Daily Bible Reading “What a Day” (1 Samuel 4:12-22)

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

What a Day

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 4:12-22. There was a man of Benjamin who ran away from the army and went to Shiloh. He was dirty and his clothes were torn. As he entered the city Eli was sitting by the side of the road at the city gate watching and waiting. He was concerned about the Ark of God.

When the man came into the city and told everybody that Israel had been defeated, Eli’s two sons had been killed and the Ark of the Covenant had been taken, the people cried out. Eli heard the noise and asked what was going on. The man came to Eli and told him what happened.

Eli was ninety-eight years old at the time, heavy, and his eye sight was failing him. When Eli heard that the Ark of God was taken he fell backwards off of his seat, broke his neck and died. Eli judged Israel for forty years. Now not only were the Israelites defeated, but they lost their leader as well.

Eli’s daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, was expecting a baby which was due to be born at any time. When she heard that the Ark of God was taken, and her husband and father-in-law had died she was so distraught that she went into labor. The woman who stood beside her said, “Fear not; for thou hast born a son.” But, she didn’t answer. She passed away while giving birth to her son.

The woman named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory of the LORD is departed from Israel.” Wow, what a day. Not only was Israel defeated in battle, Eli’s sons killed, and the Ark taken, but now Eli and his daughter-in-law were gone as well. It is not a good thing when the presence of the LORD is removed from His people.
Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 4:12-22

12 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.
13 And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
14 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
15 Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
16 And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
20 And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.
21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.
22 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

Things to think about:

How did the people of Israel react to the Ark being taken?

What was Eli’s reaction to the news of the Ark being taken?

What was Eli’s daughter-in-law’s reaction to the news?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture from 1 Samuel our hearts are overwhelmed reading of all the grief Your people experienced. Help us to realize that there are consequences to all of our actions. Help us to guard against allowing sin to reign in our lives. Give us strength to live holy lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

– This is an excerpt from our new release The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of 1 Samuel. This is the 31st book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of 1 Samuel is found in the Old Testament of the Bible.

The Book of 1 Samuel not only discusses the life and call of Samuel as prophet but also includes events that happened during his lifetime. The people of Israel insisted on having a king and even though Samuel tried to warn them of the dangers of appointing a king, they insisted. So God chose Saul to be their king. A good portion of the book includes the events during the reign of King Saul including the ongoing rivalry between King Saul and David.

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings contains 71 Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson consists of a commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer to go along with the lesson. This Bible study is great as a personal daily devotional or a group Bible study.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B01H1B7DSM

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Israel Goes to Battle” (1 Samuel 4:1-11)

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Israel Goes to Battle

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 4:1-11. In this Scripture we learn that Israel went to battle against the Philistines. Israel set up camp by Ebenezer and the Philistines made camp in Aphek. Israel was defeated by the Philistines. Four thousand men were killed.

The elders of Israel decided to get the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh and bring it to their camp in hopes that it may save them from their enemies. When the Ark arrived at the camp all of the Israelites shouted. The Philistines wondered what all the noise was about. When they realized that the Ark of the LORD had arrived at the camp they were afraid.

When the Philistines gathered their wits they went to battle against the Israelites again. Thirty thousand men of Israel were killed. The Ark of God was taken and both of Eli’s sons were killed. What a terrible time for the people of Israel.

Psalm 78:59-62 tells us that the people of Israel made God angry with their sin and disobedience. He was so upset with them that He even forsook the Ark of the Covenant. Can you imagine?

Sometimes things happen in our lives and we don’t understand why God allows them to happen. Surely the people of Israel who were left wondered what in the world was going on. Sometimes we question why God allows things to happen in our lives. Maybe we need to search our hearts.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 4:1-11

1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.
2 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.
8 Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
9 Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
11 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.

Things to think about:

Why did the Israelites want to bring the Ark of the Covenant with them?

What was the Philistines reaction when they first heard the Ark of the Covenant was in the camp of the Israelites?

What would make God allow the Ark of the Covenant to be taken?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 1 Samuel our hearts are broken for what the people of Israel suffered. Help us as we read this story to realize that there are consequences for our sins. Forgive us, LORD, where we have failed You. Help us to walk in unison with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

– This is an excerpt from our new release The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B01H1B7DSM

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Eli Surrenders to God’s Will” (1 Samuel 3:12-21)

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Eli Surrenders to God’s Will

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 3:12-21.
The LORD spoke to Samuel and said He was going to perform all the things against Eli and his family which Eli had been warned about. God was going to bring judgment upon Eli’s family because of his son’s rebellion, which Eli didn’t restrain.

The LORD said that the sins of Eli’s family couldn’t be purged with sacrifice or offering. Can you imagine how Samuel felt when the LORD revealed His plans?

Samuel rose early the next morning and opened the doors to the house of the LORD. Samuel was afraid to tell Eli what the LORD revealed to him. Eli called Samuel and asked him what the LORD told him.

Even though Samuel was afraid, Eli left him no choice but to tell him what the LORD said. So Samuel told Eli everything. I’m sure Eli was distraught and concerned for his family, but he surrendered his will to the LORD by saying, “Let the LORD’S will be done.”

As Samuel grew, the LORD was with him and everyone in Israel knew that he was destined to be a prophet. Samuel had a close relationship with the LORD. The LORD revealed himself to Samuel again in Shiloh.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 3:12-21

12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

Things to think about:

How did Samuel feel when the LORD told him of His plans?

How did Eli coax Samuel into telling him the truth?

What was Eli’s response to what the LORD told Samuel?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in 1 Samuel. Our hearts are saddened as we hear of the fate of Eli’s family. Please guard our families from sin. Help us to live lives according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

– This is an excerpt from our new release The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B01H1B7DSM

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Eli’s Sons Disobeyed God” (1 Samuel 2:22-36)

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Eli’s Sons Disobeyed God

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 2:22-36. Eli, the priest, was getting very old. He heard of his sons’ wickedness. There were rumors spreading about them throughout the land. Eli found out that his sons were sleeping with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting. He tells them if a man sins against a man God will intercede for him. Then Eli asks them, “If a man sins against God, who is going to intercede for him?”

A man of God came to Eli and told him what the LORD had said about this situation. The LORD chose Eli and his family to serve Him. He gave Eli a place of honor as the priest. But, because of Eli’s sons’ disobedience God decided to cut off the strength of the family. He told them that their days would be shortened and there would never be an old man in that family from this time forward.

The man told Eli that both of his sons would die in the same day because of their sin against God. Can you imagine the grief Eli must have felt in his heart? The LORD told them that He would raise up a priest who would be faithful to Him and serve the LORD in the way the He desired all the days of his life. Eli’s family would be begging to serve so they could have food to eat. What a sad situation. A family who was blessed by God, but sinned against God and dishonored Him would have to beg for bread because of their disobedience.

One of the lessons that we learn from this Scripture is that there are always consequences for our actions, whether they are good or bad. If we are obedient, God will bless us. If we disobey God, there will be consequences for our disobedience.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 2:22-36

22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’S people to transgress.
25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?
28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.
33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.
34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.
35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

Things to think about:

In what ways had God blessed Eli’s family?

How had Eli’s sons caused dishonor to the family?

What were the consequences of Eli’s sons’ disobedience to God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this story from the book of 1 Samuel about Eli’s family our hearts are saddened. We see a family who had Your blessings on their life, but because of their sin and disobedience the blessing was removed. LORD, we pray for our families that You would protect them from the evil one who causes us to sin. We pray You would forgive us where we have failed You. We pray Your blessings on our families that they would honor You and obey Your Word. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

– This is an excerpt from our new release The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

Christian Music Video:

Featured Book:

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B01H1B7DSM

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
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Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us so we can study the Bible together.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “The LORD Blessed Hannah” (1 Samuel 2:11-21)

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

The LORD Blessed Hannah

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 2:11-21. In this Scripture, we learn that Elkanah and the rest of the family returned to their home in Ramah, but they left Samuel with Eli, the priest, so he could minister to the LORD. The sons of Eli were wicked. They didn’t know the LORD.

One of the customs of the priest during this time was that when men offered sacrifices they would cook them. When the sacrifice was done they would take a three-pronged utensil, dip into the pot and whatever they retrieved would be given to the priest. This custom was followed in Shiloh for all the Israelites who came to bring sacrifices.

The sacrifices were to be willingly given as an act of obedience to the LORD, but Eli’s sons threatened people into offering sacrifices. Then, they would choose the pieces of meat they wanted first before the rest was boiled for sacrifice. These young men committed a great sin before the LORD. They caused contempt among the people making them despise the offering of the LORD.

Samuel was only a child, yet he ministered to the LORD. He wore a linen garment. His mother would also make him a coat and bring it to him each year when they came to bring their sacrifice.

Eli, the priest, prayed to the LORD and asked Him to bless Elkanah and Hannah with more children because of the sacrifice they made by allowing Samuel to serve the LORD. The LORD blessed Elkanah and Hannah with three more sons and two daughters.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 2:11-21

11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
13 And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

Things to think about:

What was the problem with Eli’s sons?

Can you imagine leaving your child and only seeing him once a year? How hard do you think this was for Hannah?

Why did God bless Hannah and Elkanah?

In what way did God bless Hannah and Elkanah?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this story about Samuel and the sacrifice his parents made by dedicating him to Your service. We thank You that we can see You blessed them for their obedience. Help us to use their example as inspiration to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

– This is an excerpt from our new release The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

Christian Music Video:

Featured Book:

The Book of 1 Samuel: Prophets, Priests, and Kings

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B01H1B7DSM

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox
at: http://DeborahHBateman.com/subscribe

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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