Daily Bible Reading “David Becomes King of Israel” (2 Samuel 5:1-10)

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Becomes King of Israel

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 5:1-10. All the tribes of Israel came to Hebron to see David. They acknowledged David as their flesh and bone. They also acknowledge him for his leadership even when Saul was king.

The elders of Israel anointed David as king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign over Israel. He reigned as king for a total of forty years. He reigned over Judah seven years and six months in Hebron. He reigned over Judah and Israel for thirty three years in Jerusalem.

David and his men went to Jerusalem, but the Jebusites, who were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, gave them a hard time. They told David and his men they could only come in if they took away the blind and lame.

David and his men took the stronghold and told them that whoever conquered the Jebusites along with the lame and blind would become the captain.

David and his men established Jerusalem as the city of David, which they built from Millo inward. David grew to be a great king. The LORD was with him and blessed him.

One day the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will reign over Jerusalem.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 5:1-10

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.
7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
10 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

Things to think about:

Who anointed David as king of Israel?

Who rebelled against David at Jerusalem?

How did David establish his kingdom in Jerusalem?

Who is the coming king who will establish His kingdom in Jerusalem?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel about David’s reign as king over Israel and Judah. We see that there was some resistance to him setting up his kingdom in Jerusalem. We see that he succeeded and You blessed him as the king of Israel. Help us to stay faithful to You as we wait for the coming king. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “King of Glory” – Chris Tomlin

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.

Featured Book:

Our Newest 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.

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

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive FREE
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox Mon-Fri
at: http://DeborahHBateman.com/subscribe

Have a blessed Day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Evil Acts Backfire” (2 Samuel 4:1-12)

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Evil Acts Backfire

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 4:1-12. When Saul’s son heard about Abner’s death, he was feeble. All of the Israelites were mourning over Abner.

Saul had two men who were captains of bands. One was named Baanah and the other was called Rechab. They were the sons of Rimmon, who was a Beerothite. He was one of the children of Benjamin.

Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son named Mephibosheth who was lame since he was five years old. He fell and got hurt as his nurse tried to flee when they heard of Saul and Jonathan’s death.

Rechab and Baanah went to Ishbosheth’s house one day about noon while he was taking a nap. Ishbosheth wasn’t bothering anybody. He was laying on his bed trying to rest. They pretended they were there to gather wheat. They went into his house and killed him. Then they cut his head off and fled with it.

They took Ishbosheth’s head and presented it to David. Somehow they thought David would be happy about their actions since Saul had pursued David for so long. They acted as if they were doing David a service.

David wasn’t happy about their actions at all. He wasn’t even happy when he was told that Saul had been slain. David insisted that those who did this act had to be punished. He instructed his men to slay the two men for their actions.

Then, they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it, along with Abner, in Abner’s tomb in Hebron.

I know some of these lessons are hard. They aren’t encouraging and inspirational as I would like them to be, but when we’re studying through a book of the Bible we have to take the bad with the good. We’re learning the history of the Bible. That history includes not only the births of the people of the Bible, but also how and when their lives were ended.

One thing we can learn from this lesson is that we can’t expect good to come from evil. When people do sinful acts eventually they will have to pay for them one way or the other. We also learn that David wasn’t looking for revenge on Saul’s family because Saul had pursued him for many years.

First Peter 3:8-9 reminds us, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 4:1-12

1 And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2 And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:
3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)
4 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.
8 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

Things to think about:

Who was Mephibosheth? What did we learn about him?

Who were Saul’s two band leaders? What did they do?

What was David’s response to their actions?

How did David honor Ishbosheth?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we learn that there were those who were evil back in David’s day as well. They did things out of spite, but their actions backfired on them. Help us to realize that it’s not our place to take revenge on those who have wronged us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Compassion (Change the World)

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.

Featured Book:

Our Newest 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
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox Mon-Fri
at: http://DeborahHBateman.com/subscribe

Have a blessed Day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “David Mourns for Abner” (2 Samuel 3:31-39)

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Mourns for Abner

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 3:31-39. David instructed Joab and those with him to tear their clothes and dress in sackcloth to mourn Abner’s death. David also mourned for Abner.

They buried Abner in Hebron. King David and all those attending Abner’s burial cried over him. David was very upset. He said Abner died a fool’s death.

The people tried to get David to eat, but he refused. He said if he ate before sundown the LORD might do the same thing to him or worse than that which happened to Abner. David was showing respect for Abner by refraining from eating.

The people were pleased with David’s response. The people knew by David’s response that it wasn’t his will that Abner was killed. David told them that Abner was a great man and a prince who was killed.

David was so distraught about Abner’s death that he was weak. Have you ever felt weak in the knees during a time of mourning? We see David’s caring, compassionate side during this time of mourning. He may have been the king and a tough warrior but he also had a heart for people.

David declared that the LORD would reward those who did this evil.

There are always consequences for our actions. God may give us a free will, but we will have to suffer the consequences for bad choices that we make.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 3:31

31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

Things to think about:

Why did David make Noab and his people dress in sackcloth?

Why did David refuse to eat that day?

What kind of death did David say Abner had? Why?

What did David say would happen to those who committed evil acts?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we learn more about the kind of man David was. He was a caring, compassionate person even though he was a warrior and a king. Help us to show our love and concern for others as David did. Help us to be careful about the choices we make in this life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “With Hope” – Steven Curtis Chapman

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.

Featured Book:

Our Newest 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
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox Mon-Fri
at: http://DeborahHBateman.com/subscribe

Have a blessed Day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Joab Kills Abner” (2 Samuel 3:22-30)

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Joab Kills Abner

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 3:22-30. Joab and David’s servants came in from pursuing a troop. They brought in great treasures which they had collected from the troops. Abner was no longer with David because David sent him away in peace.

When Joab heard that Abner had been there to visit David he was upset. Joab went to David and asked him why he sent Abner away. Joab asked David didn’t he know that Abner only came to make a league with him so he could know David’s comings and goings.

Joab left David and sent messengers to get Abner and bring him back to the well at Sirah, but David didn’t know anything about it.

When Abner returned Joab took him aside to talk to him privately. Then Joab stabbed Abner with his sword and killed him because Abner had killed Ashahel, Joab’s brother, in the battle at Gibeon.

When David heard what Joab did to Abner he said that he and his servants were guiltless of the death of Abner, the son of Ner.

David declared that the responsibility for Abner’s death would fall on Joab and his father’s house since he and his brother conspired to kill Abner in revenge for their brother’s death. They caused even more trouble for their family by taking revenge.

David had no idea what Joab’s intentions were. Had David known he may have been able to stop this from happening.

It is understandable that Joab and his brother were upset over their brother’s death, but does killing someone else resolve the issue? Could we forgive someone for doing such as this?

We are told in Romans 12:19 that vengeance belongs to the Lord, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

We are not to take vengeance into our own hands. If someone does us wrong or hurts us in some way we should turn it over to the Lord and He will take care of it. In due time, everyone will get their just rewards.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 3:22-30

22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

Things to think about:

Where had Joab and David’s men been when Abner visited the king?

What did Joab tell David when he found out Abner had been there?

Who did Joab send to find Abner?

What did Joab do when Abner returned?

What was David’s reaction to what Joab did?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we learn that Joab was angry with Abner because of his brother’s death. Joab took his vengeance out on Abner and killed him. You told us in the Scriptures that vengeance belongs to You and You will repay. Help us not to take vengeance into our own hands. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Christian Music Video: “A Heart That Forgives”

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.

Featured book:

99 Cent Book Promotion

Wednesday 8/20 – Sunday 8/24/2014

The Book of Ephesians
by Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00I3Q2RFY

Get your copy now!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Who Can You Trust?” (2 Samuel 3:12-21)

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Who Can You Trust?

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 3:12-21. Abner sent messengers to David asking, “Whose is the land?” He also told them to ask David to make a league with Abner to bring all of Israel under David’s leadership. David agreed to make a league with Abner, but sent word that Abner couldn’t see him unless he brought Michal, Saul’s daughter, who was David’s wife, with him.

David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, telling him to send David’s wife Michal, whom he acquired from Saul for a hundred Philistine foreskins.

Obviously Michal had married someone else because Ishbosheth took Michal from her husband Phaltiel, who was the son of Laish, and sent her to David as he requested. Phaltiel followed her to Bahurim weeping. Then Abner told him to return. So he returned home.

Abner spoke with the elders of Israel, saying, “In the past you wanted David to be king over you, now is the time.” The LORD has spoken saying, “By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.”

Abner also spoke to Benjamin and he went to speak to David in Hebron about what seemed good for Israel, and for the house of Benjamin. When Abner came to David at Hebron he brought twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast.

Abner told David that he would go and gather all of Israel to my lord the king, so they could make a league with him, so he might reign over all that his heart desired. David sent Abner away. He went in peace.

Could David trust Abner? Was Abner really looking out for David and for Israel? Do you ever wonder, “Who can you trust?”

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

When we put our trust in the LORD and lean on Him to lead, guide and direct our paths, we are less likely to make bad choices about who we can trust.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 3:12-21

12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

Things to think about:

What kind of pact was Abner trying to make with David?

What was David’s request of Abner?

Have you ever made a pact with someone who had previously been your enemy?

If so, how did it work out?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David and Abner make a league with one another even thought they had previously been enemies. Help us to know who we can trust. Help us to trust Your leadership, guidance and direction in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Trust in Jesus” – Third Day

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.

Featured Book:

Our Newest 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
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox Mon-Fri
at: http://DeborahHBateman.com/subscribe

Have a blessed Day,

Deborah