I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Today’s passage begins by telling the story of how David’s eldest son, Amnon. raped his half-sister, Tamar, who was the full sister of Absalom. Amnon desperately desired his half-sister, to the point that he became ill. His cousin, Jonadab, the son of David’s brother, came up with a plan that would get Amnon alone with Tamar. Amnon put Jonadab’s plan into practice. When Amnon grabbed Tamar and began his assault on her, she requested he let her go and then ask his father to give her to him as his wife. He rejected her plea and raped her, after which he had his servants throw her out of his quarters. Tamar tore her robe and put ashes on her head. Absalom approached his sister and asked if Amnon had been with her. Then he told her to be quiet for now and not take it to heart. Absalom then took her into his household. Notice that Absalom did not ask her why she was upset, he asked her if her brother, and his, had been with her (by which he meant had Amnon had sex with her). He then advised her to be quiet and not make a fuss. I will come back to this later.
     David, when he heard the news, was furious, but we are not told that he did anything. I have traditionally read that this is an indication of poor parenting, but based on something I read today about this passage, I am not so sure anymore. I will come back to this later. However, even if David’s response to the rape was not bad parenting, the fact that it happened in the first place seems to me to be indicative of poor parenting. Perhaps the reason that David did so little in response to Amnon’s rape of Tamar was because Tamar kept quiet and went into seclusion. Amnon was, after all, David’s eldest son and heir. As such he was likely rather popular and probably had a significant power base by this time. Without Tamar’s presence to bring witness to Amnon’s crime, perhaps David’s hands were tied.
     Which brings us to Absalom. Absalom was David’s third son and the grandson of the king of Geshur. One of the resources I found when I looked for information on Jonadab suggested that Jonadab was part of a conspiracy to clear the path for Absalom to become king. The author suggested that Absalom knew of Jonadab’s suggestion to Amnon on how to get alone with Tamar and approved of it. That he had his sister set up to be raped to give him an excuse to kill his half-brother, who happened to stand between Absalom and the throne. Absalom waited two years before acting. Two years later at sheep shearing time, Absalom invited all of David’s sons, his brothers, to join him for a sheep shearing celebration distant from the capital. He also invited David and his retainers. David demurred on the basis that if he came with his retainers it would put too much of a strain on Absalom’s resources. Absalom then asked David to send Amnon. David wondered why Amnon, but Absalom kept pressing. I am sure that Absalom used an argument that was something along the line of, “Well, if you the king can’t come, at least send your heir to show that I am important to you.” In the end, David allowed/encouraged his sons, including Amnon, to go to Absalom’s sheep-shearing festival.
     Absalom ordered his servants to wait until Amnon was drunk and then on Absalom’s orders to kill him. Absalom promised that they could claim that they were only acting on his orders to evade punishment for their action. When Absalom’s plan went into action, the rest of his brothers fled. Word came back to the capital that Absalom had killed all of the king’s sons, causing David and his attendants to tear their cloths in distress. Jonadab assured David that Absalom had slain only Amnon, something Jonadab said that he had been planning since Amnon raped Tamar. The author I read who suggested that Jonadab had conspired with Absalom to get rid of Amnon points out that the only way Jonadab could have known that Absalom had only killed Amnon was if he knew what the plan was before Amnon and David’s other sons went to Absalom’s sheep-shearing, since he made this statement before any messengers besides rumor had reached the capital. Meanwhile Absalom fled to the land of his mother’s father where he remained for three years. During that time David became reconciled to Amnon’s death and desired to be reunited with Absalom. The idea that Absalom set up Tamar to be raped to give him an excuse to kill Amnon suggests that this episode happened as a fulfillment of the prophecy that David’s own family would rebel against him. I would argue that this is an example of David’s sons, both Amnon and Absalom, following the example set for them by David in his involvement with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah.

     Today’s passage is composed of a prayer by Jesus. First Jesus prays that God will glorify Him so that He can further glorify God. Jesus then prays that God protect His disciples by the power of God’s name. They needed this protection because they are still in the world but are not of the world. As a result the world would hate them, just as the world hated Jesus. Jesus did not pray that they be taken out of the world, only that they be protected from the world. Jesus was sending them out into the world just as God had sent Him into the world. Jesus then stated that He was praying not just for those who had been His disciples while He was on this world, but also for those who believed in Him because of the message brought by His disciples. Jesus prayed that all of those who believed in Him would have complete unity, that they would all be one. When those who believe in Jesus are one, then the world will believe that God sent Jesus and loved those who believed in His name. Division in the Church is the greatest sin that we, the followers of Jesus, can commit. However, that does not mean that we should fail to confront those who do not follow the commands which Jesus gave in order to preserve an illusion of unity. If we are not all following Jesus’ teachings, pretending that we are does not actually preserve our unity.

     The psalmist expresses that he is experiencing despair as he waits for God’s deliverance, but he refuses to give up hope. He is confident that if he maintains his faith and his commitment to God’s commands, God will deliver him. I share the psalmist’s confidence. There have been times when I was at the end of my rope and crying out to God for deliverance from a struggle I was dealing with. When I was entering into despair because of circumstance that I could not control. When the time was right, God delivered me from that circumstance and brought joy into my life. I have learned that God’s unfailing love will preserve me so that I may obey His commands and praise His name.
     The psalmist continues in today’s second stanza by reminding us that it is by His laws that God delivers us and brings us out of despair into joy. That it is remembering and obeying God’s commandments which preserves our lives and teaches us joy.

     Fear of the Lord leads us to avoid evil. As we fear to show disrespect to God we avoid evil because to not do so is to be disrespectful of God. When we live our lives in such a way so as to please God, even those who desire us harm will find themselves unable to find cause to attack us.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     After David had taken Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah, as his wife, the prophet Nathan confronted him. Nathan told David a parable about a rich man who steals a poor man’s lamb to feed his guests rather than butchering one of his own. When David becomes furious at the rich man and vows to punish him, Nathan tells David that he is the rich man. Nathan tells David that his own family will rebel against him because of his sin. David admits to Nathan that he has sinned against God. Nathan tells him that God has forgiven him and will not take his life for his sin, but that the child will die.
     The child of David and Bathsheba became deathly ill. During its illness, David fasted and spent the night on the floor rather than a bed, begging God to spare the child’s life. His advisers pled with him to eat, but David refused. After seven days the child died, but David’s advisers were afraid to tell him, fearing that since he behaved this way while the child was sick, he might do something even more extreme when he learned of the child’s death. David noticed them whispering, realized what had happened and asked them if the child had died. When they confirmed that the child had died, David got up, washed, dressed and ate a meal. His advisers did not understand his reaction. David told them that while the child lived, there was the possibility that God would listen to his plea and heal the child. However, now that the child was dead, it would not return to him. He then said something that should be a comfort to all parents who lose a child. That while his child would not return to him, some day he would go to it.

     Jesus told His disciples that the time was coming when those who killed them would think that they were doing the work of God, but that is because they do not truly know God or Jesus. Jesus went on to say that while they were grieved that He was leaving them, it was for their benefit because if He stayed the Holy Spirit would not come. There was more that Jesus wanted to tell them, but they were not ready to hear it. However, the Holy Spirit would bring further understanding to them (and us). The Spirit will reveal to us things that go further than what Jesus taught, but which are consistent with what He taught.
     Jesus tells them that shortly He will be taken from them and the world will rejoice while they mourn. However, after a little while, He will return to them and their sorrow will turn to joy. No one will be able to take that latter joy from them. Once that has happened, they (and we) will be able to ask the Father for things in His name and the Father will give it to them. We will not need Jesus, or anyone else, to ask the Father on our behalf. As long as we are asking the Father to do His mighty works so that Jesus and the Father may be glorified, the Father will grant our requests because the Father loves us because we love Jesus and believe that He came from the Father.

     The psalmist continues to extol the virtues of following God’s commands and promises to strive to follow God’s instructions. There is a line here that I want to make a prayer that I keep in my mind:

     God detests the proud and will punish them for the sins they commit in their pride. Let me have the appropriate humility before God and man.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Once David had clearly established himself as king, he sought out any remaining descendants of King Saul. He received word that Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth was still alive, although crippled. David had Mephibosheth brought to Jerusalem and gave him back all of his grandfather’s properties. In addition, David arranged for Mephibosheth to eat at the royal table, even as David’s own sons did. In this way David fulfilled his vow of friendship to Jonathan.
     After this, Nahash, who had been king of the Ammonites and a friend to David, died. David sent ambassadors to express sympathy and extend a hand of friendship to Nahash’ son, Hanun. However, Hanun’s advisers convinced him that David’s ambassadors were really spies looking to gather information for a coming attack by David. Based on his advisers advice, Hanun had David’s ambassadors seized. He had half of their beards shaved, cut off their robes embarrassingly short and sent them back to David. When David heard what had happened, he was furious. But the first thing he did was tell his ambassadors to stay in Jericho until their beards grew in once more. By shaming his ambassadors, Hanun had shamed David.
     David sent his army under the command of Joab to exact revenge. Meanwhile the Ammonites hired Aramean mercenaries to help defend themselves. Joab and his brother split command of the Israelite army and defeated the combined forces of the Arameans and the Ammonites. The Arameans sent for reinforcements. When David heard that the Arameans had sent for reinforcements, he mobilized all of Israel and led the forces into battle himself. David defeated all of the Aramean forces and extracted tribute from their kings. That was the end of that fighting season.
     The following spring David sent Joab and the army back against the Ammonites. They quickly defeated the Ammonite army in the field and laid siege to the Ammonite capital. Meanwhile David had remained in Jerusalem. It appears to me that the author suggests that failing to lead his army himself is what set David up for the temptation and sin which followed. One day while his army was in the field, David was on the roof of his palace and observed a woman bathing. The woman was Bathsheba and she was married to one of David’s Mighty Men, Uriah the Hittite. David had her brought to him and slept with her. When she discovered that she was pregnant, David sent word to Joab to send Uriah to him. David asked Uriah for a report on the battle and then told him to spend the night at home. Uriah, however, refused to go home and spent the night with David’s palace guards. When David asked him why he had not gone home, Uriah told him that he could not sleep at home while the Ark of God was in a tent and his fellow warriors were in the field at war. David attempted to get him drunk so as to convince him to go home, but this also failed. David then sent a letter to Joab telling him to station Uriah near the wall in battle and then pull back the other troops. Joab did as David ordered and Uriah was killed. Joab sent word to David about the losses that day with explicit mention that Uriah was among those killed. When Bathsheba’s period of mourning was over, David made her his wife. Today’s passage ends by telling us that God was displeased with David’s actions in this case.
     I have felt for some time that David’s first mistake was to not follow his duty to lead his army in battle. First we have what reads like slight disapproval when the passage points out that in the spring, when king’s normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the army out to war while remaining in Jerusalem. Then we have the comment that Uriah made that he could not in good conscience go home to his wife while his fellow soldiers were camped out in the field of battle. Often times we get into trouble because we have not done what we should have in the first place. If we are doing what we should be doing, we will face less temptation.

     Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We receive life by remaining connected to Him, just as the branch of a vine only remains alive as it remains connected to the root system. The only way that we can be fruitful is if we remain in Him, and Him in us. If we fail to bear fruit, God will cut us off from Jesus, and thus from life. However, even if we are fruitful, God will prune us so that we may be more fruitful.
     If we obey Jesus’ commandments in the same way that He obeyed the Father’s commandments we will remain in His love. If we remain in His love by obeying His commandments we will be filled with joy. After telling us that if we keep His commandments we will remain in His love, Jesus said that His commandment was that we love each other the same way that He loved us. He loved us by laying down His life for us. He goes on to say that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Then He tells us that we are no longer merely His servants, but are His friends. The final point of this part of Jesus’ speech is that we did not choose Him, He chose us.
     Jesus then goes on to warn us that the only way the world will love us is if we are one of its own. If on the other hand we accept Jesus call to come out of the world and become His, the world will hate us in the same way that it hated Him. Those who reject Jesus will reject us. Those who would persecute Jesus will persecute us. They saw the miraculous signs which Jesus did and rejected Him anyway. We must remember that no matter how good of an argument we make, or what miracles God performs through us, there are those who will reject God’s message and us for accepting it. But the Holy Spirit will live within us and testify about God to us. We then must testify about Jesus and God to those around us.

     Once more today’s psalm aligns with Jesus’ teachings from today’s New Testament passage. I will use this from the NIV to illustrate:

     Today’s proverbs tell us how to make plans that will succeed. That is to make plans that are designed to bring glory to God and that bring about God’s will on this earth.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     After he heard about the death of Abner, Ishbosheth lost all confidence and the forces supporting him became paralyzed. Two brothers decided to ingratiate themselves to David by killing Ishbosheth. They cut off Ishbosheth’s head and took it to David. When they presented it to David, expecting him to honor them for eliminating his rival, he ordered them killed for killing Ishbosheth.
     After the death of Ishbosheth the elders of Israel came to David and made him their king. David then set out to conquer Jerusalem and make it his capital. It is interesting that even though the account tells us that the elders of Israel came to David and made him their king immediately (or at least shortly) after the death of Ishbosheth, it also tells us that his reign was over all of Israel was not counted as starting until he moved his capital to Jerusalem. Once David took control of Jerusalem, the Philistines attacked him on two occasions. The first time David defeated them using a frontal attack. The second time, he launched a flanking attack. On both occasions, David gave credit to God for his victory.
     After these victories David decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem from Abinadab’s house, where it had been since it was returned by the Philistines. He gathered a force of 30,000 elite warriors to accompany the Ark (it is not made clear why he gathered such a large force for this). He had the Ark placed on a cart and began transporting it. The cart carrying the Ark was guided by Abinadab’s sons, Uzzah and Ahio. The event was a festival and a celebration worshiping God. However, the celebration was cut short when they got near to Jerusalem. The oxen pulling the cart stumbled and Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark. Uzzah was struck dead because of this. David was angry and a little afraid because of this and left the Ark in the care of the person whose land they were crossing at the time. The account tells us that God blessed the household of the man in whose care David left the Ark of God.
      After three months, when David heard about how much God had blessed the man he had left the Ark with, he decided to bring it the rest of the way to Jerusalem. Once more he began a celebration to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. This time, however, he had the Ark carried rather than transported on a cart. David threw himself fully into the celebration with no thought for his dignity. David’s wife Micah, Saul’s daughter, saw David’s behavior and was offended by it. She thought that David had failed to show the proper dignity of a king. She confronted David about his behavior. David replied that he was willing to be humiliated to worship and celebrate before God. Are we willing to face the contempt of others in order to worship God the way He calls us to do?

     After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus told them that He would be with them only a short time longer and that where He was going, they would be unable to follow. In the meantime, they were to love one another in the same way and to the same degree that Jesus had loved them. Their love for one another would prove that they were His disciples. Peter than asked why He could not go with Jesus and stated that He was ready to die for Jesus. Jesus answered Peter that while he could not come with Jesus now, He would follow Him later. But as to being willing to die with Jesus, Jesus told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed the following morning.
     Jesus then told all of His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled by His departure. They believed and trusted in God, they should do the same regarding Jesus. Jesus told them that there was plenty of room in His Father’s house and He was going to prepare a place for them. He would return and take them there when all was ready. Besides which, they knew the way.
     Thomas replied for all of the disciples by asking how they could know the way when they did not even know where He was going? Jesus answered Thomas’ question by telling the disciples that He was the way, the Truth and the Life. He continued by telling them that He was the only way to the Father. By knowing Jesus we know the Father. Philip then asked Jesus to show them the Father. To which Jesus answered, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” Jesus told the disciples that He was in the Father and the Father was in Him. If nothing else, they should believe because of the work they have seen Him do. Jesus went on to tell them that those who believe in Him will do the same works that He has done, not only that, they will do even greater works.
     Jesus told the disciples that He did the works He did because He was in the Father and the Father was in Him. In addition, He told them that because of this, they could see the Father by looking at Him. Elsewhere the scripture tells us that if we are His disciples, He will be in us. So my question is, do I live my life so that when people look at me they can see Jesus?

     Today’s psalm speaks of the value of listening to and following God’s law.

     Today’s proverbs give advice that is timeless. Listen to constructive criticism, accept the correction that others give you. This is the path to wisdom and being comfortable among the wise. If I reject discipline, I hurt myself more than any others. On the other hand, if I listen to correction, I will grow in wisdom.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Today’s passage recounts the war between David’s forces and those that remained loyal to the house of Saul. Reading the passage suggests that the only reason that any forces remained loyal to Saul’s son Ishbosheth was because of Abner (who had been commander of Saul’s army). At one point Joab, the commander of David’s army, led his forces out to battle Abner and his forces. When battle was entered, Joab’s forces were victorious and Abner’s forces retreated. Joab’s forces pursued them. In particular, Joab’s brother, Asahel, pursued Abner. Abner could not get away from Asahel and tried to convince him to go after someone else. Finally, when Asahel refused to turn aside, Abner killed him. Shortly after sunset, some of Abner’s troops took a stand on a hill, as Joab and his forces caught up to them Abner called out and convinced Joab to stop the pursuit. Both forces returned to their respective homes.
     As time went on Abner became more powerful. Ishbosheth reprimanded Abner for sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines. Abner flew into a rage and threatened to turn Ishbosheth’s kingdom over to David. Ishbosheth was intimidated by Abner’s outburst, but Abner nevertheless began preparations to carry out his threat. Abner contacted David to start negotiations for him to become king of all of Israel. As part of these negotiations, David demanded the return of Micah, Saul’s daughter. Interestingly, it is Ishbosheth who returns Micah to David. After this Abner met with the elders of Israel, including Benjamin, the tribe of Saul’s family, and got them to agree to make David their king. Abner then went to David and offered to gather the people of Israel in an assembly to make David king. David threw a feast for Abner and sent him on his way.
     Just after Abner left, Joab returned from a raid with a great deal of plunder. Joab was furious that David was treating with Abner and told David that Abner had merely come to spy on him. Joab then sent messengers after Abner to get him to come back. When Abner returned, Joab took him aside as if to speak privately. As soon as they were alone, Joab killed Abner in order to avenge his brother. When David learned that Joab had killed Abner, he was furious. David ordered Joab and all of those with him to mourn for Abner. On the day of Abner’s funeral (probably the following day), David fasted for the entire day despite being urged by his servants to eat. This convinced the people that David had no part in Abner’s death. David spoke to some of his men and praised Abner, lamenting his death. In addition, David expressed that he lacked the power to punish Joab and his remaining brother, Abishai.

     In today’s passage, John describes Jesus washing His disciples feet. When He came to Peter, Peter at first refused to allow Jesus to wash His feet. Jesus told Peter that if he did not allow Jesus to wash him, he would have no part of Jesus. Peter’s response was “Then wash all of me.” Jesus then told Peter that those who had bathed were clean and did not need to be washed. Jesus then returned to His seat and asked if they understood what He had done. He then went on to explain that since He, their Teacher, had washed their feet, they should wash each other’s feet.
     There are two lessons here that I think are important. The first is the obvious one. If Jesus bent down and did the lowly, servile task of washing His disciples’ feet, there is no task that is beneath us in serving our fellow-man. The second one is a lesson I have seen elsewhere, but I never noticed it here before today. When Jesus told Peter that He had to accept Jesus serving him by washing his feet, He was sending all of us a lesson. We need to let others serve us by doing things similar for us. Not letting others do for us, is as much against what Jesus taught as never doing anything to serve others. Some people are too proud to bend down and “wash someone’s feet”. But others are too proud to let someone else “wash their feet.” The latter is no more behaving as a follower of Christ than the former.

     The psalm today reminds us that the route to happiness and joy is following God’s commands and seeking Him. As I read today’s portion of this psalm, there are two phrases that stand out for me. The first is a plea to God for His assistance, a plea that God is always glad to answer:

     God is always far away from the wicked. This statement is a tautology. The wicked revel in doing evil and evil is the absence of good. Since God is the embodiment of good, by definition, the wicked must be far from Him. The second part is not so obvious. God will hear the prayer of those who strive for His righteousness, no matter how far away He seems.
     The second of today’s proverbs reminds us to always keep a cheerful demeanor even when we are feeling down because by doing so, we can lift the spirits of others (and who knows, their renewed spirits may lift our own).

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Three days after David had returned to Ziklag a man arrived bringing news that the Israelite army had been defeated by the Philistines and that Saul and Jonathan were dead. The man who brought the news was an Amalekite who lived among the Israelites. When David questioned him about his news, he claimed that he had come upon Saul injured. Further he claimed that Saul had asked him to kill him and that he had done so because he saw that Saul would not live long in any event. The Amalekite than took Saul’s armband and crown and brought them to David. David ordered his men to kill the Amalekite based on his confession to killing King Saul. This fits into a pattern whereby David punished people who performed actions that were morally wrong but that they thought would benefit David and bring reward from him. I think this teaches us an important lesson about what to expect from those in positions of power. David did not accept those who did wrong to advance his cause with a “wink and a nod”, where he claimed to be opposed to the actions they took, but accepted them anyway. There will be several more occasions where we are told that David punished someone who came to him claiming to have done wrong to advance David’s cause.
     David composed a lament for the death of Jonathan and Saul which expressed his deep love for Jonathan and his respect for Saul. It praised Saul and Jonathan for their might in battle defending Israel. Once David finished his mourning for Jonathan and Saul he moved back to Judah with his men and their families. They settled around Hebron. The elders of Judah came to David and made him king over Judah. When David heard the news that the men of Jabesh-gilead had taken the bodies of Saul and his sons and buried them, he sent them word praising their action and blessing them for it. In his message, he asked them to accept him as king, as the tribe of Judah had done. However, in the meantime, Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s remaining son, Ishbosheth and declared him king. With Abner’s backing, Ishbosheth became king over all of Israel except for Judah.

     While Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover (and after the Triumphal Entry), some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast approached Philip and asked him to arrange a meeting with Jesus for them. Philip told Andrew about their request and Andrew and Philip approached Jesus. In response to this request Jesus said that the time had come for Him to enter into His glory. He went on to say that it is only as a kernel of wheat enters the ground and dies that it is able to produce more wheat. In the same way, if we hang onto our lives, if we love our lives, we will lose them, but if we are willing to sacrifice our lives for God we will gain eternal life. It is interesting that this teaching is in response to some Greeks, some non-Jews, seeking to meet with Jesus. I am not sure why that is significant, but it is.
     Jesus went on to say that His soul was troubled. But He did not wish to ask the Father to save Him from the trial He was about to face, rather He asked the Father to glorify the Father’s name. Jesus says this immediately after telling us that if we wish to serve Him, we need to go where He is. This reads to me as a model for us to follow. We, also, should ask the Father to glorify His name through the difficult times we face, rather than asking Him to take these difficult times from us. I find this to be a very difficult teaching to follow.

     I just read the last passage in John where I understood Jesus to teach us to ask God to glorify His name through the difficulties we face rather than take them from us. Then I read this psalm where it says:

     The greedy bring trouble not only on themselves, but on their entire household. Those who seek after righteousness strive to control what words they use. The wicked do not give a second thought to the type of language they use, or what they say.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     As the Philistines mustered for battle, the other commanders asked Achish why David, a Hebrew was part of their army. They insisted that David be sent back, as they were afraid he would turn against them in battle. I am sure they were in part remembering the first major battle against Saul, when they had large numbers of Hebrews in their army who turned joined with Saul when battle was entered. Achish argued for keeping David and his men in the army, but the other Philistine commanders insisted that he be sent back. Finally, Achish agrees to send David back. David argues his case with Achish, but the decision has been made, so David and his men return to Ziklag.
     When David and his men get back to Ziklag, they discover that the town had been sacked. Their possessions had been taken and their families made slaves. David’s men were angry with him, and blamed him even though his wives have also been taken captive. David called Abiathar, the priest, to consult God as to what he should do. Abiathar told David that God was telling him that if he pursued the raiders, he wiould overtake them and recover the people and stolen goods. David set out with his 600 men in pursuit. As they were in pursuit, about 200 of his men became too exhausted to continue, so David left them to watch the supplies while he went on with the remaining 400 (this actually resembles a practice he had used before, where he left about one-third of his force to guard the supplies while the rest continued to battle).
     Shortly after this, they came upon an Egyptian in a field. David’s men brought him to David. They fed the man and gave him some water since he had not had anything to eat or drink for three days. When his strength returned, they questioned him. He told them that he had been the slave of an Amalekite who had been part of a force which had raided in Judah and burned Ziklag. The Egyptian agreed to guide David and his men to the camp of the Amalekites as long as they promised not to kill him or return him to his master. They readily agreed. The man led them to the Amalekite camp, where the raiders were spread out celebrating the success of their raid. David and his men attacked them killing all of the Amalekites except for 400 young men who fled on camels. They recovered all of their families and their goods. When they rejoined those who had been left behind, some of those who had gone into battle did not want to share the plunder with those who had remained behind. David insisted that the plunder be shared equally between those who had fought and those who had guarded the supplies. When David got back to Ziklag, he sent shared part of the plunder with the elders of Judah.
     Meanwhile, the Philistine army attacked the Israelite army and defeated it soundly. They killed three of Saul’s sons. In addition, the battle raged around Saul until Philistine archers wounded Saul. Saul asked his armor bearer to kill him so that he would not be taken alive by the Philistines. When his armor bearer refused, Saul killed himself. When his armor bearer realized Saul was dead, he also killed himself. The Philistines took the bodies of Saul and his sons and mounted them on the walls of one of their cities. The men of Jabesh-gilead went under cover of night and removed the bodies of Saul and his sons from the walls of the city and brought them back to Jabesh-gilead, where they buried them.

     As the time of the Passover Feast arrived, Jesus went to Bethany to visit with Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Martha served, Lazarus reclined at the table with Jesus and Mary took a bottle of expensive perfume and poured it on his feet, which she then wiped with her hair. Judas Iscariot complained that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. John editorializes that Judas said this because he was in charge of the disciples’ money and helped himself to what was put into it. Jesus answered Judas by telling him that Mary was preparing Him for His burial. They would have plenty of opportunity to help the poor, but only a short window with Jesus. There are two possible ways to interpret this. First is that Jesus was a special case and it was appropriate for Mary to use up this luxury item on Him because He was the Messiah. I don’t think this would have gotten this story into the Bible. The second possibility is that Jesus was telling us that sometimes we need to “treat” those around us, that we need to make sure that those we love know that we love them. I think this latter is the case. Sometimes we need to splurge a little on those who are important to us.

     What a great psalm! It has many lines that I want to pull out and remind myself of.

     Today’s three proverbs are linked. The wise do well because they remember the other two proverbs. Those who become proud of their possessions will see those possessions taken from them. Yet God protects the widow. I have seen both sides of this. God detests the plans of the evil and will bring them to ruin, but he will reward those who are upright and speak honestly.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Saul once more brought his army out looking for David and his men. One night while Saul and his army were sleeping, David slipped into the camp with one of his men, Abishai. David and Abishai managed to get all the way to Saul’s side with no one waking up. Abishai offered to kill Saul for David, since the Lord had placed Saul in their power. David refused to allow Abishai to kill Saul, but he took Saul’s spear and his water jug. Once the two of them had left the camp, David called out to Abner, the commander of Saul’s army. David asked Abner why he had failed to protect the king. When Saul heard David’s voice, he apologized to David for seeking his life and invited him back (although David wisely did not take Saul up on this offer, as this was the second time Saul had felt remorse for attempting to kill David after David had spared his life). I meant to touch on a point that comes up again today. David did not kill Saul because Saul was God’s anointed king over Israel. I think this tells us something important about what our attitude should be towards government leaders. We should be respectful towards those who are in positions of government authority, since they are in that position because God put them there. I struggle with following this when I disagree with those in authority, but it is something I am working on with the Holy Spirit’s help.
     When Saul withdrew from hunting David this time, David realized that he would never be safe among the Israelites as long as Saul was king and that if he stayed, eventually Saul would catch him. So David went to live among the Philistines. He took his 600 men and joined Achish, the king of Gath. He convinced Gath that he and his men should stay in one of the country towns around Gath, rather than in the city itself. Achish gave David and his men Ziklag. From this base of operation, David and his men raided the towns of enemies of Israel. When they raided a town, they killed everyone there so that no one could report that they had attacked the town. After sacking a town, David would return and report to Achish. Achish would ask him where he had raided most recently and David would reply that he had raided Judah or allies of the Israelites. Achish became convinced that David was becoming hated by the Israelites and had no choice but remain loyal to him.
     After David had lived among the Philistines for a little over a year, the Philistines prepared to go to war against Saul. King Achish called David and required him to bring his men to join the attack. David replied that now Achish would see what he could do.

     Jesus was on the east side of the Jordan River when He received word that Lazarus was very sick. Jesus told His disciples that Lazarus’ sickness would bring glory to God and remained where He was for two more days. When He told His disciples that He was going back to Judea, they responded that only a few days earlier the people of Judea had been trying to stone Him. Jesus said that Lazarus has fallen asleep and He was going to wake Him. When the disciples demonstrated that they did not understand, Jesus told them that Lazarus had died. At that point Thomas (which means twin in Aramaic), said to the others, “Let us go and die with Him.”
     When Jesus got to Bethany, where Lazarus and his sisters lived, He was told that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was close to Jerusalem and many Jews had come out from Jerusalem to comfort Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters. Martha came out to meet Jesus, but Mary stayed at home. When Martha greeted Jesus, she told Him that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. This does not appear to be an accusation, merely a statement of faith. Jesus replied that Lazarus would rise again. When Martha said that she knew he would rise on the last day, Jesus replied that He was the resurrection and the life and that everyone who believed in Him will live even after dying. He then asked Martha if she believed this. She replied that she did indeed believe that He was the Messiah.
     Martha then returned to her home and told her that Jesus had come and was looking for her. Mary went out to see Him at once. When those who had been with Mary comforting her saw her go out so hurriedly, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’ tomb to mourn for him there. So, they accompanied her. When Mary saw Jesus she threw herself at His feet and told Him that if only He had been there, Lazarus would not have died (this was closer to being an accusation then Martha’s greeting). When Jesus saw her weeping and those with her wailing, He was deeply moved and troubled. Jesus asked where they had put Lazarus. They took Jesus to Lazarus’ tomb and when Jesus got there He wept. Some of the mourners openly expressed the thought that Jesus could have kept Lazarus from dying in a manner that asked why He had not done so.
     Jesus asked them to roll aside the stone in front of the tomb. Martha protested that Lazarus had been dead for four days and by now the smell would be terrible. Jesus told her that He had said that if she believed she would see the glory of God. So the people rolled the stone aside. Jesus then loudly thanked God for hearing His requests, pointing out that He was speaking for the benefit of those listening, not because it was necessary. Jesus then called out to Lazarus and commanded him to come out of the tomb. When Lazarus emerged clothed in the traditional grave clothes, Jesus ordered those around to unwrap him and set him free. I think there is a lesson here that we do not need to pray out loud when asking for miracles from God. The only reason for praying out loud when we are requesting a miracle from God is as a witness to those who are close enough to hear what we say. This suggests that there is a time for openly praying for a miracle and a time for quietly praying for a miracle. We should be careful that when we pray out loud for a miracle, we are doing so to bring glory to God, not to ourselves.

     Praise the Lord for His faithfulness endures forever. A wonderful, although short, psalm of praise.

     When making plans, get advice from many sources. This is the best way to make sure that your plans will succeed (as long as you actually take the best of that advice). The second proverb tells us that saying the right word at the right time brings one happiness. But that does not just happen. It requires thinking about what others have said and considering one’s words carefully, and it requires being open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.