Solomon had the opportunity that many would love to have. He could ask anything that he wanted of God. Solomon's request tells us much of him.

Abram (Abraham) had already received the promise of a land and a nation (Genesis 12:1-3). In fact, God had already shown him the Promised Land (Genesis 13:14-17). In this chapter, God establishes His promise of a seed to Abraham and confirms His promise with a covenant. We know this as the Abrahamic Covenant.

Authority for truth is the right to determine what the truth is.

David is in charge. As such, it is a day of forgiveness and mercy (Shimei and Mephibosheth). It is a day of grace and blessing (Barzillai and Chimham).

Bible commentators recognize this chapter as a difficult one to interpret. It is good to approach this chapter as having three major sections: 1) the coming destruction of the land which will come because of 2) their rejection of the good shepherd and 3) their acceptance of the evil shepherd. This chapter points to the rejection of Jesus Christ as Messiah and to the acceptance of the antichrist and the destruction of the land of Israel during the Tribulation.

In this psalm, Israel has suffered affliction and destruction and now seeks the help of God her Shepherd. Israel is as a vine which once filled the land in prosperity but has been burned and cut down. The psalmist pleas with God to visit this vine and cause His face to shine on them once again.

There are several practical lessons here including doing good to those who have done good to you, avoiding shaming people publicly, and fighting the battle of this life with courage and complete trust in the work that the Lord will do for us.

Samuel, the gift of God to a praying mother, ministered in his early years. God worked in his life and used him mightily.

This psalm mourns the defilement of the temple and the destruction of Jerusalem. It almost certainly refers to the Babylonian conquest under Nebuchadnezzar. The psalmist cries, How long, and pleas that God remember not their former iniquities. The psalm closes with a confirmation that they are God’s people and that they will give Him thanks forever.

What giant’s do you face in your life? By studying David’s victory over Goliath, you can learn how to face your giants.