09272025 I Will Dwell in the House of the LORD forever

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the eternal God, who invites us to share eternity with Him. David concludes Psalm 23 with these words: “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Throughout Scripture there is some breadth of meaning for the “house of the LORD.” Obviously, the temple was not built yet during David’s lifetime. I believe the heart behind David’s words is that of a close relationship or proximity to God, whether that be in this life or the next. The point of David’s statement is that it will never end, so I believe that his primary message is regarding eternity in heaven.

This would not preclude a closeness with God here on this earth, as the introduction to that forever-closeness. “And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever” (Ps. 41:12). “He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him” (Ps. 61:7). I believe both of these verses start with David’s closeness to God on this earth and continue with his closeness to God in heaven.

David highly esteemed God’s house and close fellowship with God. “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple” (Ps. 65:4). “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me” (Ps. 69:9). Again, this started with earthly fellowship and earthly passion, but it ends in forever in a place beyond what this world can offer.

David did not expect his closeness to God to end when he died. David believed in eternity. God had revealed this truth to His followers even before the written Scriptures introduced it, and David had a personal revelation from God in the Davidic covenant. “When thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I raise up thy seed after thee” (I Chr. 17:11). “Going to be with his fathers” meant more than death; it meant reunion with people who were now living with God. After his child died, David anticipated an eventual reunion with that child. “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (II Samuel 12:23).

David fervently believed in “forever.” This started with knowing that death was not the end. “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Ps. 16:10). While the second part of this verse is fulfilled in Jesus, Psalm 16 is personal for David, and the first part of the verse indicates he does not expect to stay in the grave. David expected a long life, but even the longest of lives on this earth does not equate with David’s expectation of forever and ever. “He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it to him, even length of days for ever and ever. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever” (Ps. 21:4,6a). David expected to live beyond this life.

David did not hold this expectation for himself only, but for all of God’s true followers. “For the LORD loveth judgment and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever” (Ps. 37:28-29). Whether referring to Israel in particular or God’s followers in general, these verses cannot be ultimately fulfilled on this fallen earth. The wicked still exist, and no one has yet received an inheritance or land that cannot be threated. Those scenarios will change only in eternity.

Several verses seem to reach the pinnacle of David’s joy and wonder as he considers eternity with God. “As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Ps. 133:3). Life forever! “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations” (Ps. 145:13). Everlasting kingdom! How could there be any clearer statements about eternity!?

Then grasp this! David was not speaking abstractly or objectively. He wasn’t referring to eternity merely as a fact or detail. The fact that something lasts forever does not make it inherently good or desirable. But in the case of dwelling with God forever … Well, in that setting, David exclaims: “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11b). Eternity with God will be unimaginable joy and splendor that we cannot even comprehend. So David prays, “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings” (Ps. 61:4). Starting in his lifetime, David desired this closeness and belonging; he expected that it would never end.

I find it very interesting that this final statement of Psalm 23 is tacked on almost as an afterthought. David has described the many glorious ways in which his Shepherd cared for him, and then he closes with, “Oh, by the way, I’ll live in His house forever” without elaborating. But this simple statement absolutely overwhelms, engulfs, surpasses, and supersedes everything that has come before it! Compared to this phrase, the others are bland.

The wonder of God as our Shepherd doesn’t end with death; it grows astronomically. Think of it this way. Of all the things in verses 1-6a, which of them will still be true or needed in eternity? God will still be our Shepherd and will still supply all that we need, but no one in heaven will be thinking about needs. He will still be with us. That won’t change. He will still provide abundantly for us.

But think of the negatives – the things that will no longer apply. There will be no need or deprivation in heaven. There will no need of protection and oversight, because there will be no enemies or dangers. There will be no need for times of refreshment and peace, because everything will be that. There will be no need for our souls to be restored, as they will never again be crushed by hurt or fear, doubt or disappointment. There will be no need for guidance or for sanctification, because we will be made perfect in His presence. There will be no valleys, no shadows, no death, no fears, no evils, no threats. There will be no need for comfort or even for the written Word of God, as we will see God Himself clearly revealed and will have all the knowledge that He intends for us. There will be no enemies and no times of especially pressing needs. There will be no need for goodness and lovingkindness to sustain us during the trials or even drudgery of this life. No, no. All of these things will be gone – perhaps remaining as memories of God’s goodness and care for us in this life – but swallowed up in dwelling with Him in His house forever! What a glorious conclusion to a wonderful psalm!

Conclusion: This psalm is not written like theology. It is written as David’s personal testimony. Not one statement is empty or merely academic; it is all very personal. There are no trite or glib statements made simply because they are the right thing to say. David fervently believed these things. He had seen them and experienced them in special and meaningful ways.

While not written as theology, nevertheless, it is theology. Therefore, it can be the personal testimony of every believer. The details that you and I fill in will not be the same as David’s details. David’s life is not your life or my life, but David’s God is your God and my God. This can be our testimony, too. “The LORD is my shepherd.” Each of these statements can be just as special and meaningful for us as we also experience the special walk with our Shepherd and look toward eternity with Him.

I hope you have gleaned some of the profit, enjoyment, and encouragement that I have through this extended look at Psalm 23 through the eyes of David. God bless!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

09202025 All the Days of My Life

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the faithful God who never changes. What He was yesterday, He is today, and He will be tomorrow. David recognized this when he anticipated, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” The previous two sections have talked about God’s goodness and lovingkindness. It is important to know what those terms mean, and it is helpful to understand what those two characteristics meant to David. Ultimately, however, David’s point was not just to mention these important attributes, but to express his confidence that they would continue with him faithfully through all of his days. David fully expected that God’s goodness and lovingkindness would never fail or cease.

This statement flows out of everything that has come before. All the previous declarations of David (that God had provided, guided, protected, refreshed, comforted, blessed) are manifestations of God’s goodness and lovingkindness. David has seen these interactions throughout his life so far, and he now states that he is certain they will continue to follow him for the remainder of his days. Why would it ever be any different? God does not change. Both David’s experience and his knowledge of God’s character provided irrefutable arguments that God’s previous actions as a Shepherd would continue faithfully through to the end.

David wanted to abide in the same beautiful relationship with God that he had experienced in the past. He knew the importance of remaining faithful and continuing to seek God, and he wanted that for every day of his life. “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple” (Ps. 27:4). As David continued his devoted walk with God, he had every expectation that God would continue to act toward him in the same faithful and wonderful ways.

Just as God always expresses lovingkindness, so are His ways always filled with it. David did not believe that God was sometimes favorable and sometimes contrary. All God’s paths were lovingkindness, so as David walked those paths, he could expect to see lovingkindness for all his days. “All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies” (Ps. 25:10).

David’s own testimony illustrates that God’s goodness and lovingkindness did follow him all the days of his life. When God gave His covenant to David, He promised to continue His lovingkindness even beyond David’s life to his son Solomon. “I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee” (I Chr. 17:13). David responded by acknowledging God’s blessing on his house and his faith in believing that God’s favor would continue. “Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever” (I Chr. 17:27).

Near the end of his life, David gave instructions for Solomon and for the people in what may have been his last public address. What was important for him to say at that time? He prayed, “Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name” (I Chr. 29:10-13). He prayed words that praised God’s greatness and that recounted how God’s good hand had been with him and had mightily blessed him. Here at the end of his life, he could see that God’s goodness and lovingkindness had been with him all his days.

We also have what was one of David’s last private conversations. “Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; and keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: that the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel” (I Kings 2:1-4). Again, we see a man at the end of his days who sees the blessing of God’s goodness to him and his family.

Earlier in his life David had expected God’s goodness and lovingkindness to accompany him all his days, and when he reached those end days, his words indicated that it had been so. His last words were optimistic, awe-filled, and thankful, as he made a point to tell others of God’s goodness to him.

Some of you have many days remaining, while for others the days are fewer, but all of you can rest assured that God’s goodness and lovingkindness will follow you all of your days, to the very end! God bless.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

09132025 Surely Lovingkindness

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the kindest, most loving, most compassionate Person who exists. David said, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

The second attribute of God that David expected to follow him all his days is mercy (chesed). Like “goodness,” it can be translated as kindness, goodness, or favor. It can also be translated as mercy or pity, giving the idea that the kindness stems from a generous heart response to someone’s difficult situation. It can also carry the idea of faithfulness. I prefer the term “lovingkindness” for this gentle and faithful love that responds with sympathy and kindness to the struggles of the one loved. With 50 references in his psalms, David had a lot to say about this very meaningful aspect of God’s character.

David notices that God’s lovingkindness abounds. There is no shortage. “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Ps. 86:5). “The multitude of thy mercy” (Ps. 5:7). “Plenteous in mercy” (Ps. 86:15). “Of great mercy” (Ps. 145:8). “Plenteous in mercy” (Ps. 103:8).

A common way David expresses the greatness and vastness of God’s lovingkindness is by comparing it to the height of heaven. “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Ps. 103:11). “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens” (Ps. 36:5). “For thy mercy is great unto the heavens” (Ps. 57:10). “Thy mercy is great above the heavens” (Ps. 108:4).

David also recognizes the longevity, constancy, and eternality of God’s lovingkindness. “Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old” (Ps. 25:6). “Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me” (Ps. 40:11). “The goodness of God endureth continually” (Ps. 52:1). “Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever” (Ps. 138:8). “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him” (Ps. 103:17).

David gives two interesting pictures of God’s lovingkindness. He states that it surrounds, like a mother’s loving arms or a hen’s protective wings. “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about” (Ps. 32:10). He also says that God stacks it or dumps it on top of his head. “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Ps. 103:4).

With all of these attempts to describe the wonder of God’s lovingkindness, it is no wonder that David refers to it as precious and good. “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings” (Ps. 36:7). “But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me” (Ps. 109:21).

The previous two verses refer to God’s deliverance being a result of His lovingkindness, and this is an action that David focuses on. God’s repeated deliverance of David stemmed from His heart of abundant love that compassionately noticed David’s difficult situations. “Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake” (Ps. 6:4). “Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore” (Ps. 18:50). “For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved” (Ps. 21:7). “Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake” (Ps. 31:16). “Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city” (Ps. 31:21). “He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth” (Ps. 57:3). “The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies” (Ps. 59:10). “He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him” (Ps. 61:7). “For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” (Ps. 86:13). “Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy” (Ps. 109:26). “And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant” (Ps. 143:12). The next verse summarizes many years of David’s life, revealing that God in His lovingkindness, did indeed deliver David time and time again. “And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand” (I Sam. 23:14).

God’s lovingkindness also caused Him to forgive David’s sins, as He looked on His frail servant who wanted to do right but sometimes failed. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions” (Ps. 51:1). “Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD” (Ps. 25:7). David threw himself on this compassion after he numbered the people. “And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man. And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand” (II Sam. 24:14,16).

Perfect love casts out fear, and David was able to rest and trust in God because of His lovingkindness. “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation” (Ps. 13:5). “Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them” (Ps. 17:7). “I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever” (Ps. 52:8). “But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies” (Ps. 69:13,16). “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust” (Ps. 143:8). “My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me” (Ps. 144:2).

Lovingkindness was an important part of the relationship between David and God. Because of it, God always did what was right. “Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work” (Ps. 62:12). Also because of it, David wanted to do what was right. “For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth” (Ps. 26:3).

Rightfully, David praised God for the abundant lovingkindness that was always with him, that delivered and sustained him. “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities” (Ps. 31:7). “I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation” (Ps. 40:10). “I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy” (Ps. 59:16-17). “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee” (Ps. 63:3). “I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing” (Ps. 101:1). “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness” (Ps. 138:2).

It is with great understanding and appreciation that David earnestly prays: “O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee: and thy righteousness to the upright in heart” (Ps. 36:10). He both needed it and expected it every day.

May you also richly experience and rejoice in the abundant, delivering lovingkindness of God!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

09062025 Surely Goodness

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our good God! David was comforted by these words: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

These two words giving characteristics of God are similar and can be translated in the same ways (kindness, goodness, favor), but goodness is a broader term, whereas mercy (lovingkindness) carries a more personal flavor. By my count, good/goodness occurs 16 times in David’s psalms, and lovingkindness occurs 50 times. In several cases, they are linked within the same verse. David talks about these characteristics so much that I am currently looking just at God’s goodness.

David viewed goodness as a fundamental characteristic of God. This goodness was sure to be observed by anyone who looked at God. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Ps. 34:8). This goodness was not a minor quality, but something that abounded in great quantities, readily available for God to pour it out on His children. “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (Ps. 31:19). God’s goodness is neither hidden nor limited to just a few people, but is evident to all. “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Ps. 145:7,9).

David saw that God’s name was good, which allowed David to wait on God. “I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints” (Ps. 52:9).

David saw that God’s Spirit was good, as He led David with clarity and effectiveness. “Teach me to do thy will: for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness (Ps. 143:10).

David saw that God’s temple was good, and being there brought satisfaction. “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple” (Ps. 65:4).

David saw that God’s lovingkindness was good, resulting in good and kind responses from God. “But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me” (Ps. 109:21).

David saw that God’s actions were good. God performed all the good promises that He had made to David. “And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel” (I Sam. 25:30). God did good things for His people and His city. “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem” (Ps. 51:18). Because of His goodness, God taught His underserving people how to walk. “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way” (Ps. 25:8). God thought favorable thoughts about His people and was willing to forgive them because He was good. “Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD” (Ps. 25:7). “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Ps. 86:5).

This good God gave good things. One of those good things was making David king, but He also gave other blessings. “For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head” (Ps. 21:3). God gives every good thing that His children need. “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing” (Ps. 34:10). God continues to give good things throughout the believer’s life and strengthens him for what he must face. “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps. 103:5).

At times, it was hope in God’s goodness that allowed David to carry on. There were moments when David did not see God’s goodness as clearly as at other times, but because God is unchangeably good, David always expected to see a renewal of God’s goodness. “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (Ps. 27:13).

We cannot underestimate the importance of having a good God. Many false deities throughout history have not been perceived as intrinsically good, and the adherents of those gods lived in fear, uncertainty, and despair. Our God is always good, always kind. He shows His favor by giving good things and by always doing the right thing – both now and for all the days of our lives.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

08312025 My Cup Overflows

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who gives … and gives … and gives. David said, “My cup runneth over.” Both David’s writings and his experiences are filled with descriptions of God’s abundant blessings to him. David had sufficient so that he was well satisfied. “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips” (Ps. 63:5). He was so filled by his life with God that he felt abundance that exceeded even pleasant circumstances. “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and wine increased” (Ps. 4:7).

David recognized the abundance of God’s general provision. “Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness” (Ps. 65:9,11).

David was blessed with a stellar reputation. Even as a young man, he was viewed as “cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him” (I Sam. 16:18). “His name was much set by” (I Sam. 18:30). The public at large loved him. His advancement “was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants,” the women sang about him, and “all Israel and Judah loved David” (I Sam. 18:5,7,16).

At first David had great favor with the king. Saul “loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight’” (I Sam. 16:21-22). Saul praised David: “Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail” (I Sam. 26:25), and Saul twice offered his daughters as wives for David (I Sam. 18:17,23).

David was admired and given favors by other great men. Ahimelech the priest recognized and reinforced David’s high reputation. “And who is as faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?” (I Sam. 22:14). The king of Moab respected David enough to provide long-term housing and protection for David’s family (I Sam. 22:3-4). The king of Gath gave David one of his cities as a home and base of operations (I Sam. 27:6). After David became king, the king of Tyre supplied the materials and manpower to build David a palace (II Sam. 5:11).

David experienced abundance in his family. Although the plethora of wives and sons led to some challenges for David, there is no question that his cup was overflowing when it came to family. He had at least nineteen sons and one daughter that were born to his wives, and there were additional children born to his concubines (II Sam. 3:2-5; II Sam. 5:14-16; II Sam. 12:24; I Chr. 3:1-9; I Chr. 14:3-7). He had at least eight wives: Michal (estranged for a time – I Sam. 18:27); Abigail and Ahinoam (I Sam. 25:42-43); Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah (II Sam. 3:2-5; I Chr. 3:1-3); more wives (II Sam. 5:13; I Chr. 14:3); Bathsheba (II Sam. 11:27).

David was abundantly blessed by God by being made king. God gave David the amazing position of rule over “the house of Israel and Judah” (II Sam. 12:8). God gave David the Davidic covenant, promising his line would always reign and that David would be greatly blessed by God (II Sam. 7:8-21; I Chr. 17:3-27). David acknowledged his wonder at God’s blessing, as God “promised this goodness unto thy servant: now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever” (I Chr. 17:26-27). David saw the next step of that covenant when he watched Solomon take over through a peaceful transition. “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it” (I Kings 1:48). David’s testimony continues: “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage” (Ps. 16:5-6).

David experienced great abundance, not just because he was king, but in how his reign was blessed by God. David acknowledged “the honor of thy servant” by God and that He had “done all this greatness” (I Chr. 17:18,19). As king, “David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him” (II Sam. 5:10; I Chr. 11:9). His approval rating was astronomical: “whatsoever the king did pleased all the people” (II Sam. 3:36). Eventually, “the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies” (II Sam. 7:1,11). “David gat him a name” as he expanded his kingdom by conquering the Philistines, Moab, Zobah, the Arameans, Ammon, and Edom (II Sam. 8:1,2,3,5,7,10,13; II Sam. 10:18-19; II Sam 12:30; I Chr. 18:1-13). David gained territory, cities, and strongholds.

David’s success as king extended beyond military advancement to the accrual of great wealth. In the midst of his advances, he gained servants, tribute, chariots, horses, shields of gold, and large amounts of bronze, silver, and gold (II Sam. 8:1,2,3,5,7,10; II Sam 12:30). After one victory before he was even king, David recovered enough spoils that he was able to share them with at least fifteen cities (I Sam. 30:26-31). He acquired enough riches that he was able to provide the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, onyx, precious stones, and alabaster for the temple. In addition to the provisions specifically for the temple, he also gave 3,000 talents of gold and 7,000 talents of silver (I Chr. 29:2-5). Although David was probably not referring exclusively to material wealth, he could truly say, “I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me” (Ps. 13:6). “Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness” (Ps. 21:2-3a),

David experienced abundance in his relationships. Perhaps foremost was the deep and fervent friendship of a loyal friend. “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (I Sam. 18:1). David had his mighty men to serve him – three exceptional men, among thirty chief men, and a total of thirty-seven superb individuals (II Sam. 23:8-39; I Chr. 11:10-12,26-47). Additionally, David had warriors, “mighty men of valour” who came to him and fought with him. I count over 340,000 soldiers, with some from every tribe, who supported David as he came to be king (I Chr. 12:1-38). “For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God” (v. 22). David had the blessing of some very faithful advisors: Zadok the priest, Benaiah, and Nathan the prophet. These men, along with the mighty men, stood by David at key moments and through the worst of times (I Kings 1:8).

Finally, David’s cup overflowed in his long and rich life. David foresaw, “Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations” (Ps. 61:6). And so it happened. “And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour” (I Chr. 29:28).

David had the right response to such abundance. He both anticipated and rendered praise to God for His rich blessings. “Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about, for thou shalt deal bountifully with me” (Ps. 142:7). “I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude” (Ps. 109:30). David summed up his entire life of abundance with this great challenge to himself: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Ps. 103:2). It is interesting that Psalm 103 focuses not primarily on the physical blessings explored by most of this study, but on the rich spiritual blessings that are even more incredible. David speaks of God’s forgiveness, healing, preservation of life, lovingkindness, tender mercies, strength, righteous judgments, knowledge of Himself, mercy, grace, longsuffering, compassion, righteousness, and sovereignty. If none of the material blessings had ever happened, David’s cup would have been overflowing just with these spiritual blessings.

David was not alone. God shows such blessings to all His people. “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD” (Ps. 144:15). “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Ps. 34:8).

With all David’s trials, I would probably not think to categorize his life as one of abundant blessing, but the great list in this study proves it to be so. Likewise, in my own life, it can be easy to focus on the trials, the suffering, and the negatives – to think about what God has NOT given. But, like David, when I stop to list out and consider all the good things He HAS done and HAS given, my list is long indeed. My cup is overflowing, and all I need to do is take time to count my blessings, name them one by one. And it will surprise me what the Lord has done!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA