IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

God’s Hand to Help David

Date: Nov. 6, 2024

Passage

2 Samuel 17:15-29

15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled. 16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’” 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En-rogel. A female servant was to go and tell them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they were not to be seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So both of them went away quickly and came to the house of a man at Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard. And they went down into it. 19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth and scattered grain on it, and nothing was known of it. 20 When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook of water.” And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

21 After they had gone, the men came up out of the well, and went and told King David. They said to David, “Arise, and go quickly over the water, for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.” 22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. 26 And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.

27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 17:22

Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

Hushai sent two messengers to warn David of Ahithophel’s strategy and advise him not to spend the night at the fords but to cross the river at once. Hearing the message, David must have realized that God was working for him. He crossed the Jordan to escape the immediate danger. Once Ahithophel heard the news, he hanged himself, for he could foresee that Absalom who chose Hushai’s advice would fail.

When David camped at Mahanaim, his loyal supporters brought supplies for David and his people. They were Shobi, a Gentile; Makir, a former loyalist of Saul’s; and Barzillai, an old man in his eighties. They were not strong warriors, but they came to feed and refresh David and his men. Friends in need are friends indeed. God comforted and strengthened David through these unexpected people during his trial.

There are times in life when we feel like we are on our own without anyone to help us. However, God’s invisible hand protects, helps, and guides those who trust in Him. We are to rely on God and to walk faithfully with him even when we encounter hardships and challenges in life.

Prayer: Lord, you have guarded and led my life with your hand. Help me trust in you and walk by faith faithfully.

One Word: Trust God and see His guiding hand

Daily Bread

God Gives Us Victory

Psalm 60:1-12

Key Verse: 60:12

With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.

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Intro Daily

Today's Question

What benefits in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

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