1 Samuel 11:1-5 New International Version (NIV)
Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh
11 Nahash[a] the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.”
2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”
3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.”
4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. 5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with everyone? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said. Mon. July 6 - 2 Samuel 11:1-5 Identity Issues Making plans is wise, but wise planning is rooted in who we are: loved children of God. In 2 Samuel 11 David forgets this. He is God’s chosen and anointed King of Israel. He did nothing to deserve this. He forgot who he was and whose he was. This simple thing, forgetting his identity as a loved and blessed child of God, led him to make huge mistakes (adultery, impregnating another man’s wife, covering it up, murder). This seemingly small thing changes the rest of David’s life. Are your plans rooted in Christ? Do you seek God’s will in buying a house? When searching for jobs or schools? When making seemingly normal life choices? Is your identity as a child of the risen King your foundation? It can have bigger future implications than we often realize or are willing to admit. Start your plans for the week in God’s love.