Psalm 24:1-10; Psalm 65:1-13;Psalm 68:1-35; Psalm 110:1-7; Psalm 19:1-14; s Samuel 8:1; 1 Chronicles 18:1; 2 Samuel 21:15-18

These psalms seem to celebrate the arrival of the ark of God in Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 6:12-23; 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:43; Psalm 15:1-5

David makes a home for himself, and he brings the center of worship, the ark of God and tabernacle, to the same place. He seems to make provisions for proper worship, especially for the sacrifices appointed in the law of Moses.

But David has opposition within his own home. Michal despises him, apparently on account of David's devotion to the Lord. (1 Chronicles 15:29)

God, help me to resist the temptation to disparage others on account of their devotion to you, especially those who are closest to me.

Praying Judges 6:1-24

Become still. Breathe deeply for a time; then allow your breathing to return to normal; continue regular breathing, but with gentle awareness.

Pray: Sovereign Lord, by your grace help me to see as you see and to hear what you have for me to hear.

Engage your best thinking, as you read the Bible's book of Judges, chapter 6, verses 1 through 24.

What does this reading say about the Israelis, about Gideon, and about God? You may want to make some notes. Here are some things one discussion group noted:

1. Repetition--God proves promises again and again
2. Israeli people are disobedient
3. God sends a prophet, reminding Israelis of what God has done and of what God requires
4. Gideon objects to being sent
5. Gideon is assured that God will be with him

Read the passage of scripture again--this time with your heart opened for a personal message from God. What word, phrase, or picture seems to beckon to you? Stay with that word, phrase, or picture, turning it over in your heart. 

Offer thanks to God for any personal message, any invitation, and/or any assurance that you have received. Fervently commit to do that to which God has invited you, if you have sensed an invitation; likewise with any command of God that you may have received.

Finally, rest in the Lord. Allow yourself to feel the flow of God's blessing this day. 

Psalm 16:1-11; 2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 11:4-9; 2 Samuel 5:17-21; 1 Chronicles 14:8-12; 2 Samuel 23:13-17; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19; 2 Samuel 5:22-25; 1 Chronicles 14:13-17; 2 Samuel 5:11-12; 1 Chronicles 13:1-14; 2 Samuel 6:1-11; Psalm 101:1-8

I notice almost word for word duplication of texts between 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Some stories are worth repeating. The repeated stories here have to do with David's early exploits as king, especially the battles he and his men fought against Philistines. 

The trappings of power come to David:

1. David conquers and occupies Jerusalem.
2. Fortifications and a palace are built at Jerusalem
3. The ark of God is brought under David's sphere of influence

David did all of these things, because the Lord Almighty "was with him." (1 Chronicles 11:9, for example)

1 Chronicles 12:23-40; Psalm 2:1-12; Psalm 78:1-72

David’s rule is consolidated by military strength and by loyalty of the tribes of Israel, except Ephraim, perhaps. Psalmists, too, give David the scepter of leadership; they attest to the Lord’s choice of David. (Psalm 78:67-71)

1 Samuel 30:1-31:13; 1 Chronicles 10:1-14; 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 1:1-27

While David and his fighting men continue to have success in battle, Saul and his army suffer setbacks and defeat. Finally, Saul and his son, Jonathan, are killed by Philistine forces at Mount Gilboa. (1 Samuel 31:2) Indeed, how the mighty have fallen in battle! (2 Samuel 1:25a)

God, my battles belong to You. May I look to You whether I experience them as victory or as defeat. 

Psalm 69:1-36; Psalm 86:1-17; 1 Samuel 28:3-25

How does one communicate with God? We may presume that Saul prays to the Lord and looks for replies by way of dreams, Urim (a decision-making tool of the Israeli priests), and prophets. (1 Samuel 28:6) He waits and waits, but no reply is forthcoming. Eventually, he consults a medium (witch or spiritist), although Hebrew law condemns sorcery (Exodus 22:18), and Saul had previously banned its practitioners (1 Samuel 28:3b). Saul is desperate for communication with God on this occasion. He goes against both his own kingly decree and the Law of Moses in order to get a word from the Lord.

How may I respond to a communication "shut down" with God? May I receive it as an opportunity to wait on the Lord? What am I to do, who am I to be when I have no sense of "give and take" with God?

Psalm 31:1-24; 1 Samuel 27:1-12; 1 Chronicles 12:1-7; Psalm 56:1-13; 1 Samuel 28:1-2; 1 Samuel 29:1-11; 1 Chronicles 12:19-22; Psalm 40:1-17

When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4)

Click here for a video witness and musical rendition of the verses above.

I don't know what it is to be hunted or to fear that my life may be violently ended by an enemy. But David knows firsthand.

Please God, comfort, protect, and sustain persons who are hunted like prey today. Stop the violence, and let the Prince of Peace reign on Planet Earth.

2 Samuel 22:1-51; Psalm 14:1-7; Psalm 53:1-6; 1 Samuel 26:1-25

David possesses the gift of singing, especially when threatened. He sings to God. After he has come through dangers he sings, too. 

For the second time David has opportunity to do away with Saul and yet spares Saul. Again Saul speaks a prophetic word to the effect that David will rule one day; and this time the prophecy is coupled with a blessing spoken by the Lord's Anointed. (1 Samuel 26:25a)

I wonder when the enemies of Jesus may speak a prophetic word and bless him.

1 Samuel 25:1-44; Psalm 18:1-50

He has brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (Psalm 18:19)

My soul wants a spacious place--rest all around. And I want to know God's delight in me. May the confidence displayed by the psalmist here accrue to all souls, including mine.

Psalm 7:1-17; Psalm 35:1-28; Psalm 57:1-11; Psalm 142:1-7

When David is in trouble he sings. When enemies threaten he cries out to God.

When shall God's people sing today? On which occasion shall we cry out to the Lord?

Psalm 13:1-6; Psalm 17:1-15; Psalm 22:1-31; Psalm 54:1-7; 1 Samuel 24:1-22

David has the opportunity to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:11), but he does not. Both David and Saul believe that the Lord gave the opportunity to David.  It serves as an occasion for a prophetic word to be spoken by Saul. I know that you will surely be king and that the kindom of Israel will be established in your hands. (1 Samuel 24:20)

1 Samuel 22:6-23; Psalm 52:1-9; Psalm 109:1-31; 1 Samuel 23:1-29

These are troubling times. When Philistines oppress the Jews at Keilah then David takes his fighting men and drives the enemy away. (1 Samuel 23:5) When the Philistines raid the land then Saul takes his fighting men and opposes the enemy. (1 Samuel 23:28)

The scripture describes an almost laughable scene in which Saul and his fighting men are on one side of a mountain and David, together with his men, are on the other side of the mountain. Saul's men are in hot pursuit; and David's men are hurrying to get away. (1 Samuel 23:26) Which leader cares for the welfare of the nation?

So what of our leaders today? How much of their time and effort is spent in political infighting, and how much is directed toward our community, state, nation, and world?

Dear God, bless and help the leaders of this and every land.

Psalm 5:1-12; Psalm 59:1-17; Psalm 133:1-3; 1 Samuel 21:1-15; Psalm 34:1-22; 1 Samuel 22:1-5; 1 Chronicles 12:8-18

It seems that David is forced from Saul’s court under threat of death. David goes from place to place to place. He settles at an apparently defensible location, the cave at Adullam. Friends and allies migrate to the cave and join David and his band of raiders. Men such as Amasai believe that the Lord helps David; and they say so.

I wonder about the process of change through which David went during this period of time. He is no longer a shepherd boy, yet he is not yet King of Israel.

Bring all of your people through the changes we need, please God. 

1 Samuel 18:1-20:42

David is transitioning from the humble life of a shepherd's son to a more prominent life of an Israeli leader. It is not an easy transformation for him. He wins the admiration of his people. (1 Samuel 18:16) But Saul, the ruling king, begins to hate David. (1 Samuel 20:31) 

The author of 1 Samuel understand that all of this is from the Lord. (1 Samuel 18:12 and others).

Where is Saul's personal responsibility in these events? Where is his commitment to fairness? Why does he not put a stop to his tendency to become jealous?

At times I, like Saul of old, am my own worst enemy. God, help me to take personal responsibility. 

1 Samuel 17:1-58; Psalm 144:1-15

The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. (1 Samuel 17:37a)

"Go with what you know." David goes out to fight against the giant, Goliath, equipped with his shepherd's sling, not with the armor with which Saul would have supplied. The sling is familiar; the armor is not.

"Go with what you know." David also goes out to fight against Goliath, equipped with a sure knowledge of the God who had helped him in previous battles against wild animals. The Lord is David's close companion. Going into battle apart from the Lord is neither David's experience nor his desire. David commits the fight itself to the Lord. (1 Samuel 17:47)

God, help us to know You as completely as is humanly possible; then help us to "go with what we know." 

1 Chronicles 9:35-44; 1 Chronicles 5:7-10; 1 Chronicles 5:18-22; 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23

Part of Saul's failure in leadership is disobeying the Lord's command. (1 Samuel 15:2, 8-9) But another part seems to be basic to Saul's character: He was afraid (1 Samuel 15:24)

Lord, help your people to lead, never from fear, but from a deep, deep love of You.

1 Samuel 13:23-14:52: 1 Chronicles 8:1-9:1a

Jonathan seeks God's counsel as he springs into action against Israel's enemy. (1 Samuel 14:8-10)

Saul seems to seek divine guidance through the priest, as the sounds of battle increase nearby. (1 Samuel 14:18-19)

Jonathan seems to have more common sense than Saul. Well-fed troops are better prepared to fight than hungry troops. (1 Samuel 14:29-30)

Still, the Bible has some good things to say about Saul. He fought valiantly. He delivered Israel from those who had plundered them. (1 Samuel 14:48)

What good things will be said of me? Which of them will be accurated?

1 Samuel 10:1-13:22

Catching up...

1 Samuel 6:1-7:17; 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27

Why, oh why, did Samuel fail to discipline his sons? (1 Samuel 8:3) His first prophecy was against Eli for failing to discipline Hophni and Phineas (1 Samuel 3:13). The waywardness of the sons of Samuel provide an occasion for the people to ask for a king; and that's what the people do. (1 Samuel 8:4)

Samuel is the last of the judges. He is a priest of the Lord. He is a prophet of the Lord. He anoints Israel's first king. Samuel is a pivotal figure in the history of God's dealings with humanity.

Judges 16:23-31; 1 Samuel 2:22-5:12

Samson's end is a suicide mission to get revenge. I wonder how his God-given strength might have been used some other way.

I wonder how I might use my God-given strength more profitably to God's kingdom.

God gives a word of judgment to Eli (1 Samuel 2:31 and verses that follow). Then God confirms the word of judgment by telling it to Samuel (1 Samuel 3:11 and verses that follow).

Tales about the Ark of God are told in 1 Samuel 4 and 5. It seems that the Israelis presumedly employ the Ark in order to direct its supposed powers against the Philistines. That's when the Israelis lose both their battles and possession of the Ark.

The Philistines treat the Ark of God as a trophy of war, taking it first to Ashdod, then to Gath, and finally to Ekron. Troubles befall the cities at each of those locations--troubles that the biblical writer attributes to the Lord's designs.

Lord, teach me not to presume upon either Your power or Your will.

1 Samuel 2:1-10; Psalm 113:1-9; 1 Samuel 2:11-21; Judges 14:1-16:22

So Samuel's lifetime may overlap Samson's. What a study in differences! Samuel is all about listening for God, at least early in his life. Samson, on the other hand, is all about using his power and violence to get what he wants.

The Bible's book of judges demonstrates how the politics of personal power works--temporarily.

How am I either using or abusing my personal power? Lord, help me!

Ruth 3:1-4:22; 1 Chronicles 2:3-16; 1 Samuel 1:1-2:28

Hannah is pouring out her heart at a place of worship in Shiloh. She enters counsel or at least conversation with the Eli the priest. Eli invokes a blessing: "Go in peace, and my the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." (1 Samuel 1:17)

At that Hannah is encouraged. Her face was "no longer downcast." (1Samuel 1:18)

How often a word of blessing helps! May we become people who invoke God's blessings. May we bless others, as we bless the Lord.

Judges 21:1-25; 1 Chronicles 6:4b-15; Ruth 1:1-2:23

The Israelis make another foolish promise, namely that none of them will agree to marry their daughters to the tribe of Benjamin. Then--oops!--they remember that they value the continuance of all Israeli tribes. How will the men of Benjamin find wives? The Israelis decide to kill everyone in Jabesh Gilead, except for unmarried women. Those virgins will be given to the Benjaminite men!

But there are more Benjaminite men than unmarried women in Jabesh Gilead. How are they to find wives? They are instructed to kidnap Jewish brides at Shiloh. The fathers of those brides are to be placated by the statement, "Do us a kindness by helping them, because we did not get wives for them during the war, and you are innocent, since you did not give your daughters to them." (Judges 21:22b)

Truly, "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." (Judges 21:25) I believe this is a backhanded way of saying that Israel did a poor job of dealing with injustices, and that the saga of Benjamin (Judges 19-21) is a case in point.

Judges 19:1-20:48

This story bears some resemblance to the story of Lot (Genesis 19). One difference is that in the Genesis account Lot offered two daughters to the men of Sodom in exchange for two angel's safety, but in text of Judges 19 and 20 a woman is both offered and abused by the men of the city--abused to the point of death. 

The Judges 19-20 story seems to verify the claim of Judges 17:6. In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes. Consequently, there is much wickedness afoot in the land.

The Israelis seem to have their own way of dealing with injustice, too: collective action against a tribe that harbors and defends transgressing members.  Now then, hand over those scoundrels in Gibeah, so that we may put them to death, and purge the evil from Israel. (Judges 19:13) Ungodly living brings on civil war.

What does ungodly living do to my country and to me?

Judges 10:1-13;25

The hazard of making a vow is shown in Jepthah's story. Even though the Spirit of the Lord comes over him (Judges 11:29), he makes a bargain with God. If God gives victory to Jepthah when he leads Israeli warriors against the Ammonites, then Jepthah will sacrifice whatever comes out of the door of his house upon his return. Accordingly, Jepthah is bound to sacrifice his own daughter (Judges 11:39). 

How is God pleased with Jepthah's vow or by his keeping the vow? 

In what ways, if any, is Jepthah paying attention to the Spirit of the Lord who has come over him?

Judges 8:1-9:57

Catching up...

Judges 5:1-7:25

Deborah the Prophetess and Barak, leader of the Israeli forces, sing a victory song. The song praises the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, Isaachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali for their fighting prowess. The tribes of Reuben, Dan, and Gilead are called to account for failing to join the fray.

God practices reversal again. The Lord chooses the least man of the least family of the least of the Israeli tribes to champion the cause of God's people--Gideon.

God, when I think I am too small, too weak, or too insignificant, please whisper the name of Gideon in my heart.

Judges 18:1-31; Judges 3:7-4:24

I fail to see the hand of God in this: Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a peaceful and unsuspecting people. They attacked them with the sword and burned down their city. (Judges 18:27)

The pattern demonstrated in the Bible's book of Judges is this: Israeli people forsake the Lord. Enemies rise up and dominate them. God hears their cries and sends a judge who delivers the Israeli people. Then the Israelis enjoy peace...until the divinely-appointed judge dies.

The pattern repeats.

How many self-defeating patterns can be seen in my life?

Judges 1:1-3:6; Judges 17:1-13

The pattern of partial conquest continues. Manasseh did not drive out all of the Canaanites (Judges 1:27). The Israelis might have removed the native peoples altogether, but no! They enslaved native peoples, instead (Judges 1:28). They did (enslavement) as Egypt had done to them. 

All previous warnings come to pass: Israelis intermarry with native peoples, and they worship other gods (Judges 3:6)

How many times have I been warned and yet do the very things named in the warning?

Lord, have mercy!