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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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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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

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Moving the Ark to Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 6:1-11)

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Moving the Ark to Jerusalem

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 6:1-11. David gathered all the chosen men of Israel, which during that time was a total of thirty thousand. David and the men went from Baale of Judah to bring the ark of God, which is called by that name because the LORD of hosts dwells between the cherubims of the ark. The ark of God was sacred and holy.

1 Chronicles 13 is almost the same as this Scripture. There are a few details that are different in the story. 1 Chronicles 13:1-2 tells us that David consulted with all the leaders of Israel and the congregation, but there is no mention of David praying and asking God what He thought about this decision.

You may wonder why it took so many men to escort the ark of God back to Jerusalem. Remember that the ark was taken from them once before when they were in a battle with the Philistines. They probably needed all those men to protect the ark of God.

There were certain rules regarding the ark of God which are mentioned in Numbers 4. They were to carry it on poles. They were not to touch the ark. But, they didn’t follow the instructions concerning the ark and the consequences were deadly.

The first mistake they made was putting the ark of God on a cart, even though it was a new cart, the ark was supposed to be carried on poles. Maybe they were thinking it would be easier to transport the ark on a cart. After all they had seen the Philistines transport it this way when the took the ark. So they followed the ways of the Philistines instead of the ways of God.

They brought the ark from the house of Abinadab which was in Gibeah. Abinadab’s sons, Uzzah and Ahio, drove the cart. Ahio led the way by going in front of the ark.

David was excited to have the ark coming to Jerusalem. David had always been a worshiper of God and he was looking forward to getting the people of Jerusalem back to worshiping God.

David and all the men of Israel celebrated by playing their instruments before the LORD. The instruments were made of fir wood. They played harps, psalteries, timbrels (tambourine), cornets (rattle), and cymbals. They were making a joyful noise to the LORD.

As they entered Nachon’s threshing (barn) floor with the ark, the oxen stumbled (1 Chronicles 13:9) and shook the ark. Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, which was strictly forbidden.

Why would Uzzah do such a thing? Did he not know what the laws were governing the ark? Could he have gotten so used to being around the ark that he forgot? Was he trying to protect the ark?

Whatever his reason, it angered the LORD and His anger raged against Uzzah. God smote him instantly because of his actions. Uzzah died right beside the ark of God.

David was upset because of the LORD’s outburst of anger against Uzzah. David named the place Perezuzzah, which means, “breach of Uzza,” since Uzza died there.

David feared the LORD and wondered how he could take the ark of God with him. David decided not to take the ark of the LORD with him to Jerusalem at that time, instead he took the ark to the house of Obededom the Gittite.

The ark of God remained at the house of Obededom for three months and the LORD blessed him and his household.

Are there times when we don’t consult God, but move on our own ideas as David did in this instance? Are there times when we try to make our worship of God convenient or easy? Are there times when we don’t honor God by the way we worship Him? Are there times when we make worship about other things instead of worshiping God?

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 6:1-11

1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

Things to think about:

How many men did David take with him to get the ark of God?

Why did David need so many men to go with him to get the ark?

Where did they go to get the ark?

Who were the two men who escorted the ark?

How did David and his men celebrate the fact that they were taking the ark to Jerusalem?

What terrible incident happened as they were transporting the ark?

What did David decide to do with the ark at that time?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David and his men were excited about bringing the ark of God back to Jerusalem. Help us to understand that there are some things that are sacred and holy. Help us to always honor You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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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:

New Release

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions is a Daily Bible Reading study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of Zechariah from the Old Testament of the Bible. Zechariah was a prophet during Old Testament times. He tells of eight dreams or visions he has where the LORD communicates with him.

In the beginning of the book the LORD is beckoning His people to return to Him and He will return to them. The dreams that Zechariah has are dreams that are pertinent to his day as well as dreams about the future.

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and visions contains twenty-two Daily Bible Reading Lessons that take you through the entire book of Zechariah. Each lesson contains a commentary by the author, the Scriptures for Daily Bible Reading, a few questions for contemplation called “Things to think about,” and a Prayer for the Day. It is a great book for individual or group Bible studies.

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Deborah