Daily Bible Reading “Saul’s Destruction” (1 Samuel 31:1-6)

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Saul’s Destruction

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 31:1-6. The Philistines fought hard against Israel. The men of Israel tried to flee from them, but were slain at mount Gilboa. It was a day of great destruction for the people of Israel.

The Philistines chased Saul and his sons. They slew Saul’s sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. They were hot on Saul’s trail as well. One of the archers hit Saul and wounded him, but he didn’t kill Saul.

Saul, not wanting to be killed at the hands of the Philistines, asked his armor-bearer to kill him with his sword. The armor-bearer couldn’t do as Saul requested.

Saul took his sword and fell on it. He took his life in his own hands. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell on his sword as well.

It was a deadly day for Saul and his men. They lost Saul, his sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men.

This was a sad day for Israel. They suffered much loss. There must have been much grieving among those who were left.

We all suffer grief during our lives. What can we do in times of grief to comfort ourselves and one another? Who can we turn to when everything in life seems to be going wrong?

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 31:1-6

1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.
3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.

Things to think about:

What happened to Saul’s sons?

Why did Saul take his life in his own hands?

What happened to the armor-bearer?
Where can we turn for comfort when life is tough?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 1 Samuel, we see it was a sad day for Israel. They were defeated in battle. There was much grief for the people. Help us during our times of grief to turn to You for comfort and support. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “The Hurt & The Healer” – Mercy Me

PS. I 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.

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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 “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.

Christian Music Video: “Battle” – Chris August

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

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Daily Bible Reading “David Conquers the Philistines at Keilah” (1 Samuel 23:1-13)

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Conquers the Philistines at Keilah

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 23:1-13. David received news that the Philistines were fighting against Keilah. Keilah was a city of Judah northwest of Hebron.

The Philistines were robbing the threshingfloors. A threshingfloor was a place, usually at the gates of the city, where they would gather their crops such as corn or barley and trod them out. The crops were important to the people of Israel. They used them for food and also to trade for anything else they needed.

David prayed to God and asked Him if he should go and conquer the Philistines. God gave David the go ahead to go to Keilah and defeat the Philistines.

When David told his men that they were going to Keilah to conquer the Philistines the men were afraid. So David prayed again and the LORD assured him that He would deliver the Philistines into their hands.

David and his men did as the LORD instructed them and He helped them to win the battle against the Philistines. They also confiscated their cattle. With God’s help David and his army were able to save the people of Keilah.

Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, went with David to Keilah and brought an ephod (priestly garment) with him.

When Saul heard that David was a Keilah he felt sure that he could capture him since Keilah was a town with gates and bars.

David heard that Saul was coming to Keilah. He had Abiathar bring the ephod and he prayed to God and asked Him if it was true that Saul was coming to try to capture him.

God told David that it was a sure thing that Saul was on his way to Keilah in order to capture him. David asked God if the men of Keilah would deliver him into the hands of Saul and God assured David that they would deliver him into the hands of his enemy.

So David and his men left Keilah to seek shelter and refuge from Saul. Can you imagine being constantly on the run as David was in fear of his life? Thank goodness David had God on his side to lead, guide and direct him so that he could stay a step ahead of Saul.

We too can conquer the enemy when God is on our side. Be sure to stay in close contact with God so He can help you divert the attacks of the enemy by leading, guiding and directing you in the right way.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 23:1-13

1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
2 Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
3 And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
4 Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
7 And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
10 Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.
12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.
13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

Things to think about:

Where was it that David heard the Philistines were attacking?

What did God tell David to do concerning the Philistine attacks?

How successful were David and his men at conquering the Philistines?

What happened when Saul found out where David was?

What difference does it make in our lives when we have God on our side?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

In this Scripture in 1 Samuel we see where David had another battle with the enemy. We see that You helped David and his men to conquer the enemy. All the while Saul was on David’s coat tail trying to capture him, but You led David away. Help us to stay in close contact with You so You can help us to avoid the enemies attacks. Watch over us and protect us from the snares of the enemy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “God Is On Our Side” – Don Moen

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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Have a blessed day,

Deborah