Daily Bible Reading Day 121

2Samuel 23-24; Luke 22:31-53. David's last words. Presumably his last inspired words. David's mighty men are discussed - his three and his thirty. It also mentions that during a battle with the Philistines, David mentions his longing for a drink of water from Bethlehem. His three break through and retrieve some water for him but he refuses to drink it. Never understood that. Still don't. Then David counts his army and God is displeased and gives David a choice for punishment. David chooses three days of pestilence. 70,000 die those three days. David buys a threshing floor where he sees the angel of the LORD, and offers burnt offerings to God.

Jesus tells Peter that he will betray Jesus three times before the rooster crows. Jesus takes his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke's version adds that Jesus' sweat becomes like drops of blood. Judas arrives with the soldiers and kisses Jesus. Someone with Jesus cuts off the ear of the slave of the high priest. Jesus tells them to put away their swords.

Daily Bible Reading Day 120

2Samuel 21-22; Luke 22:1-30. David and Israel does battle with the Philistines again. This time Goliath's relatives are involved. One of them almost kills David. He's told to stay home. David then has a psalm of deliverance.

Jesus has the disciples prepare the Passover. Luke's version is slightly differently than Matthew and Mark's because he has Jesus drink a cup first then go into what we describe as the institution of the Lord's Supper. He ends by telling them that the greatest among them must be a servant.

Daily Bible Reading Day 119

2Samuel 19-20; Luke 20:2-38. David is mourning over Absalom to the point that everyone in Israel walks on eggshells. Joab finally rebukes to David to straighten up. So David begins to address the people of Israel. But there are hard feelings between the people of Judah and the rest of Israel. Sheba, a Benjaminite, takes advantage of the situation and declares himself king. David gets the ball rolling to counter his rebellion. Along the way Joab kills Amasa, whom David made commander. Joab finds Sheba in a walled city and prepares to attack. A wise woman of the city has a conversation with Joab and Joab tells her to turn over Sheba and he won't attack the city. Soon the head of Sheba is thrown over the wall.

Jesus continues to supply the disciples the details of what will happen when God decides to destroy Jerusalem. Jesus finishes by telling the parable of the fig tree. It signals when it is ready to begin making fruit by putting out leaves. So when the disciples see these things they will know that redemption is nigh.

Daily Bible Reading Day 118

2Samuel 17-18; Luke 21:1-19. Absalom receives counsel from Ahithophel as to how to attack and kill David. But then he asks for Hushai's counsel. Somehow he like Hushai's counsel better. Hushai sends word to David. The attack begins. David tells the troops to deal gently with Absalom. During the battle Absalom gets his hair caught in an oak tree. A soldier sees him and reports it to Joab. Joab is angry the soldier didn't kill Absalom but he takes his armor bearers and they kill Absalom and drop him into a pit. David begins a period of mourning.

Jesus sees the widow putting into the treasury two small copper coins and says that she outdoes the rich. Jesus tells the disciples that the temple will be destroyed. The disciples ask about when this will be and Jesus begins telling them the signs.

Daily Bible Reading Day 117

2Samuel 15-17; Luke 20:27-47. Absalom finally puts together his conspiracy to take over the throne. He goes to Hebron. David flees. David gets a prophet, Hushai, and the priest, Zadok, to stay behind. He hopes Hushai can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel. Absalom pitches a tent in Jerusalem and lies with David's 10 concubines in front of all Israel.

Jesus s approached by the Sadduccees. They tell a made up story they believe disproves the resurrection from the dead. Jesus counters with the nature of the age to come (humans become like angels) and Scripture. Moses is told by God, I am the God of (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) which means the three were alive when God spoke to Moses even though all three had died. Jesus then warns the people about the scribes who love their position and the praise from the people it brings.

Daily Bible Reading Day 115

2Samuel 13-14; Luke 29:1-26. One of David's sons, Ammon, falls in love with one of David's daughters, Tamar. One of David's nephews helps Ammon get Tamar alone so he can have his way with her. He rapes her. Then he hates her. So he really wasn't in love with her. Absalom, another son of David's, plots to kill Ammon. He carries out his plot then runs away. Joab, David's commander, helps to get Absalom back. When David doesn't bring Absalom back into his presence Absalom turns to Joab but he doesn't respond either. So Absalom has Joab's field set on fire. Joab responds and gets Absalom an audience with David. Absalom is showing that he is bad news.

While teaching in the temple area Jesus is asked by the leaders the source of his authority. He asks them what they thought the source of John the Baptist's authority was. When they refused to answer so did Jesus. Then the leaders sent some to ask Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar, surely a controversial subject which would get Jesus into trouble no matter what his answer. But Jesus' answer, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, left them speechless.

Daily Bible Reading Day 114

2Samuel 10-12; Luke 19:29-48. David tries to honor the dead king of the Ammonites but the son was given bad advice as to David's intentions and humiliates the entourage that David sent. David attacks and conquers them. David commits adultery with Bathsheba. Nathan later confronts David and the baby is taken. Later Bathsheba gives birth to Solomon. David continues his victories in battle.

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt with the people lining his way. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because one day soon it will be destroyed. He then enters the temple and throws out the money changers. The Jewish leaders plot daily to to destroy him.

Daily Bible Reading Day 113

2Samuel 7-9; Luke 19:1-28. David decides to build a house for The Lord. But The Lord appears to Nathan the prophet that night and tells David no. But The Lord does promise David the a son of his will build a house doe The Lord and that he will sit on the throne for ever. David gladly accepts and is humbled in prayer. David then goes out and conquers many of the nations around Israel and receives tribute from them. Then David decides to make sure anyone who left of the house of Saul is taken care of. Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, is still left so David restores his land and has him eat at the king's table.

Jesus arrives in Jericho. He meets Zaccheus. He invites himself to his house for a meal. Zaccheus gladly accepts. The crowd complains. Zaccheus repents. Jesus reminds the crowd that this is why he came - to seek and save the lost. Jesus goes on to tell a parable, the parable of the minas. It is similar to the parable of the talents but I think easier to explain in our modern culture.

Daily Bible Reading Day 112

2Samuel 4-6; Luke 18:18-43. Two men murder Ish-bosheth, Saul's son who tried to be king, thinking David would be pleased with them. David had them executed. All Israel acknowledges David as king. David takes Jerusalem and it becomes his city. The Philistines attack and David defeats them. David then has the Ark brought to Jerusalem on an ox cart and Uzzah loses his life when he touches the Ark to keep it from falling. David has it carried in properly. Michal despises David because he is dancing before The Lord somewhat stripped down. She criticizes him because he is dancing before the maids in an undignified manner. She never has children because of this.

The scene with the rich young ruler. Jesus teaches them about his upcoming death and resurrection. On the way to Jericho Jesus heals a blind man.

Daily Bible Reading Day 111

1Samuel 30-31; Luke 17:20-37. David and his men return to Ziklag only to find that the Amalekites have raided it and taken everything, including wives and children. So David calls for the priest's ephod and inquires of God. God says go, and they go. They find the Amalekites and kill almost all and take back their possessions, wives, and children. Meanwhile Saul and Israel fight the Philistines but they are too strong. They kill Saul's sons and Saul falls on his sword.

This section is about the kingdom of God and judgment. But not final judgment. It's about God judging Israel for crucifying Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading Day 110

1Samuel 27-29; Luke 17:1-19. David decides to leave the land in order to make Saul give up trying to find him. He allies himself with the Philistines. The king gives David Ziklag. David and his men raid other tribes but make Achish think they are raiding Israel. Soon the Philistines come to fight Israel. Saul doesn't know what to do so he goes to a medium. He wants to speak with Samuel. Samuel does come up but tells Saul he will die and Israel will lose in this fight. Meanwhile the Philistine lords don't want David included in the battle.

Jesus tells the disciples to forgive seven times in a day if necessary. They asked for him to increase their faith. Jesus then comes across 10 lepers and heals them. They all leave but one returns to praise Jesus and he's a Samaritan. Luke has an agenda with the Samaritans.

Daily Bible Reading Day 109

1Samuel 25-26: Luke 16:19-31. David is enraged because Nabal refused to give food to the young men of David who guarded Nabal's sheep shearers. This appears rather over the top to we moderns but was this the usual response back in those days? Nabal's wife, Abigail, hears and rides to the rescue with plenty of food and drink plus takes the blame. David is pleased and stops his rampage. Nabal dies after Abigail reveals to him David's plan. David then takes Abigail as his wife. David again has an opportunity to kill Saul and refuses to do it. Instead he displays Saul's spear and jug in order to prove his loyalty to Saul. Saul relents and invites David back home.

Jesus tells the parable/story of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man has the opportunity to help a poor man every day yet refuses to do so. The story is short and is intended to show in a short time that the rich man doesn't use his wealth of unrighteousness in a wise way. So he has no friends to take him in. Lazarus on the other does have a friend to take him in. However the real lesson of the story is to listen to Moses and the prophets (i.e. the word of God).

Daily Bible Reading Day 108

1Samuel 22-24; Luke 16:1-18. David continues his run from Saul. He takes his parents to Moab. He delivers a town from the Philistines. He hides in a cave and then Saul enters to relieve himself. David cuts a piece of Saul's robe while he's in the cave. Afterwards he reveals to Saul what he had done. He vows loyalty to Saul. Saul returns and David still stays in exile.

Jesus tells the parable of a manager about to be fired who reduces the debts of his master's debtors in order to be received by them when he's fired. The master praises the unrighteous manager for his shrewdness. So does Jesus. We should use earthly wealth to secure spiritual friends. Jesus told this parable because the Pharisees were lovers of money. What does divorce have to do with this context?

Daily Bible Reading Day 107

1Samuel 19-21; Luke 15:11-32. Saul continues his campaign against David. Jonathan continues to help David. The text shows that David at first wasn't continually on the run. It also shows that David didn't understand why Saul was out to kill him.

Jesus tells the third parable about God reclaiming the lost with the Prodigal Son. Perhaps this parable is so well known that it's almost impossible to see it fresh each time you read it. Yet it still retains the power to present to us a loving father willing to welcome us back home when we come.

Daily Bible Reading Day 106

1Samuel 17-18; Luke 15:1-10. The classic Bible tale of David vs. Goliath but the real story is David vs. Saul. Saul is cowering in fear while he should be leading Israel against their enemies. David comes trusting in The Lord and uses an unconventional weapon and the enemy is defeated. Of course Saul becomes afraid of David and frost tries to kill him. Then sets a trap by offering his daughter in marriage provided David brings 200 foreskins from the Philistines. David succeeds and Saul is even more afraid.

Luke 15 has 3 parables about rejoicing over the finding of the lost.

Daily Bible Reading Day 105

1Samuel 15-16; Luke 14:25-35. Samuel tells Saul to utterly wipe out the Amalekites. Saul almost does. He saves the king and the best animals. Further proof that God regretted making Saul king. God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint the next king. He is sent to Jesse and considers each of his sons. It turns out to be Jesse's youngest son, David. When he is anointed by Samuel it says the Spirit comes upon him mightily. Yet David does no miracles but he does prophecy because he writes many of the Psalms. I wonder if the Spirit also helps David become a better leader and king.

Jesus tells the people to pick up their cross and follow him. He then tells twin parables of counting the cross which he encourages people to do before following him.

Daily Bible Reading Day 104

1Samuel 13-14; Luke 14:1-24. Saul asserts himself as king and offers the burnt offering because Samuel is delayed. He thinks the people will scatter. Samuel arrives just as he finishes and tells him God has rejected him as king for another. Jonathan leads the charge against the Philistines and they are defeated. During the battle Saul binds the people under an oath to not eat. Jonathan wasn't there and eats. Later when Saul finds out he wants to kill Jonathan as per the oath but the people rescue Jonathan.

Jesus goes to eat at the home of a Pharisee on the Sabbath. He heals a man after challenging the guests to explain why he shouldn't heal on the Sabbath. Then he tells the guests that they shouldn't grab the seats of honor but take the lower seats and let the host move them up. Then he tells a parable to the host about a man who was snubbed by those he invited to his feast and that host invited people from all over who normally would not have been invited.

Daily Bible Reading Day 103

2Samuel 10-12; Luke 13:22-35. Sail is anointed by Samuel and given some signs by which to know that all that Samuel says is true. The Ammonites attack Jabesh-gilead and this is Saul's format act as king. He leads Israel to deliver the city. Samuel addresses the people as a farewell speech.

Jesus tells the people that few will find the narrow way. He tells them they will see Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob reclining in the Kingdom but they cannot enter. He also says that he must go to Jerusalem to reach his goal. No prophet has perished outside Jerusalem.

Daily Bible Reading Day 102

1Samuel 7-9 & Luke 13:1-21. The people are told by Samuel to put away their idols in 1Sam.7 by Samuel. They do and gain victory over the Philistines. Over time Samuel puts his sons in charge. They are like Eli's sons. The people want a king. God tells Samuel to give them a king. God leads Saul, a tall & handsome man to Samuel.

Jesus tells of the need to repent. Then tells a parable about a fig tree not producing. Probably means that if God doesn't find fruit in our lives we will be cut down. Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath of a disease caused by a spirit. Shows the connection between sin and the degradation of creation. Jesus then tells two more parables about the kingdom of God. The mustard seed and leaven.

Daily Bible Reading Day 101

Reading 1Samuel 4-6. Chapter 4 is about the battle between Israel & Philistia where Eli's two sons are killed. Then Eli die when he receives news about the capture of the Ark by the Philistines when he falls backwards in his chair. 1Samuel 5 & 6 is about the problems the Philistines experienced from the LORD when they brought the Ark back to their temple. They finally send the Ark back and it came to Beth-shemesh. Many of them were struck down because some of them looked inside. They called out for others to come and get the Ark.

Reading also Luke 12:35-59. Luke records a series of warnings from Jesus about being ready for the Master's coming.