Daily Bible Reading “Nabal Refuses David’s Request” (1 Samuel 25:10-17)

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Nabal Refuses David’s Request

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 25:10-17. David’s servants went to see Nabal as they were instructed by David. Nabal wasn’t very receptive to their visit or to David’s request. In fact, he asked them, “Who is David and who is the son of Jesse?”

Nabal told them that there were many servants who broke away from their masters in those days. He questioned them as to why he should take the meat he had killed for his servants, their water, and their bread and give it to people he didn’t know.

David’s men returned to David and told him what Nabal said. David told his men to prepare themselves for battle with their swords. He took four hundred men with him to confront Nabal and left two hundred behind to guard their belongings.

One of Nabal’s servants went to Abigail and told her that David’s men came to request food from Nabal and he refused them. He also told Abigail that David’s men were good to them when they were in Carmel sheering the sheep. The soldiers hadn’t taken anything from them and even proved to be a shield of protection for them while they were working.

He warned Abigail because of Nabal’s rebellious ways he and his whole household were in danger of being destroyed if the men of David came against them. He asked Abigail to consider what she could do about the situation.

Have you ever had to run interference for someone who was rebellious and didn’t want to cooperate with others?

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 25:10-17

10 And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
12 So David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.
13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.
14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
15 But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:
16 They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.
17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

Things to think about:

What was Nabal’s response to David’s request?

How did David respond to Nabal’s belligerence?

One of Nabal’s servants ran interference in the situation. What did he do?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 1 Samuel we see there are all kinds of people in this world. There are those who are unruly and uncooperative. There are those who are faithful and supportive. Teach us how to deal with all types of people. Help us to be the ones who are obedient and not like those who are rebellious. 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.

New Release:

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

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.
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Samuel Dies” (1 Samuel 25:1-9)

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Samuel Dies

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 25:1-9. We learn in this Scripture that Samuel died. The people of Israel gathered together and mourned over him. They buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David went to the wilderness of Paran.

There was a wealthy man from Maon called Nabal. He owned three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Nabal’s wife, Abigail, was a beautiful, intelligent woman. But, Nabal was an evil man. He was a Calebite.

David heard that Nabal was sheering his sheep in Carmel. David sent ten young men to Carmel to greet Nabal in his name. The men were to offer peace to Nabal, his house and all that belonged to Nabal.

They were to tell Nabal that they knew it was sheep-sheering time and they hadn’t harmed one of his sheep-shearers in Carmel. Neither did they take anything from them.

The men were sent to ask favor for David and his men from Nabal since it was a feast time. The men did as David asked and went to see Nabal and seek his generosity toward David and his men.

David and his soldiers were wandering around in the wilderness. They had to seek food and provisions wherever they could. God provided for their needs through different people.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 25:1-9

1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
2 And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
5 And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.
7 And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.
8 Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
9 And when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

Things to think about:

Who are we told died at the beginning of this chapter?

Who is the new character that we are introduced to in this chapter?

What did we find out about this character?

Who was his wife and what did we learn about her?

What was David’s request from this wealthy man?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture from 1 Samuel we learn of Samuel’s death and the mourning of the people of Israel. We also learn of a wealthy man named Nabal and his wife Abigail. We see that David was trusting You to provide for him and his men on their journey. He was seeking people who were able to help provide for them. Help us to trust Your provision for us as we journey through this life. 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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Deborah

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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.

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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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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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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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.

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Deborah