1 Samuel 15:1-16:23 + John 8:1-20 + Psalm 110:1-7 + Proverbs 15:8-10
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Old Testament - Wow. Big reading day today! David is anointed by Samuel. Saul meets David for the first time! The story of David begins! I am excited! In First Samuel 15 we read about Saul destroying most - but not all... - of the Amalekite nation. God's commands were clear to destroy all. Saul, simply put, disobeyed. Verses 22 and 23 sum up this chapter powerfully when Samuel says this to Saul: "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you from being king."" Obedience is far better than sacrifice... think this is still true today? Are you more of an obedient person or a sacrificial person before God? Do you believe that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols? Below is a powerful painting of Samuel reproving Saul from today's readings by the Boston-born colonial artist John Singleton Copley from the year 1798:
The One Year Bible Companion has a great answer to this question about today's readings, "Why did David not become king after he was anointed?" as follows: "David was anointed king, but it was done in secret; he was not publicly anointed until much later in Second Samuel 2:4 and 5:3. Saul was still legally the king, but God was preparing David for his future responsibilities. The anointing oil poured on David's head stood for holiness. It was used to set people or objects apart for God's service. Each king and high priest in Israel was anointed with oil. This commissioned him as God's representative to the nation." First Samuel 16 verse 13 is the first mention of David's name in the Bible, and it is a great verse to begin the story of David's life in relationship with God: "So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it on David's head. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him from that day on." Below "Samuel Anoints David" by the Renaissance artist Raphael from the early 16th century:
At the end of First Samuel chapter 16 today we read about David being summoned by Saul to play the harp to relieve Saul from the evil spirit that tormented him. The current and future (and now anointed) Kings of Israel meet! Below is "David Playing the Harp for Saul" by the French painter James Tissot from the year 1858:
Bible.org's commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled "Saul and the Amalekites" is at this link and commentary titled "The Designation of David as King" is at this link.
New Testament - I love John chapter 8 verse 12 today: "Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."" Do you believe that Jesus is the light of the world? Why would we want or need a light in this world? Do you believe there is darkness in this world? Do you need the light that leads to life?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in John titled "The Light of the World" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 110 is a powerful Psalm today! It is considered Messianic and some say the most prophetic of all the Psalms. Verses 1 & 4 are the 2 verses that are believed to be most prophetic of Jesus and both verses are referenced in the New Testament, most often verse 1.
Verse 1 -
"The LORD said to my Lord,
"Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.""
Verse 4 stands today, with very similar teachings to what we've just been reading about this in Hebrews this past week or so!
"The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
"You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek.""
Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 110 titled "David's Lord" is at this link.
Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 15 verses 8 & 9 today teach us: "The LORD hates the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. The LORD despises the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness." I'm a bit late on this image below that is perfect for Mother's Day regarding the prayers of the upright:
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the Dante Bowe song “Voice of God:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP5u4BUcq_U
Do you know the Voice of God? Click here for His Voice!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "When they kept on questioning him, he (Jesus) straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you recognize your own sinfulness. Pray that you have repented of your sin and placed your faith in Jesus' work on the Cross to redeem you from your sin. Pray that you will not "throw stones" at other sinners, like yourself.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Today's Proverb is a great opportunity to ask yourself - 1. How's your prayer life? and 2. Are you pursuing godliness in your life each and every day? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 - I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
1 Samuel 15:16-23
Saul, Saul, Saul this guy is in BIG trouble and so are the people he is king over. God appointed and anointed Saul as the people’s choice he wasn’t God’s choice. (13 Now see the king whom you have chosen and for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you.1 Sam 12). I believe you take on the character and attributes of the one you submit yourself to and Samuel had warned the folks what to expect. We must remember that God said their rejection of Samuel and his son’s to rule over them, their desire for a king, was not a rejection of Samuel but a rejection of God’s sovereignty over their lives.
The exchange Saul and Samuel had over whether or not Saul had done the will of God, was really a debate over whose reality was the truth, God’s or Saul’s. I believe Saul believed in his own deception, just like we do. Saul was stubborn in holding on to what he wanted to be true but if it ain’t the Word of God it’s not truth.
When Samuel is sent to anoint one of Jessie’s sons, he knows three things, 1) God has removed the anointing from Saul and 2) Saul’s insecurity would cause Saul to try to take him out (I wonder if we seriously stop and take a look at insecure people will we find enraged individuals trying to do or wishing harm on the people they think are the problem? Instead of trying to work on their own shortcomings, they try to eliminate the threat. Just something to think about), and 3) God had already picked the one He wanted (1 Sam 13:13-14).
I love the story of how David was picked because it shows us that God wants our hearts not our bodies, whether we are fat, short, tall, skinny etc. That tells me then that the essence of who we are is not in our outside appearance, it is in our hearts. Thatis what God wants David wasn’t even considered worthy enough by his own family to be called into the house when Samuel shows up. He was the son and brother no one wanted to recognize.
11 Then Samuel asked, "Are these all the sons you have?"
"There is still the youngest," Jesse replied. "But he's out in the fields watching the sheep."
Samuel had asked Jessie to call all of his sons into the house not just the ones he recognized.
John 8:1-21
Most of us know very well the story of the Woman Caught in Adultery, even unbelievers know this one. This is the story that is usually thrown up in “believers” faces along with the words, “Don’t judge me. Even Jesus didn’t judge the Woman caught in Adultery.” Yes that is true but Jesus sent her away telling her to, “…Go and sin no more.”
The verses following the story of the woman and her accusers are difficult verses for those who say that Jesus was only a prophet or just a good man and never called Himself God. The Book of John is a marvelous book. John had to truly write this book under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit because it does reach out and grab you and force you to make a decision about who Jesus really is.
If Jesus was only a prophet or just a nice man verses twelve through nineteen would mean Jesus was a crazy nice man who did good and by the way, was also a prophet. I don’t think we usually go down to our mental institutions looking for the Son of God.
Jesus who was and is He? The choice to decide has been given to us.
Psalm 110: 1-7
Ah, this Psalm, and the last verse (But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way. He will be victorious) brought to my remembrance a refrain from Psalm 24 that gives an image of the triumphant King Jesus,
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Proverbs 15:8-10
8 The LORD hates the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
A semi-translation of the eighth verse as per Ramona, Wicked people can sacrifice all they want, but all they are doing is having a barbeque.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | May 13, 2022 at 09:14 PM
I love the 15th chapter of 1 Samuel..the calling of David. I don't know why that grabs me. Maybe because I am the youngest of 3 or looked at in small lenses at work. I relate to David. Others might not regard me but God sees our heart. Love it.
John..I always wondered in John 8 what Jesus was righting in the sand..was it the Torah, was it just pure doodling or a response to the people . Either way his words and actions reflected the people's choice. He who is without sin cast the 1st stone. They all had a bout of conscience..amen!
Psalm..this was always debated in the Bible. How can my Lord say to the Lord. He is, was , is to come. Love it
Posted by: Deedee | May 14, 2022 at 02:29 PM