Daily Bible Reading “Nathan Tells David a Story” (2 Samuel 12:1-6)

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Nathan Tells David a Story

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 12:1-6. The LORD sent Nathan to talk to David. Nathan told David a story about two men who lived in a city, one man was rich and one man was poor.

The rich man was blessed with many flocks and herds. The poor man had nothing except one ewe lamb that lived with him and his children. This lamb was like a member of the family. It ate what the man ate and drank what he drank. It slept on the man’s chest.

There was a traveler who came to the rich man. Instead of the rich man taking one of his flock to prepare for the traveler he took the poor man’s only little ewe and dressed it and fed it to the visitor.

David grew very angry when he heard Nathan’s story. He told Nathan that this man should die for his actions. He also said the man should repay the man four times for his selfish act.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 12:1-6

1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5 And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

Things to think about:

Why did the LORD send Nathan to talk to David?
Who were the two people that were in Nathan’s story?
What did the rich man do to the poor man?
What did David say should happen to the rich man for his transgressions?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see in the story that Nathan told David that the rich man took from the poor man his only possession. Help us not to be selfish. Help us to share with the poor instead of take what little they have. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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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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Daily Bible Reading “David Sent Uriah to the Front line” (2 Samuel 11:14-27)

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Sent Uriah to the Front line

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 11:14-27. The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah back to the battlefield.

David told Joab in the letter to put Uriah on the front lines of the battle and leave him there so he will be killed.

So Joab assigned Uriah in a place where he knew there were valiant men to fight the battle. Uriah along with some of Joab’s other men were killed.

Joab sent word to David about the happenings of the war. He told the servant if David got angry and asked why they went so close to the city wall tell him that Uriah was dead as well.

The servant went to David and gave him a report on the battle as Joab had requested.

David sent word back to Joab telling him not to let this discourage him, but to go even harder against the city and overthrow it.

When Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, heard that he was killed she mourned for him.

When Bathsheba had finished mourning for her husband, Uriah, David sent for her. She became David’s wife and had his son.

David thought he had fixed the problem, but the LORD was not happy with David and his actions.

Have you ever done anything that you knew displeased the LORD? How did it make you feel to know that God was not pleased with you? How do you think David felt?

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 11:14-27

14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,
20 And if so be that the king’s wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.
23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.

24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

Things to think about:

What was David’s plan to get rid of Uriah?
How did David’s plan play out?
What did David do once Uriah was dead?
How did the LORD feel about David’s actions?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see how David dealt with his sin and we see that You were not happy with him. Help us to think about the consequences of the things we do before we do them. Help us to not only think of ourselves and our own desires, but to think of the others it will affect. Help us to realize that when we sin it grieves You. Help us to consider all these things before we make decisions that we can’t reverse. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Daily Bible Reading “David Meets Bathsheba” (2 Samuel 11:1-13)

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Meets Bathsheba

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 11:1-13. When the year was past and it was time for the kings to go to battle David sent Joab and the men of Israel to conquer the children of Ammon. They destroyed the people of Ammon and took siege of Rabbah. Meanwhile David remained in Jerusalem.

Come evening David got up from his bed and went to the roof. When he looked over he saw a beautiful woman bathing.

David inquired as to who this beautiful woman was. He was told that this was Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Uriah the Hittite. Uriah was one of the soldiers in David’s army.

David sent messengers to get Bathsheba. She came to the king’s palace and he slept with her. Then she returned to her home.

Bethsheba conceived. She sent word to David that she was going to have a baby. David messed up and wanted cover his tracks so he sent word to Joab to send Uriah to him. Joab did as David requested.

When Uriah arrived David tried to make small talk with him questioning him about the war. David asked Uriah how Joab did, how the people were doing and how the war was going.

David told Uriah to wash his feet and go to his house. David also sent meat for a celebration feast. But, Uriah refused to go home. Instead he slept with the king’s servants at the king’s door.

When David heard that Uriah didn’t go home he sent for him and questioned him as to why he didn’t go home since he was allowed to come back from the battlefield.

Uriah didn’t think it was fair for him to go home and be with his wife when Joab and the other guys were still out in the field. He also acknowledged that the ark, Israel and Judah were abiding in tents therefore he didn’t think it would be right for him to go home. He refused to do what the king told him to do.

David told Uriah to stay another day in Jerusalem and then he would let him go back. David invited Uriah to eat with him. He got Uriah drunk. Maybe David was hoping if he got him drunk enough he would go home and sleep with his wife, but David’s plan failed. Uriah slept again that night with the king’s servants instead of going to his own house.

Have you ever really messed up and then tried to cover your tracks, but your attempts failed as David’s did?

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 11:1-13

1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

Things to think about:

What was David’s first mistake in this Scripture?
What was David’s second mistake?
How was David going to try to cover up his mistake?
Did David succeed at attempting to cover his trouble?
What can we learn from this lesson?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David had gotten himself into trouble. His attempts to cover his mistakes failed. Help us to be careful about what we do. Help us to not attempt to cover our sin, but to confess our sins to You and ask for forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Daily Bible Reading “David’s Kindness Misunderstood” (2 Samuel 10:1-19)

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David’s Kindness Misunderstood

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 10:1-19. In this Scripture we learn that the king of Ammon died, and Hanun, his son, took his place as king.

David wanted to express his condolences to Hanun, the son of Nahash, because his father was nice to him. So David sent his servants to comfort him.

When David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon the princes were suspicious. They asked Hanun, their lord, if he believed that David sent his servants as a way to honor his father. They thought David may have sent his servants to search out the city, spy on it, and overthrow it.

Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off half of their beards, cut off their garments, and sent them away. Hanun shamed David’s servants by his actions.

When they told David what happened, he went to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. David told them to stay at Jericho until their beards were grown out then they could return.

The children of Ammon realized that David was angry with them about what they did to his men. They knew there was about to be trouble. So they hired twenty thousand Syrian footmen from Bethrehob and Zoba, a thousand men from king Maacah, and twelve thousand men from Ishtob.

When David heard they gathered their troops, he sent Joab, and all his army to great them.

The children of Ammon came out, and lined up for battle at the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, Rehob, Ishtob, and Maacah, gathered by themselves in the field.

When Joab saw that the battle was formed against him on both sides, he chose all the choice men of Israel, and lined them up for battle against the Syrians.

The rest of the people he assigned to Abishai, his brother, so he could get them ready for battle against the children of Ammon.

Joab made an agreement with his brother. He said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you can help me: but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you

“Be of good courage, let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that what seems good to him.”

When Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Syrians: the Syrians fled.

When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians fled, they fled as well, and went into the city. Joab returned from the battle with the children of Ammon, and came back to Jerusalem.

When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together.

Hadarezer sent for the Syrians who were beyond the river: and had them come to Helam. Shobach, the captain of the host of Hadarezer, lead them.

When David heard about it, he gathered all the men of Israel together, passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians lined up for battle against David, and fought with him.

The Syrians fled from Israel; and David slew seven hundred men from the chariots of the Syrians, forty thousand horsemen, and killed Shobach, the captain of their army.

When all the kings who were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel, and became their servants. After that the Syrians were afraid to help the children of Ammon.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 10:1-19

1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
4 Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.
19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

Things to think about:

Have you ever tried to do something nice for someone only to have them misunderstand your actions as they did David’s?
How did it make you feel to be misunderstood?
How did you react?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David’s kindness was misconstrued and caused a lot of trouble. Help us as we interact with others to not jump to conclusions about their intentions. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Daily Bible Reading “David Dedicated His Treasures to God” (2 Samuel 8:9-18)

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Dedicated His Treasures to God

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 8:9-18. When Toi, king of Hamath, heard that David defeated the army of Hadadezer, he sent Joram, his son, to King David. King Toi wanted to salute David and bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and conquered him. Toi also had battles with Hadadezer. Joram brought vessels of silver, gold, and brass with him as gifts to King David.

David dedicated the vessels to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he collected from all the nations that he and his army conquered.

David gathered treasures from all the armies he defeated including, Syria, Moab, the children of Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and Hadadezer, son of Rehob, and king of Zobah.

David made a name for himself when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the valley of salt because they defeated eighteen thousand men.

David put garrisons in Edom and the people of Edom became David’s servants. The LORD protected David wherever he journeyed.

David reigned over all of Israel. He executed judgment and justice to the people.

Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was in charge of the army. Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was the recorder.

Zadok, the son of Ahitub, who was a grandson to Eli, and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were the priests. Seraiah was the scribe, or secretary to David.

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites, who were a group of foreign mercenary soldiers that served as body guards to king David and executioners, and the Pelethites who were couriers or guardsmen for king David. David’s sons were chief rulers.

David was dedicated to God and God blessed him for his service and dedication.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 8:9-18

9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.

Things to think about:

Who was the king that wanted to honor David for his victory?

In what way did he honor David?

What did David do with the treasures he gathered?

Who were the people mentioned in this Scripture that were part of David’s staff and what were their duties?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture from 2 Samuel we see that David honored You with his success. He dedicated all gold, silver and brass he collected to You. Help us to honor You with whatever you bless us with. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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