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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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’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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The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions

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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.

Christian Music Video: “With All I Am” – Hillsong

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Daily Bible Reading “David Conquers the Enemy” (2 Samuel 8:1-8)

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Conquers the Enemy

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 8:1-8. David’s rest soon came to an end. He was at battle with the Philistines again. He attacked and captured them. David seized Methegammah, the mother city, out of the hand of the Philistines.

He also conquered Moab. He divided them with a line, forcing them to lie down on the ground; with two lines he measured those who were to be put to death, and with one full line those who were to be kept alive and taken captive. The Moabites became David’s servants and brought him gifts.

David also smote Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, who was the king of Zobah, as he was going to secure the border at the Euphrates river.

David seized a thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen from Hadadezar. He also crippled the chariot horses by cutting their hamstrings, rendering them useless, except for a hundred which he reserved to use for his chariots.

David slew twenty-two thousand Syrians from Damascus when they came to support Hadadezer, king of Zobah.

He put army garrisons or forts in Syria of Damascus. The Syrians became David’s servants and paid tribute to him. The LORD protected David and delivered him from his enemies wherever he went.

David took the shields of gold that were on Hadadezer’s servants and brought them back to Jerusalem with him.

He also collected massive amounts of brass from Betah and Berothai, which were two cities of Hadadezer.

David was always victorious because the LORD was on his side. David was a man after God’s own heart therefore God protected him and blessed him in battle against Israel’s enemies.

God allowed David to enslave those he defeated in battle and confiscate their wealth. Was David perfect? No, but David was always mindful of God’s law and expectations of him as God’s servant.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 8:1-8

1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.
3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

Things to think about:

Why did God bless David?

In what ways did God bless David?

Who did David conquer in this battle?

What bounty did David confiscate from the enemies?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David was victorious over his enemies because You were on his side. He not only conquered his enemies but he also able to recover much from them. Help us to have confidence that we can be victorious in the battles of this life with you on our side. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “King of My Heart” – Love & The Outcome

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Featured Book:

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by Deborah H. Bateman

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Daily Bible Reading “Standing on the Promises” (2 Samuel 7:18-29)

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Standing on the Promises

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from (2 Samuel 7:18-29). This Scripture is a prayer from King David to the LORD. David went before the LORD, and asked Him, “Who am I, O Lord GOD? What is my house, that You have brought me here?” David didn’t understand why the LORD chose him. Have you ever wondered the same thing as David did? Even though David couldn’t figure out why God chose him, he still stood on the promises of God for him and his family.

David prayed, “This was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord GOD; but You have spoken of Your servant’s house for a long time. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?”

What else can I say to You? You, Lord GOD, You know Your servant.
For Your word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, have You done all these great things, to make Your servant know them.

David proclaims, “You are great, O LORD God: there is none like You, nor is there any God beside You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

What nation in the earth is like Your people, Israel, whom You, oh God redeemed as Your people, and made a name for Yourself. You did great and mighty things, for Your land, before Your people, which You redeemed from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?

You have confirmed Your people Israel to be a people to You forever: and You, LORD, have become their God.

David asked the LORD to do as He promised concerning him and his house.

Let Your name be magnified forever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of Your servant David be established before You.

You, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to Your servant, saying, “I will build you a house: therefore I have found in my heart to pray this prayer to You.”

Now, O Lord GOD, You are that God, Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant:

Let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it: and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever.

David is confirming what Nathan told him that the LORD said. He is proclaiming God’s words back to Him through prayer. Do you ever pray the Scriptures back to God and claim His promises over your life? We can stand on the promises of God.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 7:18-29

18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
21 For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
25 And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
26 And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.
27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

Things to think about:

What is David doing in this Scripture?

What were some of the things David proclaimed to the LORD?

What is the one thing that David confirmed that the LORD had said?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see that David is confirming the what Nathan told him that You said. He is proclaiming the promise that You made concerning him and his house. Help us to proclaim the promises that You made in Your Word. Help us to know that we can count on You to back up Your promises. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Standing on the Promises” – Alan Jackson

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:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00N1ZAOAM
Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive FREE
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah