2 Samuel 8:15-18; 1 Chronicles 18:14-17; 1 Chronicles 6:16-30; 1 Chronicles 6:50-53; 1 Chronicles 6:31-48; 2 Samuel 9-10:19; 1 Chronicles 19:1-19 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~ Old Testament - Interesting set of readings today and tomorrow in Second Samuel.  In chapter 9 we read about David showing kindness to Saul's crippled grandson Mephibosheth and we end with David committing adultery in tomorrow's readings, ordering the murder of one of his warriors, and making God very unhappy.  What happened to chan ..read more

2 Samuel 7:1-17; 1 Chronicles 17:1-15; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; 1 Chronicles 17:16-27; 2 Samuel 8:1-14; 1 Chronicles 18:1-13; Psalm 60 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~   Second Samuel 7 today is a big chapter!  God essentially establishes a covenant with David - it isn't expressly called a covenant, so I suppose it is more of a promise.  Verse 16 is a nice sum-up of God's promise to David: "Your dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before me, and your throne will be secure forever.'"  The t ..read more

2 Samuel 6:12; 1 Chronicles 15:1-28; 2 Samuel 6:12-16; 1 Chronicles 15:29; 2 Samuel 6:17-19; 1 Chronicles 16:1-43; 2 Samuel 6:19-23 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~ In Second Samuel chapter 6 when the Ark is brought back to Jerusalem verse 14 is phenomenal to imagine: "And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly tunic."  And David's words in verse 21 are something for you and I to consider in our lives today - "So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD."&nb ..read more

2 Samuel 5:1-3; 1 Chronicles 11:1-3; 1 Chronicles 12:23-40; 2 Samuel 5:17-25; 1 Chronicles 14:8-17; 2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 11:4-9; 1 Chronicles 3:4; 2 Samuel 5:13; 2 Samuel 5:4-5; 2 Samuel 5:11-12; 1 Chronicles 14:1-2; 1 Chronicles 13:1-5; 2 Samuel 6:1-11; 1 Chronicles 13:6-14 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture or The ESV Bible ~ In Second Samuel chapter 5 David is anointed King of Israel!  Israel and Judah are now united - but they will be divided again only a short 75 years later.  Verse 7 is the first time the term Zion ..read more

2 Samuel 3:6-4:3; 2 Samuel 4:5-12 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~ In our 2 Samuel chapter 3 readings today, it is interesting to see how David got so mad at Joab for killing Abner.  Understandable for many reasons - murder being the main one - but also Abner was working to bring David's kingship to all of Israel.  Joab's murder of Abner threatened the civil war between Judah and the rest of Israel to start up again.  To the right below is a wonderful image from an illuminated Bible from the year 1250 o ..read more

2 Samuel 2-3:5; 1 Chronicles 3:1-4; 2 Samuel 23:8-17; 1 Chronicles 11:10-19; 2 Samuel 23:18-39; 1 Chronicles 11:20-47 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~ Old Testament - Today's Second Samuel readings are quite dramatic!  We start off with the beginnings of what I think you could call a civil war between Judah and Israel in chapter 2 verses 15 through 17: "So twelve men were chosen to fight from each side—twelve men of Benjamin representing Ishbosheth son of Saul, and twelve representing David. Each one grabbed his ..read more

1 Samuel 30:1-31; 1 Chronicles 12:20-22; 1 Samuel 31:1-13; 1 Chronicles 10:1-14; 1 Chronicles 9:40-44; 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 1:1-27 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~ In First Samuel 31 today we read about the death of Saul.  At the very end Saul did what he always did - took things into his own hands.  Relied on himself.  Fell on his own sword.   Perhaps sometimes in our lives today we are not so different from Saul.  Maybe we try to take things into our own hands.  Rely on ourselves ..read more

1 Samuel 26:1-27:7; 1 Chronicles 12:1-7; 1 Samuel 27:8-29:11; 1 Chronicles 12:19; Psalm 56 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture on The ESV Bible ~ In First Samuel 26 David completes the 3 "tests" of obedience, as discussed in yesterday's post, by once again not killing Saul when he had the opportunity.  Verses 9 through 11 again show David's character when he and Abishai had snuck into Saul's camp and Abishai offered to kill Saul - ""No!" David said. "Don't kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORD's anointed one? Su ..read more

1 Samuel 23:13-29; Psalm 54; 1 Samuel 24-25:44 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~ I love the mini-reunion of Jonathan and David in First Samuel 23 verses 16 & 17 - "Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. "Don't be afraid," Jonathan reassured him. "My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father is well aware."  What great words of encouragement from Jonathan!  Who is the last person you encouraged?&nb ..read more

1 Samuel 22:1-2; Psalm 57; Psalm 142; 1 Chronicles 12:8-18; 1 Samuel 22:3-23; Psalm 52; 1 Samuel 23:1-12 ~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~ ~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~ Old Testament - Very sad readings today in First Samuel 22 as we read about the slaughter of the priests.  Sadly fitting that Doeg betrayed the priests to Saul and then Saul commanded Doeg to kill the priests, because no one else would.  This whole incident shows how far Saul has strayed away from God.  He has lost his moral compass completely. It's interesting to rec ..read more