Big Idea
This month's memory verse
31 "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. 32 For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?"
He sang:
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
the one who saves me from violence.
2 Samuel 20
The Revolt of Sheba
1There happened to be a troublemaker there named Sheba son of Bicri, a man from the tribe of Benjamin. Sheba blew a ram’s horn and began to chant:
“Down with the dynasty of David!
We have no interest in the son of Jesse.
Come on, you men of Israel,
back to your homes!”
2So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed with their king and escorted him from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.
16But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.” 17As he approached, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?”
“I am,” he replied.
So she said, “Listen carefully to your servant.”
“I’m listening,” he said.
18Then she continued, “There used to be a saying, ‘If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’ 19I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel.* Why do you want to devour what belongs to the Lord?”
20And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town! 21That’s not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.”
“All right,” the woman replied, “we will throw his head over the wall to you.” 22Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.
23Now Joab was the commander of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard.
2 Samuel 22
David’s Song of Praise
1David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. 2He sang:
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
3my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
the one who saves me from violence.
4I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.
17“He reached down from heaven and rescued me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
18He rescued me from my powerful enemies,
from those who hated me and were too strong for me.
19They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress,
but the Lord supported me.
20He led me to a place of safety;
he rescued me because he delights in me.
29O Lord, you are my lamp.
The Lord lights up my darkness.
30In your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall.
31“God’s way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
32For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
33God is my strong fortress,
and he makes my way perfect.
34He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
35He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
36You have given me your shield of victory;
your help* has made me great.