Second Bible Read Thread

[SarahsKnight]

1 Samuel 30

21 And David came to the two hundred men, who were so faint that they could not follow David, whom also they had made to abide at the brook Besor; and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.

22 Then answered all the wicked men and base fellows, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them aught of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that he may lead them away, and depart.

23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which Jehovah hath given unto us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand.

24 And who will hearken unto you in this matter? for as his share is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his share be that tarrieth by the baggage: they shall share alike.

25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.

This is just my speculation, but I wonder if there is a parallel here between this part and the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20, where those who worked the least for the metaphorical kingdom of God were still given the same wage as those who worked the most, from the start of the day. That David recognizes his two hundred men who fell behind with exhaustion and could not participate in the battle with the raiding Amalekites who took his wives and other spoil, and thus he gave them some treasure of the spoil just as he did with the four hundred men who fought with him. These two hundred men who fell behind still loved David and had followed him faithfully up to that point, yes? Sure the other four hundred did a little more by fighting in the most recent battle, but Scripture indicates that it was wrong of them to demand that the stragglers back at the Besor brook get nothing, and David rebuked them.

Same with those who become believers in Christ. God offers eternal life and salvation from everlasting destruction in the fire of Gehenna to all, whether they are workers for His coming kingdom practically all their lives or are saved on their deathbed. And we Christians who may have "done more" for God than those believers we may sometimes fall into the trap of looking proudly down upon as the riffraff, have no right to demand that we get a greater reward from God than they. Perhaps another lesson to be gained from both stories is that we should not be serving our masters solely for the treasure or reward.

 

[Swords&Sunflowers]

1 Samuel 30

21 And David came to the two hundred men, who were so faint that they could not follow David, whom also they had made to abide at the brook Besor; and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.

22 Then answered all the wicked men and base fellows, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them aught of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that he may lead them away, and depart.

23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which Jehovah hath given unto us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand.

24 And who will hearken unto you in this matter? for as his share is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his share be that tarrieth by the baggage: they shall share alike.

25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.

This is just my speculation, but I wonder if there is a parallel here between this part and the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20, where those who worked the least for the metaphorical kingdom of God were still given the same wage as those who worked the most, from the start of the day. That David recognizes his two hundred men who fell behind with exhaustion and could not participate in the battle with the raiding Amalekites who took his wives and other spoil, and thus he gave them some treasure of the spoil just he did with the four hundred men who fought with him. These two hundred men who fell behind still loved David and had followed him faithfully up to that point, yes? Sure the other four hundred did a little more by fighting in the most recent battle, but Scripture indicates that it was wrong of them to demand that the stragglers back at the Besor brook get nothing, and David rebuked them.

Same with those who become believers in Christ. God offers eternal life and salvation from everlasting destruction in the fire of Gehenna to all, whether they are workers for His coming kingdom practically all their lives or are saved on their deathbed. And we Christians who may have "done more" for God than those believers we may sometimes fall into the trap of looking proudly down upon as the riffraff, have no right to demand that we get a greater reward from God than they. Perhaps another lesson to be gained from both stories is that we should not be serving our masters solely for the treasure or reward.

Good analysis!

 

[Multifavs]

Gaaaah, very sad to read…Saul and his 3 sons die in battle, (except for Saul who kills himself). Really heartbreaking that Jonathan died. Geez, it’s like, how can David get over this, it’s like unending stress for this dude. Now his best friend forever is gone. I really wonder how things would have turned out had Saul humbled himself before God. He really had no excuse. Why seek out a medium, when there are other prophets in the land, Saul could’ve inquired of them and just humbly asked, “What must I do, to hear God’s voice again?” But at this point in time, he allowed his pride to take over him, maybe he already knew what God wanted of him, and yet he refused to act. Sometimes, in life, we can be like Saul, we kinda know the things that hinder us from God, but we try to circumnavigate around it, and test God’s patience. Until eventually our hearts become numb and can no longer hear His small still voice, because we wanted to hear what we want to hear. It’s really important to always ask God to “search our hearts” and always remember “obedience is better than sacrifice”.

Yeah, sad that Jonathon died, he was so good to David. Good points, these chapters do teach some valuable lessons! If Saul had been more patient with God, things may have turned out better. But instead he wanted to get an answer himself, and look where that got him...it's hard to be patient, but we must do our very best.

The NAB's footnotes state that while human beings cannot conjure up the dead at will, God can permit a deceased soul to appear and speak with them, so it was not the medium who did this but God Himself. I think that God allowed Samuel to appear at that moment to tell Saul of the coming result of his disobedience.

Same with those who become believers in Christ. God offers eternal life and salvation from everlasting destruction in the fire of Gehenna to all, whether they are workers for His coming kingdom practically all their lives or are saved on their deathbed. And we Christians who may have "done more" for God than those believers we may sometimes fall into the trap of looking proudly down upon as the riffraff, have no right to demand that we get a greater reward from God than they. Perhaps another lesson to be gained from both stories is that we should not be serving our masters solely for the treasure or reward.

Good points, although I do believe that it's important to do what we can to serve God in this life. I agree that we shouldn't look down on others when they have been unable to do as much as we have, and that we shouldn't serve God merely for a reward. When we do good and help others, we should be seeking to please God and make those we help happy as well.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 109: May 17

Psalms 121
Psalms 123 through 125
Psalms 128 through 130

 

[SarahsKnight]

Really like the wording pertaining to the Lord's assurance and care that He gives to His people in Psalms 121.

Especially here:
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 Jehovah is thy keeper: Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

 

[Multifavs]

I liked these Psalms too. They show how good and caring God is and how much the psalmists trust Him.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 110: May 18

2 Samuel 1 through 4

Quite a lot already has happened in these first four chapters since Saul's and Jonathan's deaths. David is established as king over Judah, and barely a day goes by before Judah and the entire rest of Israel are at each other's throats. And quite a few people in these chapters are shown to be quick to shed blood, and out of misguided intent - likely either fear, paranoia, a shallow sense of justice, or good old-fashioned revenge, ... or any combination of them, I would say. Joab and two of Saul's son Ish-Bosheth's former warriors Rechab and Baanah are prime examples of such men here. David rewarded Joab's deed of murder with a general sense of mistrust even as Joab was still one of his servants, and rewarded Rechab and Baanah with execution, for the latter two had straight-up murdered a defenseless man in his own bed (Ish-Bosheth), quite mistakenly thinking their cowardly deed would be a righteous one before David simply on account of Ish-Bosheth being the son of a former enemy of David's.

According to the MEV, the book of 2 Samuel is believed by Jewish tradition to have been written by Samuel, although of course this does not seem realistic since Samuel died in the time that Saul himself was still alive, and 2 Samuel covers David's reign after Saul's death. Bible.org, however, attributes that the remainder of the two books of Samuel after 1 Samuel 25 may have been written by either or both of the two prophets Gad and Nathan. The MEV also states that 2 Samuel may have been written after 960 BC, and covers the time from about 1010 to 970 BC.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 111: May 19

Since the Bible schedule I picked out to follow for this thread is arranged in supposed chronological order, then, seeing as we just read through David's first days as the new king in 2 Samuel, to me a lot of the Psalms in May 19's reading have this vague feel of David's personal feelings and musings over becoming king of Judah, simply translated to lyrics in his many songs. Perhaps it is that, now that he has become king and must bear heavy responsibility (keeping in justice with his dealings, and ensuring the godly integrity of the people, for just two examples), in some or all of these following Psalms David is entrusting himself to the Lord for guidance and wisdom in the so-doing. Without the Lord directing his steps, how can David hope to do well as king, after all? In the books of Kings and Chronicles we will see, unfortunately, many examples of future kings of Israel and Judah both who do not call to the Lord for guidance, and their reigns are often short-lived and end violently with many of the people going astray after foreign gods and abhorrent practices.

Psalms 6
Psalms 8
Psalms 9
Psalms 10
Psalms 14
Psalms 16
Psalms 19
Psalms 21

 

[Swords&Sunflowers]

David's Psalms are really so encouraging. Today, I was feeling extremely lonely, one of those weird days, can't explain it, it's like there's really nothing to be lonely about, but lonely just knocks at the door and welcomes himself in. After reading these Psalms, it's quite comforting to know that God is there. David is quite true in observing that creation testifies of God's goodness. There's a weird comforting feeling that comes over in knowing that others, like King David, experienced moments were it seemed like God was silent. "How long?", and yet David never wavered. He still addressed God as one with "lovingkindness". These scriptures has so much heart and honesty. Let me be honest, having a relationship with God, is honestly hard. It does require so much sacrifice, it's like the greatest love ever given and to mature in that love, God just strips off a lot from you. He loves you but it's a tough kinda love, the kind of love where He doesn't want you to be stagnant instead He draws out the very best from you, but it comes with a price, you will/must die to self (your corrupt self). It's painful because we are so familiar with this self, and we think that this is all there is, but God (the Creator of billions of galaxies, expanding solar systems), He sees vastly different. God is complicated and yet simple, and yet complex, and yet irresistible. He brings Kings to their knees. Lol, sorry, I think I started musing a little too deep. But yeah, how much do we really know God? Do we see Him as loving during times when we feel utmost hopelessness? Or do we deem Him nonexistent when trouble comes and we begin to sink?

Psalm 6:
1For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments, set to the Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O Jehovah, rebuke me not in thine anger, Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

2 Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah; for I am withered away: O Jehovah, heal me; for my bones are troubled.


3 My soul also is sore troubled: And thou, O Jehovah, how long?


4 Return, O Jehovah, deliver my soul: Save me for thy lovingkindness' sake.


5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: In Sheol who shall give thee thanks?


6 I am weary with my groaning; Every night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.


7 Mine eye wasteth away because of grief; It waxeth old because of all mine adversaries.


8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; For Jehovah hath heard the voice of my weeping.


9 Jehovah hath heard my supplication; Jehovah will receive my prayer.


10 All mine enemies shall be put to shame and sore troubled: They shall turn back, they shall be put to shame suddenly.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 112: May 20

1 Chronicles 1 and 2

 

[Swords&Sunflowers]

lol that was a long geneology, very interesting though to see the accuracy of it, validates the authenticity of the characters of the Bible

 

[SarahsKnight]

lol that was a long geneology, very interesting though to see the accuracy of it, validates the authenticity of the characters of the Bible

I got lost somewhere around the clans of Caleb in chapter 2. I assume it was speaking of Caleb the warrior alongside Joshua, who aside from Joshua was the only one to not sway the congregation of Israelites with fear of the "giants" in The Promised Land when they first spied it out to take it. Instead, Caleb and Joshua were faithful to trust that God would allow them to overcome this seemingly fearsome foe.

 

[Swords&Sunflowers]

I got lost somewhere around the clans of Caleb in chapter 2. I assume it was speaking of Caleb the warrior alongside Joshua, who aside from Joshua was the only one to not sway the congregation of Israelites with fear of the "giants" in The Promised Land when they first spied it out to take it. Instead, Caleb and Joshua were faithful to trust that God would allow them to overcome this seemingly fearsome foe.

lol i kinda paused in the part where Abraham was mentioned to have a concubine, i thought it was just Sara and hagar?

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 113: May 21

Psalms 43
Psalms 44
Psalms 45
Psalms 49
Psalms 84
Psalms 85
Psalms 87

 

[SarahsKnight]

lol i kinda paused in the part where Abraham was mentioned to have a concubine, i thought it was just Sara and hagar?

Perhaps it is merely mentioned that Keturah was simply Abraham's concubine but was eventually released to marry someone else? And had a child by that person instead?

32 And the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan.

33 And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

... Well, I don't know; it doesn't say specifically that Keturah bore Abraham all of these children, but still, it would seem pointless to mention them in this genealogy otherwise. After all, this is supposed to be at least mostly about the Israelites - the children of Jacob, that is - even while Jacob is more in the middle of the timeline from Adam to David. I guess I really don't have an answer or even a theory to your ponderings there, Abigail.



Psalms 49 was a reminder to me today of why I take the conditional immortality view of man's state before God and the difference between life and death, or heaven and hell, and that we do not endure eternally as a natural state of the soul ... as this chapter is one of several places in Scripture that almost could paint no clearer language of the state of Sheol (the grave), death, as a cessation of life, like a hopeless nothingness. While the sons of Korah, who apparently wrote this psalm after seeing how their father's life ended in vain because of his unfortunate greed, give emphasis on the futility of life for a man who boasts in and seeks after wealth to the exclusion of all else, and cares nothing for his spirituality, trusting not in God but his worldly gain, it still appears that even they admit that once death arrives to end your life here on Earth, then the same happens to both the wise and foolish, the righteous and the wicked.


The writers of psalms 49 are quick to remind us of one difference, however, for the righteous in death from the wicked who do not trust in God.
13 This their way is their folly: Yet after them men approve their sayings. Selah 14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, That there be no habitation for it.

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; For he will receive me. Selah 16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased.

When the sons of Korah mention that "God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol", I believe that is a nod towards the coming Messiah and how His once-for-all-time sacrifice has the power to allow us to live again after death. Obviously even people who lived before Jesus' time trusted in a coming Redeemer, as there were many prophecies of it, especially in the book of Isaiah, revealed to Israel. Do we know when that resurrection will be? I don't suppose we do. We must trust that even after going "to the grave in silence" (Psalms 115:17), because of Jesus Christ, if we just believe, we will one day be given life again, and this time eternal life, where there is no more death. Those that do not believe, however, will be resurrected once, too, but only to be judged as unworthy (or rather, perhaps they themselves judged themselves as unworthy) of eternal life and condemned to the second death in Gehenna, the lake of fire.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 114: May 22

1 Chronicles 3 through 5

 

[Swords&Sunflowers]

Perhaps it is merely mentioned that Keturah was simply Abraham's concubine but was eventually released to marry someone else? And had a child by that person instead?

32 And the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan.

33 And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

... Well, I don't know; it doesn't say specifically that Keturah bore Abraham all of these children, but still, it would seem pointless to mention them in this genealogy otherwise. After all, this is supposed to be at least mostly about the Israelites - the children of Jacob, that is - even while Jacob is more in the middle of the timeline from Adam to David. I guess I really don't have an answer or even a theory to your ponderings there, Abigail.



Psalms 49 was a reminder to me today of why I take the conditional immortality view of man's state before God and the difference between life and death, or heaven and hell, and that we do not endure eternally as a natural state of the soul ... as this chapter is one of several places in Scripture that almost could paint no clearer language of the state of Sheol (the grave), death, as a cessation of life, like a hopeless nothingness. While the sons of Korah, who apparently wrote this psalm after seeing how their father's life ended in vain because of his unfortunate greed, give emphasis on the futility of life for a man who boasts in and seeks after wealth to the exclusion of all else, and cares nothing for his spirituality, trusting not in God but his worldly gain, it still appears that even they admit that once death arrives to end your life here on Earth, then the same happens to both the wise and foolish, the righteous and the wicked.


The writers of psalms 49 are quick to remind us of one difference, however, for the righteous in death from the wicked who do not trust in God.
13 This their way is their folly: Yet after them men approve their sayings. Selah 14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, That there be no habitation for it.

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; For he will receive me. Selah 16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased.

When the sons of Korah mention that "God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol", I believe that is a nod towards the coming Messiah and how His once-for-all-time sacrifice has the power to allow us to live again after death. Obviously even people who lived before Jesus' time trusted in a coming Redeemer, as there were many prophecies of it, especially in the book of Isaiah, revealed to Israel. Do we know when that resurrection will be? I don't suppose we do. We must trust that even after going "to the grave in silence" (Psalms 115:17), because of Jesus Christ, if we just believe, we will one day be given life again, and this time eternal life, where there is no more death. Those that do not believe, however, will be resurrected once, too, but only to be judged as unworthy (or rather, perhaps they themselves judged themselves as unworthy) of eternal life and condemned to the second death in Gehenna, the lake of fire.

Thanks SarahsKnight for trying to answer my ponderings lol. Googled for answers, seemed like Keturah was... "one of Abraham’s wives. The Rabbis describe her as a woman of virtue and for that she was worthy of being joined to that righteous one [Abraham]. The Torah mentions this marriage in Gen. 25:1, after the death of Sarah and subsequent to the wedding of Isaac and Rebekah. The Rabbis present this as a lesson in proper conduct: if a man’s wife dies, and he has grown children, he should first see that they are married before himself taking a new wife (Gen. Rabbah 60:16). This implies that the Rabbis understood that Sarah died before Abraham remarried." source (Keturah: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive).

Psalm 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
I love this verse! And Matt Redman wrote a song using it...

 

[Swords&Sunflowers]

Day 114: May 22

1 Chronicles 3 through 5

...can we all agree that "Hazzelelponi" (from 1 Chron 4:3), is a really cool name...

1st Chronicles:
9 And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it be not to my sorrow! And God granted him that which he requested.

The story of Jabez is so fascinating, I remembered reading a book dedicated to his prayer entitled, "The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through the Blessed LIfe:" (https://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Jabez...26997465&sr=8-2&keywords=prayer+of+jabez+book). I think I was around 11 or 12 years old when I read the book. I started praying it, and I was still back in the Philippines. I had a notebook where I wrote down my prayers. The part of "enlarge my border" always spoke to my heart, in the book it was "enlarge my territory". I can attest to this prayer, it really works! Lol 4 yrs later, my family was petitioned to Hawaii, we literally left the Philippines with no money in our pockets. I'm just at awe at how God works. I still remember growing up, having no bed, sleeping on the ground on a thin mat, hiding under the covers because there were tons of cockroaches hiding in crevices, I slept in the kitchen area, didn't have a room of my own, and days where I couldn't leave the house because had no money, and just wearing hand me downs, waking up wondering what the future held and having that feeling of lack, and my brother was sickly (but now he is as healthy as a wild horse). One time I cried while walking home from school because my shoes were so worn out, I had to walk about 2 miles with the soles flapping off/out. My only form of entertainment would be to go outside the balcony and stare at the clouds and make stories in my head, and sing songs. But I held on to that prayer, wrote down things I believe God would provide. And He did. He is faithful!

 

[SarahsKnight]

Lol 4 yrs later, my family was petitioned to Hawaii, we literally left the Philippines with no money in our pockets. I'm just at awe at how God works. I still remember growing up, having no bed, sleeping on the ground on a thin mat, hiding under the covers because there were tons of cockroaches hiding in crevices, I slept in the kitchen area, didn't have a room of my own, and days where I couldn't leave the house because had no money, and just wearing hand me downs, waking up wondering what the future held and having that feeling of lack, and my brother was sickly (but now he is as healthy as a wild horse). One time I cried while walking home from school because my shoes were so worn out, I had to walk about 2 miles with the soles flapping off/out. My only form of entertainment would be to go outside the balcony and stare at the clouds and make stories in my head, and sing songs. But I held on to that prayer, wrote down things I believe God would provide. And He did. He is faithful!

Wow. I would not have guessed you went through this kind of early life, Abigail. But I am glad God did in fact provide for you.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 115: May 23

Psalms 73
Psalms 77
Psalms 78