Bible in a Year Blog

May 24th Bible in a Year Readings

2 Samuel 4:1-6:23 + John 13:31-14:14 + Psalm 119:17-32 + Proverbs 15:31-32
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Old Testament - Second Samuel chapter 4 verse 11 stood out as David said this to the 2 murderers of Ishbosheth: "Now what reward should I give the wicked men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Should I not also demand your very lives?"  Similar to the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul and reported this news to David, David was not happy with the news.  This all reminds me of the old adage that you cannot fight evil with evil - you'll get corrupted in the process.  These 2 guys murdered an innocent man, thinking they were doing a greater good for David.  David disagreed.  Are there times in our lives where we do something wrong / bad / lie / evil for what we think might be a greater good?  Aren't we then corrupted in the process?  Do we go from left to right in this photo below? :)  (sorry, couldn't resist this silly image!  On the website where I found this image, they labeled this photo, "The Dog I bought versus the Dog I got"... :)

In Second Samuel chapter 5 David is anointed King of Israel!  Israel and Judah are now united - but they will be divided again only a short 75 years later.  Verse 7 is the first time the term Zion is used in the Bible: "But David captured the fortress of Zion, now called the City of David."  Below is a visual of Jerusalem at about this time that David conquered it from the Jebusites - and to the right the map shows the growth of Jerusalem just 50 years later in Solomon's time.  (1000 B.C. to 950 B.C.) We'll come back to this visual when we get to Solomon in our readings.

 

In Second Samuel chapter 6 when the Ark is brought back to Jerusalem verse 14 is phenomenal to imagine: "And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly tunic."  And David's words in verse 21 are something for you and I to consider in our lives today - "So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD."  Are you willing to act like a fool to show your joy in God?  Have you ever danced before God with all your might?  Think you ever could?

Bible.org's commentary on our Second Samuel readings today titled "A Place of One's Own" is at this link and "When God Rained on David's Parade" is at this link.

New Testament - I love the dialogue today between Thomas and Jesus in John 14 verses 4 through 6!  Somehow I didn't quite remember the context of Thomas' question setting up Jesus' profound statement in verse 6.  Beautiful.  Jesus starts us off in verse 4 - "And you know where I am going and how to get there."" "No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We haven't any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."  These last two sentences of Jesus' we've probably all heard many times.  But how often have we asked Thomas' question either to ourselves or to God or to now one in particular - "how can I know the way?"  Jesus answers this for us perfectly.  Have you ever felt in your life that you didn't know the way? Do you believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?

Verses 12 through 14 today are so convicting for me - because I really rarely follow this teaching (or fully believe in it?) of Jesus' - "The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it!" Do you believe that you can do the same works Jesus has done, and even greater works?  I'll confess - I'm not so sure that I do.  I mean, it's encouraging to think that I could, even if I don't fully believe it.  And, yet, I believe most everything else Jesus teaches.  Why would I doubt this teaching?  Maybe it's because I have some sort of inferiority complex - or maybe I think it would be prideful to think this.  But Jesus teaches it quite plainly!  Or...  maybe...  I haven't really asked Jesus for the guidance and wisdom to believe this - and asked for even just this in his name.

Bible.org's commentary on our John readings today titled "Having a Friend in High Places" is at this link.

Psalms - Wow.  Psalm 119 verse 29 is powerful: "Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your law." Do you ever lie to yourself? If you answered no, are you lying to yourself now?  :)  I think that lying to ourselves is part of our fallen human condition.  I think we're probably pretty good at it.  And I think that maybe the cure for this is even found in this same verse - the prayer of "give me the privilege of knowing your law."   It is a privilege to know God's Word.  It is a free privilege, but a privilege that I think we can often take for granted or simply ignore.  Through our study of God's Word let us pray that we allow God to show us any area of our life where we might be lying to ourselves.  And let us allow God to redeem that area and give us the clarity of Truth.  Like this Psalmist, will you pray to God and ask Him to keep you from lying to yourself?  Will you pray this prayer often?

Proverbs - Proverbs 15 verse 32 I think is one great reason for us to be in community with others: "If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding."  I think if we are not in community with others, we can avoid criticism.  Which is just as good as rejecting criticism.  But, if we are truly in community with others - and yes, community can and should be messy really - then we will inevitably be criticized at some point and in some way by those around us in community.   But this is a good thing!  We need to listen to correction from those around us.  We need to grow in understanding.  Let us live our lives in community!

Worship Video: Today's readings in John remind me of the terrific Phil Wickham song "Battle Belongs:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtvQNzPHn-w

Are you fighting a battle? Click here for your Battle Victor

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are loving everyone you come in contact with in your life. Pray that the world will see you are a disciple of Jesus, because of your love for others. Pray that you will love others like Jesus loves you.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Are you in community?  A community that will actually constructively criticize you from time to time?  And will you listen to this criticism so that you might grow in understanding? 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 Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

Mephibosheth's nurse was one any mother would want to have take care of her son.A 5year old can be a burden to carry when you are running away from danger.There was also no prize at the end of the race because Mephibosheth had nothing to give anymore.His nurse's devotion in the light of all the fights and murderings chapter truly is refreshing.
There was a time Michal loved David.When David became a fugitive he got other wives,Michal became wife to a man who loved her.In deutronomy 24,there's a part that speaks about a woman who's husband had sent her away not being allowed to marry her again if she had married another.True David had not divorced Michal but neither did he make any attempt to keep her AND now she was married to another man(who cried and wept when she was taken away).Maybe behind the disdain in Michal was pain,hurt.David claimed to be dancing for the Lord yet he hadn't asked God before separating Michal or marry dozens of wives some of which were Israelites.
Sometimes I watch people go all "spiritual" dancing,rasing holy hands etc before the Lord in church then after church(or still in church after the worship)behave nasty...then I wonder if truly they had worshipped God or simply enjoyed a good tune in church.Michal may have kept household gods but David sure did nothing to boost her faith in God by his actions.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you MUST love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
The way we treat others who are our brothers and sisters...the way we treat people in general preach louder sometimes than empty words we say rather than practice.I work in a mostly haotic environment where trying to answer many impatient people at once can really be a challenge.Many times I try to keep in mind that I ought to be light(my unsaved collegues sometimes act really nasty)...sometimes I fail and have a guilt party.Once a lady met me at a christian conference and hugged me saying she had come to my place of work and I was so kind and patient to her that she was certain I was a christian,seeing me at a christian conference confirmed it.
So many times it's hard to understand that people come from different backgrounds,cultures etc and I get my patience stretched thin...it's always good to note the world is watching us as followers of Chirst.Our ways may lead others to Christ,make already existing christians stumble or worse give the world yet another reason to despise Christ.I pray we all be filled with love for God and one another.

Greater works....I have grown to have a lot more knowledge of the bible in the past 4months,I have been convicted of many issues and (I hope)have been transformed to be more like my dad and big brother in heaven.If this is true for the 2000+ people reading this blog and they in turn share with others what they have recieved then truly we together are doing greater works....some are cutting up pieces of meat for others,some are making sure we stick to studying the bible,some make us smile as we read the posts and get encouraged...like John once told me,....Mike I'm sure God's proud of you...and everyone here...

God bless you all
Anka

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Mike, the 1st part you spoke about brought to mind the ethics class I just finished. What you wrote is definitely Kantian, but then I think of people like the Ten Booms, Dietrck Bonhoffer, and people in the French resistance who took Jews by boat to England and if they were stopped by the SS had to lie, who disobeyed the government and even lied to its officials. Am I corrupting myself when I truly do lie for a GOOD cause. I know I'm opening a can of worms, but I wanted to see what everyone thought

Kate

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Anka's insight to David being insensitive to his wife Michal is a view I hadn't considered. I am convinced that our love for God is reflected in how we treat one another, espcially our loved ones. While David was certainly right to celebrate for the Lord, he dismissed Michal pretty quickly despite his long abscence (or maybe we just don't have the whole story).
As for doing great works, as Jesus states in the NT reading today, I would have to say that what we consider 'great' and what God considers 'great' could be two different things. Some of us have more humble stations in life and by our standards it may no be great, but if you are obediant to God and love as God loves then we are doing great things. As Oswald Chambers reflected on in his daily devotional "My Utmost for His Highest", if we lead lives in obediance to God, then we produce rivers of living water. Where that water goes to is not our business. In other words, one person you are kind to or share your faith with may go on to be the next Billy Graham or Pope John Paul II therefore affecting millions more. These are the great works I think Jesus talks about in today's reading.
Have a good one.
Jim

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Can anyone think of a better verse than Psalm 119:32 where it says, "I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free." Jesus said, if the Son shall set you free you shall be free indeed. (John 8:31-36) and He also said, If you continue in my Word you are truly my disciples and the truth shall set you free.
Freedom comes from being like the person James wrote about in James 1:25 'who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and CONTINUES TO DO THIS, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he/she will be blessed in what he does."
Another great verse we read recently in Psalm 107:20 was where it says, "He sent forth his word and healed them..." So many choose to live in bondage, even in bondage to their religious systems. Their religious systems become 'God' to them more than the refreshing teaching, living word of Jesus. No wonder Paul exhorted the colossians in 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

I don't know about anyone else but I want to keep on running in the path of His commands, for He is forever setting our hearts free. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Gal. 5:1

Luch

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Yes, I believe that Jesus/God/Holy Spirit has a very very good sense of humor; for instance the end of April I went to a small conference at the Vineyard Church here in OKC & heard Bobby Connor speak that night. It stormed really bad that night & we prayed really hard for it not to hit the church where we were gathered & God honored those prayers but not so over some of Oklahoma that night.

Anyway, during the praise & worship I saw a young man on the front row praising & worshipping the Lord with abandon & it touched my heart so that I began to focus all my prayer on my 23 yo son, that one day soon I would get to see him praise & worship the Lord with abandon too (for sure before I go home to be with my Lord).

When Bobby Connor was teaching/preaching, he told us that most times God gives him a sign in regard to something is is praying about...supernatural signs & wonders & some of them are really odd/strange.

SO...the next day when I was in a Sales Meeting at work, the phone rang & the receptionist answered it & called me out of the meeting & said something had happened to my apartment; so I called the apartment office & she said that someone had run into our apartment with their car!!! It was in my son's room right at the head of his bed & knocked the bed & nightstand forward & picture off the wall. My son had gone to work earlier in the morning so he wasn't in his room/bed when it happened or he might have been injured really bad.

To make a long story short...when I came home that evening from work, of course I surveyed the damage & it was a huge huge crack in the wall from ceiling to floor...a huge Word Picture for sure!!! I ask the Lord what happened here & this is what I hear Him say, "BREAKTHROUGH!"

I was so excited I was beside myself with joy. I will always have that beautiful Word Picture stamped in my memory/hard drive & that lovely voice of His with excitement too. That was my sign for my prayers also (especially in regard to my 23 yo son)...BREAKTHROUGH in his/son's room & in both of our lives.

I am so glad that God has a very very good sense of humor, He sure made me laugh instead of cry that day.

They have finally sheet rocked the huge crack/breakthrough, but not taped & bedded yet inside the room & have not fixed the brick on the outside of the wall. There is scaffolding still there holding up the brick.

Yes, I have danced with abandon more than once before the Lord like David...but not enough. Have done it public & private...public is the hardest, but corporate dancing/worship is so powerful in the Spirit realm...worshipping in Spirit & Truth is so awesome & free in Him.

Jan

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I will take a different take on sense of humour subject. Sense of humour is a very vague and over-lapping subject. I think devil has great sense of humour in the sense it can titillate and stimulate our senses... Dark humour/ Black humour/ slapstick humour/ Earthy Humour that is overflowing in all media.... is what that can really make us laugh.

But then I wonder whether we should put boundaries on humour and tag it strictly as godly or ungodly... ? Humour is mysterious really. Say, if someone slips on the floor and tumbles to a fall, it may appear as funny. But it actually may result in a grave injury to the fallen. So, what is so funny about it! ? :-)

So, humour is one of those things that belong to the mystery realm. By the way, one can be amazed to trace funny dark humour in various parts of OT. I guess it is there for a purpose. ;-)

Emberglow

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Sorry to be so verbose today; just so much meat!

Recab and Baanah: They thought they were going to find favor with David, the King, because they believed they were supporting his position as Israel's king. Isn't it interesting how when we take up an offense for someone, we end up being the "bad guy?" I think that is why police do not like involve themselves in "domestic quarrels," because likely as not, the spouse they try to protect will turn on them.

I do not mean to imply that David was wrong to have turned on these two cowards. They were misguided in their desire to help the "cause" of the king, but it was not THEIR "fight." How can one find common ground, if they have a whole "army" of folks going after their heads out of some misguided loyalty. We may THINK we know that someone will be grateful when we uphold their cause, but in the end, we probably misunderstood what caused the breach in the first place and in the second place how to mend it, and it certainly will turn itself on us.

Numbers:
Maybe pertinent--maybe not, but I find it interesting that David reigned 40 years as king (same as Saul) and that the first 7 years of his kingship in Judah began when he was age 30 (same as when Jesus began his ministry) and he reigned as king over all Israel and Judah 33 years (the number depicted when Jesus was crucified).

11 more sons; a total of 17 now: I know the caption was "David conquers Jerusalem," but to me the relevant text had to do with 11 more contenders for the throne -- and Solomon was not even born yet!

I wonder how David had time to be a "husband" to his wives, and then I remember that in those days, having a husband was tantamount to having protection: food, clothing, and shelter. I imagine their concept of polygamy was more a matter of "sharing the wealth," instead of our understanding of polygamy today.

idols:
"The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off." Why do we not read that they destroyed the idols? Last night I was watching a program on PBS about the people in Bolivia who work the mines. The Spaniards erected idols that they misnamed "Tios" because they did not understand that the word was "Deos" for God, and the "Tios" were considered evil spirits who would punish the miners if they were not paid homage. The devastation that this caused those poor people praying to idols was heartbreaking, and the Christians who tried to teach them about Jesus' love were unable to convey to them that God has more power than those idols.

Uzzah! Uzzah! Uzzah!
For years I struggled with this portion of scripture. It caused me to fear God, and that is a good thing, but I could not understand WHY God would be so harsh with Uzzah when he was protecting the Ark of God; should he have just let it fall off the cart when the oxen stumbled? It was very perplexing to me.

Then my eyes were opened one Sunday while sitting in church and listening to John MacArthur explain that God wants our obedience first, and the emotions will follow. A case of putting the cart before the horse?--or the "oxen" if you will. So many times we have to guard against putting our emotions (feelings) above what we know to be God's will. Only the Levites were allowed to touch the Ark of God, and Uzzah knew this. God was fully capable of protecting his own Ark, but what a hard lesson for all those who saw God strike him dead.

love:

A new "command" Jesus gave to us: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

This was not a request. So how does Jesus love us? I have seen so many people attempt to define love; I suppose we all have our concepts of what constitutes love, but for me it is summed up in one word: Sacrifice.

I do not believe any mother loves another's child like she loves her own, but it is not just because it issued from her body or was adopted, nor because it was the culmination of her expression of affection for the baby's father. No, that "love" is expression of her diligent service to that child from conception, when she begins to wonder about the future of the child, the anxiety of childbirth, the labor and delivery that require teeth gritting effort and the joy of a beautiful infant, but it does not end there; it goes on to the daily diaper changing, spitting up of food administered during all hours of the night, the daily "sacrifice" of nurturing, teaching, tending...and no one loves your child like you do.

Why?

Because YOU have sacrificed. I think that is one of the reasons we are told to do good to those who hate you and pray for them who despitefully use you.
Matthew 5
43: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46: For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

In my father's house:
This verse has great significance to me because it was my son's favorite. He would say: "In my father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."

I believe my son is in one of those mansions now. That gives me great peace.

obey what I command:
How do we really know if someone loves God? "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me."

"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching."

"...the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you..."

HOW?
How can we be reminded of everything Jesus has said to us if we do not ever get it in there in the first place? It is one of the reasons I cherish this One Year Bible reading...so that the Holy Spirit can bring it to my remembrance.

Psalm 119

David expounds of the value of the law here; he certainly knows that rulers are gathered together scorning and having contempt for him, but his counselor is God's statutes, and he meditates on the law, seeks understanding (open my eyes that I may see). It reads like a plea to "teach me your decrees" and to understand the teaching of the Lord's precepts that will result in meditation on His wonders. Keeping God's laws has set David's heart free.

Proverbs:
And the Proverbs underscore that we need discipline and rebuke in order to gain understanding.

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I just LOVE Psalm 119!

Verse 26) I told You my plans, and you answered.
Now teach me your decrees.
In Dutch: Ik heb U alles verteld wat ik heb gedaan en U hebt mij ook antwoord gegeven. Leer mij nu hoe ik naar Uw wil kan leven.
~ This verse is so beautiful! When I read this, it made me think of something that happened this week. I was going through a hard time the past week about making a choice. A choice that would change A LOT. I prayed over this asking the Lord how to do this, I asked for directions and did the same prayer over and over again. Till Monday ... then instead of ASKING for directions, I TOLD the Lord about my plans. And He answered in the most beautiful and clear way! I could hear Him talking to me! It was a wonderful experience which gave me the courage to cut the knot. On Tuesdaymorning I was on my knees, thanking and praising the Lord for His help. And He covered me with blessings that day. I cut the knot I needed to and He lifted me up and carried me through it. God is just so good! He gave me strength to do what I had to do. Sometimes I can be insecure in what I have to do. I keep on doubting if I can do a thing being a Christian. I don't really know how to explain this feeling. But I can wonder about things that I want to do, I constantly ask myself "Can I do this or that? I'm a Christian and that seems not Christian-like". But God is teaching me His decrees. I took a step in the right direction and from that point, He could teach me! I told Him about my plans and that was an open door for Him to teach me! He wanted me to figure it out by myself in order to give me the blessings! This incident was such a revelation for me!

Yes, I'm in a community. The church I go to is named "De Deur", we have a fellowship all over the world. (Potter's House & Open Door) I really love this community! It's a wonderful community! And I'm so glad I've found them! I'm only saved for 9 months, so they're not really criticize (yet). I'm a 'newborn', so they pretty much only encouraging me, which I love! I know when I'm saved longer, it will change. Not that they stop encouraging!!! But I know they will sharpen a bit. My husband and I have a good understanding with our pastor, we talk with him a lot. He's really encouraging towards us, and tells us how great we are doing. It's nice to have such encouraging! My husband didn't ask for our pastor to disciple him yet, but I know that from the moment he asks, he'll get criticism from time to time. But it will help him grow. I know my husband takes criticism very well, I'm glad to. That way his understandig can grow and there's place for God to work on my husband.

Mae

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Hahahaha! The doggie pic is gr8! How do you do it my friend?!!! Bless you.

I think of the Lord's amazing sense of humor and His merciful, gentle,
ever lovingkindness- gently making a point.
What a sobering thought visualizing the pic: does He see me this way or has He
pictured me this way; as I think about situations been in and my response/actions!
That pic will be with me and associated with the Word.

May The Lord bless your ministry, freshly annoint it each day, increase it, and honor and grace you abundantly as you serve Christ Jesus to the Glory and Praise of His name!

Susanne

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Lots of head toting in the Samuel books! Also found 2 Sam 4:4, about Jonathan's son, to be so random! Aw, David became king at age 30, what a great prime age! :p. I like how he never rushed things, he waited for God's timing. He let God establish him.
I like how David always stopped and asked God first what to do. He could have rushed in to attack the Philistines just thinking God had his back. But he coinsulted the Lord first.

Wow, seems kinda brutal that Uzzah was struck bcos the tried to steady the Ark after the ox stumbled. Maybe i'm missing something. kinda seems like a reflex, if i see something that starts to fall or something, its kinda a reflex to steady it. Hm, i'll have to get out my commentary on that.
I love John 4:3...i think thats the 2nd verse i memorized as a child. Love the Proverbs!

Jenny

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I noticed the rebuking from Proverbs to the Psalms. Thinking I'm too good and smart to learn from anyone anymore. Being able to hear rebuking and discern if it's something I need to listen to or not. Jesus's way is the only way. All good things get done only if in His Word, His laws

Cynthia

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Something stood out to me today (but it was in yesterday's reading of John 13:21-25) that I hadn't thought about before. Why did Peter motion to John to, "Ask Him which one He means." [would betray Him], when Peter usually just popped out with the questions? It hit me that he motioned to John to ask because John was thought to be the youngest disciple and at a Seder meal, as the Last Supper was, the youngest asks the questions.

Will

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Hello, I thank God for you Mike. You have no idea what this bible study has done for me. For years I tried to become interested in the bible but I found it boring and whats worse is I could not understand a lot of it. It had no meaning for me. Now it just jumps out at me with so much meaning, I finally get it. There arent many days where I dont think of God, he is becoming very important in my life and I just couldnt imagine my life without him. So I thank God for caring enough about me to bring you into my life and so many others.I pray that one day God will also use me so I can make a difference in someones life.

Linda

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2 Samuel 5 and 6

Three things came to mind about this reading.

The first was at about 5:10 we see the time in David's life was messy chaotic, confusing and the raw historical events were a way Yahweh used them and worked them out in a way for his purpose. From here on we see all the ways David exercises his kingship, good and bad.

The second, is watching the ark being moved and I wonder did he ask God about moving it to Jerusalem? David did the right thing but he did not do it the right way. A lesson for us all.

Third, David's "inappropriate" worship and this opens up the question about my worship. Is it real from the heart and pleasing to the Lord? I have danced in church, (alone) because my spirit was moved to do so. The Lord can use that for his glory.
Amen.

John 14: 2-3
Where are we going?.

The Lord is preparing a "room" for me! Sooo Cool. I believe this is the ultimate consolation of the Christian faith. I am very pleased, humbled and filled with joy by being called a child of God. Re: 1 John 3:1-9
Thank you Lord.

Robert

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2nd Samuel 4:1-6
I love reading the story of David and I know he was a man after God's own heart but at the same time..I feel for all the women ..long list of women and children that were his. Can't help to feel for Michal who was his first wife but thrown to the side and then reclaimed as property just to be one of many when she had a husband that really cared for her. I know there are two sides of the story and I get it. She was the daughter of Saul so I'm sure she had some of him in her and she must have done something detestable because she barren.

Book of John: the dialogue between Thomas and Jesus. He was genuine to Jesus. Master, how do I know which way is right? Jesus told him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life..wow.

Psalm 119
Have I ever lied to myself? Sure I have. We don't want to face the truth at times. Do I want to improve. Absolutely. Absolutely...

Proverbs 15:32 part b: listen to correction, grow in understanding! That is what I want to gleam from here on out. I want to grow..and grow and grow

Dee

May 23rd Bible in a Year Readings

2 Samuel 2:12-3:39 + John 13:1-30 + Psalm 119:1-16 + Proverbs 15:29-30
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link, or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament - Today's Second Samuel readings are quite dramatic!  We start off with the beginnings of what I think you could call a civil war between Judah and Israel in chapter 2 verses 15 through 17: "So twelve men were chosen to fight from each side—twelve men of Benjamin representing Ishbosheth son of Saul, and twelve representing David. Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrust his sword into the other’s side so that all of them died. So this place at Gibeon has been known ever since as the Field of Swords. A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David."

In chapter 3, it is interesting to see how David got so mad at Joab for killing Abner.  Understandable for many reasons - murder being the main one - but also Abner was working to bring David's kingship to all of Israel.  Joab's murder of Abner threatened the civil war between Judah and the rest of Israel to start up again.  To the right below is a wonderful image from an illuminated Bible from the year 1250 of David dining with Abner before the murder.  In the smaller left hand frames you can see David sending Abner back to Israel, and then in the lowest left hand frame you can see Abner stabbing Joab.

And below is an image of David mourning at Abner's graveside as we read in 2 Samuel 3 verse 32 today: "They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king and all the people wept at his graveside."

Bible.org's commentary on our Second Samuel readings today titled "Two Bald Men, Fighting over a Comb" is at this link.

New Testament - Wow.  Jesus' teaching in John 13 verses 14 - 17 are so powerful today: "And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. You know these things--now do them! That is the path of blessing."   Are you on the path of blessing?  What might it mean to "wash other's feet" today?  Yes, perhaps at times it literally means wash other's feet.  Could it mean other acts of service as well that perhaps we maybe think we are "too good for" or "above" in any way?  Jesus humbled himself to wash other's feet.  Are you humbling yourself to serve others in ways that your ego might not like?

Bible.org's commentary on our John readings today titled "Menial Service" is at this link and commentary titled "Judas" is at this link.

Psalms - Whoo-hoo!  Today we begin Psalm 119, the longest Psalm and chapter in the Bible! This Psalm is a beautiful meditation on God’s Word and how it helps us stay pure and grow in faith. Almost every verse in this Psalm mentions God’s Word.  I pray that this Psalm is encouraging to you as you read through the One Year Bible!

Today in Psalm 119 verse 11 we read: “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Have you hidden God’s word in your heart? So that you might not sin against God? Do you realize that all sin is indeed a sin against God? Are you memorizing Scripture on a regular basis? And, more importantly, reflecting on Scripture?

Proverbs - Proverbs 15 verse 30 today teaches us: "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."  This is a great reminder to spread good cheer to others and to not hesitate in sharing good news with others whenever possible. It brings joy to the heart and health to the bones!  And, well, no, I don't think this Proverb is talking about this kind of healthy bone below...  :)

Worship Video: Today's readings in John remind me of the Chris Tomlin song "I will Rise:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKRF8UihM5s

Will you Rise when Jesus calls your name? Click here to Rise!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are memorizing and meditating Scripture on a regular basis. Pray that you will not sin against God because of His Word and Spirit dwelling within you.

Comments from You:  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 Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our 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 Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

2 Samuel 2:12-3:39

Something I have wrestled with for years. (You know it is hard to discuss David’s faults or character failures amongst a lot of people: they throw stones at you.). The wives, and they are only the ones he married in Hebron; the failure to restrain his nephews, the wavering between seeking God and allowing God to work to bring about what He declared to pass; but I think there may have been a little seed of vengeance that grew up in him. We see that tendency to drift over into vengeance in his dealings with Nabal. It is “the I deserve it mentality” we get. I call it a spirit of arrogance. It may not manifest itself all the time, but it is akin to the us-four-and-no-more mentality and the “posse” mentality we see in many celebrities. This should be no surprise to the readers because Samuel declared this very thing when he warned them what they would get with their king (1 Samuel 8: 9-18).

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense, in the time when their foot shall slide; for the day of their disaster is at hand and their doom comes speedily. (Deuteronomy 32:35 AMP)

Has anyone ever wondered why God requires us to leave vengeance to Him? I believe something happens to us when we seek it, it turns us into little god like idols seeking to direct and control outcomes. David had a relationship with Saul; after all, he had been his father-in-law before David took back his daughter as his wife. (By the way the taking of a sitting kings wife, or even a dead one, was a proclamation in the ancient world that one was claiming the throne-thus the incident with Palti and the rift between Ishbosheth and Abner). David didn’t have a relationship with Nabal, but he had one with his sister and her kids. One should also note that David wasn’t well liked by his brothers so there was more than likely a rift that had built up over time kept them on the outs, thus we don’t really read about his brothers or their off-spring being in the picture.

If one is observant with family dynamics and sibling rivalry, you will find that the one “picked-on” will usually try to show his worthiness to gain some iota of recognition. I am not sure if this a problem per say, but it can lead to doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons. If we look at David as a type of deliverer, then the One True Deliverer did not try to gain His Families approval when he went about ministering.

Now Jesus went home, and a crowd gathered so that they were not able to eat. When his family heard this they went out to restrain him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." (Mark 3:20-21 NET.)

While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside, asking to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to speak to you." To the one who had said this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" And pointing toward his disciples he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! (Matthew 12:46-49 NET.)

There is something that makes what Joab did a particular heinous crime. Hebron was a city of refuge (Joshua 21:13), a city set aside for anyone who had killed someone accidentally. Was Asahel’s death accidental? Wasn’t it done during a time of fighting? Is this something along the lines of, “You can dish it out but you can’t take it,” mentality? I do not believe Abner turned to face Asahel because the butt of the spear took him out not the tip. More than likely Abner thrust the sword attached to his side or even in his hand to try to knock the wind out of Asahel as he chased behind him.

Whatever way the death happened, Joab called Abner back into a city of refuge to kill him, a clear breach of the law.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====

Foot washing

I would like to comment more on the spiritual side of foot washing. Most commentators do not delve into this symbolism too deeply.

John 13:10
Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."

["The bath represents salvation and the foot-washing represents restoration. The "bath of salvation" is not something a believer takes every day. It is done once and for all when a person receives Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. From that time onward he is "clean" of sin--his sins are eternally forgiven and he is no longer "dirty" in God's sight--because of his identification with Christ. This is the "washing of regeneration" that is mentioned in Titus 3:5. The Lord told Peter that he had already received the bath of salvation (v10). He was clean, and so were the rest of the believing disciples--only unbelieving Judas was not clean (v11).....

....The believer's permanent relationship to Christ is pictured in the bath. The believer's daily fellowship with Christ is pictured in the foot-washing. The bath is for UNION--IN Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The foot-washing is for COMMUNION--WITH Christ (notice the "with" instead of "in" in verse 8). The link of union is so strong that nothing can break it (see John 10:27-29 and Romans 8:38-39). The link of fellowship is so fragile that an unholy walk will always break it (see 1 John 1:6).

How does the Lord wash the believer's feet? It is accomplished primarily by the frequent application of His Word to our lives. The Word of God is the means by which we get the bath. (See Psalm 119:93, John 15:3, Romans 10:17, 1 Peter 1:23.) The Word is also the way we get the foot-washing. David said, "How can a young man cleanse his way? By living according to Your Word" (Psalm 119:9). Our Lord said that those who believed in Him would be sanctified (kept pure and set apart for God's use) by God's Word (John 17:17, 20). Our bath and our foot-washings are both accomplished through the Word of God! In Ephesians 5:26 we read that "Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word." How important it is for us to read the Bible every day!"] growing christians .org

Ingesting of water is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. External washing of water is representative of the "WORD".

The bath is not baptism - baptism is the symbolic dying with Christ and being resurrected to a new life. The bath is symbolic of the one time cleansing of a believer's salvation. Their is stll a war between the "flesh" and the "spirit". In our daily walk, our feet get dirty with sin. By staying in the Word, and prayer (instructed by the Word) we can minimize dirt and cleanse what we do pick up on the "worldly" road.

Besides the physical act of servitude and humility, Jesus is telling the disciples (and all future Christians) "you should also wash one another's feet". You should be in fellowship and be in the "Word" with each other. You should not do this from a "holier than thou" perspective, but humbly with the attitude of love to help one another. Encourage, exhort, and edify one another in the "Word". This should be done frequently as our feet get dirty with greater frequency than many (including me:)of us would like to admit.

John

====

Some thoughts on Joab and Abner:
It's interesting to me that both these guys were second in charge, but took ultimate authority into their own hands. Their first conflict at Gibeon almost seemed to start as sport. It seems that the battle was not "authorised" by either David or Ish-Bosheth. (Please correct me if I'm wrong because the rest of this post is based on this thought!)

Ish-Bosheth seemed to be more of Abner's puppet than anything else, but then again, it was Abner who arranged Ish-Bosheth's kingship in the first place. So there was probably quite a lot of dependency there. It was Abner who made the decision to unite with Judah, albeit by creating fear in Ish-Bosheth.

When Joab, under David's kingship, was expected to unite with Abner, this was of course very difficult because of the hot blood between them generated by "unauthorised" conflict. So Joab takes ultimate authority into his own hands and does what he sees fit, which we see is catastrophic.

Now the interesting part to me is David's comment: "And today, though I am anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me." It makes me wonder where David was in all the above goings on. Did he know that there was something he could have done to prevent it? Ch 3v1 says: "The war between the house of Saul and the house of David dragged on and on." (Msg Bible). David must then have been party to this war? Should stricter discipline/ guidelines have been laid down by David after the "unauthorised" conflict?

I think that every great leader relies on people around them, but ultimately, the leader should be making the final decisions. I get the feeling that neither David nor Ish-Bosheth were acting within their full authority here.

One last comment: Ramona, your thoughts yesterday on Jonathan's loyalties got me thinking, although I don't know if I agree with you on them. My thoughts today made me wonder about whose authority Jonathan was under. As son of king Saul whom David revered as Israel's king, was Jonathan not right to remain under Saul's leadership until God raised up David as king?

Caryn

====

2 Samuel 2:12-3:39

Caryn, you have brought up something I have wrestled with for years. (You know it is hard to discuss David’s faults or character failures amongst a lot of people: they throw stones at you.). The wives, and they are only the ones he married in Hebron; the failure to restrain his nephews, the wavering between seeking God and allowing God to work to bring about what He declared to pass; but I think there may have been a little seed of vengeance that grew up in him. We see that tendency to drift over into vengeance in his dealings with Nabal. It is “the I deserve it mentality” we get. I call it a spirit of arrogance. It may not manifest itself all the time, but it is akin to the us-four-and-no-more mentality and the “posse” mentality we see in many celebrities. This should be no surprise to the readers because Samuel declared this very thing when he warned them what they would get with their king (1 Samuel 8: 9-18).

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense, in the time when their foot shall slide; for the day of their disaster is at hand and their doom comes speedily. (Deuteronomy 32:35 AMP)

Has anyone ever wondered why God requires us to leave vengeance to Him? I believe something happens to us when we seek it, it turns us into little god like idols seeking to direct and control outcomes. David had a relationship with Saul; after all, he had been his father-in-law before David took back his daughter as his wife. (By the way the taking of a sitting kings wife, or even a dead one, was a proclamation in the ancient world that one was claiming the throne-thus the incident with Palti and the rift between Ishbosheth and Abner). David didn’t have a relationship with Nabal, but he had one with his sister and her kids. One should also note that David wasn’t well liked by his brothers so there was more than likely a rift that had built up over time kept them on the outs, thus we don’t really read about his brothers or their off-spring being in the picture.

If one is observant with family dynamics and sibling rivalry, you will find that the one “picked-on” will usually try to show his worthiness to gain some iota of recognition. I am not sure if this a problem per say, but it can lead to doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons. If we look at David as a type of deliverer, then the One True Deliverer did not try to gain His Families approval when he went about ministering.

Now Jesus went home, and a crowd gathered so that they were not able to eat. When his family heard this they went out to restrain him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." (Mark 3:20-21 NET.)

While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside, asking to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to speak to you." To the one who had said this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" And pointing toward his disciples he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! (Matthew 12:46-49 NET.)

There is something that makes what Joab did a particular heinous crime. Hebron was a city of refuge (Joshua 21:13), a city set aside for anyone who had killed someone accidentally. Was Asahel’s death accidental? Wasn’t it done during a time of fighting? Is this something along the lines of, “You can dish it out but you can’t take it,” mentality? I do not believe Abner turned to face Asahel because the butt of the spear took him out not the tip. More than likely Abner thrust the sword attached to his side or even in his hand to try to knock the wind out of Asahel as he chased behind him.

Whatever way the death happened, Joab called Abner back into a city of refuge to kill him, a clear breach of the law.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====

John and Caryn--

Thanks for your wonderful insight.

Caryn my line of thinking: If David is to be seen as a type of Christ then, like Christ, when people recognize his kingship shouldn't they follow him, like Christ. Somehow or at some time Jonathan received a revelation of David's kingship.

When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They answered, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13-16 NET.)

When you get a revelation of who the King is, are you not responsible to follow the King? Knowledge and information makes you "without excuse."

The scripture I used to bring up the question had a "but" in it (1 Samuel 23:18, always watch out for the "BUTs"

I could be wrong but do you follow your family down the garden path to destruction when you know without a doubt that they are wrong? If that's the case then I am dead to wrong because I have a family built on a lifestyle of criminality. I have been told that, "I don't care anything about family” because I have turned away from how they chose to live their lives. I have one son, who is in and out of jail, because he chose to continue that path. It that right? Just some things to make you really think about the choices with make and the paths we choose to follow. Hmmmm.

Caryn you are free to contact me off-line

Grace and peace
Ramona

====

26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

There are a few things that got me thinking here.
1)were the disciples not listening when Jesus said the one that would betray him is the one he gave a piece of bread to....Peter urged the disciple Jesus loved to ask who it was...and the answer seemed so clear yet it seems they were not so keen on hearing the answer.
2)Judas must have hated Jesus from the start...just seeing Jesus bend and wash his feet did nothing to soften his heart...He had watched miracles happen,he saw Jesus cry,he was one of the people who was always around Jesus.Usually a bond forms when people spend so much time together yet this was not the case.I think Judas is one of the cases of when you deliberately choose to reject Jesus...then satan has the door wide open to make sure you never get the chance to love Jesus.
Reading about the man who God said was after His own heart makes me realise just how merciful God is.David did have a lot of issues...marrying so many wives,during the war between the house of Saul and David I'm sure the philistines Israel was supposed to fight was having a great time watching Israel destroy itself...sounds a lot like the squabbles between the churches these days.I'm learning alot from the old testament is happening today...in a modern way:(
God bless you all
Anka

====

Tough call for David. It is apparent to me that Joab had King David's best interests in mind. Abner had set up Ish-Bosheth as king, maneuvered Ish-Bosheth and deceived him when he made an alliance with King David, and Joab clearly recognized manipulative behavior of Abner. Of course, in addition he was nurturing bitterness and resentment over the death of his brother at the hands of Abner. In reading the text, I agree with the poster who said it was unintentional when Abner killed Asahel.

"23 But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died."

It appears when "every man stopped" that they were shocked!

In any event, there was certainly a "Hatfields and McCoy" mentality in avenging the blood of their brother, and as is usually the case, much was brewing that resulted in the death of Abner; I think today he might be considered an opportunist.

David's firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; he later raped his half-sister Tamar and later was killed for his crime.

his second, Kileab or Chileab the son of Abigail (who was the widow of Nabal of Carmel)

The name appears as Daniel in 1 Chronicles 3:1. Whatever his exact name, David's second son disappeared from history here and did not figure in the later disputes over who would succeed David as king. His name could be associated with the clan of Caleb.

According to John MacArthur, Chileab apparently died before he was able to enter into position to contend for the throne, as nothing more is said about him).

The third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

The fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith (a princess from a region in Syria--not Israel). John MacArthur offers this: "David may have married her as part of a diplomatic agreement made with Talmai, the Gesurite king, to give David an Ally north of Ishbosheth. Later Absalom, in fear of his life, fled to Gesur." Though he was a strong contender for the throne, he was assassinated.

David's fifth, Shephatiah (means "The Lord Judges") the son of Abital (means "My Divine Father of Dew").

The sixth, Ithream the son of David's wife Eglah.

These were born to David in Hebron.

Quite a list of sons who would vie for the throne of David.

Eglah. Meaning: a heifer. one of David's wives, and mother of Ithream (2 Sam. 3:5; 1 Chr. 3:3). According to a Jewish tradition she was Michal.

(Note from SissySue: Scripture denotes, however, that David did not have children with Michal after the big fight they had over David dancing when they returned the Ark of the Covenant).

-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o

What a tragedy for Judas; how quickly he ran to dishonest gain only to realize too late that he was wrong! WRONG! W R O N G !

And then, instead of confessing he, like Saul, conditioned through years of taking wrong paths and running from God, took the ultimate path to irredeemable self aggrandizement. How it must have pained the Lord.

-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o

Oh my! God is so faithful; "open my eyes so that I may see the wonderful things in your law," and I received the book "ALWAYS READY" by Greg Bahnsen that is helping to open my eyes! Glory to God.

Tough call for David. It is apparent to me that Joab had King David's best interests in mind. Abner had set up Ish-Bosheth as king, maneuvered Ish-Bosheth and deceived him when he made an alliance with King David, and Joab clearly recognized the manipulative behavior of Abner. Of course, in addition he was nurturing bitterness and resentment over the death of his brother at the hands of Abner. In reading the text, I agree with the poster who said it was unintentional when Abner killed Asahel.

"23 But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died."

It appears when "every man stopped" that they were shocked!

In any event, there was certainly a "Hatfields and McCoy" mentality in avenging the blood of their brother, and as is usually the case, much was brewing that resulted in the death of Abner; I think today he might be considered an opportunist.

David's firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; he later raped his half-sister Tamar and later was killed for his crime.

his second, Kileab or Chileab the son of Abigail (who was the widow of Nabal of Carmel)

The name appears as Daniel in 1 Chronicles 3:1. Whatever his exact name, David's second son disappeared from history here and did not figure in the later disputes over who would succeed David as king. His name could be associated with the clan of Caleb.

According to John MacArthur, Chileab apparently died before he was able to enter into position to contend for the throne, as nothing more is said about him).

The third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

The fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith (a princess from a region in Syria--not Israel). John MacArthur offers this: "David may have married her as part of a diplomatic agreement made with Talmai, the Gesurite king, to give David an Ally north of Ishbosheth. Later Absalom, in fear of his life, fled to Gesur." Though he was a strong contender for the throne, he was assassinated.

David's fifth, Shephatiah (means "The Lord Judges") the son of Abital (means "My Divine Father of Dew").

The sixth, Ithream the son of David's wife Eglah.

These were born to David in Hebron.

Quite a list of sons who would vie for the throne of David.

Eglah. Meaning: a heifer. one of David's wives, and mother of Ithream (2 Sam. 3:5; 1 Chr. 3:3). According to a Jewish tradition she was Michal.

(Note from Sue: Scripture denotes, however, that David did not have children with Michal after the big fight they had over David dancing when they returned the Ark of the Covenant).

-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o

What a tragedy for Judas; how quickly he ran to dishonest gain only to realize too late that he was wrong! WRONG! W R O N G !

And then, instead of confessing he, like Saul, conditioned through years of taking wrong paths and running from God, took the ultimate path to irredeemable self aggrandizement. How it must have pained the Lord.

-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o-|-o

Tough that: being an adult and thinking you have the answers and having to receive discipline, but we are never too old to learn, are we? We are just sometimes too arrogant! :)

Sue

====

A kingdom divided against itself can not stand.Israel was serving the same God,was a nation called out to serve as a blessing to other nations but here we see Israelites(brothers)fighting each other.I can't help relating this to the church,the same God,diferent divisions,diferent doctrines,called out to be separate yet not really different from the rest of the world.Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one.Where did division start,under who's authority are we truly?Abner knew for a fact that God's plan was for a united Israel under David's rulership,yet for his own purposes chose Ish-Bosheth as king after Saul died instead of helping unite the kingdom and when circumstances pushed him to the wall did he go according to God's plan....but Abner didn't go unpunished.
For over a year now I had wondered about divisions in the church,what happened to the early church,where did they go wrong....the answer,people chose to interprete the word of God to suit their purpose,they changed things God had commanded and made their own doctrines...How long will we continue in disobedience to God's word....May He have mercy on us all and may we be one as He and the Father are one.
7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand"
How many times have we found out what we thought we knew is not really right,our plans and dreams shattered,life seems to take a different turn from the blessings and victories the word seems to talk about....Like us,the lives of the disciples are going to change,the events that happen shatter their expectations....Yet through it all,they are never alone nor forsaken.Our life on earth wasn't supposed to be all great,we are after all in battle daily with the enemy,some of us get wounded,some fall,some go home....Through it all,if we trust Jesus,the author and finisher of our faith,if we keep the unchanging word of God...We will go home victoriously having fulfilled our purpose here.
God bless you all
Anka

====

I love how today's word lines up in Psalm and John.

John 13:17 said, "You know these things - now do them! That is the path of blessing."

Then it says in Psalm 119:4 it says, "You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully."

God's word is so amazing!

Johnnie

====

This is my one-year anniversary. Exactly one year ago today I started with this One Year Bible Study, and it has brought me great joy, increased my knowledge of the Scripture, and aided in helping me strive to walk closer to the Lord each day.

Thank you, Mike, for all the time and effort you put in this Bible study and blog. I plan on continuing with you for as long as you continue with this ministry!

God Bless!
Pat

====

I LOVE Psalm 119!!!!!!!!!!!! Such a wonderful and encouraging Psalm ... well, they all are ... I really love the Psalms. But back to 119; it's such an amazing Psalm! Funny thing; I cannot choose which verses stand out for me the most. They're all so powerul!

1) Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
~ Some people think that I live in religion with laws and rituals and stuff like that. Only because I'm going to church doesn't mean I don't have my freedom. I love to have freedom within God's commandments. I'm happy to follow the Lords instructions, the world would be a wonderful place if everybody would follow those instructions!
11) I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
~ Wonderful verse! Hidden God's word in my heart. That's exactly what I did! Living throughout His word makes me more aware of the things I do. Realizing that every sin is a sin to God. There are people who think they can lie, cheat, deceive people and thinking they succeed, but God is the One who can see right into their hearts and He sees what they are doing!

I constantly notice that the translations from New Living Translation and the Dutch Bible "Het Boek" (The Book) are so different! Like verse 14 from Psalm 119 ... I was really excited when I read it in The Book translation, but then I read the New Living Translation and it was very different from the Dutch translation. Not as powerful. I really love verse 14 in The Book. It illustrates the happiness when we talk about God, how happy we can be when we talk about Him. It gives much more happiness than the riches in the world. Amen!

Mae

====

The foot washing we read about in John 13 included the feet of John-"the disciple Jesus loved", Peter-who would soon deny even knowing Jesus, and Judas-who already had his betrayal of Jesus all planned out. They all got their feet washed. We are to follow Jesus' example. It's easy to "wash the feet" of the "Johns" in my life. It's easy to serve those I love! But what about the "Peters"-those who disappoint me and let me down? Or the Judas who betrays me and seeks to harm me? How important it is to "have the mind of Christ" if we truly want to follow His example!

Sylvia

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Re. the Proverbs verse, I read recently that the biochemistry of stress tends to leach calcium from bones and may be a major root cause of osteoporosis, especially in women.

It's amazing then, to read a passage like this, written 2500 years ago, that speaks quite precisely to this fact. And equally amazing to realize that God is outside of time and knows everything -- especially what's good for us.

Science may know a lot... but it's got a lot of catching up to do before it can explain what the One who invented it has known since before the beginning of the universe!

Art

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2 Samuel (First few chapters) Reading this scripture makes me think of how over the ages this story has been told. I can see a bunch of people, maybe around a fire, in the evening and someone says, “Hey Bob tell us how King David became king of the land.” I mean this is better than going to an action adventure movie and we have some serious gang war stuff going on and the only thing missing are cars. It’s a big turf war with politics, backstabbing, alliances, bitterness, intrigue and to add to the mix are the women and relationships everyone is involved with. Folks, it doesn’t get any better than this and remember who the writer is. Best of all, its all true and every time we read it there is a new discovery. For example, look at or Google the similarities between David and Jesus. Almost a theology in itself. I take it we are not finished with this fast action pace as David wasn’t a guy that sat around too much – and even when he did, there was action. (i.e. the Bathsheba problem).

John 13:4-5 Humility frees you from the captivity of having to live up to the expectation of what someone else thinks important. (Trust Christ)

Bob

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Wow Ramona, you really pull stuff out! Stuff I wouldn't see! But it's true.. We are brothers n sisters in Christ. It's not earthly relationships but Godly relationships that stay with us. When we get to heaven there will be no marriages . We strive so hard to hold onto here.

Jane

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Another day of bloodshed, mayhem, entitlement..all in the life of a King. I sometimes wonder did David ever wish he wasn't chosen? Did the people ever regret wanting a ruler? Hmm. Crazy

John: the day of the betrayer. Who Lord, who is going to portray u? In all actuality..all portray or go astray eventually. But turn sides and sick to get caught, imprisoned, murdered,, that title goes to Judas.

Yay Psalm119 longest chapter of Psalms..yes The Word is substantial and true and help to a high accord in all of this chapter..love it

Proverbs 15:30 cheerful look brings joy and good health to the bones! Yes

Dee

May 22nd Bible in a Year Readings

2 Samuel 1:1-2:11 + John 12:20-50 + Psalm 118:19-29 + Proverbs 15:27-28
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament - Today we begin the book of Second Samuel!  Below is an image of David being anointed king of Judah from chapter 2 verse 4 in today's readings:

Second Samuel
Author: Unknown
Date: Probably tenth century B.C.
Content: Second Samuel covers approximately forty years, which is the bulk of David’s reign as king. It begins with David’s being proclaimed king and consolidating his position against others who claimed the throne. David moved the capital to Jerusalem, brought the sacred Ark of the Covenant there, and ultimately defeated the Philistines for all time. David’s troubled career is described in some detail, including his family problems (his son Absalom) and his personal problems (adultery with Bathsheba). A summary of David’s later years concludes the book.
Theme: The life of David is given as an example of good and of evil. The sins of David are exposed – so that too much trust will not be put in men. The victories of David are recorded – so that it may be seen what God can do with someone who wholly trusts in him. God used David in spite of his faults because he found in David a willingness to repent and start again, no matter how far he had fallen. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 5-6)  More commentary on Second Samuel is at this link:
https://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-2-samuel

A note on the Amalekite that comes to David with news of Saul's death in Second Samuel chapter 1 today.  Many Bible commentaries suggest that this Amalekite was a war "scavenger" that was looking for treasures on the battle field from the dead.  Based on 1 Samuel chapter 31, it is thought that this Amalekite found Saul dead, grabbed Saul's crown before the Philistines arrived, and made up the story of killing Saul to David because he thought David would reward him for killing who he thought was David's "enemy."  David's reaction was quite the opposite than what the Amalekite thought it would be...  Bible.org's commentary on our Second Samuel readings today titled "What an Amalekite is Dying to Tell David" is at this link.  Below is an image of David tearing his garments and lamenting the death of Saul:

Today in 2 Samuel chapter 1 we read about David’s lament for Saul & Jonathan. This year in going through the One Year Bible, I have really been intrigued by Jonathan and David’s relationship. They became incredible “brothers” it seems – much like we now have “brothers” and “sisters” in Christ today. And there seems to have been an amazing love between Jonathan and David – not sexual in any way, but a pure brotherly love. In verse 26 we will read – “I grieve for you Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful.” Personally, I have been thinking about this word “love” quite a bit in recent months. I don’t know if this is going to sound strange – I hope it’s a good sign :) - but I find myself using the word “love” more and more often when referring to and thinking of others in my life. I have found myself saying recently, for example, “there are so many people in my church that I love and I believe love me.” I guess I’m getting to this stage in my life that may seem at first glance sentimental – but I think it is something more. I believe God is love. And yes, God is judge and many other things. But I do believe that love is a very godly thing. And I guess I’m getting to the point in life where I realize that I truly do love so many people in my life – with a brotherly or sisterly love – and maybe perhaps a few love me too. I pray this is the case in some way in your life? Are there people in your life that you love with a brotherly or sisterly love? Are there people in your life that were like Jonathan was to David? Are there people in your life where you are like Jonathan was to David? How familiar are you with love as expressed in 1 Corinthians 13? Did Jonathan have this type of love? Do you?  Below is a portrait of David & Jonathan by artist Guy Rowe:

Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of 2nd Samuel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvoWDXNDJgs

New Testament - Great words from Jesus in our John readings today!  I honestly don't think I can add anything to what Jesus said in these readings today!  Please re-read this section again from John if you can and meditate upon what Jesus teaches us.  Bible.org's commentary on today's John readings titled "The Greeks Seek Jesus" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 118 is the last half of the psalm possibly sung by Jesus and the disciples after the Last Supper - see yesterday's posting below for details.   What an amazing Psalm...  Verse 22 was quoted by Jesus in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10 and Luke 20:17 and he used this verse to refer to himself - "The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone."  Do you believe this verse applies to Jesus?  Is Jesus the cornerstone in your life?

Verse 26 was the chant of the crowds as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday - "Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD."   And verse 29 I'm pretty sure is a Michael W. Smith song - "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."   :)

Proverbs - Proverbs 15 verse 27 teaches us today: "Dishonest money brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live."  Think there is truth in this Proverb?

Worship Video: Today's readings in Psalm 118 remind me of the song "In Christ Alone." Here's a great live version sung by Kristian Stanfill:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNRFumI2ch0

Who alone do you trust? Click here for Christ alone!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." John 12:28 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your life is bringing glory to God the Father. Pray that you will obey the teachings of God the Son through the power of God the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Pray that you would not sin, which brings glory only to the evil one. Pray that you would not worship the evil one by sinning. Sin is worship - of the evil one. Pray for your worship to be to God alone through your faith in Jesus and living a life of righteousness.

Comments from You:  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 Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our 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 Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

I’m going to expose my thoughts about “Love” based on today’s Old Testament readings, David and Jonathan’s love for each other and Anka’s comments/thoughts.

Love, as mentioned by Jesus and as written about by Paul in I Corinthians chapter 13, cannot be an emotion that we so readily ascribe to it. Love, as per God’s definition and usage cannot be what we think it is a feeling of warm fuzzes.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 KJVR)

The reason I wrestle with our understanding of what “Love” is as God sees it is because we equate the evidence of “Love” with the absence of hate; bad feelings; dislike. Yet, in God’s Word we are told to hate/despise/reject sin (depending on the translation, our mother/father/sisters etc. Yes, yes I know that Jesus said He brought a new Law,

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44 KJVR)

All of these directives require us to do something, not to have or work up an emotion or feelings before doing it. I believe, as a book title so readily proclaims, “Love is a Verb,” it is a doing and NOT A being. For God so Loved …That He Gave. (John 3:16) He gave of himself, He offered up Himself to pay the cost of committed sin and for committing sin, to people who hated Him. I have heard it said that we need to send our feelings and emotions to school to teach them, to keep them under control, to not let them take us down the path of good intentions done the road to hell.

In the 14th chapter of Jeremiah in the Amplified Bible, there is a rendering of a text that I have to admit I don’t contemplate enough,

And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword; and they shall have none to bury them--them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their wickedness upon them [and not on their false teachers only, for the people could not have been deceived except by their own consent]. (Jeremiah 14:16 AMP)

Our emotions get us into trouble because we allow them to override biblical principles because we have a “feeling” about someone, be it love or hate, thus we become a party to our own deception. This may all be just a rant going nowhere but I believe I need to; we all need to examine our understanding of Love. Is it a Verb, Noun, Adjective or Adverb? Our we letting our emotions tell us, lie to us on whether we love someone or not. People leave the spouses because they don’t “feel” in love; we deny aid or help to people who we don’t care about and “feel” they are trying to trick us---all of this is based on emotions. And we should know that our emotions can “lie” to us. After all we know that we have brains but when is the last time you “felt” them. Feeling or not feeling something, by use of our senses, does not mean something does or doesn’t exist. We are a people of faith walking be faith, talking by faith and operating by faith not by emotions. To operate by faith we must now what the Holy Spirit is speaking to us; we must, like Jesus, only do what we see the Father do. Then and only then can we move away from sentimentality and emotional “love” into the God kind of Love. For God so loved the World that He Gave …”

Grace and peace
Ramona

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Sucking up...the Amalekite told a lie.Saul specifically didn't want to be killed by an uncircumsised man...and he told his armour bearer to kill him not this Amalekite who probably thought David would reward him for killing Saul.David in spite of everything Saul did,loved God and this love extended to Saul.True God is love and unfortunately this is one area where sadly I fail.I had grown to distrust people so much that while I could go out of my way to help,sometimes even sacrificially....I couldn't love.Jesus in his love for us came to dwell among us..gave us his time,gave up his comfort.I pondered in my heart the love between Jonathan and David.As Jim and John said...the bond between soldiers.I still love my life because I try my best to protect myself from being taken for granted or hurt by others,compared to David,Jonathan,Paul...I lack love and love my life.I pray God helps me let go completely so He can fully use me.I pray the church sees the need for unity in this spiritual battle...and most importantly...love like God meant it to be...not something that costs little but something that gives it all.
God bless you all.
Anka

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Hearing of the death of Saul and the tribute he gives, shows David's humility. He could have said, "Saul deserved this!"" But David looked to the Lord as the judge, and the honor he shows for Saul demonstrates this. What a great example for us all to honor those in authority over us, as well as to see the evidences of God's grace in the lives of others rather than focusing on what is wrong.

Kristie

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Saul (means: asked) had four sons:
1. Jonathan (means: Jehovah has given)
2. Malki-Shua (means: my king is salvation)
3. Abinadab (means: father of liberality)
4. Esh-Baal (means: man of Baal) aka: Ishbosheth (means: man of shame)

In I Chronicles 8:33 and 9:39 he is referenced as Esh Baal.

Saul's nephew,
Abner (means: my father is a lamp),
Ner whose name means "light" was Abner's father and Saul's brother), decides to make Ish-bosheth king, in defiance of what should have been common knowledge: Samuel had annointed David King at God's direction. What was he thinking? And, why was Ish-Bosheth not killed in the heat of the battle when Saul and Jonathan died? What of Malki-Shua and Abinadab?

In John MacArthur's Study Bible I was impressed with this explanation of the tribute David made to Jonathan and Saul; it helped to solidify the intent of the lamentation, and would like to share it with you all, but first a preface:

1:18 The Song of the Bow

This was the title of the poem in which the word "bow" may have been chosen with reference to Jonathan, whose bow is mentioned in verse 22.

okay, now the lamentation:

The Beauty of Israel

Literally, the gazelle or antelope of Israel, the chosen symbol of youthful elegance and symmetery, most likely referring to Jonathan. Thus, the song began and ended with Saul's noble son.

High places

These were open-air worship sites generally established at high elevations. In this case the high place was Mt. Gilboa, where Saul had died.

How the mighty have fallen!

They were not only Israel's slain "beauty," but Saul and Jonathan were mighty men who had fallen in battle. This phrase is repeated as a refrain in verses 25 and 27.

1:20 Gath...Ashkelon

Two chief cities which together could represent all of the Philistine territory. Gath was situated in the eastern part of the Philistine territory, while Ashkelon was in the west by the sea. David did not want the Philistines to rejoice at the calamities of Israel as Israel had rejoiced at the defeat of the Philistines (I Sam. 18:7).

1:21 no dew or rain

David spoke a curse, seeking the absence of dew or rain upon the mountain where Saul and Jonathan died.

not anointed with oil

It was necessary in those times to anoint a shield with oil (see 21:5) to prevent the leather from being hard and cracked. But there on Mt. Gilboa lay the shield of Saul dried out, a symbol of defeat and death.

1:22 bow...sword

These two weapons were used by Saul and Jonathan with much power, accuracy, and effectiveness. It was also with the bow that Jonathan helped David escape Saul's wrath (I Sam 20:35-42).

1:23 beloved

This generous commendation, including Saul who was seeking to kill David, showed David's gracious, forgiving attitude -- a model of gracious love (see Matthew 5:43-48).

1:26 Surpassing the love of women

This bond between David and Jonathan was strong. However, this does not mean that their friendship was necessarily superior to the bond of love between a man and a woman. The commitment shared between the two of them was a noble, loyal, and selfless devotion (see I Samuel 18:3), which neither of them had ever felt for a woman. Unlike love between a man and a woman in which a sexual element is part of the strong attraction, this love between these two men had no such sexual feature, yet was compellingly strong.

1:27 weapons of war

A figurative expression referring to Saul and Jonathan.

Sue

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Sorry - did I miss something somewhere in this story - I keep looking for someone to point out the fact that NOBODY killed Saul - he fell on his own sword by his own hand, as did his armourbearer or was that my imagination:

1Sam 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

1Sam 31:5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

So when I read this portion today, I was sort of going What? Yet nobody so far has pointed this bit out about how the Amalekite was a liar, and David obviously was never provided the real truth either about it, although I doubt it would have made much difference in respect of him taking this guy's life for his greed and errant attitude.

Just another reminder - was a time long ago when a bad attitude could get you killed - today it seems to be what drives our nations sadly, and we see much more spiritual death as a result.

Romayne

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>>Sorry - did I miss something somewhere in this story - I keep looking for someone to point out the fact that NOBODY killed Saul - he fell on his own sword by his own hand, as did his armourbearer or was that my imagination:>>

Romayne—The intent of this Blog is for us to focus on/write about the things that peak our interest, it is not to come to a consensus and do a group think, mental assenting on what any one person thinks we should focus on. Sometimes there is a common theme or thread that each person picks up, today there wasn’t.

The following is taken from Mike’s Welcome page, the first paragraph:

The purpose of this website is to encourage you to read through the entire Bible in a year! This encouragement to you is offered in two simple free ways - 1. This daily blog with reflections, commentary and questions. 2. Weekly free e-mails filled with encouragement, commentary, and questions.

Each of us comes from a different background, a different longitude and latatud on the earth and have experienced and are experiencing different things--each is at a different level. I personally have read though the entire Bible over thirty times so I was always uncovering, discovering things that I didn't see the last time I read a particular passage.

Maybe no one spoke of Saul killing himself because you were suppose to bring it up :-o

Ramona

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I can easily understand the relationship between Jonathan and David because God has blessed me with a best friend of 56 years. We are as opposite as day and night and often laugh and say if we weren’t best friends then we probably wouldn’t be friends at all. We have been there for each other during times of celebration, times of sadness, times of illnesses, even during times when we lived miles apart. We have been there for each other’s kids as they grew up and we are there now for each other’s grandkids. I like jeans and tees, hiking in the woods, volunteering on community projects, belonging to service organizations and having many friends. She likes fancy clothes, eating in glitzy restaurants, having a few close friends, and shopping, shopping and more shopping. I am positive and tolerant, and love sitting by the bridge and talking with the homeless people. She is more negative and impatient with others who don’t measure up to her standards. She loves singing solos in choir and I love being on the committee that scrubs down the kitchen. We both love the Lord with all our hearts and we love each other with that special love that God extends to best friends. God created us differently in personality but He gave us the bond of lasting friendship. They say that God gives you your family but you pick your own friends. I believe that God gives us our family but He also gives us special friends apart from sexual relationships and such was the bond of friendship between Jonathan and David. I pray that each of you has or will such have a friendship blessed and bonded by the Lord.

What is love? Love is a bond put between people who take joy in being in each other's company without having to modify their actions. Love is knowing that other people are special and worthy just as they are. Love is a gift that God gives you, which allows you to appreciate those that you share this earthly life with. Love is the way God made us so that we not only enjoy other people but are there to assist them however possible. Love is the spirit of God!

God Bless!
Pat

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God has blessed me so much with many brothers and sisters in Christ that I truly love and know they love me. When I first moved back to the US after living in Denmark for 3 years, I didn't know anyone and I asked God to give me friends, Godly friends and He has fullfilled that 1000 times over. I would never change anything if I had to do it all over again, my experiences and relationships I have been blessed with in these friendships is prceless. I have learned from these friends an abundance of wisdom and knowledge and been inspired when I could not feel an inspiration in me. I am thankful that God knw what we need and always provides for us. Praise God.

Dottie

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I have been blessed abundantly with love from family and friends (that are like family). I love them so for sticking with me through so much. My testimony is CRAZY, but certain people have carried me through so much. Really, there are no words to describe how wonderful they have been to me, all I can say is that their love has changed my life.

And now, I've found a couple new friends here on OneYearBible that I feel love for and it seems like when David and Jonathan first met each other. We don't really know each other all that well, yet, but there seems to be a special blessing to the friendships as they grow.

God is so very good to me, and I am blessed.
God's love is wonderful and amazing.
Amen

Katie

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I have been thinking these past few days about love. My idea of love is a little skewed I think....and I have been questioning if it is sincere. After some time of reading and prayer, and being still I have realized that if I am seeking God frist in all things, the love I have for others is genuine. Not controlling, not self-serving, not empty. I can see the difference in the effect is has on others and on my heart. Pretty cool. He is Holy and gracious. Thank you for being deligent in these daily studies my friend. In Him.

Mary

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"The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life"( John 12:25) Jesus seemed to suggest that our present existence is not important and for some fanatics they would blow themselves up for this eternal life. The difference between Jesus and these fanatics is Jesus did not blow others up in the process.

Jit

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Hi Mike,

Thanks for your insights--very helpful! I really like Proverbs 15:28: "The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words." I pray that the Lord will help me to think before I speak this day!

Peter

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The book of 1 Samuel shows how GOD places ordinary people in extraordinary positions in this world in order to fulfill the will of GOD for humanity. As a new born baby Samuels mother gave Samuel to the priests to raise in the house of GOD to thank GOD for giving her a son when she had been barren her entire life. As Samuel grew GOD gave him the ability to discern good from evil and to make wise decisions for his people. Israel wants a king to be like all of the other nations around them. Samuel tells the people that this will only lead to the people turning away from GOD and turning to paganism. Samuel selects Saul to rule over the people and to be Israel's first king. Saul leads Israel in several victorious battles against the surrounding kings. Saul is rejected as king when he refuses to do what GOD commands him regarding the spoil of war. David a sheep herder kills Goliath and is anointed the new king of Israel by Samuel. Saul hates David who he tries to kill on several occasions. Jonathan Sauls son loves David and he tries to protect him and keep him safe from harm. When David catches up to Saul in the mountains David in his compassion for Saul spares his life. Saul eventually dies in battle against the Philistines. The book of 1 Samuel shows how GOD places ordinary people in extraordinary positions in this world in order to fulfill the will of GOD for humanity.

Raeann

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Psalm 118:26

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.

When Jesus was about to be crucified, he told his disciples and the surrounding people that unless the Jews said that, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD." Then He will return for a second time. This is so important that the Jews, his people to know God and acknowledge Jesus in this end time.

Frederick

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John 12:20- 26 I have a few points to bring up about this Gospel Message and I am not sure where the source comes from (Chuck Swindoll ?) In our circle of friends, it is good to get to know those who know Jesus. Our desire at any church event is to see Jesus. Notice how two are better than one as Philip and Andrew go see Jesus. (Math 18:19). This is encouragement and direction for the Greeks (us), when we desire acquaintance with Him. “The harvest of the Gentiles, the multiplying of the redeemed was the magnifying glory of the redeemer.”

Bob

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The Making of a Man of God by Allen Redpath, is a wonderful book on the relationship between David and Jonathan. It's an old book, but a real treasure if you can find i
"It takes more grace than I can tell, to play the second fiddle well"

William

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Jonathan loved David...but, he also loved his father and knew him as God's anointed King Saul. Jonathan filled his duty as son and a commanding officer by going with King Saul into battle. God knew this, and that's why Samuel gave that message to Saul at the witch at endor. It's sad but, like Charles Stanley says...there are consequences to sin. God will forgive, however, we still are responsible for our actions. But, God is good! If Saul had only fully obeyed the Lord...

If we...

Imja

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2 Samuel 1:1-2:11

In the story of the Talents, each man was given according to his ability and the “Master” expected a return on what He had given them based on their ability (Matthew 25:14-30). I will ask a question and it is a rhetorical question but it is something that has bothered me for many a year, or at least it has peaked my interest for a long time.

What happened to Jonathan? I know that he died along side his father, but what happened to him, why did he end up dead along side his father? What happened to his commitment to David?
Then Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Saul's son Jonathan liked David very much. So Jonathan told David, "My father Saul is trying to kill you. So be careful tomorrow morning. Find a hiding place and stay in seclusion. (1 Samuel 19:1-2 NET.)
Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God. He said to him, "Don't be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this." When the two of them had made a covenant before the LORD, David stayed on at Horesh, but Jonathan went to his house. (1 Samuel 23:16-18 NET.)

I could be totally off base but how does someone make a statement that he would be second in command knowing that the first in command is being hunted down like a dog then go back to his house? How often do we know that something is supposed to be yet we continue hanging out in the wrong place? Was Jonathan supposed to die that day, along with his father because he was never suppose to be second in command?
Was he looking back towards his old life instead of looking forward to a life with David as his leader? Do we set out to “plow the field” while looking back toward our house?

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62 KJVR)

Just something that makes you go, Hmmm!

Grace and Peace,
Ramona

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Greeks seeking Jesus caught my eye,His reply to them even more so.From my little knowledge of history,at that time,the jews were under the romans...they were separate,sometimes viewed as proud because of their practices.They wouldn't eat certain foods,worshipped only one God who's commands may have not been too popular among pagan nations.Yet some gentiles were drawn to them,these greeks came to partake of their passover and worship at their feast.Very much like Ruth who chose to worship the God of Israel and left behind her idols,her ways...everything to be joined to the Lord's people.
Jesus' reply to them was simple"He who loves his life loses it, and he who (J)hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal"
"If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and (K)where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will (L)honor him".....
Sometimes we think we can have it both ways..say we're following Jesus but refuse to die to self,refuse to accept His ways...not wanting to be unpopular,seeking to be part of the world as well as part of the body of Christ...These Greeks came to worship the God of Israel among His people,in His temple...not caring what people said or thought,leaving behind what they were taught and coming to listen to what Jesus said....I pray we like Ruth choose to follow Jesus all the way,leave our own idols and practices behind...letting the Comforter and Teacher lead us as we follow.
God bless you all
Anka

====

Wow good analogy! Because usually when a statement is recorded in the Bible it usually comes to pass..however Jonathan's words were on deaf ears.

2nd Sam 13:1-2:11
What I thought was sad was the Amelekite was trying to get approval and lied to David today saying he killed Saul. In turn his lie was the death of him.

John-12:20-50
Something interesting I never heard is Lord talking to the Father and the thundering noise the people heard about God saying it will be glorified- He did before and it will be done again!!

Psalm 118 : 19-29
Last part of Psalm 118, an urgency, a pleading --25 verse: OH Lord, save us
--Oh God give us success
--28--verse: You are my God, and I will give you thanks
You are my God, I will exalt You..
Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.

Then in Proverbs: 15:27-28
Especially 28: fave verse and feel like it relates to what I am going through with coming to the conclusion that one chapter of my life is over and God is plotting a new course at a new school and I have been torn twice and finding the right words to let go..

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers.

Amen!

Dee

May 21st Bible in a Year Readings

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13 + John 11:55-12:19 + Psalm 118:1-18 + Proverbs 15:24-26
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament - We finish the book of First Samuel today!  Second Samuel is up tomorrow!  First Samuel chapter 29 verse 8 read a bit strange to me: ""What have I done to deserve this treatment?" David demanded. "Why can't I fight the enemies of my lord, the king?""  It seemed odd, at first read, that David would say this to King Achish of the Philistines.  Commentaries suggest that David may have purposefully made an ambiguous statement here, such that Achish (and maybe us) would think he was referring to Achish - when perhaps he was referring to God or Saul as David's "lord, the king."  With David's madman acting and wisdom, this ambiguous type statement with another meaning would not be surprising...

In First Samuel 31 today we read about the death of Saul.  At the very end Saul did what he always did - took things into his own hands.  Relied on himself.  Fell on his own sword.   Perhaps sometimes in our lives today we are not so different from Saul.  Maybe we try to take things into our own hands.  Rely on ourselves.  But hopefully never fall on our own swords...   We should instead be leaving things in God's hands and relying fully on God.

Bible.org's commentary on today's First Samuel readings titled "From “Playing Both Ends Against the Middle” to “Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place”" is at this link and "From Tragedy to Triumph" is at this link and "Saul's Death Wish" is at this link.

New Testament - John 12 verse 10 stood out to me today - somehow I hadn't really noticed this verse before - "Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus."   Lazarus was raised from the dead and they wanted him dead again...  sad...  The miracle had caused many to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  Not surprising that those in that day who were against Jesus would also be against those close to Jesus.  Think there might be some correlation in this regard in our world today?  Is it possible that the closer we get to Jesus, the more the Enemy might come up against us in various ways?  It cannot defeat us with God on our side.  But it may come after us.  I'm a day late in our readings on this painting below from the year 1630 of "The Raising of Lazarus" by Rembrandt:

I like verse 19 today!   "Then the Pharisees said to each other, "We've lost. Look, the whole world has gone after Jesus!""  Unfortunately it was a bit of an exaggeration at that time and the 2,000 years following.  But maybe in the future?  How are you part of the Great Commission today?  An image is below for verse 15 (originally from Zechariah 9:9) - ""Don't be afraid, people of Israel. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt."

Bible.org's commentary on our John readings today titled "The Sweet Smell of Love and the Stench of Greed" is at this link and "The Un-Triumphal Entry" is at this link.

Psalms - I came across a wonderful speculation on Psalm 118!  Zondervan's commentary suggested that Jesus and the disciples sung this psalm/hymn at the end of the Last Supper.  Matthew chapter 26 verse 30 tells us - "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."   Adds a bit of a new dimension to this Psalm, no?  The reason for this speculation is because this is the final Psalm in the Egyptian Hallel of Psalms 113 through 118.  These Psalms were used in Jewish liturgy at the great religious festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication, Weeks, New Moon.  At Passover Psalm 113 & 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115 - 118 were sung after the meal.  Perhaps, even after the Last Supper by Jesus and the disciples?  Below is Russian artist Simon Ushakov's "The Last Supper" from the year 1685 -

Verse 8 in this Psalm stands out to me big time: "It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people." Kind of strong words I know...  but what do you think?   Might people, on occasion, let you down?  Obviously, we know the answer to this one.  People will let us down.  Even our closest friends and family at some point will let us down.  However - I don't think this means we give up on investing and loving friends and family!  It just means we should not be surprised when someone lets us down.  That's human nature.  None of us is perfect this side of heaven - you will obviously let people down too.  Realizing this, I think all of us should be prepared to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness of others.  However, what do you think on this question:  Will God ever let you down?  Will Jesus ever let you down?  Please know He won't!  In fact, I believe that He's holding you up right this very moment...

Proverbs - Proverbs 15 verse 24 is a beautiful meditation - "The path of the wise leads to life above; they leave the grave behind."  Are you on the path of the wise?

Worship Video: Today's readings in John about Jesus remind me of the Passion/Christy Nockels song "Let it be Jesus:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2h9Hm9JZho

Have you Let it be Jesus? Click here and Let it Be!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me (Jesus)." John 12:8 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you love Jesus above all else. Pray that you will indeed love and serve the poor in our world, but won't love this service to the poor or anything else in this world above your love for Jesus. Pray that you will always have Jesus in eternity. And pray that the poor will too, through their saving faith in Jesus. Pray that you realize we are all truly poor if we are not in a saving relationship with Jesus.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  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 Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our 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 Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13

Even when we have made alliances with the “enemy” for what we think is self-preservation; even when our actions cause pain and grief to others as well as ourselves—the city of Ziklag being taken, burned to the ground and everything that was in it carried off, God stills fights our “other” enemies and restores everything that has been stolen. Interestingly enough the town/city of Ziklag was not a town that should have been possessed by the Philistines, that city was part of Judah’s inheritance that had been taken from them during the time of the Judges. (See Joshua 15:21-31 for Judah’s inheritance) Therefore, God will restore all things lost by previous generations.

There is something here that I always considered just part of the narrative, the finding of the Egyptian in the desert as David and his men chased after the Amalekites. Now I see that it points to Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. They army, like the Samaritan, was on a mission. In the King James Translations the use of the words, “by chance” describes how the priest and the Levite happened upon the man left half-dead; however, the Samaritan was on a “journey.” When we are on a journey, we will meet up with the people we are called to minister to; however, when we are traveling “by chance” we will pass folk by. Meeting up with those people and ministering to them will send us down the correct road that leads to complete restoration.

Some of the men of David’s army showed mercy to this Egyptian they found in the desert. They brought him back to David, they fed him and gave him something to drink, and they restored him. That act of kindness led them to the men they were seeking. Usually armies, especially back then, were ruthless in their pursuit. If you happened to be in there way while they were on the move, their feet, horses and chariots would crush you. What happened to the Egyptian is a clear “type” of Christ’s mercy, or the Mercy of God.

The second thing I observed, and am rethinking in a different way is Saul’s suicide. I had come to think that Saul was a coward and didn’t want to suffer the pain of a lingering death, but now I’m wondering if what he did was a continuation of his rebellion to the Word of God. Samuel had told him, the night before:

Since you did not obey the LORD and did not carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this thing to you today. The LORD will hand you and Israel over to the Philistines! Tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines!" (1 Samuel 28:18-19 NET.)

My thinking is this: Did Saul fall on his sword thinking that in so doing he would place his dying, and how he died, in his own hands and defy the words spoken by the prophet Samuel. Hmmm.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====

In 1 Samuel 30, the Amalekites overtake the Israelites and capture all the wives and children and everyone is in a state of mourning. Notice the great distress David is in:
"David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God."

When everything and everyone is against us, can we strengthen ourselves in the Lord like David did? By the end of the chapter, David recovers all who has been captured, and all the belongings. This is how God wants to restore us who look to Him for strength

Marilyn

====

It is difficult for me to understand how David could align with the Philistines. In particular, the Philistines were the very enemy David had fought, killing Goliath, and ... Hey! What happened to the Philistines being slaves to the Hebrews for having killed Goliath. Wasn't that supposed to be the challenge Goliath put forth? No honor there, I guess.

Of course, I must get some perspective here, as in reading the text (what did it take us, a week?) from the time of Saul's coronation to the end of his life, I sometimes forget he was made king at age 30 and died at age 72! A whole bunch of history took place in that 42 years, didn't it?

Okay, so maybe the Philistines WERE in bondage to the Hebrews for some time, but it doesn't seem it lasted long since there seemed to be constant conflict between them and Saul.

Do you suppose David really was planning to deceive Achish? I think God was so gracious in causing David to have to turn back, and . . .

What of the gratitude of the Philistines when they learned that David and his men had recovered all the plunder? So many blanks that are not filled in, but that would probably be "a rabbit trail," huh? I mean, God told us what it was important for us to know, and sometimes I want to know specifics that really are not that pertinent at all. hmmm.

A few days ago I expressed concern about the Psalm where it said how precious to the Lord is the death of his saints, and I get a glimpse of what that could have meant when I see the utter devastation that overtook David and his men when their wives had been captured. I think it shows how very much these women meant to these men, and "how precious" it was to me to see them weeping to the point of sheer exhaustion over their wives having been kidnapped.

I wonder what ultimately happened to that Egyptian? Think he joined up with David and his men, or went back to Egypt? Or, or... or (smile; see? I want to know the "rest of the story" )

Now, why was David so generous with his plunder of the Amalekites? "27 He sent it to those who were in Bethel, Ramoth Negev and Jattir; 28 to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa 29 and Racal; to those in the towns of the Jerahmeelites and the Kenites; 30 to those in Hormah, Bor Ashan, Athach 31 and Hebron; and to those in all the other places where David and his men had roamed." Had these nations shown kindness to David and his men during the time he had been pursued by Saul?

I know, I know...I have too many questions.

I have to wonder to where the Israelites fled when the Philistines conquered Saul's army and Saul and his sons died.

^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V
I always thought Hosanna meant Praise to God, and I am delighted to learn it means Save! even though it became an expression of praise.

It seems that John's text is a little different from the other gospels in that in Matthew, Mark, and Luke Jesus told his disciples: "Mt:21:2: Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me."

"Mk:11:2: And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him."

"Lk:19:30: Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither."
^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V
Does it get any better than this? "His love endures forever!" Doesn't that song resound in your ears? Praise God for songs!
^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V

Interesting that the Psalm requires WISDOM for the "path of life to lead upward,"

and indicates that the PURE are pleasing to Him,

and yet, no requirement for the widow: He keeps the widows boundaries intact.

What amazing protection God affords those who are without providers!

His love really does endure forever, doesn't it?

Have a blessed Son-Day, everyone!

Sue

====

Sue,

One (1) of your questions dovetails with something that struck me in the reading.

David's Plunder (gifts)

When David shared equally with the soldiers, who had stayed behind with the supplies, it reminded me of the parable of field hands working different hours. All field hands received the same daily wage no matter how long they worked that day. The ones who worked longer were upset.

The (type) lesson here in 1Sam30 is the same as the parable. All who are of Christ, no matter their role or how long they have been "believers" get the same base pay/share - "salvation". Just as all the soldiers shared equally and all the field hands received the same amount. What is not talked about is the rewards to believers, but that is a different topic - this is about the base pay/division of gifts.

As to Sue's point about gift distribution to cities. I think if you look at the cities (and the text says) they are in Judah (I just did a quick google search that makes this seem correct.) The spoils were not shared with Philistines but with his tribesmen.

Why? Perhaps David's time with the Philistines had "frosted" those in Judah that were partial (in his camp) to David. If you like, a way of making amends.

and/or David was just generous and it was his way of thanking (when he was in a position to do so) those cities and areas that had been kind to him during his evasion of Saul.

Also,

You go to the movies with a group of people. Your husband is in the group. The next day you relate to a co-worker a funny moment at the movie between you and husband. You never mention the other people.

Why?

Because it is not relevant to the "funny moment". Does not make your version of the moment "untrue". The moment is told from your perspective according to the point you want to make.

Gospel of John is all bout the Glory of God and Jesus' deity. I suppose the details of animal procurement were not relevant to John, just that Christ rode on one and fulfilled prohecy.

You may have been making a rhetorical point in your observation, but this is something I have wanted to post for some time for people that have difficulty with "different versions" of "same event" in the Gospels :)

John

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I find it slightly strange that it doesn't record in this reading if David had asked the Lord when he joined the army of the Philistine....yet when he wanted to pursue the Amalekites he did.Could it be possible that David didn't ask God because he knew God may say no and that would mean a confrontation between him and king Achish.If this was the case it was due to a lack of faith not outright defiance that David didn't ask God before joining the army..
Expensive oil...The accounts of this story in different gospels make me wonder....was Mary sister of Martha and Lazarus the woman that was caught in the very act of adultery?In Luke she's called a sinful woman....in the others Mary..I have not found any conclusive verse or commentary on this but if it's so then it must really show why Mary was so grateful to Jesus and why she spared no costs in her worship of Him.
God bless you all
Anka

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A couple of years ago, an author signed his book for me and wrote, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 18:8 Now this man didn't know me although he'd grown up with my dad. (It wasn't a Christian book). I wondered if he wrote this verse for everyone, if it was his favorite verse, and then didn't give it any more thought.

Yesterday, I decided that since today is my birthday, I would choose a verse from today's reading to memorize in hopes of transforming my mind. And this verse is the one that's in boldface in the OYB! Hmmm...And what the Lord seems to be trying to teach me lately is that satan first and foremost attacks us in our own minds, it's a spiritual battle, and that being a Christian means being in an ongoing fight. And lately, I've seen how I depend too much on other people, and this is how satan can most easily render me useless to my own side. And I am not paying good enough attention to what the Lord is trying to tell me !!! Lord, help me to remember this.

Becky

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Mike, I have a whole different take on 1 Samuel 29. Let’s look at the background up to this point. Saul was searching out David and his men wherever they went. They could not put down permanent roots because Saul was determined to kill David and when he did he would have killed his men also. The Israelites and the Philistines were enemies and constantly at war with each other. However, it was the Philistines that gave David and his band of 600 men shelter. Achish, king of Gath, not only gave them shelter, he even gave them their own land in Ziklag so that they could raise their families and flocks in peace. I’m of the opinion that David would have fought with King Achish and the Philistines against the Israelites that had been trying to kill him out of gratitude to Achish for all that he had done for David and his men.

However, God knew that David and his men were needed back in Ziklag immediately because in Chapter 30 we learn the Amalekites had raided Ziklag in their absence and burned the town and taken captive the women and all who were in it both young and old. If David had not returned immediately the women would have been defiled and the children disbursed among the Amalekites as slaves. As it was, Achish made him return home and with God’s blessings he and his men rescued not only the women and children, all who were young and old, but also the plunder the Amalekites had stolen from David and his men. In addition, they also took for themselves property that belonged originally to the Amalekites.

I am of the opinion that this is another case where God sometimes closes one door in our life and opens another door in its place. I feel that as Christians we will all face a door that shuts in our lives and experience a door opened in its place, which will lead us in a different direction. I think this was God’s way of using David where he was most needed at that time and using us where we are most needed today. Praise the Lord for being the doorkeeper of all that believe in Him!

Also,a comment on John 12:6 - There has been a lot of discussion on whether Judas would have a place in Heaven for doing God’s will and betraying our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I think Jesus, himself, answered that when he said in Matthew 26:24 “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

John 12:6 gives us an insight into the character of Judas that is seldom brought up when discussing Judas. Here we learn that Judas was a dishonorable man, a thief, even before he betrayed Christ. He stole money that belonged to Jesus and the disciples; he stole money that they would have not only needed for their own livelihood but also that that would have been given to the poor. Judas was a self-centered not a Christ-centered man! We have been warned to beware of wolves that come in sheep’s clothing and Judas was one of these men. We read all the time about evangelist who steal from their congregations and workers in churches that perform unchristian acts. It is they that get the publicity when they are caught but it is the honorable in the churches that will get their reward when Christ returns! Praise the Lord!

God Bless!
Pat

====

But David found strength in the LORD his God.
Finally David realized that he may make plans but ultimately God has the last say.Here he was away from his people,a refugee in a pagan nation,he even thought to join their army to earn points.....Had he asked God then,no.
Here we see the Lord's enduring mercy even when we stray,even when we take wrong turns in our lives...sometimes He brings about a burning bush to get our attention,other times He allows disaster.David's men were murmuring,I guess he knew his crowd pretty well,they were the misfits of the society,the outlawed...who else could David turn to...he remembered the One who was faithful to forgive when we repent,David called out to the Lord and the Lord didn't turn away,nor did the Lord remind him of his past mistakes...True,it is better to trust the Lord than to put your trust in men....
Many times where Mary appears,there's also talk about Martha...but Mary was the one whose love for Jesus was shown in everything she did...She sat down to listen when He spoke,when Lazarus died,Martha was around Jesus but he sent for Mary..Did she listen so closely to His words that she knew that He was going to die....did she realise that she was annointing Him for His burial,the disciples didn't get it...did she?I can't help wondering...by sitting at the feet of Jesus,she may have learnt something that the others missed....just my musings.She was a true worshipper,she gave something that cost her,she didn't care about the murmurings that went on while she washed Jesus feet...nothing was going to stop her from worshipping her Lord.
The jews planned to kill both Jesus and Lazarus,these were people who were supposed to have kept the Torah not just learn it...The word of God was given to them,but they ignored it,added what suited them,ignored the rest...small wonder they didn't see just how close their salvation was...How many christians today read the bible,how much more know it....the people who planned to kill Jesus knew the word,they had head knowledge of the word,yet they lived in darkness.....what happens to those who don't know the Lord's commandments,His ways...they have a form of godliness...yet.....
May the Lord have mercy on us all,may He draw us closer to His word not just to read and interprete it as we have been taught by men who in turn have been taught wronlgy by other men...May we allow the Teacher show us where we go wrong,lead us on the right path.
God bless you all
Anka

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This is a lovely blog. The artwork is wonderful, and I like the Scripture pointers too.

Blessings,
Linda

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Wow Psalms 118:8 really hit home for me, i am such a trusting person that it really hurts when i get let down, I now know that the Lord will never let me down and i shouldn't get so upset when someone does it.

By the way Mike Congrats on your upcoming Wedding God Bless you

Laura

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Mike,
Your Bible blog has really made a difference in my life. I will always be grateful to you for putting it together. You are truly one of God's Heroes.
May God richly bless your marriage.
Sincerely,
Celeste

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Greetings and blessings from 'down under' for a truly memory making wedding day and God's richest blessing as you enter into marriage together.

Jenny

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With reference to proverb of the day, andy stanley has a very useful book called The Principle of the Path. Bottom line is that direction, not intention, determines destination. This is evident in the tragic life of Saul who may have wanted to be on a direction to be a noble king but the direction he was on, not his good intention, led him to his destination, a sad, tragic destiny of poor choices, jealousy, anger and resentment.

Luch

====

God can use the unbeliever to help the godly, as had happened with David and his men... David has shown his loyal character once again - like he has to Saul, even though he would have David killed, and to Jonathan, his friend. David has been in the midst of constantly conflicting loyalties, yet has broken truce with none! He is the king-to-be (even though he is truly the king God wants) on the run!

Achish speaks respectfully of and to David and of the LORD, so obviously David has conducted himself well and was a good witness for the LORD. Certainly Achish does not want rebellion or trouble with his nobles and is making a wise move here - no matter what happens, David can't cause trouble nor can the nobles bring any complaint against Achish. It is a brilliant maneuver!

I wonder if God isn't using this exact moment to extricate David from that situation and free him for the kingship just ahead. Achish was used of God, but we are not to be dependent upon the unbeliever. This is yet another example of how God works His purposes in human affairs!

David shows he can be trusted by all.. rescues his people... Saul will soon be dead... the stage is set for David to soon rule. The road to this point has been rocky and David has had to use his wits all along. His integrity & character have given him favor in the eyes of Achish, David's followers and most importantly, in the sight of God!

Timberwolf

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1 Samuel 30:7-8

7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?”

“Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.”

This is another godly example of David. David sought the LORD before his decision. He would ask the LORD before he acted. I pray and hope that I can learn from David's example to seek the LORD before I take 'actions'!

Frederick

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I like these stories and tests of David. He past all these tests with flying colors! But when he became King, that was a different matter. Absolute power corrupts. In our modern world we do live like little kings, with all sorts of privileges. We can eat drink and enjoy porn like a King, in the privacy of our homes. King David was not strong enough to defeat these kinds of demons, but he was only strong when he was in the wilderness. David, whose heart and mind was close to God and who wrote all those powerful psalms and is so full of wisdom, was weak when life became easy as he became King. This is ultimately the most powerful lesson to learn. Are we any better than David? If not, then I thank God for all the wildernesses that I am in right now so that I would keep on the straight and narrow path. May my life be never so comfortable as to fall as David.

David

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Hi Mike,

Your Psalm 118 comments re: Matt. 18:26 "And after they had sung an hymn they went out", stirred some memories for me from 1956 when five missionaries were martyred by the Auca indians in Ecuador, South America. They deserve to be remembered as their martyrdom was the inspiration for many young people giving their lives for full time christian service.

Their story is recounted in the great book "Through Gates of Splendor" by Elisabeth Elliot, wife of one of the Five. These men had s tremendous impact on my christian life.

William

====

Mike and everyone,
Thank you Mike for leading us in our daily reading!
Just want to share from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 118:1-18
"Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the everlasting goodness and mercy of God,
or whether he looks forward to the blessing secured to him,
he will find abundant cause for joy and praise.
Every answer to our prayers is an evidence that the Lord is on our side;
and then we need not fear what man can do unto us;
we should conscientiously do our duty to all, and trust in him alone to accept and bless us.
Let us seek to live to declare the works of God, and to encourage others to serve him and trust in him."
amen and amen!
"O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endures for ever." (Psalm 118:1)
Father, may we give thanks to You in good times and bad,
for we know You are good, You are merciful and faithful!

Sincerely,
Joyce

====

I agree with you Ramona..Saul was so defiant..I believe he indeed wanted to ignore and go against the Lord. He never blamed himself or was like..u know Lord I'm wrong, I messed up royally, please forgive me..no..jealousy blinded him..just like religious leaders were blinded by jealousy of Jesus and how many "followers" he had.

And always trust in the Lord..put your trust in him and not the confidence of other people.

The picture u have Mike for Proverbs..its funny how I'm trying to catch up on my reading..and I know I'm behind but it is so fitting because it is or looks like a cap and gown and my daughter graduates today! Lol 😆 be blessed yall

Dee

May 20th Bible in a Year Readings

1 Samuel 26:1-28:25 + John 11:1-54 + Psalm 117:1-2 + Proverbs 15:22-23
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link, or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament - In First Samuel 26 David completes the 3 "tests" of obedience, as discussed in yesterday's post, by once again not killing Saul when he had the opportunity.  Verses 9 through 11 again show David's character when he and Abishai had snuck into Saul's camp and Abishai offered to kill Saul - ""No!" David said. "Don't kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORD's anointed one? Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday, or he will die in battle or of old age. But the LORD forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed! But I'll tell you what--we'll take his spear and his jug of water and then get out of here!""

Interesting... in First Samuel 28 Saul bans mediums - wise - and then becomes desperate for one - unwise...  The medium seems to get quite freaked out that she has called up Samuel.  Commentaries suggest that she is used to calling up satanic / demonic forces.  She (possibly) connected to Samuel somehow here and was freaked out by it.  And Samuel tells Saul exactly what he probably knows in his heart.  God has left him - a long time ago - because of his disobedience.  Consulting a medium is just one more disobedient act in a string of them.  I pray that no one reading this consults mediums or does tarot cards or gets into palm readings or any of that garbage.  It is spiritually dangerous and risky to get into any of that.  Unfortunately, I know that things like "tarot card reading parties" are somewhat popular today.  I have been invited to them and have not gone - and told the hosts why I was not attending.  Please avoid this spiritually risky stuff.  It is no joke dangerous.  Below is a painting by Benjamin West from the year 1777 titled "Saul and the Witch of Endor":

Bible.org's commentary on today's First Samuel readings titled "The Second Time Around" is at this link.  Commentary titled "One Step Forward, and Two Backward" is at this link and commentary titled "Finding God's Will, Any "Witch" Way You Can" is at this link.

New Testament - Today in John chapter 11 verse 35 we read the shortest verse in the Bible – “Jesus wept.” Though this may be the shortest verse, I do not believe it is small in meaning. What does it say to you that Jesus wept? What does it mean to you that Jesus wept? I love this verse because to me it shows Jesus’ humanity (while at the same time he is divine). During his time living as a man on earth, Jesus experienced the full range of emotions that you and I experience today. Jesus was tempted. (though, unlike us, he did not give into temptation and sin ever) Jesus was joyful. Jesus was angry. Jesus loved. Jesus wept. Knowing this about Jesus, does this help you to realize that you can approach Jesus with absolutely any situation in your life that you might be struggling with? Do you believe that Jesus will understand you if you are weeping? Do you believe that Jesus will rejoice with you when you are rejoicing? I do. “Jesus wept” says so much to me about who Jesus was, is, and forever will be. Jesus wept.

Bible.org's commentary on today's John chapter 11 readings titled "Dealing with Death" is at this link and "The Raising of Lazarus" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 117 is the shortest of all the Psalms - and the shortest chapter in the entire Bible.  This Psalm is said to basically be one long Alleluia.  :)  Actually verse 1 has a very important message - "Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth."  This demonstrates that God was very interested in the salvation of the Gentiles and all the nations in the Old Testament.  And not just in the New Testament as we get to the book of Acts.  This was part of the plan all along...

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs chapter 15 verse 22 we read – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Wow. . . this verse really is convicting for me on a couple of levels. The first thought for me is God – and how often (or not often) do I pray to God for counsel on my plans for my life? Truthfully, not enough. I pray to God daily – but it’s usually pretty brief. I believe God wants us to come to him often in prayer asking for guidance and counsel on our plans. Imagine that – with God as an adviser on our plans, do you think they might succeed?? :) Secondly, I think about community – other people. And I think about, first of all, am I in community? Am I in a community of people that I know well and that know me? And if so, am I consulting this community on my life plans? Am I allowing people I know and love to advise me on my life? Think this would be wise? How about you – do you pray often to God for counsel and leading in your life plans? Are you in community with others that you know well and that know you? And do you consult this community with your plans and ask for their advice?

Worship Video: Psalm 117 reminds me of Michael W. Smith's "A New Hallelujah!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBxOkruKpqI

Do you sing Alleluia? Click here and sing!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Jesus wept." John 11:35 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus wept like we weep. Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus knows pain and joy, as we do. Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus is our High Priest who like us was tempted in every way, but never sinned, and intercedes on our behalf before the Father.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  I read an interesting commentary today related to Jesus weeping in John.  The commentary basically said that while we have recorded in Scriptures that Jesus wept, we don't have anywhere recorded in Scriptures that Jesus laughed.  I had never thought about that before!  The commentary went on to say that they are sure Jesus laughed and had a great sense of humor.  But I find that fascinating to think about - that it's not recorded that Jesus laughed.  Why do you suppose this is?  Do you think Jesus laughed?  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 Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our 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 Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

1 Samuel 26:1-28:25

Two men, on the outside they don’t seem to be different; however, on the inside one has a heart after God, the other’ heart is focused on himself and covered in pride. Both of these men have sin in their lives, both of these men have “missed” it; yet one repents and turns back to God the other doesn’t. One is at war with God the other is at peace. If one were to look at the entire life of both of these men, I think Saul would come up smelling like a rose, while David would be severely condemned. However, the difference can be found in the heart. David wanted to please God Saul wanted to fight Him. Saul fought to keep his name in the limelight by any means necessary; David lifted up God’s name.

Death, necromancers (the witch at Endor), familiar spirits and mediums.

I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and go back and read Jesus’ reply to the Sadducees (Sad-to-sees) who gave Jesus that crazy scenario about the woman who married and outlived seven brothers (Matthew 22:23-29; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40). The bottom line is this, those that die a physical death, in Christ even before Christ physically came upon the earth (Samuel et all) are not dead in God’s sight.

But Jesus replied to them, You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor God's power. For in the resurrected state neither do [men] marry nor are [women] given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. But as to the resurrection of the dead--have you never read what was said to you by God, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living! [Exod. 3:6.] (Matthew 22:29-32 AMP)

As far as man is concerned now, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are long dead but Jesus reminds us that God spoke of them as being in the hear and now. God said I am the God of … Not I was the God …. We, I believe, in my humble opinion have the wrong understanding of what death is. Cessation of life is not death; being removed from the presence of God is death. We are made in the image of God and God is Spirit not flesh. Who we are, is not who and what we are in “flesh” but in spirit. Our spirits our born again, not our flesh. Our flesh will be redeemed and put back together again in a form that will be incorruptible, like Jesus’, when Jesus comes again.

The witch/medium of Endor had no plans or inclination of bring up Samuel that is why she screamed. She wasn’t expecting the real Samuel. Remember Jesus’ story of Lazarus and the rich man? (Luke 16:19-31). Each of them recognized each other, Abraham, Lazarus and the rich man AFTER DEATH but they were not dead; however, the Rich Man had a location problem, he was in the wrong location removed from the Presence of God. .

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna). (Matthew 10:28 AMP)

When the Lamb broke open the fifth seal, I saw at the foot of the altar the souls of those whose lives had been sacrificed for [adhering to] the Word of God and for the testimony they had borne. They cried in a loud voice, O [Sovereign] Lord, holy and true, how long now before You will sit in judgment and avenge our blood upon those who dwell on the earth? [Gen. 4:10; Ps. 79:5; Zech. 1:12.] Then they were each given a long and flowing and festive white robe and told to rest and wait patiently a little while longer, until the number should be complete of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Revelation 6:9-11 AMP)

Also something to think about, if death, physical death is so atrocious for the believer, why would Samuel be upset to be called back into the land of the physical living. He said that they had disturbed him.

This is not what I had initially decided to focus on, but reading the posts led me down this path.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

P.S. Someone, I’m sorry I can’t remember who, asked about Jesus being the first raised from the dead when others, like Lazarus in the John reading had been brought back to life. Well again, we need to be clear on what “death” Jesus is talking about. Yes, Jesus brought back people from the dead, and by the way so did the prophets Elijah and Elisha; however, all those folks died a physical death, again. Jesus was the only one who came back to physical life but will NEVER die a physical death again. Those who are His will also be clothed with a body that will be eternal and incorruptible when He returns.

Oops! I forgot about the witches; familiar spirits and mediums.

Each of these things deal with death, something that well, scares us to death. We don’t know what is on the other side; however, God has told us what He has prepared for us but He left no solid proof. That is why we operate by faith. Witches, familiar spirits and mediums allege to tell us what God won’t. This is the same thing that happened in the Garden, “Did God say …?” We are enticed into this realm of demonic activity because deep down inside we believe God is keeping us in the dark, He’s pulling a fast one. It’s not demonic because it’s spooky and eerie; it is demonic because it is in the realm of Satan. I think I stated this before, There are only two Kingdoms; The Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Satan. Everything in the Kingdom of Satan is demonic. In the Kingdom of God, Jesus is Lord; In the kingdom of Satan, Satan isn’t Lord—self is Lord.

Here is something to think about, what is a medium. It is someone who alleges to stand between the living and the dead. The problem is that anyone who operates in these modes are DEAD, spiritually dead. If Believers, God’s folk—His people, go to one of these to find out “stuff,” they are talking to dead folk (spiritually dead) about well dead folk (physically dead and possibly spiritually dead also). There is someone who stands between the living and the dead and it ain’t no medium it is Jesus Christ.

Familiar spirits are those demonic spirits that have hung around your family, region, country through the ages and know everything about you. That’s why they are familiar and you are comfortable with them being around. If someone or something gives you a “word” you best know how that “word” lines up with the Word. We are suppose to walk by faith not by our senses, feelings and emotions.

Witches are just necromancers; folks hanging around dead stuff and dead folk. Why if Jesus is the Truth and the Life, why would we want to rub shoulders and elbows with death when we have Life?

And when the people [instead of putting their trust in God] shall say to you, Consult for direction mediums and wizards who chirp and mutter, should not a people seek and consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? (Isaiah 8:19 AMP)

What we are really concerned about our loved ones who we may or may not see in heaven, bottom line. But guess what, when you get to heaven, if those folks are saved you will see them; if not, you won’t remember. There will be no tears shed in heaven.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

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I have a question if you don't mind?

It is about 1 Samuel 28- The part were Saul goes to a Medium to find out what is going to happen the next day and according to the bible he gets the woman to bring Samuel up from the dead to speak to him . Question being are not all Mediums and conjourers all from satan ? If so how did Samuel come to be there and be party to this evil act?

I have looked up many commentaries but they are all contradictory , would like to hear what your impressions of this passage are. Thank you for all your help.

Anonymous

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Question being are not all Mediums and conjourers all from satan ? If so how did Samuel come to be there and be party to this evil act?

Question 1: No!
Question 2: Because God wanted to send Saul a message!

Leroy

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I disagree with the first answer to this question.

Saul had no business going to a conjurer/medium/witch. It was strictly prohibited by God. Saul has made many poor choices in his life that are dangerous to follow and this is one of them.

The fact that it seems that the witch seems to have connected with the real Samuel is a surprise even to her. This is not the usual way of things and in fact Samuel doesn't give Saul what he is looking for. He basically tells him it's too late for him--he should have consulted and obeyed the man of God when he had the chance.

Following are the scriptural prohibitions on spiritists that I copied from the bible.org article link that was listed.

First, God has strictly forbidden the use of mediums. A number of Old Testament texts forbid the presence of mediums and other spiritists in the land of Israel and also forbid the Israelites to consult such persons. Consider these prohibitions in the Law of Moses:

“‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God’” (Leviticus 19:31).

“‘As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people’” (Leviticus 20:6).

“‘Now a man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritist shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones, their bloodguiltiness is upon them’” (Leviticus 20:27).

10 “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 “For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. 13 “You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. 14 “For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so” (Deuteronomy 18:10-14).

Micah Girl

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My views on the medium issue - while I fully concur it is prohibited by God for us to contact the dead, He appears to allow (in certain circumstances) the dead to contact the living. I had an experience after my hubby died where I 'felt' he was talking to me (in my mind just - no visitation), and the ensuing 'conversation' was very spiritual where 'he' continually exhorted me to put Jesus first, and to know that we would indeed soon be joined together in God (he was a Christian too). I actually 'prayed against' Satan twice in the early part of this encounter as I really was so unsure of its source, but Stephen insisted it was him, and said he understood why I had to do that. The more interesting point of this 'encounter' was that Stephen told me he was only being given one opportunity to talk to me, and I was under no circumstances to 'seek him out' i.e, through mediums (not that I ever would have anyway). Finally I wrote down the entire conversation 8 hours later and know it was accurate (incredible for me who forgets what I did or said 2 hours ago!), and gave it to a solid fundamentalist minister to assess his opinion of the whole thing. He considered it to be okay because 1) I hadn't sought the encounter in any way and 2) the contents of it were very 'Jesus oriented' - and continually exhorted me to put Jesus first etc, along with some other confirmations.

So, while 8 years on, I now look back at that and start to have some doubts about it, I would still hold that God can allow the dead to contact the living in certain cases and maybe in various ways, although part of me would still be very wary about it.

===================
What I marvel at in some respects regarding Saul's case, is that having just been given a definite prophecy by Samuel about what's going to happen the next day and how - Saul doesn't consider changing his plans in any way - was he unable to do so for some divine reason, or is it just another testimony to the fact that we cannot change our future no matter how much we might like to - if we're going to die tomorrow, it will happen no matter what we decide to do, and/or even if we know about it in advance. It's also interesting too from the other angle of current day affairs - those who go to mediums etc now, would very much change their routine or lifestyle if told to do so or given 'knowledge' of some future event possibly happening. At the very least, they would end up living their lives totally stressed out worrying - precisely why God has never granted us the ability to know what lies ahead. Makes for a much less stressful life. Just think how tough it can be if you know you've got a tough meeting with your boss in 2 days time, or you're going to get test results tomorrow etc - way much worse if you knew something really bad or tough to deal with was going to happen up ahead.
==================
Then looking at the NT story of Lazarus - listening to it once more, just made me think about something I was vehemently against not so long ago, but now am going to go and re-research - soul sleep! I'd always gone with the 'camp' that states - "absent from the body, present with the Lord", which asserts that you are fully awake, aware and corpus mentus at the instant of death and thereafter, which I do feel seems right. But then, listening to Jesus saying that Lazarus has only fallen asleep, makes me wonder. Seems a bit strange to consider that Lazarus might have died, actually gone to heaven only to be told that he's not going to stay there, but has to return to his body for Jesus to have His glory shown to the waiting crowd. Yet, I equally wonder was Lazarus a purely special case in respect of death and resurrection and/or was the possible concept of 'soul sleep' only a reality BEFORE the resurrection of Jesus??

Anyone want to comment on these concepts? Love to hear alternate views or links to other sites which might prove useful for continuing my research into the last one. Thanks.

Romayne

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Mediums...I thought when Samuel died he went to heaven..so that meant he was with God.God had taken a stand on mediums...seeking out mediums was never his will.It would suprise me that God would make an exception for Saul by letting the spirit of Samuel be summoned by a worker of satan thereby assisting in the breaking of a law He had made.Did Saul after all he did go to heaven?I've really not seen Saul have a relationship with God at all(except when he needed something).The Samuel the medium brought up said Saul and his sons would be together with him....Well,did Samuel have the right to judge who was going where after death?But the most disturbing question to me is...would God use satan's agents (after refusing to speak to Saul)to communicate...If God said no mediums then let Samuel go "prophesy"...isn't that breaking his own law....
I haven't had the time to read Bob's commentaries but this is one time I'll say "God if this is true,show me yourself cos it just doesn't sound like it's you".

I have to admit the statement Jesus made"this sickness is not unto death"is kind of puzzling because Lazarus did die because of the sickness....and as Romayne pointed out...the issue of the soul sleeping..that's a pretty hard piece of meat to chew.
At the same time...to the unbelieving Jews...the saw the blind man healed,now Lazarus....truly they had no excuse not to believe.It brings us to the question of those who believed...what was so different about them.Jesus said that nobody can come to Him unless the father draws him near...must say I'm having a hard time with this bit....would really love get other insights.
God bless you all
Anka

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Back to the mediums - Anka, I tend to think that while mediums are indeed most likely deluded by, at the very least, and totally sold over to at worst, Satan, God has only said to us that we are not to contact the dead, NOT that it's not possible though - if anything this episode with Samuel to me shows it is indeed possible, and that quite likely those on the 'other side' know more about the future perhaps and if we could indeed contact them we would know more than we should again. However, I do believe that for the most part mediums do only contact demonic spirits masquerading as dead loved ones, hence those who use them in some sense are paying for their sin twice - they're going to be deluded firstly, and judged by God secondly. But like you, I do wonder why God allowed it - or indeed why bother doing it through a medium - if He wanted Samuel to appear to Saul, I would have imagined He could just have done it Himself rather than having Saul commit the additional sin of seeking out the medium. As you say - just throws up yet more questions.

Same with your second query - sounds a bit like the Calvinistic concept of predestination - that only those God elects can actually ever come to Him (which I disagree with) and if you're elected you couldn't decide not to submit and accept Jesus. I think it's more a case that the person is already considering their options, which allows the Holy Spirit room to move in their lives and reveal the Truth to them which they then have the choice to accept or reject. Others may disagree, but before anyone shouts at me for being in the opposite camp (Armenian) I'm not - although Methodist, I disagree with its beliefs too - I'm what I fondly call a Calvinistic Armeniast (apologies for sp). Basically I would believe in a middle viewpoint.

Anyway - hopefully some others might be online soon to discuss and debate these questions further. Appreciate your input tho Anka.

Romayne

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Saul at Endor

"Question being are not all Mediums and conjourers all from satan ?"

I am not sure what "all from satan" means? A medium that CAN contact the spirit world would work through "familiar spirits". These are demons (fallen angels) who have been around since Satan's fall. They are not dummies and have extensive knowledge of the subjects that are targeted for contact. "Familiar Spirits" can give detailed information from the deceased person's life and the interactions with the person desiring contact. Hence the term "familiar". They can imitate the voice and materialize looking like that person.

That being said - I think most mediums can be classified as non-believers in Christ. They are used by Satan and his minions to influence people's thoughts about the afterlife. The mediums (especially today) think they have this great gift and are using it for good. They think they have it all figured out, but today's mediums (and maybe the OT ones) are just pawns in Satan's game plan - to make people think they get it right (about the afterlife) - reincarnation, everyone in a happy place, spirit staying on earth, etc.- as long as they never go to Christ. NOTE: You will never see a clairvoyant or medium today who claims to contact the dead make comments endorsing the gospel or Jesus. Anything but that! that is enough to raise a red flag for me.

So, I do not think it is right to say they are "all from Satan" as much as they are being used and manipulated by Satan and his minions.

As Micah and Sue said - contacting the spirit world is a no-no. Micah's citings are absolutely correct. Today there is only one spirit we are to be contacting, and that is God - through the only intercessor and mediator the Bible acknowledges - Jesus Christ.

I base the above on comments by Erwin Lutzer, John Macarthur, and David Jeremiah, and a little reading on the subject.

I believe that people see aliens, have recordings of spirit voices (EVP), that contact with the spirit world is possible and has happened, and that apparations have appeared on earth - I just believe it is all done by "familiar spirits" (demons) who try to twist and turn what goes on in the Universe and after death to spin the story away from God and Jesus.

Saul at Endor II

As "anonymous" said, there is conflicting opinions in commentarieas on what went on here. I acknowledge that, and would like to just point out some things I noticed.

1)vs 12. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice..."

The woman (medium) is either a charlatan or for real.
- if a charlatan than she must have been shocked at what she saw regarding Samuel. She was probably going to try and play (con)Saul regarding Samuel and information Saul wanted.
- if for "real" then something bothered her a great deal. Perhaps the normal contact with a "familiar spirit" did not play out as usual, and Samuel's appearance was a great deviation from the norm.

I base this on the Hebrew word "za`aq" translated "she cried". This verb is in the Hebrew Qal Imperfect and is translated"
a) to call (to one's aid)
b) to cry, cry out (in need)

In a loud voice she called or cried out "in need" or "for aid". Why would this woman if experianced need "aid" or be "in need". I would propose that something radically different from the norm is going on in her job of contacting "spirit".

2) "the woman saw Samuel...Then Saul knew it was Samuel...Samuel said to Saul" excerpts from NIV.

"Saw", "knew", "said" all Hebrew Qal tense and all mean what we think they would mean in English.

Jesus just said in John that:

(Part of John 10:35)
"-and the Scripture cannot be broken-"

So I conclude it is Samuel. In addition, a "familiar spirit" COULD recount all the past info Samuel did to Saul. However familiar spirits have no power to know the future. So, by Samuel fortelling the future (accurately) is further proof to me that it is Samuel speaking to Saul.

So the BIG Question is WHY? Why did God allow Samuel to arise from Sheol/Hades)? (I am with Ramona that the Lazarus/rich man story is not a parable but an instruction as to what the afterlife consisted of before the Cross.)

I don't know. My guess is that it was done for effect. That Saul being away from his troops would be in a "different place" mentally. If Samuel appeared back in camp, maybe Saul would have broke camp and run, or gone to food and drink or sleep. Afrter Samuel finished. it says Saul's strength was gone, he had fasted (by accident or on purpose???). Perhaps if he had been in camp and had food and been strong - he would have played off Samuel, God and the predictions and made excuses as Saul had been known to do in the past. In this setting Saul was forced to reflect on Samuel's words, and his mortality, and perhaps - repent.

The big prediction is Saul and his sons would be dead on the morrow. WOW! If you knew that what would you be doing the night before and all the next day? Maybe this was Saul's last chance to repent.

Scripture does not tell us if Saul repented (at least I don't think so) and people discuss it all the time as to Saul's fate. Samuel said, "and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me". I believe Samuel is in Sheol on the Abraham side. Jonathan would certainly be on that side after his death? Would Saul? Or would Saul be on the rich man's side of Hades suffering and in torment. We simply do not know. It all depends on if Saul turned back to God, repented and "believed".

Sue,

Ramona posted:
"Jesus was the only one who came back to physical life but will NEVER die a physical death again. Those who are His will also be clothed with a body that will be eternal and incorruptible when He returns."

Like Ramona said - Christ is the first that died and would never die again. His resurrection broke the "sting" of death" - showing there is eternal life. Something he has been preaching all through John.

All your cited passages refer to that concept:

Acts: rise and show the light or knowledge that there is eternal life.

1Cor: Christ is the firstfruits of them that slept. The first of the harvest of souls that would go to heaven. (look up Jewish offering of first fruits and its symbolism in Christ.)

Col: Christ is the first to ascend to heaven followed by the saints - the church.

Romayne,

Now that I have violated two post rule. :(

John 11:12-15
His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

I to believe "absent from the body, present with the Lord", it is just that I think Lazarus was in Sheol as the story lazarus/richman instructs. The Father is omnipresent, so He is there on the paradise side. It is not heaven, but it is a "happy " place. I guess since non-belief results in separation from God, that although the Father is omnipresent , He is not on the "rich man's side" of Hades/Sheol. that is why that side of Hades is such a place of torment - especially if they can see the happy side across the chasm.

I do not believe anybody went to heaven until Christ ascended their first.

I will go on record as firmly rejecting the doctrine of "soul sleep". At death we are not just laying in the ground awaiting judgment day. (At least our spirit/soul is not).

I think we will find ample text (verses) on that as we get further in the New Testament.

BTW Urban legend has it that Lazarus only smiled once after he returned from the dead. Apparently he was not all that pleased to be back from "paradise". He ended up in Lanarca in Cyprus where his second tomb is located. (you can search: lazarus lanarca cyprus (tomb) to get some interesting reading.

John

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Ramona and John:

Thanks both of you for this information. I KNEW it had to be something I just wasn't seeing, and you hit the bull's eye!

This absent from the body and present with the Lord concept is a difficult one for me to grasp. There are so many schools of thought on what happens when we die. We know we will stand before the white throne judgment and God will see Christ's righteousness, but when? After the rapture? At the moment of death? Then there is all this "near death experience tales" and it gets rather complex, so I cannot quite get my mind around this death thing, but I will reread these and try.

This is why fellowship with the saints is so important to me "...do not forsake the fellowshipping..."

God's love and blessings.

Sue

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Things to think about:
1) The Bible says that "The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not anything."
2) Angels sometimes come in the form of men - good angels and bad. The Bible also talks about the spirits of devils working miracles - why would God work with a witch? Think about a fallen angel pretending to be Samuel. He would know all about what had been the life of Samuel and he could very well make someone kill Saul the next day if God didn't overrule. And how about mediums (witches) helping police solve crimes. Don't Satan and his angels know exactly what has happened and can relay that to the witches?
3) Is the Rapture Biblical? What do you do about I Thessalonians 5:16,17? Oh, I know what people say, that Jesus has to come back for the body.... but that's not quite what the Bible says here.
God bless in our continued study to know His truth.

Dora

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Dora wrote:

1) The Bible says that "The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not anything."

God didn't write that Solomon did and he wrote it "under the sun," not under the Son. You must read the text in context and understand who is speaking: is it God or is it man thinking about God and his works. That statement is based on an observation. This type of thought will also be found in the Book of Job.

I'll leave the other two points (2 & 3) for someone else or for a latter time. I have to get ready for church.

Ramona

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Years ago when I was teaching Sunday School, we studied this chapter where Saul had the spiritualist call up the ghost of Samuel. Then there were few places on the Internet that charged for readings so I printed out the free readings they predicted for me for the Saturday before the lesson. I avoided all the sites that required me to leave an email address because I did not want future communication with spiritualist! All of the readings were different and they predicted things like coming into money, finding romance, travel, etc. I passed out the readings to the class so they could see how different they were. Everyone got real interested and wanted to know which ones came true. It was not until then that I told the class that none of them came true because I had made arrangements the previous month to have someone come and help me houseclean, and that Saturday was spent washing windows and scrubbing down walls. I stressed the point that all spiritual readings, except for the Scripture, are pure trash and should be treated as trash and to drive the point home I passed around the trashcan for everyone to dump the readings in. God used that lesson to make an impression on the class because there were some in the class that admitted they started each out day by reading their horoscope instead of the Bible! They made a vow right then that they would start out each day with Bible in hand instead of the horoscope in the newspaper. I pray that each of you start your day out with the Word of God to give you the guidance you will need that day.

God Bless!
Pat

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I find that it is very interesting that the verse Jesus wept, can open our minds to many thoughts. I think about how I grew up and learned that it was not ok to show my emotions, I learned not to cry. Many years went by and horrific things happened in my life, yet I couldn't cry, even when my mom graduated into Heaven! Then, my first born child, my oldest daughter, passed away unexpectedly and I cried. I cried from so very deep with in me and I thought I would never stop! God spoke to me in that verse, Jesus wept, and I realized that it was alright to cry. I then learned that God saves each of our tears and I was set free from that point. I learnd that tears are cleansing, healing and they gave me a new strength to carry on what I believed in God, to live Spiritually in the world!
I found through obedience to God and following His directions, my life became a life, free from all the cluter, and garbage I had built up in it and carried like a treasure I should save, but now I let it all go and I have freedom.
I now have joy, happines, and peace.
I believe Jesus laughed, it says he attended a lot of weddings and there is a lot of laughter and joy at a wedding!

Dottie

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Knowing this about Jesus, does this help you to realize that you can approach Jesus with absolutely any situation in your life that you might be struggling with? Do you believe that Jesus will understand you if you are weeping? Do you believe that Jesus will rejoice with you when you are rejoicing? ~ Absolutely!!! I know He'll understand me, I can feel it when I cry! I feel Him comforting me when I cry. It's a wonderful feeling! He knows my struggles, He can cry with me, He can feel what I feel! And when I'm having my breakthrough and cry from happiness He's there with me too! Jesus is awesome!!! He knows me so well, He knows how to encourage me, comfort me and bring me where I want to be and most important; keeping me on the right path and bring me where God wants me to be!

Mae

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1 Samuel is again very interesting...how Saul contacted Samuel and that God permitted this. I definitely believe any kind of palm reading, mediums, tarot card, juigi boards is all occultic and bad news. Christians have no right messing with any of that, but I'd advise all ppl to stay away. Its very real and demonic...its opening the door to the demonic world. I have heard so many stories!
I was reading commentary on Saul bringing up Samuel and it was saying this is the only case in the BIble and any attempt to contact the dead, if it 'works' you are really contacting demonic beings impersonating the dead. I have been in such pain from the loss of my best friend that I considered a medium, just to talk to her one time...Even after I knew it would be a demon impersonating her, i was so desperate i considered it, but then rejected it. So I know ppl in loss and pain are very vulnerable. But as christians, God forbids us! we have the choice to disobey but why would we?? This opens the doors to allowing evil spirits in. One of my good friends is not a believer and has seen demons in her house, when she describes it, it sounded terrifying! I spent the night at her apartment once and she left to hang out with the neighbor...the same apartment that the demon was in (she described it in great detail) but I felt no fear, because Greater is HE that is in me, then he that is in the world. I know a demon will not touch me bcos I have not opened those doors and I know they are NO match for Christ...they are terrified. I could tell stories of ppl i know using juigi boards and levitating but i dont want to dwell too much on the evil world. i am aware it exists, i stay away, and thats enough.

"Jesus wept". I kinda wondered about this verse a while back, why would He weep knowing He would raise Lazarus, but actually He wept because He saw the pain death left others with. He Lazarus' sisters and friends in such pain and that caused Him great pain. I know when I see ppl I care for crying over their losses and in pain, I cry too bcos I feel their hurt. Jesus, feeling total empathy and compassion is able to comfort us bcos He knows the pain it causes us humans.
I have also heard Jesus was described as having a great sense of humor and being funny. I'm sure Jesus laughed: He was both fully human and fully God.

Jenny

====

"David then asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, "Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?"
"I'll go with you," said Abishai."

I find this nepotism very interesting:

1. Ahimelech was Hittite.
2. Zeruiah was David's Sister
3. Joab and Abishai were the sons of David's sister, Zeruiah
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As David calls out Saul yet another time, after this time taking Saul's spear and water jug, again we hear Saul acknowledge his wrongdoing. It puts me in mind of Judah when Tamar was about to be stoned, how Judah acknowledged that she was more honorable than Judah because he would not give her his son to wed.

Then I got to thinking about what Jesus said in "Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16: But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17: And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

David employed this in his first encounter with Saul in the cave (privately), and now he speaks out in front of his men so that all can be party to what is really going on, and it is again remarkable to me how scripture interprets scripture.
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We know that Saul was quite aware of his sin in consulting a medium, because just before this he had expelled all the mediums and spiritists.

The witch of Endor (the medium) was located in the Philistine-held territory, so Saul disguised himself and went "by night" (bear in mind what Jesus said in John 11:9 and 10 today:

"9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."

Isn't it ironic that Saul would swear by the very existence of the Lord that this medium was safe from punishment, while he was in blatant disobedience to the very Levitical law that required her to be stoned?

The text clearly indicates that Samuel, not an apparition, was evident to the eyes of the medium. God miraculously permitted the actual spirit of Samuel to speak. Because she understood her inability to raise the dead in this manner, she immediately knew that it must have been by the power of God and that her disguised inquirer must be Saul.

The word translated "spirit" is actually the Hebrew word meaning "God, gods, angel, ruler, or judge." It can also be used to designate a likeness to one of these from the medium's perspective. Samuel appeared to be "like a spirit" ascending out of the earth. There is no other such miracle as this in all of Scripture.

Obviously age and clothing do not exist in the realm of the spirits of those who have died, but God miraculously gave such appearances so that Saul was able to perceive that the spirit was Samuel. The question arises whether all believers will remain in the form they were in when they died. Since Scripture teaches that the resurrection of the saints is yet future (Daniel 12:1,2), Samuel must have been in this condition temporarily for the benefit of Saul alone.
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The reading today is chalk so full of choice morsels. "All this meat and no potatoes." *LOL*
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Now, this Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha: He was resurrected from the dead before Jesus, and the folks in the town on the day of Jesus crucifixion; "Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52: And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53: And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many."

What gives? I have a little difficulty with this, not that I believe scripture is wrong, but that my understanding is dull. How is it that we proclaim that Jesus is first to rise from the dead in light of the death of Lazarus, the child Elijah raised up, these folks coming out of the grave?

"Acts:26:23: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

1Cor:15:20: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Col:1:18: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

Can someone please clarify this for me?

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Alright, now finally we see that Caiaphas actually did prophesy about Jesus death in his plot to have him killed; remarkable how God uses even the bad things about our character to bring about good:

"John 11:49... Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! 50You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."

51He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53So from that day on they plotted to take his life."

Bet you thought I was going to use the entire page today, huh? (Oh, I did?)

Sue

====

While every life has seasons of laughter and sorrow, I believe that communities do also. I just think that the times that the writers of the gospels were living in, they were more impressed by the weeping. Maybe Jesus laughed a lot in an age of sorrow. Think of the recent hard times of our own country and the depression. It shaped people's lives. The crucification of Jesus was still fresh on their minds. I've heard preachers say that Jesus my have been weeping because He knew Lazarus was in God's presence and the miracle required Lazarus to come back into a sinful environment. It is comforting to know that Jesus wept- and I believe our Father planned that we would know this. I believe that he weeps even now with us-at least we know that the Holy Spirit grieves.

Lisa

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When I read the John passage I assumed Jesus was weeping partly because he alone *knew* that was going to be him in a very short time: a combination of natural human dread and fear at that prospect mixed together with the infinite love and power of God. Who wouldn't weep?

As for laughing, I'm *sure* from personal experiences that God has a very good sense of humor. That said, if the majority of your children were slaves to sin and death and refused to even recognize, much less obey you, would you laugh?

Art

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IMHO, Samuel would have temporarily gone to the place Jesus spoke of in the parable of Lazarus & the Rich Man... only at the cross did Jesus offer anyone the chance to actually & finally go to Paradise. Even then, the dead are still awaiting the resurrection and the final fulfillment of the of the Kingdom and eternity as transformed beings as Paul tells us the dead and the living will be at Jesus 2nd appearance!

As far as this being truly Samuel appearing to Saul... even though this is a contested issue with possible evidence on either side, I tend to think that short of God suspending the usual "uncrossable gulf between the dead and the living" ala the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man that existed even for the righteous dead, this is not Samuel, but only appears to be. I won't go into more detail why I think that, but necromancy is called evil by the Lord, so why would God allow or practice it himself??!! There is such a thing as raising the dead back to life & there will be resurrection for all, but all the mentioning of the living being concerned with "ghosts/spirits of the dead" in the Bible is surrounded with superstition and/or evil spiritual practices...just some thoughts (sorry I did not include scripture references, but anyone can easily search these things out)

Peace
Timberwolf

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No time now to expound now but...

just think about Moses & Elija coming back and talking with Jesus during the transfiguration...

And as to Mike's question about the Lord laughing:

"He who sits in the heavens laughs...." Psalm 2:4

Kary

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Kary,
that is an interesting comment.. thanks for it!

A difference between Samuel and Moses & Elijah was that both of their bodies were removed from the earth or somehow contended for ... I wonder if there was a reason for that?

Ramona said: "Also something to think about, if death, physical death is so atrocious for the believer, why would Samuel be upset to be called back into the land of the physical living. He said that they had disturbed him."

There is no indication that the supposed Samuel was physical in nature... if a donkey can see an angel like Balaam's did, even if this was a spirit, there is no body needed.

Look at the way this passage is worded. It is just like a typical modern seance... Saul sees nothing! Perhaps the "Samuel" that is speaking is the medium speaking on his behalf (falsely or not):

1 Samuel 29:
13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.

15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”

God said that one of the reasons Saul was judged for consulting a medium... obviously he did something evil... so, is God in the necromancy business or not?

1 Chronicles 10: 13 So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14 He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

(God doesn't seem to be laughing there!)

I think Kary's meeting of Jesus with the 2 prophets is a completely different thing!

These kinds of passages are certainly interesting, but definitely complex!
Just more to think about in this difficult issue, that will always have 2 interpretations I am sure ;)

peace
Timberwolf

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I agree with Mike's comments on tarot cards. In fact, we should be careful with Yoga as well.

David did not kill Saul for a second time. This makes me think of the Northern Israeli kingdom after Solomon. I the later books that we will read, we will learn that the later kings succeeded not by natural means. They murdered. I believe David set a godly example in front of God that David did not murder Saul, although he could. But that would reflected the serious sins of the later kings as they never learned from this example.

Re: 1 Samuel 27--David Among the Philistines

As Ramona said in her comments, David also sinned. He lied to the Achish son of Maok king of Gath. David is not perfect. Although he did not kill Saul just a while ago, he had not enough faith (he feared Saul) and so he went to Philistines. And he lied to the king. The bible recorded David's lies and lack of faith.

Frederick

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I am sure that Jesus must have laughed. He spent time with children and they liked being around Him. Children like to have fun and laugh. He must have laughed. Also, look at all the funny things He created. He *must* have a sense of humor - monkeys, strange-looking animals, etc.

Cheryl

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Jesus wept. This is the shortest verse in the Bible.

Raeann

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19"Moreover the LORD will also give over Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, therefore tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Indeed the LORD will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines!"

Does this imply that Saul would be in the same place as Samuel? You and your sons. I believe that Jonathan was a rightous son.

It is quite something how the bible lines up, we get the shortest chapter of the bible, Psalm 117 and the shortest verse, "Jesus wept."

He is the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Christ, will live even if he dies, Praise His Holy Name.

Patty

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I believe Jesus laughed...because of his love for the children, he must have...kids do such funny, cute, quirky and even though they don't realize it, insightful things. We love and laugh with our children. I believe Jesus does too.

Marcella

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Yes, I think Jesus laughed. He loves children and children love Him. Love of children has intrinsic laughter, joy and pleasure. Our Saviour is the positive force in the universe, He created it, He has to have a sense of humour.

Diane

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Mike and everyone,
Mike - thank you for pointing out the verse: "Jesus wept." (John 11:35 NIV).
i've spent the day on and off looking up commentaries and sermons regarding this verse.
came across this story to share:
'A mission executive from the United States was visiting a school in Kenya where he was listening as teenage girls shared how they had been blessed by hearing the Bible in their own language. One girl testified that the verse that had the greatest impact on her was Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Another said that the verse that had the greatest impact on her was John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” She said that when she wept in the night, she knew that Jesus was weeping with her.
The mission executive wondered why these two girls were mourning and weeping. He thought that maybe they had chosen these verses to share because they were short and easy to remember. But the school’s teacher leaned over and whispered to him that both of these girls had lost their parents to AIDS. Jesus’ compassion comforted them in their losses.' (from
Bible.org, Lesson 62:The Teacher's Tears, John 11:28-37, Steven J Cole)

Father, thank You that through Jesus' word and His life, You've let us know, that You are a God of compassion. You rejoice when we are happy, and weep when we are sad. Thank You for the blessing and privilege in believing in You. in Jesus' name, amen.

Sincerely,
Joyce

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Thank you Ramona. My wife of nearly 19 years just [assed away April 10 of this year and I believe, absent from the body, present with the Lord. We get our resurrected bodies after the tribulation, that 1000 years Jesus will be on this earth. Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow. The Holy Spirit is helping me get better every day.

Alan

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Jesus was fully divine and fully human. He went through everything we experienced. This is what makes it so easy for us to come to Him. He understands our humanity while fully being God. Which makes me believe he had to have a good laugh too! Because, He loves being with all people and children. That fact alone had to have had many comical moments! Even now, I’m positive we make him laugh, He brings me joy daily!

Imja

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There may be no record of Jesus ever laughing, but I suspect He did... pretty often. After all, look at the disciples He was surrounded with!

Sam

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Wow..witches..spirits and mediums in 1 Samuel..bad on Saul..he wasn't very aware of the power of prayer and of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He just knew he was not anointed anymore. His time to shine is dwindling down and he is desperate. However he knows that David is the promised one to be on the throne next.

I just always think wow for John 11. To have a friend like Jesus in those times visit in flesh and blood and weep over me(which I know we have this relationship now when we surrender and ask him in our heart) but I still say wow! Lazarus being Risen from the grave. Jesus wept. Wow!

Sweet short verses on other two..Allalejuh verses.

Dee

May 19th Bible in a Year Readings

1 Samuel 24:1-25:44 + John 10:22-42 + Psalm 116:1-19 + Proverbs 15:20-21
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament - Interesting chapters today!  David is essentially put to the test by God over the next 3 chapters - 2 tests today and 1 tomorrow.  And the test is this - obedience.  You'll recall that Saul fails the test of obedience early in his kingship.  David passes the tests - he does not kill Saul and he does not kill Nabal.  He could have killed both.  First Samuel 24 verses 5 through 7 are a great look at David's character when Saul was in the cave - "But then David's conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul's robe. "The LORD knows I shouldn't have done it," he said to his men. "It is a serious thing to attack the LORD's anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him." So David sharply rebuked his men and did not let them kill Saul."

How impressive is Abigail in First Samuel chapter 25!  Her speech to David in verses 24 through 30 is awesome.  She takes all the blame.  Calls out Nabal.  Gives David gifts.  And smartly lets him know he doesn't need this blood on his hands.  David is clearly impressed.   Below is Dutch artist Jacob Willemsz de Wet's painting from the 17th century titled "The Meeting of David and Abigail":

Bible.org's commentary on today's First Samuel readings titled "A Time to Kill, or Not" is at this link and "Dear Abby" is at this link.

New Testament - John chapter 10 verse 30 is a powerful teaching from Jesus! "The Father and I are one."  Many churches celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in the Upper Room after Jesus' ascension into heaven.  Thus, rounding out the Trinity. (Bible.org has a great overview of the Trinity at this link.)  The Father.  The Son.  And the Holy Spirit.  Do you believe Jesus when he says, ""The Father and I are one" ?  Jesus smartly quotes from Psalm 82 verse 6 in verses 34-36 today: "Jesus replied, "It is written in your own law that God said to certain leaders of the people, `I say, you are gods!' And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people, who received God's message, were called `gods,' why do you call it blasphemy when the Holy One who was sent into the world by the Father says, `I am the Son of God'?"

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in John titled "The Sovereign Shepherd" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 116 verses 1 & 2 are amazing- "I love the LORD because he hears and answers my prayers.  Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!" How is your prayer life these days?  Do you believe God bends down and listens to your prayers?  And answers them?   Will you pray as long as you have breath?

Proverbs - Wow.  Proverbs 15 verse 21 is convicting to me - "Foolishness brings joy to those who have no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path."  Sometimes in the past I got joy from foolishness... not a good sign!  And yes, I noticed sometimes that when I was getting joy from foolishness I was no longer on the right path...  I'd strayed off a bit...   God brought me back and welcomed me back on the right path once I got my senses.  I pray we can avoid foolishness and the fake joy that comes with it.  There is a difference I believe between healthy rest & play - and foolishness.  We should know better.

Worship Video: Today's Proverb reminds me of the wisdom in Rebecca St. James' beautiful song "You are Loved:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq0gtxumSrU

Do you know that you are loved? Click here for LOVE!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "I and the Father are one." John 10:30 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you fully know and realize that Jesus is God. Pray and worship Jesus as God. Pray to the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in thanksgiving for their blessed Trinitarian nature.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How are you doing with discerning the difference between healthy rest & play and foolishness in your life today?  Do you ever veer toward foolishness?  Why do you suppose this happens?   Is this healthy?  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 Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our 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 Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

1 Samuel 24:1-25:44
When we are in sin we become illogical, irrational and unreasonable. Here we see a picture of a man who marshals all the resources available too him and channels all his energy to pursue a personal grudge. The pursuit of David in reality is a fight against God. Saul’s response to David after David shows him that he had the ability to take his life, lets us know that Saul knew just like God had anointed him king, God had removed the kingship from him and given it to David.

Saul had a “beef” with God. I believe no matter what our excuse or justification we put forth when we rebel against rightful leadership, spiritual or political, we are fighting against God. The lawlessness and crime committed against people, family friends or foe, is are puny attempt to fight against God.

There are clear contrasts between David’s response to Saul’s physical pursuit against him to take his life, and Nabal’s insult: one wanted to harm his body, the other harmed his feelings. Saul pursued David for years; Nabal’s insult came by way of messenger and probably took a couple of minutes to convey. How do we respond to a “slight?” Do we muster up a greater desire to carry out revenge and retaliate when we are insulted then when confronted with the possibility of direct physical harm? Thank God for the people who are placed in our paths to speak reason into our lives. If David had been allowed to continue on his path to destroy Nabal and all of his servants, he would have become as corrupted as Saul. That thought gives me great pause to think as well as give me a greater understand of, “There but for the grace of God go I.”

John 10:22-42
It annoys me to no end when people ask me a question, pretending to want information, then turn and challenge the answer given. I’m not talking about a test situation but people pretending that they don’t know something but in reality they are setting you up. Jesus went thought this experience daily, religious leaders asking only to try and trick Him but never could. I don’t know about you but I think I would give up doing that after the first year, and surly after the second, or would I?

Jesus had already told them previously that they were like their father, the Devil and he never gives up. The trickery didn’t work and not only could they not trap Him, they couldn’t even arrest Him because it wasn’t His time.

I love the last two verses of this reading because it shows that there is a “remnant” that adhered to and clung to Jesus because they honestly took the words of the Prophets, the words of John the Baptist and measured Jesus by them and found He measured up.

Psalm 116:1-19
1 I love the LORD because he hears
and answers my prayers.

In the book of First John the writer pens this statement, 19 We love Him, because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) For me that is a true statement not based on theology but based on my own experience. When I first came to faith it wasn’t because someone had dragged me to church. Like Saul I was in deep rebellion of God. I hated anything and everything that smacked of Church, Jesus, God and any and every religion. Church folk had so scarred me that by the time I was sixteen I had pronounced God dead. It is a good thing that God didn’t take orders from me.

Almost twenty years latter I found myself in total despair but that didn’t change my mind it only opened it to a challenge I received, “You can spend all day debating whether or not there is a God. The only way you are going to really find out is to try some of His commands and see if they work. If they don’t throw everything out in the trash, if they do then keep it.” I tried and I kept. I love God because I know deep down in the very fiber of my being that He loves Me.

Psalm 34
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
Proverbs 15:20-21
We try to justify, quantify and rationalize unacceptable behavior, but the writer of Proverbs lays all that raunchy disrespectful rebellious behavior on “sin” and the "i" that is in the middle of it all.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

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There seems to be so many sides to David,it's amazing.He called Saul father and the words he spoke seem filled with pain.David didn't seem angry at Saul,just deeply hurt.He didn't act in anger even when Saul was close by...anger would have led him Kill Saul.
Yet in the case of Nabal,David doesn't seem so humble any more.I would presume a godly man would protect others not so they'd pay him back,rather would look to God for his needs.True,hospitality was expected in those days,it may have even been a custom to invite people during a time of feasting.Nabal should have been filled with gratitude that David who had fought so many battles for the Lord had protected his sheep yet David should have let God avenge the wrong doing but he set out furious to kill him.Then women become a problem.David doesn't ever mention his wife Michal,when Abigail becomes a widow he marries her as well as Ahinoam so David now lives with 2 women and has a third wife somewhere.Ramona mentioned not forsaking the gathering of believers in an email and here I see the consequences of running with the wrong crowd.His men urged him to kill Saul,maybe(just guessing)they also incited him against Nabal.David God had said was a man after his own heart yet here I see a man who is really far from perfect and honestly,no woman's dream husband.
Prayer life:personally I have heard of being in the Lord's presence,fullness of Joy,great experiences.For me,sometimes it takes a lot of faith to keep on keeping on in prayer.There are times that I wonder if there's something I'm doing wrong.I've heard about prayer time being a time when you talk to god and God talks back.Well faith is the evidence of things not seen...prayer for me is just talking,hoping against hope that I'm not just speaking to myself and that someday I too can be part of that fullness of joy that comes from being alone in God's presence and not emotional joy that comes from a good worship song during service.
God bless you all
Anka

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Anka:

God bless you richly. Your desire to persevere though these doubts haunt you attests to your honesty and sincerity.

Interesting the verse you cited. In our study of Ephesians last night, that very verse was discussed at length regarding our faith: The "substance" of things hoped for and the "evidence" of things not seen.

Our pastor's son has a tee shirt that says something like: It is not faith if you can see it. :) A simple axiom that really delivers the punch, eh?

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Okay, now on to today's text:

It was interesting to me that God shows us the true humanity of the people in His word, the Bible. I recall being a kid when western movies were the "rage," and one of my 7-year-old friends asked his mother: "When do cowboys go to the bathroom?"

Is there any other time that an opportunity could have arisen for David to find King Saul ALONE?

I liked how Mike explained how this was a test for David--one that Saul had failed: The test of humility, eh? I mean, Saul would have certainly used this occasion to boost his own ego and brag about his prowess, but David trusted God. That is how I WANT to live my life, and I really want to not be seeking validation or recognition for things. A truly humble person recognizes it is God who elevates, and all the more when we allow Him to get all the glory.

Such a brief eulogy for Samuel. I would like to have known more about that precious Saint! He began at such a young age apart from the nurturing love of his mother. He was probably raised in strict "LAW" by Eli. We know that at a very early God summoned him when he called to him and Samuel thought it was Eli calling him.

It seems we only got a glimpse of his ministry when God told him to annoint Saul as king, and then later he then was sent to Jesse and annointed David.

Nabal and Abigail ~

I wondered how Abigail ended up with such an evil man, and I guess because I am so influenced by Paul when he says women are to respect their husbands that, well-- she didn't. She said his name meant "fool," which it probably (most certainly--the Bible says so!) did--but why would a mother name her child "Fool?" and then she made it clear she had no respect for the man; maybe rightly so, and certainly she showed immense wisdom in counselling David in her apology (women are so manipulative, aren't we?), and this resulted in David doing "the right thing." Nevertheless, I have to wonder if she was as disrespectful to David after he married her.
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http://archaeopundit.blogspot.com/

We know that Echnaton (=Akhenaten, who is King Saul) obtained a Queen of the Amazons from around the Black Sea as his wife (this was Nefertiti). She was the HITTITE QUEEN. Indeed, when Saul died, it was Nefertiti, under the name Ankhesenamun (= Ahinoam, A(nkh)-he-noam) who asked for a Hittite son to be King of Egypt:

"According to Hittite history, it was during the seige of Carchemish that Suppiluliumas received a message from widowed Queen Ankhesenamun, asking him for one of his sons to be king of Egypt."

Nefertiti was the wife of Echnaton (neo-Egyptological Akhenaten), both wrongly transcribed. Echnaton is actually King Saul of the Bible. Echnaton is Ish-Naton "father Nathan" and his (i.e. Saul's) son Jonathan is "young Nathan", Jo-Naton, so that these were Nathan Sr. and Nathan Jr. One could also view the names as being old (n)Aton and young Aton. Nathan in Hebrew means "gift of God" and compares to Adonis or Adonija.

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Certainly David did not marry the same Ahinoam of Jezreel that Saul married; maybe Ahinoam was a common name of the time?

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On to John:

So many times I hear skeptics say: "But Jesus never claimed to be God," and those who have gotten into cults where they believe that Jesus is not truly God. This text is definitely a "keeper," as it leaves no wiggle room for those skeptics. Of course, I realize our "world view" influences our beliefs, but this is pretty much a proof text, isn't it?

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Psalms:

I love the Lord for He heard my voice--show me an idol that we make that can do that!

Oh, the confidence we have when we believe the Lord's word and know that He hears our voice, that when we cry out to Him for mercy, He sees and hears us.

I wondered why the death of His saints was precious in the sight of the Lord, and then I thought of the bliss heaven will bring, and how being in the presence of the Lord would be exceedingly joyful--but on further meditation on this verse I realized that the death of His saints means the LIFE of Christ is lived within us!

Oh to have the mind of Christ! To live is Christ; to die is gain!

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Wisdom in the Proverbs! The Holy Spirit imparts wisdom to us, and Jesus graciously left this earth to send us the Holy Spirit.

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Praise God and Hallelu Yah!

Sue

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Sue,
thanks for your kind words,I know God says those who seek him with all their heart will find him...and his ways are far higher than ours.This thought just ran through my head,if worshipping and fellowshipping with God is all about him,I guess I should stop asking the"why don't I feel"questions and continue to honor God ...:)

Anka

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In regard to this scripture: First Samuel 24 verses 5 through 7 are a great look at David's character when Saul was in the cave - "But then David's conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul's robe. "The LORD knows I shouldn't have done it," he said to his men. "It is a serious thing to attack the LORD's anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him." So David sharply rebuked his men and did not let them kill Saul."

Did David not know that the anointing had left Saul...or was he/David just respecting the office of the anointed??? The "anointed one" means Christ-like & Saul was everything but at the time of this incident.

Jan

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A few weeks ago I attended a Leadership Summit with John Bevere and he related the submissiveness and servanthood of David to our lives today. Our own reactions towards our Prime Ministers or Presidents and to our bosses at our respective jobs. I thought it was quite challenging what JB preached but by re-reading the encounter between Saul and David I can truly admire the humility that David displays. How true is it that in today's society we criticise our leaders, sometimes seeking to break them down to seek revenge. In the example of David we should acknowledge God's sovereignty and leave it all up to God. It is a true test of our own surrender to God. Our human nature goes against humility and servanthood. We believe in standing up for our rights no matter who or what we trample along the way. If in todays reading we read that David had killed Saul I am sure that we would have accepted this outcome entirely. David would have stood up for his rights by killing Saul and in the process gain immediate recognition as King. Very tempting indeed! Instead he chose to put his own life at risk by confronting Saul in total humility, acknowledging him as his King..."Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground..."(1 Samuel 24:8) David is not judgemental of Saul's wrongdoings instead he leaves it all in the hands of The LORD..." May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you.(1 Samuel 24:12-13) A true example of faith in God!
May the Lord almighty help us surrender to Him by teaching us humility and servanthood during our earthly existence.

Oriane

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Apparently Saul laid his robe to the side when he entered the cave to relieve himself and later felt genuinely sorry for the way he treated David, but during this temporary moment of sanity he should have repented, made a guilt offering, and put people and procedures into place to protect himself from any returning evil influences. There will always be times when we are overcome by ego (or evil forces) but there will also always be lucid moments when we’ve realize what we’ve done and what we should do. During these times we will be fully judged. David also teaches us today that an important time to resist the temptation to do wrong is when it’s most difficult and that a man of faith never seeks revenge. The referenced old proverb says that only a wicked man would do evil against any other person in any situation. David was not honoring Saul but respecting his position and God’s anointing. He gave and kept his word even to a person he knew could not be trusted. One of the core problems in America is that we have forgotten the difference between honor and respect (my youngest son’s school is littered with foolish posters reading, “Honor means respect” and “You cannot get respect unless you give it”). Saul deserved and received respect even though he was not honorable and very disrespectful himself. David dedicates the matter of his relationship with Saul to the Lord, for God alone could settle the matter and bring about justice (fair is what you deserve while just is what you need).

Jewish tradition has it that Samuel wrote the books of Judges and Samuel (v 10:25 verifies that he wrote something) with the prophets Gad and Nathan adding the information concerning the years following Samuel’s death (starting today). Compare Nabal’s wealth (with 3,000 sheep) with Job, the richest of his time (with 7,000 sheep), in Job 1:2. Sheering season was traditionally a time of open hospitality (2 Sam 13:23-24), which Nabal violated. In the previous chapter, David diffused Saul’s anger by first diffusing his own. In this chapter, it takes Abigail’s sensitivity to calm David by not only asking for forgiveness but also attempting to correct her husband’s blunder (atonement is that which can bring two parties back to being “at one”). Moreover, she reminds David to leave vengeance in God’s hands (clearly it is not at all easy to remember life’s lessons from one day to the next). And God does take care of the matter (“becomes like a stone” is a common Aramaic idiom meaning Nabal had a heart attack or stroke and became paralyzed). Some commentators note a similarity between Nabal and Saul. Each is hostile to David, against advice of family, and eventually struck down by God (not David), being condemned by their own evil actions.

The Feast of Dedication (or renovation) was celebrated for eight days in December and thus about two months have pasted since yesterday’s last line. This festival celebrates the Maccabean restoration of the temple 3 years after Antioshus Epiphaces desecrated it in 167BC (as prophesized in Daniel 11:31) and it is know today as the Feast of Lights or Hanukkah. Jesus once more clearly states that he is the Messiah AND that He and God are one. The Jews yet again try to stone Jesus for being a false prophet (as per Lev 24:14-16). Many have interpreted the line “You are Gods” to suggest that we were intended to be equal with God in power and authority, but this verse is only using OT terminology that judges are to exercise judicial sovereignty. Jesus is making the point by quoting Psalm 82:6 about judges who violate the law that if divine authority had been applied by God to mere men administering his law and word, there could be neither blasphemy nor folly in its application to the incarnate Son of God himself (making the legitimacy of His case again rest on the trustworthiness of scripture). John 10:35 and Psalm 82:6 provide that all who “are sons of the Most High” (“to whom the word of God came”) are appointed for the unique task of administering His law and word to the people. Jesus again escapes (as in v 8:59).

The use of the Hebrew word elohim in Psalm 82:6 is simply describing authority. Many have provided extensive explanations for the origin of the word, but the etymology of the word Elohim is prehistoric and therefore unknown. Much can be determined, however, from its usage. For example, many have also hinted that since it is spelled in the pural that there must be many gods, but the word in some 2000 cases is always used with singular adjectives and verbs (except for polytheistic pagans like the Philistines in 1 Samuel 4:8). Moreover, while Genesis often refers to God as elohim, it quickly changes to using Yahweh Elohim (that is, “Lord God”). Dr. Jean Astruc suggested back in the eighteenth century that this meant that Moses had used two sources to compose Genesis. Others have suggested our God is merely one of many that blessed Abraham for choosing Him. Astruc (et al.) failed to notice, however, a clear pattern that the Bible uses Yahweh whenever stressing a personal relationship with God and Elohim to denote creator or authority. Jethro, for example, uses Yahweh to describe how much greater a (Yahweh) God that loves and cares for His people is over an impersonal (elohim) creator without feeling. Elohim conveys the more philosophically oriented concept while Yahweh describes a more personal and ethically oriented view. Exodus 6:3 notes God saying, “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them.” The resolution to this seeming contradiction of some 150 uses of the name Yahweh during the patriarchal period is to be found in a technical point of Hebrew grammar, known as beth essentiae, in the phrase “by my name.” This phrase meant that while Abraham, Isaac and Jacob heard and used the name Yahweh, it was only in Moses’ day that the realization of the character, nature and essence of what that name meant became clear. “By the name” is better translated “in the character [or nature] of Yahweh [was I not known].”

Our Psalm today tells about deliverance from the brink of death (from being ignorant or “simple” in v 6) and a vow and payment for praising the Lord audibly before the people of faith. These words seem to point prophetically to how we are to die and give up earthy limitations (Matthew 10:38-39; Mark 8:34-35; and, Luke 17:27, 33). The Psalm is read after the third cup of wine, which brings to mind God’s cup of salvation. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Physical death is when the body is carried to the cemetery to await bodily resurrection at the time of Rapture (1 Thess 4:14-17) and the soul is carried to “Abraham’s Bosom” (Luke 16:22 and 23:43) as opposed to a spiritual death of separation from God in this life (Ephesians 2:1) as well as the “second death” of being thrown into the lake of fire with death and hell after the second resurrection (Rev 20:14).

Jim

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How is your prayer life these days? Do you believe God bends down and listens to your prayers? And answers them? Will you pray as long as you have breath? ~ I love to pray! It brings me so close to God! I defenitly believe that God bends down to listen to my prayers. Sometimes my prayers are so strong and intense that I can feel His prescense ... deep, eh? God has answered a lot of my prayers already and I believe that He will continue answering them. He made a promise to the people that reach out to Him and I do believe that! If I didn't believe that, I shouldn't pray.
That's why todays Psalms are so powerfull, especially verses 1 & 2 "I love the LORD because he hears and answers my prayers. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!"

Mae

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haha...forgive my immaturity, but today i read the passage my friend told me about laughing, he said: David walked in on Saul taking a dump! lol.
I love 1 Samuel...i am seeing why David is called a man after God's own heart. I love reading about him and also reading his words in the psalms, they go together.
Some verses that stand out:
John 10:27-29: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."
This is soooo comforting!! and i have experienced this. Just like in that skit thing on my page, the girl was struggling, but the God figure had her by a rope and didnt let her go! Even wen I die, i know I will be with Him. I am eternally secure and belong to Him! wat an amazing honor!
I love this Psalm too! awesome! "For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling"
I love proverbs: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother."
I have been the fool and it hurt me more then anyone, i despised my parents and i was a fool! now i bring my father joy. I know i would bring my mom joy if she were here today.
Foolishness is sinful living. disobedience. this isnt the same as being silly, goofy, etc... as I kinda sense that this verse could be interpreted.

Jenny

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It has always intrigued me that David takes Abigail and the other woman as wives; did he dump Michal or did Michal dump him? The OT sometimes does not tell us when a particular action is righteous or not. This does not strike me as righteous, but nobody is perfect, not even David.

Bajo

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You know, I learned a thing today. When we have a beef with admin or who is in leadership, it is not us but God we have a beef with. That scares me because to tell you the truth I always want to blame humans for selecting others in position or favor when I don't get but it's just not my appointed time. Until I realize that and stop fighting the process the longer it will take to see God's fruition for me come to pass. I just got that revelation.

I love Jesus saying I am the Father are one. What is so hard about believing that.

Psalm 116: I love the Lord because He hears my prayers. I love this and need to truly believe..he really does listen and love us

Dee

May 18th Bible in a Year Readings

1 Samuel 22:1-23:29 + John 10:1-21 + Psalm 115:1-18 + Proverbs 15:18-19
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament - Very sad readings today in First Samuel 22 as we read about the slaughter of the priests.  Sadly fitting that Doeg betrayed the priests to Saul and then Saul commanded Doeg to kill the priests, because no one else would.  This whole incident shows how far Saul has strayed away from God.  He has lost his moral compass completely. It's interesting to recall earlier in our First Samuel readings how Saul looked like he might be a decent king initially.  But, then he was disobedient to God.  And then his sin continued and continued to where he is in today's readings.  This should be a warning to each of us to not stray from God like this.  If we are allowing ourselves to be disobedient to God or if we are continuing in a sin, we are slaves to that sin.  And this slavery to sin can grow and grow until we lose all moral control, as Saul has.  This image below by Gerard Hoet from a 1728 Bible is courtesy of Bizzell Bible Collection, University of Oklahoma Libraries:

I love the mini-reunion of Jonathan and David in First Samuel 23 verses 16 & 17 - "Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. "Don't be afraid," Jonathan reassured him. "My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father is well aware."  What great words of encouragement from Jonathan!  Who is the last person you encouraged?  Do you make it a habit to encourage people around you regularly?  Who is someone you can encourage big-time today or tomorrow?

 

Bible.org's commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled "Saul Loses His Grip" is at this link and commentary titled "A Friend Indeed" is at this link.

New Testament - I love Jesus' teachings today in John 10 verses 9 & 10 - "Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."   What a great analogy - Jesus is the gateway to salvation.  Life in relationship with Jesus will be full of green pastures - this reminds me of Psalm 23 verse 2!   And then Jesus tells us that his purpose is to give us life in all its fullness.  I think all too often we look for fullness of life in all the wrong places...  when all we have to do is walk through the gate.  Have you walked through the gate?

Jesus calling himself the Good Shepherd is so very beautiful and fitting in verses 14 &15 - "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep."   After we walk through the gate of faith to fullness of life with Jesus, he will be our Good Shepherd forever.  He is a shepherd that knows us - and we know him.  He will protect us with his rod and staff - again, a little Psalm 23 verse 4.  :)  And more than anything else, this Good Shepherd has laid down his life for us.   Do you consider Jesus to be your Good Shepherd?

Bible.org's commentary on our John 10 readings today titled "The Good Shepherd" is at this link.

Psalms - Today in Psalm 115 verse 1 we will read – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” (Chris Tomlin fans out there will recognize this as one of his many awesome worship tunes. . .) I don’t know how this verse strikes you, but it strikes me hard. Which is good. I think sometimes I do things for my own glory. And this verse, and really the entire Bible, is clear that the glory is God’s and not ours. Yeah, sure, we will live our lives full of “glorious” moments when we are loving God and loving people. But, we should not be living our lives to build up our own fame or our own glory. As Rick Warren states so well in the 1st sentence of the 1st chapter of his book “Purpose Driven Life”- “It is not about you.” And this is true. It is about God. And this is good news! Really. I have tried to live my life in the past where it was all about me. And this was a miserable way to live life. I pray that you see the incredible wisdom in this verse - “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” How are you living your life? Are you living your life to advance the fame and glory of God? Are you doing this by loving God and loving other people with all that you are? Or, are you by chance living your life to advance the fame and glory of yourself? And if so. . . how’s this going for you?

Proverbs - Proverbs 15 verse 19 today teaches us: "A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy!" This is a great reminder that we should live our lives upright, intentionally, and not be afraid of a little hard work!

Worship Video: Per Psalm 115:1 reflections above, here's Chris Tomlin's beautiful song "Sovereign" live at Red Rocks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVpk-QmISRo

Do you know our sovereign God? Click here for Sovereignty!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "I (Jesus) am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving to Jesus for laying down his life for you, if you have given your life over in faith to Him. Thank him for being your Good Shepherd! Pray for the lost "sheep" that you know, that they would come to know Jesus as their Good Shepherd.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  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 Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our 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 Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

1 Samuel 22-23:29

Wow, David had to have been some leader. If I saw these guys coming toward me, I would be running for the “Border.” I know that I’m quick to check out the “character” of those hanging around me and I usually inch away from folks who are the type of people that flocked to David. Rebellious people will usually rebel against you so it would take intense mentoring to guide a group like this.

2 And everyone in distress or in debt or discontented gathered to him, and he became a commander over them. And there were with him about 400 men.

I find it quit interesting that David uses his father’s connection to the Moabites to protect his mother and father. David’s father, Jessie, was the grandson of Ruth (Ruth 4:17). Because David sends his parents to stay in Moab before the Saul has the priest’s killed, David undeniably had a keen understanding of the lengths Saul would go to kill him and his family.

Saul’s promises of special privileges, implied or direct, had been used with his army as a motivational “tool” to get someone to kill Goliath, but Saul seemed to be someone who didn’t or wouldn’t keep his word. In the twenty-second chapter, he uses the carrot again to get people to pursue and fight an ungodly fight, the pursuit of David at all cost,

7 "Listen here, you men of Benjamin!" Saul shouted when he heard the news. "Has David promised you fields and vineyards? Has he promised to make you commanders in his army? 8 Is that why you have conspired against me? For not one of you has ever told me that my own son is on David's side. You're not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son--encouraging David to try and kill me!"

Saul doesn’t appeal to his men’s sense of “righteousness” but he appeals to their emotions by throwing a pity party, a poor me gripe session. If we take this scenario and place it in today’s churches, we can use it as a guide to evaluate appeals by unscrupulous “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” I believe a call to spiritual arms should never be based on emotion and sentiment so an appeal to consider, “Poor me as I suffer for the Lord,” should cause the ringing of bells and blowing of whistles to go off in one’s head. If Israel represented a type of the church then, our churches hold the capacity and potential to be just as ruthless and deadly as Saul. But for God and the fact that David had not served the purpose God had created him for, we would never be reading this wonderful story about David.

"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. (Acts 13:36). Our obedience to the will of God is what keeps us alive and if we are not severing our purpose, God’s mercy holds us back from the grave.

John 10:1-21

This chapter is jammed pack with stuff. Jesus is the gate, the gatekeeper, the shepherd, the Good Shepherd. He is the go to guy for all of our needs.

This verse is powerful, “10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness,” and sets every other belief system at odds with Jesus. Jesus emphatically states that anyone other than He is a crook and a murderer and He is ”intolerant” to anything else. I guess Jesus is a Politically Incorrect man and God.

This passage contains the words that should stop everyone and anyone looking to blame Jesus’ crucifixion on a specific group of people.

17 "The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it again. For my Father has given me this command."

The writer of Hebrews even states, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (12:2)” What was the joy set before Jesus? Our redemption from sin, death, hell and the grave.
Psalm 115:1-18

Idols are dead things which cannot move, who cannot do anything for us. We have to carry our idols around; well most of the things we worship we must carry around. I find the most damning thing in this particular division of Psalm is verse 8 (my paraphrase) “We become what we worship, we take on the characteristics of the thing we give our adoration too. That is a sobering thought. Flip that thought or statement over and one could say, “I can tell who or what your God is by observing who you are!”

8 And those who make them are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.

Who am I, what are the fruit of my worship?

Proverbs 15:18-19

19 A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy!

This is the first time I’m seeing this in this particular verse, but I know people who have bad things happen to their bad things. And I just realize the ones that I know really well, are lazy. They might not be lazy physically, but they refuse to use common sense in living their lives. They want someone else to tell them what to do because they don’t want to be held accountable for their decisions, “It not my fault I so and so told me to do it this way. They refuse to expend the time and energy to search for wisdom. Wow and boy oh boy or boy. Do I see me in all of this?

Grace and peace,
Ramona

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Saul had totally lost all form of respect for God.He knew Ahimelech heard from the Lord therefore the Lord was still with him yet he had him killed using a gentile.I can't help but wonder how this really happened...did 85 priests just sit and wait for one Edomite to slay them all or did Saul's officials finally decide to join in the slaughter...
I guess this may be a bit controversial...I couldn't help wondering if what happened to the priests came as judgement on the house of Eli and his sons(I couldn't find any scripture to clear me on that one)...The priests seemed godly men and their slaughter by ungodly men does raise the usual questions"why did God let that happen".
We can see David getting encouragement when he's at his lowest;the people he fought to save from the philistines are willing to give him up,each time he looks at Abiathar he remembers that priests got killed because of him,Saul's hot on his heels....then his beloved friend Jonathan comes to remind him that God is still on his side.It's also amazing that Saul stops at nothing to kill David yet when the philistines attack Israel,he turns back even though he's so close to capturing David.God made him do that!Saul was capable of throwing his spear at Jonathan in public because of David,killed innocent priests because of David,surely he couldn't have cared less if all Israel burned down if only he could get David....yet he turned back!
The question still rises up in my mind...what about the priests and their families...slaughtered like sheep.Reading Bob's commentary,I guess when Jesus promises abundant life surely he meant eternal life.Daily we hear of christians killed during missions and it really doesn't go with the prosperity gospel that we hear so much about.True nobody likes to preach about poverty but Jesus became poor so we could be rich...we are called to share in his sufferings.I pray for grace and understanding to be able to God will inspite of the costs.
God bless you all

Anka

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The friendship between David and Jonathan reminds me of the bonds developed by men who have served together on the field of battle. God seems to use this fraternal bond to encourage David in his most desperate time and it causes a son to turn on his father. Just a thought.
Jim

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What is with this ungrateful city of Keilah? David saves them from the Philistines and they show their gratitude by being willing to turn him over to Saul?

Is there some virus floating in the air? Saul is so focused on killing David. Has anyone read A Tale of Three kings? by Gene Edwards? (Good read.)

Anyway, who would have known God would have the Philistines attack at just the right time and to turn Saul's head to that situation? Oftentimes I pray and have it all mapped out about how God should answer my prayers so that the outcome is to my liking, but I need to remember these types of passages, because God always has an "Ace in the hole" or a "trump card" that He can use to bring about His desires. Praise God~

Alrighty then, this good Shepherd story reminds me of when Jesus was talking just the other day about the slave having no rights but family being in solid.
It also reminds me of a story I heard about there being three kinds of people: Sheepdogs, wolves, and sheep. Wolves don't become sheep; sheep cannot be wolves, and the job of the sheepdog is to protect the sheep from the wolves. I am sure you all can draw from the analogy here.

Idols. umm. umm. I guess sheep don't recognize idols. We are not the sharpest pencils on the desk, are we?

Patience. We all know the axiom there, don't we? We all want it but we don't want to go through what it takes to get it.

Sue

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Jim

Amen. I spent six years in the peace time Navy. Most of it on one ship (an aircraft carrier). We worked long hours, fought fires, repaired machinery that couldn't be repaired and formed bonds that I have only seen on some sports teams - (and that does not compare). I can only imagine how more intense the friendships and bonding are during war and when the men are in combat.

Sue: Keilah

Nothing is 100%. take a look at any poll today and no matter the question there will be a split amongst the respondants.

I am sure the city was grateful to David. The Philistines had attacked when the harvest was in, so this was a critical victory. However, no matter how grateful, I am sure Saul had some segment of the city in his camp (corner).

In addition, there is the fear factor. Since a priest had escaped they knew of the slaughter of priests and probably the annihilation of Nob.

"Why would the people of Keliah betray the man who just saved their city? No doubt, they heard of Saul’s brutal massacre of the priests (1 Samuel 22:16-19), so they knew Saul would stop at nothing to kill David." (from enduring word.com)

They did not turn David over to Saul, we only know that if David had stayed God said they would have given David over to Saul. In the end they were spared from Philistines and Saul.

Note: The Ziphites were Judeans, and their sole reason for helping Saul appears to be to get in the good graces of Saul. For benefits or just to avoid his wrath?????

John

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I love this verse today: "So Saul quite the chase and returned to fight the Philistines. Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape."

Also, I love when it says, "Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God." As Christians we are to support and encourage each other. When someone is weak or going through a challenging time, a kind word is needed. One WORD from God can make everything change!

Johnnie

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The whole story of Saul and David reminds of an excellent book I read once and one which my Pastoral team is currently reading called "A Tale Of Three Kings" by Gene Edwards. Its a great book on the different types of leadership and also on the wounding that happens within the body of Christ. Good read...

God bless you all...

Rita

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Verse 9 & 10 from John 10 really stood out me today: "Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."

Do you consider Jesus to be your Good Shepherd? ~ Yes, Jezus is my Good Shepherd, defenitly! He's the Sheperd to many of us! In our Wednesdaynightservice our pastor talked about lambs, sheep and shepards. First your a lamb, then you become a sheep and finally we become shepherds. Well, of course not a shepherd like Jezus, but to encourage and watch over the lambs and sheep. You're a lamb when you're just reborn, a sheep when you're longer reborn and finally you become a shepherd. Nice thought. That's how we encourage eachother and watch over eachother, we ... children of our Heavenly Father.

Mae

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I,too, in the past have relied more on myself and less on God. That didn't work out too well. Like Pastor Warren says, "It's not about you."

That said, aren't I giving myself too much credit? Yes, its an example of humbleness to confess my self-centerness of the past. But what about today? Have I learned from my misdeeds? Have I repented? Do I still have that self-love, self-reliance about myself and come begging to God when all else fails? Certainly I know myself in this matter and I cannot hide today's failings from either myself or from God.

It is said that a man walking down the street here in America that somehow gets a small stone in his shoe...this presents to him a larger, more immediate problem than all of the combined problems of the world.

Holy Father, I am a sinner. I continue to sin while studying your Word. I continue to sin even after being shown the correct Path. Let me not say that my sins are in the past. Rather, help me with my weakness as I sincerely desire your presence and care.

Love,
Art

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With all the ups and downs and turnarounds in David's life, I see him as a "King in Training." God is in control.

Janice

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Yes, interesting that malcontents and those in debt gathered with David in the cave of Adullam (not the righteous and super godly). In this cave, David seems to regain his bearings and begin to inquire to God. In this cave, the outcasts of society gathered and were transformed. Many of those that gathered here became David's mighty men. Are you in a dark place, rejected, outcast, pursued? Turn to Jesus and He will turn you into "mighty men".

Charles

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Psalm 115

Mike thanks for mentioning Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life”. Our church did this study some years ago and the book lends itself well for bible study. In fact I used it as a guide in teaching a group of 25 young men in Liberia, West Africa in 2004. Instead of using the prescribed 40 days, I condensed it into 4 days. Worked fine! One thing I really liked was the questions that are brought up and the flexibility of any age group that can use it. Excellent biblical references too. The one thing I would stress is the most important point made in the book which fits nicely into Psalm 115 and that is the question of why was I created? As Rick says, “What on Earth Am I here For?” Rick hits this at all sort of angles and does a fantastic job of bring out all your attributes. It really is about giving glory to God. The most important way to do this is servant hood. To think of how to serve God, in every way you live.

Robert

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I Samuel 22:1-23:29

There is sooooo much meat in today’s reading, so many things to hone in on yet, I can’t get away from a verse in Proverbs that keeps coming to me over and over again every time I read today’s Old Testament passage,

THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion. [Lev. 26:17, 36; Ps. 53:5.] When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue. (Proverbs 28:1-2 AMP)

I became stuck with this passage and didn’t know why. “God, what does this have to do with the passage? David is the one who is running from Saul; is David “wicked” because he is running; but Saul IS after Him,” what am I missing? “God what are you trying to tell me?”

And then I heard in the middle of the day after “seeking,” knocking,” “asking” about the meaning, “The wicked flee from the face of truth, that is what they are running from!” Never have I looked at those verses in Proverbs as speaking about anything other than one human who is paranoid because of evil deeds fleeing from another. Saul’s pursuit of David was not really about David although David was the object of Saul’s desire. Saul’s pursuit was all about fleeing from the truth that he had been removed from his spiritual authority over Israel and as the spirt goes, there goes the man.

What are we pursuing and are we pursuing it out of our fleeing from the Truth. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NET.)

I think I was given some insight into why those in Truth are persecuted. It’s really not about us, its all about Jesus.

He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" So he said, "Who are you, Lord?" He replied, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting! (Acts 9:4-5 NET.)

Saul hadn’t touched Jesus physically; however, because Jesus was and is the Truth, any assault against those who speak the Truth, love the Truth, live by the Truth is an assault against Jesus.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

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It is amazing at all that David has seen and been exposed of in his life and yet we get to have a segway into the experiences and life and passion of the young "king". I liked the verse 14 of I Sam. 23, where it said Day after day Saul searched for him(David), but "God"!, did not give David into his hands. It brings us to todays John verses: chapter 10:17, starting with, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. (18) No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Can't you see the pattern of Davids life and see why he was called a "man after Gods own heart" I Samuel 13:14. Here David was calling unto God for guidance, direction, wisdom, character, instruction, and he was mentoring as well. Here is a man who has left mother, father, sister, brother, (literally) and followed the Lord. Here is a man who would put his life down for a brother in Christ(Jonathon or any of the Israelites and soldiers)..to have that type of endurance and chrisma only comes from the Father above!

In Psalm, 115:12, The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron..in church last night we did a series on the fruits of the spirit and how to recognize and when did the Holy Spirit come upon us, and it was incredible! In Acts 2:2-4, and suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. God has blessed not only the Jews and Priests and Hebrews, but the Gentiles too! (who once was called the heathen)! We are blessed and are prosperous just as any other, because we have entered into the Kingdom(ship) of Gods dear son, Jesus Christ! The same yesterday, today and forever more! Now I need to take a lesson from Proverbs and not be lazy and get to cleaning!! lol!!

take care, God Bless!!
Dee

May 17th Bible in a Year Readings

1 Samuel 20:1-21:15 + John 9:1-41 + Psalm 113:1-114:8 + Proverbs 15:15-17
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament - Great readings about Jonathan & David today!  1 Samuel 20 verse 13 today seems to indicate that Jonathan realizes that David will be the king after his father Saul: "May the LORD be with you as he used to be with my father."  Verse 17 is beautiful - "For Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself."  Who are people in your life that you love as much as you love yourself?  Do you think that there should be people in your life that you love as much as you love yourself?  Do you love Jesus as much as you love yourself?  Do you think that God loves you as much as He loves Himself?

Below is the artist Rembrandt's take on Jonathan & David from possibly verse 41:  "Both of them were in tears as they embraced each other and said good-bye, especially David."

In First Samuel 21 as David is fleeing from Saul, we read verse 6 which Jesus refers to in the New Testament - "So, since there was no other food available, the priest gave David the holy bread--the Bread of the Presence that was placed before the LORD in the Tabernacle. It had just been replaced that day with fresh bread."  Jesus uses this incident to illustrate the principle that the ceremonial law was not to be viewed in a legalistic manner in Matthew chapter 12 verses 3 & 4 - "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests."  I love verse 13!  David is definitely a good actor - "So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard."

Bible.org's commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled "When Saul Slings His Spear, Jonathan Gets the Point" is at this link and "A Man Without a Country" is at this link.

New Testament - Jesus' teaching in John chapter 9 verse 3 is powerful - "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him."  Wow.  He was born blind so that God's power could be seen in him.  I wonder about this in our lives today.  When we have challenges or struggles, is it possible that they are happening so that the power of God can been seen?  I know this can be tough to fathom when you are in the midst of a challenge or struggle - or, if you are blind for example, like this man in John 9.  But...  no matter what life throws our way, do you think that God's power can be seen in any circumstance?  Below is Cretan-born painter El Greco's "Christ Healing the Blind Man" from the year 1567:

Verse 27 is great when the healed man says - ""Look!" the man exclaimed. "I told you once. Didn't you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?""   Hmmm.... Verses 39 through 40 are a dialogue that each one of us should reflect upon - "Then Jesus told him, "I have come to judge the world. I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind."  The Pharisees who were standing there heard him and asked, "Are you saying we are blind?" "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see."  How are we behaving today?  Are we allowing Jesus to give us spiritual sight?  Or do we think we can see well enough spiritually without Jesus?  Without Jesus, can we see or are we blind...?  Will we allow Jesus to heal us of our spiritual blindness right now?

Bible.org's commentary on today's John readings titled "The Light of the World" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 113 & 114 today are very interesting and important Psalms!  These are 2 of 6 Psalms, 113 to 118, that form the "Egyptian Hallel."  These Psalms were used in Jewish liturgy at the great religious festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication, Weeks, New Moon.  At Passover Psalm 113 & 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115 - 118 were sung after the meal.  As you read these two Psalms today, do you sense joy in the Lord's work?  Justice?  Glory?  Power?  Does reading these two Psalms make you want to celebrate and give thanks for the Lord and all he has done throughout history and in your life?

Proverbs - Proverbs 15 verses 16 & 17 today are so powerfully true - "It is better to have little with fear for the LORD than to have great treasure with turmoil. A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate."  However, what then do we do about a steak soup combo??  (sorry, couldn't resist a bad attempt at humor...  thanks to this image below... :) 

Worship Video: Today's reading in John about Jesus healing a man born blind reminded me of Phil Wickham's song "Safe:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzhuirT74VU

Are you safe in His arms? Click here for Safety!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred." Proverbs 15:16-17 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will be content with little in your life, as long as you have the wealth of a relationship with the LORD. Pray that your meals are filled with more love than with fancy foods.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Do you agree with today's Proverb that it is better to have just a little and fear the Lord versus having much and much turmoil?  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 Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our 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 Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

This is a pretty long post..

David,a man after God's own heart was painfully human.He lied and is about to get the priest into trouble(I'm sure Saul's shepherd wasn't eavedropping just out of curiosity)then David acts like a lunatic to save his life.I couldn't help wondering,was this idea of acting inspired by God?David his annointed was really not behaving like a king.At the same time,I can't help wondering how Jesus's disciples felt seeing their master beaten,spat on then hung naked to die on a cross.Where was all the power that Jesus displayed and spoke about?It may be easy for us to believe without having seen Jesus humiliated.Even though there's a controversy surrounding the movie The passion of Christ,I think every Christian should see it because it shows a vivid picture of how Christ truly suffered and was humiliated.The amazing thing is God was watching and even through this suffering and rejction,He still was working.David may have been discouraged yet when his life was saved,he attributed it all to God(psalms 34,56).I pray for the strength to look up to God when in trouble.David ran from Samuel in Ramath to Jonathan who was near Saul.In times of pain and confusion we sometimes even loose our ability to think clearly.Running to our enemy(negative thoughts,alcohol,drugs...the enemies arms)rather than remain on our knees in prayer.

The Jews seemed to want the blind man to doubt his testimony.He didn't know Jesus but believed the devil couldn't have set him free.The blind man didn't think Jesus used his own powers,he replied to them "he is a prophet"and when they tried to get him to think Jesus was a sinner,he hung to his miracle...he may have thought"well I don't know how Jesus stands before God,but I know God worked through him to give me a miracle and I know God doesn't answer sinners".

This man couldn't care less if he was thrown out of the synagoge,there was an element of defiance in his reply"I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"He wasn't going to change his testiomny nor was he going to accept to smear the character of the man he received his miracle from.When asked by Jesus if he knew the son of man,this former begger didn't say no,he wanted to know who Jesus really was then worshipped Him when Jesus revealed himself.

We may falter in our faith due to discouragement but we should never let go of our convictions.At the end of the day what satan tries to do is attack our knowledge of who God really is.When we go through humilitaion,doubt,despair,satan comes to attack our relationship with a "well if God is love,how can he let this happen to you,if God takes care of your needs then why do you have to count pennies,if God is a father then how could he let your child die,if you're created in God's image,then why do you have a disability?"etc.The trick is I guess keep walking,crawl if you have to but never let go of your convictions...if you feel those convictions slip away,then stick to God's word.I humbly believe it is for times like these that God had put the desire in Mike's heart to start this blog so you can see wounded soliers cling to their swords(the word) and you can see that God is still present in our days.He still is in the business of getting us out of the enemies arms if we cry out.

God bless you all!
Anka

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1 Samuel 20-21:15

Anka—Thank you for your wonderful words. Words that not only cause us to think but words that inspire and encourage.

In thinking about what you wrote, Anka, the question comes up, “What and whom did David fear? We lie and operate out of deception because we fear for our lives, our reputation or falling out of favor with man, and maybe God. We fear that our true selves with be revealed if we tell the truth. Truth is confrontational, especially the truth about ourselves. The question what information and from whom are we believing. Back in the Garden Adam and Eve hid after they sinned because their eyes were opened. When God asked them, “Where are you,” He wasn’t asking them logistical information He knew where they were. He was asking them because He knew where they where but did they truly know their standing and how far they had fallen God’s response to them when they said they were naked so they hid was, “Who told you?” What and whose information was David believing about himself, about Saul and about His God?

David thought Saul would kill him despite the Word of the Lord he had heard from Samuel, despite the acknowledgement and confirmation of the Word from his friend Jonathan. Was there something going on in David’s life that made him forget that Promise or did he, like many of us, negate the promise because of a feeling of inferiority, of some false guilt, of a sense that God is not able to bring what He has promised to pass?

When “running for our lives,” do we run to our enemies, as Anka has noted, or do we run to the Rock that is higher than ourselves.

Thank God for his mercy and grace when we miss it by more than a mile or kilometer.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

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Really enjoying reading this blog and all the food for thought. I haven't much new to add to what already has been said. I also enjoyed Ps 113:6 where is says that God humbleth Himself to behold the things in heaven! I have no idea of the greatness of God. WOW! or should I say "Selah" Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the rest of us.

Shelley

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I think from the beginning Saul was being tested by the Lord...after all, how many times did the Word of God say the the "LORD" sent the tormenting spirit(s) to Saul.

Now, in this day & time...people don't believe that God sends anything bad or tormenting, but I am here to tell you...He does for a purpose.

I just finished reading why God does these things in a book, "The Fire of Delayed Answers/are you waiting for your prayers to be answered?" by Bob Sorge & it is the most enlightening book that I have read in quite some time...answers a lot of my questions as to why things happen as they do & God is always in it.

Now, I'm on the sequel of the book I just finished, "The Fire of God's Love,"...I am also testifying that if you are a true son or daughter you will eventually go through the purifying Fire of the Lord & if you don't, you better be asking Him why??? :)

Jan

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wow...today's OT readings are exciting! i'm loving this book!!!

John is again, amazing! Some great verses from John that stand out: "One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
that is all born again believers testimony there! I love it!
I like this former blind man's answers!
v. 31 "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will."
Amen! what a beautiful promise for those who receive His gift of "sight"!
I love the rest of John as well regarding spiritual blindness! so powerful!!!

I love Proverbs! "But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast."...AMEN! SO true!!
The NIV says for vs 17: "Better a meal of vegetables...." Yay!! I'm a vegetarian so i agree, haha. yeah, i cut off the rest of the verse, but better is vegetables anyway. :p

Jenny

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I think I said it before, but I'm really starting to learn now about the OT! It's so exciting to read! When I'm reading it I go into the 'character' of David and I feel what he's feeling! First Samuel really floors me!

John is amazing! Touches me every day:
Verse 31 "We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will".
I'm really going to take this verse with me tonight!

We have healingservices at church, so I'm ready to go. Please pray for us! We did a lot of witnessing and street ministry to get visitors. It's a 3-day event at our church, with Pastor Steve Bowman from the US. We spread a lot of flyers as well, so I hope we'll have visitors. I hope they open their hearts for God's Word, so he can work in their lives!

PS: that bowl of soup looks like "Bakso" that we eat in Indonesia! Hmmm ... I could have that right now ... very nice ...

Mae

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My question is in regards to John 9:41. "Jesus said, "if you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains" Does this mean that those for whom the spiritual veil has not been lifted will somehow not fall under judgement? I often have this discussion with folks as to those who just don't seem to get it. I guess again it could be a heart condition of not wanting to see what the Holy Spirit is trying to reveal to a person. It just sometimes makes me wonder as I often would like to think that God will eventually save all (is that called universal salvation?) and that it is just a matter of time for all to "see". But just having read C.S. Lewis's "The Great Divorce", I am pretty sure that there will be those who choose not to see what is revealed to them. Don't know, just wondered!

Beth

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Beth

John 9:41
"Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."

Read a few commentaries, but I am going to go with what I think.

This has been a "spiritual" chapter. so - I think - Jesus is saying here - if you knew you were spiritually blind - knew that you didn't have the answers. Well, I can deal with that - I can bring you to salvation, then you would not be guilty of sin - because I will have that covered through my "blood".

BUT (and remember he is speaking to Pharisees here who will not recognize the evidence before them)

If you claim you have spiritual insight (that you see)- think you have the answer (and it is wrong). Well, you will not listen to me - you will go with what you think you know (mankind's pride). I cannot bring you to salvation - you will not allow me to, because you do not hear and you do not believe. Therefore your "guilt" remains.

[This is just as true today for those who reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior as it was for the Pharisees back in the day.]
======================================================
I think in the gospels and in the rest of New Testament - there is no justification for a universal salvation (everyone goes to Heaven).

It is a thought conjured up by man - because no one wants to see anyone go to Hell. We can't believe a merciful and loving God would send people to Hell.

The Truth is some people choose to go to Hell. They reject God, and they do not love God. God is not going to bring them to a place - in His presence - by force. That is not love - it is coercion.

God has a plan - all people have to do is acknowledge that plan, and take God up on His offer. By refusing to do so - they choose eternal separation from God. They want that here on Earth - they will get their way for eternity.

John

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Thank you Mike for this blog it helps me in my walk with the Lord...infact this is my daily walk with the Lord
Caroline

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John 9:3

3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

This 'blind' beggar lived up to Jesus' commented on him. The blind beggar feared no probing from the Jews and he witnessed before them despite the fact them he later was expelled. Then, Jesus 'met' him again and told him the Gospel. And this blind beggar accepted Christ. 'The work of God' was truly displayed in his life.

Frederick

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I also like John 9:4 "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." This statement challenges me to have a sense of urgency about the work of God in my life and the work of God in the world, and to be about my Father's business.

I appreciate the creativity in the artistic postings on the blog that visualizes the teachings of the passages we are reading.

Luch

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I admire Jonathan's love and faithfulness to David. Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself. He was willing to take the wrath of his father, Saul to protect David. How much more our God loves us and protects us.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who ever believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"

God uses the struggles & challenges in our lives to show His power and strenghtens us if we only have faith in Him.

Lily

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I would say that the "HEALING" by clay and spittle also indicated that this Jesus was indeed before Abraham as he mentioned in verse 8:56 and that he was showing that just as Adam was created by clay so this mans healing was done by clay. That's my interpertation anyway. I kinda like that idea! Blessings

Ginny

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Oh my.. How Jesus was persecuted and people and disciples stood snd watched! I feel like that sometimes.not to that degree. But do we sometimes stand alone? There is no one to defend us but God? 2 Timothy 4:17
John 9:3.. Gods glory be revealed in our blindness or afflictions? That reminds me of Paul's thorn in the flesh, we live with that so Gods glory can be revealed? Tony Evans say " don't mess with the thorn. Leave it alone. Eventually that thorn will hurt less. Your so busy trying to get rid of it you miss opportunities Giod has for you" I think that ties in with our afflictions and pain and suffering. May we follow Jesus example. Gods blessings poured out on all my fellow readers of Mikes ministry. Jane

Jane

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Mike and everyone,
John 9:4 is a needed reminder for me, to not waste my time here on earth. May we strive to do the things that have eternal values!
John 9:4 (NLT)
4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.
Also in Ephesians 5:15-17(NLT)
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
1 Samuel 20:1-42
What an extremely touching story of friendship it is between David and Jonathan. Loyalty, truth, love, faithfulness. How wonderful it will be to see more of these elements in our relationships.
Thank you again Mike, for hosting this blog.
Such a blessing it is to follow along each day!
God bless everyone here!

Sincerely,
Joyce

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David poor guy having to hide out in the field away from the king. Jonathon his son loves David like his brother. It's sad that he constantly has to look over his shoulder and now playing the part of a lunatic.

Jesus and the blind man..it's not the man or family who are being punished. It is God using this to show off this glory.

Dee

May 16th Bible in a Year Readings

1 Samuel 18:5-19:24 + John 8:31-59 + Psalm 112:1-10 + Proverbs 15:12-14
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament - This is a powerful verse in First Samuel 18:14 today: "David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him." I think that is so important to know - David succeeded in all he did because God was with him.  And I believe this applies to us today as well.  We will succeed in all we do if God is with us.  Now - don't get me wrong - when I say succeed, I do not mean "succeed" as the world might define this word.  I mean we will succeed spiritually in all we do if we are in a loving and growing and obedient relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son (who is God).  This success might mean that we actually become "poor" in the world's eyes and serve overseas or in our own town in a ministry that won't make us a million.  But - if we are living in right relationship with God than we have truly succeeded in life.  Nothing else matters.  Below's an image of a young David succeeding in saving a lamb from the jaws of a lion and offering up praise to God for the success!

It is great to see Jonathan asking his father Saul to not murder David in First Samuel chapter 19.  I read a commentary that said Jonathan had really been won over by David after David killed Goliath.  It is thought that perhaps David shared with Saul and Jonathan his faith in God and why he was fearless of Goliath early in chapter 18 or late in chapter 17 (in yesterday's readings), and that Jonathan believed David's faith was true.  In any case, we do see in chapter 18 verses 3 & 4 these words: "And Jonathan made a special vow to be David's friend, and he sealed the pact by giving him his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt."  Jonathan is obviously living up to this pact here in chapter 19. (the images above and below are really from yesterday's readings, but I thought they were both quite good pictures of David - and Jonathan below. Oh, and Goliath too... :)

An image by Gustave Dore is below for First Samuel 18 verses 10 & 11: "The very next day, in fact, a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave like a madman. David began to play the harp, as he did whenever this happened. But Saul, who had a spear in his hand, suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David jumped aside and escaped."

Bible.org's commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled "David Joins Saul's Family" is at this link and commentary titled "David's Divine Deliverance" is at this link.

New Testament - John chapter 8 verses 34 through 36 are such powerful teachings for each of us to recognize - "Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free."  Do you believe it is possible to be a slave of sin?  Do you believe Jesus can set us free from the slavery of sin?  Are you free?

I believe verse 58 is one of the most powerful statements Jesus makes in the Gospels - "Jesus answered, "The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!""  Or the NIV of this verse is -  ""I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"  Jesus is quoting Exodus 3:14 here when Moses asks God who he should say sent him to free the Israelites from Egypt and God says - "I AM.  Tell them I AM sent you."  Jesus here knows what he is doing when he says that even before Abraham was born, I AM.  Jesus is saying he is God.  And He is.  But, to the religious leaders at this time, this was blasphemy to their ears.  And hence, they attempted to stone Jesus in the very next verse.  Do you believe Jesus when he says, "before Abraham was born, I AM"?

Bible.org's commentary on our John chapter 8 readings today titled "Like Father, Like Son" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 112 is a great look at a godly person's life.   Today in verse 1 we read: “Blessed is the person who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.” Is fear of the Lord healthy? Why or why not? Is fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? Are you blessed if you fear the Lord? Do you find great delight in God’s commands? What are God’s commands?

Verse 4 stands out - "When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in." This is encouraging.  When darkness overtakes us, if we stay true to God and Christ and faith, light will come "bursting in"!  I like that...  Know that the light is coming...  Below is a fresco from 1517 by Raphael of God separating the light from the darkness -

And verse 9 is a great reminder - "They give generously to those in need."  Are you doing something in your life to serve the poorest of the poor?   There are 1.2 billion people living in our world today on less than $1 per day.  Is there something you can do to give generously to those in need?  Below is an oil on canvas painting from 1611 by Bartolomeo Schedoni titled "The Charity" -

Proverbs - Proverbs 15 verse 14 is so powerful - "A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash." I will humbly submit that since YOU are going through the One Year Bible, you are a wise person who is hungry for truth!  :)  Well, really, I mean it.  The Bible is the best place to find Truth.  And trash?  Well, interestingly I was having a conversation with 3 friends recently - 2 of whom participated in this One Year Bible with us last year - and we were discussing how each of us don't watch TV.  We didn't quite use the word "trash" when discussing TV, but I think the term can fit... 

Worship Video: Today's Psalm & Proverb reminded me of Casting Crowns' song "American Dream:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DumlIIHSrsQ

Are you chasing the American Dream? Click here and surrender to Jesus!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." John 8:34 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not a slave to sin. Pray that Jesus has set you free from slavery to sin, and that you are free indeed! Pray for your friends and family that are enslaved to sin that they will be freed through faith in Jesus and repentance of their sins.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Can you imagine living your life feeding only on TV?  Yikes...   So, really, when you look at how you invest your time are you hungry and feeding on truth or perhaps are you feeding on some trash?  Will you throw that trash away?  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 Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our 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 Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

1 Samuel 18:5-19:24
We have already been given the clues and keys to success when we read the Book of Joshua [This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (1:8)] So it should not be a surprise to anyone when the young man David, who will come to be know as the Sweet Psalmist of Israel, is a success everywhere he goes.

Sin has crouched at the door of Saul’s heart and Saul has let him in just like Cain before him (Genesis 4:7). If Saul had done what was right, even with sin hanging around outside, God would have accepted him. Knowing that God had taken the Kingdome away from him (1 Sam 13:14), Saul makes no effort to “clean” up the condition of his heart, but spends time and energy trying to “take-out” a person of more noble character than he. This futile exercise is done daily all around us and some of it is committed by Christians. We slander and assassinate the character of others so we will look good, or so we think.

As we pursue what we falsely perceive as the enemy we sink deeper into a life of madness just like Saul. Declaring that the “other” is really our problem when the true culprit is that man or woman in the mirror.

I am intrigued by Saul’s run in with the Spirit of God that causes him to prophesy, even take off his clothes while he is doing what may appear on the outside to be some religious acts. I’m intrigued because Saul has no relationship with God, yet God’s Spirit comes upon him to keep him from killing David. This same thing happened to the troops he had sent previously to take David out. So a “religious” experience may not be a sign of a changed heart, in reality we are told to look for spiritual fruit not religious fervor, because it may just be a means of stopping a killer from pursuing his or her intended victim. This is a possibility I must give further thought too.
John 8:31-59

Verse thirty-two, 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," is quoted and misquoted by believers and non-believers alike. The truth that sets one free, according to Jesus, is the truth that comes when one obeys Jesus’ teachings. Since Jesus is Truth, our freedom can only come in conjunction with our relationship with Him.

Jesus’ exchange with the religious leaders in this passage proves the above point. Although confronted with the truth about themselves, they failed to hear it because their alliance was not with Jesus but with their father the Devil, the father of all lies.

It is in this eighth chapter that Jesus begins to frequently use the words, truth, truly and true however those He speaks to cannot handle the truth.

In the Book of Job there is a passage that quotes Job as saying, “Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?” Job 12:11). This says to me we know truth when we hear it, but sadly we reject it because it does not fit our agendas. Yet, the sin we so love to chase after, binds us with cords entangling us so that we drown in our own sin. The sin we so love doesn’t love us back; in truth it mocks and then kills us.

Psalm 112:1-10

9 They give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will never be forgotten.
They will have influence and honor.

10 The wicked will be infuriated when they see this.
They will grind their teeth in anger;
they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

These two verses seem to describe Saul. No matter what he tried to do to get David killed, he was “thwarted.”

The continuity of God’s message to us seamlessly threads its way through time and writers from different backgrounds and education never losing the gravity of its Words or significance. Wow, Only God can do that.

Proverbs 15:12-14

If a wise person is hungry for truth, and Jesus is
Truth then the wise person can only be satisfied by Jesus.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

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Jonathan is a good example of one who put the kingdom of God before any earthly kingdom.He should have been next in line to Saul yet he knew David would be the next king.He saw David as a brother in faith and loved him,nothing else mattered...he supported David to his own hurt.
A messianic Jew once told me that the word "I am"is not used at all in hebrew out of respect for God.For example if one had to say "I am going somewhere"they'd say "I going somewhere"just so they wouldn't pronounce the same words God used to introduce himself.Jesus must have really made some jews mad when he didn't hesitate to use I am...here he makes it so clear that he really meant "I AM".Even today few people acknowledge Jesus as deity.I pray we who know can always be a light that beckons to those who don't know Jesus as "I AM".

Household gods....I just couldn't help noticing the issue of household gods.When Michal was Saul's house maybe Saul wasn't a godly enough man(nor a good father)to make sure there was no other god except God in his home...Wonder if David ever knew there was a household god..or if he cared what his wife was doing.It does say Michal was in love with David,never says David returned her affection...Anyway,it seems Israel would sing praises to God for victory in battles but still kept their household gods...and to them that was ok.I pray God reveals our own security blankets(household gods)to us and gives us faith to look only to Him.

God bless you all
Anka

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Oh my! In reading the text in the Hebrew Scripture today, I was curious about who Adriel of Meholah might be; he was the son of Barzillai, but my search led me to remember that in Chapter 17 Saul had already promised Merab (his eldest daughter) to anyone who killed Goliath. Saul hated David so much that he was willing to make his eldest daughter a widow by using her as bait to get David killed -- sending him out to kill the Philistines!

David did not demand what was rightfully his, and in fact in humility regarded himself lacking the nobility from his small clan to be worthy of such an honor: To become son-in-law to the king!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Davidian Dynamics: Humility
Sermon by Dr. Ronald W. Scates
King Saul of Israel began as a humble man. We can read in 1 Samuel 9 that as he is anointed king, he resists, out of a deep, deep humility. But somewhere along the line, Saul starts believing his own press clippings. His motto becomes, “When you’re as great as I am, it’s hard to be humble.” And Saul’s humility gives way to an egotistical arrogance and a pathological murderous pride.

As we bring our sermon series on “Davidian Dynamics” to a close, for the 1st time now, you and I are going to be able to peer into the heart of David and what we’re going to discover there is a posture of humility that stands in stark contrast to the arrogance of King Saul.

Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter, Merab. I will give her to you to in marriage, only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!”

But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.

...Well, you see, David has already done that. He’s already fulfilled the qualifications for the prize. Why does he have to go do something else? And secondly, what’s going on here is not an offer of Saul’s daughter’s hand in marriage; it’s the offer of a death sentence. Saul is hoping that David will go out and do something brave on the battlefield and that David will get killed on the battlefield.

It takes a humble person not to take the bait. David doesn’t take the bait and by not doing so, he saves his life and he foils Saul’s murderous plot.

Humility is all about you and me understanding who we really are in relation to the greatness of God and the magnitude and the majesty of His grace.

...David refuses Saul’s offer, the offer of the fast track and in doing so he ticks off a litany of his own smallness, his unworthiness. He says, “Who am I? What is my family? What is my father’s clan in Israel that I should be worthy to be the king’s son-in-law?” And by refusing this fast track, David saves his life.

Jonathan Edwards once said, “The best protection you and I have against the Devil and his schemes is a humble heart.”

It’s David’s humility that spares his life and it’s David’s humility that keeps him from going in the opposite direction of God’s will.

What offers, what prizes, what fast tracks, does the world throw before you and me? Perhaps a promotion. If you’ll… A business deal comes along that encourages you to bend, if not outright, break some ethical parameters. What about an invitation into the halls of power?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saul seems to vacillate in his affection for David; in fact he appears to be rather unstable in all his ways much like James describes a double-minded man.

I must get more understanding about prophesying. I do not understand Saul's ability to prophesy after hunting down and trying to kill God's annointed. I will pray about understanding.

In the Psalms I have always loved to read "His love endures forever," and today we see also that "His righteousness endures forever."

God is SO GOOD.

I was remindend in today's proverbs of my haughtiness and trying to justify wrong behavior this past week; I confess, I have been a mocker who resented correction.

Thank YOU LORD for making that clear to me.

Sue

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"When it says that they were all prophesying, it isn’t that they were all predicting the future. The Hebrew word simply has the idea of speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They were probably all giving spontaneous and inspired praise to God.

Then the Spirit of God was upon him also: Why did the Holy Spirit come upon Saul? For the same reasons He came upon the messengers Saul sent to capture David. First, to prevent David’s capture. Second, to tell Saul, “Hands off My servant David. I am in charge here.”

There may have been an additional message to Saul in this: “Saul, you are prophesying now, speaking beautiful words of praise and wonder to Me. This is how I could work in you all the time if you were humble and willing.”"   from enduring word.com

John

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In regard to what John expressed: "i. When it says that they were all prophesying, it isn’t that they were all predicting the future. The Hebrew word simply has the idea of speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They were probably all giving spontaneous and inspired praise to God."

My take on this is they are/were declaring the future of the Kingdom of God coming on the earth...which can mean "predicting" the future. It sounds so carnal the way John stated his point of view & it really is not carnal at all, but very very supernatural in Him.

The prophetic takes so many slams in this time & day, but the prophets were always sent forth from Him before something happened...in other words, we/they are warned of the future event(s) before it takes place.

1 Peter 1:19 - 19-Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place--until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts. 20-Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves 21-or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.

Jan

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I agree, God's view of success and the world's are greatly in conflict. We should aim to be successful for God, for that is imperishable. Saul sending out David hoping he'd be killed...reminds me of what David does to Bathsheba's husband later on.
Saul's anger shows how much jealousy and envy can corrupt someone's life....very dangerous.
David brought back 200 Philistines' foreskins? eeewwwwwww!!
I love Jonathan's devotion to his friend. Man, Saul had a good start and went downhill...and we read why, because God departed from him, but really Saul departed from God through willful disobedience and pride. Its not how you start the race...its how you finish it!

In John v.2: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."..I LOVE that!! So true! I have never been so freeee in my life as when I submited to Christ. The thought used to unsettle me. give up my will? surrender? like i would lose control, it kinda made me nervous...that was the enemy though. How blessed I am to submit and give away control...I am so free! Free from my sins, bondage to sin, my own self, free from my burdens, shackles, heavy heart.
I remember once in a philosophy class in college, there was so much confusion...the teacher was mocking the bible and i think God allowed me to feel that burden, the burden the world carries when they are in bondage and not in truth. it was sooooooo awful. But God let me feel that burden, maybe to make me mre compassionate? idk. I just got in my car and prayed and turned on the radio and heard My Refuge by Sonicflood: "I take my sorrow and lay it down at Your feet, I take my refuge, where i can be freeeeee, in Youuuuu oh Lord, in You, my God! when there's nowhere to turn, and nothing thats true, i find my peace in YOU!"
That song just SPOKE to me and the spirit lifted that heavy burden off me and i never felt such freedom in my life! I'll never forget that day or that feeling of having the weight of the world lifted off me and the confusion of bondage and being set free!

Wow...John is powerful!! "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

Some of the most radical verses:
v. 47 "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

v. 58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
Go Jesus!! Go Jesus! =) I LOVE IT!! Amazing words!

Wow! i have to memorize this one:
Ps v 7 "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."
Sounds like something God has been working on in me. Susanna knows this =).
Psalms is just beautiful.
I'm learning more about the fear of the Lord...it isnt just reverence, its actual fear, healthy fear. We should have a fear of displeasing Him. We should tremble at the thought of sinning against Him. I think I get too cozy perhaps and lose a bit of that fear. fear as a deep respect. God is very lovingly and graciously showing me this.

Prov v. 13 "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.".......Boy does it ever!

I was wondering wen the tv tangent was coming. that was a short..) last year's was nice and long, haha. I love the tangents! =-) I agree! i dont watch tv. i do turn on the news every now n then to hear about a big story and ok maybe a basketball game! but thats it! Its amazzzzing the difference in your life wen you give up tv. I didnt consciously give it up...i just lost the desire (i was a former tv junkie). Now i'm the most uncool person around, haha, people talk about all these tv shows ???? I have no idea wat they are. i really dont feel i'm missing out on anything. I'm not!

Jenny

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I really like reading 1 Samuel! And David ... he has been through a lot with a king that hates him, shees! Saul really hated him for being succesfull, I love verse 18:14 "David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him".
There's just one thing I don't understand; why would the Spirit come upon Saul? Did the Lord want to prove something to Saul?

John was sooooooooooo powerful!!!
Verse 36) So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. ~ Well Amen!!!!!!!!!!! I have never been so free in my entire life! The moment I turned myself from my old life and started my new life in Christ it was a feeling of freedom! Just to be able to grab my garbage (yeah, using this metaphore, since I see this dude carrying his garbage) and give it to the Lord. "Here Lord, toss it out!". True freedom, that's what it is!!!
Verse 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!~ also powerful! Actually verses 42 till 47 are very powerful! It just explains why some people don't believe the Gospel. Verse 47 explains it all "Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God". First find Jesus, to get to God. To understand the Gospel! Naturally I don't listen to people who try to provoke me, it's just no use. They can't hurt me with the things they say, I don't take it personally, I know that God hears them. I can talk with non-believers about my relationship with God, but I will not go into some huge discussion. Not because I'm afraid to, I'm not afraid at all! Verses 42 till 47 explains it ... people just won't listen, they can't listen, they can't hear what I'm saying. They're not with God!

Psalm 112 is wonderful! It's encouraging!!!
Verse 7) They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
Verse 10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated.
They will grind their teeth in anger;
they will slink away, their hopes thwarted ~ How sad, eh?

Todays readings were awesome!!!! I love this Biblestudy!! I'm so glad I'm a part of this!

Mae

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The version of OT I read said "evil spirit from God came upon Saul". I like your version of "tormenting spirit from God came upon Saul" better. I have difficulty thinking that God would produce "evil". I guess it is like when Moses was in Egypt and God "hardened" Pharoah's heart to not let the Israelites go. God produces the attitude in us that HE needs to do His will.

Margaret

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Food for thought that I will share which pertains to, but not limited to the posted fresco above from 1517 by Raphael of God.

While God our Father has given us an imagination, I think it quite scary when I see images of what people's perception of what God our Father may look like, especially when scripture speaks against such.

I always think of these two scriptures:

No man hath seen God at any time… (John 1:18); and
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image… or any likeness [of anything] that is in heaven above; (Exodus 20:4).

Following is commentary by John Gill in the order of the scripture that is presented.

1. "That is, God the Father, whose voice was never heard, nor his shape seen by angels or men; for though Jacob, Moses, the elders of Israel, Manoah, and his wife, are said to see God, and Job expected to see him with his bodily eyes, and the saints will see him as he is, in which will lie their great happiness; yet all seems to be understood of the second person, who frequently appeared to the Old Testament saints, in an human form, and will be seen by the saints in heaven, in his real human nature; or of God in and by him: for the essence of God is invisible, and not to be seen with the eyes of the body; nor indeed with the eyes of the understanding, so as to comprehend it; nor immediately, but through, and by certain means: God is seen in the works of creation and providence, in the promises, and in his ordinances; but above all, in Christ the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person: this may chiefly intend here, man's not knowing any thing of God in a spiritual and saving way, but in and by Christ; since it follows, the only begotten Son; the word that was with God in the beginning. ..."

2. "An image of anything graven by art or man's device, cut out of wood of stone, and so anything that was molten, or cast into a mould or form, engraved by men, and this in order to be worshipped; for otherwise images of things might be made for other uses and purposes, as the cherubim over the mercy seat, and the brazen serpent, and images and impressions on coin, which we do not find the Jews themselves scrupled to make use of in Christ's time on that account; though they vehemently opposed the setting up any images of the Caesars or emperors in their temple, because they seemed to be placed there as deities, and had a show of religious worship: however, any image of God was not to be made at all, since no similitude was ever seen of him, or any likeness could be conceived; and it must be a gross piece of ignorance, madness, and impudence, to pretend to make one, and great impiety to make it in order to be the object of religious worship; on which account, not any image or the image of anything whatever was to be made: or any likeness [of anything] that is in heaven above; any form, figure, portrait, or picture of anything or creature whatever, whether in the supreme, starry, or airy heaven; as of angels, which some have gone into the worship of; ..."

Let us be careful in all that we do in trying to honor our Father.

Lisa

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I have to say I am confused by the passage "...evil spirit from God came upon Saul"
Did God REALLY send an evil spirit? or what it an attack from Satan? It is the Bible that says it, so it must be true. But I know that when bad things happen I tend to think that its satan attacking me and God is allowing it. I never really read this I guess and see that it WAS GOD that sent the evil spirit. wow.

On the upside... Psalms 112:4 really spoke to me about how God will shine HIS light on us while in our dark times. very encouraging!!

Becky

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I used to think you could watch most things on TV and did like many, justifying it to myself as "it's only a silly program" or some other excuse. But over the last decade or so, I've come to recognise that what you take into the eye stays in your soul!! When the time came that I found myself thinking constantly about certain soap storylines I knew it was time to quit watching them. I still do watch an odd one here and there, but am much more aware now of the need to be careful about what I allow myself to see and hear. Sadly many younger people today think they can watch all manner of truly evil films and programs without any concern, yet all of these things definitely have an impact on their pysche. Satan is after the youth heavily just now, as is evidenced by the anger they all show for no particular reason, and the huge rate of teen suicides etc. TV is one of his best weapons, because it's where they learn that they (not God) can control demons and overcome them and hey, sure they're only fuzzy beings anyway and no big deal right?
Blessings, TK

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The next day an evil [b] spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. This is very disturbing to my husband and myself. We know God allows evil to occur(such as killing)in peoples lives but an evil spirit FROM God??? We have always heard God is good and there is no evil on Him??? Help please.

Melanie

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An explaination of 1 Samuel 19:9 and the evil spirit:

http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2325

Kay

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It's quite sad how Saul took what brought him comfort as a thorn in his side. Saul dishonored the Lord and He took the authority and annointed away from him. David was a man after God's own heart.

Book of John..reminds me of the song..slave to sin.. Im no longer a slave to sin..I am a child of God..love it!! Know who we are and whose we are..

Psalm 112 reminds me of Proverbs 1, teaches about godly life and beginning of wisdom is a guide to a good life.

I sometimes feed on trash but when I do get it right..study word , stay in Word, hace quiet time..I am at peace.

Dee

May 15th Bible in a Year Readings

1 Samuel 17:1-18:4 + John 8:21-30 + Psalm 111:1-10 + Proverbs 15:11
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Old Testament - We are beginning the story of David, which is always a blessing to read. As you know, David wrote many of the Psalms, so we’ve been reading some of David’s writings already this year. Now we begin his story! Hang on! This is a wonderful part of the Bible – reading about David and reading the Gospel of John at the same time. . . great stuff!  Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org has a terrific overview of David becoming Israel’s King at this link.

Today in 1 Samuel chapter 17 read about David & Goliath. In verse 45 we read – “David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.” How often in our lives today are we like Goliath, where we try to make things work or do things with our own strength or our latest technology? Goliath relied on his strength and sword and spear and javelin – and perhaps we today rely on our intellectual pride and Blackberry and career and money. David simply relied on God. David moved in the name of God. How often do you move in the name of God today? How often do you completely rely on only God today? Can you move beyond relying solely on your “strengths” and “technologies” and instead move and breathe and rely on God in every circumstance in your life?  Below is "David Slaying Goliath" by Peter Paul Rubens from the year 1620:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings titled "David and Goliath" is at this link.

Recommendation: I highly recommend the TV series "House of David" on Amazon Prime!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrGfIHBIVL4

New Testament - I love John 8 verse 29 where Jesus says - "And the one who sent me is with me--he has not deserted me. For I always do those things that are pleasing to him."  If Jesus always did those things that are pleasing to God, do you think that you and I should do those things that are pleasing to Jesus and to God?   Meaning, it seems to me that Jesus was clearly very intentional with how he spent his time.  He only did those things that are pleasing to God.  How intentional are you and I in how we spend our time?  Do we make sure we are only doing those things that are pleasing to Jesus (who is God) and God the Father?  I know I don't.  I wish I did.  I pray that I will spend more and more of my time doing those things that are pleasing to God.  Let us pray that Jesus' personality permeates our personality and all that we do!

Psalms - Psalm 111 is a wonderful Psalm of praise!  I love the way it ends in verse 10: "Reverence for the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom.  The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him. Praise his name forever!" Do you believe that reverence for God is the foundation of true wisdom?  Do you believe that there are rewards of wisdom if you obey God?  Will you praise his name forever?

Proverbs - Proverbs 15:11 today teaches us: "Even the depths of Death and Destruction are known by the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!"

Worship God: Today's readings remind me of Phil Wickham's fantastic song "This is our God:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNts1BTMhJQ

Do you believe God can defeat "Goliaths" in your life? Click here for Victory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "David said to the Philistine (Goliath), "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied... All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."" 1 Samuel 17:45,47 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will not attempt battles against "Goliaths" in your life on your own, but that you will realize the battle is always the LORD's. Pray that you will never trust your technologies over the LORD.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Today's Proverb is a wonderful reminder that God not only knows us, he knows our very hearts!  How is the state of your heart today?  Does your heart belong to God?  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 Bible readings at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:

1 Samuel 17:1-18:4
Goliath was one big guy and a very boisterous one. But because God was no longer with Saul, this one man’s braggadocio sent the entire Israeli army to flight. They had forgotten the Words of God given to Moses, which Moses then placed in a song (Deut 31:30-32:43),

30 How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?

The Lord had “given them up” because they failed to follow Him.

I love the story of David and Goliath because it takes an ordinary boy and pits him against an extraordinary man, Goliath. David knew Goliath could be defeated, and defeated by him because he had other experiences to draw from, the taking out of the lion and the bear. David knew how to rely on God because he gained practice while hanging out with the sheep, alone in the sheep fields. Today at church my pastor warned about substituting the joy and power of corporate worship for the intimacy that only private worship and devotion will bring. Corporate worship is needed; however, corporate worship with out private intimacy defeats the purpose of private prayer time. Our intimacy with God can only be built one on one and not inside the church with a crowd. It is only in that one on one relationship with God where we learn to recognize His voice when we hear it, and learn to trust Him as well as discerning His will for our lives.

David’s exchange with his brother, or should I say Eliab’s rebuke of David gives us another clue into David’s place in his family.

28 But when David's oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. "What are you doing around here anyway?" he demanded. "What about those few sheep you're supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and dishonesty. You just want to see the battle!"

David’s response to his oldest brother, the one Samuel thought looked like a king before God told him, “No,” should resound in the hearts of all siblings who were picked on by the older brother or sister, “What have I done now?” God uses the scrawny ones, the ones people think, family members especially, have no future, or a limited one at best. That fact should set a lot of people who come to this site heart’s soaring.

David killed Goliath with what he was familiar with he didn’t use the weapons of the experts; in fact he couldn’t handle those weapons. Folks we need to use the “weapons” that God has equipped up to use and not the weapons of the world’s system. When Moses complained to God that he neither had the aptitude nor the speech to convince a nation that God would use him to deliver then from bondage, God asked, “What’s that in your hand?” Moses’ rod, a shepherd’s rod was the simple instrument God worked through to bring his people out of Egypt. What is that in your hands? Be it a slingshot, or shepherd’s rod God can use it to not only deliver you but also deliver your family. Hallelujah! But be forewarned, self-confident people in God will always intimidate those who don’t know their God. Daniel 11:32 “ …but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”

John 8:21-30

Jesus lays out two Kingdoms separated by the word “not.” Unbelievers will die in their sins, believers will “not.” The location of theses two Kingdoms are diametrically opposed, one is above and the other below, one is of this world the other is not.

For the unbelievers the “other” Kingdom where the “not” dying in “their sins” will occur in difficult and impossible to understand. Believers have access not only to a coded book, but a voice, the voice of the Father, and the only way to break that code is by way of the Father though Jesus Christ.

Psalm 111:1-10
This Psalm proclaims the wonderful and amazing ways of the Lord, and for me verses 7-8 hooks into one of the reasons why I love the Book of John and that is Jesus’ numerous use of the word true, truth, and truly, at least in the King James Version.

7 All he does is just and good,
and all his commandments are trustworthy.

8 They are forever true,
to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.

Jesus uses those three words over 90 times in the Book of John, and most he is using it about his own character, words and the essence of His being. Apart from Jesus there is no truth.

Proverbs 15:11
Death and Destruction are capitalized to indicate they are a person, place or thing, hmmm, something to think about.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

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David's brother's had a grudge:he was annointed before them and they like Joseph's brothers hated him for it.When David set out to get Goliath,his brothers must have hoped that would be the end of him,they didn't try to talk him out of it.
Saul it seems has a bit of trouble with his memory.When he had a demon disturb him he was told about David and who's son he was.David sang for him on his harp,could it be that Saul didn't even care to look at the face of the one whom with the help of the Holy Spirit chased his demons away.He really was conceited if so.
Jonathan and David had the same beliefs:God was the one who gave victory to Israel...not the number of fighting men,not the sophisticated weapons.He saw in David,a brother who shared his faith and loved him like he loved himself.If all the church of Christ was drawn together by the common faith and love....the kingdom of darkness would never prevail..David kept the two most important commandments:He loved God so much that he was ready to lay all aside and do his will(inspite of "encouragement"from his brothers)and he did have love for others(he didn't mind that Saul didn't remember who he was or that his brothers hated him cos I'm sure they showed him their "appreciation"whenever they could yet even in the heat of battle,David went to the front lines to greet his brothers).
I have to admit that I'm really not that sure I love God with all my heart and my mind....I certainly don't love my brothers and sisters in Christ like I do myself...I'm not sure I'd jump up with joy if I had to go preach in Iran,neither do I love my brethren when I see them try to put me down.
I'm asking God to show me my heart and put true repentance where all the dirt is...I pray we all truly learn to love God and each other.
God bless you all

Anka

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I love young David's faith: "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty".
Found it kinda funny that David seemed to be walking around all day with Goliath's head in his hand. haha.
I love the friendship between David n Jonathan, he "became as one spirit with him and he loved him as himself."

In our John readings, v 29 "for I always do what pleases Him." I wish I could say the same, but I dont. I strive to, but I will never be there until I put on incorruption and am finally completed in Him when i leave this earth.

I would love to say my heart is right with God, but we dont even know our own hearts. My pastor once said if God fully revealed our heart to us, we wouldnt be able to handle it! so He reveals things little by little if we ask Him to. The Bible doesnt teach us our heart is pure.
"The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately wicked; who can understand it?"(Jer.17:9)
"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” Mark 7:21-23

Here we see it is not things from outside sources that defiles us, but what is within us already! very sobering!
Thank God for His endless patience, mercy, compassion, and love!

Jenny

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Isn't Davids faith wonderful? That's what it's all about: walk in faith! 17:45 "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied". When Jaden had his first day of school I bought him a little book from David & Goliath ... I thought of Jaden as my own brave David! He seemed so small and big at the same time ...

John had some great verses, as usual.
verse 24 "That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
verse 29 "And the One who sent Mis with me—He has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases Him.”

Psalm 111:5 "He gives food to those who fear him;
he always remembers his covenant". ~ I think this sais it all: if we fear Him, if we love and obey Him, turn to Him, live how He wants it (through His Word). He'll make sure we'll be allright. I do believe that, I have faith ... I walk in faith!

Mae

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From the reading: "And the one who sent me is with me--he has not deserted me. For I always do those things that are pleasing to him."

We can also deduct the opposite. If we ALWAYS do those things that please the Father, he will ALWAYS be with us and not desert us"

I pray that Jesus/God shows us how to do the things that please him. Is funny the "Our Father" prayer says "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" :-)

Anna

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The Holy Spirit highlighted a great connection for me this morning in today's readings between Psalm 111:7 - "...all his precepts are trustworthy" and John 8:26 - "...he who sent me is reliable". Bottom line: God *always* keeps his promises. His truth is the truth that trumps all other things that masquerade as 'truth'.

How humble was David! Once serving in the court of his king, he returned home to graciously tend his father's sheep. Not many men who at one time have been exalted can return to a humble existance!

"Before honor is humility". A lesson from David in this chapter of Holy Scripture.

Art

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Silly question.

Why did Saul not know who David's father was after David killed Goliath? Hadn't David been playing the harp for Saul? Didn't Saul send to his father and request that David stay with him? I know this is an off the wall questions, but I remember the servant who went to fetch David telling Saul about David's lineage. Why would they write that Saul did not know who David's father was? Did David stop playing the harp for Saul and return to his sheep in the interim? The older brothers went to fight and so David had to go back to his family? Therefore Saul did not connect the boy who played the harp with this young man.

I don't know.

Jen

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Re: Jen

My guess is that the events described in 1 Samuel might not be in chronological order. This is not uncommon, e.g. in Judges 17 onward, the descriptions of the Israeli situation might not strictly after Samson. Another example, in 2 Samauel 21 and 22 might not strictly followed 2 Samuel 20. Also, in the New Testament, the Book of Matthew and Mark are also not chronological, but Luke is.

Frederick

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1Samuel 17:26-45. In line with Scazzero’s book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality”, the Goliath story prompts us to examine our ability to be true to ourselves in the midst of great trials. This is called DIFFERENTIATION. It is related to our relationship to God. Augustine (500 AD) prayed, “Grant Lord that I may know myself that I may know thee.” John Calvin (1530) wrote, “Our wisdom…consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and gives birth to the other.” J. I. Packer (today) says, “Knowing God is more than knowing about Him; it is a matter of dealing with Him as He opens up to you, and being dealt with by Him as He takes knowledge of you. Knowing about Him is a necessary precondition of trusting in Him, but the width of our knowledge about Him is no gauge of our knowledge of Him.” David knew God. As we read more of David’s stories, I like to put my perspective on watching his “lifestyle evangelism” and reflecting on my own life. After all he did spend a lot of time search for the heart of God.

Bob

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1Samuel 17:40
David and Goliath.

Why 5 smooth stones? If David was so sure of God being with him would he not have just needed one stone? Scholars have dug into the past and it looks like Goliath had 4 brothers who may have come after David as well, so it is only reasonable that David prepare for their attack. (2 Samuel 21: 22). I guess what this makes me ask myself is if I am about to go into a battle or a situation I should think about it a bit. Prepare my rocks so to speak. I know David trusted the Lord and I have to make that my first priority. David had confidence in God and I believe we receive that confidence with our relationship with God.

https://www.gotquestions.org/five-smooth-stones.html

A book I liked by Eugene H. Peterson called, “Five Smooth stones for Pastoral Work”. (1980). It doesn’t speak directly to this story but relates 5 Biblical stories from Ruth to Ester to give us tools ready to do the job. Eugene quotes the Norwegian poet Gunnar Thorkildsson: (Discipleship)
Odd shaped pebbles roll
And tumble round the Rock which
Smooths them into five smooth
Stones
One of which will kill a giant.

Robert

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Don't you just love David's courage and humility? No. I don't think those are opposite traits, but they certainly require a close walk with the Lord.

Saul dresses David up with all this armor, but David's doesn't even seem to realize what an honor it is to be wearing the "KING's" very own protection!

Is that because David has on the whole armor of God described in Ephesians?

Are his loins gird about with TRUTH--

Does he have on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS--

Are his feet shod with the GOSPEL OF PEACE--

The helmet of SALVATION--

And above all, has he taken the shield of FAITH--(wherewith he can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked?)

And is he wearing the helmet of SALVATION--

Armed with the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT (which is the word of God).

You know, we all are giant slayers! What a privilege to be part of the Army of God.

Sue

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I Samuel 17:1-18:4

Interesting reading today indeed. It is fun and invigorating to see things in the text that I haven’t seen before. I had already observed in previous readings that David was not well liked by his family much less esteemed. After all, when Samuel came to his family’s home to anoint someone as king, David wasn’t even considered. He was only an afterthought after Samuel went through all the sons that were present only to discover that none were appointed by God. The rebuke to David by his older bother, Eliab, the one Samuel thought was the king because of his appearance, more than suggests that David was an embarrassment to them and bullied. “What have I done now?” is a response from someone who has been accused all of their life of doing something wrong. David was the butt of their “blame games.”

All of David’s time with his sheep shaped his character. His concern for the sheep would come to translate into concern for God’s people. His protection of those sheep would build him up to be a great warrior. No, there was not boot camp training in the building up of his body to handle the armor and all the weapons of war. He had no training in tactical warfare, no marching drills, no long hikes to build up stamina by carrying all his gear on his back. David had been trained by God and thus trusted God. David above all the men on that battlefield who were interestingly enough not in battle, though they carried the accoutrements of battle, had a relationship with God. God had his back.

Though Saul had David in his employ, he knew nothing about this young man. Yes, he may have known in his head David’s parentage and David by sight, but he didn’t know in his knowing who David was nor what David was about. I don’t think his family knew either. David’s defeat of Goliath shattered everyone’s perception of who David was. Like Jesus, David’s hometown reputation undercut his true value. Bad reputation, bad location etc, can cause us to be boxed into a role that everyone expects us to play; however, a relationship and fellowship with God will blow you out of that box. And let’s face it most will not like it. When our expectations of others are changed, we must do some things: change our perceptions and possibly apologize or keep trying to put that person back in the box we have created. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Can anything good come out of Brooklyn? Can anything good come out of Detroit, or South Central LA (California), or any place man has stated is useless, corrupted and defiled. Absolutely, YES! Our challenge is too see past our mental hang-ups and prejudgments and get to the true heart of the matter. Is God in the midst?

The story of David should empower everyone who was ever looked upon with contempt and called a failure. With God you can do anything, despised and rejected, yet Jesus was the light of the World. Will we close our eyes to that light either by rejecting to acknowledge there is light or look for another?

Grace and peace,
Ramona

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I love the story of David and Goliath! The redemption of the Lord on the spirit of David and the Israelites. Goliath was no match for the Lord.

Johns verses was short and sweet today..Jesus being an obedient son and whatever God the Father said He obeyed..David was a representation of that in 1 Samuel..

Psalm 111 Reverence to the Lord is true wisdom. That is the sweet spot..revering him and nothing else.

Proverbs 15..I often wonder..what does the Lord know of my heart? I often wonder if I dwell on things I need not..and need to just let it happen when it happens..no biggee to not get offended. Big deal. Things will come when it is time

Dee

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