Read II Samuel 22 Davids Psalm of Praise

And he said: The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. (II Samuel 22:2-3 NKJV)

David sang these various names and attributes of God as he recalled later in life the experiences of what he went through. He was very personal in his praise to God.

God as his Rock. It represents solidness and unmovable as for shelter and safety. He hid in the rock when Saul with his men were searching and attempting to kill him. God as his Fortress meaning a garrison; a place of safety where the enemy is blocked.

God as his deliverer from the hands of all his enemies and death. He experienced the LORDs deliverance from the wild beasts while tending his fathers flock, from Goliath, Saul, the time of backsliding to join the Philistines, Absalom and even his own sinful passions.

God as his strength whom he trusts in distressing and discouraging circumstances. He encouraged himself in the Lord when Ziklag was burnt down. Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (I Samuel

As his shield who protects and defends him from his enemies. God pushes, scatters, destroys his enemies, and saves him as the horn of my salvation. Some prophetic pointing to Christ (Hebrews 2:13) a metaphor taken from horned beasts; so Christ, the mighty and able Saviour, is called, He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. (Luke 1:69) He repeated with similar attributes of Gods greatness and power as his stronghold, refuge and Saviour saving him from violence.

Prayer: Father God, You called me Your child. You are all powerful yet loving towards me personally. I am accepted through Christ. I seem and experienced many deliverances in my life. I will take my refuge in You. Lord Jesus You are my Refuge, Rock, Fortress, Strong tower, Shield, Strength and Salvation. I will sing of Your praises. Holy Spirit brings to my awareness constantly of the end the Father is working out for my wholeness and ultimate blessing.

I KINGS [1-5 MARCH DAY 61-65]

The books of I and II Kings were originally one book. The book of Kings tells the story of the long line of kings that came after David. The two main divisions in 1 Kings are chapters 1 to 11 on the United Kingdom under Solomon and chapters 12 to 22 the divided kingdom.

Chapters 1-11 The United Kingdom under Solomon. It begins with King David's old age and one of his sons, Adonijah collaborating with Joab and with Abiathar the priest attempted to seize the throne. They were not with successful. Instead, Bathsheba taking Nathan's advice visited King David and told him about it. King David swore an oath to make Solomon King. Solomon was thus enthroned. David then gave his final words to Solomon (chapter 1-2).

Solomon began well by seeking God for wisdom (chapters 3-4) and completing the building of the temple with the glory of God resting on it (chapters 5-8). However, he ended badly with the many wives turning him to idolatry and the kingdom was divided during the realm of his son, Rehoboam (chapters 9-11).

Chapters 12-22 The Divided Kingdom. Israel was divided in two. The south comprised of Judah and Benjamin called Judah. Solomons son, Rehoboam was the first king of Judah. The north with the remaining ten tribes was called Israel with Jeroboam, one of Solomon's rebelled soldiers as king (1 Kings 12-14).

The list of Judah and Israel kings were mentioned with brief highlights. Rehoboam Abijam (chapter 15) - Asa (good) - Jehoshaphat in Judah. While Israel under Jeroboam - Nadab - Baasha - Elah - Zimri - Omri and Ahab were all evil (chapter 16).

At such time God raised His prophet, Elijah (Chapters 17-19). He contested with the prophets of Baal yet was a man of like passion experiencing depression when faced with the threat for his life. Ahab took Naboth's vineyard with the counsel of his wife, Jezebel. (chapter 21). Jehoshaphat and Ahab joined in the warfare with Ramoth Gilead ended with Ahabs death and succeeded by his son, Ahaziah (chapter 22).

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