April 26 Readings

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Check out the Link Page for the One Year Bible Readings. Three Years Bible Readings and the Back to the Bible Devotional Blogs

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The Back to the Bible OT and NT Together Reading Plan

Index of Historical Readings

Today's Reading 2Samuel 23-24; Luke 19.1-27

King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: 2Samuel 23; 2Samuel 24; Luke 19

2Samuel 23 details the last words of David. This should be understood, according to the NIV Study Bilble as David's last poetic testimony (in the manner of psalms). perhaps composed at the time of his final instructions and warnings to his son Solomon (see 1king 2.1-10). In a lot of ways this passage sounds like a Psalm that David composed.
David's mighty men were also desribed (2Samuel 23.8-39; 1Chronicles 11.10-41)

2Samuel 24.1-17; 1Chronicles 21.1-17. David did a census of how many fighting men were available in Israel. Even Joab, David's commander, told David that he should not do it. This was repugnant in the eyes of God becuase there was not a military crisis at hand. Rather it seems that David wanted to know by the pride of how big his empire was or by reliance upon the strength of his army, The taking of a census was hardly sinful as we have seen in the two censsuses done in Numbers 1 and 26. Note that David realized that he sinned (v. 10). Gad the prophet told David that he gave three option how He was going to punish Israel, that is, three years of famine, or three months of fleeing from Israel's enemies or three days of palgaue. That was a hard decision for the repentant David to make. David chose the three days of plague and seventy thousand people died. That is a hard lesson for Daivd to learn. We should also learn not to put our confidence and security in our own strength but put it in God.

2Samul 24.17 David speaking to the Lord

Guzik on 2Samuel 23
Guzik on 2Samuel 24

2 Samuel 23, with Commentaries, verse by verse
2 Samuel 24, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Arthur Pink-The Life of David
Deffinbaugh on 2 Samuel (Series)
Bob Roe on The Life of David

Links to Commentaries and other References - 2 Samuel

Luke 19 with Commentaries, verse by verse

Zaccaheus heard that Jesus was passing through and wanted to know who Jesus was. He chose a sycamore tree to see Jesus. When Jesus saw him, He invited Himself to Zaccahaues’ house Zacchaeus the tax collector shows us what true faith is. He had the fruit of repentance. He said if he cheated anyone out of anything he would be willing to pay back four times the amount. According to the NIV Study Bible, this almost the extreme amount required under the law in case of theft (Exodus 22.1; 2Samuel 12.6; Proverbs 6.31).. He was willing ot give to the poor half of his riches to the poor. Zacchaeus is a good example for us to follow in his generosity to the poor and his attitude of repentance.



Jesus spoke about the parable of the ten minas (Luke 10.12-37; Matthew 25.14-30). This is very similar to the parable of the ten talents He spoke about in Matthew 25. In principle both parables are the same and the application for us how faithful were the servants with what they were given. The one with the ten minas earned ten more, the one with the five minas earned five more and the one with the one mina hid it and did not earn any. What can we learn hearn? The lesson to be learnt that we are all given stewardship of our times, money, and talent and Jesus will hold us accountable at the end of time. It is required for us as servants of Christ to be found faithful with what God gave us in our lives. Let us not be like the servant with his one mina who did not see or understand what he was supposed to do with his one mina.

Deffinbaugh - Series on Luke
IVP Commentary on Luke

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.