Daily Bible Reading “David Spares Saul’s Life” (1 Samuel 26:1-12)

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Spares Saul’s Life

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 26:1-12. The Ziphites came to Gibeah and asked Saul about David. They asked if he was hiding in the hill of Hachilah, close to Jeshimon.

I thought Saul and David made peace a while back, but they’re at it again. Saul gathered three thousand men and went down to Ziph to look for David in the wilderness.

Saul pitched his camp in the hill of Hachilah, close to Jeshimon. David and his men were close by in the wilderness of Ziph. David saw Saul and his men coming and thought they may be searching for him.

David sent out spies to verify where Saul and his men were camped. David planned to go to the camp where Saul and his men were sleeping. David asked which of his men would go with him to Saul’s camp. Abishai volunteered to go with David.

When they got there all the men including Saul were sound asleep. Abishai told David that God had delivered Saul into his hand. Saul was laying there sleeping in a trench with his sword stuck in the ground by his side. His men were laying around him to protect him.

Abishai wanted to steal Saul’s sword and kill him with it. But, David forbid Abishai from harming Saul. He didn’t want the responsibility of harming the anointed of the LORD to be on his hands.

David told Abishai that instead they would take Saul’s sword and his cruse of water. So they were able to steal Saul’s sword and water without anyone noticing. God had caused Saul and his men to be in a deep sleep.

David lets us know that just because we have the opportunity to get revenge on someone, it may not be God’s will for us. Sometimes it is better to let God handle the situation.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 26:1-12

1 And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?
2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.
5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.
6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless?
10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.

Things to think about:

Who came to Saul asking about David?

What was Saul’s response?

What did David do when he found out where Saul was?

Why didn’t David take advantage of the situation and kill Saul?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see that David had every opportunity to do away with Saul, but he respected Saul as Your anointed. Help us to have respect for those You have appointed to do Your work. Forgive us of the times we’ve taken opportunity to get revenge on those who have wronged us. Help us to respond in ways that are pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study. We will continue with the study of The Book of 1 Samuel.

New Release:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

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 “David Married Abigail” 1 Samuel 25:32-44

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Married Abigail

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 25:32-44. David was pleased that the LORD sent Abigail to meet him. He was happy about Abigail’s advice, which kept him from taking vengeance against Abal and his whole house.

Abigal was the go between. She went between Nabal and David to try to make peace. She succeeded with her efforts.

Jesus is our go between. He intercedes between us and God. God sometimes sends people into our lives to keep us from doing something foolish. He sent Abigail to intercede between Nabal and David. She helped keep David from doing something he would regret later. Have you ever had to be the go between for someone, either to keep them from getting into trouble, or to get them out of trouble, or to keep them from doing something stupid that they would regret later?

David accepted Abigail’s peace offering and told her to go in peace. When Abigail returned home Nabal had a great feast. He was so drunk that Abigail didn’t want to tell him what had taken place.

She waited until the next day, after the wine wore off, to inform Nabal of her visit with David. Nabal’s heart died when she told him what took place. About ten days later the LORD smote Nabal and he died.

David was glad that God took care of Nabal and he didn’t have to take revenge on him. We are reminded in Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

David sent his servants to ask Abigail to become his wife. She came back with five of her damsels and became David’s wife. Do you think David felt responsible for her because of what happened to her husband or did he fell in love with her?

David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel to be his wife. His first wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter, was given to Phalti the son of Laish, by Saul.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 25:32-44

32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:
33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
36 And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
37 But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
38 And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.
39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
40 And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.
41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.
43 David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.
44 But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.

Things to think about:

What was David’s response to Abigail’s advice?

What did David tell Abigail to do?

What was Nabal’s response to Abigail’s visit with David?

What happened to Nabal?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture we see that David was grateful to You for sending Abigail to stop him from taking revenge on Nabal. Thank You for putting other people on our path to keep us from doing things we shouldn’t do. Thank You for Your son, Jesus, who intercedes for us. Help us to do Your will. 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.

New Release:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00LLPLGTM
Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive FREE
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at: http://DeborahHBateman.com/subscribe

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Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Samuel Dies” (1 Samuel 25:1-9)

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Samuel Dies

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 25:1-9. We learn in this Scripture that Samuel died. The people of Israel gathered together and mourned over him. They buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David went to the wilderness of Paran.

There was a wealthy man from Maon called Nabal. He owned three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Nabal’s wife, Abigail, was a beautiful, intelligent woman. But, Nabal was an evil man. He was a Calebite.

David heard that Nabal was sheering his sheep in Carmel. David sent ten young men to Carmel to greet Nabal in his name. The men were to offer peace to Nabal, his house and all that belonged to Nabal.

They were to tell Nabal that they knew it was sheep-sheering time and they hadn’t harmed one of his sheep-shearers in Carmel. Neither did they take anything from them.

The men were sent to ask favor for David and his men from Nabal since it was a feast time. The men did as David asked and went to see Nabal and seek his generosity toward David and his men.

David and his soldiers were wandering around in the wilderness. They had to seek food and provisions wherever they could. God provided for their needs through different people.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 25:1-9

1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
2 And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
5 And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.
7 And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.
8 Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
9 And when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

Things to think about:

Who are we told died at the beginning of this chapter?

Who is the new character that we are introduced to in this chapter?

What did we find out about this character?

Who was his wife and what did we learn about her?

What was David’s request from this wealthy man?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture from 1 Samuel we learn of Samuel’s death and the mourning of the people of Israel. We also learn of a wealthy man named Nabal and his wife Abigail. We see that David was trusting You to provide for him and his men on their journey. He was seeking people who were able to help provide for them. Help us to trust Your provision for us as we journey through this life. 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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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Saul and David Make Peace” (1 Samuel 24:16-22)

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Saul and David Make Peace

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 24:16-22. Saul wept when David finished sharing with Saul his true feelings. Saul called David, “My Son,” and told David that he was more righteous than him.

Saul realized that David had rewarded him with good even though Saul only sought evil against David. Saul was impressed that David didn’t kill him even though God had given David the opportunity to annihilate Saul if he wanted to.

Even Saul realized that for a man to let his enemy go away safe when he had the opportunity to do away with him was admirable. Because of David’s actions Saul knew that David should be king of Israel.

Saul asked David to swear to him before God that he wouldn’t cut off Saul’s seed or destroy Saul’s name in his family. David swore as Saul requested. Saul departed and went home. David and his men returned to the cave.

It must have taken a lot of courage on David’s part to confront Saul. How many times do we avoid confrontation with someone who has something against us? God gave David the strength to confront Saul and it paid off big time for David.

Had David not confronted Saul he would have still been on the run, constantly watching over his shoulder and wondering when Saul was going to attack. By David taking the initiative to talk to Saul and trying to resolve the issue Saul saw David’s heart in the matter and accepted the fact that David should be king.

Is there someone you need to confront? Do you need to share your heart with someone so they can know your true intentions? If so, pray and ask God to give you the courage to take the steps necessary to resolve the issue.

Ask God to prepare the heart of the one you need to talk to and help them to accept your proposal. Sometimes a small misunderstanding can be blown out of proportion. People spend years or even a lifetime avoiding one another or worse because of a simple misunderstanding. Why not resolve these issues in your life today so you can live in peace once again?

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 24:16-22

16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
21 Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.
22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

Things to think about:

What was Saul’s reaction to David’s heart-felt plea?

What kind of agreement did David and Saul come to?

How can we use David and Saul’s situation to help us in our relationships?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture and see how Saul and David’s conflict was resolved help us to use this example in our own lives. Help us resolve any issues we have with others. Give us the courage that we need and the words to say to handle these matters. 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.

99 Cent Book Launch

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination
by Deborah H. Bateman

#99Cents Tues 7/8 – Sun 7/13

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00LLPLGTM
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “David Confronts Saul” (1 Samuel 24:8-15)

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Confronts Saul

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 24:8-15. David ran out of the cave and called for Saul saying, “My lord the king.” Saul looked back at David. David bowed to Saul telling him that he knew that Saul had heard that he was out to get him.

David explains to Saul that he had every opportunity to kill him if he wanted to. David let Saul know that he was encouraged to kill him, but spared his life because he respected Saul as the leader God anointed him to be. David was brave to confront Saul knowing that Saul was looking for him.

He begged Saul to consider the fact that he cut his skirt off, but spared his life. By David’s actions Saul should realize that David didn’t intend to harm him. David couldn’t understand why even though he had not sinned against Saul, Saul was hunting him down to kill him.

David cries out for the LORD to avenge him with Saul and deliver him out of Saul’s hands.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 24:8-15

8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S anointed.
11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

Things to think about:

Why did David run after Saul?

What did David tell Saul his intentions were?

Who did David ask to deliver him from Saul?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see that David had not intentions of hurting Saul. He respected Saul as Your anointed one. David was brave to confront Saul when he knew that Saul was hunting him down to kill him. Help us to be honorable in our actions with one another as David was with Saul. 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.

#99Cent Book Launch
The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination
by Deborah H. Bateman
#99Cents Tues 7/8 – Sun 7/13
Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00LLPLGTM
Get your copy now!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah