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.

Christian Music Video: “Holy Spirit” ~ Kim Walker

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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

Daily Bible Reading “Doeg Slays Ahimelech” (1 Samuel 22:11-23)

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Doeg Slays Ahimelech

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 22:11-23. Saul sent for Ahimelech the priest, all those from his father’s house, and the priests in Nob. They came before the king. Saul questioned Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, as to why he had conspired against him with David, the son of Jesse.

Saul let Ahimelech know that he know about the good deeds he had done for David by giving him food, Goliath’s sword, and praying to God for David.

Ahimelech asked Saul who else was more faithful to him than David. He reminded Saul that David was his son-in-law, he had done anything Saul asked him to do and was well thought of in the house of Saul.

Ahimelech told Saul that when he inquired to God for David he knew nothing about the situation between Saul and David. He asked Saul to spare him and those of his father’s house.

Saul told Ahimelech that he and all those from his father’s house would die. The king ordered his men to slay Ahimelech and all those from his father’s house because of their devotion to David. Saul’s men refused the king’s request.

Then Saul told Doeg to slay the priest and all those with him. Doeg slayed the priest and eighty five priests. He also slew the men, women, children, sheep, and cattle in Nob.

Only one son of Ahimelech was able to escape the wrath of Doeg. His name was Abiathar. He escaped and went to where David was. Abiathar told David what happened.

David said that he was afraid when he saw Doeg at Ahimelech’s that he would tell Saul. David felt responsible for the fate of Ahimelech and the other priest. David told Abiathar that Saul would be searching for him as well as for David. He told Abiathar to stay with him where he would be safe.

What kind of people were these that they would slay the priests of God? It is sad that many people don’t have any regard for God, His servants or His people.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 22:11-23

11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
12 And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.
13 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.
17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’S priests.
22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.
23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

Things to think about:

Why did Saul send for Ahimelech and those of his father’s house?

What was Saul’s concern with Ahimelech?

Was Ahimelech aware of the situation between David and Saul?

What did Saul say was going to happen to Ahimelech and the other priests?

Who carried out Saul’s commands against Ahimelech?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 1 Samuel it saddens our hearts to see that there are those who have no regard for You, Your servants or Your people. We pray for Your protection over Your servants who are serving in places that don’t regard You. We ask for Your protection over us as we serve You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video:

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