“”I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ 5 “Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6 Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace. 7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom. 8 “And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ 9 But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.”” 1 Kings 22:2-9 NKJV
God of righteousness and judgement,
Here we see another side of David. He prepares and organises the nation and puts aside all that may be needed to build the Temple and then, then, he lists people for destruction or blessing.
Solomon may not know all the history of David’s provocateurs or those who eat at the kings table. So David gives him the thumbs up to remove festering trouble. We may think it bloodthirsty but in David’s day the king had to watch his back, his front and his side! David gave him heads up for mistrust, removing trouble or at least knowing where it would come from.
Today Lord, we do not see people as our enemy. You, Lord God tell us that we must love our enemy, even where we cannot trust them. If he is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing we will heap coals of fire on his head. (Romans 12:20). And You will be their judge. However we do have another enemy. That old serpent (Revelation 12:9). Your Son, Jesus, likened him to a thief that comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). In the parable of the sower he is called satan and snatches Your Word from wayside people’s hearts (Mark 4:15).
So as we go forward help us learn from how the enemy has deceived, stolen or tripped us up in the past. Help us leave no room in our hearts or minds for his confusion and lies. Help us to do as Paul suggested. Be filled with Your Spirit.speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts. (Ephesians 5:18).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 23rd April 2026
Now and again I come across a hymn I wish I had heard before . . .
I have learned the wondrous secret
Of abiding in the Lord;
I have found the strength and sweetness
Of confiding in his word;
I have tasted life’s pure fountain,
I am trusting in his blood,
I have lost myself in Jesus,
I am sinking into God.
I’m abiding in the Lord, And confiding in his word,
And I’m hiding in the bosom of his love.
Yes abiding in the Lord, And confiding in his word,
I am hiding in the bosom of his love.
I am crucified with Jesus,
And he lives and dwells in me,
I have ceased from all my struggling,
‘Tis no longer I, but he;
All my will is yielded to him,
And his Spirit reigns within,
And his precious blood each moment
Keeps me cleansed and free from sin.
Chorus
All my sicknesses I bring Him,
And He bears them all away:
All my fears and griefs I tell Him,
All my cares from day to day.
All my strength I draw from Jesus,
By His breath I live and move,
E’en His very mind He gives me,
And His faith, and life, and love.
Chorus
For my words I take his wisdom,
For my works his Spirit’s pow’r,
For my ways his gracious Presence
Guards and guides me every hour.
Of my heart he is the Portion,
Of my joy the ceaseless Spring;
Saviour, the Sanctifier, Keeper,
Glorious Lord and coming King.
Chorus
Lyrics: Albert B Simpson (1891)