But some evil troublemakers among David’s men said, “They didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.”

23But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. 

Lord God my Father,

Keep evil at bay and keep my heart in your delight. Allow your will to be mine and give me discernment as to your way. Capture each thought before I can direct it and cause it to become mine.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord’s anointed one? 10Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.

 I’ve never found a single flaw in you from the day you arrived until today. 

Lord God my Father,

Help me to not ponder your plan and change it to serve me. Thank you for leading me, help me to be obedient without compromise.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive!

5May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them.

When the Lord has done all he promised and has made you leader of Israel, 31don’t let this be a blemish on your record. 

David replied to Abigail, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! 33Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands.

 “Praise the Lord, who has avenged the insult I received from Nabal and has kept me from doing it myself. Nabal has received the punishment for his sin.”

Lord God my Father,

You are life, evil tries to destroy you but forever fails. Keep me in your favor and protect me from the ways of evil. Help me to trust your plan and timing. Give me patience to allow you to fight the battle in front of me in your timing.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.

Lord God my Father,

You are my strength and my refuge. You have planned my day. Help me to follow your plan without hesitation.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

I will praise the Lord at all times.

I will constantly speak his praises.

2I will boast only in the Lord;

let all who are helpless take heart.

Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,

and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

22But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.

No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Lord God my Father,

I praise you in my struggles, for your plan makes me strong. You are my strength and delight, keep me close and protect my heart.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. 

But what Saul had in mind was that David would be killed in the fight.

26David was delighted to accept the offer. 

Rescue me from my enemies, O God.

Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.

2Rescue me from these criminals;

save me from these murderers.

3They have set an ambush for me.

Show no mercy to wicked traitors.

But as for me, I will sing about your power.

Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.

For you have been my refuge,

a place of safety when I am in distress.

Lord God my Father,

You are my God, I want to follow you without delay. Help me to surrender and protect my thoughts so the deceiver doesn’t have access. Protect my thoughts and keep them focused on you with discernment. Save me from those who hate you and help me allow your peace to inspire others as it flows from me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

And the Lord was sorry he had ever made Saul king of Israel.

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit16:14 Or an evil spirit; also in 16:15, 16, 23. that filled him with depression and fear.

 Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”

Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.

Lord God my Father,

Keep me in your Grace and give me courage to overcome the strongholds that keep me from completely doing your will. Help me to trust your plan and allow your spirit to guide me courageously. Give me discernment to know evil and keep me protected from it.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”

So Saul said to the priest, “Never mind; let’s get going!”

Lord God my Father,

Help me to be in complete agreement with your desire. I surrender my thoughts and wish for you to have your way.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.”

Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?”

 “Stay here, for I have received a special message for you from God.”

At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person.

When Saul returned to his home at Gibeah, a group of men whose hearts God had touched went with him. 27But there were some scoundrels who complained, “How can this man save us?” 

“No,” they replied, “you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe.”

Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! 

Lord God my Father,

Help me to trust in your plan especially when I don’t know what your up to. Keep me humble and open to hear. Allow the Holy Spirit to be my guide, I am tired of struggling on my own, I need you. Keep the attack away and cause me to thrive.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Don’t be stubborn and rebellious as Pharaoh and the Egyptians were.

 “If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” 

Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods.

But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. 20“We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.”

Lord God my Father,

Help me to hear and know you, expose my sin and allow me to rely on your strength alone. Help me to clean my life of my own sinful nature and only follow you. Keep me from wanting to be like those around me but be yours alone.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen