Our apartment had to wake up promptly today to turn in our economics problem set at 8:10. We had to rush because I heard that they didn't accept anything after class started at 8:10. At lunch I went and had intermezzo with ditster, and after econ discussion I studied with sean, joseph, and the ditha.

From there, joseph went to dinner with henry, while sean and I ate some fat slice. At 7, the two of us walked over to bible study and stayed until 8. At 8, a large number of us walked over to the main stacks to study, but discovered every table occupied. Some of us went to Dwinelle to study while some others stayed behind at the library.

Having a classroom in Dwinelle all to ourselves was pretty fun and productive. I got a lot of work done today.

Devotion time questions:

2 Samuel 16

What circumstantial and emotional factors might have caused David to believe Ziba’s false story of Mephibosheth without a more careful investigation?

David was grateful to Ziba for his kindness in providing for him and his men, and also emotionally strained because he was fleeing his own son who was trying to take the kingdom.

David’s judgment seems to have been clouded by Ziba’s generosity towards David and his men. He believed Ziba’s story of Mephibosheth’s disloyalty without investigating the truth. What lesson is there here for me regarding my sense of objectivity, fairness and seeking actual facts toward people who are generous or kind toward me?

I need to be on my guard against deceitful people, since believing them could be harmful for others in my life. Don't be quick to believe in negative things said about others, even by people who seem kind or generous.

Reflect on Ziba’s wicked conduct. Is there something about his disloyalty, deceit, and opportunism that I need to be warned against?

David had communicated with Ziba many times previously in regards to providing for Mephibosheth. However, when the opportunity appears for Ziba to take all that is his masters and tarnish Mephibosheth's good name, he seizes it. We need to be aware that kind words and flattery are not always genuine, but could be self-seeking and wicked also.

What sort of person is Shimei? What is his view of how God works? Have I ever attributed someone’s misfortunes to God’s judgment based on my own preferred interpretation on the matter?

Shimei believes that since David seems to be in a bad situation, then God must be against him.

Reflect on David’s response to Shimei. What is amazing about David’s response? What does this show about David’s view of God?

David lives out his faith that God is sovereign and in complete control of all situations, whether good or bad for David.