INTRODUCTION

For the most part, David’s reputation is one to be admired. That reputation as a servant of God and of Saul was established by his pattern of godly behaviour. According to scripture, David’s “name was much set by.” Why? Because he “behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul.” The way in which David conducted himself even during times of extreme adversity caused the people of God to speak of him often and he became elevated in their minds and hearts. David moved ahead of Saul in popularity not by eloquent speeches of self-aggrandizement, but merely because he allowed God to use his good behaviour to gain a godly reputation among the people. In similar fashion, men today are still not going to develop good reputations apart from the right behavior.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children):Read what David wrote in Psalm 101:2I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
  See All...a. When living in the land of the Philistines, king Achish had nothing but praise for David (1 Samuel 29:3Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
  See All...). When the apostles needed helpers, read what kind of reputation the chosen men had to exhibit (Acts 6:3-5 [3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. [4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. [5] And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
  See All...).
• (For everyone): What is your behaviour among believers? What is your behaviour among nonbelievers? How has this formed your reputation? What kind of reputation have you formed?
• What kind of things did David do early in his life in order to develop a good reputation? What must you do if you would like to have a good reputation?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to show you the reputation your behaviour will likely develop.
• Thank God for those in your life who have given you the right example.

HYMN

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