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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 116

Apr26
Day 116.  Reading Psalms 73, 77, 78.
 

Read today’s scripture.

How do these Psalms about trouble, heartache, and persecution speak to you?

Psalm 73.

Have you ever felt like this?

  • Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 

Then the Psalmist continues to describe the “arrogant and wicked” in verses 4-12. (See if you recognize them as you read those verses.)

  • All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.
  • But when I thought HOW to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, UNTIL I WENT INTO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD; then I discerned their end.

And his glorious ending thoughts!

  • YOU hold my right hand. YOU guide me with your counsel, and afterward, YOU will receive me to glory.
  • Whom have I in heaven but YOU?  And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides YOU.
  • My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. 

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Psalm 77.

Have you done or felt these things when you are suffering in some way?

  • I cry aloud to God, and he will hear me.

This is the Psalmist’s hope, but he admits to the opposite. 

  • In the day of my trouble I seek the LORD.
  • In the night my hand is stretched out without wearing, and my soul refuses to be comforted. 
  • When I remember God, I moan: when I meditate, my spirit faints. 
  • You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
  • I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” 
  • Then my spirit made a diligent search…..

Here, the Psalmist turns to his knowledge of His Lord and asks questions that have a resounding “NO!” answer.

  1. Will the Lord spurn forever and never again be favorable?
  2. Has His steadfast love forever ceased?
  3. Are His promises at an end for all time?
  4. Has God forgotten to be gracious?
  5. Has He in anger shut up his compassion?

And those “No” questions gave him hope and comfort.  Hear him “preach to himself!”  USE THESE TO PREACH TO YOURSELF TOO!!

  • I WILL REMEMBER the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.
  • I WILL ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
  • YOUR WAY, O God, is holy.
  • WHAT GOD is great like our God?
  • YOU are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. 
  • YOU with Your arm redeemed your people…

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Psalm 78.

(A good LONG psalm, looking forward to the next generation.)

  • Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!

The hope of this Psalm.

  • I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, things that our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from our children but tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that he has done……..which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, who will rise and tell them to THEIR children, so that they should SET THEIR HOPE IN GOD, and not forget His works, but keep His commandments.

The Psalm goes on to tell how the Israelites of old, SINNED against God, REBELLED, TESTED, and SPOKE AGAINST God until He was full of wrath against them. 

  • And their main sin:  “They did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.“

This is a huge “beware” to us today!!!

  • AND YET HE FED them grain from Heaven and water from the Rock (both pictures of Jesus Christ).  YET, HE, BEING COMPASSIONATE, ATONED for their iniquity and did not destroy them;
  • He restrained His anger often and did not stir up ALL his wrath.
  • He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes…

The psalm goes on to tell how Israel tested God again and again, provoked Him, and did not remember His power, They turned away, acted treacherously, twisted like a bow strong, and rebelled against the Most High God…..  And He rejected Israel, the tent of Joseph, and the tribe of Ephraim.

So sad, but so like us sometimes.   But then…..

  • He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loves. He built his sanctuary like the high heavens…
  • He chose David, His servant. He took him from the sheepfolds and brought him to shepherd Jacob, His people, and Israel, His inheritance. 
  • With an upright heart he (David) shepherded them and guided them with a skillful hand.

 

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In a few days, we will get back to the story of King David. 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 115

Apr25
Day 115.  Reading 1 Chronicles 3-5.
 

Read today’s scripture.

More Genealogies. A look at the tribes and descendants of Israel.

1 Chronicles 3.

The Descendants of David.

David had six sons while he reigned for seven and a half years in Hebron. After he conquered Jerusalem and reigned there, he had thirteen more sons (including Solomon) and a daughter Tamar.

Later when Solomon inherited the throne he had a selfish and pompous son, Rehoboam, who was responsible for tearing the kingdom of Israel in two.  Then there are the list of descendants, all kings in Judah, allowing Judah to become corrupt, and finally be led into captivity in Babylon.

And, the royal line continues in captivity, returning with a descendant named Zerubbabel.  And the line continues.  We will be studying all the kings when we get to 1 and 2 Kings.  It’s mostly a sad tale.

1 Chronicles 4.

Now we get the descendants of the tribe of Judah, through whom the Messiah comes, including a man named Bethlehem! (verse 4) 

Another fellow stands out, named Jabez (Hebrew for pain), because his mother bore him in pain. He was “more honorable than his brothers.”  Jabez called upon the name of the God of Israel, saying, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me … pain.”  And God granted what he asked!!!  Huh!

There were craftsmen, linen workers, and potters named.

Next, the descendants of the tribe of Simeon are listed. They did not have many children and their clan did not multiply like the men of Judah.  They settled in a small rich valley that was good for flocks and had formerly belonged to Ham.  Five hundred of them went over to Mt. Seir and defeated the Amalekites who had escaped (from David’s raid?) and settled there. 

1 Chronicles 5.

Next, the descendants of the tribe of Reuben (Israel’s firstborn).  It mentions here why Reuben did not get the birthright as the firstborn.  Reuben “defiled his father’s bed” by sleeping with one of his concubines.  So Jacob passed the birthright to the firstborn of his other wife, Rachael, to Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh).  One of the descendants, a chief of Reuben’s tribe was carried away into exile by the Assyrians.  Also one of the other descendant’s clan spread far east because they had so much cattle, almost to the Euphrates River!

Next, the descendants of the tribe of Gad. They lived in the cities of Bashan and Gilead, east of the Jordan River. They had all the pasture land to their limits.

Next, the descendants of the half-tribe of Manasseh. This tribe was very numerous, living the east side of the Jordan River, and from Bashan to Mount Hermon. They had many warriors and famous men. But they broke faith with the God of their fathers and went after the gods of the peoples of the land whom God had destroyed before them.  So God stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, and he took them into exile. 

The Reubenites, Gadites, and the Eastern tribe of Manasseh had valiant men who carried shield, and sword, and drew the bow; experts in war, carrying off much livestock and many men as spoil.

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3 more Psalms tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 114

Apr24
Day 114.  Reading Psalms 43, 44, 45, 49, 84, 85, 87.
 

Read today’s scripture.

Did you find comfort or hope in these Psalms?

Psalm 43.

David preaches to himself in this psalm. It feels to him that God has rejected him and is ignoring him. It’s a good pattern for us when times are hard.

  • Vindicate me, O God, defend my cause
  • Why have You rejected me?
  • Send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
  • Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, MY God.
  • Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, MY SALVATION AND MY GOD.

Psalm 44.

  • O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds YOU performed in their days, in the days of old; YOU with Your own hand drove out the nations, but them You planted; YOU afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;  for not by their own sword did they win the land, and did their own arm save them, BUT YOUR RIGHT HAND AND YOUR ARM, AND THE LIGHT OF YOUR FACE, for you delighted in them.

Remember here Deuteronomy 8:17-18. “Beware lest you say in your heart, “MY power and the might of MY hand have gotten me this wealth. You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is HE who gives you power to get wealth.”

  • YOU are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! Through YOU we push down our foes; through YOUR name we tread down those who rise up against us.
  • For not in MY bow do I trust, nor can MY sword save me.
  • But YOU have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.
  • in God we have boasted continually, and w will give thanks to YOUR NAME forever.

Psalm 45.

A corporate song to be sung by the whole congregation.

  • My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

The psalm praises the aspects of the earthly king of Israel in gorgeous phrases of glory.  Then in the middle a verse about the KING OF KINGS:

  • Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness,  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.

Psalm 49.

This psalm is quite whimsical, although it speaks about death as inevitable to all men. DO READ IT!  It begins……

  • HEAR this, all peoples!
  • GIVE EAR, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together.
  • MY MOUTH SHALL SPEAK WISDOM; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
  • I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 

It ends….

  • Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 84.

This one is such a beauty. It praises God, and the psalmist longs to be with the LORD, in His temple.

  • How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
  • My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
  • Even a sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young at Your altars, O LORD of hosts.
  • Blessed are those who dwell in Your house: ever singing Your praise.
  • For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
  • I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
  • For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. 
  • NO GOOD THING does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
  • O LORD of hosts, BLESSED is the one who trusts in You!

Psalm 85.

  • LORD, You were favorable to Your land; You restored the fortunes of Jacob.
  • You forgave the iniquity of Your people, You covered all their sin.
  • You withdrew all your wrath; You turned from Your hot anger.
  • Restore us again, O God of our salvation.
  • Will You be angry with us forever?
  • Will You prolong your anger to all generations?
  • Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?

Psalm 87.

This psalm shows God’s love for the holy Mount Zion on which His temple stands. Jerusalem of gold!  Later in our study, we will see how God actually put the “symbol” of His Name on Mt Zion and Jerusalem.  And one day, King Jesus will rule there.

  • On the holy mount stands the city He founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
  • Glorious things of you are spoken O city of God. 

One day, in the Messianic Kingdom, Israel will sit gloriously in the city. And Egypt, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush, all gentile nations and ancient enemies will one day worship the LORD with Israel in the Holy Mount.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 113

Apr23
Day 113.  Reading 1 Chronicles 1-2
 

Read today’s scripture.

Did you find something new or interesting in this genealogy?

1 Chronicles 1.

Don’t you LOVE genealogies?  Did you see YOUR name there? (I didn’t see mine.)  But God has a specific and good reason to show this list of forefathers.  They affirm the line of Christ from Adam through Abraham and David, and emphasizing the kingdom aspect of Christ. (See Matthew 1:1) These do not include every name, as the genealogies in Genesis do. (That’s not the author’s purpose.) 

Okay, did you muddle through? (The genealogies will continue into Chapter seven). I found some interesting facts as I read the first chapter.

  1. From Noah’s son, Japheth, came familiar names like Magog, and Ashkenaz.
  2. From Noah’s son, Ham, came Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.  The first mighty hunting man, Nimrod, came from Noah’s grandson Cush.
  3. The Philistines came from Noah’s grandson, Egypt.
  4. From Noah’s grandson, Canaan, came Sidon (in Lebanon), and the Jebusites, Hivites, Amorites, and Girgashites, all peoples whom God told Israel to destroy when they came to the Promised Land.
  5. From Noah’s son Shem (the Messianic line) came Peleg (which means divided). In his days, the earth was divided (Tower of Babel).
  6. From Noah’s grandson, Aram, came Uz. (Job 1:1 mentions that area)
  7. Chapter one also lists all the peoples who came from Jacob/Israel’s brother Esau, from Abraham’s other son, Ishmael, and from the sons of Abraham’s second wife, Keturah.
  8. A grandson of Esau was Teman. (Job 4, 15, & 22 mention a Temanite friend)

1 Chronicles 2.

I found more interesting names and facts in chapter two.  

  1. David’s line continues through Israel’s son Judah.
  2. Achan, the troubler of Israel is mentioned.  Remember, he was the one who took spoil from Jericho, against God’s specific command.  His sin caused Israel’s defeat when they attacked Ai.
  3. We see mentioned Boaz (remember the book of Ruth), their son, Obed who was David’s grandpa.
  4. David had two sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail!  (Whoa, didn’t know that!)
  5. And…..  David’s sister Zeruiah had three sons – Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.  (Remember Joab, David’s army commander? He was David’s nephew!  And Asahel was David’s nephew too, whom Abner killed, and so inspired Joab to kill HIM?)
  6. In this line too was Bezalel (Exodus 31:2). Remember the craftsman, whom God chose to be the chief contractor in building the Tabernacle and all that went with it, at Sinai!) He was also in the line through which David would come.

Yes, the names were tedious to read and hard to pronounce, but they were PEOPLE, and some developed into PEOPLES and COUNTRIES.  Just STAY the course.  In a week we will have read through all seven chapters!  PERSEVERE!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 112

Apr22
Day 112.  Reading Psalms 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 19, 20.
 

Read today’s scripture.

How do you love in these Psalms?

Psalm 6.

Perhaps this was written after David rescued his family from the Amalekites, only to come home and learn King Saul and his “Best Friend Forever” Jonathan had been killed in battle and Israel had been soundly defeated. He mourns and laments the losses.

  • I am weary with my moaning, every night I flood my bed with weeping.
  • My eye wastes away because of my grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.
  • Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
  • The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.

Psalm 8,

(I love this psalm!)

  • O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.
  • Out of the mouths of babies and infants, You have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
  • When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which You have set in place, what is MAN than You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?

Psalm 9.

  • I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds.
  • I  will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
  • The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
  • And those who know Your Name, put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
  • Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples His deeds!
  • For He who avenges blood is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

Psalm 10.

  • Why, O LORD, do You stand far away?
  • Why do you hide Yourself in times of trouble?
  • In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised
  • In the pride of his face, the wicked does not seek Him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
  • The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.
  • He (the wicked) says in his heart, “God has forgotten, He has hidden His face, He will never see it.”
  • Arise, O LORD: O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.
  • O LORD, You hear the desires of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. 

Psalm 14.

  • The FOOL has said in his heart, “There is no God.”  They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is NONE who does good.
  • The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see IF there are any who understand, who seek after God.
  • THEY HAVE ALL TURNED ASIDE; together they have become corrupt; there is NONE who does good, not even ONE.
  • Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!  When the LORD restores the fortunes of His people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 16.

  • I say to the LORD, You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.
  • I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
  • I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
  • Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh who dwells secure.
  • You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 19.

  • MAY THE LORD answer you in the day of trouble,
  • MAY THE NAME of the God of Jacob protect you!
  • MAY HE grant you your heart’s desires and fulfill all your plans!
  • MAY THE LORD fulfill all your petitions!
  • O LORD save the king!
  • MAY HE answer us when we call.

Psalm 21.

(I love reading this psalm pointing to David’s love for and closeness to the LORD … before his fall.)

  • O LORD, in Your strength the KING rejoices, and in Your salvation how greatly he exalts!
  • You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.
  • For You meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
  • He asked life of You, and You gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.
  • HIS glory is great through Your salvation; splendor and majesty You bestow on HIM.
  • For You make him most blessed forever; You make him glad with the joy of Your presence.
  • For the KING trusts in the LORD, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

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Yes, David will fail God horribly, but he was always “a man after God’s own heart.”

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 110 & 111

Apr21
(I post Sunday’s and Monday’s studies together.)
 
Day 110.  Reading Psalms 121, 123, 124, 125, 128, 129 & 130
Day 111. Reading 2 Samuel 1 – 4.
 

Read today’s scripture passages.

What specific thing encourages you in these Psalms?

EASTER SUNDAY.  What a wonderful way to begin this day – with Psalms of praise – what good timing.

Psalm 121.

  • I lift up my eyes to the hills.
  • From where does my help come from? 
  • My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 123.

  • To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!

Psalm 124.

  • If it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive…
  • Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
  • Our help is in the Name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 125.

  • Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
  • Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 128.

  • Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways!
  • May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 129.

  • The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD.

Psalm 130.

  • O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
  • If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
  • But with You there is forgiveness that you may be feared.
  • I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and in His word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord, more than the watchman for the morning.
  • O Israel, hope I the LORD. For with the LORD, there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption.
  • And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

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Day 111.

To set the scene for what has happened thus far —

  1. The Philistines planned to march on Israel, focusing on Saul’s hometown.
  2. The Philistine commanders refused to let David and his men accompany them.
  3. David returns home only to find his town burned and all the families kidnapped.
  4. An abandoned slave tells them about the Amalekites and shows David where they are.
  5. David & men defeat them all and bring back their families.
  6. Meanwhile Saul is quaking in his sandals and hears no word from God about what to do. He goes to a witch, who calls up the dead Samuel.
  7. Samuel asks WHAT SAUL IS DOING and says he and his sons will all die the next day.
  8. The Philistines attack. Jonathan and Saul’s other two sons die. He finally dies too at his own hand after being badly wounded.
  9. All the rest of Israel run away and the Philistines live in their towns.

2 Samuel 1.

Two days after David returns home to Ziklag, a messenger, a young Amalekite (Israel’s enemy!), comes from Saul’s camp. He falls to the ground in homage (a hint of the news to follow) and tells David, that the people have fled from the battle and many of them died.

“Saul and his son, Jonathan are dead.”

“How do you know that Saul and his son, Jonathan are dead??”

Here the Amalekite fabricates, saying he found Saul mortally injured. The king asked him to kill him “for anguish has seized me and yet my life lingers.”

“So I killed him because I was sure he was going to die anyway.  Oh, and by the way!  Here are his crown and amulet.  I have brought them here to m’lord.”  (You can bet he was expecting a reward.)

David tore his clothes, mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, and Jonathan, and Israel.

Then he called back the young Amalekite. “How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” Then, David called one of his own men, “Go, execute him!“

And so the enemy liar paid with his own blood for killing the LORD’s anointed.

Then David wrote a lamentation over Saul and Jonathan and said it should be taught to the people of Judah. Here it is in part.

  • Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places. How the mighty have fallen! 
  • Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice.
  • You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain on you nor your fields of offerings.
  • For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul.
  • From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, the sword of Saul returned not empty.
  • Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.
  • How the mighty have fallen; and the weapons of war perished!

2 Samuel 2.

David inquired of the LORD.  And the LORD told him to go up to Hebron. So David and his two wives, Abigail and Ahinoam, plus all his men and their families lived in the towns of Hebron.  The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David King over the house of Judah.

When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh-Gilead who had buried Saul, David sent messages of blessing to them, praying that the LORD would show mercy and faithfulness to them. He too would show them goodness as King of Judah.

However…..

Abner, the commander of Saul’s Army, took Ish-bosheth, another son of Saul, and made HIM king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and the rest of Israel. He reigned two years.

Soon there was a clash between Abner and Joab, commander of the army of David. Abner and Joab sat down on either side of a pool. Abner suggested a contest between some of his men and some of Joab’s men to decide the conflict – instead of the whole army fighting.  Joab agreed.

However, the two sides were so closely matched, they killed each other, and nothing was settled.  And so… a battle royal ensued.  A younger brother of Joab chased Abner. As they ran, Abner told him three times to turn aside, but young Asahel persisted. Abner finally turned and killed the young man. (Joab would never forget this!!!) 

Abner made it home and the Benjaminites surrounded him.  He called to Joab. “Shall the sword devour forever? The end will be bitter! How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?”

Joab thought it over, then blew the trumpet for his men to stop. They did not fight Israel anymore that time.

2 Samuel 3.

There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David, and David grew stronger.  Meanwhile, sons were born to David from his now six wives. (Remember Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah.)

And there was a fight between Ish-Bosheth and Abner because Saul’s son accused the loyal Abner of treason.  Fed up, Abner said he was defecting to David and sent messages to the King of Judah.  Abner told David he could bring all Israel to David.

David agreed with one provision, that Abner bring Michel, Saul’s daughter and David’s first wife to him. (Saul had given her to another man.)  Abner agreed.  The new husband tagged along after Michel, weeping for his wife until Abner told him to go back. 

So David made a feast for Abner with his twenty men. Abner said he’d go and bring all Israel to David. They left each other in peace.

Just then Commander Joab and his men arrived with loot from a raid they’d come from. He was angry with David for making a deal with Abner. “Don’t you know Abner came to deceive you???” 

Joab sent men to bring Abner back on some pretense, and when Abner was back in Hebron, Joab killed him.  “For his brother, Asahel,” and NOT out of concern for David. 

David was furious and full of guilt. He cursed the house of Joab.

And David made Joab and all the people put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner. David wept and lamented Abner, saying,

  • “Should Abner die as a fool dies?
  • Your hands were not bound; your feet were not fettered, 
  • As one falls before the wicked you have fallen.”

And David fasted till the sun went down.  And all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had NOT been the king’s will to put to death Abner.

2 Samuel 4.

Ish-Bosheth’s courage failed.  Two of Saul’s men came into his house in pretense and killed him. They beheaded him and brought the head to David at Hebron!  Well, you know what happened —- the same thing as what happened to the Amalekite who brought news of Saul’s death.  Yep. They were killed. David buried the head of Ish-Bosheth. 

David wanted NO BLOOD on his hands from the house of Saul.  It was God who had chosen him King.  David would not “take” the throne from any of the LORD’s anointed.  Period.

David did not know it yet, but there was one descendant of Saul left, a son of Jonathan named Mephibosheth.  Back when Saul was killed, the little boy’s nurse grabbed him and rushed him to safety from the Philistines.  HOWEVER…. the little guy fell in her haste and became lame from then on. 

(Stay tuned about this guy.)

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 109

Apr19
Day 109.  Reading 1 Samuel 28-31 and Psalms 18.
 

Read today’s scripture.

Did anything in these chapters bother you, cause you to question, or give you closure?

1 Samuel 28.

Remember how we ended yesterday? The Philistine King Achish said, “David shall always be my servant.” Well God has other plans for David, and here’s how He brings them about.

David had been going out and fighting Israel’s enemies while letting Achish think he was fighting against Israel. So when the big push against Israel came, the king signed up David as his bodyguard and his 600 men as part of the Philistine army.

(Pause here while we see what is happening in Israel’s King Saul’s camp.) 

Saul gathered all of Israel at Gilboa (his hometown) to fight the Philistines. But when he SAW their army, he was afraid. His heart trembled greatly. (No David to fight for him this time. In fact, if he’d looked, he might have seen David in the hoard. Don’t worry, God’s going to take care of that.)

Saul tries to “inquire of the LORD,” but the LORD does not answer him, either by a dream, or by the Urim, or by prophets. (Remember Samuel died.) Who else was there?  Who could tell him GOD’s will?  Oh! A witch! A necromancer who could bring up the dead!  NOT!!!

(Read what God says about witches, necromancers, mediums, charmers, sorcerers, fortune tellers, diviners, or omen interpreters in Deut. 18:10-11, Lev. 19:31 and 20:27, Exodus 22:18)  “Don’t go to them! Remove them from Israel! Kill them all!”)

It’s pretty clear that this is a huge no-no, but Saul is at his disobedient end. He has nowhere to turn except repentance to God, and he does not choose that option.  “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium that I may inquire of her.”

It’s interesting, his servants know right where one is, in En-dor. (Even this witch knows that Saul had “cut off the mediums and necromancers from the land.”  Obviously, he’d missed one.)

Saul disguises himself, goes to her, and tells her to bring up the spirit of someone he tells her.  She’s no dummy and is reluctant, but Saul swears “by the LORD” not to punish her.  Oh boy!!!  

“Bring up Samuel.”  And the witch is terrified when Samuel actually appears.  She’s used to her demons impersonating people.  She screams and accuses Saul. But the hapless king reassures her.

SAMUEL: Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?

SAUL: I am in great distress for the Philistines are warring against me and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or dreams. TELL ME WHAT I SHALL DO!

SAMUEL:  Why do you ask ME since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy?  The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to David…BECAUSE YOU DID NOT OBEY HIM and carry out his wrath against Amalek.  The LORD will give Israel to the Philistines tomorrow. You and your sons will “soon be with ME.” 

Not what Saul wanted to hear! He collapses.

1 Samuel 29.

Meanwhile, in the Philistines’ camp, the commanders object to “those Hebrews” being among them. 

King Achish said “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel who has been with me these years since he deserted. I have found no fault in him.”

But the commanders insisted the king send them back from the battle “lest he become an adversary to us. Is this not David of whom they sing and dance, “David has struck his ten thousands (of us!)”

(This is how God was protecting David from having to fight his own people.)

Achish relented, apologized to David, and sent him back, so as not to displease his commanders.  “Arise before dawn and depart as soon as you have light.”

So David did.  (Thank You, LORD!)

1 Samuel 30.

When David and his men returned to their home in Ziklag, they discovered the town burned and all their goods and families taken away. (No one had be killed – see the hand of the LORD!)  But his men were so distraught that they spoke of stoning David!!!

David “strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”  Then he asked Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech (remember, he was the only one to escape when Saul had Doeg kill all the priests for helping David),  “Bring the ephod and inquire of the LORD. Shall I pursue this band?  Shall I overtake them?”

The LORD answered, Yes. So they set out, David and the 600.  At Besor, 200 of the men were left behind “with the baggage” because they were too exhausted to go on.   And (wow!) they found an Egyptian man in the open country, dying of hunger and thirst.  It seems he was a slave to one of the Amalekites, who’d left him behind to die.  When David promised not to desert him, he said he would lead them to the Amalekite camp.

He did. They were spread out in the valley, eating and drinking and dancing.

David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except a few who got on camels and rode off.  All the loot (and people) they had taken from David was there, including his two wives, Abigail and Ahinoam. 

So the 400 and David took it all back, plus loot from the Amalekites.  David told the 400 to share the loot with the 200 who’d stayed behind, but they were reluctant to at first. David insisted, saying that all who fought AND all who protected the baggage would share alike. (It actually became a statute for Israel from that day on.)

When they got back to Ziklag (I assumed they rebuilt it), David sent presents of the spoil to the elders of Judah for all the places he and his men had looted while in the service of the Philistines (more than 13).  WOW.

1 Samuel 31.

Meanwhile, north of Ziklag, the Philistines fought Israel. The men of Israel fell slain on Mount Gilboa. They overtook Saul and his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishu, and killed them. They pressed hard against Saul and he was seriously wounded by Philistine archers. 

Saul pled with his armor-bearer to kill him, so the Philistines would not “mistreat him.”  But the man refused to kill the king. Saul committed suicide. Then the armor-bearer did likewise. 

“Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day.” just as God had said through Samuel.  (God never let any of Samuel’s words fall to the ground, even after his death!)

When the men on the other side of the valley saw their leader dead, they abandoned their cities and ran away. The Philistines came and lived in them.

The next day the Philistines found the body of Saul, cut off his head, and put it and his armor in the house of their idols, then hung his body on the wall. 

(Can you imagine if David had been there??? Praise God, He had removed him from SEEING Saul and Jonathan dead and mistreated.)

Later the people of Jabesh-Gilead, whom Saul had helped at the beginning of his reign, came by night, took the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall, and burned them. They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

And so ignominiously ends the rule of Israel’s first king, and his line.

Why? Because he had twice disobeyed God’s specific word through Samuel, and then continuously refused to repent.  (We will see David grievously sin against God too, but he repents. He suffers the consequences, but always turns back to his God.)

  • O LORD, let Saul’s life be a warning to us, and to me. When I sin, even grievously, cause me to remember to turn to you, confess, repent, then walk in obedience.

Psalm 18.

  • David:  “I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
  • I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 
  • In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God, I cried for help. From His temple, He heard my voice, and my cry to him reached His ears.
  • He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me.
  • For it is You who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. For by You, I can run against a troop, and by my God, I can leap over a wall.
  • This God, His way is perfect, the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.
  • The LORD lives, and blessed by my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation.
  • For this I will praise you O LORD, among the nations, and sing to Your Name. Great salvation He brings to His king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 106

Apr16
Day 106.  Reading Psalms 56, 120, 140. 141, 142

Read today’s scripture.

How do you relate to these Psalms of David?

Psalm 56.

Hear how David lays out his prayer needs and then focuses his hope and trust on God alone.

  • Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me: all day long an attacker oppresses me; many attack me proudly.
  • When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
  • In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust;  I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
  • All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil.
  • They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life.  For their crime, will they escape?
  • You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?
  • This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, In the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 120.

Hear David’s frustration and exhaustion in this Psalm.

  • Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
  • Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!

Psalm 140.

We cringe, but here, David seems vengeful.  Hiding in caves around the Dead Sea, perhaps he can see the sulfurous tar pits and remember Sodom. God hears our hearts. In the end, David leaves it to God’s justice.

  • Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their hearts and stir up wars continually.
  • They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps.
  • Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet.
  • I say to the LORD, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!
  • O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation…..
  • Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked…..
  • Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into the fire, into miry pits, no more to rise!
  • I KNOW that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.

Psalm 141. 

David is far from the “house of the LORD.  He can’t go there to call on Him, burn incense, or offer the evening sacrifice.  He can only call on the name of the LORD, pray, and lift up his voice and his hands where he is.

  • Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips, do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds.
  • Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
  • But my eyes are toward You, O GOD, my Lord; in You I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless. Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me, and from the snares of evildoers.
  • Let the wicked fall into their own nets … while I pass by safely.

Psalm 142.

David is feeling pretty low in this psalm. He’s hiding in a cave, he feels alone and unnoticed, uncared for.

  • With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice, I plead for mercy to the LORD.
  • I pour out my complaint before Him; I tell my trouble before Him. 
  • When my spirit faints within me, YOU know my way!
  • Look to the right and see: there is NONE who takes notice of me; no refuge remains for me; NO ONE CARES FOR MY SOUL!
  • I cry to YOU, O LORD;  I say, YOU ARE MY REFUGE, MY PORTION IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.
  • Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low!
  • Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your Name!

Have you ever felt such anguish and depression?  Have you cried out to God in your dark prison of the soul?  (I have.)

But remember, the line in David’s other psalm. Psalm 23:4. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of DEATH … I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me;” 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 100

Apr10
Day 100.  Reading 1 Samuel 9 – 12
 

Read today’s scripture.

How do you see God’s faithfulness today?

1 Samuel 9.

This sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale.

“There was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish … a man of wealth. And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.”

A fine candidate for a king! Maybe that’s what Samuel thought as well.  And God told the prophet just that. “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines.”

All we need is a damsel in distress!  Or a nation.

Turns out, the problem is a few lost donkeys. Saul’s father sent him (and a servant) to find them.  They looked everywhere, and when they ran out of food, finally decided to go back home. Saul was worried that his father would now be more concerned about him being lost than the animals.  But the servant suggested one last try before turning around.

“There’s a man of God in this city. I hear that all he says comes true. Maybe he can tell us where the donkeys are.” The servant had a silver quarter to offer to the “seer,” so Saul agreed.  They met some young women with water pots and asked for directions.  They told Saul that the seer was in town for a special sacrifice, and if they hurried they’d meet him just ahead.

They saw Samuel coming out of the city, and Saul said, “Where’s the house of the seer?”

“I’m the seer,” Samuel said. “Today you are going to eat with me and I’m going to tell you all that’s on your mind.  Oh, and as for the donkeys you lost three days ago, they have been found.”

Samuel went on to tell Saul that he and his father’s house had been chosen for a special task. Saul demurred. “I’m a Benjamite, the humblest of the tribes. Why are you talking to me this way?” 

Samuel said nothing more but led them to the feast. He called for the special portion of meat he’d laid aside earlier and the cook brought it to Saul. Afterward, Samuel took Saul to a bed ready for him, and the tall, dark, handsome (but bewildered) man lay down and slept. 

At dawn, he woke Saul up and took him to the edge of the city. “Send you servant on, but you stay here. I have a word of God for you.”

1 Samuel 10.

Alone with Saul, Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head. “The LORD has anointed you to be prince over His people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies.”

  • Saul was shocked to silence and disbelieving. So Samuel said, “This shall be a sign that the LORD indeed has anointed you. 1) You will meet two men on your way home, by Rachel’s tomb. They will tell you that the donkeys have been found and that your father is now worried about you.”
  • Samuel continued with two more signs. 2) “After that, at the oak of Tabor, you’ll meet three men going up to Bethel. One is carrying three young goats, another is carrying three loaves of bread, and the third has a skin of wine.  They will give you two loaves of bread.”
  • 3) When you come to Gibeath-elohim where there is a garrison of Philistines, you will meet a group of prophets with a harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre, prophesying. God’s Spirit will come on YOU and YOU will also prophesy.  With these three signs, YOU WILL KNOW GOD IS WITH YOU.”
  • “Then you are to go to Gilgal and wait for me seven days.  I’ll come and show you what you shall do.”

Those were some pretty specific signs, and Saul had to believe.  When Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, GOD GAVE HIM ANOTHER HEART.  And all the signs came to pass.

Samuel called the people together to the LORD and told them that the LORD their God had faithfully brought them out of Egypt, given them the land, and fought their enemies.  But that “Today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to Him, “Set a king over us.”  Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD.”

Then by lot, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen, the clan of the Matrites, and finally Saul the son of Kish was chosen by lot.  

But where was he?

“Hiding behind the baggage,” the LORD said. And they brought him out.

“Do you see him, the man the LORD has chosen?” said Samuel proudly.

“Long live the king!” shouted the people.

Samuel read the rights and duties of the kingship and wrote it all up before the LORD.  And everybody went home. (Anti-climax?)

1 Samuel 11.

Then came the new king’s first test.  The Ammonites besieged Jabish-Gilead and offered a peace deal with some awful provisions.   “Help!” cried the people and sent a message to Saul. God’s Spirit rushed upon him and he was greatly angered.

Saul killed a yoke of oxen and cut them into pieces.  He sent pieces throughout Israel, threatening whoever did not come to help would end up like the oxen. Well, 300K men showed up. They tricked the Ammonites into passivity and at dawn attacked. Thousands were killed and all others fled away in terror.

And Samuel took the people to Gilgal and there “renewed the kingdom.” There they made Saul king before the LORD. And Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Saul passed his first test.

1 Samuel 12.

Now Samuel gives a farewell address to Israel (although he will be around for a while longer).

“And now, behold, the king walks before you and I am old and gray; and behold my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. Here I am. Testify against me before the LORD if I have done anything wrong to you.”

Then Samuel preaches a VERY LONG sermon, beginning with, “The Lord is witness…”

After preaching about the goodness and care of God for them, he brings them to their demand for a king

“Now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you.  IF both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, THEN it will be well. But IF you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, THEN the hand of the LORD will be AGAINST you and your king.”

“Pray for us to the LORD your God ...” the people cried to Samuel.

“Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and right way.  Only … fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.”

 

  • O LORD, help me too to fear and love and serve YOU faithfully with all my heart. For indeed, you have done so much for me! 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 99

Apr9
Day 99.  Reading 1 Samuel 4 – 8

Read today’s scripture.

How do you see God’s faithfulness today?

1 Samuel 4.

Wow.

Since Samson had left only a “dent” in the Philistine armies when he died, they continued to be a thorn in the flesh of Israel along Israel’s southwestern border. Now these mighty men invaded Judah from Aphek (the north-eastern-most Philistine town) and defeated them, killing 4K Israeli soldiers.

Israel panicked and instead of turning to God, they got the “brilliant” idea to bring out the Ark of the Covenant. So those wicked sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, brought the Ark of God out of the Tabernacle at Shiloh to the battleground at Ebenezer.

A GREAT, HUGE CHEER broke out from Israel. And it scared the Philistines to death!  They knew and remembered the stories of how Israel’s God defeated the great Pharoah of Egypt and shook in their sandals.

“A god has come into the camp! Woe to us! Woe to us! Who can deliver us from these mighty gods? Take courage and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; BE MEN AND FIGHT!”  And so they fought. This time, 30K Israeli soldiers died, plus the sons of Eli.

And…the Ark of God was captured!  

When it was told to the fat, 98-year-old Eli that his sons were dead, and most importantly, that the Ark was in Philistine hands, he fell over backward, broke his neck, and died. (Just as the young Samuel had prophesied.)

“The Glory had departed from Israel! The Ark of God had been captured!”

But God wasn’t a helpless captive. He would NOT let his “throne” be desecrated.

1 Samuel 5.

The Philistines took the Ark to Ashdod, their nearest city, and put it into the temple of their god, Dagon, as a “trophy.”  But, when they went in the next morning, they saw their idol had fallen face down, in worship, before the Ark of God.

Whoa!  Looking around in fear, they set their idol back up on its pedestal.

The next morning, they found the same thing, except the idol’s head and hands were broken off and placed in the doorway.  Not only this, but the people of Ashdod began getting tumors all over them. EEK!  “Get rid of that thing!”

So the Ark of the God of Israel was taken to Gath.  The same thing happened there – tumors on the men and boys.  Those citizens also freaked out and sent God’s Throne to Ekron. Now, the third of the five Philistine cities suffered too. The hand of God was very heavy on them, and those who did not die were struck with those dreaded tumors.

All the lords of the Philistines decided they MUST send the Ark of the God of Israel … BACK to Israel. Seven months of suffering was ENOUGH!

1 Samuel 6.

The Philistine priests and diviners told them how to return the Ark.  They were to build a cart, hitch up two milk cows (with calves locked in the barn), put the Ark of the God of Israel on the cart, along with five gold items (for each of the cities – Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron) as “guilt” offerings, and send it off.  If the cows returned home to their calves (which would be natural), they would know that the tumors, etc. were NOT from God, but a mere coincidence.  But if the cart did not return, they would KNOW, that the God of Israel was responsible.

The cows – with their calves crying in the distance – took the cart with the Ark (without turning to the right or left) STRAIGHT to the Levite town of Beth-shemesh, in Judah.  Farmers who were reaping there, stopped and rejoiced to see it. They sacrificed the cows on the wood from the cut-up cart as a burnt offering to the LORD.

When the Philistines who followed saw this, they returned to Ekron, satisfied.

However, 70 men of Beth-shemesh came to look (ogle?) at the Ark of God, a great sin of presumption. (See Numbers 4:20)  This lack of awe and respect caused God to flash out and kill all 70.  Yikes!   The people there cried out, “Who can stand before the LORD?  Where can we send the Ark?

They sent to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim in the heart of Judah. The men came and took the Ark of the LORD. They put it into the house of Abinadab after consecrating his son Eleazar to have charge of it. It stayed there until King David brought it to Jerusalem (See 2 Samuel 6:1-19)

Why they didn’t return it to Shiloh, we don’t know.

1 Samuel 7.

After that, Samuel – “the voice of God” – said to the people, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD, and serve Him only. He will deliver you out of the hands of the Philistines.”

So the people did what Samuel said.

Then Samuel gathered all of Israel together and said, “I will pray to the LORD for you.”  They fasted and confessed their sin against God at Mizpah.

When the Philistines heard the people were gathered there, they came up to fight them.  The people – scared of the hoards – cried to Samuel to cry to the LORD to save them.  Samuel did and the LORD answered him.

The LORD thundered with a mighty sound against the Philistines, threw them into confusion, and routed them.  The men of Israel pursued them and struck them down.  And so, the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the land of Israel all the days of Samuel, and there was peace with them.

Samuel set up a stone at Ebenezer (not the one in 4:1) and said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” (Ebenezer means “stone of help.”

Have you heard of the old hymn, “Come, Thou Fount”? Here is the second verse:

  • “Here I’ll raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’m come;
  • And I hope by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
  • Jesus sought me when a stranger, wand’ring from the fold of God.
  • He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.”

Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. He went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, returning to Ramah where his home was.

1 Samuel 8.

When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel; Joel (“the Lord is God”) and Abijah (“my Father is the Lord”).  But God had not chosen them, and they did not walk in the ways of their father. They “turned aside after gain” and took bribes and perverted justice.”

(How did this happen? Did the godly Samuel neglect to discipline his sons, as Eli had?  It’s so sad. But God is sovereign, and His plan must not have been for the time of judges to continue.)

The people of Israel saw Joel and Abijah and how they acted, and heartlessly said to Samuel,  “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a KING to judge us like all the nations.”

Samuel was heartbroken. He prayed to God, and God told him to “Obey the voice of the people in all they say. For they have not rejected YOU, but they have rejected ME from being king over them. Obey their voice, only WARN THEM SOLEMNLY and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them,”

So Samuel warned them about having a king.

  • He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and soldiers.
  • He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and fifties, and some to plow his ground and reap his harvest and to make implements of war.
  • He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.
  • He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants.
  • He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and servants.
  • He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys and put them to HIS work.
  • He will take the tenth of your flocks and you shall be his slaves.
  • And in the day you cry out because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, the LORD will not answer you.

It’s like they didn’t even hear him.  “NO, but there SHALL be a king over us, that we also may BE LIKE ALL THE NATIONS, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles!”

Samuel repeated these words to God.

And God said, “Obey their voice and make them a king.”