only right that he should give thanks to God among the nations.

Conclusion:

God is faithful! When we are willing to turn to God and rely on Him and obey Him, He will deliver us from all bondage and suffering. Because He is our Heavenly Father, He will surely reach out and save.

10/10/2023

引言：

申命记7:9 所以，你要知道耶和华你的神，他是神，是信实的神。向爱他，守他诫命的人守约，施慈爱，直到千代。

一、守约除去违约的咒诅 (V1-14)

1. 发错热心 扫罗违约 (V1-2)

当时基遍人为了能留在以色列，用诡计欺骗了约书亚与他们立了约。但是 V2…扫罗却为以色列人和犹大人发热心，违约杀害他们，因此神咒诅这地，让以色列饥荒三年！

我们会否有时候也会大发热心，但却是违背了神的旨意? 做了不合神心意、不该做事呢？

2. 大卫守约 赎罪修好（V3-9）

大卫求问神知道了饥荒是因为扫罗的毁，就把基遍人找来，问他们该怎么做才能赎罪修好这件事。大卫知道神是十分看重誓约的，所以完全接纳基遍人的条件。

我们不清楚神为何要等到扫罗死后，才让以色列得饥荒；但神让我们知道，祂并没有忽视这个罪！所以我们要明白神的延迟，是祂恩典的体现，而不是人可以犯罪却不用面对审判。所以，当有灾祸发生时，不一定是我们的问题，但我们要去处理。当我们愿意去面对时，就是赎回原本的祝福！

二、一切归正神就听祈求（V10-14）

这段经文记载，一直到大卫处理好扫罗家族的后事，众人行了王所吩咐的，在大卫的带领下百姓都归正，把一切事情都做对了，神就‘垂听国民所求的’，结束了这次管教。

神是十分看重约的，神与我们的约是一生之久，虽然有时候我们会面对艰难，但当我们愿意像大卫一样去求问神如何处理，愿意去承担，该做的事时将事情归正，神就与我们恢复关系，因为神的约是永恒的！

三、神使大卫得胜得团队 (V15-22)

这时的大卫是年老软弱了，没有以前那样威武。面对敌人时会软弱和疲乏，但神仍然守约帮助大卫，让他与非利士人这四场仗都得胜。神不单单让大卫得胜，还成就了四个英雄，就是亚比筛、西比该、伊勒哈难和约拿单，他们都胜过了非利士伟人，神兴起这四个领袖来帮助大卫，使大卫争战得胜得团队！这是神对大卫的信实与恩慈！

大卫现在可以自由地退位了，他已经很好地完成了自己的工作，并建立了一个可以接替他的领导班子。带领人的任务不是做完所有的事情，而是要培训、装备和鼓励其他人，让他们取代我们的位置！做得比我们更好！

总结：

守约施慈爱的神是信实的，在约中我们要持守和坚定。当问题临到时，可能不一定是自己的问题，但我们要去承担和面对，去做该做的事，神就会信实地以慈爱恩待我们！

2 Samuel 21 A God who keeps covenant and shows mercy
GK611 Morning Devotion
10/10/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Daniel Kew

Introduction:

Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

1. Keeping the promise removes the curse of breach of covenant (V1-14)

(1) Wrong zeal leads to Saul’s breach of covenant (V1-2)

At that time, to stay in Israel, the Gibeonites deceived Joshua into making a covenant with them. But V2…Saul was zealous for the Israelites and Judah, broke the covenant and killed them, so God cursed the land and made Israel famine for three years!

Do we sometimes feel very zealous but disobey God’s will? Do we do things that are not in line with God’s will and should not be done?

(2) David kept the promise, atonement, and reconciliation (V3-9)

David asked God and found out that the famine was due to Saul’s destruction, so he called the Gibeonites and asked them what he could do to atone for the sins and fix the matter. David knew that God valued vows very much, so he fully accepted the conditions of the Gibeonites.

We don’t know why God waited until Saul died before allowing Israel to suffer famine, but God lets us know that He did not ignore this sin! Therefore, we must understand that God’s delay is a manifestation of His grace, not that people can sin without facing judgment. So, when a disaster occurs, it is not necessarily our problem, but we shall deal with it. When we are willing to face it, we redeem the original blessing!

2. God will listen to prayers if everything is realigned (V10-14)

This passage records that until David settled the affairs of Saul’s family, everyone did what the king commanded, and under the leadership of David, the people realigned themselves and did everything right, and so God “heard the people’s prayer” which ended the discipline.

God values the importance of covenants greatly. The covenant between God and us lasts a lifetime. Although sometimes we will face difficulties, when we are willing to ask God how to deal with it like David and are willing to take on what we should do, by setting things right, God will restore our relationship with us because God’s covenant is eternal!

3. God enabled David to win and build a team (V15-22)

At this time, David was old and weak and was not as powerful as before. He would be weak and tired when facing his enemies, but God kept His promise to help David, allowing him to win all four battles against the Philistines. God not only allowed David to win, but also accomplished four heroes, namely Abishai, Sibbechai, Elhanan, and Jonathan. They all defeated the Philistine giants. God raised up these four leaders to help David, make David win the battle and win the team! This is God’s faithfulness and kindness to David!

David is now free to step down, having done his job well and establishing a leadership team that can succeed him. The role of a leader is not to do it all, but to train, equip and encourage others to take our place! Do better than us!

Conclusion：

The God who keeps covenants and shows love is faithful, and we must hold fast and be steadfast in our covenants. When a problem comes, it may not necessarily be our own problem, but we shall bear it and face it, do what we should do, and God will be faithful and be graceful to us!

06/10/2023

引言：若在山洞里迷路了，怎么办？

找光源、感应风向、跟对的方向。

一、挑拨的话使人分裂（V1-3）

由于过去扫罗的事情，很多负面的话语导致他们觉得大卫抢了王国，大卫是杀害扫罗的凶手等等。所以示巴起来煽动，就是分裂的行动。我们要十分警醒，若有过去的恩怨，要及时处理，堵住破口。不管受到什么话语，都要安静处理，免得成为被分裂的一份子。

二、阴谋诡计使人混乱

1. 没听好导致耽误 (V4-6)

亚玛撒耽延过了王所限的日期，没有办法三日之内招聚军队，从速行事。其实他完成不了任务，或许可以马上和大卫联系，再详谈计划还是从长计议。但是他没这样做，导致大卫非常急，就派了亚比筛速战速决。

2. 约押因私心杀人 (V7-10)

大卫并没有安排约押一同去，是他自己跟上亚比筛去的。大卫更没有说要杀亚玛撒。这些或许因为大卫不喜悦约押的行为，而没有提拔他为全国的元帅，所以他就一心为自己的利益擅自作主。

约押最后被所罗门处死，而且特别提到约押杀了比他更好更有义的亚玛撒（列王纪上 2:32），而大卫是不知道的。

3. 混淆视听的言语 (V11-13)

约押的一个少年人机智地把“喜悦约押”和“归顺大卫”混为一谈，说“谁喜悦约押，谁归顺大卫，就当跟随约押去”（V11），一面让归顺大卫的犹大人追随约押，一面把约押推到了统帅的地位。

突然之间约押就做了元帅，亚比筛就从军队的指挥地位降了下来。

三、智慧妇女VS血气元帅

1. 约押：急着邀功鲁莽行事 (V14-15)

由于大卫竟然立他的对头亚玛撒作元帅，所以其实他的心里面是十分愤怒的。明明是亚比筛该做的事，却被他急着邀功而抢去了。甚至他到亚比拉城时，就想要消灭整个城市。

2. 妇女：临危不乱智慧行事 (V16-22)

城里有位妇人说话很谦卑又得体，懂得抓住对话的领导权，叫约押来与她说话。妇人智慧地让约押冷静下来思想，也答应把示巴的首级从城墙上丢下来。约押就真的让步了，而且突然之间变得很理性、很冷静，知道只需要针对示巴的个人问题。

四、重新开始整理内阁 (V23-26)

人性的反复无常，使大卫的政治手段一再落空，也让大卫认识到，要重新降服在神面前。最后大卫重新调整内阁，并增加了新的部门，让大卫国度各方面的建设继续发旺。

总结：保持冷静、认定光源、随着圣灵的风向、走出黑暗、回到生命树。

这个故事虽然有许多的插曲，而且彰显了人性在乱中真的非常容易失去方向、失去圣灵，而且充满血气。这位智慧的妇人，让我们学习在黑暗中，要放下怒气、放下血气、随着圣灵的风，寻找出路。

2 Samuel Chapter 20: “Wisdom vs. Flesh”
GK611 Morning Devotion
6/10/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Co-worker Asher Chang

Introduction: What should you do if you get lost in a cave?

Find the source of light, sense the wind direction, and follow the right direction.

1. Provoking words can divide people (V1-3)

Because of what happened to Saul in the past, many negative words led them to think that David had snatched the kingdom, that David was the murderer of Saul, and so on. So, Sheba’s agitation was an act of division. We must be very vigilant. If there are past grievances, we must deal with them promptly and mend the breach. No matter what words you receive, you must deal with them quietly to avoid becoming a divided member.

2. Conspiracies and tricks confuse people

(1) Failure to listen well leads to delays (V4-6)

Amasa was delayed beyond the time limit set by the king and could not gather the army within three days and act quickly. In fact, if he couldn’t complete the task, he should contact David immediately and discuss the plan in detail or at least not rush to make a decision. But he failed to do so, which made David very anxious and sent Abishai to fight quickly.

(2) Joab kills people out of selfish desire (V7-10)

David did not arrange for Joab to go with Abishai; he went with Abishai himself. David did not even say that he wanted to kill Amasa. This may be because David was dissatisfied with Joab’s behaviour and did not promote him to be the commander of the country. Therefore, Joab simply made decisions for his own interests.

Joab was eventually put to death by Solomon, and Joab is specifically mentioned to have killed Amasa, a better and more righteous man than he was (1 Kings 2:32), without David’s knowledge.

(3) Confusing words (V11-13)

One of Joab’s young men cleverly referred to “favours Joab” as “submit to David” and said, “Whoever favours Joab and whoever is for David—follow Joab” (V11), having the people of Judah followed Joab while pushing Joab to the position of commander.

Suddenly Joab was made commander of the army and Abishai was demoted from it.

3. Wise Woman VS Fleshly Commander

(2) Joab: Eager to take credit and act recklessly (V14-15)

Because David appointed his rival Amasa as commander of the army, he was very furious in his heart. It was obviously what Abishai should have done, but he was eager to take credit and snatched it away. To the extent that when he came to the city of Abel, he wanted to destroy the entire city.

(2) Woman: act wisely in times of crisis (V16-22)

There was a woman in the city who spoke very humbly and gracefully and knew how to seize control in a conversation, asked Joab to come and talk to her. The woman wisely asked Joab to calm down and think and agreed to throw Sheba’s head off the wall. Joab really gave in and suddenly became very rational and calm, knowing that he only needed to deal with Sheba’s issues.

4. Restart organising the cabinet (V23-26)

The capriciousness of human nature caused David’s political tactics to fail again and again and made David realise that he must surrender before God once again. Finally, David reorganised the cabinet and added new departments, allowing all aspects of the construction of David’s kingdom to continue to flourish.

Conclusion: Stay calm, identify the source of light, and follow the wind of the Holy Spirit to step out of the darkness and return to the Tree of Life.

Although this story has many occurrences, it also shows that human nature is easy to lose direction, lose the Holy Spirit, and can be too fleshly. This wise woman, let us learn to put down our anger and flesh in the darkness and follow the wind of the Holy Spirit to find a way out.

05/10/2023

一、当头棒喝站起来（v1-7）

1.极度伤痛意志消沉

大卫痛失爱子押沙龙，毫无掩饰的在士兵面前，悲哀痛哭，几近崩溃的不断呼喊着押沙龙的名字。士兵们原本应该是兴高采烈、敲锣打鼓的凯旋归来，最终却好像打了败仗的军队一样，惭愧暗暗地进城。

今天，也许在我们当中有人正经历一些创伤、艰难和苦难。不要让环境锁住我们，导致我们只定睛在伤痛苦难中，继续意志消沉，而忘了神在我们生命中的旨意。我们要呼求圣灵来帮助我们，医治和赐我们力量站起来往前行。

2.被提醒要愿意回转

约押听说大卫的状况后，非常生气，马上跑去见大卫：“你这样哭泣是什么意思？我们这些人为你出生入死，救了你和你儿女妻妾的性命，我们回来你连说声谢谢都没有。 你儿子死了，难道我们这边没有人死吗？这些死了的士兵家属怎么想？难道要押沙龙活着，我们都死光了，你就开心了，是吗？” 约押接着严重警告大卫：“你若不出去安慰你仆人的心，今夜必无一人与你同在一处；这祸患就比你从幼年到如今所遭的更甚！”

善意的忠告可以搭救走错路的人。看到弟兄走歪了，不可自扫门前雪，要互相守望和彼此提醒。当别人劝诫我们，尤其是当权柄对我们说重话的时候，要留心听。若真的是我们生命的软弱，我们要愿意谦卑回转。

约押的眼光虽然正确，但态度却是错误的。不尊重权柄，就等于不尊重神。但权柄也是人，也可能做错。我们可以适当提醒和相劝，态度也要对。

二、生命树下显恩慈（v9-23）

感谢神！大卫终于决定起程要重返圣城。虽然说支持押沙龙叛变的都是该死的，但是我们看到大卫却是宽宏大量，不计前嫌的以生命树的恩慈对待他们。

1.以色列众支派

原本支持押沙龙的以色列众支派，在押沙龙死后，就开始七嘴八舌的。他们开始重新记起大卫的恩情功绩，纷纷议论想邀请大卫王回耶路撒冷作王。从字里行间，我们看到这批人并没有向大卫求赦免，也没有为自己参与叛乱的事而深深懊悔。但大卫都心胸宽大，不计前嫌的接纳他们。更是无条件的宽容叛军的将军亚玛撒，并立他代替约押常作元帅。结果挽回犹大众人的心，如同一人的心。

2.示每、洗巴

示每是扫罗一族的人。当大卫逃亡时示每跟在大卫后面，又咒骂，又拿石头砍大卫。洗巴原来是扫罗家里的仆人。他欺骗大卫，说米非波设留在耶路撒冷，是等待以色列人来，重新立他作以色列王。现在大卫胜利回来，示每和洗巴一同来迎接大卫，都是因为他们过去对不起大卫，赶快来讨好大卫。

虽然大卫以生命树的恩慈对待曾经背叛过他的百姓；给他们机会悔改。但我们看到，并不是每个人都真心悔改。从大卫在临终嘱咐所罗门不要放过示每，还有明天的经文就看到色列人又参加了示巴的叛乱，我们就知道，他们的悔改并不是真诚的。

弟兄姐妹，我们最近对一直在讲男人回、女人归正，生命整合。求神让我们认证的对准生命树的生命。不断地转换归正。不要向以色列人那样，在同一个罪或问题里一直转不出来。

三、忠心事主不求利（v24-43）

1.专一爱王的米非波设（v24-30）

大卫听信洗巴的谎言，就把米非波设的产业给了洗巴。当知道错怪了米非波设，就把扫罗的财产一人分一半，算是了结他们之间的争执。米非波设单纯的专一敬爱王。他只要大卫平平安安回来就好了，其他都不重要，任凭洗巴都取去也可以。

求神帮助我们像米非波设专一爱王一样，因为知道我们所爱的万王之王不在世界里，所以愿意拒绝世界的诱惑。

2.不求名利的巴西莱（v31-39）

巴西莱是约但河东边的人。大卫逃避押沙龙，又饿又渴时，巴西莱带来大批的食物和床铺，给大卫和跟随的人。

巴西莱没有接受大卫奉养他的好意，到耶路撒冷去，但却把儿子金罕献给大卫，跟随服事王。大卫为了报答巴西莱对他的恩情，在他的家乡伯利恒，赐给金罕一些产业（耶41:17）。更在临死的时候，吩咐所罗门要恩待巴西莱的儿子们（王上2:7）

我们不但要把下一代奉献给神，教会也要预备下一代来接棒。更要明白一个不能胜过名利地位的人，是没有办法忠心事奉主的。

四、同心合一迎接王（v40-43）

以色列其他支派早已商议迎接大卫回宫，比犹大支派还要热心，现在看到被犹大支派抢了先，所以双方就起了争执。押沙龙死了，但撒但依然没有停止，继续在神的百姓中间制造纷争。其实两边的人都打算迎接王回来，他们的目标是一致的。但因为作了分别善恶树的选择，而破坏合一、偏离目标。求神赐我们谦卑的灵，站在生命树里作选择，以爱维系主内的合一。

总结：选择对准生命树

人生每一天都需要做不同的选择。对的选择能使我们在困局中翻转得胜。错误的选择可能让我们面对更大的灾难和残局。今天这章经文里，在大卫打胜仗后启程回到耶路撒冷，执掌王权的路途上，遇见了不同的人，每个人都站在不同的处境上，做出他们的选择。今天，在等候耶稣基督重回地上执掌王权的时刻，我们的选择又是什么呢？选择对准生命树。

2 Samuel 19 Life’s choices
GK611 Morning Devotion
5/10/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Deborah Tan

1. Standing up at the head (v1-7)

(1) Extremely hurt and depressed

David lost his son, Absalom, and wept bitterly in front of the soldiers, crying out Absalom’s name. The soldiers should have been returning in triumph with great joy and drums, but instead they went into the city in shame and darkness as if they had lost a battle.

Today, perhaps there are those among us who are experiencing some trauma, hardship and suffering. Don’t let circumstances lock us in and cause us to focus on the hurt and suffering and continue to be demoralised, forgetting God’s will in our lives. We need to call on the Holy Spirit to help us, to heal and to give us the strength to get up and move forward.

(2) Being reminded to be willing to turn

When Joab heard of David’s condition, he became very angry and immediately ran to see David: “What do you mean by weeping like this? Those of us who have died for you have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and concubines, and we came back and you didn’t even say thank you. Your son died, did no one on our side die? What do the families of these dead soldiers think? Do you want Absalom to live and you’ll be happy when we’re all dead, won’t you?” Now therefore, arise, go out and speak [c]comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.”

Kind counsel can hitch a ride on the one who is going astray. When we see a brother going astray, we must not clean up after ourselves, but watch and remind one another. Listen attentively when others admonish us, especially when authority speaks harshly to us. If it is truly a weakness in our lives, we must be willing to humble ourselves and turn around.

While Joab’s vision was right, his attitude was wrong. To dishonour authority is to dishonor God. But authority is human and can do wrong. We can properly remind and counsel each other, and our attitude must be right.

2. Mercy Shown Under the Tree of Life (v9-23)

Thanks be to God! David finally decides to set out to return to the Holy City. Although it is said that those who supported Absalom’s rebellion deserved to die, we see that David was magnanimous and dealt with them with the kindness of the tree of life regardless of their previous enmity.

(1) The tribes of Israel

The tribes of Israel, who had supported Absalom, began to speak out after Absalom’s death. They began to remember David’s kindness again and talked about inviting King David back to Jerusalem to reign. Reading between the lines, we see that this group did not ask David for forgiveness, nor did they deeply regret their involvement in the rebellion. But David was all big-hearted and accepted them regardless of their past. He even extended unconditional forgiveness to Amasa, the general of the rebels, and made him the commander-in-chief in place of Joab. As a result, the hearts of all the people of Judah were restored, as the heart of one man.

(2) Shimei and Ziba

Shimei was from the tribe of Saul. When David fled, Shimei followed him, cursing and stoning him. Ziba was a servant in Saul’s house. He lied to David, saying that Mephibosheth had stayed in Jerusalem waiting for the Israelites to come and re-install him as king of Israel. Now that David had returned victorious, Shimei and Ziba came together to greet David because they had wronged him in the past and had come to please him.

Although David treated his people who had betrayed him with the kindness of the tree of life; giving them the opportunity to repent. But we see that not everyone was truly repentant. From David’s dying command to Solomon not to let Shimei go, and the fact that tomorrow’s passage sees the Israelites joining Sheba’s rebellion again, we know that their repentance was not sincere.

Brothers and Sisters, we have recently been preaching about men returning, women are to realign, and life integration. Pray that God will approve our alignment to the Tree of Life life. Keep turning around and realign. Don’t be like the Israelites who kept turning in the same sin or problem.

3. Faithfulness in serving the Lord without seeking profit (v24-43)

(1) Mephibosheth, who loved the king exclusively (24-30)

David listened to the lies of Ziba and gave Ziba the estate of Mephibosheth. When he realised that he had wronged Mephibosheth, he took half of Saul’s property to settle their dispute. Mephibosheth was simply devoted to the king. All he wanted was for David to return safely, nothing else mattered, and it was okay for Ziba to take it all.

Pray that we would be like Mephibosheth who loved the king exclusively and was willing to reject the temptations of the world because he knew that the King of kings whom we love was not in the world.

(2) Barzillai, who did not seek fame or fortune (v31-39)

Barzillai was a man from the east side of the Jordan. When David fled from Absalom and was hungry and thirsty, Barzillai brought large quantities of food and bedding for David and his followers.

Barzillai did not accept David’s kind offer to feed him and go to Jerusalem, but offered his son Chimham to David to follow and serve the king. David repaid Barzillai’s kindness to him by giving Chimham some property in his hometown of Bethlehem (Jer 41:17). And on his deathbed, he commanded Solomon to be gracious to the sons of Barzillai (1 Kings 2:7)

Not only do we need to dedicate the next generation to God, but the church needs to prepare the next generation to carry the baton. It is important to understand that a person who is not able to overcome fame and position cannot serve the Lord faithfully.

4. Welcoming the King with One Heart (v40-43)

The other tribes of Israel had long been negotiating to welcome David back to the palace, more zealously than the tribes of Judah, and now they saw that they had been pre-empted by the tribes of Judah, and so the two sides rose up in strife. Absalom died, but Satan still didn’t stop and continued to cause strife among God’s people. In fact, the people on both sides intended to welcome the king back, and their goal was the same. But because of the choice of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the unity was broken and the goal was strayed from. Pray that God will give us a humble spirit to stand in the tree of life and make a choice to maintain the unity in the Lord with love.

Conclusion: Choose to align with the Tree of Life

Every day of our lives requires us to make different choices. The right choice will enable us to turn around and win in a difficult situation. The wrong choices can expose us to greater disaster and wreckage. In today’s passage, on David’s journey back to Jerusalem after his victory, he met different people, each standing in a different situation and making their own choices. What are our choices today as we wait for Jesus Christ to return to earth to reign? Choose to align with the Tree of Life.

04/10/2023

引言：门徒与糊涂！

一、不得已被逼迎战（18:1-5）

大卫要与自己所爱的儿子打仗吗？这是十分不得已的无奈回应。

1.大卫帅兵出征（V1-2）

大卫若真的率兵出征，这将是一场很矛盾的战事！战场上不是你死就是我亡；但敌军竟然是自己的儿子，因此就不会想看到对方死。可是要自己的军队死那也不行，那该怎办呢？大卫和他的军队都有神，因此在矛盾的时刻，神总会指引出路。

2.军兵拦阻大卫（V3-4）

果然在大卫左右为难的时刻。连军兵都开口说话：“你不可出战。若是我们逃跑，敌人必不介意；我们阵亡一半，敌人也不介意。因为你一人强似我们万人，你不如在城里预备帮助我们。”如此一来不但解开了大卫的矛盾，也带出一个更有效的军事战略。18:5 王嘱咐约押、亚比筛、以太说：“你们要为我的缘故宽待那少年人押沙龙。”王为押沙龙嘱咐众将的话，兵都听见了。

王吩咐手下要款待敌人押沙龙！这对大卫的军队而言也是极大的矛盾。但是他的将领完全明白大卫王为什么会这么说，因此这话是否成为‘不可违抗的圣旨呢？’很显然，大家心照不宣，一路见机行事。

二、有神与无神之战（18:6-18）

1.明显是神出手（V6-8）

大卫的军队有神，相反的押沙龙所率领的以色列军队反而无神无真理，因此他们一开战就死了二万人。而且意外死于树林里的比被杀的还多。你们可以想象是何等神迹奇事不是吗？

2.神悬挂作孽者（V9-18）

作恶者难逃一死，这是属灵法则中的原则。因此，叛逆的押沙龙最终也是死在树林里。
率领军队的约押没有听从大卫王的命令，把押沙龙给杀了，这不是犯法又犯罪吗？表面上看是的，但是若以属灵观点来分析。押沙龙违反了大部分的诫命，杀人、奸淫、不孝敬父母。按照神的律法这是该死的，因此约押变成是替神执行旨意，除灭押沙龙。

三、报好消息坏消息（18:19-33）

大卫的敌军之首领押沙龙死了，这对大卫的军队而言是大好消息不是吗？但是，死者又是大卫王的爱子，因此这也是坏消息。战争结束是个好消息，因此报讯的信差认为这是大好机会去向王汇报。而且这是得王奖赏的机会不是吗？事实并非如此，显然大卫身旁的约押就很明白王心里的矛盾，因此他劝祭司的儿子今日不可报信，他日再去报讯。因为他知道大卫一定很难接受孩子死了。果然后来终于得着孩子死了，大卫极度伤心难过。

大卫为什么难过押沙龙的死？如果这儿子已经反目成仇，不但不承认大卫的王权和父权，甚至还占有了大卫的妃嫔，抢夺了王位，甚至还要赶尽杀绝。如此大逆不道的儿子死了，大卫却如此为他伤心痛哭，这是何等深切的爱。但是，这爱只有心动而毫无实际行动，所以结局只有悲伤。

总结：有神的大卫本该怎么做？

与孩子保持沟通管道，在日常生活中要时时沟通，遇到问题时更要深入沟通。要有真理立场作判断与教导，否则难免问题越来越大！

2 Samuel 18 Armies with and without God
GK611 Morning Devotion
4/10/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction：Discipleship and Confusion!

1. Forced into battle (18:1-5)

Was David going to fight against the son he loved? It was a desperate response of great necessity.

(1) David marched out with his army (V1-2)

If David did lead his army into battle, it would be a very conflicted battle! It was either you or me on the battlefield; but the enemy army turned out to be his own son, so he would not want to see the other side die. But it’s not good enough for your own army to die, so what should you do? David and his army both had God, so in times of conflict, God will always show the way out.

(2) The soldiers stopped David (V3-4)

Sure enough, at the moment of David’s dilemma, even the soldiers spoke up. Even the soldiers spoke up, “You must not go out to battle. The enemy will not mind if we run away, nor will he mind if half of us are killed. For you alone are better than ten thousand of us, and you might as well be in the city ready to help us.” This not only untangled David’s conflict, but also brought out a more effective military strategy.18:5 Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, “Be lenient to the young man Absalom for my sake.” The soldiers heard what the king commanded the captains for Absalom.

The king commanded his men to show hospitality to his enemy, Absalom! This was also a great contradiction for David’s army. But his generals fully understood why King David said what he said, so did the words become ‘a holy decree that cannot be disobeyed?’ Obviously, there was an unspoken agreement to see it through all the way.

2. The battle between God and godlessness (18:6-18)

(1) Obviously is God’s hand (V6-8)

David’s army had God, on the contrary the Israelite army led by Absalom was rather godless and truthless, therefore 20,000 men died as soon as they started the battle. And more died accidentally in the woods than were killed. Can you imagine the signs and wonders?

(2) God hung the sinner (V9-18)

It is a principle of spiritual law that evil-doers cannot escape death. Therefore, the rebellious Absalom eventually died in the woods.

Joab, who led the army, did not obey King David’s order to kill Absalom; was this not a transgression of the law and a crime? On the surface yes, but if you analyse it from a spiritual point of view. Absalom had violated most of the commandments, killing, adultery, and dishonouring his parents. According to God’s law this is deserving of death, therefore Joab has become the one who carries God’s will for God and get rid of Absalom.

Conclusion: What should a godly David have done?

Maintain a line of communication with your children. Communicate at all times in your daily life, and even more deeply when you encounter problems. Have a position of truth to judge and teach, or else the problem will inevitably grow bigger and bigger!

03/10/2023

引言：

箴言16:33 签放在怀里，定事由耶和华。意思是我们所的事，最后的结果还得看神的旨意。因为谋事在人，成事在神！

一、神定意 破恶人良谋 (V1-14)

1. 亚希多弗 再献计谋（V1-5）
亚希多弗很有智谋，现在献第二计便要追杀大卫，速战速决。所以大家都以这计谋为美。

押沙龙既然有了亚希多弗这么好的策略，为什么还要想到听听户筛怎么说呢？这就是神奇妙的工作！就像箴言21:1所说：王的心在耶和华手中好像垄沟的水，随意流转。

2.神借户筛 破坏良谋（V6-13）
户筛刻意强调‘你父亲是英雄，跟随他的人也都是勇士’，让押沙龙不敢立即追击大卫，必须等大军聚集后再出击。户筛又知道押沙龙是一个虚荣的人，所以又强调押沙龙应当‘亲自率领他们出战’，成为得胜的王。

骄傲使押沙龙爱慕虚荣，没有足够的智慧去判断哪一个是‘良谋’，结果否决了亚希多弗的计谋。

3. 为要降祸在押沙龙（V14）
押沙龙会信任户筛，甚至觉得他的主意比亚希多弗更好，这都是出于神的决定！因为神的应许是要大卫作王。所以V14说：…这是因耶和华定意破坏亚希多弗的良谋，为要降祸与押沙龙。

这其实是神应许了大卫的祷告：使亚希多弗的计谋变为愚拙（撒下15:31）。这一切事情的发生都在神的旨意！

二、神掌权 保守报信人（V15-23）

户筛并不晓得押沙龙最后决定，所以他得到情报后，赶紧经过：祭司撒督和亚比亚他、使女、约拿单和亚希玛斯在巴户琳妇人的掩护逃出，才通知到大卫连夜过约但河，其中任何一步出错都不成。

虽然这一切是出于神的带领和掌权，但人也必须去做有自己该做的事。面对应该要做的，我们不要轻看或忽略，其实都很重要，即使只能做一点点，都是成就神事工的一块拼图！少了一块都不行！

三、神同在 旷野有恩待（V24-29）

大卫来到玛哈念，押沙龙很快也率领以色列全军追上来。这里提到三个人来见大卫，就是：朔比、玛吉和巴西莱。这几个外邦人和大卫之间，本来没有什么交情，甚至以前是仇敌，却在大卫落难的时候，给大卫带来生活上最基本的必需品。

大卫现在是在神的管教当中，但是我们仍然看见，神借着这些外邦人跟河东的以色列人，来向大卫显明神没有忘记他、没有放弃他。神仍然在那里看顾恩待大卫！与大卫同在！

总结：

我们看到神对大卫的保守，即使有天下第一谋士出了上好的计策，但押沙龙也无法伤害大卫，因为神保护大卫！愿神帮助我们，不只是做什么事情求主帮助，更是要明白我们要做的是否出于神的旨意，然后尽力做我们该做的事，并把结果交给神！因为谋事在人，成事在神！

2 Samuel 17 Man plans, but God accomplishes
GK611 Morning Devotion
3/10/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Daniel Kew

Introduction：

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. This means that the final result of what we do depends on God’s will. It’s up to man to plan, but it’s up to God to make it happen!

1. God had determined to defeat the evil man’s good plan (V1-14)

(1) Ahithophel presents another strategy (V1-5)

Ahithophel was very resourceful, and now he came up with a second plan to pursue David and kill him quickly. So, everyone thought this plan was a good idea.

Since Absalom had such a good strategy by Ahithophel, why would he want to listen to what Hushai said? This is the wonderful work of God! As Proverbs 21:1 says: The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

(2) God uses Hushai to destroy good plans (V6-13)

Hushai deliberately emphasised that ‘you know your father and his men, that they are mighty men’ so that Absalom did not dare to pursue David immediately and had to wait for the army to gather before attacking. Hushai also knew that Absalom was a vain man, so he emphasised that Absalom should “lead them personally into battle” and become a victorious king.

Pride made Absalom love vanity, and he did not have enough wisdom to judge which one was a “good plan”, so he rejected Ahithophel’s plan.

(3) To bring disaster upon Absalom (V14)

Absalom would trust Hushai and even think that his idea was better than Ahithophel’s. This was all due to God’s decision! Because God’s promise was to make David king. Therefore, V14 says: …This is because the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent to bring disaster on Absalom.

This was God’s answer to David’s prayer: He turned Ahithophel’s advice into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31). All these things happen according to God’s will!

2. God is in control and the messenger is safe (V15-23)

Hushai did not know Absalom’s final decision, so after he got the information, he hurried escaped under the cover of Zadok and Abiathar the priests, the female servant, Jonathan and Ahimaaz with the Bahurim woman. Only then did they inform David that he had to cross the Jordan River overnight, and there was no way he could go wrong in any step.

Although all of this is under the guidance and control of God, people must also do what they should do. When faced with what we should do, we should not underestimate or ignore it. In fact, it is all very important. Even if we can only do a little bit, it is a piece of the puzzle to accomplish God’s ministry! Not even be short of one piece!

3. God with us, there is kindness in the wilderness (V24-29)

David came to Mahanaim, and Absalom soon followed him with the Israelite army. Three people are mentioned here who came to see David: Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai. There was no friendship between these foreigners and David. They were even enemies in the past. However, when David was in trouble, they brought him the basic necessities.

David is now under God’s discipline, but we still see that God used these foreigners and the Israelites east of the river to show David that God had not forgotten him or given up on him. God was still there to care for David! Be with David!

Conclusion：

We see God’s protection of David. Even if the best counsellor in the world came up with a good plan, Absalom could not harm David because God protected David! May God help us, not only to ask the Lord for help with what we do but also to understand whether what we want to do is according to God’s will, then try our best to do what we should do and leave the results to God! Because it’s up to man to plan, but it’s up to God to make it happen!