Saul Reads the Bible

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 14:1-14:33
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 48:1-48:19
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 11:17-11:34

In 2 Samuel, David is – almost – reconciled with his son Absalom after observing a piece of fiction orchestrated by Joab.

In Jeremiah, we read strong words against Moab, the fat cat of the ancient Middle East.

And in 1 Corinthians, the haves are shaming the have-nots in [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 13:1-13:39
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 46:25-47:7
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 11:1-11:16

In 2 Samuel, Amnon rapes his sister Tamar, and Absalom avenges Tamar’s honor by killing Amnon. Absalom flees, and David, who has been consoled over Amnon’s death, wishes to reconcile with Absalom.

In Jeremiah, God continues to prophecy against Egypt, but also promises that both Egypt and [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 12:15-12:31
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 45:1-46:24
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 10:1-10:33

In 2 Samuel, David’s son with Bathsheba dies when he is just 7 days old. David, however, moves on: he washes himself, eats, worships, and he and Bathsheba have a second son: Solomon. David then begins a campaign against the Ammonites.

In Jeremiah, God has a [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 11:1-12:14
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 44:24-44:30
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 9:1-9:27

In 2 Samuel, David commits adultery with Bathsheba, who becomes pregnant with his child. David first attempts to trick Uriah, her husband, into believing the child is his; when this doesn’t work, David conspires to have Uriah killed in battle. When the prophet Nathan confronts [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 8:15-10:19
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 44:1-44:23
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 8:1-8:13

In 2 Samuel, David shows kindness to Jonathan’s crippled son Mephibosheth for Jonathan’s sake. David then fights the Ammonites and their allies when some of David’s servants, sent to the new Ammonite king with messages of sympathy following the death of the previous king, are humiliated [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-8:14
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 43:1-43:13
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 7:25-7:40

In 2 Samuel, David asks the Lord for permission to build Him a permanent temple. God says that this privilege will be given to David’s son, but also establishes a covenant: that David’s descendants will form a permanent dynasty, and that God’s loyal love will never [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 6:1-6:23
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 42:1-42:22
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 7:1-7:24

In 2 Samuel, David brings the Ark of the Covenant to the city of David, dancing before it with reckless abandon – but not before a couple of mishaps along the way.

In Jeremiah, the people ask Jeremiah to seek God’s will for them, promising to do whatever [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 4:1-5:25
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 41:1-41:18
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 6:1-6:20

In 2 Samuel, Recab and Baanah take it upon themselves to assassinate Ish-bosheth. Predictably, David is not amused, and these two men are executed for their crime. However, as a result of their actions, David becomes king over the united kingdom of Judah and Israel, [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 3:1-3:39
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 40:1-40:16
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 5:9-5:13

In 2 Samuel, an accusation of impropriety leveled by Ish-bosheth against Abner prompts Abner, the general of Ish-bosheth’s army, to commit to taking the kingdom away from Ish-bosheth and the house of Saul and giving it over to David. Abner makes good on this promise, but [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 1:1-2:32
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 39:1-39:18
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 5:1-5:8

Today we begin the book of 2 Samuel with David learning of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan in battle. David and his men mourn their deaths, and David is soon anointed king of Judah. Israel, however, is ruled at first by Saul’s other son, [...]