Study - Reading

The chronological Bible reading schedule and daily comments are taken directly from:
Skip Andrew's Chronological Reading Schedule.
The daily links are to each day's reading (King James Version) at BibleGateway.com.

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

Reading
Comments
Much of the work of Samuel is covered here. Note that the Philistines were
the main enemy, as in the days of Samson. Thus, the lives of Samson, Eli,
and Samuel may well have overlapped quite a bit.
The Lord knew that the day would come when Israel would desire a king, so
He made provisions in the law for this event, even though it was a sign of
their rejection of Him (see Deuteronomy 17:14-20; Hosea 13:11). Saul, of
the tribe of Benjamin, was the first king. His humble beginnings are traced
in today's reading. Saul's reign began in 1095 BC.
In the early part of his reign, Saul follows in the ways of the faithful judges
by delivering his people. In chapter 12, Samuel attempts to teach the people
a lesson from history, as Moses had done about four centuries earlier. The
beginning of the end for Saul is in chapter 13; his first great sin: the offering
of a sacrifice as if he were a priest.
Chapter 14 is the record of Saul's second great error: he becomes a foolish
leader, nearly costing Israel a victory and Jonathan (his son) his life. Chapter
15 is his third great sin: the failure to utterly destroy Amalek. Thus, the
kingdom was to be taken from him. Chapter 16 introduces us to David of
Judah: the boy who was to be the next king. He was not even born until Saul
had been king for ten years!

Since David wrote so many of the Psalms, we will try to insert them in their
possible places as we read through his life. In Psalm 39, David pleas for God
to help him see himself as he was: a sinner in need of God's kindness. In
Psalms 19 and 8, he ponders the greatness of God as seen in His creation and in His word.

Today's reading begins with the famous - and very useful - story of David
and Goliath.
Then we have his Great Shepherd Psalm (23) and a contrast between David
and the enemy (Psalm 5).

I Samuel 18 begins the tragic story of Saul's jealousy against David and the
great friendship between two heirs to the throne: the anointed David and
Saul's firstborn, Jonathan.
Psalm 12 is a plea for God's help against the wicked.
Psalm 11 is a tribute to Jehovah's fairness.
I Samuel 19 shows how God continued to deliver David from Saul.

The heading of Psalm 59 places it in the context of I Samuel 19 and is a plea
for God's help. Psalm 7 is both a plea for God to judge him (David)
according to his own life, and a commitment to praise God. Psalm 25 has
been set to music and is a poem that is worthy of our memorizing it. It
expresses great confidence in all of God's ways.

This week we continue our readings in the life of David, including several
more of his Psalms. In Psalm 26, he presents his life as a faithful one before
Jehovah.
In I Samuel 21, he goes to Ahimelech the priest and then to Achish the king
of Gath in order to be safe from Saul.
Psalm 34 is a plea by David for others to serve God.

In Psalm 56, David is again concerned about the efforts of his enemies.
The rest of today's readings show how he relied on his mighty men and his
God during these dark days.

In the early part of I Samuel 22, David continues to be concerned about
safety for his family and himself.
In Psalm 64, we learn that he continued to rely on God.
In the next section of I Samuel 22, Ahimelech suffers for having been a
friend of David.
Psalm 35 is one of the psalms that calls on God to bring severe judgment on
the enemies of truth and right.
The remainder of our reading in I Samuel shows that some of the needed
punishment was done at the hand of David.
Then in Psalm 52, he contrasts himself with the wicked.

In Psalms 109 and 140, David is desiring the downfall of the wicked. We,
too, should desire their downfall if they will not repent!
In I Samuel 23:7-13, David escapes the evil plan of Saul. Note the great
difference between Saul (who said that God was on his side) and David (who
sought the word of the Lord!).
In Psalm 31, the poet of Israel again pours out his soul before the throne of
God as he commits himself to do God's will.

The verses we read today in I Samuel 23 show that David is still fleeing
Saul's wicked plans. These verses also contain the final meeting between
David and his beloved friend, Jonathan. Let us have beloved friends, and let
us be aware that any meeting with them may be our last.
The brief Psalm 13 is full of many emotions. How many can you note?
Psalm 54 is another clear statement that there are only two ways: good and
evil. In psalm 17, David makes several important requests of God.

Now that we have seen David's many thoughts about his enemies (such as
Saul), and his strong desire for God to “reward” them, we see how David
actually treated his enemy: he spared his life!
In Psalm 57 and 108, he offers his praise to God.
I Samuel 25 is the story of a fool: Nabal. Notice how his stubbornness cost
him everything.

In chapter 26, David spares Saul's life again. In chapter 27, he goes to the land of the Philistines to escape Saul.
I Chronicles 12 lists those who went with him.

Now we begin to add much more of the Chronicles to our reading, which
makes the stories fuller, but it also involves more turning back and forth to
keep it in order. Today's readings cover the tragedies at the end of the lives
of Saul and Jonathan.

David now begins his reign (1055 BC) of 40 years in deep grief over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. Then he consolidates his kingdom.

Finally, David is king over all of Israel—after six and one half years in Hebron.
The Psalms enter the story today, too. Notice the wide range of emotions
expressed by the author in these three poems. Mark Psalm 95—it is a call to
worship in remembrance of the faithless generation that died in the
wilderness after leaving Egypt. It is quoted in Hebrews 3 as a warning to
Christians about the sin of unbelief among “believers.”

In this reading, Jerusalem becomes the capital of the country.
Psalm 118 is a great song of victory. Verse 22 is one prophecy of Christ and
His suffering, as are other portions.
Psalm 101 is a commitment to take a stand against sinners.

Here we read of conflicts between David and the Philistines.
Psalm 139 is a famous Psalm exalting the many characteristics and abilities
of God.
Psalm 78 is a rehearsal of the history of the nation. We read this Psalm
completely earlier, but these verses are appropriate here, too.

Now we learn about the exploits surrounding the ark of the covenant and the
strictness of God.
Psalm 68 exalts Jehovah and Psalm 132 is a promise to find a place for Him
to dwell. Does He dwell in you by faith (Romans 10:17)?

Psalm 97 is a command to rejoice because Jehovah is the God of power and
justice.
Psalm 15 is a plea for self-examination, and
Psalm 24 is a reminder of where Deity dwells.

Apr 23

 The readings for today are almost entirely devoted to praising God for His
many marvelous works. Learn how to use these thanksgivings and praises in
your own prayers.

The first readings for today are about the life of David; particularly with
reference to the fact that God decided not to allow him to build the temple.
Psalms 2 and 110 are clearly referring to the Messiah (Who was to be a king
and a priest at the same time; Zechariah 6;12,13).

Psalm 16 is quoted by Peter in Acts 2 as being written by David about the
resurrection of Christ.
Then we begin reading about more of the conquests of David as he expands
his kingdom.
Psalm 9 is a thanksgiving for the justice of Jehovah.

Psalm 60 is a song of the victories of Jehovah through people like David.
The other readings are more of David's victories and the heroics of his
mighty men.

These three chapters are great songs of deliverance by David.
Why not list some of the deliverances God has granted you?

II Samuel 9 is the story of Saul's grandson, Mephibosheth.
After this, we read of more victories of David's armies.

First, David's army fights against Syria.
Psalm 20 is a prayer for God to hear the plea of His anointed.
Then we read the disastrous story of the sin of David and Bathesheba.
How far the “man after God's own heart” fell!

Psalm 51 is David's plea for mercy after the sins of yesterday's reading.
In the other three Psalms, he continues to write about sin and forgiveness.
He would bless Jehovah because of His mercy.