Daily Bible Reading “David’s Distress” (1 Samuel 30:1-15)

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David’s Distress

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 30:1-15. It took David and his men three days to get to Ziklag. When they arrived they found that the Amalekites had invaded Ziklag and burned it. They also took the women and children captive.

When David and the other men found that their wives and children had been taken they were so upset they cried until they couldn’t cry anymore.

David was so distraught because his wives Ahinoam and Abigail were taken captive. On top of that the people were talking about stoning David because they were upset as well.

David’s had nobody to turn to. His only encouragement during this time was the LORD. His friends had turned against him. David asked Abiathar, the priest, who was Ahimalech’s son, to bring him the ephod.

David used the ephod and prayed to the LORD asking him if he should pursue the troops who had invaded Ziklag, burned it and captured their loved ones. The LORD confirmed to David that he should move forward and go after them. He also assured David that he would be able to recover all that was taken from them.

David and six hundred of his men pursed to the brook of Besor. Two hundred of the men stayed there because they were too exhausted to move forward. The other four hundred soldiers pursued further.

They found an Egyptian young man in the field. They brought him to David. The young man was weak because he hadn’t had anything to eat or drink in three days and nights. They gave the young man something to eat (a cake made of figs and some raisins) and something to drink. He started to feel better soon after they fed him.

David asked the young man who he was. He told David that he was a servant to an Amalekite. He said he got sick and wasn’t able to continue so his master left him in the field.

The young man informed David they invaded the south of the Cherethites, the coast of Judah, south of Caleb; and they burned Ziklag.

David asked him, if he could bring them down to his company. The young man told him he would if David would swear to him before God, that he wouldn’t kill him, or deliver him into the hands of his master.

Daily Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 30:1-15

1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
9 So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
11 And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;
12 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
13 And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.
14 We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
15 And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

Things to think about:

How long did it take David and his men to get back to Ziklag?

What did they find when they arrived at Ziklag?

How did David and his men respond to their findings?

Where did David go to seek advice about what to do in this situation?

What did David decide to do?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we study this Scripture, we see that David and his men were in distress. They had lost everything that was important to them. The only one David had to turn to was You. Help us to realize that You are always with us, even when every one else has deserted us. Help us to treasure our relationship with You, not only when we are in trouble, but every day. 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. We will continue with the study of The Book of 1 Samuel.

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The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Nehemiah by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Nehemiah is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Nehemiah was led by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was a great leader. He headed up the project. Despite the opposition that the Jewish people encountered they were able to complete this major project in less than sixty days. Their dedication and determination shines through in every aspect of the project.

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination contains eighteen Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion and a prayer for the day. This is a great Bible study that can be used for either a personal Daily Bible Reading Study or for a group Bible study.

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Daily Bible Reading “The Philistines Reject David” (1 Samuel 29:1-11)

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Philistines Reject David

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 29:1-11. The Philistines gathered their troops at Aphek and the Israelites camped by a fountain in Jezreel. David and his men were behind the Philistine army with Achish rather than lining up with Israel for battle, but they weren’t there for long.

When the princes of the Philistines saw David and his men they became angry. The Philistine princes asked, “Why are theses Hebrews here?”

Achish told the princes that this was David, servant to Saul, king of Israel. Achish had learned to trust David since he had come to stay in their territory. Achish defended David saying he has been with me for a while now and I haven’t found any fault in him.

The princes demanded that Achish send David away. They didn’t want him to go to battle with them. They were afraid David would turn on them in the heat of the battle.

The princes questioned Achish saying, “Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?”

Achish called David to him and told David that he had found favor in his sight. Achish admitted that David hadn’t caused him any trouble since he had been with him. Achish asked David to go in peace because the princes of the Philistines weren’t comfortable with him going with them to war.

David questioned Achish asking, “What have I done?” David asked Achish, “Haven’t I been a faithful servant to you, I haven’t caused you any trouble since I’ve been with you?”

Achish once again reassured David that he had been a blessing from God to him, but the princes wouldn’t allow him to go with them. He insisted that David and his men rise early the next morning and return to the land of the Philistines. So David and his men did as Achish requested.

David had been hiding out in enemy territory for a while. Now he was willing to fight on the enemies side in order to protect himself and his men. Can we hide in the light of the world so long that we are willing to fight on opposite sides from the LORD?

God didn’t allow David to fight against Israel. Even though he had been faithful to Achish he was rejected by those in charge of the Philistine army. This reminds me that sometimes God might allow us to get so far away from Him, but there comes a time when He says enough. He draws a line in the sand and points us back in the right direction.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 29:1-11

1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

Things to think about:

Why was David with the Philistine’s?

Whose favor had David earned?
Had David become so devoted to Achish that he was will to fight against Israel?

Who wasn’t comfortable with David being a part of the Philistine army?

What did Achish tell David and his men to do?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see that David had been a faithful servant to Achish. He was lined up for battle with the Philistines. David and his men were turned away when it came time for battle. Help us to realize that there is no place for us in enemy territory. Even though we may be accepted to a point there comes a time when the line is drawn in the sand and we must return. Keep us in the center of Your will and don’t allow us to play the games of the enemy. 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. We will continue with the study of The Book of 1 Samuel.

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Daily Bible Reading “Samuel Speaks to Saul” (1 Samuel 28:15-25)

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Samuel Speaks to Saul

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 28:15-25. Samuel asked Saul why he disturbed him. Saul told Samuel that he was upset because the Philistines were going to war against Israel. He told Samuel that God rejected him and wouldn’t answer his prayers. Saul thought Samuel could advise him as to what to do.

Samuel asked Saul why he was asking him since the LORD became enemies with Saul. Samuel told Saul that the LORD did as he told him he would do and took the kingdom from Saul and given it to David.

Samuel told Saul the LORD did this because he didn’t obey the LORD. Samuel informed Saul that the LORD was going to deliver him, his sons, and Israel into the hands of the Philistines the next day.

Saul was so afraid because of what Samuel told him he fell to the ground. He was so weak because he hadn’t eaten anything all day or night.

The woman of Endor saw that Saul was upset and in a weakened state so she asked him to allow her to fix him something to eat. Saul told her he wasn’t going to eat, but she and his servants convinced Saul to eat.

The woman had a fatted calf and some flour so she made Saul and his men food to eat before they left to go into battle.

We may come to a time in our lives when we’re in trouble and call out to God, but don’t hear from Him. It may be that we have sinned against God or disobeyed Him in some way.

We may need to search our hearts, confess our sins, and ask God to forgive us before we can resume communication with Him. Has this ever happened to you? If so, what did you do?

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 28:15-25

15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
17 And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:
18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.
19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
21 And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.
22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.
23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:
25 And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

Things to think about:

Why did Saul tell Samuel he disturbed him?

What was Samuel’s response to Saul?

What did Samuel tell Saul was the reason the LORD wasn’t answering his prayers?

What did Samuel tell Saul was about to happen?

What was Saul’s response?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 1 Samuel, we see that Saul was quite upset about the situation he had gotten himself into. Help us to use this lesson to realize that our disobedience can hinder our communication with You. Help us to repent if we ever find ourselves in this condition and get our hearts right with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Daily Bible Reading “Saul Inquires of the Witch of Endor” (1 Samuel 28:1-14)

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Saul Inquires of the Witch of Endor

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 28:1-14. The Philistines gathered their armies together to fight against Israel. Saul freaked out when he saw the size of the Philistine army.

Achish, the Philistine’s king, let David know that he was expecting him and his men to support them in the battle. David asssured Achish of his abilities. Achish showed his trust in David by telling David that he was the keeper of his head forever.

We learned several lessons back that Samuel passed away and the people mourned over him and buried him in Ramah. This Scripture reminds us of Samuel’s passing.

We are also told that Saul had done away with those who had familiar spirits and the wizards from the land.

The Philistines gathered their troops at Shunem and Saul’s army gathered at Gilboa. When Saul saw how many Philistines there were, he was filled with fear.

Saul prayed to God, but God didn’t answer him. The LORD didn’t reveal anything to Saul by dreams, prophets, or by Urim. Urim were the stones that were kept in a pouch on the high-priest’s breastplate, which were used in determining God’s decision in certain questions and issues.

So Saul asked his servants to find him a woman with a familiar spirit, one who evokes the dead, that he could go and inquire of her. Saul’s servants told him there was a woman at Endor who had these capabilities.

Saul disguised himself by dressing in other garments. He took two of his men with him and went to visit the woman of Endor at night. The woman asked Saul if he was trying to get her killed. She reminded him that Saul had done away with all those who had a familiar spirit and the wizards. Saul swore to her before the LORD that she wouldn’t be punished for her work.

The woman agreed to perform the task and asked Saul who he wanted her to bring up. Saul asked her to bring up Samuel. When the woman saw Samuel she cried out asking Saul why he had deceived her.

Saul told her not to be afraid and asked her what she saw. She told Saul that she saw gods ascending from the earth. Saul asked her what the man looked like. She told Saul that it was an older man with a mantle covering him. Saul thought it was Samuel and he bowed down to him.

Why would a king, a man appointed by God, go to see a sorcerer? What was God going to think about Saul’s actions? There are many Scriptures that tell us that sorcery, witchcraft, and such are evil and we shouldn’t fool around with evil spirits.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 28:1-14

1 And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.
2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.
3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.
9 And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
10 And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.
13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.
14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

Things to think about:

What armies were about to go to war?

What happened when Saul saw how many Philistines there were?

When God didn’t answer Saul’s cries for help, what did Saul do?

Why did Saul turn to other sources when he felt he wasn’t hearing from the Lord?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 1 Samuel we are perplexed at Saul’s decision to seek guidance from other sources. Help us in our time of decision making not to become so fearful that we seek advice from those who are not guided by You. Help us to use wisdom when seeking advice from anyone besides You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Daily Bible Reading “David Dwells with the Philistines” (1 Samuel 27:1-12)

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Dwells with the Philistines

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 27:1-12. David was still concerned that one day he would die by the hand of Saul. So David fled to the land of the Philistines. He and six hundred men went to the king of Gath, Achish, who was the son of Maoch.

David and his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, and the men along with their families resided at Gath.

Saul heard that David was at Gath so he didn’t search for him anymore.

After a while David went to Achish and asked him if he had found favor in his eyes if he would give him a place in the country where he and his men could live. Achish gave David and his men Ziklag.

David and his men lived in the land of the Philistines for sixteen months.

David and his men invaded the Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites. They left neither man nor woman alive. They took all the cattle, sheep, oxen, donkey, camels, and apparel.

David came back and told Achish what he had done. Achish believed him and told David that he could be his servant forever. Achish thought that the people of Israel would be against David because of his actions.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 27:1-12

1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.
2 And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife.
4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?
6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
7 And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
8 And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.
9 And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.
11 And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.
12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

Things to think about:

Why did David go to the land of the Philistines?

How many did David carry with him?

What did David and his men do to seal the deal with Achish?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 1 Samuel, we don’t understand why some things happen. But, we know that there is a plan behind all of this. Help us not to question things we don’t understand that may be Your will. Help us to trust You to work things out in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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