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Read: 2 Samuel 20-24

Today’s reading is 2 Samuel chapters 20 through 24, and we finish the book of 2 Samuel. Congratulations on completing another book of the Bible!

A lot happens in these chapters. We see continued conflict and war after battles against the Philistines, David’s final words, a song of praise to God, and reflections on David’s life and leadership. My favorite part of today’s reading is definitely chapter 22 where David praises God so deeply and passionately after everything that he had walked through.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior…” -2 Samuel 22:2–3

“I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.” -2 Samuel 22:4

One note that I found interesting is that the word “shield” can also carry the idea of sovereignty and protection, and the “horn” is often used symbolically throughout Scripture to represent strength and power.

David continues praising God throughout this chapter. My favorite verses in chapter 22 are 7, 17–20, 22, 29, 31–33, 36, 40, 47, and 50. Even after all of David’s failures, hardships, battles, and consequences, he continually points back to God as his source of strength and salvation.

Part of the historical and devotional context I’m sharing here comes from A Beautiful Year in the Bible, which reflects on these chapters as the twilight years of David’s reign. David looks back over his life and gives credit to God for his victories, protection, and survival.

David started as the youngest son in a large family, not the line-up you’d expect for a great king. I think this was the path God had planned for him all along. David’s reign included incredible victories, but it also included very serious sin, especially involving Bathsheba and Uriah, along with painful personal and political consequences that followed (A Beautiful Year in the Bible). Yet throughout all of it, we still see God’s mercy, restoration, and faithfulness present in David’s story.

One thing that really stands out to me from this devotional reflection is the reminder that the opposite of grace is often our expectation of perfection. We try to meet standards which we could never achieve on our own, and when we fail, shame can completely consume us. But God does not abandon us because of our mistakes. He is patient with us through restoration, growth, repentance, and redemption. No one is too far gone for God’s grace!

The Beautiful Year in the Bible devotional uses beautiful imagery about God being a bridge builder. God’s grace becomes the bridge across the impossible gaps in our lives. What feels broken, weak, ruined, or beyond repair can still be transformed by Him.

As humans, we fall short constantly. We are sinners. We are imperfect. We have limitations. But through God, we also have the ability to grow, heal, repent, and make different choices moving forward.

This applies to parenting as well. As parents, we are going to make mistakes. We are going to have moments where we fail, react poorly, lose patience, or parent in ways that are not always aligned with God’s design. But we can seek forgiveness, grow, learn, and invite God into our daily journey of motherhood. God gave our children to us for a reason. He entrusted them to us intentionally. That does not mean we parent perfectly, but it does mean that we can continually seek Him for wisdom, guidance, conviction, grace, love, and strength along the way. Easier said than done sometimes, I know. But with God, all things are possible! 

“… with God all things are possible.” -Matthew 19:26

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you most from David’s song of praise in chapter 22?
2. Why is it important to remember that God can still work through imperfect people?

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