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Adullam’s Champions

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“Adullam’s Champions” by Kirk Hunt

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David:

2 Samuel 23:15–16 KJV

Please also read 2 Samuel 23:8–17

Adino, Eleazar and Shammah. The elite three among David’s forces. The kind of men to go deep behind enemy lines to get a canteen of water.

These are not the same men recruited at Adullam. They are no longer deadbeats, losers or whiners. David’s moment of nostalgia and homesickness becomes a chance to display their strength. And encourage the heart and spirit of their chosen leader.

Did these men spring out of the earth, champions? Scripture does not record that scene. Instead, Scripture records their act of selflessness and encouragement.

God intends for you to become a champion. Where you start is less important than following His plan for your life. Your service in His Kingdom is the primary tool to change you. For the better.

Perhaps you already are a champion. Have you engaged in a heroic effort, just to encourage someone? Only a champion would unobtrusively schedule a perilous victory for someone else’s benefit.

God’s Kingdom is full of opportunities, big and small. To encourage, bless and build up others in Christ. His intends for you to be a champion. Go do your faith hero stuff.

Think: Men and women are made champions in God’s service.

Pray: “Lord, help me to become the champion You intend.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Adullam’s Recruits

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“Adullam’s Recruits” by Kirk Hunt

And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

I Samuel 22:2 KJV

David fled to the cave of Adullam, hunted and hated by King Saul. There, alone and in need of support, David received his recruits. Oh, joy.

There were not the best and the brightest. They were not even the middling and muted. The cast-offs of society made their way to David. Oh, boy.

Scripture says they were in distress, or in debt or discontented. I call them the losers, the deadbeats and the whiners. Not the usual starting blocks of an elite fighting unit. Oh, man.

Thankfully, the sentence does not end there. At least they brought themselves. That hints that they were willing to invest themselves in something. By coming to and staying at Adullam, they changed. Oh, well.

Davis became their captain. Clearly, these undesirable men were willing to accept leadership. Often, a teachable heart alone can help a man advance from where ever he started. Oh, great.

Adullam’s recruits represent the men and women who come to support you in your calling. They are unfinished and often undesirable, but with God’s help they can become champions. Oh, okay.

Think: Men and women finish champions in God’s service, no matter how they start.

Pray: “Lord, help me to see Your finished work in my brothers and sisters.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Stop And Help

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“Stop And Help” by Kirk Hunt

And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.

1 Samuel 30:13 KJV

Sick and starving, the Egyptian lay where his master abandoned him. Despite their hot pursuit, David and his men did not close their eyes to his plight. They stopped to help a sick man.

Gratitude can sometimes be purchased. A decent meal, a warm blanket and perhaps a little herbal medicine were easy enough to give. Such little things bought the gratefulness, trust and perhaps loyalty of the young man. For a promise, he led David to his former master.

The Egyptian pointed. The Hebrews attacked. The Amalekites fell. They recovered all.

Did David know the young man could help him find the captured families (verses 3-4)? Probably not. Compassion and mercy flow from the heart. The giver is usually surprised at the benefits.

Opportunities to minister and serve may come at strange times or inconvenient places. Most often when we think we have little or nothing to give. God will always provide what you need to fulfill His Will. Put your confidence in Him.

You may be pressed and strapped with your own needs and issues. Do not let your own concerns lead you past an opportunity to stop and help. The lives you save may include own.

Think: Mercy and compassion can have surprising benefits.

Pray: “Lord, give me opportunities to stop and help.”

Call For The Ephod

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“Call For The Ephod” by Kirk Hunt

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

1 Samuel 30:7 KJV

An unruly mob of trained killers were mumbling and looking David’s way. Their homes had been burned. Their wives, children and livestock had been carried off, captive. Something had to be done.

David’s situation was exactly the same as that of his men. Still, the troops blamed their own leader for their pain. The gathering pile of stones was not a good sign for David.

David did not panic or breakdown. He responded. He called for the Ephod and started talking to God.

The word ephod has different meaning when used in Scripture. In this verse, it referred to a means of determining God’s Will. <http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5790-ephod#anchor4> David sought a rhema or Word from God.

Scripture does not say how the ephod worked. All we know is that David received clear and fresh direction from God. David then turned and faced the mob, and shared his revelation from God.

No matter what you are facing, you can call for an “ephod.” You can receive a fresh Word from God. Pray. Study Scripture. Fast. He will speak to you.

You will get your rhema. With a fresh Word from God, you can face your unruly mob of stone gathers. Your revelation from God will speak life to the mob and the situation.

Think: I can always seek a fresh Word from God. No matter what.

Pray: “Lord, remind me to seek a fresh Word from You.”

Living On The Rock

“Living On The Rock” by Kirk Hunt

And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

2 Samuel 22:2–4 KJV

For the first time, in years, there was no morning war council. The scouts and surveillance agents had nothing to report. Peace and quiet held sway over the kingdom.

How would you react? David had spent many years, one step in front of various hangmen. David’s enemies were not just Philistines, or King Saul and his family. His own son, Absalom, had attempted to kill him.

The sudden absence of pursuers pulled a response out of David. In gratitude and praise, he wrote a song to his God. Given a chance to celebrate peace and security, David worshipped.

No matter the hardships of your life, you can rest easy. God has protected you up until now. The spiritual bedrock of God is your security and safety. Today and tomorrow, He will save you from enemies foreign and domestic.

Think: No matter what is going on, God is the rock I live on.

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember to live on the Rock of You.”

The Nature Of Sacrifice

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“The Nature Of Sacrifice” by Kirk Hunt

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings [sacrifice] unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

2 Samuel 24:24 KJV

There are two forms of sacrifice: giving or doing. You sacrifice by giving away something you would prefer to keep. You also sacrifice by doing when you would rather be sitting. Either way, the last part is the word, “ouch.”

A sacrifice must mean something to you. It must cost you something. Only then does the act have any meaning for you. Or God.

The money David spent in verse 24 was just the beginning. The altar had to be built. The oxen were prepared. The farm implements were chopped into firewood.

David’s sacrifice brought forgiveness. It is important to note that David could not buy forgiveness. All he could do was show God how sorry he was for his sin. David gave. David did.

God saw sincere and true repentance, in David’s authentic sacrifice. Forgiveness flowed from heaven. It may have hurt, but David renewed his relationship with God.

You may have to give away something precious. It may cost you sweat and blood. What will your sacrifice(s) bring?

Think: Real sacrifice gives real results.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to sacrifice what I must to grow closer to You.”

Are You Listening?

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“Are You Listening?” by Kirk Hunt

And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

1 Samuel 25:32-33 KJV

The high-born lady kneeled in the dusty road. She accepted blame before the local warlord for her husband’s error. She gave gifts of freshly prepared food and fresh-cut respect. Using diplomacy, graciousness and humility, she transformed murderous intent into life-affirming gratitude.

Warlord David recognized his peril. His anger, even though righteous and justified, had nearly plunged him into error and sin. Even in his anger, he remained God’s man and listened to reason.

Nabal nearly brought calamity on not just himself, but everyone around him. Despite his churlish and foolish behavior, he received mercy in its truest form. If not for his sake, then Abigail’s.

David listened to Abigail. He heard the truth, wisdom and righteousness in her words. He humbled himself before God and man to call off the attack.

Abigail listened, in horror, to the report of Nabal’s disrespect. She took immediate action to head off imminent disaster. With a heart full of God’s wisdom and Godly humility, Abigail met blood-thirsty anger with heart-winning grace.

Where are you in the picture? Are you listening? If so, are you taking action based on what your hear?

Think: Do I listen as God intends?

Pray: “Father-God, help me to listen to Your truth and wisdom, no matter the source or circumstance.”

Men Of Integrity

“Men Of Integrity” by Kirk Hunt

And Nathan departed unto his house.

2 Samuel 12: 15a (KJV)
(Please read 2 Samuel 12:1-15)

Nathan humiliated David, a warrior-king. In front of the royal court, the prophet spoke God’s truth without hesitation or restraint. Then he stood there, watching for David’s reaction.

Speaking truth to power is a display of integrity. It takes courage to accuse and confront a man with David’s warrior credentials and royal prerogatives. Nathan knew David could order his death and chose to obey God anyway.

Repenting after God’s rebuke is a display of integrity. It takes courage to confess and repent in front of a crowd. David chose to retain his relationship with God rather than impress the courtiers.

Being a man or woman of integrity is not easy. It requires tough choices. It requires choosing to do what is right rather than what is convenient. Or less humiliating.

“You are the man.” Nathan’s love for God led him to speak the truth, rather than compromise. A powerful display of integrity.

The prophet walked calmly home. David’s love for God protected Nathan from retaliation. An authentic display of integrity.

You have choices today: God’s way or something less. Your choice reveals your integrity. Display the integrity that honors God.

Think: Integrity is about doing the right thing, no matter what.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to respond per Your Word and Way, no matter what.”

Pain In The Offering

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“Pain In The Offering” by Kirk Hunt

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

2 Samuel 24:24 KJV

Please read all of 2 Samuel 24

Araunah tried to give away his land, livestock and equipment. David carefully wrote out the bill of sale and paid the full price for everything. David offered his sacrifice and God accepted it. In a moment, David’s tears changed from sorrow to joy.

The pain in David’s offering was not the money he paid. David paid a substantial financial sum for Araunah’s farm, but cash wasn’t a problem. David’s hurt came in facing his own error and sin. Repentance cost the most in David’s sacrifice.

Our offerings to God ought to cost us something. Often, we are blessed to give from the abundance of God’s blessings. Too often, our offerings require that we dig into our souls and surrender things we’re rather keep: lazy comforts, arrogant self-righteousness, willful disobedience.

When we sacrifice those deeply held things, it hurts. When there is pain in the offering, that means you are being open and serious with God and yourself. In the long run, the hot tears and burning heart are a good thing.

Think : God wants a real sacrifice from me.

Pray: “Lord, help me to sacrifice those things that keep me from You.”

Send A Memo

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“Send A Memo” by Kirk Hunt

And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

1 Samuel 24:16-17 KJV

From the cave he just left, King Saul heard the voice of the very fugitive he hunted. In his right hand, David carried a sharp knife. In his left hand, a severed portion of Saul’s clothes.

Despite the standing death warrant, David refused to harm Saul. Not even multiple murder attempts could goad David against the rightful king of Israel. Scripture records that David had pangs of conscience for cutting up Saul’s clothes.

Even Saul got the message David sent. He could see David’s righteousness and his own evil. Shamed and convicted, Saul declared the truth of the situation.

You need to send a message of grace and mercy. Not with ink and paper, but through actions that leave no doubt. That God loves them still. That God extends His mercy today.

Someone in your sphere needs to get the memo. Be a living letter of God’s love and mercy. Deliver the message, loud and clear. How they react is between them and God.

Think : I need to send a strong message of mercy and grace to someone near me.

Pray: “Lord, Help me to be a living example of Your mercy and grace.”

Last Man Standing

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“Last Man Standing” by Kirk Hunt

And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:11-12 KJV

Shammah is named in Scripture as one of David’s three mighty men. Frankly, the accomplishments of Adino (v. 8 ) and Eleazar (v. 9) seem more impressive on the first reading. Still, of the three, Shammah holds my heart and mind.

While everyone else was running in fear, Shammah stood in courage. Shammah stood and delivered alone and outnumbered. Most of all, he made his great defense in a field of lentils.

Christian men and women too often make light of their own lives and labors for the Kingdom. What we do for God is important. Even if it all were doing is defending a field of beans.

Why was that specific patch of lentils important? Scripture doesn’t say. All we know is that Shammah did what others would not even try. All we are told is that God used Shammah to create a great victory.

God has a great purpose and plan for you. If God asked you to do it, it must be important. Bring enough lentils with you to make dinner.

Think: Am I prepared to be the last man or woman standing for God?

Pray: “Lord, Help me do Your Will, no matter how small it seems to me..”

David’s Third Anointing

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“David’s Third Anointing” by Kirk Hunt

Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.

1 Chronicles 11:3 KJV

The pomp and circumstance of 1 Chronicles 11 and 12 is a highlight in Scripture. The roll calls of valiant men and mighty tribes highlights the weight of David’s leadership. More importantly, it details God’s glory in Israel.

David’s anointing came from God. The great gathering and celebration is really worship and praise of God. Any celebration of anointing must be aimed at the Source, not the servant.

David’s long years of selfless service as a loyal soldier for king Saul, and as an outlaw-protector are fulfilled in the coronation celebration. David had long since become a noble-leader and warrior-king. This third anointing is mere recognition of the clear and obvious truth of David’s life.

Your third anointing recognizes what has already been true. Your faithful service. Your loyal fulfillment of Kingdom duties. Your empowerment through the Holy Spirit.

Enjoy the celebration. God is receiving worship and glory in the ceremony. Remember, your anointing comes from Him, for His purpose. He chose you and is your Source.

Think: God is the source and purpose of my anointing.

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember You are the Source and Purpose of my anointing.”