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?