Daily Bible Reading “Slaying the Giants” (2 Samuel 21:15-22)

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Slaying the Giants

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 21:15-22. The Philistines went to war again against Israel. David and his men went to war with them. By this time King David was getting older and he became weak.

Ishbibenob, who was one of the sons of the giant, tried to slay David. He had a new sword whose spear was made of brass, weighing three hundred shekels or 7 1/2 pounds.

Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, came to David’s rescue, and killed the Philistine. Then the men of David told him that he shouldn’t go out to battle with them anymore. They were concerned that he would be killed in battle.

There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob: where Sibbechai, the Hushathite, killed Saph, who was another one of the sons of the giant.

During the next battle in Gob with the Philistines, Elhanan, the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam.

Then, there was still another battle in Gath. There was a huge man, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty four digits in total; who was also born to the giant.

When he defied Israel, Jonathan, the son of Shimea, David’s brother, slew him.

These four were sons of the giant who lived in Gath. They all died by the hand of David, and his servants.

We all have giants in our lives that we have to slay. They may not be physical giants, as are mentioned in this Scripture, but instead may be spiritual giants. We need to declare war on the enemy in this battle of life. What are some of the giants in your life that you need to slay?

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 21:15-22

15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

Things to think about:

With whom was Israel at war?
What happened to King David?
Who came to his rescue?
Who were the ones that were mentioned in this Scripture who were killed?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this Scripture in 2 Samuel. As we read the Scripture we learn that David and his men came up against giants on the battlefield. Help us as we confront the giants in our life. Give us the strength we need to slay these giants. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Battle” – Chris August

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The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD
By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:
The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” God delivered His message to the people of Israel through Malachi. Malachi was one of the twelve prophets from the Old Testament. The book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible.

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD includes eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary from the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for discussion or contemplation, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This book is great for a personal daily devotional or for a group Bible study.

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Daily Bible Reading “Rizpah and David Honor Saul” (2 Samuel 21:10-14)

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Rizpah and David Honor Saul

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 21:10-14. Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, took sackcloth, and spread it out on the rock for her. She kept watch over the bodies of Saul’s sons from the beginning of the harvest until the rain came down on them from heaven. She didn’t allow the birds to rest on them during the day, or the beasts to bother them at night.

David heard what Rizpah had done. She was the daughter of Aiah, who was Saul’s concubine.

David went and took the bones of Saul and Jonathan, his son, from the men of Jabeshgilead. They stole them from the street at Bethshan, where the Philistines hanged them, when the Philistines slew Saul in Gilboa.

David gathered the bones of Saul and Jonathan; and the bones of the men who were hanged.

They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the tomb of Kish, Saul’s father. They did exactly as the king commanded. Once this task was completed, God answered their prayers concerning the land.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 21:10-14

10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
13 And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
14 And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.

Things to think about:

What was special about these bones?
What was Ripzah’s role in this story? Who was she?
What did David do?
How did David honoring the bodies of Saul and his sons change God’s perspective? Why?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in the book of 2 Samuel we see that both Ripzah and David honored the remains of Saul and his sons. Help us to understand how honoring Your people can bring blessings on our lives. Help us to honor those who You have put in authority over us. Help us to show respect for them as the leaders that You chose them to be. Help us to realize that in honoring Your people we honor You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “This is My Desire to Honor YOU”

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 Malachi: A Message from the LORD
By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:
The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” God delivered His message to the people of Israel through Malachi. Malachi was one of the twelve prophets from the Old Testament. The book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00O4NVVGQ
Get your copy now!

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Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Saul’s Sins Revisited” (2 Samuel 21:1-9)

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Saul’s Sins Revisited

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 21:1-9. There was a famine during the time of David for three consecutive years. David asked the LORD why there was a famine. The LORD told David that there was a famine because of the bloodshed from the house of Saul, because he slew the Gibeonites.

The Gibeonites were not part of the children of Israel. They were a remnant from the Amorites, but the people of Israel had sworn to spare them. Saul tried to destroy them in his quest for the people of Israel and Judah.

King David went to the Gibeonites to inquire what he could do for them to make atonement for what Saul had done so they would bless the inheritance of the LORD.

The Gibeonites told David that they didn’t want silver, gold, or anything from Saul’s house. They didn’t want him to kill any of the men of Israel. David asked them again what he could do to make this right.

They told David that they wanted seven of Saul’s sons so they could hang them up before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul.

David agreed to give the Gibeonites what they requested. But he spared the life of Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson because of the oath that he made with his best friend, Jonathan.

The king chose Armoni and Mephibosheth, two sons of Rizpah, who was the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare to Saul. He also chose five sons of Michal, the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel, the son of Barzillai, the Meholathite.

King David delivered the seven men into the hands of the Gibeonites, as they requested. They killed the men and hanged them on the hill before the LORD. All seven of the men fell together. They were put to death during the first days of the barley harvest.

This is another example of how there are consequences for our actions. Saul caused a lot of unnecessary blood shed. His family suffered the consequences of his actions. No doubt this caused a lot of grief in his family.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 21:1-9

1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
2 And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
3 Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
4 And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.
5 And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,
6 Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.
7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:
9 And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.

Things to think about:

What was the problem the children of Israel were experiencing? Why?
What did King David do to try to resolve the issue?
What agreement did the king make?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see that there are circumstances for the sins that are committed. Help us to realize this and think about the decisions we make. Help us to honor You in all of our ways. Forgive us of all the ways we have failed You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Mighty to Save” – Hillsong

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Daily Bible Reading “A Woman Helps Joab” (2 Samuel 20:16-26)

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

A Woman Helps Joab

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 20:16-26. A wise woman from the city called out to Joab saying she wanted to talk to him. She asked if he was Joab and if he would listen to her. He told her he was Joab and he would hear her plea.

She told him that she was faithful to Israel and wanted to know if he was trying to destroy the city. He told her that they weren’t trying to destroy the city they were looking for a man named Sheba who had come against the king.

She told Joab that she would give him Sheba’s head if he would not destroy the city. Joab agreed. She conferred with the people of the city and they delivered Sheba’s head across the wall to Joab. Not only did this woman help Joab and his men conquer their enemy, she saved her city from destruction as well.

Once they received Sheba’s head Joab’s men returned to their tents and Joab went back to Jerusalem.

Joab was over the army of Israel. Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the Cherethites and Pelethites.

Adoram was over the laborers. Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was the recorder (record keeper).

Sheva was a scribe. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests. Ira, the Jairite, was a chief ruler for David.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 20:16-26

16 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
17 And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
18 Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
19 I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?
20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
21 The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
22 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
23 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
24 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:
25 And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
26 And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.

Things to think about:

What was the woman’s concern?
With whom did she barter?
What kind of agreement did they come to?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read the Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that there was a woman who bartered with Joab for Sheba’s head. She wanted to protect her city. Reading this Scripture reminds us that there were wise women who were used to accomplish things even in Biblical times. Help us not to discount our ability to make a difference in the world because we are women. Give us the courage we need to accomplish whatever You would have us to. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video:

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The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD
By Deborah H. Bateman

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Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “David Faced Opposition” (2 Samuel 20:1-15)

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Faced Opposition

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 20:1-15. There was a wicked man, named Sheba. He was the son of Bichri. He was a Benjamite. He was the rebellious kind. He blew a trumpet and declared that they would have no part of David or the son of Jesse. He commanded the people of Israel to return to their tents. Once again David faced opposition.

The men of Israel chose to stop following David as their king and followed Sheba instead. But the men of Judah from Jordan to Jerusalem continued to honor David as their king.

King David returned to his house in Jerusalem. The king took the ten women concubines that he left to take care of the house and put them in ward. He still provided for them, but no longer had relationships with them. They lived as widows until their death.

The king told Amasa to gather the men of Judah in three days and requested that Amasa be there with them. For some reason Amasa took longer than the king asked.

David told Abishai that Sheba, the son of Bikri, would do them more harm than Absalom did. David instructed him to take his master’s men and pursue Sheba. David was concerned that Sheba would find fenced cities and escape from them.

So Joab’s men, the Cherethites, Pelethites, and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba, the son of Bikri.

While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military garment, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, the dagger dropped out of its sheath.

Joab approached Amasa asking, “How are you, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand like he was going to kiss him. Joab caught Amasa off guard. He didn’t realize that Joab had a dagger in his hand. Joab plunged the dagger into Amasa’s belly, and his intestines fell to the ground. Amasa died immediately. Why do you suppose Joab killed Amasa?

Joab and his brother Abishai went on to pursue Sheba. One of Joab’s men stood beside Amasa and told the men that whoever favored Joab, and was for David, to follow Joab. Amasa was laying in the middle of the road in a pool of his own blood. When the troops saw him they all came to a halt. When Joab’s man realized that everyone who saw Amasa stopped, he dragged him out of the road into a nearby field and covered him with a cloth.

After Amasa was removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba. Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, Bethmaachah, and through the entire region of the Bikrites, they gathered together and followed him.

All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel, Bethmaachah. They had built a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench. Joab and his men battered the wall and brought it down.

It seems that King David always faced opposition one way or another. In life things are not always easy. It seems there are always battles to face. Some of the battles may be physical and some may be spiritual. But, if we have God on our side we can be victorious.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 20:1-15

1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
2 So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.
4 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.
5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
7 And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
9 And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
11 And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
15 And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.

Things to think about:

Who was the man who rose up against David?
What tribe of Israel remained loyal to King David?
Who was killed in this Scripture? Why? By whom?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that King David had opposition, but he still had faithful followers. Give us people in our lives that will support us no matter the opposition that we face. Help us to be loyal followers of Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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:

New Release!

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD
By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00O4NVVGQ
Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah