DAILY TEXT, From today Friday April 28, 2023, You are going to be king of Israel (1 Sam. 23:17).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Friday April 28

You are going to be king of Israel (1 Sam. 23:17).

David was fleeing for his life, for Saul, the mighty king of Israel, was determined to kill him. Since he had nothing to eat, he stopped at the city of Nob, where he asked for only five loaves (1 Sam. 21:1, 3). Later, he and his men took refuge in a cave (1 Sam. 22: 1). Why was he in this situation? Seeing that David was so popular and had won so many battles, Saul was eaten up with envy. He also knew that because of his disobedience Jehovah had rejected him as king and had chosen David to occupy the throne of Israel (1 Sam. 23:16, 17). But, since he was still the king of Israel, Saul had a huge army and many who supported him, so David had to flee for his life. Did Saul really believe that he could oppose what Jehovah had said about David? (Is. 55:11). The Bible does not say but we can be sure of one thing: that he was putting himself in a dangerous position. Those who fight against God always lose out. w22.01 2 pars. 1, 2.

How was David feeling despite everything he was going through?

David was a humble man. He did not choose to be the king of Israel; it was Jehovah who did it (1 Sam. 16:1, 12, 13). As a result, Saul hated David to the death. But David did not blame Jehovah for the dangers he was going through. Neither did he complain about having little food and having to take refuge in a cave. On the contrary, it may be that while he was hiding in that cave he composed the precious song of praise that includes the words of our theme text: “Those who seek the Lord will not lack anything good” (Ps. 34:10).

What questions will we answer, and why are they important?

Many of Jehovah's servants today do not have enough food or other necessities for life.b This has been the case especially during the recent pandemic. And the situation will worsen as the "great tribulation" approaches (Matt. 24:21). For all this, let's look at the answer to four questions: in what sense did David lack "nothing good"? Why should we learn to be content with what we have? Why can we be sure that Jehovah gives us care for? And how can we prepare now for the future?

How does Psalm 23:1-6 help us understand what David meant when he said that God's servants would lack “nothing good”?

What did David mean when he said that Jehovah's servants would lack “nothing good”? Something that will help us understand it is to analyze some similar words that we find in Psalm 23 (read Psalm 23:1-6). David begins this psalm saying: “The Lord is my Shepherd. I will lack nothing”. In the rest of this psalm, David mentions the things that really matter: the abundant spiritual blessings he enjoys because Jehovah is his Shepherd. Jehovah “leads him in paths of righteousness” and loyally supports him through thick and thin. David recognizes that his life in Jehovah's “grassy meadows” will not be without its problems. He may feel discouraged at times, as if he were walking “in the valley of deep darkness”, and he says that he will have enemies. But, since Jehovah is his Shepherd, David affirms: “I will fear no evil.”

So, in what sense did David lack “nothing good”? In a spiritual sense, he had everything necessary. His happiness did not depend on material things. He was satisfied with what Jehovah gave him. For David, the most important thing was to have the blessing and protection of his God.

According to Luke 21:20-24, what difficult situation did first-century Christians living in Judea face?

David's words teach us that it is very important to have a proper view of material things. It is true that we can enjoy the material goods we have, but we should not let them occupy the first place in our lives. That is a fundamental truth that the first-century Christians living in Judea came to understand (see Luke 21:20-24). Jesus had warned them that one day Jerusalem would be "surrounded by encamped armies." When that happened, they would have to flee to the mountains. If they did, they would be saved, but they would have to leave behind a lot. A few years ago, The Watchtower said: “They abandoned their houses and fields, and did not even collect their household goods. Trusting in Jehovah's protection and support, they put his worship above everything else that might seem important.”

What weighty lesson does what happened to the Christians in Judea teach us?

What weighty lesson does what happened to the Christians in Judea teach us? The Watchtower mentioned in the previous paragraph said: “We may face tests regarding our view of material goods. Will these have a fundamental importance for us, or will the salvation that will come for all those who are on the side of God be more important? Yes, flight may involve certain hardships and privations. We have to be prepared to do whatever it takes, like the first-century Christians who fled Judea.”c

How do the advice the Apostle Paul gave the Hebrews encourage you?

Can we imagine how difficult it must have been for those Christians to leave almost everything they had and start a new life in another place? They needed faith to trust that Jehovah would help them get what they needed. But five years before the Romans surrounded Jerusalem, the Apostle Paul had given the Hebrews some helpful advice. He said: “May your way of life be free from the love of money, and be content with the things you have. Because he has said: 'I will never leave you and I will never forsake you.' So we can confidently say: 'Jehovah is my helper. I will not have fear. What can man do to me?'” (Heb. 13:5, 6). How did the Christians who took Paul's advice to heart before the Roman invasion fare? Surely it was less difficult for them to adapt to a simpler life in their new home. They were sure that Jehovah would provide for their basic needs. Paul's words assure us that we can have that same confidence.

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