Daily Bible Reading “David Grieves” (2 Samuel 1:17-27)

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Grieves

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 1:17-27. David mourned over the death of Saul and Jonathan. David encouraged the people of Israel to teach the children to use the bow because of the recent events in Israel. He told them not to talk about the news in Gath or in the streets of Askelon. He didn’t want the Philistines to celebrate the loss of lives that had been taken.

He proclaimed that there would be now dew or rain on the mountains of Gilboa because of the loss of Saul’s life there.

David was distraught about the death of Jonathan and Saul. He was upset that Saul wasn’t regarded for the fact that he was anointed by God to be the head of Israel.

Jonathan was like a brother to David. David states that Jonathan’s love meant more to him than the love of women.

When we go through times of mourning it can take a while to get through the sorrow. The memories we have for those we love and care about are with us forever even though they are gone. We have to use the good memories and God’s comfort to get us through times of mourning.

I have lost many people that I cared deeply for in my life including both of my parents, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and most recently my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Loss is never easy.

Grief hangs over our heads like a dark cloud that looms on a stormy day. It takes time to work through the grieving process. When you go through these times in life don’t be too hard on yourself. Seek comfort from God to carry you through these difficult times of life.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 1:17-27

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

Things to think about:

What was David mourning?

What did David have to say about Saul?

What did David say about Saul?

What did David say about the mountains of Gilboa?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David was grieving the loss of Saul and Jonathan, his best friend. We know that only You can comfort us when in our loss. Help us to turn to You in our times of need. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination
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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 Learned of Saul’s Death” (2 Samuel 1:1-16)

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 1:1-16. David returned to Ziklag after the slaughter of the Amalekites. David hadn’t heard about Saul and Jonathan’s death yet, but he was about to hear the news. David had only been back in Ziklag three days when he received a visitor.

A man came out from Saul’s camp. He was dirty and his clothes were torn. When he saw David, he bowed down to him.

David asked him where he came from. He told David that he escaped from the Israel’s camp. David asked him how the battle went.

The man told David that the people had fled from the battle and many were dead, including Saul and Jonathan.

David asked the young man how he knew that Saul and Jonathan were dead. The young man explained that the Philistines were chasing hard after Saul and in Saul’s anguish he fell upon his sword.

He told David that when he happened upon Saul at mount Gilboa that Saul called to him and asked him who he was. He told Saul that he was an Amalekite. Saul requested that he take his sword and finish killing him.

So the young man took his sword and killed Saul, because he was sure he wouldn’t survive with the injuries he had already sustained. The young man took Saul’s crown from his head and his bracelet from his arm and brought them to David.

David was so upset he and all the men that were with him tore their clothes and mourned for Saul and Jonathan. Besides being the leader of Israel, Saul had been David’s father-in-law and Jonathan was like a brother to David. He was David’s best friend.

David asked the young man who he was. He told David that he was the son of an Amalekite, who was a stranger. David asked him wasn’t he afraid to slay, Saul, the LORD’s anointed.

David called one of his young men and told them to slay the Amalekite. David told him his blood was on his head because he had testified with his own mouth that he slayed one of the LORD’s anointed.

This was a sad day for David. He had learned that two people who had been influential in his life were dead. If you’ve ever lost a loved one you can imagine the grief David felt.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 1:1-16

1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed?
15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’S anointed.

Things to think about:

How did David learn about the death of Saul and Jonathan?

What was David and his men’s reaction to Saul’s death?

What happened to the Amalekite who killed Saul?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see David’s grief over the death of Saul and Jonathan. Help us in times of grief to turn to You for comfort. Help us to realize that You are always there for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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

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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.

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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.

Featured Book:

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

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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.

Christian Music Video: “Trust and Obey”

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
by Deborah H. Bateman

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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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