The Daily Devotional from First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States from Monday, 11 September 2017 through Sunday, 17 September 2017 - Sermon Theme: "Vital Signs" - Text to read: 1 Samuel 24:1-15

The Daily Devotional from First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States from Monday, 11 September 2017 through Sunday, 17 September 2017 - Sermon Theme: "Vital Signs" - Text to read: 1 Samuel 24:1-15

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Scripture Texts: 1 Samuel 24:1 (23:29) From there David went up and lived in the strongholds of ‘Ein-Gedi. 2 (1) When Sha’ul returned from pursuing the P’lishtim, he was told that David was in the desert at ‘Ein-Gedi. 3 (2) Sha’ul took three thousand men chosen from all Isra’el and went searching for David and his men on the cliffs where the mountain goats are. 4 (3) Near some sheep pens along the way was a cave, and Sha’ul went inside to relieve himself. It happened that David and his men were sitting in the recesses at the back of the cave; 5 (4) and David’s men said to him, “Look! The day has come that Adonai told you about when he said to you, ‘I will turn your enemy over to you, and you will do to him whatever seems good to you.’” Then David stole over unobserved and cut off the corner of Sha’ul’s cloak. 6 (5) But after doing this, David felt remorse over cutting Sha’ul’s garment. 7 (6) He said to his men, “Adonai forbid that I should do such a thing to my lord, Adonai’s anointed, as raise my hand against him! After all, he is Adonai’s anointed.” 8 (7) By saying this, David stopped his men and would not let them do anything to Sha’ul. Sha’ul got up, left the cave and went on his way.

9 (8) Then David too got up and went outside the cave, where he called after Sha’ul, “My lord the king!” When Sha’ul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. 10 (9) David said to Sha’ul, “Why do you listen to people who say, ‘David is out to harm you?’ 11 (10) Here, today you have seen with your own eyes that Adonai put you in my power there in the cave. Some of my men said I should kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I won’t raise my hand against my lord, because he is Adonai’s anointed.’ 12 (11) Moreover, my father, look! Here in my hand you see the corner of your cloak. By the fact that I only cut off a piece of your cloak and didn’t kill you, you can see and understand that I have no plan to do harm or rebel, and that I haven’t sinned against you — even though you are seeking every chance you get to take my life. 13 (12) May Adonai judge between you and me, and may Adonai avenge me on you! But I will not lay a hand on you — 14 (13) as the old saying has it, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness, but I will not lay a hand on you.’ 15 (14) The king of Isra’el has come on a campaign — after whom? Whom are you chasing? A dead dog! A single flea!

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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: 1 Samuel 24:1-15

Verse 2

[2] Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

Rocks — Which the wild goats used to delight in and climb over. These very rocks are exceeding steep, and full of precipices, and dangerous to travellers, as an eye-witness hath left upon record. And yet Saul was so transported with rage, as to venture himself and his army here, that he might take David, who, as he thought, would judge himself safe, and therefore be secure in such inaccessible places.

Verse 3

[3] And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

Went in — To sleep there: Saul being a military man, used to sleep with his soldiers upon the ground. And it is not improbable, that being weary with his eager and almost incessant pursuit, first of David, then of the Philistines, and now of David again, he both needed and desired some sleep, God also disposing him thereto, that David might have this eminent occasion to demonstrate his integrity to Saul, and to all Israel.

Of the cave — For that there were vast caves in those parts is affirmed, not only by Josephus, but also by Heathen authors; Strabo writes of one which could receive four thousand men.

Verse 4

[4] And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

Behold, … — Not that God had said these words, or made any such promise; but they put this construction upon those promises which God had made to him, of delivering him from all his enemies, and carrying him through all difficulties to the throne. This promise they conceived put him under an obligation of taking all opportunities which God put into his hand for their accomplishment.

Verse 10

[10] Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.

Mine eye — The eye is said to spare, because it affects the heart with pity, and moves a man to spare.

Verse 12

[12] The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

Will avenge — If thou persistest in thy injuries and cruel designs against me.

Verse 13

[13] As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

Wickedness, … — That is, wicked men will do wicked actions, among which this is one, to kill their sovereign lord and king; and therefore if I were so wicked a person as thy courtiers represent me, I should make no conscience of laying violent hands upon thee.

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Daily Devotional:
Daily Devotional
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Sermon Theme: "Vital Signs"
Text to read: 1 Samuel 24:1-15

• Pray for those struggle with mental illness in all of its forms.

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Daily Devotional
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Sermon Theme: "Vital Signs"
Text to read: 1 Samuel 24:1-15
What kind of support systems do you have to help with your emotional health?

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Daily Devotional
Friday, September 15, 2017
Sermon Theme: "Vital Signs"
Text to read: 1 Samuel 24:1-15

• Read the text from 1 Samuel 24.
• What emotional imbalance do you see here?

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Daily Devotional
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Sermon Theme: "Vital Signs"
Text to read: 1 Samuel 24:1-15

• What role does fear play in your emotional health?

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Daily Devotional
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Sermon Theme: "Vital Signs"
Text to read: 1 Samuel 24:1-15

• What do you usually do to get a sense of emotional balance?

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Daily Devotional
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Sermon Theme: "Vital Signs"
Text to read: 1 Samuel 24:1-15

• What events or life situations cause you to feel emotionally stressed?

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Daily Devotional
Monday, September 11, 2017
Sermon Theme: "Vital Signs"
Text to read: 1 Samuel 24:1-15

• What are the warning signs in your life when you are emotionally fragile?

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San Diego, California 92108, United States

(619) 297-4366

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