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.