Author: John Rowland

DAVID the MERCIFUL  1 Samuel 24    We start the week reading about a difficult hole in which David found himself, and end with a Psalm reflecting on the lessons he learned through these difficulties. It is a strange little

Read 1 Samuel 23:13-29 v 16   Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.  “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the

Read 1 Samuel 20:18-42 v 41   Both of them were in tears as they embraced each other and said good-bye, especially David. David and Jonathan now realised only too well that they would have to go their own individual ways.

Read 1 Samuel 20:1-17 v 3   Then David took an oath before Jonathan and said, “Your father knows perfectly well about our friendship, so he has said to himself, ‘I won’t tell Jonathan—why should I hurt him?’ But I swear

Read 1 Samuel 18:1-16 v 1   After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. Here is the first God-quality we discover about friendship –

Charting the course of friendship.   Saul, as King, had lost the plot. He had lost his way with God, and David had been secretly anointed King by the prophet Samuel. Saul wanted his son Jonathan to be the next

Read Psalm 10:12-18 The victim’s prayer for God to right all wrongs   12 Arise, O Lord!     Punish the wicked, O God!     Do not ignore the helpless!13 Why do the wicked get away with despising God?     They think, “God will never call

Read Psalm 10:2-11 When evil people seem to get the upper hand   2 The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor.     Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others.3 For they brag about their evil desires;     they praise the

Read Psalm 9:13 – Psalm 10:1 God our Hope – in times of adversity   13 Lord, have mercy on me.     See how my enemies torment me.     Snatch me back from the jaws of death.14 Save me so I can praise you

Read Psalm 9:7-12 God’s Justice 7 But the Lord reigns forever,     executing judgment from his throne.8 He will judge the world with justice     and rule the nations with fairness.9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,     a refuge in times of trouble.10 Those