Saturday, July 18, 2026: Bringing Back Our King: Scripture Union Daily Guide
Are you looking for the Scripture Union Daily Guide 18th July 2026? Discover today’s devotional reading, Bible passage, and reflection to strengthen your spiritual journey. This Daily Guide provides clear, scripture-based insight and life applications to help you grow in faith, understand God’s Word, and live a Christ-centered life. Whether for personal devotion or group study, today’s message is a timely word for your walk with God.
TOPIC: Bringing Back Our King
BIBLE READING
2 Samuel 19:31-43
1 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.”
34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.”
38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.”
39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell, and Barzillai returned to his home.
40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over.
41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?”
42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?”
43 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?”
But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.
QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION
►Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
►Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Barzillai, a very old man and one of the three persons who provided for David and his people in his days of affliction (2 Samuel 17:27-29), also came to join in the king’s convoy as he returns home. What can we learn from David and Barzillai in 2 Samuel 19:33-37? David is a model of a grateful person who was determined to reciprocate Barzillai’s act of kindness. Barzillai on the other hand, provided for David purely out of love and not for anything that he could get from him. He was not the greedy pleasure-seeking and materialistic person who will always want to acquire more.
Notice that Kimham gained a lifetime of living with the king on account of Barzillai’s relationship with David. Let’s live such life full of love for Jesus our King, That can attract others, especially our family members to Him. Imagine the drama in 2 Samuel 19:41-43! When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7).
The ten tribes of Israel are now fighting with Judah over who owns David more! Read 2 Samuel 19:43 and Proverbs 15:1 and note how softer response from Judah would’ve averted the looming revolt.
CLOSING PRAYER
Abide with me, O Lord, for only you are sufficient for me!
PRAYER FOR THE WEEL
Pray for the forgiveness of the grievious sins of your nation. Pray that God’s judgement will be in the earth, so that people may learn righteousness. Plead with God that in his wrath, he will remember mercy.
BIBLE READING PLAN
Isaiah 23-27
Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.(Scripture Union Daily Guide 18th July 2026)