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1 Samuel 30:1-31; 1 Chronicles 12:20-22; 1 Samuel 31:1-13; 1 Chronicles 10:1-14; 1 Chronicles 9:40-44; 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 1:1-27<\/strong><\/span> In First Samuel 31 today we read about the death of Saul.\u00a0 At the very end Saul did what he always did \u2013 took things into his own hands.\u00a0 Relied on himself.\u00a0 Fell on his own sword.\u00a0 \u00a0Perhaps sometimes in our lives today we are not so different from Saul.\u00a0 Maybe we try to take things into our own hands.\u00a0 Rely on ourselves.\u00a0 But hopefully never fall on our own swords\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0We should instead be leaving things in God\u2019s hands and relying fully on God.<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s First Samuel readings titled \u201cFrom Tragedy to Triumph\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and \u201cSaul\u2019s Death Wish\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Today we begin the book of Second Samuel!\u00a0 Below is an image of David being anointed king of Judah from chapter 2 verse 4 in today\u2019s readings:<\/span><\/p>\n Second Samuel<\/strong> A note on the Amalekite that comes to David with news of Saul\u2019s death in Second Samuel chapter 1 today.\u00a0 Many Bible commentaries suggest that this Amalekite was a war \u201cscavenger\u201d that was looking for treasures on the battle field from the dead.\u00a0 Based on 1 Samuel chapter 31, it is thought that this Amalekite found Saul dead, grabbed Saul\u2019s crown before the Philistines arrived, and made up the story of killing Saul to David because he thought David would reward him for killing who he thought was David\u2019s \u201cenemy.\u201d\u00a0 David\u2019s reaction was quite the opposite than what the Amalekite thought it would be\u2026\u00a0 Bible.org\u2019s commentary on our Second Samuel readings today titled \u201cWhat an Amalekite is Dying to Tell David\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Below is an image of David tearing his garments and lamenting the death of Saul:<\/span><\/p>\n Today in 2 Samuel chapter 1 we read about David\u2019s lament for Saul & Jonathan. This year in going through the One Year Bible, I have really been intrigued by Jonathan and David\u2019s relationship. They became incredible \u201cbrothers\u201d it seems \u2013 much like we now have \u201cbrothers\u201d and \u201csisters\u201d in Christ today. And there seems to have been an amazing love between Jonathan and David \u2013 not sexual in any way, but a pure brotherly love. In verse 26 we will read \u2013 \u201cI grieve for you Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful.\u201d<\/em> Personally, I have been thinking about this word \u201clove\u201d quite a bit in recent months. I don\u2019t know if this is going to sound strange \u2013 I hope it\u2019s a good sign \ud83d\ude42 \u2013 but I find myself using the word \u201clove\u201d more and more often when referring to and thinking of others in my life. I have found myself saying recently, for example, \u201cthere are so many people in my church that I love and I believe love me.\u201d I guess I\u2019m getting to this stage in my life that may seem at first glance sentimental \u2013 but I think it is something more. I believe God is love. And yes, God is judge and many other things. But I do believe that love is a very godly thing. And I guess I\u2019m getting to the point in life where I realize that I truly do love so many people in my life \u2013 with a brotherly or sisterly love \u2013 and maybe perhaps a few love me too. I pray this is the case in some way in your life? Are there people in your life that you love with a brotherly or sisterly love? Are there people in your life that were like Jonathan was to David? Are there people in your life where you are like Jonathan was to David? How familiar are you with love as expressed in <\/span>1 Corinthians 13<\/span>? Did Jonathan have this type of love? Do you?\u00a0 Below is a portrait of David & Jonathan by artist Guy Rowe:<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in reminded me of Phil Wickam\u2019s song \u201cHouse of the Lord:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
Author<\/span>: Unknown
Date<\/span>: Probably tenth century B.C.
Content<\/span>: Second Samuel covers approximately forty years, which is the bulk of David\u2019s reign as king. It begins with David\u2019s being proclaimed king and consolidating his position against others who claimed the throne. David moved the capital to Jerusalem, brought the sacred Ark of the Covenant there, and ultimately defeated the Philistines for all time. David\u2019s troubled career is described in some detail, including his family problems (his son Absalom) and his personal problems (adultery with Bathsheba). A summary of David\u2019s later years concludes the book.
Theme<\/span>: The life of David is given as an example of good and of evil. The sins of David are exposed \u2013 so that too much trust will not be put in men. The victories of David are recorded \u2013 so that it may be seen what God can do with someone who wholly trusts in him. God used David in spite of his faults because he found in David a willingness to repent and start again, no matter how far he had fallen. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers \u201cThe One Year Bible Companion\u201d pp. 5-6)\u00a0 <\/em>More commentary on Second Samuel is at these 2 links \u2013 <\/span>
https:\/\/bible.org\/page.php?page_id=557<\/span>
https:\/\/bible.org\/page.php?page_id=965<\/span><\/p>\n