Daily Devotional

A book about success and failure - Character Counts

2 Samuel 22:2-3 Lord, You are my stone stronghold and my fortified place; You are continually delivering me. He is my God, my strong stone - in Him I will find my refuge - my shield, the strength of my salvation, my high tower, my way of escape, and the one who is saving me. You will save me from violence.

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." Albert Einstein

The book of Samuel unfolds during the final days of the judges and concludes with the elderly David firmly established as king over Israel and Judah. Samuel, the last of the judges and the first of the prophets, was a man of exceptional purity and spiritual insight. He was wholly committed to fulfilling God's purpose for Israel.
Samuel found himself in the role of "kingmaker," commissioned to anoint Saul, the first king, and David, Israel's greatest king.

Saul, the king, is a complex and enigmatic figure. Although he possessed great physical courage, he lacked the steadfast determination necessary for true greatness. His inconsistent temperament strained all his relationships, and an overwhelming fear of potential rivals clouded his judgment, affecting his ability to reason.

David, a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14), is one of the significant figures in biblical history. Like Saul, he came from a humble background, but his gifts were of the highest order. He was a born leader of men, able to win and retain their allegiance. Some of his most faithful servants came from outside Judah and Israel.

David was a wise administrator and an astute judge of human nature. He was a highly gifted poet, and his songs of praise enriched the worship of both the temple and, later, the Christian Church. One might think that achieving such greatness at such a high cost would have made him strong enough to resist temptation. Unfortunately, his ability to resist was no greater than that of other men. Even considering the era in which he lived, he was not particularly steadfast when confronted with temptation. Despite his weaknesses, however, he clearly understood God's purposes for His people and foresaw the coming of the messianic king, whom he imperfectly reflected in his life.

As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success (2 Chronicles 26:5)