Saul Reads the Bible

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 1:1-1:54
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 41:1-41:26
New Testament: James 1:1-1:27

Today we begin the book of 1 Chronicles. We read the first chapter of a 9-chapter-long genealogy.

In Ezekiel, we continue our tour of the new temple in Jerusalem through Ezekiel’s prophetic vision. Today we visit the outer sanctuary and get our first glimpse of the most [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Kings 25:1-25:30
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 40:27-40:49
New Testament: Philemon 1-25

Today we complete the book of 2 Kings, with Jerusalem destroyed and all but the poorest residents exiled to Babylon. The last king of Judah, Zedekiah, has his eyes put out, and he too is exiled to Babylon.

In Ezekiel, we continue to hear about the architectural details [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Kings 23:31-24:20
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 40:1-40:26
New Testament: Titus 3:1-3:15

In 2 Kings, King Jehoahaz of Judah is imprisoned by Pharaoh. He is succeeded by Eliakiam (a.k.a. Jehoiakim), who is then subjugated by the king of Babylon. He is then succeeded by Jehoiachin, who is exiled to Babylon. Mattaniah (a.k.a. Zedekiah) is then made king [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Kings 23:4-23:30
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 39:1-39:29
New Testament: Titus 2:1-2:15

In 2 Kings, Josiah proves himself to be a unique king: wholehearted in his approach to de-paganizing the land of Judah, and zealous in his obedience to God’s covenant. And yet, God’s anger is not turned aside. Destruction is to visit Judah after Josiah’s death. [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Kings 22:3-23:3
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 38:1-38:23
New Testament: Titus 1:1-1:16

In 2 Kings, Josiah undertakes repairs of God’s temple. He then learns of a forgotten (or suppressed) scroll of the law, and responds with humility and repentance when he realizes that his nation is living contrary to God’s covenant. He calls all the people together and [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Kings 21:10-22:2
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 37:1-37:28
New Testament: 2 Timothy 4:1-4:22

In 2 Kings, Manasseh’s son Amon replaces him as king, and he is as wicked as his father. However, it looks like some relief – albeit temporary – may be on the horizon, as Amon’s son Josiah, reputed to be a good king, takes over.

In Ezekiel, [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Kings 20:1-21:9
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 36:16-36:38
New Testament: 2 Timothy 3:1-3:17

In 2 Kings, Hezekiah is cured from a terminal illness after beseeching God for more time. God also grants Hezekiah’s request for a sign of his healing in a powerful way. However, after Hezekiah shows the son of the King of Babylon all the wealth [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Kings 19:1-19:37
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 36:1-36:15
New Testament: 2 Timothy 2:1-2:26

In 2 Kings, Hezekiah responds to the threat of the king of Assyria by calling on the Lord and enlisting the help of Isaiah the prophet. God’s messenger kills 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp, and the Assyrians flee. The king of Assyria is assassinated [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Kings 18:1-18:37
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 35:1-35:15
New Testament: 2 Timothy 1:1-1:18

In 2 Kings, we meet King Hezekiah of Judah. He is peerless among the kings of Judah, described as one who does what the Lord approves and who trusts in the Lord. However, after Hezekiah rebels against the king of Assyria, he responds to the [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: 2 Kings 17:13-17:41
Poetry/Prophecy: Ezekiel 34:1-34:31
New Testament: 1 Timothy 6:1-6:21

In 2 Kings, other nations move in to occupy the land of Samaria after the people of Israel have been exiled. God sends calamity upon them, so they bring back an Israelite priest to show them how to serve God. They do not do this [...]