OTandNT Together

Thursday, April 21, 2005

April 21 Readings

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2Samuel 13
This is the tragic story of Tamar being raped by her step-brother, Amnon (v. 1-22). Absalom, Tamar's sister killed Amnon in revenge for what he did. This heartache and pain came ultimately from David's sin with Bathsheba. Sometimes we are not aware that the consequences of our sins have effect not only on the parties involved but it may affect families and friend and the whole. community.

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

2 Samuel 12, with Commentaries, verse by verse
2 Samuel 13, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Links to Commentaries and other References - 2 Samuel

Luke 16 with Commentaries, verse by verse
In Luke 16 Jesus gave the parable of the shrewd manager. A rich man heard that his e manager was cheating him so he called him him and told him to give him an acount of himself. The manager realized that he was old, and that he had to find a way to survive, so he made friends in a sneaky manner. So he schemed and canceled or cut the wise man's debt. The rich man commended the manager for acting shrewdly. Jesus said that Christians are to use worldly wealth to help those in need, so that in the future the needy, whose needs were met will show their gratitude when they welcome their benefactors in heaven. In this way worldy wealth may be wisely used to gain eternal benefits. What are you investing your money in? What is the eternal rate of return on your money? Are you using your money shrewdly for the furtherance of the Kingdom? Who are you serving God or money?

Picture of Mammon (Money)

IVP Commentary - Generosity: Handling Money and Possessions Luke 16
In Luke 16 Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This is according to some Bible Commentators, is what will happen to us when we die. If you are born-again, you will go straight to Abraham's bosom or paradise. If you reject Christ, you go straight to hell. This is the closest thing we know about what happens to us when we die. The thief on the cross believed in Jesus Christ, and Jesus said that today he would be with Him in paradise. Lazarus plead with Abraham to send someone to warn his brothers of such a place called hell. Abraham said that they have Moses and the Prophets, let them listen to them. Lazarus asked Abraham to send someone from the dead to tell them about hell, they would repent. Even of they sent someone who rose from the dead, they would not even listen to that person (Jesus). Is there a place call hell?

Check these links: Hell
Is hell eternal

I beg you, to read the passage carefully, this will affect your eternal destiny. Check this LINK How to Become a Christian

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

April 20 Readings

2Samuel 10.1-19; 1Chronicles 19.1-19 is the account of how David defeat the Ammonites. Nahash the king of the Ammonites died. Hanun, his son succeeded him. David thought he would show kindness to Hanun just as how Nahash had showed kindness to David. David sent some of his men to Hanun. Hanum overreacted after hearing the counsel of he nobles of the Ammonites. He ordered that Daivid’ smen have half of each man’s beard shaved, and cut off their garments in the middle of the buttocks, and sent them back to David. In the Middle Eastern culture this was considered an insult of the worst kind. David declared war against the Ammonites. They were soundly defeated, along with their allies the Aramaeans (Syrians). We should leaen not to jump to conclusion without weighing the matter carefully. Let us learn from the mistake of Hanun.

2 Samuel 11
It was spring and David stayed in Jerusalem instead of going with Joab and the army to fight the Ammonites. One evening, he saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, taking a bath on a roof-top. He ended up having an affiar with her, and from that union had a baby. He covered the matter up by setting Uriah up in the heat of battle, such that everyone retreated and Uriah was killed.

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

2 Samuel 9, with Commentaries, verse by verse
2 Samuel 10, with Commentaries, verse by verse
2 Samuel 11, with Commentaries, verse by verse

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

Links to Commentaries and other References - 2 Samuel

Luke 15 with Commentaries, verse by verse
In Luke 15 the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15.4-7); Matthew 18.12-14); lost coin (Luke 15.8-10); and the Lost Son (The Prodigal Son) were mentioned. The common elements are an article or person was lost, with the person who owns the material looking for it until it was found. There was rejoicing in all three parables when the article or person was found.

The parable of the Lost Son is a spiritual journey which all of us have been through. The Prodigal Son is a model for us as sinners coming back to God.We need to admit that we are going in the wrong direction like the Prodigal Son. We need to accept the responsibility (v. 18), confess our sins openly before God and Man (Proverbs 28.12), accept the consequences and repair the damage we have done, we need to have a clean break from the past behavior. Another twist to the parable was the older brother who was not happy when his brother came back. The attitude of the older brother was the attitude of the Pharisees. Do we have this attitude toward other Christians? For example, when someone who claimed the Name of Christ went astray and came back, and we still have a grudge against that person. We need to forgive one another as our Heavenly Father forgives us.

IVP Commentary - Why Pursue Sinners? Luke 15

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

April 19 Readings

Uzzah Smitten
David became afraid of the Lord that day. Although Uzzah had good intention to prevent the ark from falling on the ground, there was specific instructions in the handling of the Ark (Exodus 15.15; Numbers 4.5-61.5; 1Chronicles 15.13-15). God had shocked everyone there to remind them that He is a holy God and his commandments must be obeyed. We need to remember that He is a God of love but the one attribute that separate our God from other gods is His Holiness. And excellent book on this subject is the Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul.
In 2Samuel 6.13-19; 1Chronicles 15.25-16.3, David was afraid of God, that he was unwilling to take tha ark back to Jerusalem. It stayed at the house of Obed-Edom. Three months later David and the people went doen to take the ark back to Jerusalem. He had sacrificed a bull and fattened calf immediately. He danced before the Lord
with all his heart.
Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 6 - Bring of the Ark
Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 6 - Bring of the Ark cont'd

When Michal saw David dancing before the Lord with all his heart, she despised him, God made Michal barren to the day of her death.
Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 6 - Condemnation by Michal

2Samuel 7
In 2Samuel 7.1-17; 1Chronicles 17.1-15: The Lord gives David REST from his enemies (v. 1). Because David was living in a place and the ark of God was a tent. He told Nathan that he wanted the ark to be better place than a tent. The Lord came to Nathan and told him to tell David that he would create a dynasty for David that would last forever. God was speaking here on tow levels of fulfilment, one was the dynasty that would produce, Jesus Christ the Messiah, and the other would be the Dynasty of kings of Judah. David responds to God in preayer *2Samuel 7.18-29; 1Chronicles 17.16-17). This is what is known as the Davidic Covenant.
The Reign of Saul

2 Samuel 8.1-14; 1Chronicles 18.1-13
David was victorious over his enemies. He defeated the Moabites (2), and the the Aramaens (3-5). He was victorious because of God. God can give us victories of the enemies of our spiritual life. It may not mean that we are successful financially

2 Samuel 8.15-18; 1Chronicles 18.1-14-17 spoke about the officials of David’s kingdom, among them were Joab, Zadok, Benaiah and David’s sons whoe were advisers.

2 Samuel 6, with Commentaries, verse by verse
2 Samuel 7, with Commentaries, verse by verse
2 Samuel 8, 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 15 with Commentaries, verse by verse
In Luke 15 the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15.4-7); Matthew 18.12-14); lost coin (Luke 15.8-10); and the Lost Son (The Prodigal Son) were mentioned. The common elements are an article or person was lost, with the person who owns the material looking for it until it was found. There was rejoicing in all three parables when the article or person was found.

The parable of the Lost Sheep should remiind us that God is seeking those who are lost, and He wants them to join the fold. He would leave the 99 sheep and seek the one who is lost. Are we concerned about the one lost sheep or are we just happy with the ninety nine in the fold? If we are not concerned about the lost sheep we should be pitied and asked God to give us a desire for the lost sheep!

In the same way, if you lost a lost coin or something valuable, wouldn't you search the house or office until you find it. What would be your attitude about the remaining nine silver coin which were safe? You know they are secure but you have more concern about the lost coin.

IVP Commentary - Why Pursue Sinners? Luke 15

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Monday, April 18, 2005

April 18 Readings

Why don't you bookmark this blog you're reading right now?

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

Try the Three Years in the Bible: Year 1 Law and History; Year 2 Poetry and Prophecy and Year 3 New Testament. You can start with any of the three years and finsh the Bible at a slower pace in three years

You can also check out all these Reading Plans Blogs to go through the Bible in a year from Back to the Bible Reading Lists:the Chronological Reading Plan blog; OT and NT Together blog; Historical Readings blog; Blended Readings blog and Beginning to End blog In addition, there is the Theophilus1 blog in the One Year Bible format and The Daily Bible in Chronological Order

The Back to the Bible Beginning to End Reading Plan OT and NT Together

Index of OT + NT Together

You can also check out all these Reading Plans Blogs to go through the Bible in a year from Back to the Bible Reading Lists:the Chronological Reading Plan blog; OT and NT Together blog; Historical Readings blog; Blended Readings blog and Beginning to End blog In addition, there is the Theophilus1 blog in the One Year Bible format and The Daily Bible in Chronological Order

The Back to the Bible Beginning to End Reading Plan

Index of Historical Readings

Today's reading 2 Samuel 3-5; Luke 14.25-35

King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: 2Samuel 3; 2Samuel 4; 2Samuel 5; Luke 14

In 2 Samuel 3
The sons born to David are listed in 1Samuel 3.2-5; 1Chronicles 3.1-4.

Abner goes over to David (v. 6-21) and Joab murders Abner (v. 22-38)

Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 3 more

2Samuel 4
When Ish-Bosheth, the son of Saul found out that Abner had died in Hebron, he became afraid and all Israel became alarmed. Now Saul’s two men, Baariah and Recab, went to Ish-Bosheth’s house when he was taking the noonday rest and cowardly murdered Ish-Bosheth when he was sleeping. They chpped off his head and took it to David at Hebron, expecting a reward. David ordered his men to kill Baariah and Recab for murdering an innocent man while he was sleeping n his bed..
Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 3&4 more

2 Samuel 5
2Samuel 5.1-3; 1Chronicles 11.1-3: All the tribes came to Hebron, David made a compact with them and they anointed him king over all of Israel, David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years in all.
Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 5
Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 5 more

King David

David captured Jerusalem (2Samuel 5.6-10; 1Chronicles 11.1-9) from the Jebusites and called it the City of David. Notice verse 10 stated that David became more powerful because the Lord God Almighty was with Him. In 2Samuel 5.11-16; 1Chronicles 3.5-9; 14.1-7, there is a description of the children born to David.
When the Philistines heard that David was king over all Israel, they launched an attack against Israel. David inquired of the Lord wheteher he should attack the Philistines and whether God would hand them over to him. God told him to go and attack. The victory was David. And he defeated them. We remembered Saul and before his tragic death, he inquired of the Lord but there was no answer, that was when he had contacted the witch of Endor and things went bad for Saul and he died.

Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 5 - Capture of Zion
Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 5 - Defeat of the Philistines
Arthur Pink Life of David on 2Samuel 5&6 - Bring of the Ark

Links to Commentaries and other References - 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 3, with Commentaries, verse by verse
2 Samuel 4, with Commentaries, verse by verse
2 Samuel 4, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Luke 14 with Commentaries, verse by verse
In Luke 11.25-35 Jesus spoke about the Cost of Discipleship. What does it cost? It will cost me EVRYTHING to follow Him. It will cost you to lose your family, your material possessions, your ambitions, dreams, pleasures, vices, and addictions and so on. He concluses with the haunting phrase 'He who has ears to hear le him hear'

The Cost of By Dietrich Bonhoeffer
What can the call to discipleship, the adherence to the word of Jesus, mean today to the businessman, the soldier, the laborer, or the aristocrat? What did Jesus mean to say to us? What is his will for us today? Drawing on the Sermon on the Mount, Dietrich Bonhoeffer answers these timeless questions by providing a seminal reading of the dichotomy between "cheap grace" and costly grace." "Cheap grace," Bonhoeffer wrote, "is the grace we bestow on ourselves... grace without discipleship....Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must know....It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."
The Cost of Discipleship is a compelling statement of the demands of sacrifice and ethical consistency from a man whose life and thought were exemplary articulations of a new type of leadership inspired by the Gospel, and imbued with the spirit of Christian humanism and a creative sense of civic duty.

IVP Commentary - Pure Discipleship Luke 14

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Friday, April 15, 2005

April 16 Readings

Jesus mourns for Jerusalem, after receiving a death threat from Herod. He told the Pharisees who warned Him about Herod's threat that he would continue his mission of driving out demons and heal people and on the third day He would rise from the dead. He said that Jerusalem has had a history of killing the prophets and stone those sent to her. Jesus in His mercy and compassion said that He longed to gather her children together, as a hen gathers her chick under his wings, but she was not willing. Jerusalem would be desolate as we know from A.D. 70 when Rome burnt Jerusalem to the ground. The Jews will not have peace until they say 'Blessed is he (Jesus) who comes in the name of the Lord.'

In Luke 14.1-6 Jesus was invited to a Pharisee's house, where he was closely watched. A man with dropsy was there and He asked if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, then he gave a practical application of a son or ox falls into a well on the Sabbath, surely, they would pull the ox or son out. Then he healed the man with dropsy.

IVP Commentary - Know the Time: Israel Turns Away but Blessing Still Comes

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Thursday, April 14, 2005

April 15 Readings

Links to Commentaries and other References - 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 28, with Commentaries, verse by verse
1 Samuel 29, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Links to Commentaries and other References - 1Samuel

Luke 13.1-22, Commentaries, verse by verse

The basic message in this passage (Luke 13.1-8) is repent of perish. We ofthen asked the question why do innocent people have to die in an accident or from cancer or whatever calamity they face. Jesus gave examples as well but then He warned that unless we repent we too would perish.

Jesus told the parable of the fig tree that if it does not produce fruit, the tree should be cut down.

The synagogue ruler was indignant that Jesus healed a crippled woman on the Sabbath. Jesus rebuked the leader for being a hypocrite who look at the Sabbath as a rule rather than understand the meaning of the Sabbath.

What is in common between the mustard seed and the yeast? Both are small things. A a mustard seed grows up into a tree and a small amount of yeast in flour to makes dough. What Jesus was saying that we, as Christians, although we are small in the eyes of the world can do great things for God.

Jeff Miller on the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

IVP Commentary - Know the Time: Israel Turns Away but Blessing Still Comes

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

April 14 Readings

BE WATCHFUL

Jesus said that He came to bring division not peace on the earth (Luke 12.51-53; Matthew 10.34-36). This is contrary to the image that we have imagined what Jesus is. We think that he is gentle Jesus, meek and mild! The first time He came as a Lamb to die for us as a Savior, the second time, He is coming back as a Lion as Judge and King! Jesus has created so much controversy in our world, that He has indeed created divisions among our families, friends and colleagues when we declare allegiance with Him. But then that is GOOD because He warned us that we would be persecuted for our faith in Him.

In verse 54-59. Let us be careful how we interpret the times. He is coming back! Let us not fool ourselves and lull ourselves to sleep. Let us be awake and be found faithful when He returns.

IVP Commentary on Luke 12-Discipleship: Trusting God

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Monday, April 11, 2005

April 13 Readings

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

Try the Three Years in the Bible: Year 1 Law and History; Year 2 Poetry and Prophecy and Year 3 New Testament. You can start with any of the three years and finsh the Bible at a slower pace in three years

You can also check out all these Reading Plans Blogs to go through the Bible in a year from Back to the Bible Reading Lists:the Chronological Reading Plan blog; OT and NT Together blog; Historical Readings blog; Blended Readings blog and Beginning to End blog In addition, there is the Theophilus1 blog in the One Year Bible format and The Daily Bible in Chronological Order

The Back to the Bible Beginning to End Reading Plan OT and NT Together

Index of OT + NT Together

The Reign of Saul
Today's reading 1Samuel 21-24
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: 1Samuel 23; 1Samuel 24

In 1Samuel 22, (v.1-2) Achish drove him away and David escaped to the cave of Adullam. His brothers and his father’s household supported him. This was when he wrote Psalm 102, when he prays for refuge from his enemies. some warriors joined David including Gadites who had defected to David (In 1Chronicles 12.8-18).. In v. 3-5, at Mizpah, David went to Moab, another enemy of Israel and asked them to let his mother and father stay with him. The king of Moab had allowed it. Sometimes God will even use your enemies to protect you and your loved ones. In v. 6-19 Doeg told Saul that he saw David at Nob. Saul ordered Doeg to kill the priests of Nob! Doeg went and massacred the priests. David heard of the slaughter from Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech. David felt responsible for the deaths of the priest and his family. Psalm 52 was written at this time, the psalm mocked Doeg and warned that God would avenge for the deeds what Doeg had done.

http://www.bibleplaces.com/images/Cave_of_Adullam_tb_n021900.jpg
Cave of Adullam

In Samuel 23.1-6 Keilah was under attack by the Philistines. David and his men went and saved Keilah from the Philsitines (1-6) Saul pursues David (7—26) Saul knew David and his men were hiding in Keilah. David asked god for counsel and was told to leave Keilah because the citizen would moved form place to place. Notice Jonathan came to David and renew his covenant with him despite the fact that Saul, his father wanted to kill David. (v. 15-16). The Ziphites betrayed David and told Saul where he was hiding. David was always one step ahead of Saul. Why? Because God had a purpose for David. Let us not be discouraged when bad things happen to us when we are in God’s will.

In 1Samuel 24, David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but he turned down the opportunity. He did it God’s way. He still viewed Saul as God’s servant and his king. God blessed David for waiting on Him and doing it God’s way. We need to do things God’s way instead of our way .

1 Samuel 22, with Commentaries, verse by verse
1 Samuel 23, with Commentaries, verse by verse
1 Samuel 24, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Links to Commentaries and other References - 1Samuel

Luke 12.1-37, Commentaries, verse by verse

In Luke 12.1-7, Jesus spoke first to the apostles, rebuking the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. He warned them what they said in the dark will be heard in the daylight; what is whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. He also warned them not be afraid about thosewho can kill, the body but rather be fearful about Him who, after killing the body has the power to throw them into hell! Do not be afraid for god cares for them. We should learn from the warnings that Jesus told his disciples because it applies to us today.

Jesus coninued with the watning to his disciples about acknowledging him and before God. I believe the time is coming when even in America, we will have to either acknowledge or disown Jesus as our Lord and Savior in our homes, work place and among our friend and family. Jesus had predicted persecution for his followers then and now. Are we prepared spiritually and emotionally to acknowledge Him before men. Did you know that more people were martyred in the 1900s than all the previous centuries combined. That time is coming soon even for the United States!

The Parable of the Rich Fool is a morale lesson for us, let us not put our trust in riches or have the pride of life. The love of money is the root of evil. Here is an exposition of the parable Hebrews 13.5-6 5Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." 6That is why we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (New Living Translation)

This parable is related to the next section in Luke about not worrting about our lives. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given you as well. This es very identical with Matthew 6.33 'But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well..

IVP Commentary on Luke 12-Discipleship: Trusting God

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

April 12 Readings

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

Try the Three Years in the Bible: Year 1 Law and History; Year 2 Poetry and Prophecy and Year 3 New Testament. You can start with any of the three years and finsh the Bible at a slower pace in three years

You can also check out all these Reading Plans Blogs to go through the Bible in a year from Back to the Bible Reading Lists:the Chronological Reading Plan blog; OT and NT Together blog; Historical Readings blog; Blended Readings blog and Beginning to End blog In addition, there is the Theophilus1 blog in the One Year Bible format and The Daily Bible in Chronological Order

The Back to the Bible Beginning to End Reading Plan OT and NT Together

Index of OT + NT Together

The Reign of Saul
Today's reading 1Samuel 19-21
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: 1Samuel 19; 1Samuel 20; 1Samuel 21

1 Samuel 19 (v. 1-7) Jonathan, Saul's son try to intercede on behalf of David when Saul told him and his servants that he wanted to kill David. Saul finally relented and said that he would not kill David. In v. 8-10, Saul became jealous of David again because an evil spirit from the Lord came upon him. He threw a spear at David while he was playing the harp. At Naioth, Saul sent men to watch David's house and to kill him in the morning. David knew about it and his wife, Michal, helped him to escape. During this time David wrote Psalm 59, a prayer of strength and deliverance from his enemies. In v. 19-24 The men reported to Saul that David was at Naioth. Saul sent men to kill David. On the way to David's house they met a group of prophets prophesying with Samuel as their leader. They ended up prophesying with the prophets. Saul eventually came and end up prophesying as well.

In 1Samuel 20 (v. 1-17) the friendship deepened between David and Jonathan. Jonathan promised to protect David and warn him of Saul's intention. David and Jonathan made a covenant (v. 16) to each other. In verse 18-23 a plan of warning David was devised to let David know Saul's intention towards David. In verses 24-34, Saul discloses his intention to kill David and even ended throwing a sword at Jonathan to kill his own son! In v. 35-45 Jonathan warned David and the reminded each other of the friendship they had for each other, and reaffirmed the covenant they had made with each other.

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David and Jonathan-Rembrandt
What have we learnt from this? Jonathan was a friend to David even though it would cost him the throne. He knew that David would be king one day instead of him. The evil spirit from the Lord does not mean that God have evil spirits rather it meant He ALLOWED evil spirits to control Saul but each time He protected David against Saul. David did not retaliate against Saul. He knew that he would become king one day. He waited on the Lord even though Saul tried to kill him with the spear three times and sent men to kill him at his house. David evaded Saul but did not kill Saul. He left the vengeance up to God to deal with Saul. Rom 12.17-21.

1Samuel 21 (1-6) David went to Nob, where he met Ahimelech, the priest. David lied and told him that he was on a mission from Saul. He asked him for five loaves of bread, or some food. Ahimelech gave him some consecrated bread from the altar. In 7-9, Doeg the Edomite was also there and he watched David took Goliath’s sword. Psalm 52 was written at that time.
In v. 10-12, he fled to the Philistines in Gath where went to King Achish, the king for protection. David was desperate, he stayed with the Philsitines, knowing that they would not trust him because he had killed Goliath and launched many military campaigns against them. This was when he wrote Psalm 56. In verse 13-15 He pretended to be insane before Achish and his servants. Achish. Psalm 34 is associated with this event. According to the NIV Study Bible, Abimelech was a traditional dynastic name for Achish.

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David and Saul - Gustave Dore

1 Samuel 19, with Commentaries, verse by verse
1 Samuel 20, with Commentaries, verse by verse

1 Samuel 21, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Pink on the Life of David

Links to Commentaries and other References - 1Samuel

Luke 11.29-54, Commentaries, verse by verse

In Luke 11.29-32; Matthew 12.39-42. He told the crowd that this was a wicked generation, it had asked for a miraculous sign (v. 16). He said the onlys sign they would get would be the sign of Jonah. (Jonah 1.17). Jonah was ‘buried’ in the belly of a huge fish for three days, just as how Jesus would be buried for three days before resurrecting. He refuse to give them a miracle because they had wrong motives. What about us? Do we come to Jesus for the wrong things with the wrong motives?

In Luke 11.34,35; Matthew 6.22, 23. Jesus said still addressing the crowd about miraculous signs,. that a lamp was intended to give light to everyone in its vicinity. So in the same way the eye is the lamp of the body, if its is good, the body is full of light, if it is bad, the body will be full of darkness. So in our lives, we need good eyes to allow the Light of the world to enter into our lives. If we have good eyes we would not ask foi a sign.

IVP Commentary on Luke 10

Luke 11:37-54
A Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him but he was surprised that Jesus did not wash before the meal. Jesus gave him an opinion of what he thought of the Pharisees. Jesus did not mince words with him. Here he gave six woes against the Pharisees. (v. 42, 43, 44), he also added the remaining woes to the experts in the laws as well! (v. 46, 47 and 53). Jesus was against the religious formalism shown by the Pharisees and the experts in the law. The inside of the man (a man’ heart ) and inner righteousness is more important than the outside (ceremonial cleansing) and religious formalism.

IVP Commentary on Luke 10

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Sunday, April 10, 2005

April 11 Readings

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

Try the Three Years in the Bible: Year 1 Law and History; Year 2 Poetry and Prophecy and Year 3 New Testament. You can start with any of the three years and finsh the Bible at a slower pace in three years

You can also check out all these Reading Plans Blogs to go through the Bible in a year from Back to the Bible Reading Lists:the Chronological Reading Plan blog; OT and NT Together blog; Historical Readings blog; Blended Readings blog and Beginning to End blog In addition, there is the Theophilus1 blog in the One Year Bible format and The Daily Bible in Chronological Order

The Back to the Bible Beginning to End Reading Plan OT and NT Together

Index of OT + NT Together

The Reign of Saul
Today's reading 1Samuel 17-18; Luke 11.1-28

King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: 1Samuel 17; 1Samuel 18; Luke 11

In Samuel 17 deals with the killing of Goilath by David. The spiritual lesson to be learnt here was that David went in the strength of the Lord. He had remembered what God did for him, delivering him form the paw of the lion, and the paw of the bear (v. 37). David reasoned with faith that God would deliver him from Goliath. Saul offered him his armor, but David was not used to wearing it. Instead, he used five smooth stones and a sling, and he approached Goliath in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel (v. 45). He struck Goliath on the forehead, he felled facedown, then he killed him with Goliath's sword. Spiritual lessons to be learnt? Having victory in the Christian Life is done BY GOD's WAY! God is the God of Surprises! David REMEMBERED what God had done for him and he applied that faith to the current situation. God used five small stones, a sling and a shpherd boy (foolish things) of the world to (confound the wise!) defeat Goliath! That day the Israelites had a major victory over the Philistines.

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Oversize Picture of David and Goliath

1Samuel 18
Jonathan became a close friend of David (verse 1-4). David's influence increased and he became popular. Saul became jealous because the women sang "Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands. An evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul. In a fit of rage, Saul hurled a spaer at David. David was a good military leader (v.12-17) and Saul beca,e afraid of him (v.17-27). Saul promised Merab, his older daughter to David but later gave her to Adriel. Saul then gave Michal to David to marry. Saul's attitude hardened against David (28-30).

1 Samuel 17, with Commentaries, verse by verse
1 Samuel 18, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Links to Commentaries and other References - 1Samuel

Luke 11.1-28, Commentaries, verse by verse

Luke 11.2-4; Matthew 6.9-13 Jesus taught the disciples to pray. This was not the Lord’s prayer as it is commonly called rather it should be called the disciples’ prayer. The Lord’s prayer is recorded in John 17! Notice Jesus used this as a model prayer. He started off first by addressing the worship of God first before we come to God with our needs. Then we can asked for our needs. Another element is the asking for daily forgiveness of our sins as we forgive our neighbor on a daily basis..

In verse 5-8 Jesus teaches persistence or boldness in prayer and then he gives the assurance that prayers would be answered by God (verse 9-13) giving the illustration of earthly fathers giving his children good things and not harmful things.
Verses 9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
11 "If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
12 "Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (NKJV).

Luke 11.14-36
In (v. 14-28) Jesus had exhorted a demon from a man who was mute. Some there said thet He drove the demons out by the help of Beelzebub (Satan), other tried to test him by asking for a sign from heaven (v. 16).. Jesus rebuked them by saying (Luke 11.17-27; Mark 3.23-27) that how can a kingdom be divided among itself if Beelzebub helped Jesus in drive out this demon from the mute person. But if was not with the help of Satan that He drove it out, then the Kingdom of God was among them. The application os either you are for Jesus or you are against Him. There is no middle ground. You cannot be neutral when it comes to the Lordship of Jesus in your life. Jesus had also blessed are those who hear the word of God AND obey it. (v. 28). It is not enough just to hear the word of God, it has to be obeyed as well.

IVP Commentary on Luke 10

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Saturday, April 02, 2005

April 2 Readings

You can also check out all these Reading Plans Blogs to go through the Bible in a year from Back to the Bible Reading Lists:the Chronological Reading Plan blog; OT and NT Together blog; Historical Readings blog; Blended Readings blog and Beginning to End blog In addition, there is the Theophilus1 blog in the One Year Bible format and The Daily Bible in Chronological Order

The Back to the Bible OT and NT Together Reading Plan

Index of OT + NT Together

Judges 16-18; Luke 7.1-30

Samson
Judges 16-18
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: Judges 16; Judges 17; Judges 18; Luke 7;
Micah and the Danites

Judges 16
Samson slept with a prostitute, fell in love with Delilah. The Philistine leaders wanted to find out the secret behind Samson's strength, and offered Delilah money to find out the strength of Samson. After several false answers that Samson gave Delilah about the secret of his strength, he finally gave in and told her the secret of his strength which was the shaving of his hair with a razor. she betrayed him, they gouged out his eyes. Samson died by pulling down the pillars of the temple and killing many more when he died than when he was alive.

What do we learn from the life of Samson. God uses even the sinfulness of man to accomplish his purpose to bring glory to His name. The Holy Spirit was involved in the the life of Samson when he had exhibited these great strength in killing the Philistines. Samson was a slave to his lust, he chose the wrong women in his life and that was his downfall. Despite all of Samson's weaknesses and faults he was listed among the heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11.32). The important lesson to learn is God can use sinners who are willing to be used by Him.

Judges 17
The action of one family can influence a nation for good or bad. We have seen this with the Billy Graham's family. The action of that one family has brought glory to God's name and has brought many into God's Kingdom and has influenced the nation for good. There are may examples of bad families that has influenced the United States. But today, we are looking at the family of Micah. This family was devoted to idolatry. The man, Micah created idols, his mother encouraged him to make idols and out of her mouth came blessings and curse (James 3.9-10). She care more about money than her son! Micah had hired a Levite. This Levite should know better because all Levites were consecrated to God and he knew the Law. He was only wanted money, he definitely was not a servant of God.

Judges 18
The Levite compromised himself further by going to the Danites because they offered him more money. From this corruption in the one family spread to a clan then to a tribe and this affected the whole tribe of Dan. The Danites had sent our spies and discovered this Levite, hired him as their seer, and took his idols with them. Micah and his neighbors overtook the Danites, tried to recapture the Levite and the idols but failed. To make matters worse, the Danites attacked Laish In the process, where innocent people died, and burned down their city. They renamed the city Dan and made the city a center of worship for their idols. The irony was that they were living in 'a place that lacks nothing whatever' yet there was one thing they lacked and it was God's blessing on their lives.

What do we learn from the life of Micah. Sin is like yeast, a little of it makes the dough rises. The Levite, of all the people should know better. Sometimes we compromise ourselves instead of standing up for what is right. The Levite sold himself for money just as Judas Iscariot sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver.

Judges 16, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Judges 17, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Judges 18, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Division of the Land
Tribal Lands
Pett on Samson
Pett on Micah
Division of the Land
Tribal Lands

Links to Commentaries and other References - Judges

Luke 7.1-30 with Commentaries, verse by verse
In Luke 7.1-10; Matthew 8.5-13, Luke told the story of the healing of the Roman centurion's servant. It is interesting that even Gentiles came to Jesus for healing. The centurion cared for his servant and wanted Jesus to healed him. We have to understand the power and authority that a Roman centurion has the authority over 100 men. The Romans occupied Israel at that time. It is interesting to note the attitude of the centurion, he did assert his authority nor was he proud nor arrogant. Instead he was humble. In verses 6-8 When Jesus was near the house he said, " 6Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, "Go,' and he goes; and to another, "Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this,' and he does it." (NKJV) This man what authority was but even more, he knew Jesus had AUTHORITY to heal his servant. Jesus was amazed at the faith of this centurion, He said that 'He has never seen faith so great like the Centurion in Israel, and He healed his servant.

God has a special love for orphans and widows (Psalm 68.5). Jesus went into the town of Nain (Luke 7.11-16; 1Kings 17.17-24; 2Kings 4.32-37; Mark 5.21-24, 35-43; John 11.1-55) and saw some people carrying the dead body who was the son of a widow. He said to her 'Don't cry.' He went up and touched the coffin and said to the young man in the coffin 'Young man, I say to you get up.' The people were all filled with awe. We are in the Passion week and this Sunday will be Easter Sunday, we should realize that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. He rose from the dead so will we. Jesus' heart reached out for this widow (v. 13). Jesus wept (John 11.35) at Lazarus' grave. God know how we feel when we lose a loved one, that was why He went to the cross to defeat death!

John the Baptist's disciples came to him and told him about the miracles that Jesus did. He sent two disciples to ask him if He was the one to come or should they expect someone else. At that time Jesus was perfoming many miracles, He told the two disciples the verse from Isaiah 29.18-19 18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 19 Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. He gave John a gentle rebuke 'Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.'

Luke 7-8.3 IVP Commentary

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.

Friday, April 01, 2005

April 1 Readings

Judges 15
Samson wanted to be with his Philistine wife when her father refused to let him see her. Samson got angry, caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs, fastened a toch to every pair of tails and let them run through the grains, vineyards and olive groves. The Philistines retaliated by killing Samson's wife and her father. Samson retaliated by killing a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey.

What do we learn from the life of Samson. God uses even the sinfulness of man to accomplish his purpose to bring glory to His name. The Holy Spirit was involved in the the life of Samson when he had exhibited these great strength in killing the Philistines. Samson was a slave to his lust, he chose the wrong women in his life and that was his downfall. Despite all of Samson's weaknesses and faults he was listed among the heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11.32). The important lesson to learn is God can use sinners who are willing to be used by Him.

Pett on Samson
Judges 13, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Judges 14, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Judges 15, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Division of the Land
Tribal Lands

Other Links
OT Gateway Links on Judges
Introduction to Judges by Malik
Malik Argument of Judges
Israel's Dark Age by Deffinbaugh
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Zeisler on Judges, scroll down
Spurgeon on Judges
Biblebb.com Website
Ritchie on Judges - 9 sermons

With the Word Commentary-Warren Wiersbe
Wycliffe Bible Commentary
Keil & Delitzsch Commentaries on the Old Testament
Expositor's Bible Commentary
Pulpit Bible Commentary
J. Vernon McGee Commentaries
Evangelical Commentary on the Old Testament
The Commentary Page

Luke 6.27-49 with Commentaries, verse by verse

Jesus spoke about loving enemies (Luke 6.29,30; Matthew 5.39-42). Jesus said something radical here, He exhibited this example during his trial and crucifixion. He had God’s love,. Agape love which is a gift of the Spirit. None of us are able to love our enemies unless the Spirit enables us to love in the agape love. Jesus said it is easy and natural to love your friend and family but it is very unnatural to love your enemies.

Finally in Luke 6.37-42; Matthew 7.1-8; Jesus said ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. This verse has been misquoted by well-meaning Christians. It does not mean that we should examine each others lives to see if there was fruit in them or we should test the spirit in other “Christians” to ensure that they are. What Jesus meant about ‘do not judge’, he meant do not have unjust or hypocritical judgement of men. As seen in Matthew 7.5 ‘You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your eye.’

Jesus continued in Luke 6:43-44; Matthew 7:16,18,20 that we should have spiritual discretion in being 'fruit inspectors'. We should have the wisdom to know someone who is a professing and practising Christian from someone who only claims to be. The fruit a person bears WILL reflect what the person in on the inside.

In Luke 6.47-49; Matthew 7.24-27, Jesus continued with the parable of the wise men building a house upon the rock where there is a sure foundation versus building a house on a sand would only be built by foolish men. When the storms of life hit that person's life it will stand or fall based on the foundation upon which it is built. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3.11: For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (NASB). The question we need to ask ourselves is on what foundation are you building your life on? I hope you say, Jesus Christ.

More Links in Luke
IVP Commentary on Luke
Introduction to Luke-Malik
Argument for the Gospel of Luke-Malik
Deffinbaugh on Luke
Lightfoot on Luke
Ritchie on Luke
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Sermons on Luke by Ryle, Spurgeon, and Whitefield
John Piper Sermons on Luke

More Commentary Links for the New Testamant
Expositor's Bible Commentary
Pulpit Bible Commentary on the New Testament
With the Word Commentary NT-Warren Wiersbe
The New Commentary
Through the Bible-Matt-Acts-J. Vernon McGee
Benson's Commentary on the NT-Matt-Acts
Evangelical Commentary on the New Testament

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.