Day 99 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 8 April 2024 reflections
Day 99, 8 April 2024
1) 1 Samuel 4 - 8
1 SAMUEL 4
1 (1Sa 7:12; 29:1) And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.
The Ark of God Captured
And Israel went out to battle against the Philistines
and they made camp beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.
2 The Philistines arrayed themselves in a battle line against Israel, and when
the battle was over, Israel was beaten before the Philistines, who struck
down on the field of battle about four thousand men.
3 When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said,
"Why has the Lord struck us today before the Philistines?
Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh to us,
that it might come among us and rescue us out of the hand of our enemies."
4 (2Sa 6:2; Ps 80:1) So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from
there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts, who dwells above the
cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there
with the ark of the covenant of God.
5 (Jos 6:5) When the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,
all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the ground was in an uproar.
6 When the Philistines heard the sound of the shout, they said,
"What does this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?"
Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp.
7 The Philistines were afraid, when they said, "God is come into the camp."
And they said, "Woe to us! For this has never happened to us before.
8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods?
These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with every plague
in the wilderness.
9 (Jdg 13:1; 1Co 16:13) Be strong and be men, O Philistines, lest you be
servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Now be men and fight."
10 (Dt 28:25; 1Sa 4:2) So the Philistines fought and Israel was beaten.
And they fled every man into his tent. It was a very great defeat,
for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers.
11 (1Sa 2:34; Ps 78:64) Now the ark of God was taken, and the two sons
of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
[1] And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against
the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines
pitched in Aphek.
[2] And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when
they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew
of the army in the field about four thousand men.
[3] And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said,
Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us
fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when
it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
[4] So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark
of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims:
and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the
covenant of God.
[5] And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all
Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
[6] And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What
meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they
understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
[7] And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the
camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing
heretofore.
[8] Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods?
these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the
wilderness.
[9] Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be
not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves
like men, and fight.
[10] And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every
man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of
Israel thirty thousand footmen.
[11] And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and
Phinehas, were slain.
12 (Jos 7:6; 2Sa 1:2) There ran a man of Benjamin from the battle line,
and he came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes torn
and with dust upon his head.
13 (1Sa 1:9; 4:18) When he came, Eli was sitting on a seat by the wayside
watching. For his heart feared for the ark of God. Now the man came
to tell it in the city, and all the city cried out.
14 When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said,
"What does the noise of this tumult mean?"
And the man hurriedly came and told Eli.
15 (1Sa 3:2) Now Eli was 98 years old, and his eyes were dim,
so that he could not see.
16 (2Sa 1:4) The man said to Eli, "I am he that came out of the army,
and I fled today out of the battle line."
And he said, "What is the word, my son?"
17 The messenger answered and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines,
and there also has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons
also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead. And the ark of God is taken."
18 (1Sa 4:13) When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell from off the seat
backward by the side of the gate. And his neck broke and he died,
for he was an old and heavy man. And he had judged Israel forty years.
19 His daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was pregnant, about to give birth.
And when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken,
and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead,
she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.
20 (Ge 35:17-18) About the time of her death the women that stood
by her said to her, "Do not fear, for you have borne a son."
But she did not answer or regard it.
21 (Ps 26:8; Jer 2:11) She named the child Ichabod, saying,
"The glory is departed from Israel," because the ark of God was taken,
and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
22 She said, "The glory is departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken."
[12] And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the
same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.
[13] And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for
his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city,
and told it, all the city cried out.
[14] And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the
noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
[15] Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he
could not see.
[16] And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I
fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
[17] And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the
Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people,
and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is
taken.
[18] And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he
fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake,
and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel
forty years.
[19] And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be
delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and
that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and
travailed; for her pains came upon her.
[20] And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto
her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did
she regard it.
[21] And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from
Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law
and her husband.
[22] And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is
taken.
[Remember not to leave an evil legacy]
1 SAMUEL 5
The Philistines and the Ark
1 (1Sa 4:1; 7:12) Now the Philistines took the ark of God,
and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2 (Jdg 16:23; 1Ch 10:10) When the Philistines took the ark of God,
they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.
3 (Isa 19:1; 46:1-2; 46:7) When the Ashdodites arose early in the morning,
Dagon had fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord.
And they took Dagon and set him in his place again.
4 (Mic 1:7; Jer 50:2) When they arose early on the next morning, again
Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord,
and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off
upon the threshold. Only the torso of Dagon was left to him.
5 (Zep 1:9) Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any coming
into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
6 (1Sa 5:11; Ex 9:3; Ps 32:4) But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon
the Ashdodites. He desolated them and struck them with tumors,
even Ashdod and its territories.
7 When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, "The ark of the God
of Israel cannot remain with us. For His hand is heavy upon us and upon
Dagon our god."
8 So they sent and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them,
and said, "What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?"
And they answered, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried around
to Gath." And they carried the ark of the God of Israel there.
9 (1Sa 5:6; Dt 2:15; 1Sa 7:13) It happened that after they had carried it
about, the hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great
destruction. And He struck the men of the city, both small and great.
And tumors broke out on them.
10 Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron.
And it came about that as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites
cried out, saying, "They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel
to slay us and our people."
11 (1Sa 5:6; 5:8-9) So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the
Philistines, and said, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go
again to His own place that He might not kill me and my people,"
for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city.
The hand of God was very heavy there.
12 (Ex 12:30) The men that did not die were plagued with the tumors.
And the cry of the city went up to heaven.
1 Samuel 5
[1] And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer
unto Ashdod.
[2] When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house
of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
[3] And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was
fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took
Dagon, and set him in his place again.
[4] And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was
fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head
of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold;
only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
[5] Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's
house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
[6] But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed
them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
[7] And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the
God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and
upon Dagon our god.
[8] They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto
them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they
answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And
they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
[9] And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the
LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the
men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret
parts.
[10] Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as
the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They
have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our
people.
[11] So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines,
and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his
own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly
destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
[12] And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of
the city went up to heaven.
[Only Yahweh is the True God]
1 SAMUEL 6
The Ark Returned to Israel
1 Now the ark of the Lord had been in the country
of the Philistines seven months.
2 (Ge 41:8; Ex 7:11) The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners,
saying, "What shall we do with the ark of the Lord?
Tell us how we should send it to its place."
3 (Ex 23:15; Dt 16:16) They said, "If you send away the ark of the God
of Israel, do not send it empty. But return to Him a guilt offering.
Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why His hand
is not removed from you."
4 (Jos 13:3; Jdg 3:3) Then said they, "What will be the guilt offering
which we will return to Him?"
They answered, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice according
to the number of the lords of the Philistines. For one plague was on
you all, and on your lords.
5 (Jos 7:19; 1Sa 5:6-7; 5:11) Therefore you will make images of your tumors
and images of your mice that ravage the land. And you will give glory
to the God of Israel. Perhaps He will lighten His hand from off you,
even from off your gods and from off your land.
6 (Ex 7:13; 8:15) Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians
and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He dealt severely with them,
did they not let the people go, and they departed?
7 (Nu 19:2; 2Sa 6:3) "Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milk
cows on which there has never been a yoke. Then tie the cows to the cart
and bring their calves home, away from them.
8 Then take the ark of the Lord and set it on the cart. And put the images
of gold, which you return to Him for a guilt offering, in a box by the side.
And send it away, that it may go.
9 (Jos 15:10; 21:16) See, if it goes up by the way of His own territory
to Beth Shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then
we will know that it is not His hand that struck us; it was by chance
that it happened to us."
10 The men did so. And they took two milk cows, tied them to the cart,
and shut up their calves at home.
11 And they set the ark of the Lord on the cart, as well as the box
with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors.
12 Then the cows took the straight way to the way of Beth Shemesh,
and went along the highway, lowing as they went. They did not turn aside
to the right hand or to the left with the lords of the Philistines walking
after them to the border of Beth Shemesh.
13 Now Beth Shemesh was reaping their wheat harvest in the valley.
And they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, and they rejoiced to see it.
14 (2Sa 24:22) The cart came into the field of Joshua, the Beth Shemite,
and stood there where there was a great stone. And they split the wood
of the cart, and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord.
15 The Levites took down the ark of the Lord and the box that was with it,
where the articles of gold were, and put them on the great stone.
And the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices
the same day to the Lord.
16 (Jos 13:3; Jdg 3:3) When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it,
they returned to Ekron the same day.
17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for
a guilt offering to the Lord: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one,
for Gath one, for Ekron one.
18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities
of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities,
and of country villages. And the great stone, where they set the ark
of the Lord, is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua,
the Beth Shemite.
19 (Ex 19:21; Nu 4:15) Then He struck the men of Beth Shemesh,
because they had looked into the ark of the Lord. He struck 50070 men.
And the people lamented, because the Lord had struck the people
with a great slaughter.
20 (2Sa 6:9; Mal 3:2) The men of Beth Shemesh said, "Who is able to stand
before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom will He go up from us?"
21 (1Ch 13:5-6; Jos 9:17) And they sent messengers to the inhabitants
of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have brought back the ark
of the Lord. Come down, and take it up to you."
1 Samuel 6
[1] And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven
months.
[2] And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying,
What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it
to his place.
[3] And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not
empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be
healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
[4] Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall
return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice,
according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was
on you all, and on your lords.
[5] Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice
that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel:
peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods,
and from off your land.
[6] Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharoah
hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they
not let the people go, and they departed?
[7] Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there
hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home
from them:
[8] And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the
jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by
the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.
[9] And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh,
then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that is
not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.
[10] And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart,
and shut up their calves at home:
[11] And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with
the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
[12] And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemesh, and went
along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right
hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto
the border of Beth-shemesh.
[13] And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the
valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see
it.
[14] And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemite, and stood
there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart,
and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.
[15] And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was
with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone:
and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed
sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.
[16] And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned
to Ekron the same day.
[17] And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a
trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon
one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
[18] And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the
Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of
country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down
the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of
Joshua, the Beth-shemite.
[19] And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the
ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore
and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of
the people with a great slaughter.
[20] And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy
LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
[21] And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying,
The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and
fetch it up to you.
1 SAMUEL 7
1 So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord.
And they brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill,
and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.
2 And from the day the ark resided in Kiriath Jearim,
the days increased to twenty years.
1 Samuel 7
[1] And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD,
and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified
Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
[2] And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the
time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented
after the LORD.
Samuel Judges Israel
And all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.
3 (Jos 24:14; Ge 35:2; Dt 6:13) Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel,
saying, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart,
then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths from your midst.
And make firm your hearts unto the Lord, and serve Him only.
Then He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."
4 So the children of Israel put away the Baals and Ashtoreths
and served the Lord only.
5 (Jdg 20:1) Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah,
and I will pray to the Lord for you."
6 (Jdg 10:10; Ps 106:6) They gathered together to Mizpah.
And they drew water and poured it out before the Lord.
And they fasted on that day, and said there,
"We have sinned against the Lord."
So Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.
7 (1Sa 17:11; 13:6) When the Philistines heard that the children
of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines
went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it,
they were afraid of the Philistines.
8 (Isa 37:4; 1Sa 12:19-24) The children of Israel said to Samuel,
"Do not stop crying unto the Lord our God for us, that He might save us
out of the hand of the Philistines."
9 (Ps 99:6; Jer 15:1) Samuel took a suckling lamb, and offered it for a burnt
offering unto the Lord. And Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel and the Lord
heard him.
10 (1Sa 2:10; Jos 10:10) As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering,
the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel, but the Lord thundered
with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines, and confused them.
So they were beaten before Israel.
11 Israel's fighting men went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines,
and struck them, as far as below Beth Kar.
12 (Ge 35:14; Jos 4:9) Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah
and Shen. And he called its name EbenezerLit.
Stone of help. saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
13 (Jdg 13:1) So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not again
come into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against
the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
14 The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored
to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath. And Israel rescued their territory
out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel
and the Amorites.
15 (1Sa 7:6; Jdg 2:16) So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
16 He went annually in a circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah.
And he judged Israel in all those places.
17 (1Sa 1:19; 1:1) But his return was to Ramah, for his house was there
and there he judged Israel. And there he built an altar to the Lord.
[3] And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return
unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and
Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve
him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
[4] Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and
served the LORD only.
[5] And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you
unto the LORD.
[6] And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out
before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned
against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
[7] And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered
together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And
when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
[8] And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the
LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the
Philistines.
[9] And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering
wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the
LORD heard him.
[10] And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew
near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder
on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were
smitten before Israel.
[11] And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines,
and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.
[12] Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and
called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
[13] So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast
of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days
of Samuel.
[14] And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were
restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did
Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace
between Israel and the Amorites.
[15] And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
[16] And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and
Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
[17] And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he
judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
1 SAMUEL 8
Israel Demands a King
1 (Dt 16:18-19) And it came about when Samuel was old, that he installed
his sons as judges for Israel.
2 Now the name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second
son was Abijah. They were judging in Beersheba.
3 (Dt 16:19; Ps 15:5) But his sons did not walk in his way, for they followed
after unlawful gain, and they took bribes, and they perverted justice.
4 (1Sa 7:17) And all the elders of Israel gathered together and they came
to Samuel at Ramah.
5 (Dt 17:14-15; 1Sa 8:19-20) They said to him, "You are old and your sons
do not walk in your ways. Now, install for us a king to govern us like
all the nations."
6 (1Sa 15:11; 12:17) But the thing was evil in the eyes of Samuel,
because they said, "Give us a king to govern us."
And Samuel prayed to the Lord.
7 (Ex 16:8; 1Sa 10:19) The Lord said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people
in relation to all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected,
but Me they have rejected from reigning over them.
8 Just as all the deeds which they have done to Me, from the day I brought
them up from Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken Me
and have served other gods, so they are doing also to you now.
9 (1Sa 8:11-18; 10:25) Now then, obey their voice. Only you will testify
against them and proclaim to them the judgment concerning the king
who will reign over them."
10 So Samuel said all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking
from him a king.
11 (1Sa 10:25; 14:52) And he said, "This will be the judgment concerning
the king who will reign over you: Your sons he will take in order to place
them for himself in his chariots and as his horsemen, and they will run
before his chariot,
12 and in order to assign for himself captains of thousands and captains
of fifties, and to plow his ground, and to gather in his harvest,
and to make his weapons of war and the equipment of his chariots.
13 And your daughters he will take for perfumers, and cooks, and bakers.
14 (1Ki 21:7; Eze 46:18) And your choicest fields, and vineyards,
and olive groves he will take and give them to his servants.
15 And of your seed fields and your vineyards he will take a tenth
of their harvest and will give it to his high officials and to his servants.
16 And your menservants and your maidservants, and the best of your
young men and asses he will take and make do his work.
17 Your flocks he will take a tenth of, but you will be his for slaves.
18 (Isa 1:15; Mic 3:4) And you will cry out in that day because of your king,
whom you have chosen for yourselves,
but the Lord will not answer you in that day."
19 (Jer 44:16_ But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel.
And they said, "No! But surely a king will be over us!
20 (1Sa 8:5) So that we also will be like all the nations!
And so that our king will govern us, and will go out before us,
and will fight our battles."
21 (Jdg 11:11) And after Samuel heard all the words of the people,
he spoke them in the hearing of the Lord.
22 (1Sa 8:7; Hos 13:11) And the Lord said to Samuel,
"Obey their voice, and make for them a king."
So Samuel said to Israel's fighting men,
"Go every man to his city."
1 Samuel 8
[1] And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges
over Israel.
[2] Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second,
Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.
[3] And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and
took bribes, and perverted judgment.
[4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to
Samuel unto Ramah,
[5] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy
ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
[6] But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge
us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
[7] And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in
all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have
rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
[8] According to all the works which they have done since the day that I
brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have
forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
[9] Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly
unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
[10] And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of
him a king.
[11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over
you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots,
and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
[12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over
fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and
to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
[13] And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks,
and to be bakers.
[14] And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards,
even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
[15] And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and
give to his officers, and to his servants.
[16] And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your
goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
[17] He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
[18] And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall
have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
[19] Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they
said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
[20] That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge
us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
[21] And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in
the ears of the LORD.
[22] And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a
king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
2) Our Daily Bread for 8 April 2024 titled
Joy in the City
Proverbs 11:1-11
Proverbs 11
1 (Pr 16:11; 20:10; 20:23) A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
2 (Pr 29:23; 18:12) When pride comes, then comes shame;
but with the humble is wisdom.
3 (Pr 13:6 ) The integrity of the upright will guide them,
but the perverseness of transgressors will destroy them.
4 (Ge 7:1; Pr 10:2) Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
5 (Pr 5:22) The righteousness of the upright will direct his way,
but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 (Ecc 10:8) The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
but transgressors will be taken by their schemes.
7 (Pr 10:28; Job 8:13-14) When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,
and the hope of unjust men perishes.
8 (Pr 21:18) The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
and the wicked comes in his place.
9 A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the just will be delivered.
10 (Pr 28:12) When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 (Pr 29:8) By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,
but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame:
But with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath:
But righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way:
But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:
But transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:
And the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
And the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour:
But through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:
And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
When France and Argentina met in the 2022 World Cup final, it was an
incredible contest that many dubbed the "greatest World Cup match in
history." As the final seconds ticked off in extra time, the score was tied
3-3, sending the soccer teams to penalty kicks. After Argentina made
the winning goal, the nation erupted in celebration. More than a million
Argentineans overwhelmed downtown Buenos Aires. Drone footage spread across
social media showing this raucous, happy scene. One BBC report described
how the city quaked with "an explosion of joy."
Joy is always a wonderful gift. Proverbs, though, describes how a city,
a people, can experience joy that goes even deeper and lasts far longer.
"When the righteous prosper," Proverbs says, "the city rejoices" (11:10).
When those who truly live by God's designs for humanity begin to influence
a community, then this signals good news because it means God's justice
is taking hold. Greed diminishes. The poor find support. The oppressed
are protected. Whenever God's right way of living flourishes,
then there's joy and "blessing" in the city (v. 11).
If we're genuinely living out God’s ways, then the result will be good news
for everyone. The way we live will make the community around us better
and more whole. God invites us to be part of His work to heal the world.
He invites us to bring joy to the city.
By: Winn Collier
Reflect & Pray
Where do you see the need for joy in your city?
How can you bring God's joy there?
Dear God, please help me to join You in bringing joy to others.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 2 - The key to the Prison Cell
Matt 6:14-15
14 For if you forgive men for their sins, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men for their sins,
neither will your Father forgive your sins.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you: 15 but if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ann had been badly wounded in a relationship that had ended in anger
and accusation. For more than a year, Ann nursed her bitterness, rallying
support for her attitudes from friends and colleagues. Any time she saw
her former friend, Ann put up an icy wall of hostility. She thought she was
"getting over" the hurt, but the very mention of her friend's name brought
back a flood of negative feelings. Ann was trapped, locked in a prison of
unforgiveness , a jail built block by block by her own unwillingness to
forgive. Ann didn't "get over it"; instead, her wounds festered
and her bitterness grew worse.
Then one day - she never knew how - Ann let go of her bitterness. The barriers
of hostility and anger melted away, and when she saw her friend again, she was
able to forgive. And Ann was finally able to turn to the Lord for her own
healing and forgiveness.
"If you do not forgive," Jesus says - and the statement falls hard on
unforgiving hearts, "Neither will you be forgiven." In one sense, God's
forgiveness is unconditional - we do not have to earn or deserve it, and it is
always available to us. But we cannot experience the forgiveness God has
extended to us when we harbour unforgiveness towards others and build walls
of bitterness in our hearts.
When we refuse forgiveness toward those who have hurt or betrayed us, we do
not keep them in bondage, but ourselves. We lock ourselves away for an
awareness of God's loving presence; we imprison ourselves in a cell of
revenge. But when we reach out to forgive, we turn in the lock;
the door is open for our own sins to be forgiven and our own hearts
cleansed and purified.
Application
a) Why is forgiving others a condition for experiencing forgiveness
in my own life?
b) How can these verses have a practical effect upon my willingness
to forgive others?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Chr 31:21
21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house
of God and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,
he did this with all his heart, and he found success.
21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house
of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God,
he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Protection in Times of Trouble
Ps 27:1-6
PSALMS 27
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom will I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom will I be afraid?
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) When the wicked came against me
to eat my flesh -
my enemies and my foes -
they stumbled and fell.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Though an army should encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
though war should rise against me,
in this will I be confident.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) One thing I have asked from the Lord,
that will I seek after -
for me to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to see the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in His temple.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For in the time of trouble
He will hide me in His pavilion;
in the shelter of His tabernacle He will hide me;
He will set me up on a rock.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8 - 9) Now my head will be lifted up
above my enemies encircling me;
therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:
Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up,
Above mine enemies round about me:
Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
Pray for the Moors of Mauritania
John 5:17
17 (Jn 9:4; 14:10) Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still,
and I am working."
[17] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Mauritania is an Islamic republic in West Africa and is predominantly
a desert country - mostly hot, dry, and windy. It is about the size
of France and Spain combined, but with only 4.3 million inhabitants.
Mauritania has an ethnically diverse population, but two dominating groups are
the Bidhan, or "white Moors" who are 30% of the population and the Haratin,
or "black Moors" who make up 40%. Both groups are themselves a blend of Arab
and Berber cultural influences. They are almost entirely Muslim.
Most Moorish families were still nomads only two or three generations ago,
but sustained droughts forced over one million people to move to the capital,
Nouakchott, and become more involved in trade.
The status of Moorish women is somewhat different from other societies
in the region. A striking example is a genre of exclusively female poetry
called tebra, which is composed and recited by women before an all-female
audience only.
Mothers from the Riyad 5 school have formed the Association for the Promotion
of our Students and their Futures to keep students safe outside of school,
Nouakchott, Mauritania.
However, Mauritanian Moors also have a tradition of viewing obesity in women
as a status symbol, promoting the idea that a man with a thin wife must not
be able to afford to feed her. This has led to dangerous practices
of over-eating, sometimes by force, with the aim of attracting a wealthy
husband. Other challenges faced by Moorish women include the practices
of female genital mutilation and child marriage – also done with the aim
of making girls attractive to men in the hope of securing financial security.
How to Pray
Pray for Moorish women to understand the love that God
has for them and their value in His Kingdom.
Pray that God’s love and salvation would be revealed
to all the people of Mauritania.
Pray for the tribes of Mauritania to find in Christ
the fulfillment of His promises of peace and salvation.
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
8th Day of the Month
a) Pray that the Church will deepen its commitment to prayer
and never cease to call upon God
(
Is 62:6
6 (Isa 52:8; Ps 74:2) I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem,
who shall never hold their peace day nor night.
You who remind the Lord, do not keep silent;
6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold
their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Ps 5:3
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord, in the morning You will hear my voice;
in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will watch expectantly.
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Ps 55:17
17 Evening and morning and at noon, I will make my complaint and murmur,
and He will hear my voice.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
And he shall hear my voice.
)
b) Pray for the province of Manitoba
I) Pray for the leaders of Manitoba, that God's Spirit would influence them
to act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings
and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and honesty,
3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to leave a good legacy in His name.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me to join You
in bringing joy to others."
Pray to the Lord and pray to honestly forgive trespasses.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek hikm is your work.
Pray to the Lord and pray to put your faith in the Lord.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray for Moorish women to understand the love that God
has for them and their value in His Kingdom.
Pray that God’s love and salvation would be revealed
to all the people of Mauritania.
Pray for the tribes of Mauritania to find in Christ
the fulfillment of His promises of peace and salvation.
Pray that the Church will deepen its commitment to prayer
and never cease to call upon God
Pray that more Kuwaitis will head the Good News of Jesus Christ and place
their faith in Him.
Pray that isolated Christians in Oman who must worship alone will experience
the joy and comfort of God's presence.
Pray for new Christians in Benin whose lives are at risk due to opposing
family and community members.
Praise God that Qataris can access the Bible via the Internet!
Pray that many more will be transformed by God's Word.
Pray that ministry workers who are reaching out to Syrian Refugees with the
message of Christ and be strengthened.
Pray for Berber Christians in Algeria who continue to boldly share
the Gospel in and around the al-Qaida terrorist camps.
Pray for an intelligence officer in Turkmenistan whose heart was touched
by the Gospel due to the faithful witness of one of his captives.
Praise God for Mussalam's faithfulness in Uzbekistan to the Lord
and her courage despite persecution from family members.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
1) 1 Samuel 4 - 8
1 SAMUEL 4
1 (1Sa 7:12; 29:1) And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.
The Ark of God Captured
And Israel went out to battle against the Philistines
and they made camp beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.
2 The Philistines arrayed themselves in a battle line against Israel, and when
the battle was over, Israel was beaten before the Philistines, who struck
down on the field of battle about four thousand men.
3 When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said,
"Why has the Lord struck us today before the Philistines?
Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh to us,
that it might come among us and rescue us out of the hand of our enemies."
4 (2Sa 6:2; Ps 80:1) So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from
there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts, who dwells above the
cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there
with the ark of the covenant of God.
5 (Jos 6:5) When the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,
all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the ground was in an uproar.
6 When the Philistines heard the sound of the shout, they said,
"What does this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?"
Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp.
7 The Philistines were afraid, when they said, "God is come into the camp."
And they said, "Woe to us! For this has never happened to us before.
8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods?
These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with every plague
in the wilderness.
9 (Jdg 13:1; 1Co 16:13) Be strong and be men, O Philistines, lest you be
servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Now be men and fight."
10 (Dt 28:25; 1Sa 4:2) So the Philistines fought and Israel was beaten.
And they fled every man into his tent. It was a very great defeat,
for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers.
11 (1Sa 2:34; Ps 78:64) Now the ark of God was taken, and the two sons
of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
[1] And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against
the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines
pitched in Aphek.
[2] And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when
they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew
of the army in the field about four thousand men.
[3] And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said,
Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us
fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when
it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
[4] So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark
of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims:
and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the
covenant of God.
[5] And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all
Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
[6] And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What
meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they
understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
[7] And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the
camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing
heretofore.
[8] Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods?
these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the
wilderness.
[9] Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be
not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves
like men, and fight.
[10] And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every
man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of
Israel thirty thousand footmen.
[11] And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and
Phinehas, were slain.
12 (Jos 7:6; 2Sa 1:2) There ran a man of Benjamin from the battle line,
and he came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes torn
and with dust upon his head.
13 (1Sa 1:9; 4:18) When he came, Eli was sitting on a seat by the wayside
watching. For his heart feared for the ark of God. Now the man came
to tell it in the city, and all the city cried out.
14 When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said,
"What does the noise of this tumult mean?"
And the man hurriedly came and told Eli.
15 (1Sa 3:2) Now Eli was 98 years old, and his eyes were dim,
so that he could not see.
16 (2Sa 1:4) The man said to Eli, "I am he that came out of the army,
and I fled today out of the battle line."
And he said, "What is the word, my son?"
17 The messenger answered and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines,
and there also has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons
also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead. And the ark of God is taken."
18 (1Sa 4:13) When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell from off the seat
backward by the side of the gate. And his neck broke and he died,
for he was an old and heavy man. And he had judged Israel forty years.
19 His daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was pregnant, about to give birth.
And when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken,
and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead,
she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.
20 (Ge 35:17-18) About the time of her death the women that stood
by her said to her, "Do not fear, for you have borne a son."
But she did not answer or regard it.
21 (Ps 26:8; Jer 2:11) She named the child Ichabod, saying,
"The glory is departed from Israel," because the ark of God was taken,
and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
22 She said, "The glory is departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken."
[12] And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the
same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.
[13] And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for
his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city,
and told it, all the city cried out.
[14] And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the
noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
[15] Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he
could not see.
[16] And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I
fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
[17] And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the
Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people,
and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is
taken.
[18] And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he
fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake,
and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel
forty years.
[19] And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be
delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and
that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and
travailed; for her pains came upon her.
[20] And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto
her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did
she regard it.
[21] And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from
Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law
and her husband.
[22] And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is
taken.
[Remember not to leave an evil legacy]
1 SAMUEL 5
The Philistines and the Ark
1 (1Sa 4:1; 7:12) Now the Philistines took the ark of God,
and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2 (Jdg 16:23; 1Ch 10:10) When the Philistines took the ark of God,
they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.
3 (Isa 19:1; 46:1-2; 46:7) When the Ashdodites arose early in the morning,
Dagon had fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord.
And they took Dagon and set him in his place again.
4 (Mic 1:7; Jer 50:2) When they arose early on the next morning, again
Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord,
and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off
upon the threshold. Only the torso of Dagon was left to him.
5 (Zep 1:9) Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any coming
into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
6 (1Sa 5:11; Ex 9:3; Ps 32:4) But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon
the Ashdodites. He desolated them and struck them with tumors,
even Ashdod and its territories.
7 When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, "The ark of the God
of Israel cannot remain with us. For His hand is heavy upon us and upon
Dagon our god."
8 So they sent and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them,
and said, "What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?"
And they answered, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried around
to Gath." And they carried the ark of the God of Israel there.
9 (1Sa 5:6; Dt 2:15; 1Sa 7:13) It happened that after they had carried it
about, the hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great
destruction. And He struck the men of the city, both small and great.
And tumors broke out on them.
10 Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron.
And it came about that as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites
cried out, saying, "They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel
to slay us and our people."
11 (1Sa 5:6; 5:8-9) So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the
Philistines, and said, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go
again to His own place that He might not kill me and my people,"
for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city.
The hand of God was very heavy there.
12 (Ex 12:30) The men that did not die were plagued with the tumors.
And the cry of the city went up to heaven.
1 Samuel 5
[1] And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer
unto Ashdod.
[2] When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house
of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
[3] And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was
fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took
Dagon, and set him in his place again.
[4] And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was
fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head
of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold;
only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
[5] Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's
house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
[6] But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed
them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
[7] And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the
God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and
upon Dagon our god.
[8] They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto
them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they
answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And
they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
[9] And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the
LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the
men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret
parts.
[10] Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as
the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They
have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our
people.
[11] So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines,
and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his
own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly
destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
[12] And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of
the city went up to heaven.
[Only Yahweh is the True God]
1 SAMUEL 6
The Ark Returned to Israel
1 Now the ark of the Lord had been in the country
of the Philistines seven months.
2 (Ge 41:8; Ex 7:11) The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners,
saying, "What shall we do with the ark of the Lord?
Tell us how we should send it to its place."
3 (Ex 23:15; Dt 16:16) They said, "If you send away the ark of the God
of Israel, do not send it empty. But return to Him a guilt offering.
Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why His hand
is not removed from you."
4 (Jos 13:3; Jdg 3:3) Then said they, "What will be the guilt offering
which we will return to Him?"
They answered, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice according
to the number of the lords of the Philistines. For one plague was on
you all, and on your lords.
5 (Jos 7:19; 1Sa 5:6-7; 5:11) Therefore you will make images of your tumors
and images of your mice that ravage the land. And you will give glory
to the God of Israel. Perhaps He will lighten His hand from off you,
even from off your gods and from off your land.
6 (Ex 7:13; 8:15) Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians
and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He dealt severely with them,
did they not let the people go, and they departed?
7 (Nu 19:2; 2Sa 6:3) "Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milk
cows on which there has never been a yoke. Then tie the cows to the cart
and bring their calves home, away from them.
8 Then take the ark of the Lord and set it on the cart. And put the images
of gold, which you return to Him for a guilt offering, in a box by the side.
And send it away, that it may go.
9 (Jos 15:10; 21:16) See, if it goes up by the way of His own territory
to Beth Shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then
we will know that it is not His hand that struck us; it was by chance
that it happened to us."
10 The men did so. And they took two milk cows, tied them to the cart,
and shut up their calves at home.
11 And they set the ark of the Lord on the cart, as well as the box
with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors.
12 Then the cows took the straight way to the way of Beth Shemesh,
and went along the highway, lowing as they went. They did not turn aside
to the right hand or to the left with the lords of the Philistines walking
after them to the border of Beth Shemesh.
13 Now Beth Shemesh was reaping their wheat harvest in the valley.
And they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, and they rejoiced to see it.
14 (2Sa 24:22) The cart came into the field of Joshua, the Beth Shemite,
and stood there where there was a great stone. And they split the wood
of the cart, and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord.
15 The Levites took down the ark of the Lord and the box that was with it,
where the articles of gold were, and put them on the great stone.
And the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices
the same day to the Lord.
16 (Jos 13:3; Jdg 3:3) When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it,
they returned to Ekron the same day.
17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for
a guilt offering to the Lord: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one,
for Gath one, for Ekron one.
18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities
of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities,
and of country villages. And the great stone, where they set the ark
of the Lord, is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua,
the Beth Shemite.
19 (Ex 19:21; Nu 4:15) Then He struck the men of Beth Shemesh,
because they had looked into the ark of the Lord. He struck 50070 men.
And the people lamented, because the Lord had struck the people
with a great slaughter.
20 (2Sa 6:9; Mal 3:2) The men of Beth Shemesh said, "Who is able to stand
before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom will He go up from us?"
21 (1Ch 13:5-6; Jos 9:17) And they sent messengers to the inhabitants
of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have brought back the ark
of the Lord. Come down, and take it up to you."
1 Samuel 6
[1] And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven
months.
[2] And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying,
What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it
to his place.
[3] And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not
empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be
healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
[4] Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall
return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice,
according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was
on you all, and on your lords.
[5] Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice
that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel:
peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods,
and from off your land.
[6] Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharoah
hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they
not let the people go, and they departed?
[7] Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there
hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home
from them:
[8] And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the
jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by
the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.
[9] And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh,
then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that is
not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.
[10] And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart,
and shut up their calves at home:
[11] And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with
the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
[12] And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemesh, and went
along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right
hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto
the border of Beth-shemesh.
[13] And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the
valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see
it.
[14] And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemite, and stood
there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart,
and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.
[15] And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was
with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone:
and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed
sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.
[16] And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned
to Ekron the same day.
[17] And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a
trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon
one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
[18] And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the
Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of
country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down
the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of
Joshua, the Beth-shemite.
[19] And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the
ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore
and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of
the people with a great slaughter.
[20] And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy
LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
[21] And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying,
The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and
fetch it up to you.
1 SAMUEL 7
1 So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord.
And they brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill,
and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.
2 And from the day the ark resided in Kiriath Jearim,
the days increased to twenty years.
1 Samuel 7
[1] And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD,
and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified
Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
[2] And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the
time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented
after the LORD.
Samuel Judges Israel
And all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.
3 (Jos 24:14; Ge 35:2; Dt 6:13) Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel,
saying, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart,
then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths from your midst.
And make firm your hearts unto the Lord, and serve Him only.
Then He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."
4 So the children of Israel put away the Baals and Ashtoreths
and served the Lord only.
5 (Jdg 20:1) Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah,
and I will pray to the Lord for you."
6 (Jdg 10:10; Ps 106:6) They gathered together to Mizpah.
And they drew water and poured it out before the Lord.
And they fasted on that day, and said there,
"We have sinned against the Lord."
So Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.
7 (1Sa 17:11; 13:6) When the Philistines heard that the children
of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines
went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it,
they were afraid of the Philistines.
8 (Isa 37:4; 1Sa 12:19-24) The children of Israel said to Samuel,
"Do not stop crying unto the Lord our God for us, that He might save us
out of the hand of the Philistines."
9 (Ps 99:6; Jer 15:1) Samuel took a suckling lamb, and offered it for a burnt
offering unto the Lord. And Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel and the Lord
heard him.
10 (1Sa 2:10; Jos 10:10) As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering,
the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel, but the Lord thundered
with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines, and confused them.
So they were beaten before Israel.
11 Israel's fighting men went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines,
and struck them, as far as below Beth Kar.
12 (Ge 35:14; Jos 4:9) Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah
and Shen. And he called its name EbenezerLit.
Stone of help. saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
13 (Jdg 13:1) So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not again
come into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against
the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
14 The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored
to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath. And Israel rescued their territory
out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel
and the Amorites.
15 (1Sa 7:6; Jdg 2:16) So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
16 He went annually in a circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah.
And he judged Israel in all those places.
17 (1Sa 1:19; 1:1) But his return was to Ramah, for his house was there
and there he judged Israel. And there he built an altar to the Lord.
[3] And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return
unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and
Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve
him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
[4] Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and
served the LORD only.
[5] And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you
unto the LORD.
[6] And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out
before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned
against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
[7] And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered
together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And
when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
[8] And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the
LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the
Philistines.
[9] And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering
wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the
LORD heard him.
[10] And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew
near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder
on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were
smitten before Israel.
[11] And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines,
and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.
[12] Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and
called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
[13] So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast
of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days
of Samuel.
[14] And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were
restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did
Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace
between Israel and the Amorites.
[15] And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
[16] And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and
Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
[17] And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he
judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
1 SAMUEL 8
Israel Demands a King
1 (Dt 16:18-19) And it came about when Samuel was old, that he installed
his sons as judges for Israel.
2 Now the name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second
son was Abijah. They were judging in Beersheba.
3 (Dt 16:19; Ps 15:5) But his sons did not walk in his way, for they followed
after unlawful gain, and they took bribes, and they perverted justice.
4 (1Sa 7:17) And all the elders of Israel gathered together and they came
to Samuel at Ramah.
5 (Dt 17:14-15; 1Sa 8:19-20) They said to him, "You are old and your sons
do not walk in your ways. Now, install for us a king to govern us like
all the nations."
6 (1Sa 15:11; 12:17) But the thing was evil in the eyes of Samuel,
because they said, "Give us a king to govern us."
And Samuel prayed to the Lord.
7 (Ex 16:8; 1Sa 10:19) The Lord said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people
in relation to all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected,
but Me they have rejected from reigning over them.
8 Just as all the deeds which they have done to Me, from the day I brought
them up from Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken Me
and have served other gods, so they are doing also to you now.
9 (1Sa 8:11-18; 10:25) Now then, obey their voice. Only you will testify
against them and proclaim to them the judgment concerning the king
who will reign over them."
10 So Samuel said all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking
from him a king.
11 (1Sa 10:25; 14:52) And he said, "This will be the judgment concerning
the king who will reign over you: Your sons he will take in order to place
them for himself in his chariots and as his horsemen, and they will run
before his chariot,
12 and in order to assign for himself captains of thousands and captains
of fifties, and to plow his ground, and to gather in his harvest,
and to make his weapons of war and the equipment of his chariots.
13 And your daughters he will take for perfumers, and cooks, and bakers.
14 (1Ki 21:7; Eze 46:18) And your choicest fields, and vineyards,
and olive groves he will take and give them to his servants.
15 And of your seed fields and your vineyards he will take a tenth
of their harvest and will give it to his high officials and to his servants.
16 And your menservants and your maidservants, and the best of your
young men and asses he will take and make do his work.
17 Your flocks he will take a tenth of, but you will be his for slaves.
18 (Isa 1:15; Mic 3:4) And you will cry out in that day because of your king,
whom you have chosen for yourselves,
but the Lord will not answer you in that day."
19 (Jer 44:16_ But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel.
And they said, "No! But surely a king will be over us!
20 (1Sa 8:5) So that we also will be like all the nations!
And so that our king will govern us, and will go out before us,
and will fight our battles."
21 (Jdg 11:11) And after Samuel heard all the words of the people,
he spoke them in the hearing of the Lord.
22 (1Sa 8:7; Hos 13:11) And the Lord said to Samuel,
"Obey their voice, and make for them a king."
So Samuel said to Israel's fighting men,
"Go every man to his city."
1 Samuel 8
[1] And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges
over Israel.
[2] Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second,
Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.
[3] And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and
took bribes, and perverted judgment.
[4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to
Samuel unto Ramah,
[5] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy
ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
[6] But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge
us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
[7] And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in
all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have
rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
[8] According to all the works which they have done since the day that I
brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have
forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
[9] Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly
unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
[10] And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of
him a king.
[11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over
you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots,
and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
[12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over
fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and
to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
[13] And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks,
and to be bakers.
[14] And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards,
even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
[15] And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and
give to his officers, and to his servants.
[16] And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your
goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
[17] He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
[18] And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall
have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
[19] Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they
said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
[20] That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge
us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
[21] And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in
the ears of the LORD.
[22] And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a
king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
2) Our Daily Bread for 8 April 2024 titled
Joy in the City
Proverbs 11:1-11
Proverbs 11
1 (Pr 16:11; 20:10; 20:23) A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
2 (Pr 29:23; 18:12) When pride comes, then comes shame;
but with the humble is wisdom.
3 (Pr 13:6 ) The integrity of the upright will guide them,
but the perverseness of transgressors will destroy them.
4 (Ge 7:1; Pr 10:2) Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
5 (Pr 5:22) The righteousness of the upright will direct his way,
but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 (Ecc 10:8) The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
but transgressors will be taken by their schemes.
7 (Pr 10:28; Job 8:13-14) When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,
and the hope of unjust men perishes.
8 (Pr 21:18) The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
and the wicked comes in his place.
9 A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the just will be delivered.
10 (Pr 28:12) When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 (Pr 29:8) By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,
but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame:
But with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath:
But righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way:
But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:
But transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:
And the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
And the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour:
But through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:
And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
When France and Argentina met in the 2022 World Cup final, it was an
incredible contest that many dubbed the "greatest World Cup match in
history." As the final seconds ticked off in extra time, the score was tied
3-3, sending the soccer teams to penalty kicks. After Argentina made
the winning goal, the nation erupted in celebration. More than a million
Argentineans overwhelmed downtown Buenos Aires. Drone footage spread across
social media showing this raucous, happy scene. One BBC report described
how the city quaked with "an explosion of joy."
Joy is always a wonderful gift. Proverbs, though, describes how a city,
a people, can experience joy that goes even deeper and lasts far longer.
"When the righteous prosper," Proverbs says, "the city rejoices" (11:10).
When those who truly live by God's designs for humanity begin to influence
a community, then this signals good news because it means God's justice
is taking hold. Greed diminishes. The poor find support. The oppressed
are protected. Whenever God's right way of living flourishes,
then there's joy and "blessing" in the city (v. 11).
If we're genuinely living out God’s ways, then the result will be good news
for everyone. The way we live will make the community around us better
and more whole. God invites us to be part of His work to heal the world.
He invites us to bring joy to the city.
By: Winn Collier
Reflect & Pray
Where do you see the need for joy in your city?
How can you bring God's joy there?
Dear God, please help me to join You in bringing joy to others.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 2 - The key to the Prison Cell
Matt 6:14-15
14 For if you forgive men for their sins, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men for their sins,
neither will your Father forgive your sins.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you: 15 but if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ann had been badly wounded in a relationship that had ended in anger
and accusation. For more than a year, Ann nursed her bitterness, rallying
support for her attitudes from friends and colleagues. Any time she saw
her former friend, Ann put up an icy wall of hostility. She thought she was
"getting over" the hurt, but the very mention of her friend's name brought
back a flood of negative feelings. Ann was trapped, locked in a prison of
unforgiveness , a jail built block by block by her own unwillingness to
forgive. Ann didn't "get over it"; instead, her wounds festered
and her bitterness grew worse.
Then one day - she never knew how - Ann let go of her bitterness. The barriers
of hostility and anger melted away, and when she saw her friend again, she was
able to forgive. And Ann was finally able to turn to the Lord for her own
healing and forgiveness.
"If you do not forgive," Jesus says - and the statement falls hard on
unforgiving hearts, "Neither will you be forgiven." In one sense, God's
forgiveness is unconditional - we do not have to earn or deserve it, and it is
always available to us. But we cannot experience the forgiveness God has
extended to us when we harbour unforgiveness towards others and build walls
of bitterness in our hearts.
When we refuse forgiveness toward those who have hurt or betrayed us, we do
not keep them in bondage, but ourselves. We lock ourselves away for an
awareness of God's loving presence; we imprison ourselves in a cell of
revenge. But when we reach out to forgive, we turn in the lock;
the door is open for our own sins to be forgiven and our own hearts
cleansed and purified.
Application
a) Why is forgiving others a condition for experiencing forgiveness
in my own life?
b) How can these verses have a practical effect upon my willingness
to forgive others?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Chr 31:21
21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house
of God and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,
he did this with all his heart, and he found success.
21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house
of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God,
he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Protection in Times of Trouble
Ps 27:1-6
PSALMS 27
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom will I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom will I be afraid?
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) When the wicked came against me
to eat my flesh -
my enemies and my foes -
they stumbled and fell.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Though an army should encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
though war should rise against me,
in this will I be confident.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) One thing I have asked from the Lord,
that will I seek after -
for me to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to see the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in His temple.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For in the time of trouble
He will hide me in His pavilion;
in the shelter of His tabernacle He will hide me;
He will set me up on a rock.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8 - 9) Now my head will be lifted up
above my enemies encircling me;
therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:
Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up,
Above mine enemies round about me:
Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
Pray for the Moors of Mauritania
John 5:17
17 (Jn 9:4; 14:10) Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still,
and I am working."
[17] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Mauritania is an Islamic republic in West Africa and is predominantly
a desert country - mostly hot, dry, and windy. It is about the size
of France and Spain combined, but with only 4.3 million inhabitants.
Mauritania has an ethnically diverse population, but two dominating groups are
the Bidhan, or "white Moors" who are 30% of the population and the Haratin,
or "black Moors" who make up 40%. Both groups are themselves a blend of Arab
and Berber cultural influences. They are almost entirely Muslim.
Most Moorish families were still nomads only two or three generations ago,
but sustained droughts forced over one million people to move to the capital,
Nouakchott, and become more involved in trade.
The status of Moorish women is somewhat different from other societies
in the region. A striking example is a genre of exclusively female poetry
called tebra, which is composed and recited by women before an all-female
audience only.
Mothers from the Riyad 5 school have formed the Association for the Promotion
of our Students and their Futures to keep students safe outside of school,
Nouakchott, Mauritania.
However, Mauritanian Moors also have a tradition of viewing obesity in women
as a status symbol, promoting the idea that a man with a thin wife must not
be able to afford to feed her. This has led to dangerous practices
of over-eating, sometimes by force, with the aim of attracting a wealthy
husband. Other challenges faced by Moorish women include the practices
of female genital mutilation and child marriage – also done with the aim
of making girls attractive to men in the hope of securing financial security.
How to Pray
Pray for Moorish women to understand the love that God
has for them and their value in His Kingdom.
Pray that God’s love and salvation would be revealed
to all the people of Mauritania.
Pray for the tribes of Mauritania to find in Christ
the fulfillment of His promises of peace and salvation.
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
8th Day of the Month
a) Pray that the Church will deepen its commitment to prayer
and never cease to call upon God
(
Is 62:6
6 (Isa 52:8; Ps 74:2) I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem,
who shall never hold their peace day nor night.
You who remind the Lord, do not keep silent;
6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold
their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Ps 5:3
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord, in the morning You will hear my voice;
in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will watch expectantly.
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Ps 55:17
17 Evening and morning and at noon, I will make my complaint and murmur,
and He will hear my voice.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
And he shall hear my voice.
)
b) Pray for the province of Manitoba
I) Pray for the leaders of Manitoba, that God's Spirit would influence them
to act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings
and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and honesty,
3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to leave a good legacy in His name.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me to join You
in bringing joy to others."
Pray to the Lord and pray to honestly forgive trespasses.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek hikm is your work.
Pray to the Lord and pray to put your faith in the Lord.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray for Moorish women to understand the love that God
has for them and their value in His Kingdom.
Pray that God’s love and salvation would be revealed
to all the people of Mauritania.
Pray for the tribes of Mauritania to find in Christ
the fulfillment of His promises of peace and salvation.
Pray that the Church will deepen its commitment to prayer
and never cease to call upon God
Pray that more Kuwaitis will head the Good News of Jesus Christ and place
their faith in Him.
Pray that isolated Christians in Oman who must worship alone will experience
the joy and comfort of God's presence.
Pray for new Christians in Benin whose lives are at risk due to opposing
family and community members.
Praise God that Qataris can access the Bible via the Internet!
Pray that many more will be transformed by God's Word.
Pray that ministry workers who are reaching out to Syrian Refugees with the
message of Christ and be strengthened.
Pray for Berber Christians in Algeria who continue to boldly share
the Gospel in and around the al-Qaida terrorist camps.
Pray for an intelligence officer in Turkmenistan whose heart was touched
by the Gospel due to the faithful witness of one of his captives.
Praise God for Mussalam's faithfulness in Uzbekistan to the Lord
and her courage despite persecution from family members.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God