Daily Bible Reading “David Meets Mephibosheth” (2 Samuel 9:1-13)

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Meets Mephibosheth

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 9:1-13. David inquired if there was anyone left from the house of Saul. He wanted to show kindness to them for his friend, Jonathan’s sake.

There was a servant by the name of Ziba from Saul’s house. They called him to come to David. When he arrived the king asked him if he was Ziba. He answered, “Thy servant is he.”

The king asked Ziba if there was anyone from the house of Saul left, so he could show the kindness of God to him. Ziba told David that Jonathan’s son, who was lame, was still living.

The king asked, “Where is he?” Ziba told the king that he was in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

King David sent for him. When Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell on his face, and showed reverence to the king. David called him by name saying, “Mephibosheth.” He answered David saying, “Behold thy servant!”

David told him that he didn’t need to be afraid all he wanted was to show him kindness for his father Jonathan’s sake. David also promised Mephibosheth that he would restore to him all of Saul’s land which was his grandfather. David also invited him to eat at the king’s table .

Mephibosheth bowed down, and asked, “What is thy servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I am?”

The king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and told him, that he gave to his master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to his house.

David told Ziba that he, his sons, and his servants, were to till the land for Mephibosheth. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. They were to bring in the fruits so his master’s son would have food to eat. David also told Ziba that Mephibosheth, his master’s son, was invited to eat at his table.

Ziba told David he would do everything David asked him to do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he will eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

Mephibosheth also had a young son, whose name was Micha. All those who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth.

Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem and ate at the king’s table as the king had insisted. Mephibosheth was lame on both of his feet.

Why was David so insistent on Mephibosheth eating at his table? Was it because he was Jonathan’s son? Was it because he was lame? Can you imagine being invited to eat at the king’s table?

Mephibosheth was invited to dine there on an ongoing basis as one of the king’s sons. As Christians one day we will be invited to dine at the table of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as sons and daughters of the King.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 9:1-13

1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.
12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.

Things to think about:

Why was David inquiring about descendants of Saul?
Who was David wanting to show honor to? Why?
Which of Saul’s descendants did David find was still living?
What did David grant to the descendant of Saul?
What are some things we can learn from this lesson?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David was an honest man. He searched out Saul’s descendants to give them what was rightfully theirs. He also showed honor to Jonathan by treating his son as his own son. Help us to be honest in all our dealings. Help us to show honor to those who honor is due. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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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 and Saul Make Amends” (1 Samuel 26:13-25)

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David and Saul Make Amends

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 26:13-25. After David took Saul’s sword, he went and stood on the other side of the hill. David cried out to Abner asking him wasn’t he supposed to be protecting the king.

David told Abner to look where the king’s sword and water were. He told Abner that he deserved to die for his failure to protect the king from harm.

Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is this thy voice, my son David?” David answered him saying, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.”

David asked Saul why he was hunting him down, had he done anything to harm the king?

Saul told David he had sinned. Saul realized that he was a fool, because David preserved Saul’s life. David had always honored Saul as God’s anointed.

David told Saul to send one of his men to get his sword. David asked Saul to preserve his life as he had preserved Saul’s life.

Saul answered David saying, “Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail.” They each departed and went their own way.

For more information about how David was feeling during this time read Psalm 54 where David cries out to God to save him from his enemies.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 26:13-25

13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:
14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?
15 And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.
16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’S anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
17 And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.
18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?
19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.
20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
22 And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.
23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed.
24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Things to think about:

How did David let Saul know what had happened?

What was Saul’s response to David’s voice?

What did David request of Saul?

How did Saul respond to David’s proposal to spare his life?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we study this Scripture we see that David was able to make a peace treaty with Saul once again. You spared both David and Saul’s life at this time even though both of them were in great danger. Watch over us and protect us from evil. 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 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 “Abigail Takes Action” (1 Samuel 25:18-31)

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Abigail Takes Action

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 25:18-31. When Abigail heard what Nabal had done regarding David’s request and what David’s intentions were she hurried and put together a sort of peace offering for David and his men.

Abigail loaded up two donkeys with supplies for David and his men. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two bottles of wind, five sheep cleaned and ready to cook, five measures of parched corn, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs.

Abigail told her servants to go before her, but she didn’t tell her husband anything about what she was up to or where she was going.

David determined in his heart to get back at Nabal for his actions. David and his men had protected Nabal’s men and their belongings and this was the thanks they got for their service. David intended to destroy everything that belonged to Nabal before daylight.

When Abigail saw David and his men, she got off of her donkey and bowed down to David. She asked David to punish her for the sins of her husband. She also asked for David’s permission to speak.

Abigail begged David to forgive her and to let the LORD deal with her husband for his rebellious ways.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 25:18–

18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
19 And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.
20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.
21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
24 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.
25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
26 Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
27 And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.
28 I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.
29 Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.
30 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;
31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.

Things to think about:

What did Abigail do when she heard about Nabal’s indiscretion?

What did Abigail do when she met David on the road?

What was Abigail’s request to David?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture we see that Abigail jumped into action when she heard of Nabal’s indiscretion toward David and his men. Help us to find ways to support those who are Your servants. Help us to find favor in Your eyes. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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About the book:

Have a blessed day,

Deborah