March 30 Readings

You can also check out all these Reading Plans Blogs to go through the Bible in a year from Back to the Bible Reading Lists:the Chronological Reading Plan blog; OT and NT Together blog; Historical Readings blog; Blended Readings blog and Beginning to End blog In addition, there is the Theophilus1 blog in the One Year Bible format and The Daily Bible in Chronological Order

The Back to the Bible Beginning to End Reading Plan

Index of Beginning to End Readings

The Reign of Saul
Today's reading 1Samuel 13-14
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: 1Samuel 13; 1Samuel 14

SAUL'S FAMILY 1Samuel 13.1,14, 49-51
THE HOUSE OF SAUL 1Chronicles 9.35-44

SAMUEL REBUKE SAUL 1Sam 13.2-15
Saul had three thousand men while the Philistine had three thousand charioteers and six thousand soldiers. This meant Saul was outnumbered by a ratio of three to one. It was understanable that the morale of Saul's men plumetted when they realized that they were outnumbered. Some hid in cabes and thickets while some deserted the army and went to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was told to waited for 7 days. After 7 days, still no Samuel. Saul decided to d a burnt offering! He took the situation in his own hands. Instead of depending on Samuel, God's man, he decided to depend on himself. When Samuel arrived and saw Saul and asked what he was doing, Saul said when he saw the men scattering and that he did not come and the Philistines were assemb.ling at Micmash, he thought that he ought to sought the Lord's favor by offer the burnt offering. Saul rebuked himn and told him because of his action he would not establish his kindom forever but will give it to another person (which we know that David would have the kingdom) because the Lord has sought a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of the people. What would you have done if you were Saul? Do we have the patience to wait on the Lord to get things done even when things look rather desperate.

When Samuel had visited Saul Saul only had six hundred men left. The Philistines had a strategy by which they ensure that there was no blacksmiths left in Israel. Israel even had to go to the Philsitines to have their plowshares, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened! The strategy had work so that only Saul and Jonathan were the only ones who had a sword or spear in his hand.

In 1 Samuel 14.1-13. Jonathan took the initiative to attack the Philistines without his father, Saul, knowing. Jonathan went out in faith and attacked the Philistines. Jonathan saod "Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." His armor-bearer supported Jonathan wholeheartedly and both went in faith and did a surprise attack on the Philistines.

In 1 Samuel 14.14-23, God honored the first attack by Jonathan and his armor-bearer. A panic struck the whole Philistine army. This panic was created by God. The Philistines were killing each other! The Lord rescued Israel that day!

In 1 Samuel 14.24-45, Saul bound the Israelites under an oath, 'Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes before I have avenged myself on my enemies!' None of the Israelies ate anything that day. The troops had entered the woods and there was honey oozing out. No one dared to eat any. Jonathan did not hear his father made the oath and ate some honey. Someone told him about the oath and Jonathan said that cause trouble for Israel, and if they had eaten they would have felt better and have defeated the Philistines even more. Later in verse 39 when Saul had asked God if they should attack the Philsitines. God did not answer him. This indicated that there was a sin in the camp. The rash oath that Saul gave was broken by Jonathan. Saul realized that he had to kill Jonathan but the troops intervened on Jonathan's behalf and his life was spared. When we are under stress, do not make rash promises or oaths to God, it can create bad consequences as we see in 1 Samuel 14. We should follow Jesus' advice on making oaths (Matthew 5.33-37). Jesus said that we are not to swear at all!


1 Samuel 13, with Commentaries, verse by verse
1 Samuel 14, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Other Links
OT Gateway Links on 1 and 2 Samuel
Introduction to 1 Samuel by Malik
Malik Argument of 1Samuel
Deffinbaugh: A Study of 1 Samuel

Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Pink on the Life of David
Spurgeon on 1Samuel
Biblebb.com Website
With the Word Commentary-Warren Wiersbe
Wycliffe Bible Commentary
Keil & Delitzsch Commentaries on the Old Testament
Expositor's Bible Commentary
Pulpit Bible Commentary
J. Vernon McGee Commentaries
Evangelical Commentary on the Old Testament
The Commentary Page
Study of the Life of David


Jesus Saves
This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.