This week, I’m celebrating the first birthday of my novel, A Seat at the Table. Just as the songs I feature each week point readers back to Scripture, I wrote my book to do the same. Joy’s story may be fictional, but the truths she wrestles with are very real. Together, let’s use elements of her journey to launch us into Scripture as we consider the authority of God’s Word and how we can apply it to our lives.
In this episode, we dive into David’s story in 1 Chronicles. At first, David relies on his mighty men for advice on moving the Ark of the Covenant—but he doesn’t consult God’s Word. The result is tragic. Later, David pauses, goes back to the Scriptures, and discovers God’s clear instructions. His course correction reminds us that our good intentions aren’t enough—we need God’s truth to guide us.
Key Points
- Joy’s struggle is our struggle: She longs for guidance but keeps choosing the wrong voices because she doesn’t have a firm biblical standard.
- The Authority of Scripture: God’s Word isn’t just helpful—it is the inspired Word of God, sufficient to guide our decisions and shape our worldview.
- David’s lesson in 1 Chronicles 13: Like Joy, David consulted wise advisors and thought he was doing the right thing, but he failed to seek God’s way through God’s Word.
- A holy pause: When life goes sideways, pause, take your questions before the Lord, and let His Word bring clarity and direction.
Scripture References
- Proverbs 21:2 – “People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.”
- Proverbs 12:15 – “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives…”
- 1 Chronicles 13–15 – David seeks counsel from his mighty men but fails to seek the Lord’s instructions on moving the Ark.
- Deuteronomy 10:8; Numbers 4:14–15 – God’s specific instructions for handling the Ark of the Covenant.
Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs) Used
- Review section headings – Get your bearings in a long book of the Bible by reviewing the section headings.
- Read in context – Read 1 Chronicles 10–16 to get the full picture of David’s leadership and mistakes.
- Make observations – Pay special attention to the type of men David consulted and recognize what was missing: God’s voice.
- Follow the cross-references – Read the Scriptures David most likely consulted (Deuteronomy 10 and Numbers 4)
- Pray – When your plans fall apart, stop and ask God to examine every step under the light of His Word.
- Follow the standard – Measure your decisions against the authority of Scripture, not just good intentions or trusted advice.
“We failed to ask God how to move it properly.” — 1 Chronicles 15:13
My book coach, Brad Pauqette, interviewed me about the novel when it was first released. Enjoy the interview below.
More Than a Song Playlist
Additional Resources
- Download the free Episode Guide
- Michelle’s guest appearance on The Company podcast – YouTube Link
- A Seat at the Table – a Christian Redemption Novel by Michelle Nezat – Amazon Paid Link
- Bible Interaction Roadmap Bible Study – videos and assignments that will equip you with habits you can use over and over in your own Bible Study – Learn More
- Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources – Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week’s Challenge
Read 1 Chronicles 10-16 to get the full context of what is happening with David and the Ark of the Covenant. Meditate on the type of men David sought counsel from and recognize that what was lacking was the voice of God in the process. Use my free Episode Guide to help guide your study of this account in Scripture. If you’re inspired to develop a Biblical worldview like Nanette talks to Joy about in my novel A Seat at the Table, I’ve put together a paid Bible study that will give you a roadmap to walk you through six ways to interact with God’s Word using Psalm 103, another Scripture I introduce in “A Seat at the Table.” Finally, if you’re interested in reading the novel, I’ll link to it in the show notes. It’s also available on Amazon, and you can learn more at michellenezat.com/books.
