David – CadreMen Press

Hushai’s Friendship

Hushai’s Friendship by Kirk Hunt

David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me.

2 Samuel 15:33-34

Hushai left Jerusalem to flee with his friend, King David. David refused him, and instead asked him to put his life at risk to help defeat Absalom’s mutiny. Hushai, in a display of real friendship, agreed to thwart the rebels, especially Ahithophel.

Real friendship is a weighty thing. Too often, a friend drives past inconvenience and straight into serious risk and true danger. An authentic companion faces your hellhounds and snarls back.

In addition to fidelity and courage, the best friends have ability and skill. Hushai may not have claimed the extraordinary intellect and insight of Ahithophel, but he had the clout and voice of a king’s advisor. If anyone had the mind and wisdom to foil David’s enemies, it would be Hushai.

David had many advisors, but only one friend. Consider the people around you. Which of them would put their life on the line for you? Who among them could make that kind of risk pay off?

Of course, to get and keep the best folk, you must be a Godly man or women of loyalty and skill. Hushai’s friendship is a weighty thing for God’s best folk. Are you a Hushai-like friend to someone?

Think: Surround yourself with Godly men and women. You will need each other.

Pray: “Lord, surround me with men and women full of Your character and wisdom.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Ahithophel’s Advice

Ahithophel’s Advice by Kirk Hunt

Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:23

Ahithophel was a clever, sage man. As if God Himself was revealing truth, folks listened when Ahithophel spoke. And that skill and expertise did not change when Ahithophel changed sides.

Do not confuse high skill with righteous character. King David made use of Ahithophel’s expertise and insight to make Israel a powerful, rich nation. Absalom made use of Ahithophel’s same abilities to overthrow his father and seize the throne.

Knowledge, insight and intellect are valuable tools, but righteous character and Godly intent are better. Ahithophel expertly guided Absalom to usurp political power and attempted patricide. The trusted advisor turned on the true King and made violence between father and son inevitable.

Betrayers are always detested and hated. All the good they ever did is buried under their failure to keep faith with those who trusted them. Loyal and trustworthy men and women are always honored.

Because Ahithophel turned against David, brave soldiers and a king’s son had to die. The kingdom was disrupted by the mutiny and attempted coup. And David wept bitterly over the loss of his son.

I pray all of God’s people are smart, clever and insightful. But I pray more that all of God’s people are Godly in their character and righteous in their actions. A less clever fix may take less time, but a righteous solution will cost less and last longer.

Think: Clever intelligence is good, but Godly character is better.

Pray: “Lord, I seek Your Wisdom but I plead more for Your character.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Stick To The Calling

Stick To The Calling by Kirk Hunt

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

2 Samuel 23:9-10 NKJV

Eleazar, the son of Dodo, fought against the Philistines so long and so hard that his hand cramped around the hilt of his sword. When it finally came time to let go of his weapon, he could not. I have experienced this same effect using construction tools. May your service in God’s Kingdom induce the same “stick to it” at least once in your life.

Alone, after all others retreated, Eleazar fought on. He fought with courage greater than his fear. His determination was so fierce that his hand froze around his weapon. He fought to the end because he could not let the enemy win or leave his calling in God.

Here and now, under the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, we fight for God’s Kingdom. In this era we serve and minister rather than swing swords. Still, our level of effort can all too easily match Eleazar’s exertions on that nameless battlefield.

Make no mistake: God brings the victory. A mighty man or woman of God is willing to be His instrument. Let God use you to achieve the impossible.

Think: Mighty are the men and women who stick to it in service to Him.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to stick to my calling.”

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

The Lord Has Blessed The House

The Lord Has Blessed The House by Kirk Hunt

Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness.

2 Samuel 6:12 NKJV

King David heard the news and concerned himself with Obed-Edom. Obed-Edom’s faithful service involved having the Ark of God (aka the Ark of The Covenant) in his home. God’s presence and power made itself known with blessing of the man’s house and household.

After the tragedy of Uzzah, David placed the Ark in Obed-Edom’s house. Obed-Edom faithfully maintained the physical symbol of God’s presence on earth in his home. For three months, the power of God directly rewarded him and his. So much so, that a king looked on with longing.

Your faithful service in God’s kingdom is never without reward. No amount of money can purchase His peace. No level of fame gives His joy. Even the rich, or high, or mighty will look at His presence in your life and covet what you have.

It may not seem like much to you, but be faithful anyway. If God gave your calling, then it is important. And God’s blessing of you, and your house, will make it worthwhile.

Think: God blesses the house of men and women who serve Him in spirit and truth.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to serve my calling in spirit and truth.”

Strength, Courage and Salvation

Strength, Courage and Salvation by Kirk Hunt

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.

Psalm 27:1-2 NKJV

Godly men and women have enemies and foes, just like everyone else. What is different is that we live in the grace and protection of our all-powerful God. God is our strength. Always.

Can God’s people be battered and bruised? Perhaps. Can God’s people be beaten and defeated? Not until after they beat and defeat God. But we must operate in God’s strength, not our own.

King David, experienced and understood unjust treatment and persecution. Yet, here in this Psalm, he sang in victory about the light and salvation of God. Whether hiding in a cave or living in a palace, David understood that God was greater than his enemies.

David fought battles. More than once, his life was at risk. Still, his courage came from the source of his strength. He found grace and protection in all-powerful God.

Whatever you face today, consider where you find strength. No matter how battered and bruised you feel, you are not beaten. Not if you operate in the strength, light, and salvation of God. Find your courage in His strength.

Think: “God is my strength and salvation, therefore I can have courage.”

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember my courage comes from Your strength.”

Not Forsaken

Not Forsaken by Kirk Hunt

I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.

He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.

Psalm 37:25-26 NKJV

Quill, scratching on parchment, David remembered his long, eventful life. “The righteous are not forsaken. Ever.” I wonder if some of the ink was smudged by teardrops.

Do not confuse hard times with being forsaken. God’s people face difficult circumstances, just like everyone else. The difference is that we know that God Himself guards us, and our folk.

David, hunted like an animal by his own father-in-law: not forsaken. David, betrayed by his own son and fleeing for his life: not forsaken. David, offering an atoning sacrifice because of his own sin: not forsaken.

You may cry hot tears, or bleed profusely, or go desperately hungry, but you remain a son or daughter of God. And in all of that, you are not forsaken. God guards you and yours. Stay faithful to our God who has already proven His faithfulness to you.

David lived to appoint his son, Solomon, to the throne with peace and prosperity. Messiah, Jesus Christ, is a king in David’s dynasty. David was never forsaken.

Son and daughter of God, your children and grandchildren will live in the peace and prosperity God gives you. Others will live better and longer because of your generosity and kindness. And all of it because you are not forsaken. Ever.

Think: “No matter how it looks, I am not forsaken.”

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember I am never forsaken by You.”

He Turned And Struck

He Turned And Struck by Kirk Hunt

Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me.” But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. And the king said to Doeg, “You turn and kill the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod.

1 Samuel 22:17-18 NKJV
Please also read 1 Samuel 22:1-23

Even if King Saul’s order to kill the priests was lawful, it was clearly immoral. Traditional sources identify Abner and Amasa, loyal captains of King Saul, as the men who refused to kill the priests. Doeg proved himself a despicable henchman when he “turned and struck the priests.”

King Saul, God’s anointed king of Israel, gave an immoral order based on his anger and frustration. Men and women are responsible for the decisions they make as a leader of God’s people. A good leader would have re-thought his orders when loyal men (or women) refused to carry them out.

Any thug or brute can carry out a malicious order. An honorable and righteous soul is most loyal when they protect a leader from all dangers. And sometimes, a leader’s greatest danger is themselves.

Scripture does not record what happened to Doeg. Saul, who gave the order, died a miserable death, surrounded by enemies. A good leader wants good followers. Men and women who are so loyal, they will protect a leader from themselves.

Think: Even if the order is lawful, it may not be moral. Should I carry it out?

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister correctly, despite my orders.”

Sacrifice Is Personal

Sacrifice Is Personal by Kirk Hunt

Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.

2 Samuel 24:24-25 NKJV

Araunah (also called Ornan) had every reason to give King David anything he needed for a sacrifice. In addition to being a devout worshiper of Jehovah, he also owned great wealth. David needed to sacrifice the goods to stop a heaven-sent plague coming his way. “Anything you want, your majesty.”

David, a true leader who cared for his followers, made a point of buying, not taking. David refused to sacrifice a cost-less gift to God. David understood what made a sacrifice or offering acceptable to God. As the flames burned on the altar, the king’s once heavy purse held only a bill of sale.

Saints, especially leaders, must personally sacrifice for the Kingdom. Wealth, time and comfort are often burned on the altar of our worship. As the smoke and flames go heavenward, tears often flow downward from our too human eyes.

The point of worship and sacrifice is to demonstrate that we love Him first and foremost. If you want your offering to be real to God, it must be significant and personal. You give what is yours to prove the love is yours.

Well meaning hearts and souls might offer to pay at the wrong times. Remember David’s example. Give your personal sacrifice out of love and devotion.

Think: Sacrifice to God must always be personal to be real.

Pray: “Lord, accept my sacrifice to You.”

See The Goodness

“See The Goodness” By Kirk Hunt

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

Psalms 27:13 NKJV

The road stretches out before me, narrow and barren. For a moment I consider not continuing. It is then that I remember His many promises, breathed in my soul by the Holy Spirit and confirmed in Scripture. I will walk on and see the goodness.

Even King David could not settle all of his problems and issues with swords or proclamations. He had to work our his own salvation with fear and trembling. Just like you and I. There were days he had to wait to see God’s goodness, in faith and belief.

It is not always easy; doing right, the right way. Laboring and staying faithful for promises you see only faith. Still, now is not the time to lose heart or hope.

Sometimes, as now, there are storms and difficulties. His promises remain certain. There will be better, even in the turbulence. His joy is in you, not in the circumstances.

Do not let anyone, even yourself, tell you that you lack faith or courage. Faith does not ignore the difficulties. Courage does not lessen the blows.

Your advantage is that you know it will be worth it. God’s goodness will be there and then, and eventually it will be here and now. Keep walking the long narrow road to God. Along the way you will find yourself living in the land of God’s goodness.

Think: No matter what I see now, I will live to see God’s goodness in the future.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have faith in Your promises, even in storms.”