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Nathan is quick to give advice to move forward assuming that since God has been with David all along that God would be ok with it. Nathan and David both should have asked God what to do. To Nathan it seemed like God said yes to all of Davids requests when actually it was Gods instructions that David was following. David's heart was in the right place, but so was Uzzah when he tried to keep the Ark from falling and then was struck dead for it.

Bitterness towards God can come into someone's life anytime they have heartbreak, a loss of a loved one or just not understanding why things happen. Michal is bitter because of the way her life turned out, what she thought would be a way of life for her forever was taken away. David's worship comes from his heart and he isn't going to apologize for it. It does seem to me that David has resentment towards Michal for remarrying.

David's approach to worhip is beautiful. Dancing, singing and praying out loud is a way of letting God know that we are not ashamed to be called His followers.

After David finally researched the torah and consulted with God he realized that there were certian provisions to take when moving the Ark. David and Uzzah were responsible for knowing the Law, the same as we are responsible for knowing the law, which is still in effect today. If we speed and get caught we get a ticket even if we didn't know the speed limit on that road because before you drive on it you should know the law. Seeking God first is the best practice, but like David we want to make decisions on our own. Thank goodness we have a loving God who gives us second chances to make it right.

God strikes Uzzah because he touched the Ark, which was an un holy act. (a law is a law) David is angry because God struck Uzzah and because he wasn't able to take the Ark with him to Jeruselem. He was humiliated for making a big deal and celebration for no reason. It seems like this is the first time David tries to do something without consulting God first even though it was done with good intentions it still wasn't what God wanted. God wants David to learn that he has to consult with him on everything no matter if the significance is big or small. This is a hard lesson for everyone to follow, we all like to think we are capable of making decisions on our own.

David inquires both times because he wants to do every thing according to God's will, he doesn't put his athority or ability above God's will. If he hadn't asked God he would have been no better than Saul which displeased God. I think sometimes we move thinking what we are doing is the answer from God. It is harder for us to determine the will of God because we don't have a Urim or Thummim to give us direct answers we have to depend on what we have learned about God's will.

David became King of Hebron appoximately 15 years after God instructed Samuel to annoint David and the Holy Spirit came upon him. David's knew without a doubt he would become King one day, I feel like he didn't question when it would happen. He loved and respected the kings before him he didn't contemplate when, or how he would 15 years isn't really that long, by the time we are 15 years old most of us already know what we want to become as an adult. Doctors, lawyers, atheletes etc. which all take a long time to become. Some times we don't have the patience to wait for the Lord to give us what He wants us to have so we make the choice to move forward with our lives in a different direction.

Joab slays Abner to get revenge for him killing his brother even though Abner was only defending himself. Joab is not justified in this because it is considered treachery. So because of Joabs hardened heart against Abner for killing his brother he now has brought a curse upon himself and his descendants. Forgivness is hard when it affects people we love but without it we can't move on and live the blessed life God has promised for us.

David remembes Sauls life as a King anointed by God and gives the respect that is deserved for an apointed King by God. The chronicler is more concerned with the judgement that has came down on Saul. I think God loves Saul, but since he didn't obey every command as required to be King, God has to take Saul and appoint someone who will obey and be the leader of Isreal.

David adopts singing and having his men sing praises to God. This helps keep them focused on God and what he has done for them.

The men blame David because he is the leader, and he made the decision to take all the men leaving Ziklag unprotected. The situation is so explosive because the men wanted to kill Saul which meant they wouldn't have had to be hiding out with the Philistine's and the situation could have been avoided. David feels terrible for the loss of Ziklag, but he puts his faith in the Lord by separating himself from the to gain strength in the Lord, he prays and sings to himself. He can't allow himself to get caught up in defending himself or allowing himself to become depressed

Occult practices God condemns these practices because Evil spirits are true beings and when we acknowledge them and invite them into our lives the consequenses are detrimental. We need to stay away from all practices that are not ordained by God.

Davids character - Well he is human and his humaness took over. Nabals character - Very mean and hard hearted Abigails charcter - Very beautiful, smart, and even though her husband is very mean she still doesn't want harm to come to him. I think this story was included to show that David is a human with human faults, and that it is just as hard for him to follow what God wants all the time same as it is for us.

How do we apply the principal of not lifting a hand against the Lord's anointed in our day? 1. I don't think physical violence is an issue in todays society with church leaders. 2. Gossiping, sabotaging, underminding is what happens most these days and applying this principal should be to stop doing these things and obey our Heavenly Father What provisions are there in 1 timothy 5:19-20 for calling leader to account 1. There has to be 2 or more witnesses against a leader and it should be taken to the next level. 2. The issue needs to be brought up to the whole congregation so everyone can learn from their mistakes.

David doesn't kill Saul because he doesn't want to go against God by harming the annointed King David and his men have motive because they are all being hunted by Saul to be killed, so they want to kill Saul first. David explains to his men that it would be against God's will for them to kill the King because he has been annointed by God so God will take his life when the time is right. David's Faith is remarkable it would be so hard to keep from killing someone who was out to kill you, unless you knew for sure God was on your side. Davids character as a man serving and obeying God makes him a trustworthy and respected Leader, the men seem to admire that about him and trust what he tells them to do.

Jonathan visits David because he is traveling with his fathers army and since he is close decides to visit David. Perhaps God sent Jonathan as an answer to his prayers and psalms. David and Jonathan both risk Saul finding them or finding out that Jonathan knows where David is, which could turn Saul against Jonathan as well. I am sure David was extreemley happy to see Jonathan and received it a blessing from God. Many time I have received a visit or a phone call when I needed it and didn't know that I did and it is a blessing from God it lets you know that He really does want us to know he hears us.

Abiathar had the ephod which holds the Urim and Thummim which are lots that were cast to hear God's answer to a plea. David inquired of the Lord about attacking the Philitines because they were attacking Keilah and stealing their crops. When you inquire of God before acting on your own shows Him that you are putting him first and depend solely on His will to accomplish your Goals. And with his blessings all will be won. Finding God's will at Key points in my life is not easy, I wish I had a Urim and Thummim. Prayer and Studying helps the best.

Davids men were attracted to him because of his fame for being a great warrior, and his love for God and being a good leader. David and these men were all fugitives from Saul The main difficulty for David was probably keeping these men from fighting and killing each other. Most men like this know or at least know of each other and have fear, revenge or hatred towards each other which makes them difficult to all fight for the same casue.

The nature of the convenant is a loving one between friends, and with God as their witness the convenant is blessed. They both receive what they asked for and each will benefit from it. David receives protection from Saul Johnathan receives protection for his liniage.

Sauls Faith has been replaced with jealousy, he seems to still love God and knows what is right but his humanly emotions are in control. When people speak in tounges the Holy Spirit is in control and overtakes our humanly efforts to control the situation. The relationship between this incident and the day at pentecost is that the Holy Spirit came upon them when they weren't expecting it. Both times it was to give guidance and help for the situations they were in.

I think that Saul wanted to be the Kings son-n-law, but felt like because he nor his family could afford the cost it would take he denied the offer. When King Saul presented a way to pay off what it would normally take to marry a Kings daughter he jumped at the chance. Of course it wasn't chance he knew he could kill 200 soldiiers easily.

Saul had become afraid of David causing jealousy because the spirit of the Lord had left him. Saul knew the Lord was blessing David so he wanted David out of his home and also out of the hearts and minds of the people. Saul sent David to battle hoping he would be killed, but since David was so blessed and favored by God he became even more victorious.

Why do we so often forget the the battle is the Lords - Because most of us want recognition for winning the battle, same as with our blessings we want recognition for accomplising it ourselves. The battle is the Lords - means exactly what it says but it only works if you believe, and trust that it will. Avoiding the arrogance of pulling God into our battles - For me this is really hard because sometimes I want to battle things out with my husband, my children or employers when God really wants me to sit down and be quiet. Learning how to wait on the Lord is a skill that is only learned by praying and studying His word as much as possible. Evidently I need more studying and praying

Saul can see that David has more faith than he does and feels like God is truly with him and if this is true he knows that there will be nothing that can stand against David and win. Saul lets David go on out to battle because it is all he has David is the only one who has come forward to take the challenge. The time is near that his Army will have to fight and since everyone is so scared the battle will be lost. Having such a corageous young man show so much faith and strength encourages Saul to have more faith also. Saul has faith but it is weak he feels like the chance of David winning is possible but he takes precautions incase David is killed.

David can't beleive anyone would taunt or threaten the Army of God Eliab is upset because David isn't supposed to be there anyway, he isn't trained in warfare and here he is asking questions and making comments as to why this Goliath is allowed to speak against God's Army. This embarrasses Eliab because he is also afraid of Goliath. David's faith is strong without ever seeing God himself, but he clearly has the Holy Spirit with him which teaches us that we should have strong faith eventhough we can't see God he is with us like he promised. Eliab is a typical older sibling and wants his little brother to go away and quit making him look bad.