July 8 – 2 Kings 1-5

The hinge between I Kings and II Kings is twofold:

• 1. The transition from Elijah to Elisha as God’s prophet on the scene.
  2. The quickening downward spiral of Israel (NKI) after the death of Ahab.

• The kings of Israel become weaker and live in deepening and hardening

• rejection of the Lord and his requirements.

Questions to ask as you read:

Note the ellipsis, or “bookends” of 1:1 and 3:5 where the Moab’s rebellion is highlighted.

The material in between brings us up to speed for the rest of the book.

The plot of the book(s) is all about competing power structures.  How does the conflict between Elisha and the captains sent by Ahaziah let us understand the competing power

structures?

Note that the King(s) are un-named in some of the extended passages.  Compare chapters 3 and 5. What does that tell us about the relative weight of the powers involved?

Chapter 2 tells of Elijah’s being taken up by God, and Elisha’s assumption of spiritual power.  Why would Elisha not leave Elijah?   Note the prominence of water in this extended passage:  (Don’t forget the water at Carmel,  I Kings 18:33-35) Locate the water

reference in Chapters 2, 3 and 5

What is Joram’s attitude toward the Lord?  (3:10,13)  Why is this important?

List the instances of God’s unusual provision for his faithful servants.  Note that they personally experience his loving provision.

In Chapter 5, who gives the king of Aram victory?  Does this seem strange?

What did the captive slave girl know that the King of Israel did not know?

Why would Elisha not accept a gift from Naaman?

Application to make after you read:

In several places in II Kings various participants have their vision restricted or extended in either physical or spiritual dimensions.  (See 2:11; 6:8; 6:17)  How do they compare?

Has God ever extended your vision to see his hand present or his plans future for you?

What is your “obedience quotient” for doing the little things that God requires of us all?

Naaman almost missed his healing because he felt he was above doing a task that required only simply faith-obedience.  Where might you be more obedient?

Prayer:

Trust and obey—for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus;

But to trust—and obey.

July 1 – 1 Kings 19-22

s before you read:

Elijah and Elisha (his successor) are two early non-writing prophets.  While they have some interaction with Judah (SKJ) they primarily confront Israel (NKI) about their worship of false gods—especially Baal. In this passage we meet Elisha when he is introduced by God as Elijah’s successor. He will not minister until II Kings. The movement from Elijah to Elisha occurs at the seam of I Kings-II Kings. Elijah’s cloak is an important thread through their relationship.  Watch for it!

Questions to ask as you read:

What change do you see in Elijah’s demeanor in Chapter 19?  Why do you think it occurs?  Consider his activity in 18:46 through 19:7.

How does God minister to Elijah in his exhausted and weary condition?

How is Ahab’s victory over Ben Hadad a hollow victory?  It is an “official” disaster.

How is the selfish dealing of Ahab and Jezebel with Naboth a “personal” disaster?

What is the repeated phrase that shows how god regarded Ahab and Jezebel’s actions?

Repetition is an important literary device in narrative accounts in Scripture.

How does Ahab respond to God’s judgment announced by Elijah?

In this section we see the first two “good” Kings of Judah.  We meet Asa, I Kings 15:11-15, and Jehoshaphat, I Kings 22:41-50.  What made them “good” kings?

Note that there are NO “good” kings of Israel(NKI)!

Application to make after you read:

Elijah was thoroughly invested in his ministry, both physically and emotionally. He paid a price for this investment.  How invested in God’s work are you physically and in terms

of emotion?  How do you respond to the pressure of doing God’s work?  Have you ever been surprised at God’s ability to use you in difficult personal circumstances?

Prayer:

Lord, what are some responses to pressure and tiredness that I need to change to be more effective for you?   Help me to always be strong and sufficient in you!

May 27 – 2 Samuel 20-24

Focus before you read:

The complaining as chapter 19 closes grows into a full blown rebellion in

chapter 20.  The rebellion is defeated.

Questions to ask as you read:

The Gibeonites had come under Israel’s protection in Joshua 19.  Saul had

violated the covenant made with them. The penalty comes on Saul’s house

even though the effect of the sin was visited on the land. (21:1) Perhaps God

wanted to illustrate the importance of a covenant responsibility. The ancient ethic

and bloodshed are foreign to our minds.

 

Concentrate rather on the great hymn of David’s testimony in chapter 22 through

23:7.  It is David’s valedictory speech.

Who is the key actor in the drama?

What are the primary components of His character?

How can David claim righteousness (22:21-25) in view of his sin?

 

Notice how chapter 24 opens.  The initiative for the census that produces a harsh

judgment clearly begins with God.  He is not pleased with the spirit of rebellion

among the people, and when David leaves the choice of judgment to God it falls

on the people as a whole.

Application to make after you read:

There is a principle in 24:24 with respect to our offerings to God.  What is it?

How do you observe this principle in your own stewardship and life?

 

In 23:8-39 we have a testimony to “persons of valor.” If  such a list were to be

inscribed for CCG, where might you appear on it, and what would be said of your

service? 

 

Are you able to claim righteousness in view of your sin?  How is that possible?

See Romans 3:23-25, 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Romans 5:6-10.

Has this transaction taken place in your life? 

Prayer:

At whatever stage of life you  find yourself, you should be able to rejoice in the Lord

and in His promises.  David did so at some very difficult times.  Spend some time

rejoicing before the Lord for who He is and what He is doing with and through you.

 

May 20 – 2 Samuel 15-19

Focus before you read: 

Have you ever heard the admonition “Don’t kick a man when he is down?”

These chapters are a “down” experience for David.  He suffers many kicks, and

a number of people want to profit from his pain. There are also those who want

to sincerely help him in a time of need.

Questions to ask as you read:

David’s son Absalom becomes a pretender to the throne.  Notice (15:7) how long

the conspiracy takes to unfold.  Where was David in Absalom’s life?

Notice that Absalom goes to Hebron.  Why is this important?  (2:1 and 15:9)

 

There is a large cast of characters who interact with David’s going and coming:

There are a lot of interesting lessons in these characters.  Track them:

 

Ittai the Gittite Ziba and Miphibosheth

Zadok the priest Shimei

Hushai the Arkite Ahitophel

The Ark Barzillai

Kimham Joab

 

How do you explain David’s attitude and words concerning Absalom, especially

in view of their previous relationship?

What problem does this create?  19:1-18

 

Note the continuation of the stress between Judah and the other 10 tribes of Israel.

(See 19:41-43)  What started it?

Application to make after you read:

What actions and / or attitudes of David made Absalom’s rebellion possible if not

probable?  How could David have done it differently?

Are you ignoring or minimizing any problem in a relationship that God wants you

to deal with?  Why?  How should you be doing it differently?

Prayer:

Personalize your response to God’s personal word to you today.

May 13 – 2 Samuel 10-14

Focus before you read: 

Until this point David has been in a period of blessing and expansion. That is

about to change, largely due to David’s sinfulness and habitual shortcomings in

key areas of his life.  As you read, observe that David’s family life is troubled,

and his personal sin casts dark shadows on his kingdom.

Questions to ask as you read:

Chapter 10 recounts the Israelite victory over the Ammonites and the Arameans.

Try to find them on a map. David has expanded the kingdom.

Note David’s presence on the battlefield in 10:17 and his absence from duty in

chapter 11. See also 12:26-31

 

How are David’s actions toward Uriah out of character for David, especially since

he reached out in love to Saul’s house?  What caused the change?

Do not miss the weight of the closing words of Chapter 11.

 

Chapter 12 recounts God’s dealing with David’s sin.

Note 12:10-11 well, and file it for future reference.  What lesson is here?

While David sincerely repents and is forgiven, there are still consequences.

Note the unexplained sovereignty in the judgment and grace of God:

The Lord strikes the first child.  (12:15)

The second child is Solomon, “whom the Lord loved.” (12:24)

 

We have been told of David’s many wives ( 5:13; 3:2-5).  Now we see the price

being extracted in family jealousies and deep harmful hatreds.

How does David respond to Absalom?   What does Joab do and why?

Application to make after you read:

Did David respond to temptation in character or out of character?  Has his

character changed?  How do you respond to temptation?  Are you tempted to

think of certain things in your life as just “out of character” as though it is not

the “real you” that sins?  Why is this dangerous?

 

Have your standards changes as you have progressed either in age, maturity, or

financial strength?  Do any of those changes give you entitlements?

Prayer:

Lord, I would think of myself no higher than I ought to think.  I am entitled to

nothing but your wrath.  All that I have and am is of your grace, and therefore is 

for your glory. I renounce any claim or entitlement, especially as an excuse to

sin against you.

May 6 – 2 Samuel 5-9

Focus before you read:

In Chapter 5 David is installed as King over all of Israel.  This happens at

about 1000 B.C.  You will find dates given in various sources within about

twenty years of this date.  We are not certain.

Questions to ask as you read:

Note every indication in the text that David is blessed of God. This will occur

both in promise and in substance or happening.  How does this contrast with

Saul’s experience?   Why?

 

This is a time of “establishing” for David. He establishes:

his reign his city his commercial ties

his family his early victories his sacred authority (ark)

 

What is the significance that Michal (Saul’s daughter) had no children?  6:23

 

What does God promise David in Chapter 7?

Does David have to meet any performance conditions?

Note the irony here:  David would build a house for God.  But instead,

God will build a house for David!   Why?

Application to make after you read:

Scripture never mis-speaks.  In 9:1 we read of David’s kindness.  In verse 3 that

same action is referred to as “God’s kindness.”

Do you think of your actions and attitudes as an extension or reflection of God’s

attitudes?  Are any of your attitudes toward those around you out of “synch” with

God’s?  And observe that David sought out the one to whom he would extend

kindness.  What excuses might he have constructed to keep from bringing this

son of his enemy Saul into the palace?  What excuses do you construct to justify

not ministering in love to those around you whom God would actively love?

Prayer:

Lord, it is easy to pray “Thy kingdom come.” if I think about it as a government.

It is harder if I remember that the kingdom is to come in me!  It comes to my world through my actions and attitudes as I faithfully serve your will and not my own.  Love those I come in contact with today through me.

April 29 – 2 Samuel 1-4

Focus before you read:
There originally was no division between I Samuel and II Samuel.  The
account goes right on.  The division occurs at the death of Saul at the Battle
of Mount Gilboa.  II Samuel opens with David’s response to the death of Saul
and Jonathan.  David does not immediately become ruler over the entire land,
but is installed over Judah in II Samuel 2 and the rest of the kingdom in Chapter 5.

Questions to ask as you read:
How does David’s attitude toward Saul’s and Jonathan’s death seem unexpected?
Is it really unexpected, given what we have seen in David to this point?
Why does David grieve?
What is the significance of the crown and arm band brought to David?

Notice whenever in the book David inquires of the Lord before acting and when
he does not.  Is there a lesson here?

Saul’s court continues to have power, and supports one of Saul’s sons as King.
They have the real power.
Identify Abner and Joel.
How do  their family feuds impact the kingdom?
How does David react to the feud?  (3:28-39)
Is his reaction sincere?
Why are we told of David’s response to Ishbosheth’s murder?  (cf. 3:36)

Application to make after you read:
David is a complex individual.  So are we all.
What is the driving principle of David’s life to this point?
What inconsistencies do you see in him?
Do you see any of them in yourself?
In your family setting?
In your attitudes at work?
Within the church fellowship?
Do you push for self-advantage or seek to allow the reign of God in your circumstances?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to identify and remedy my responses in those areas of my life and
vested interests where I serve myself and mine more than you and yours.
.

April 22 – 1 Samuel 26-31

Focus before you read:
Sometimes the hardest pressures to endure are the ones that come in waves.
That is the way David experienced Saul’s efforts to kill him.
It created a response of despair. (I Sam 27:1; 30:4) But the despair was temporary.
David’s despair drives him to God.  (I Sam 30:7-8)
The strange thing is that Saul had a despair experience from his efforts, too.
Saul’s despair was permanent.
Saul’s despair drives him to Endor.   (I Sam 28)
What a different course is seen!

Questions to ask as you read:
Note the replay of an opportunity for David to kill Saul. (I Sam 26:7-11)
This time he could have had another man do it quietly.
How does this compare with Saul’s use of Doeg and others?

David is spared from fighting against Saul with Achish.   How would you
evaluate David’s actions in Philistia?

Chapter 28 is the Last Supper of the world.  Defeat is perceived as total and less
any semblance of hope.  In the upper room there was hope beyond the death of
Christ.  Christ gave up his life.  Saul has another take his life.
What other comparisons can you draw?

Application to make after you read:
What application can you make from I Samuel 30:21-30 as to how our companions
in the faith are to be treated when they have become exhausted?

Do you ever experience despair?  What lessons might you learn from how David
dealt with despair or depression?  (There is a lot of that emotion in David’s psalms.)

What might be learned form the service of Jabesh Gilead (I Sam 31:11-13, see also
Chapter 11)

Prayer:
Lord, when I am discouraged    and feeling despair approaching, help me to know
your presence, and be refreshed by your promises and the remembrance of your
faithfulness through the ages to all that trust in you.
Stayed upon Jehovah hearts are fully blessed;
Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

April 15 – 1 Samuel 21-25

Focus before you read:

It is not always easy to be a servant of God.

We face pressures (think hupomone) from within our own personal makeup

and from people and circumstances around us.

God’s character places constraints on our actions and attitudes.

David is dealing with these constraints.

His actions have effects in the lives of others.

Questions to ask as you read:

Consider all the others who are affected by David’s response to conflict with Saul.

How are they affected?

The Priests of Nob

David’s companions: Who are they?

The people of Keliah

Michal

Jonathan

The Ziphites

Abigail

Nabal

Could David have done things differently to improve the outcome for others?

Should he have?

Why does David refrain from killing Saul?

What is the positive contribution of Nabal and Abigail to David’s experience?

Application to make after you read:

David is dealing with obstacles to service while he is serving. So do we!

What are the obstacles to your serving God fully?

Think in two categories:

1. Internal obstacles—my intellect, emotions, and will

Do I have any control here? What must I do?

2. External obstacles—my circumstances and the people in my life.

Do I have control here? What must I do?

How do I deal with each? Am I successful? How could I be more so?

Prayer:

Pray for wisdom and the will to deal with those obstacles you have noted above in a way that glorifies God.

God gives wisdom to those who wait for Him.

April 8 – 1 Samuel 16-20

 

Focus before you read:

The balance of the book must be read in light of the fact that:

Saul has failed—but God has not!!!

God’s plans are never thwarted by man’s failure or rebellion. God always wins!

But things don’t always look that way to contemporary human eyes.

David has been anointed King, but Saul is still in place, and in the situation of the

times there is no retirement home for deposed Kings. Think of how rulers hang

on to power today by illegitimate means. It was the same in David’s time.

 

Questions to ask as you read:

Remember that scripture often uses parallel characters so we can compare them.

The balance of I Samuel is a comparison between David and Saul.

How do their early family experiences compare?

 

How do they relate to others?

The people, Jonathan, Michal, Goliath,

How does each respond to fear? What was each afraid of?

 

Compare their weapons and their reason for fighting.

 

What is the ultimate allegiance of each man?

 

Application to make after you read:

Are you ever threatened by the success of another as Saul was?

How do you handle jealousy?

Are you a “patient waiter” for God’s time?

 

Prayer:

Lord, you are in charge of my life. You have placed me here and have a purpose

for me in your perfect plan. I dishonor you when I insist on having my own way or envy something you have designed and appointed to another, whatever that may be.

I commit to being joyful in doing what you have for me to do wherever you have me to do it, knowing that ultimate success is always yours.