Category: 1 Year Bible Reading Plan

In 2 Samuel 16-18, we read the record of David’s continuing retreat from Jerusalem, of Absalom’s arrival there, and of Absalom’s defeat and death. The high points of the chapters are: 1) David was cursed by Shimei a Benjamite as he was leaving Jerusalem. One of David’s men wanted to kill him, but David’s response was that his own son had rebelled against him, how much more this Benjamite. 2) When Absalom entered Jerusalem, Ahithophel, his advisor, told Absalom to go in to David’s concubines as a sign that he was taking over the palace. Then he told Absalom to go after David with 20,000 men at that time and destroy him, before he made it across the Jordan. Hushai, one of David’s trusted advisors, who had stayed behind in Jerusalem to confound Absalom’s plans, told Absalom to wait until the next day, and to amass all of Israel against David. This plan saved David’s life and set into motion Absalom’s defeat. Ahithophel was so upset that his plan was not received that he left the group, went home, and hanged himself. 3) Absalom and his army went after David the next David. David had told his commanders and all his troops to deal gently with Absalom, but when the time came, and Absalom was literally caught in a tree, Joab killed him. When the troops returned from battle they returned to David sobbing in remorse for Absalom’s death. That is how chapter 18 ends. A day that was a great victory for David appeared to be more like a defeat.  All these events are the living out of the consequence of David’s sin with Bathsheba. While David repented of the sin, the consequence remained. What an important lesson for us to remember: God will always forgive our sins when we repent, but the consequence of our sins may remain with us. We can escape from sin and eternal death, but the consequences of our actions often remain.

As we return to Mark 12, we read one of the longest sections of teaching in Mark’s gospel. Jesus has entered Jerusalem. Holy Week has begun. He has cleansed the Temple, and now He takes on the religious leaders. First, He tells the Parable of the Tenants, an obvious illustration of how the religious leaders were going to kill Him. Then He faced several tests from the religious leaders, passing each one easily. In the first test the religious leaders asked whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. They saw this as a “lose-lose” question for Jesus. If He said, “Yes,” they would say He was disloyal to Israel. If He said, “No,” they would turn Him into the Romans. Jesus didn’t answer either yes or no, but told them to render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and to God the things that belong to God. Next, the Sadducees who didn’t believe in the resurrection (That’s why the were sad, you see!) came to him with a story about a woman who was married to seven different men, and asked whose wife she would be in the resurrection, because she was married to each? Jesus answered that in heaven we are neither married or given in marriage, but we are like angels. Then He pointed out that in the time of Moses when God appeared to Moses, He told Moses, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…. At that time, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been dead for a long time, but Jesus’ point was God said they were alive, proving the resurrection is a reality. Finally, Jesus was asked which commandment in the Law is the greatest. The test here was Jesus could answer in a way that the religious leaders could argue was “wrong.” Once again Jesus demonstrated His command of the Law by stating the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and another commandment is like it: to love our neighbors as ourselves. No one could argue with that answer. Jesus closed out His time with the religious leaders by pointing out that the Messiah is both the Son of David and the Lord of David, which astounded the crowd. He warned the crowd about the hypocrisy of the Scribes. Then chapter 12 ends with Jesus pointing out the faithfulness and generosity of a poor widow, who gave her last two coins as an offering to God. Jesus pointed out this was a greater gift than the “generous” gifts of those who gave a great quantity of offering, but only out of their surplus. Jesus’ interactions in chapter 12 show us no one is wiser than He, and no one is more faithful than He. As some political leaders have been described as “presidential,” we would have to describe Jesus as “Messiah-like,” because He was, indeed, the Messiah!

In 2 Samuel 13 the prophecy of Nathan regarding David and his household starts to come to pass. First, David’s son Amnon raped his half sister Tamar. Tamar’s brother, Absalom, retaliated by killing Amnon. The report that came to David said Absalom had killed all of his brothers, but it was only Amnon. Absalom ran away, but eventually came back to Jerusalem, and David was “comforted” by this return. While every family has its dysfunctions, King David’s family shows us how far a family’s dysfunction can go when its leader sets a poor example.

In 2 Samuel 14, Joab conspires to have King David bring Absalom back to Jerusalem by having a woman of Tekoa, tell a story about her son who had killed another, and seeking David’s help in the situation. When David told her he would help her, she asked why the kind put his own son in the same situation. David asked the woman if Joab had put her up to it, and she confessed he had. David permitted Absalom to come back to Jerusalem, but he was not permitted to live with David, and David did not see him for two years. Absalom then convinced Joab to get David to permit him to see his father. It seemed that all was well, but in 2 Samuel 15, Absalom turned the hearts of the people against his father, by showing them favor, and judging their disputes. It took four years, but eventually Absalom staged an attempted overthrow, and had himself pronounced king at Hebron. David didn’t attack Absalom, or go to Hebron to defend himself. He simply packed up and left. He made a few strategic moves, such as having the Ark of the Covenant stay in the city, so it would be protected, and because it would be there if the LORD saw fit to have David retain his throne. In addition, he had some trusted advisors pretend to have rebelled against him, so they could thwart Absalom’s planning. The situation was dire, but as we will see, God was not yet finished with David.

As we return to Mark 11, we look once again at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The sequence of events included the people acknowledging Jesus as a descendant of David, and honoring Him in a way they had not done before. Jesus cursed a fig tree that wasn’t bearing figs, and overturned the moneychangers tables in the Temple, demonstrating His authority to protect His Father’s house. Jesus explained the lesson of the withered fig tree, and how faith in God can move mountains. At the end of the chapter the religious authorities challenged Jesus’ authority, but as always Jesus was ahead of them. He asked where John the Baptists authority originated. The leaders wouldn’t say, because they knew the people thought John was a prophet, so they didn’t want to offend the people by saying John’s authority was merely human, but if they said it was from God, Jesus would ask them why they hadn’t obeyed him. So, they said they didn’t know. Jesus responded He wouldn’t tell them from where His authority arose. We can never outwit Jesus, because He is both wiser than us, and He is always at least one step ahead of us. Our goal as Jesus’ followers is to give Him the credit he is due all the time, not just once as the folks did on the first Palm Sunday so long ago. Also, we must submit to Jesus’ authority daily, so our lives will be lived to His glory and praise.

2 Samuel 9 shows us David’s compassion. After becoming solidly in charge of Israel, he asked whether anyone was left of Saul’s household to whom he could show kindness, because of his friendship with Jonathan. Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, was living. He had become lame in both feet, because he had been dropped by his nurse, when he was a boy. David restored to Mephibosheth all of Saul’s land, and gave him a place at his own table for meals. In other words, Mephibosheth lived in David’s home.  David called on Ziba, Saul’s servant to take charge of all of Saul’s land, and to care for it for Mephibosheth. In a time when victorious kings generally slaughtered everyone who was left of their predecessor’s family, we see why David was called a man after God’s own heart.

In 2 Samuel 10 we read of another act of compassion shown by David, which ended up with Israel defeating two nations in battle. The king of the Ammonites died, but when David sent a delegation to Hanun, the king’s son, to pay David’s respects, the princes of the Ammonites convinced Hanun that David’s motives weren’t to console him, but to spy out their situation. Thus, the Ammonites humiliated David’s delegation by cutting off half of each of their beards, and cutting off their robes at the hips. As a result, David went to battle against the Ammonites. As was common in that day, when a nation saw they were likely to lose in battle, the Ammonites called on the Syrians to fight on their behalf. David’s leaders, Joab and Abishai, went against the two nations and defeated them, but the Syrians mounted a counter-offensive. This time David gathered the whole army of Israel and defeated the Syrians soundly. The result was the Syrians paid tribute to Israel and were unwilling to fight for the Ammonites again. David’s power was reaching its apex. Soon, no nation would dare fight against Israel. God’s favor was upon him, and we can see why the Israelites would later refer to David’s reign as the golden age of their nation.

2 Samuel 11 marks a great and sad turning point in David’s life. It starts off with the statement, “In the spring of the year, the time kings go out to war, David sent Joab…” It was David’s task to go to war, but he sent his army commander, and stayed in Jerusalem. David shirked his work as king. As a result he was idle. One afternoon, after he got up from a nap, he went out and saw a beautiful woman taking a bath on her roof. He called for the woman, even though he knew she was married. He had sex with her and she became pregnant. The woman was Bathsheba. She was the wife of one of David’s bravest soldiers, Uriah the Hittite. When David realized what he had done, he called Uriah home from the battlefront to have some time with his wife. David’s plan was for Uriah to have sex with his wife and then he would assume the child was his when it was born. The plan failed, because Uriah was too honorable to go home and be with his wife, while the rest of the army remained in battle. He slept outside David’s palace. This went on for several days, and when David realized he couldn’t convince Uriah to go home to be with Bathsheba, he sent Uriah back to the front with a sealed message for Joab. The message was for Joab to see that Uriah was killed in battle. David planned to cover up his adultery with murder. The plan “worked.”

2 Samuel 12 shows us why I put “worked” in quotes. While David got away with murdering Uriah, and then took Bathsheba into his palace as his wife after her time of mourning was over, God sent the prophet Nathan to David to confront him over his sin. Nathan couched the confrontation in terms of a poor man who had a ewe lamb, who rich neighbor took it, killed it and served it for dinner when guests came rather than taking a lamb from his flock. Dave became so incensed at the story that he shouted, “That man deserves to die!” Nathan responded, “You are the man.” At once David recognized his sin. He repented, and God forgave him, but the consequences of his actions were grave. God told him there would always be internal conflict in his family, and one of his own sons would sleep with his concubines in broad daylight. The son born to Bathsheba would die.  This happened. We see once again no one is beyond God’s judgment, not even David the great king. Sin is sin. There’s always a consequence. Even if no one else knows about it God does. David’s story is a powerful reminder that we must live in God’s righteousness and the power of His Spirit. Otherwise, even the “best” among us will fall.

As we return to Mark 10, the chapter starts with Jesus affirming God’s plan for marriage as stated in Genesis 2: marriage between one man and one woman for life. He adds, “What God has joined let no one separate.” Then Jesus blesses children who have been brought to Him by their parents. The disciples protested that Jesus was too busy for this, but Jesus rebuked the disciples and reminded them the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children.

Next, we read the account of the rich young man who wanted Jesus to tell hi how to gain eternal life. When Jesus told him to obey the commandments, and the man said he had, Jesus told him he lacked one thing: he needed to sell all he had and give it to the poor, and then to come follow Him. the man declined the offer, because His wealth was too important to him. How sad that the man put money before a relationship with Jesus!

Jesus then tells the disciples a third time He was going to be crucified and rise again. This time James and John seeing the opportunity Jesus’ enthronement would bring, ask to sit at the right and the left side of His throne when He came into His Kingdom.  Jesus told them it wasn’t for Him to give this honor, and that it wasn’t for those who follow Jesus to seek it. Our task is to serve first, and let the LORD decide our position.

Finally, as is Mark’s custom, Jesus heals someone. This time it’s blind Bartimaeus. Jesus tells Bartimaeus it was his faith that healed him. Once again we see the connection between faith and healing. This time the person needing the healing had faith. At other times it was a friend’s faith. At others it was Jesus own faith and power that healed. Faith is always a key component when it comes to receiving God’s wholeness in our lives.

In 2 Samuel 5, we read of David being made king over all of Israel at the city of Hebron. It took David seven years to overtake Jerusalem and make it his home and the capital of Israel. We’re told David “ruled” over Israel for forty years. We also read of David defeating the Philistines, and the LORD defeating them a second time. The LORD was with David as we have already seen, and will continue to see as we move through 2 Samuel.

in 2 Samuel 6, David has the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem, but not without difficulty. Uzzah, one of the men who transported the Ark was killed when he reached out to steady it, because the ox had stumbled. While it seems Uzzah was only trying to help, he was not a priest. This both frightened and angered David, so he left the Ark where it was at the  home of  Obed-edom. During the three months it was there, the family of Obed-edom was blessed, so David decided again to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. This time he offered a sacrifice to the LORD after every six steps. David danced before the LORD, and Michal, his wife, was offended by David’s display before the LORD. As a result, she never had children. Again, we see actions have consequences, and they were often more immediate than at times in our lives.

In 2 Samuel 7, David told Nathan the prophet he wanted to build a “house” for the LORD. Nathan told him to do what was in his heart, but then the LORD told Nathan David would not be the one to build the Temple, but David’s son. The LORD promised the leadership of Israel would never depart from one of his offspring. David’s response was gratitude and humility.

In 2 Samuel 8, we read of David’s conquests over the near neighbors of Israel. Often David gave the spoils of the victories to the LORD. While it’s fitting That David did so, we find David’s response was consistently right and good, unlike that of Saul who came before Him. Soon enough David will show his own weaknesses, but in the initial years of his reign, he followed the LORD faithfully.

As we return to Mark 9 once again, we’re reminded of the powerful moment when Jesus was transfigured with Moses and Elijah in front of Peter, James, and John. The moment shows us all Jesus is who He says He is. It only confirms what Peter had proclaimed in Mark 8. When the foursome travelled down the mountain, they found the other nine disciples struggling unsuccessfully to remove a demon from a boy. Jesus shows an unusual lack of patience, or a bit of consternation at the situation. He heals the boy, but not before a brief confrontation with the boy’s father. When the man said, “If you can do something…” Jesus corrected the  man, “If…All things are possible for those who believe.  What a helpful reminder to us as well. Jesus’ power to save, heal, deliver people from demons, and whatever else needs to be done in our lives is more than sufficient. We must sometimes ask Jesus to help us in our unbelief, and He will. Our task is to open ourselves to Jesus in every situation, so He can work in and through us to will and to work for His good pleasure!

Today, we turn to 2 Samuel. In the first chapter David learns of Saul’s death. The account of Saul’s death is slightly different than we read it in 1 Samuel. An Amalekite came and told David. He said he had killed Saul at Saul’s request, because Saul was mortally wounded, but hadn’t died. David responded to the report by mourning, having the Amalekite killed for killing Saul, and then pronouncing a poem of praise in memory of Saul and Jonathan. We see David’s honor once again. He didn’t gloat at the death of the man who had attempted to kill him on numerous occasions, and hunted him as if he were a wild animal. Instead, he carried out justice against Saul’s “killer,” and honored the memory of Saul and Jonathan.

In 2 Samuel 2, David was anointed King of Judah, but Abner, King Saul’s body guard proclaimed Ish-Bosheth one of Saul’s son as king over the remainder of Israel. The two armies went out against each other, and twelve men were selected from each side to battle in hand-to-hand combat. With one move each man killed his opponent, so all twelve were dead. This led to more fighting and at one point Asahel, one of three brothers who were David’s right hand men: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, chased after Abner. Abner told him to turn aside from chasing him, but Asahel would not, so Abner killed him. Then Joab and Abishai chased after Joab. Finally, Joab called for a “cease fire,” and everyone went home. This would not be the end of the conflict, as God had Samuel anoint David as king over Israel many years before, and that anointing meant one day David would rule over the entire nation.

In 2 Samuel 3 Abner saw the LORD was with David and decided to go over to his side. David welcomed the gesture, but when Joab heard about it, he called Abner to a private meeting and killed him in retribution for killing Asahel. David made it clear to everyone that Joab had acted on his own, and mourned for Abner. This pleased all the people of Israel and made David’s positions King secure. In 2 Samuel 4 two men decided to do David a “favor,” and killed Ish-Bosheth. When they brought his dead body to David, David responded by pointing out he had avenged Saul’s death, and how much more would he avenge the death of an “innocent” man. So, he had his men kill Ish-Bosheth’s murderers. As we read through these chapters, we see much killing both in the battles with foreign nations, and through infighting among the Israelites themselves. Many see this as an indication that the “God” of the Old Testament is a different God than that of the New Testament, that we see through Jesus. It is not a different God. There is only one, true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As we have pointed out on a number of occasions, thus far. God was establishing a nation. It was to be a holy nation. While some of the killing we see was not God’s justice, and some of it was and would be condemned by God, we cannot miss the truth that sometimes people died because of God’s judgment on their lives.

As we return again to Mark 8, remember this is the turning point in this gospel. It starts with the record of Jesus feeding the 4,000. Then it moves to a confrontation with the Pharisees–nothing  new there. This time it was over the Pharisees wanting Jesus to show them a sign. He had just fed thousands of people with a small amount of food. What was that? Then Jesus healed a blind man. The turning point comes when Jesus asks His disciples who the crowds said He was? After they responded to that question, Jesus asked, “But who do you say I am?” That is the question, isn’t it? Who do you and I say Jesus is? Peter got the right answer and immediately after that Jesus told the disciples He was going to be handed over to the religious leaders and be crucified, but He would rise again. Peter took Jesus on over that statement. He didn’t expect the Messiah to die. His plans didn’t include it, and undoubtedly he had grown used to Jesus’ supernatural powers and presence in his life. Jesus made it clear Peter’s plans were not from God, but from Satan. He then turned to the crowd and reminded them (and us!) of the cost of following Him. From this point forward in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is heading toward Jerusalem and His appointment with His destiny-dying on the cross to pay the penalty for human sin, and rising again to show He had conquered sin and death.

Today, we come to the end of 1 Samuel. Chapters 29-30 record the Philistine leaders’ rejection of David as a participant in their battle against Israel. While Achish believed in David’s faithfulness to him, the rest of the leaders saw the battle as the perfect opportunity for him to turn against them and regain the favor of the Israelites. So, Achish sent David and his men home.

When they returned to Ziklag, they found that their wives and children had been taken and their goods stolen. The men were so angry and sad they decided to stone David. Of course, it wasn’t David’s fault, but the men needed someone to blame in their state of anguish. In that moment, we are told “David strengthened himself in the LORD.” I have always loved that verse. David didn’t make excuses. He didn’t attempt to run. He turned to the LORD for strength, and the LORD gave it. He turned to Abiathar, the priest, and asked whether they ought to pursue those who had taken their families and their possessions. The LORD responded to go. Eventually, they found out it had been Amalekites who took their families. They caught up with them and defeated them. As they were traveling to find the Amalekites, 200 of David’s men had become to tired to continue. They stayed behind with the baggage. When the rest returned with their families and the loot from defeating the Amalekites, the men wanted to give the 200 their families, but no share of the spoils. David vetoed that idea, and established a principle that those who stayed with the baggage would receive the same share as those who fought in the battle. This is one more sign of David’s sense of fairness, and one more reason he was a great leader.

In chapter 31, King Saul and the Israelites engaged the Philistines in battle. As the apparition had predicted, Saul was defeated. As he was dying from a mortal wound from a Philistine archer, Saul told his armor bearer to kill him, so the Philistines wouldn’t have the honor of doing so. The armor bearer refused, so Saul fell on his own sword and died. Three of Sauls sons also died in the battle and the troops of Israel scattered. When the Philistines found Saul and his sons, they cut off Saul’s head, and hung his body and the bodies of his sons on display. Some valiant men from Jabesh-gilead went and got the bodies, and burned them to end the desecration of the Philistines. 1 Samuel ends there. The Israelites are in disarray. Their king is dead. The Philistines are pre-eminent in the area. All seems gloomy. But as we will see, this is the beginning of Israel’s golden age, because now David will ascend to the throne, and their future holds great promise. Many times in the history of God’s people, and in our lives as His followers, the present moment seems hopeless. Always remember: hopeless is not a Christian word. As long as God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in control of the universe hope remains.

As we return to Mark 7 once again, Jesus is in another disagreement with the Jewish religious leaders. This time they are upset that Jesus’ disciples didn’t follow the rituals of ceremonial washing. Jesus reminded them and everyone that it isn’t the outside of our bodies that matters, but the inside. Our hearts determine whether we are “clean” or “unclean,” not whether their is dirt on our skin. Jesus made a big deal about this, because the Jewish culture of Israel in that day had become so focused on the external observances of the Jewish faith, rather than their relationship with the LORD. The two other aspects of the chapter demonstrate Jesus’ healing power. As we have seen throughout Mark’s gospel, while Jesus’ teaching is part of the gospel record, Mark is much more concerned with Jesus’ actions. This time He provides healing for the daughter of a Syro-Phonecian woman, which was a rare time when Jesus healed someone who wasn’t an Israelite. He also healed a deaf man, which shows us nothing in the realm of physical healing was too difficult for Him. As we face the various physical challenges that come to us, it is always good to remember to turn to Jesus first. There’s nothing wrong with turning to medicine or other medical solutions, but remember Jesus is the Great Physician, and He cares for our needs.

In 1 Samuel 26, God again delivers King Saul into David’s hands, and once again David spares Saul’s life. This time the LORD caused a supernatural sleep to fall on Saul and his entire army, which allowed David and Abishai to go into the camp. They took Saul’s spear and water jug, then went some distance away and called out to Abner, Saul’s body guard. When Saul realized David had once again spared his life, he told David he wouldn’t search for him again, and pronounced a blessing on David’s life. While Saul caused most of his own problems (don’t we all most of the time?), he went back and forth between doing the right thing, and letting his selfishness cause him to listen to bad advice, and to be jealous of David, who would have gladly given his life for Saul.  If we learn anything from these incidents, we ought to learn to trust those whose relationship with us is based on their relationship with God first-and-foremost.  In the same way, we need to learn to live out our relationships with others through the Holy Spirit. That way, we won’t be led by our selfish desires or swayed by the opinions of those who are being swayed by their own selfishness or the world’s thinking.

1 Samuel 27 records David’s plan for escaping from the fickle Saul, who had promised not to pursue him any longer, but in David’s mind could not be trusted. David and his men moved to Gath in the land of the Philistines. He made an agreement to serve King Achish, so Achish gave him and his men the town of Ziklag. David and his men would go out to the surrounding towns of Girzites and the Amalekites and attack. He would kill every person and bring the spoils back, giving some to Achish. But David told Achish he was attacking towns in Judah. In this way, David gained the confidence of Achish, while not destroying his ability to return to Judah one day, when Saul died or lost power in Israel. When we look at the plan, filled with deception as it was, we can’t say it was God’s will that David do this. Yet, ultimately it provided David the opportunity to become King of Israel, as God had promised David he would be.  God didn’t make David sin or do what was deceptive. That’s so important for us to understand. But eventually God used the flawed David, because all he has are “flawsome” (flawed + awesome) not “awesome” people.

In 1 Samuel 28, we see Saul’s desperation, as he seeks a witch’s help in conjuring up Samuel, who has been dead for some time. Saul faced another battle with the Philistines, and he wanted to know what the outcome would be. Saul had outlawed witches, but he tricked the witch of Endor to help him by dressing in disguise. Much debate has taken place over who or what the witch conjured up for Saul. It wasn’t Samuel, but could have been a “familiar spirit,” or other demonic being. In any case, Saul received the worst possible news–the Israelites would lose the battle and Saul would die. Meanwhile, at the beginning of the chapter King Achish had told David that he and his men would be fighting for the Philistines against Israel in the impending battle. David said he would be loyal to Achish, but as we’ll see God would intervene once again, so David would not have to fight against his own people. While each of us has freedom to exercise our wills in our daily lives, to make choices, decisions and commitments that impact our presents and our futures, nothing takes place outside of God’s knowledge or sovereignty. He doesn’t dictate our lives, but He directs them.

As we return to Mark 6, we’re reminded once again that Jesus was not only rejected by the Jewish religious leaders. He was also rejected by the people in His hometown. He couldn’t do many miracles there, because of the people’s lack of faith. As we seek to live and serve among our family members, we might find at times that we, too, are rejected by those closest to us. The first time I preached a sermon as an ordained minister, my Mom was at the service. When it was over, she said to me, “When I saw you up there, wearing your robe (at the time the church I served had the pastors wear black robes) and preaching, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. What she meant was she remembered all the times in my life when I had done bad things, foolish things, silly things. She was, after all, the one who brought me into the world. Holding all that in her mind, it was hard for her to see me as a “preacher.” At the same time, she knew how God had worked in my life. That allowed her to receive the message, and me as a preacher, even though she knew all my flaws.  We will help those closest to us, when they struggle with whether to accept our authority from a faith perspective, if we let the Holy Spirit lead more and more, day by day, so they see more of Jesus living through us.

In 1 Samuel 22, we see the lengths to which King Saul was willing to go to find and kill David. Doeg the Edomite, who we read about in a previous chapter told Saul that Ahimelech the priest had helped David. Saul called for Ahimelech and his extended priestly family. When they came, Saul examined Ahimelech, and he offered a reasonable explanation for helping David: David was Saul’s greatest soldier, and he had helped him many times before. Saul wouldn’t listen to reason. He told his men to slaughter all the priests. They would no, so Does did it. He killed 85 priests that day, only one of Ahimelech’s sons, Abiathar, escaped. He went to David, and David promised to protect him, because as Saul was searching for Abiathar, so he was searching for David.

In Chapter 23, David saves the city of Keith, and yet they would have been willing to turn him and his men, who now numbered 600, over to Saul, so they fled. David continued to flee from Saul, and people told Saul where David was. When Saul was getting close to capturing David, he received news the Philistines were attacking so he had to break off his efforts and go to battle. This is a clear case of god providing a way out for David.

In Chapter 24, David had the opportunity to kill Saul. While Saul was searching for David, he went into a cave to “relieve himself.” David and his men were in that very cave. His men told David God had delivered Saul to him, so he could kill Saul and become king.  David went for the idea for a moment, but we see David’s true character, because as he went up behind Saul and cut off a portion of his robe, he was convicted that it wasn’t his place to kill “the Lord’s anointed.” He let Saul go. Only afterward did he go out and let Saul know he head the opportunity to kill him. Saul admitted to David that David was a better man than he.

In Chapter 25, the account changes from Saul chasing David, to David moving to the area of Moan. There he and His men protected the flocks of a man named Nabal. It wasn’t an official agreement, but when the time for sheep-shearing came, David and his men sent a message to Nabal, that he ought to pay the something for the protection they had provided his sheep and shepherds. Nabal dismissed the request, which angered David and he determined to destroy Nabal. Abigail, Nabal’s wife, heard of David’s plan to come against her husband, and took matters into her own hands. She prepared a great deal of food, took it to David, and convinced him that to kill Nabal would leave a mark on his record and conscience that would be difficult to defend when he became king. David realized Abigail was right, so he agreed not to harm Nabal or his family. When Abigail went home and told Nabal what she had done, he went ballistic. This resulted in his having a stroke, from which he died ten days later. David saw this as God’s vindication of his actions. After the time of mourning was over for her husband, Abigail became David’s wife. This account shows us how the LORD intervened in tangible ways in David’s life. It also shows us that sometimes total strangers become God’s instruments in keeping us on his path. Abigail’s intervention in David’s life kept him from making a fifteen-minute decision that would have haunted him he rest of his life. It also worked out well for Abigail!

As we return to Mark 5, we come again to one of my favorite sequences in Jesus’ life and ministry. First, He met “Legion,” a man possessed by 2,000 demons. (The number comes from the number of pigs that ran down the bank and killed themselves, after Jesus cast the demons out of Legion.) The interaction between Jesus and Legion is nothing short of incredible. While no one was able to bind the man, and no one wanted to be near the man, Jesus reached out and cast the demons out of him and brought him back to himself. Legion’s gratitude was so great he asked Jesus if He could follow along with Him. Instead, Jesus told him to go home and tell everyone what God had done for him. We’re told Legion did just that. Everywhere he went, his story, along with the redeemed life that accompanied it amazed the people he encountered.

After His meeting with Legion, Jesus was approached by a synagogue ruler named Jairus. We know he was desperate in coming to Jesus, because so many of the religious leaders had already condemned Him. But Jairus’ daughter was dying. He didn’t care about the religious leaders, or his own standing. He cared about his daughter. Jesus agreed to go see her, but as He was walking someone in the crowd that was pressing against Him, touched His robe. Through that simple act, Jesus felt healing power go out from His body. Even though He didn’t know who had touched Him, He knew someone did, so He asked, “Who touched me?” The disciples thought Jesus was being a little ridiculous. After all, the crowd was pressing in on him from every side. Jesus persisted. Finally, a woman admitted she had touched Jesus robe, because she knew if she did, she would be healed. Jesus called the woman, “Daughter” and told her that her faith had healed her. This is the only time in any of the gospels Jesus called anyone daughter, so this was a powerful affirmation of the woman. She had broken the law in touching Jesus, but Jesus said in effect, “I’m glad you did what you did, because now you are set free!”

As Jesus finished up with the woman, some folks came from Jairus’ house and  told Jairus’ his daughter had died, so it didn’t make sense to bother the teacher further. Jesus told Jairus’ to believe. Then he went to their home, and found the girl dead. He took her by the hand and said, “Little girl, I say to you get up.” She did! This sequence shows us Jesus put others’ needs before His own. It shows He is Lord of the spirit and the body, and of life and death. It shows us we do well when we put Him first in our lives!

1 Samuel 18 records the beginning of King Saul’s official “fear” of David. The people of Israel recognized God was with David, and gave him greater acclamation for his victories in battle than they gave Saul. Saul became both jealous and fearful of David. That is never a good combination. As we read through the chapter, we find several times the actions of David–all positive actions in service to King Saul, resulted in Saul fearing David more and more.

We also read in this chapter of Jonathan’s friendship with David. In our current culture, many in the LGBTQ culture grab onto this relationship, seeing it as a biblical example of a homosexual relationship. Nothing could be farther from the truth. One of the saddest distortions in  the current discussions about sexuality is that all same-sex relationships are immediately seen as sexual. I have had the same accountability partner for more than twenty-five years. I have shared things with him over the years, that I have not shared with anyone else. What do you call that? You call it a healthy accountability relationship–”iron sharpening iron” as King Solomon called it in the Book of Proverbs. In any case, Jonathan’s love for David was so great he yielded his right to follow his father as king. He does it symbolically in this chapter, and will do it in fact, later in this book. Such friendship is rare, and is a great blessing when we experience it.

1 Samuel 19-20 offers us a couple of examples of how much Jonathan sided with David, and how committed King Saul was to kill David. While Jonathan promised David that his father intended no harm to him, David was sure Saul wanted to end David’s life. Saul set a trap for David and his house, but Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s wife saved him. We see the family of Saul was on board with David becoming the king, but Saul’s desire to be the king and to pass the monarchy to his son, blinded him to God’s plan for Israel’s future. While Saul is an extreme example of what happens when we put our plans before the LORD’s plans, we are all tempted daily to seek first our will rather than God’s kingdom and righteousness. Let’s remember Saul’s radical disobedience to following God’s will, and commit ourselves to the path of obedience to the LORD!

1 Samuel 21 David escapes from serving Saul. He goes to the Ahimelech the priest and asks for food for him and his men. (David’s men were those assigned to him by Saul, yet they were loyal to David, which tells us again the difference between David and Saul. David was a man of valor and character, who was worthy of being followed. Saul was neither.) While Ahimelech told David he only had bread for the priests, he also told David he could have it if his men were ceremonially clean. They were. David received the food and Goliath’s sword which had been stored there. David noticed one of Saul’s servants was there: Doeg the Edomite. This will play an important role in the near future, so keep it in mind. Finally, David decides to go to the Philistines to serve them. At least there, he would be free from Saul. The problem was the Philistines knew David was a nemesis to them, so David pretended to be insane, so the king of Gath wouldn’t kill him. The plan worked, and David was safe…for the moment.

As we return to Mark 4, we read the first section with extended teach from Jesus. We read The Parable of the Sower and its interpretation, The Parable of the Lamp on the Stand, The Parable of the Growing Seed, and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. In each of the parables Jesus was illustrating what the Kingdom of God was “like.” It is impossible for us to understand fully what the Kingdom of God is like until we experience it in its fullness, but Jesus’ parable help us to see it is not ordinary, and it is not what we would expect. We also see it is bigger and more than we would expect. Mark closes the chapter with the record of Jesus calming a storm, which saved the disciples from drowning, because they were on a boat during the storm. After the act, Jesus asked the disciples why they had such little faith? Their response was terror, because they had never experienced power and authority as Jesus demonstrated it. This time the object of Jesus’ power and authority was nature itself. Let’s remember whatever we face in life, Jesus has the power and authority to get us through it!

In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul makes his “final” mistake as King of Israel. I put “final” in quotes, because Saul would remain king over Israel for decades and would make many more mistakes and commit many more sins, but when he failed to carry out the LORD’s commands in his battle against the Amalekites, God determined to take the throne from Saul and his descendants.  The clear message of 1 Samuel 15 is God prefers obedience more than sacrifice or more than anything else. One of my mentors, Dr. Dale Milligan said, “To love God is to trust Him enough to obey Him.” That quote helped me see obedience to God is not merely a religious requirement–although it can be that. Obedience to God is an act of love. When I trust God enough to do what He says, regardless of what it is, then He knows I love Him. And I know I love Him. The next time the LORD sets a challenge before us, may we trust Him enough to obey Him, and thus show him our love!

We could title 1 Samuel 16: Moving On! The LORD commanded Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the new king of Israel. In doing so, Samuel shows us that even a power prophet of God can rely on his own understanding, instead of the Holy Spirit and the LORD when carrying out the LORD’s work. Jesse had many sons, so Samuel asked Jesse to have them come before him. Samuel chose the oldest, who was also the tallest and most “king-like” in stature. (Saul had been a head taller than anyone in Israel, and look how that ended up!) As son after son came before Samuel, none of them measured up to God’s standard. Finally, Jesse sent for the youngest, David, who was out in the field watching the sheep. Jesse hadn’t even thought to include David in the list of candidates for king, but the LORD selected him immediately. The Holy Spirit came into David’s life when Samuel anointed him, and remained with him throughout his life.

In the remainder of the chapter, David ends up being called to serve King Saul as a “music therapist.” The Holy Spirit was replaced in Saul’s life with an evil spirit, and when he would be depressed or violent, he would call for David to come and play the harp, which would sooth him. Ironic, that the newly anointed king of Israel, would become a servant to the reigning king. Then again, the best way to learn to lead in the Kingdom of God is to learn to serve. Jesus told us He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.

1 Samuel 17 offers us what may be the most familiar account of the Old Testament to many: the battle between David and Goliath. The salient points of the chapter are: 1) Goliath, a champion of the Philistines challenges the Israelites to send out one man against him in battle. The winner of the battle wins the “war” for his side, and the other side will capitulate in defeat and become servants of the winner. For 40 days Goliath went out every day and stood before the Israelite army, and for 40 days no one was willing to take on Goliath. Then Jesse sent David to bring supplies for two of his brothers who were serving in the army and for the king. 2) When David heard the challenge from Goliath, he was incensed that a pagan would challenge the armies of God, and saw it as a battle between the LORD and the pagan gods of the Philistines. 3) David offers to take on Goliath with only a sling and five smooth stones.  4) In desperation King Saul agrees. 5) David takes on Goliath and Goliath never stood a chance.  6) David’s victory brings him fame and favor among the people of Israel. It will also create a tremendous jealousy in King Saul, who will be at odds with David until the day Saul dies.

In Mark 3, we read once again of Jesus’ healing a man on the Sabbath. That simple act of love and power resulted in the Pharisees joining forces with the Herodians, fellow Jews who collaborated with Herod. Ordinarily these men would not have stood in the same room with each other, but because of their common interest in getting rid of Jesus before He caused so much of an uproar among the people that it caught the Romans’ attention, they joined forces in determining how to kill Him. While Mark’s Gospel is 16 chapters long, we find it took only until the third chapter for the beginning of the end to come for Jesus, in terms of the plot to kill Him being developed. In our lives, we must be certain we don’t unwittingly take the same approach as the Pharisees and the Herodians, which means we must make certain we don’t put what is good for us or what is expedient in front of putting Jesus first in all areas of our lives.