Lots of page flipping this week. But good since we are reading chronologically. Hope you are all still reading and being blessed by God's word.
Day 1
We start out with the Philistines gathering to go to war against Israel. Saul prays but doesn't get an answer so he seeks out a medium. Even though he earlier had banished all the mediums. He now decides he needs one. Very sad because he continues to move farther away from God. The medium brings forth Samuel. Saul is now told that he and his son will die tomorrow.
David meanwhile is with the Philistines but is told to stay behind and not to fight with them. Even though David was committed to them now they knew that he would not kill Saul or Johnathan. David had a loyalty first to The Lord and His people.
While David and the men were out there town was raided and the women and children were taken. David and his men went out after them and got back everything, including all the women and children. None were missing.
Saul was killed. He didn't keep the commands of The Lord and it led to his death.
Day 2
Man comes to David to tell him about Saul and how he killed him because he had been wounded. But David killed man because it was a very serious thing to killed or hurt the Lords anointed.
David becomes king. Every time David was to go to war he would inquire of The Lord and ask if they should go up to war. He would wait for the answer and then do what he was told. David continued to grow stronger and stronger. He continued to show his faithfulness to Gods people.
Day 3
Many men came to join with David. A great coming together and feast. There was joy in Israel.
Ps. 93 - The Lord reigns and He is mighty.
Ps. 95 - Sing to The Lord make a joyful noise. Let us worship and bow down before The Lord our Maker. He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Day 4
David is getting greater and greater because The Lord of hosts is with him.
Ps 118 Oh give thanks to The Lord for He is good and His steadfast love endures forever. Lord is on my side I shall not fear. What can man do to me? Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation. This is the day that The Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Ps 101 David wants to walk with integrity of heart. Don't set my eyes before anything worthless.
Day 5
Ps 139 The Lord knows me and knows everything about me. He formed me in my mothers womb. I praise God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The Lord knew me before I was formed, precious to me are Your thoughts. Search me and know my heart. Try me and if there is any grievous way in me, lead me to the way everlasting. What a prayer to pray and ask of the Lord to show us the ick that is in us. We should want to be open before the Lord. He knows us inside and out anyways. Even the thoughts of our minds.
David is wants to bring the ark to City of David. Must be brought by the Levites. The whole time they brought it they would sing, praise, dance and make music to The Lord.
Day 6
The ark had to be properly carried by those God had set apart to carry it. Even though the ox stumbled the man should not have touched the ark. We can not touch or see God. We are sinful beings. We will be killed instantly. Just as Uzzah was. It might sound cruel or mean but I am honored and relieved that I serve a Holy God that can have nothing to do with sin and evil. This is why we need Jesus. Because of Him I can enter in. I am covered because of His blood and sacrifice.
Ps 68 Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered. Sing to God and praise Him.
Day 7
The Ark is brought up with singing and dancing.
Ps. 24 God is the King of glory! The Lord is strong and mighty.
Happy Reading - Jeannie
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Week 15 April 9 - April 15
Psalm 26
David has integrity and trusted in the Lord faithfully. In verse two he said, "Examine me O
Lord, try me, test my mind and heart."
He walks in the Lords truth and stays away from evil.
1 Samuel 21
David goes to Ahimelech, the priest. But the only food the priest had was the consecrated bread. He gave it to David as well as giving him the sword Goliath.
Psalms 34
I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall be continually in my mouth. Boast in the Lord. The Lord hears our cries. V. 8 Taste and see the Lord is good – how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Fear Him. Keep tongue from evil and deceit. Depart from evil and do good, seek to pursue peace.
Psalms 56
V. 3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. What can man do? God is for me.
1 Samuel 22 / 1 Chronicles 12
David escapes to a cave and family found him and went to him. He tells the men if you come peacefully I will be united to you. But if you betray me God will decide what to do with you, the blood will not be on my hands. The men came to help him and they were united with him.
Psalms 141 & 142
David calls out to The Lord. He asks the Lord to guard his mouth and lips. He knows God is still with him and that God is his refuge.
1 Samuel 22 & 23
Saul found out that the priest helped David and gave him Goliaths sword. He ordered for all of the priests to be killed. The servants would not kill the priests but Doeg did and he killed 85 of them.
Abiathar escapes and goes to David and tells him. He says with David.
Philistines attacking Keilah So David asks the Lord, "Should I go there?" and the Lord told him "Yes, go" David and his men saved the people.
Psalms 52, 109, 140
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
David gave himself over to prayer he gives thanks to the Lord and praises Him.
The Lord is the strength of my salvation.
1 Samuel 23
Saul pursues David in Keilah. David escapes. David and Jonathan made a covenant. Jonathan told David that he will become king and Saul knows this too.
Saul sought to take David's life every day.
Psalms 13, 54, 17
V 5 & 6 But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
God is my helper – the upholder of my life.
Hear me oh Lord, You have tried my heart, You have tested me. You will find nothing sinful in me.
I'm amazed at the heart of David in this Psalm. He follows the Lord faithfully and trusts in Him. Even though his enemies seek to kill him, he praises God and continues to keep his eyes focused on Him.
1 Samuel 24
Saul continues to seek after David to kill him. Saul goes into cave where David is hiding. Men tell David that the Lord will give Saul into his hand today. David cuts off part of Sauls robe. When Saul leaves the cave David calls out to him. David falls to ground before Saul. Saul weeps because he knew that he had been evil to David. Saul said that he knew that David would become king. Then Saul returned home.
Psalms 57, 108
Gods steadfast love is great.
My heart is steadfast with God. Sing and make melody with all my being David said. Praise God. Exalt him.
1 Samuel 25
Samuel dies. David asked Nabal if he would help feed his men. Nabel said no. Abigail, Nabals wife, was discerning and smart. She knew that if she helped David she would be blessed. She prepared food and went out to meet David. Because of her obedience David made a covenant with her to not destroy all of the men. Nabal then died 10 days later. David took Abigail to be his wife.
1 Samuel 26, 27
Saul again went to kill David. David again spared his life because Saul was the Lord's anointed. David then fled to the land of the Philistines. Saul no longer pursued him. David lived in the land of Gath. The king was happy because he figured all of Israel wouldn't like David and David would be his servant forever.
David had many opportunities to take Sauls life from him. But David knew right from wrong. Even in his deepest, darkest times he praised the Lord and he prayed to Him seeking His word. David is such an awesome example of what a Christian should be like. He didn't just do things quickly, without thought. He prayed and seeked the Lord in all things. Then when he heard the answer he went forward.
Happy reading – Jeannie
David has integrity and trusted in the Lord faithfully. In verse two he said, "Examine me O
Lord, try me, test my mind and heart."
He walks in the Lords truth and stays away from evil.
1 Samuel 21
David goes to Ahimelech, the priest. But the only food the priest had was the consecrated bread. He gave it to David as well as giving him the sword Goliath.
Psalms 34
I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall be continually in my mouth. Boast in the Lord. The Lord hears our cries. V. 8 Taste and see the Lord is good – how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Fear Him. Keep tongue from evil and deceit. Depart from evil and do good, seek to pursue peace.
Psalms 56
V. 3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. What can man do? God is for me.
1 Samuel 22 / 1 Chronicles 12
David escapes to a cave and family found him and went to him. He tells the men if you come peacefully I will be united to you. But if you betray me God will decide what to do with you, the blood will not be on my hands. The men came to help him and they were united with him.
Psalms 141 & 142
David calls out to The Lord. He asks the Lord to guard his mouth and lips. He knows God is still with him and that God is his refuge.
1 Samuel 22 & 23
Saul found out that the priest helped David and gave him Goliaths sword. He ordered for all of the priests to be killed. The servants would not kill the priests but Doeg did and he killed 85 of them.
Abiathar escapes and goes to David and tells him. He says with David.
Philistines attacking Keilah So David asks the Lord, "Should I go there?" and the Lord told him "Yes, go" David and his men saved the people.
Psalms 52, 109, 140
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
David gave himself over to prayer he gives thanks to the Lord and praises Him.
The Lord is the strength of my salvation.
1 Samuel 23
Saul pursues David in Keilah. David escapes. David and Jonathan made a covenant. Jonathan told David that he will become king and Saul knows this too.
Saul sought to take David's life every day.
Psalms 13, 54, 17
V 5 & 6 But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
God is my helper – the upholder of my life.
Hear me oh Lord, You have tried my heart, You have tested me. You will find nothing sinful in me.
I'm amazed at the heart of David in this Psalm. He follows the Lord faithfully and trusts in Him. Even though his enemies seek to kill him, he praises God and continues to keep his eyes focused on Him.
1 Samuel 24
Saul continues to seek after David to kill him. Saul goes into cave where David is hiding. Men tell David that the Lord will give Saul into his hand today. David cuts off part of Sauls robe. When Saul leaves the cave David calls out to him. David falls to ground before Saul. Saul weeps because he knew that he had been evil to David. Saul said that he knew that David would become king. Then Saul returned home.
Psalms 57, 108
Gods steadfast love is great.
My heart is steadfast with God. Sing and make melody with all my being David said. Praise God. Exalt him.
1 Samuel 25
Samuel dies. David asked Nabal if he would help feed his men. Nabel said no. Abigail, Nabals wife, was discerning and smart. She knew that if she helped David she would be blessed. She prepared food and went out to meet David. Because of her obedience David made a covenant with her to not destroy all of the men. Nabal then died 10 days later. David took Abigail to be his wife.
1 Samuel 26, 27
Saul again went to kill David. David again spared his life because Saul was the Lord's anointed. David then fled to the land of the Philistines. Saul no longer pursued him. David lived in the land of Gath. The king was happy because he figured all of Israel wouldn't like David and David would be his servant forever.
David had many opportunities to take Sauls life from him. But David knew right from wrong. Even in his deepest, darkest times he praised the Lord and he prayed to Him seeking His word. David is such an awesome example of what a Christian should be like. He didn't just do things quickly, without thought. He prayed and seeked the Lord in all things. Then when he heard the answer he went forward.
Happy reading – Jeannie
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Week 14 - April 2 -April 8
1 Samuel 8- 10
The people wanted a king. Samuel prayed. God told Samuel to tell people that the king would rule over them and take their sons he would take all they had they will cry out. But they would not listen and wanted a king.
Saul was a Benjamite he was handsome and tall good family line. God chose Saul to be the king. Saul was surprised because he was a Benjamite, least of the tribes, but God uses the small to do big things.
Samuel anointed Saul. God gave Saul a different heart and people noticed. By the people wanting a king they were rejecting God.
1 Samuel 11- 13
Saul becomes king. In chapter 13 Saul decides not to wait on the Lord and takes matters into his own hands. Big mistake this is the beginning of his end. God said I will not establish him as king but will find a man after His own heart.
1 Samuel 14
Saul and his men are at war with the Philistines. Saul told them no one should eat until they prevail over their enemies. Jonathan did not know this and he ate some honey. Saul was willing to kill his own son. But the people said no. Because the people were starving they ate animals with blood still in them. Saul made them sin by keeping them from eating.
1 Samuel 15
Saul was told to go to Amalek and kill all even the animals. The people kept the best of the animals to sacrifice to God. But that wasn't what God told them to do. Saul feared the people more than he feared God. God would rather have our obedience than our sacrifices.
1 Samuel 16
Samuel was grieving over Saul. God told him I will give you the next king.
V. 7 Lord doesn't look at the outside appearance he looks at the heart.
David went to Saul to play the lyre for him. The Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul and he was being tormented.
Psalms 39, 19, 8
David says guard my mouth not to sin. He hoped in the Lord and asked God to deliver him from sin.
The law of the Lord is perfect.
David had such a different heart then Saul did right of the bat. He was humble and always wanting to listen to the Lord and be right before Him.
1 Samuel 17
Philistines gathered armies against Saul and his men. Goliath came out and taunted the people. He was a giant at 9 foot tall. He came out day after day taunting them for 40 days.
David's father had sent him to the front line with food for the people. David heard Goliaths taunting and couldn't stand it. He decided to fight the giant. David said you come to me with swords but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of armies of Israel.
They had taunted the armies of God and God will deliver them.
David said to Goliath who are you you uncircumcised Philistine. David picked up a stick and five smooth stones to fight the giant. The giant said,"what am I a dog, that I should play with a stick"
Little did Goliath know that God was on David side. David killed Goliath with a rock from his slingshot.
Psalms 23
The Lord is my Shepherd.
Psalms 5
David's prayer of protection from the wicked. Let all who take refuge in God be glad and sing for joy. the Lord will shelter you.
1 Samuel 18 - 19
Jonathan and David become best friends and they make a covenant to one another. David is a mighty warrior and Saul becomes very jealous. Saul wanted David to be his son-in-law. David refused he said who am I to be the son-in-law to the king. David was such a humble man. Saul wanted David to be into the hands of the Philistines so that they could kill him. Saul said he would give his daughter to him if he got the foreskins of 100 Philistines. Saul did this thinking that David would certainly be killed. But nope, David got 200 foreskins. Pretty gross but it shows that David was a valiant warrior willing to do what he was supposed to do. David continued to be more and more highly esteemed.
Psalms 11-12
David asks the Lord for help. He takes refuge in the Lord.
1 Samuel 19
Saul wanted to kill David. Michal, David's wife, helped him to escape. David went to Samuel and told him everything.
Psalms 59, 7, 25
O my ,strength, I will sing praises to You, for God is my stronghold the God who shows me lovingkindness.
David was being pursued by Saul he's in a really bad place but what does he do, he prays and he praises God.
David lifts his soul to God and he trusts Him, he wants to know God more. David even asks for forgiveness if he has done wrong.
1 Samuel 20
Again Jonathan and David make a covenant. Jonathan is taking his life into his own hands by going and meeting David. But Jonathan knows that the hand of the Lord is with David. Jonathan would've been next in line for the kingship. But he knows that God has a different plan. He makes a covenant with God's anointed, his best friend David.
We can learn a lot by the friendship of David and Jonathan. And we can also learn a lot by Davids attitude when his enemies were after him. Draw near to the Lord and praise him when you are in times of trouble.
Happy reading - Jeannie
The people wanted a king. Samuel prayed. God told Samuel to tell people that the king would rule over them and take their sons he would take all they had they will cry out. But they would not listen and wanted a king.
Saul was a Benjamite he was handsome and tall good family line. God chose Saul to be the king. Saul was surprised because he was a Benjamite, least of the tribes, but God uses the small to do big things.
Samuel anointed Saul. God gave Saul a different heart and people noticed. By the people wanting a king they were rejecting God.
1 Samuel 11- 13
Saul becomes king. In chapter 13 Saul decides not to wait on the Lord and takes matters into his own hands. Big mistake this is the beginning of his end. God said I will not establish him as king but will find a man after His own heart.
1 Samuel 14
Saul and his men are at war with the Philistines. Saul told them no one should eat until they prevail over their enemies. Jonathan did not know this and he ate some honey. Saul was willing to kill his own son. But the people said no. Because the people were starving they ate animals with blood still in them. Saul made them sin by keeping them from eating.
1 Samuel 15
Saul was told to go to Amalek and kill all even the animals. The people kept the best of the animals to sacrifice to God. But that wasn't what God told them to do. Saul feared the people more than he feared God. God would rather have our obedience than our sacrifices.
1 Samuel 16
Samuel was grieving over Saul. God told him I will give you the next king.
V. 7 Lord doesn't look at the outside appearance he looks at the heart.
David went to Saul to play the lyre for him. The Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul and he was being tormented.
Psalms 39, 19, 8
David says guard my mouth not to sin. He hoped in the Lord and asked God to deliver him from sin.
The law of the Lord is perfect.
David had such a different heart then Saul did right of the bat. He was humble and always wanting to listen to the Lord and be right before Him.
1 Samuel 17
Philistines gathered armies against Saul and his men. Goliath came out and taunted the people. He was a giant at 9 foot tall. He came out day after day taunting them for 40 days.
David's father had sent him to the front line with food for the people. David heard Goliaths taunting and couldn't stand it. He decided to fight the giant. David said you come to me with swords but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of armies of Israel.
They had taunted the armies of God and God will deliver them.
David said to Goliath who are you you uncircumcised Philistine. David picked up a stick and five smooth stones to fight the giant. The giant said,"what am I a dog, that I should play with a stick"
Little did Goliath know that God was on David side. David killed Goliath with a rock from his slingshot.
Psalms 23
The Lord is my Shepherd.
Psalms 5
David's prayer of protection from the wicked. Let all who take refuge in God be glad and sing for joy. the Lord will shelter you.
1 Samuel 18 - 19
Jonathan and David become best friends and they make a covenant to one another. David is a mighty warrior and Saul becomes very jealous. Saul wanted David to be his son-in-law. David refused he said who am I to be the son-in-law to the king. David was such a humble man. Saul wanted David to be into the hands of the Philistines so that they could kill him. Saul said he would give his daughter to him if he got the foreskins of 100 Philistines. Saul did this thinking that David would certainly be killed. But nope, David got 200 foreskins. Pretty gross but it shows that David was a valiant warrior willing to do what he was supposed to do. David continued to be more and more highly esteemed.
Psalms 11-12
David asks the Lord for help. He takes refuge in the Lord.
1 Samuel 19
Saul wanted to kill David. Michal, David's wife, helped him to escape. David went to Samuel and told him everything.
Psalms 59, 7, 25
O my ,strength, I will sing praises to You, for God is my stronghold the God who shows me lovingkindness.
David was being pursued by Saul he's in a really bad place but what does he do, he prays and he praises God.
David lifts his soul to God and he trusts Him, he wants to know God more. David even asks for forgiveness if he has done wrong.
1 Samuel 20
Again Jonathan and David make a covenant. Jonathan is taking his life into his own hands by going and meeting David. But Jonathan knows that the hand of the Lord is with David. Jonathan would've been next in line for the kingship. But he knows that God has a different plan. He makes a covenant with God's anointed, his best friend David.
We can learn a lot by the friendship of David and Jonathan. And we can also learn a lot by Davids attitude when his enemies were after him. Draw near to the Lord and praise him when you are in times of trouble.
Happy reading - Jeannie
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Week 13 March 26-April 1
Judges 6
Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they were given to be slaves. This will happen again and again. Remember Moses warning them against this? Did they listen? Nope!
But they would cry out and Lord would save them. God calls Gideon. But did you notice Gideon kept questioning God. Are you sure? Ok God do this... OK do this too...
He really feared cutting down the false gods. But he did it. I loved how the men came to Gideons dad and said that his son needed to be killed for tearing down poles. But dad said well if Baal is a real god then let him kill Gideon. That was great! Of course Baal is false so Gideon was just fine.
Judges 7
God doesn't need a lot of men to win a war. In fact He would rather do it with just a few so that He will get the glory and not man. He is a great and awesome God that fought for them He should receive the praise.
Judges 8
The people wanted Gideon to rule over them in V.22. But he told them "no" God will rule over you. That was a great statement although he did accept the offering of the gold and put the ephod in his city, which became a snare to him and his family. Gideon dies and the people turn back to the false gods not remembering what God had done for them.
Judges 9
Abimelech was a mean dude. Killed all his brothers except for the youngest, which escaped. But in the end he got what he deserved and he was killed by a rock thrown down by a women.
Judges 10
The Israelites continued to do evil and serve other gods. They cried out and God told them I save you but you forsake Me. Go cry out to your false gods - let them save you.
Judges 11
Jepthah makes a deal with the Lord... Whatever comes out of my house Lord I will offer it to You as a burnt sacrifice. Well guess who it is that runs out...... His one and only daughter. Now I was a bit confused about this last year when I read it.. But now I looked into it more and realized that he didn't actually burn his daughter as a sacrifice. God tells us not to do that. However just as Isaac was to be the burnt offering God stopped it and gave a replacement. The daughter wept for her virginity for 2 months. She did this because she would never marry. She was to be dedicated to the Lord and serve him. Jephthah made a hasty decision to offer whatever came out of his house. God never asked him to do that and God would have allowed him to be prosperous without Jepthah's promise. But since he did make that promise God held him to it and he gave his daughter to the Lord.
Judges 13 - 17
Continuing Evil. In the hands of the Philistines for 40 years.
The birth of Samson. He was a man that was to never have a razor touch his head. He was dedicated to the Lord.
Samson didn't take his position and strength very seriously. He saw a woman and told mom and dad, "I like her and I want her!" He did care that she was not of his people. Mistake #1
The woman then persuades him to tell her a riddle so she can tell the Philistines. He does!
Then Delilah.... Well what can I say... Again he wasn't thinking very much. She told him to tell her how he got his strength so she could use it against him. AND He does! It leads to his capture and his eyes being gouged out. Interesting that they would do this. His eyes caused him to do evil again and again. He saw something he liked and he went for it.
He did redeem himself at the end of his life by pulling the pillars down and killing 3000 men.
He had amazing strength that was given from God. However the strength was not in his hair or even his own but from God. And that strength left him because his focus was on carnal things.
Judges 17- 18
Everyone continued to do what was right in their own eyes.
Micah hires a Levite to be his priest but he also had false gods as well. Can't have both, God can't have any darkness or evil or sin around Him.
Judges 19- 21
Very graphic and sad story here. But when there is corruption and sin the results are just that graphic and sad. It was sad that the Benjaminites wouldn't own up to what they did and many fell because of the sin.
Again the end of the book ends with, "and everyone did what was right in his own eyes".
1 Samuel 1-7
Hannah weeps because she is barren. She asks Lord to give her a son and she will dedicate him to the Lord. She conceives and has Samuel. She is true to her word and Samuel is brought to the priest after being weaned. God calls Samuel in the night and Samuel begins his life knowing God.
The Ark is captured by Philistines, and it is like a hot potato. The people are afflicted with tumors and when they put it with their gods, it's head and hands fell off. They finally send it away.. happy to get rid of it!
Ch. 7 v.3 Samuel told them to return to God with their whole heart and only serve Him. Put away false gods and He will deliver them from Philistines. Lords hand was against Philistines for all the days of Samuel.
Happy Reading - Jeannie
Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they were given to be slaves. This will happen again and again. Remember Moses warning them against this? Did they listen? Nope!
But they would cry out and Lord would save them. God calls Gideon. But did you notice Gideon kept questioning God. Are you sure? Ok God do this... OK do this too...
He really feared cutting down the false gods. But he did it. I loved how the men came to Gideons dad and said that his son needed to be killed for tearing down poles. But dad said well if Baal is a real god then let him kill Gideon. That was great! Of course Baal is false so Gideon was just fine.
Judges 7
God doesn't need a lot of men to win a war. In fact He would rather do it with just a few so that He will get the glory and not man. He is a great and awesome God that fought for them He should receive the praise.
Judges 8
The people wanted Gideon to rule over them in V.22. But he told them "no" God will rule over you. That was a great statement although he did accept the offering of the gold and put the ephod in his city, which became a snare to him and his family. Gideon dies and the people turn back to the false gods not remembering what God had done for them.
Judges 9
Abimelech was a mean dude. Killed all his brothers except for the youngest, which escaped. But in the end he got what he deserved and he was killed by a rock thrown down by a women.
Judges 10
The Israelites continued to do evil and serve other gods. They cried out and God told them I save you but you forsake Me. Go cry out to your false gods - let them save you.
Judges 11
Jepthah makes a deal with the Lord... Whatever comes out of my house Lord I will offer it to You as a burnt sacrifice. Well guess who it is that runs out...... His one and only daughter. Now I was a bit confused about this last year when I read it.. But now I looked into it more and realized that he didn't actually burn his daughter as a sacrifice. God tells us not to do that. However just as Isaac was to be the burnt offering God stopped it and gave a replacement. The daughter wept for her virginity for 2 months. She did this because she would never marry. She was to be dedicated to the Lord and serve him. Jephthah made a hasty decision to offer whatever came out of his house. God never asked him to do that and God would have allowed him to be prosperous without Jepthah's promise. But since he did make that promise God held him to it and he gave his daughter to the Lord.
Judges 13 - 17
Continuing Evil. In the hands of the Philistines for 40 years.
The birth of Samson. He was a man that was to never have a razor touch his head. He was dedicated to the Lord.
Samson didn't take his position and strength very seriously. He saw a woman and told mom and dad, "I like her and I want her!" He did care that she was not of his people. Mistake #1
The woman then persuades him to tell her a riddle so she can tell the Philistines. He does!
Then Delilah.... Well what can I say... Again he wasn't thinking very much. She told him to tell her how he got his strength so she could use it against him. AND He does! It leads to his capture and his eyes being gouged out. Interesting that they would do this. His eyes caused him to do evil again and again. He saw something he liked and he went for it.
He did redeem himself at the end of his life by pulling the pillars down and killing 3000 men.
He had amazing strength that was given from God. However the strength was not in his hair or even his own but from God. And that strength left him because his focus was on carnal things.
Judges 17- 18
Everyone continued to do what was right in their own eyes.
Micah hires a Levite to be his priest but he also had false gods as well. Can't have both, God can't have any darkness or evil or sin around Him.
Judges 19- 21
Very graphic and sad story here. But when there is corruption and sin the results are just that graphic and sad. It was sad that the Benjaminites wouldn't own up to what they did and many fell because of the sin.
Again the end of the book ends with, "and everyone did what was right in his own eyes".
1 Samuel 1-7
Hannah weeps because she is barren. She asks Lord to give her a son and she will dedicate him to the Lord. She conceives and has Samuel. She is true to her word and Samuel is brought to the priest after being weaned. God calls Samuel in the night and Samuel begins his life knowing God.
The Ark is captured by Philistines, and it is like a hot potato. The people are afflicted with tumors and when they put it with their gods, it's head and hands fell off. They finally send it away.. happy to get rid of it!
Ch. 7 v.3 Samuel told them to return to God with their whole heart and only serve Him. Put away false gods and He will deliver them from Philistines. Lords hand was against Philistines for all the days of Samuel.
Happy Reading - Jeannie
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