Day 99 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 9 April 2022 reflections
Day 99, 9 Apr 2022
1) 1 Samuel 9 - 12
1 SAMUEL 9
Samuel Anoints Saul
1 (1Sa 14:51; 1Ch 9:36-39) Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name
was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of
Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
2 He had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man,
and there was not a better looking man among the children of Israel.
From his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.
3 Now the donkeys of Kish, the father of Saul, were lost.
And Kish said to his son Saul, "Take now one of the servants with you,
and arise, go find the donkeys."
4 (2Ki 4:42; Jos 24:33) He passed through the mountains of Ephraim,
and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them.
And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there.
Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.
5 (1Sa 10:2; 1:1) When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant
that was with him, "Come, and let us return lest my father stop caring
about the donkeys and worry about us."
6 (Dt 33:1; 1Ki 13:1) He said to him, "Look, there is in this city a man
of God, and he is highly respected. All that he speaks surely comes about.
Now let us go there. Perhaps he can show us the way that we should go."
7 (1Ki 14:3; 2Ki 8:8) Then Saul said to his servant, "But listen, if we go,
what will we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our satchels,
and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"
8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, "Look, I have here in my
hand a quarter of a shekel [About 1/10 ounce, or 3 grams. ] of silver.
I will give it to the man of God, to tell us our way."
9(2Sa 24:11; 2Ki 17:13)(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire
of God, thus he said, "Come, and let us go to the seer." For he that is now
called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)
10 Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said. Come, let us go."
So they went to the city where the man of God was.
11 (Ge 24:11; Ex 2:16) As they went up the hill to the city, they found young
women going out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?"
12 (Ge 31:54; 1Sa 10:5) And they answered them and said, "He is. See,
he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for today he came to the city,
because there is a sacrifice for the people in the high place today.
13 (Jn 6:11) As soon as you come into the city, you will find him
before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat
until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice. Afterwards
those invited will eat. Now therefore, go up, for about this time of the day
you will find him there."
14 So they went up into the city. And when they entered, Samuel was coming
toward them to go up to the high place.
15 (1Sa 15:1; Ac 13:21) Now the Lord had revealed in the ear of Samuel
one day before Saul came, saying,
16 (1Sa 10:1; Ex 3:7-9) "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man
out of the land of Benjamin. And you will anoint him to be leader
over My people Israel, that he may save
My people out of the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked
upon My people, because their cry has come unto Me."
17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, "Here is the man of whom
I spoke to you! This one will rule over My people."
18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said,
"Tell me, please, where is the seer's house?"
19 Samuel answered Saul, and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me
to the high place, for you will eat with me today. And tomorrow
I will let you go, and will tell you then all that is in your heart.
20 (1Sa 8:5; 12:13) As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago,
do not your worry about them for they have been found. And on
whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and
on all your father's house?"
21 (1Sa 15:17; Jdg 20:46-48) And Saul answered and said,
"Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?
And my family the least of all the families of the tribe
of Benjamin? Why do you speak to me this way?"
22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the hall,
and gave them a place at the head of those invited,
which were about thirty men.
23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave you, of which
I said to you, 'Set it aside.' "
24 (Lev 7:3-33; Eze 24:4) Then the cook took up the thigh and what was on it
and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here is what was set aside.
Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until this time,
since I said I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
25 (Dt 22:8; Ac 10:9) When they had come down from the high place
into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul up on the roof.
26 They arose early, and it was at the rising of the dawn that Samuel
called to Saul on the roof, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away"
So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went to the street.
27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city,
Samuel said to Saul,"Tell the servant to pass on before us."
So he passed on. "But you stand still and I will proclaim
to you the word of God."
1 Samuel 9
[1] Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel,
the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a
mighty man of power.
[2] And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly:
and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he:
from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
[3] And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his
son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.
[4] And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of
Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of
Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the
Benjamites, but they found them not.
[5] And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant
that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for
the asses, and take thought for us.
[6] And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God,
and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now
let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.
[7] Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we
bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a
present to bring to the man of God: what have we?
[8] And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at
hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of
God, to tell us our way.
[9] (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake,
Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was
beforetime called a Seer.)
[10] Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went
unto the city where the man of God was.
[11] And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens
going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?
[12] And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make
haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the
people to day in the high place:
[13] As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him,
before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until
he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that
be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
[14] And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city,
behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
[15] Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
[16] To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of
Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel,
that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have
looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
[17] And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I
spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
[18] Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray
thee, where the seer's house is.
[19] And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto
the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let
thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
[20] And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind
on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it
not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
[21] And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of
the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the
tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
[22] And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the
parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were
bidden, which were about thirty persons.
[23] And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of
which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
[24] And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set
it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before
thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I
have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
[25] And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel
communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
[26] And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day,
that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send
thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel,
abroad.
[27] And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to
Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou
still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
1 SAMUEL 10
1 (1Sa 16:13; Dt 32:9; Ps 2:12) Then Samuel took a vial of oil
and poured it upon his head. And he kissed him and said,
"Has not the Lord anointed you over His inheritance as ruler?
2 (1Sa 9:3-5; Ge 35:19-20) When you have departed from me today,
you will find two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin
at Zelzah. And they will say to you "The donkeys which you went to look
for have been found. And now, your father has stopped caring
about the donkeys, and worries for you, saying, "What will I do for my son?"
3 (Ge 28:22; 35:1) "Then you will go forward from there, and you will come
to the plain of Tabor. And there you will meet three men going up to God
to Bethel: one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread,
and another carrying a bottle of wine.
4 And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will
receive from their hands.
5 (1Sa 13:3; 19:20) "After that you will come to the hill of God, where
the garrison of the Philistines is. And when you come there to the city,
you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place
with a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre before them.
And they will prophesy.
6 (1Sa 10:10; Nu 11:25; 1Sa 19:23-24) And the Spirit of the Lord will
come upon you, and you will prophesy with them. And you will
be turned into another man.
7 (Jdg 6:12; Ex 4:8) And it will be when these signs come to you,
do for yourself what the occasion requires; for God is with you.
8 (1Sa 11:14-15; 13:4) "Then you will go down before me to Gilgal.
And listen, I will be coming down to you, in order to offer burnt offerings,
and to offer sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you will wait, until I
come to you. Then I will make known to you what you will do."
9 And it happened, that when he turned his back to go from Samuel,
that God gave him another heart. And all those signs came to pass that day.
10 (1Sa 10:5-6) When they came to the hill, a group of prophets met him.
And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
11 (1Sa 19:24; Jn 7:15) So when all who previously knew him saw that
he prophesied among the prophets, the people said one to another,
"What is this that has come upon the son of Kish?
Is Saul also among the prophets?"
12 (Isa 54:13; Jn 6:45) And a man from there answered and said,
"But who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb,
"Is Saul also among the prophets?"
13 When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.
14 (1Sa 14:50) And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, "Where did you go?"
And he said, "To seek the donkeys. And when we saw that they were
nowhere around, we went to Samuel."
15 Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you."
16 (1Sa 9:20) Saul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly
that the donkeys were found." But the matter of the kingdom,
of which Samuel had spoken, he did not mention.
Saul Proclaimed King
17 (Jdg 20:1; 1Sa 7:5-6) Therefore Samuel called the people together
unto the Lord at Mizpah.
18 (Jdg 6:8-9) And he said to the children of Israel, "Thus says the Lord,
the God of Israel, 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you
out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms,
and of them that oppressed you.'
19 (1Sa 12:12; Jos 24:1) But you have today rejected your God,
who saves you from all your troubles and your distresses.
And you have said to Him, 'No, but set a king over us.'
Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord
by your tribes, and by your clans."
20 So Samuel brought near all the tribes of Israel
and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
21 Then he brought near the tribe of Benjamin by its families.
And the family of Matri was chosen. Then Saul the son of Kish was taken.
But when they sought him, he could not be found.
22 Therefore they inquired again of the Lord, "Has the man come here yet?"
And the Lord answered, "He has hidden himself among the equipment."
23 (1Sa 9:2) So they ran and took him from there. When he stood among
the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders
and upward.
24 (2Sa 21:6; 1Ki 1:25) Then Samuel said to all the people,
"Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen?
Truly there is none like him among all the people."
And all the people shouted and said, "Long live the king."
25 (Dt 17:14-20; 1Sa 8:11-18) Samuel told the people the ordinances
of the kingdom, and wrote them in a book, and laid them up
before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
26 (1Sa 11:4; 15:34) Saul also went home to Gibeah. And there went with him
a band of valiant men whose hearts God had touched.
27 (Dt 13:13; 1Ki 10:25) But some worthless men said, "How will this man
save us?" And they despised him, and did not bring him a present.
But he remained silent.
1 Samuel 10
[1] Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed
him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain
over his inheritance?
[2] When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by
Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say
unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy
father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What
shall I do for my son?
[3] Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the
plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to
Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread,
and another carrying a bottle of wine:
[4] And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou
shalt receive of their hands.
[5] After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of
the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to
the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the
high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before
them; and they shall prophesy:
[6] And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy
with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
[7] And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as
occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.
[8] And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come
down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of
peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew
thee what thou shalt do.
[9] And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God
gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
[10] And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets
met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
[11] And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that,
behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to
another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among
the prophets?
[12] And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father?
Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?
[13] And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.
[14] And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And
he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came
to Samuel.
[15] And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.
[16] And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were
found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him
not.
[17] And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;
[18] And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of
Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand
of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that
oppressed you:
[19] And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of
all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay,
but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by
your tribes, and by your thousands.
[20] And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the
tribe of Benjamin was taken.
[21] When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their
families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken:
and when they sought him, he could not be found.
[22] Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come
thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
[23] And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the
people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
[24] And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath
chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people
shouted, and said, God save the king.
[25] Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in
a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away,
every man to his house.
[26] And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of
men, whose hearts God had touched.
[27] But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they
despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
1 SAMUEL 11
Saul Rescues Jabesh Gilead
1 (Jdg 21:8; 1Sa 12:12) Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped
against Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash,
"Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you."
2 (1Sa 17:26; Ge 34:14) Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "On this condition
will I make a covenant with you, that I may pluck out all your right eyes.
So I will inflict it as a reproach upon all Israel."
3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days, that we may send
messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then if there is no one
to rescue us, we will come out to you."
4 (Jdg 2:4; 1Sa 10:26) So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, and spoke
the words in the ears of the people. And all the people lifted
up their voices, and wept.
5 (1Ki 19:19) Now Saul was coming out of the field after the cattle,
and Saul said, "Why are the people weeping?" And they reported to him
the words of the men of Jabesh.
6 (1Sa 10:10; Jdg 3:10) The Spirit of God came strongly upon Saul
when he heard these words, and he became very angry.
7 (Jdg 19:29; 20:1) He took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces.
And he sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands
of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come out after Saul
and after Samuel, so will it be done to his oxen." And the fear of the Lord
fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
8 (Jdg 1:4-5; 2Sa 24:9) When he numbered them in Bezek,
the children of Israel were three hundred thousand,
and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9 They said to the messengers that came, "Thus will you say to the
men of Jabesh Gilead, 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot,
you will have help.'" And the messengers came and reported it
to the men of Jabesh and they were glad.
10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you,
and you may do to us all that seems good to you."
11 (Jdg 7:16) On the next day Saul put the people in three companies.
And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning and struck down
the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those surviving were scattered,
so that even two of them were not left together.
Saul Confirmed as King
12 (1Sa 10:27; Lk 19:27) The people said to Samuel, "Who said,
'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, that we may put them to death."
13 (Ex 14:13; 1Sa 19:5) Saul said, "There will not be a man put to death
this day. For today the Lord has worked deliverance in Israel."
14 (1Sa 10:8; 7:16) Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, and let us go
to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there."
15 (1Sa 10:8; 10:17) All the people went to Gilgal and there they made Saul
king before the Lord in Gilgal. And there they made sacrifices of peace
offerings before the Lord. And there Saul and all Israel's fighting
men rejoiced greatly.
1 Samuel 11
[1] Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead:
and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we
will serve thee.
[2] And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a
covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for
a reproach upon all Israel.
[3] And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite,
that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if
there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
[4] Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the
ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.
[5] And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said,
What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the
men of Jabesh.
[6] And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and
his anger was kindled greatly.
[7] And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them
throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying,
Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done
unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came
out with one consent.
[8] And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three
hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
[9] And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the
men of Jabesh-gilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have
help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they
were glad.
[10] Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you,
and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.
[11] And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three
companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch,
and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that
they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left
together.
[12] And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign
over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
[13] And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to
day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
[14] Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and
renew the kingdom there.
[15] And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before
the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings
before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
1 SAMUEL 12
Samuel's Farewell Address
1 (1Sa 10:24; 11:14-15) Then Samuel said to all Israel: "I have listened to
your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.
2 (1Sa 8:5; 8:1; 8:20) And now, see, the king walks before you, but I am old
and gray-headed. As for my sons, they are with you. But I have walked
before you from my childhood to this day.
3 (Nu 16:15; 1Sa 10:1) Behold, here I am. Witness against me before the Lord
and before His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken?
Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have
I received any bribe to blind my eyes with? Indeed I will restore it you."
4 They said, "You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us. Neither have you
taken anything from any man's hand."
5Ex 22:4; Ac 23:9He said to them, "The Lord is witness against you,
and His anointed is witness this day, t
hat you have not found anything in my hand."
And they answered, "He is witness."
6 (Mic 6:4; Ex 6:26) Samuel said to the people: "It is the Lord that prepared
Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.
7 (Isa 1:18) Now therefore stand still that I may reason with you before
the Lord, concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord, which He did for you
and your fathers.
8 (Ex 4:14-16; 2:23-24) "When Jacob went into Egypt and your fathers cried
out to the Lord, the Lord sent Moses and Aaron who brought forth your fathers
out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place.
9 (Jdg 3:12; 4:2) "When they forgot the Lord their God, He sold them
into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor,
and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab.
And they fought against them.
10 (Jdg 2:13; 10:10) They cried to the Lord, and said,
'We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord and have served
the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us out of the hand of
our enemies, and we will serve You.'
11 (Jdg 6:32; 6:14) The Lord sent Jerub-Baal, Bedan,Perhaps Barak here
(see LXX). Jephthah, and Samuel. And He delivered you out of the hand
of your enemies on every side, and you dwelled in safety.
12 (Jdg 8:23; 1Sa 8:5-7) "When you saw that Nahash, king of the Ammonites,
came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king will reign over us,'
when the Lord your God was your king.
13 (1Sa 10:24; Hos 13:11) Now therefore, look at the king whom you have chosen
and for whom you have asked! And see that the Lord has set a king over you.
14 (Jos 24:14) If you will fear the Lord, and serve Him, and obey His voice,
and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king
that reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God.
15 (Jos 24:20; Isa 1:20) But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord,
but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then will the hand of the Lord
be against you, as it was against your fathers.
16 (Ex 14:13; 14:31) "Even now, take your stand and see this great thing
which the Lord is doing before your eyes.
17 (1Sa 7:9-10; 8:7) Is it not the wheat harvest today?
I will call to the Lord. And He will send thunder and rain, that you may know
and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done
in the sight of the Lord, by asking for yourselves a king."
18 (Ex 14:31; Ezr 10:9) So Samuel called to the Lord.
And the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly
feared the Lord and Samuel.
19 (Ex 9:28; 1Jn 5:16) All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants
to the Lord your God, that we will not die, for we have added to all our sins
this evil, to ask for ourselves a king."
20 (Dt 11:16) Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have done all this
wickedness, only do not turn aside from following the Lord,
and serve the Lord with all your heart.
21 (Hab 2:18; Jer 10:15) But do not turn aside, for then you would be going
after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.
22 (Jos 7:9; 1Ki 6:13) As befits His great name, the Lord will not abandon
His people. For it has pleased the Lord to make you His people.
23 (1Ki 8:36; Pr 4:11) Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin
against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. But I will teach you the good
and the right way.
24 (Dt 10:21; Isa 5:12) Fear the Lord; serve Him in truth with all your heart,
and consider what great things He has done for you.
25 (Jos 24:20; 1Sa 31:1-5) But if you still do wickedly, both you
and your king will be swept away."
1 Samuel 12
[1] And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your
voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.
[2] And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and
grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you
from my childhood unto this day.
[3] Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his
anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I
defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe
to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
[4] And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither
hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
[5] And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed
is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they
answered, He is witness.
[6] And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and
Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.
[7] Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of
all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.
[8] When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD,
then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of
Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.
[9] And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of
Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines,
and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
[10] And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have
forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us
out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.
[11] And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and
delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled
safe.
[12] And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came
against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the
LORD your God was your king.
[13] Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have
desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
[14] If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not
rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the
king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
[15] But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the
commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as
it was against your fathers.
[16] Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do
before your eyes.
[17] Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall
send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is
great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
[18] So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that
day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
[19] And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the
LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this
evil, to ask us a king.
[20] And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this
wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD
with all your heart;
[21] And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which
cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
[22] For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake:
because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
[23] Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in
ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
[24] Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for
consider how great things he hath done for you.
[25] But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and
your king.
2) Our Daily Bread for 9 April 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/04/09/chatty-bus
entitled Chatty Bus
Colossians 4:2-6
Exhortations
2 (Lk 18:1; Eph 6:18) Continue in prayer, and be watchful with thanksgiving,
3 (Eph 6:19-20; Ac 14:27) while praying also for us, that God would open
to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am
also in chains,
4 (Eph 6:20) that I may reveal it clearly, as I ought to speak.
5 (Mk 4:11; Eph 5:15-17) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside,
wisely using the opportunity.
6 (Mk 9:50; 1Pe 3:15) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned
with salt, that you may know how you should answer everyone.
[2] Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
[3] Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of
utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
[4] That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
[5] Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
[6] Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may
know how ye ought to answer every man.
In 2019, the Oxford Bus Company launched the instantly popular "Chatty Bus,"
a bus with designated people on board willing to talk with interested
passengers. The route was initiated in response to government research which
found that 30 percent of Britons go at least one day each week without a
meaningful conversation.
Many of us have likely experienced the loneliness that comes from not having
someone to talk to in a time of need. As I reflect on the value of important
conversations in my life, I'm especially reminded of discussions that were
full of grace. Those times brought me joy and encouragement, and they helped
to cultivate deeper relationships.
At the end of his letter to the Colossian church, Paul encouraged his readers
with principles of authentic living for believers in Jesus, including ways our
conversations can exhibit love to everyone we encounter. The apostle wrote,
"Let your speech always be with grace," (4:6), reminding his readers that it
is not simply the presence of words but the quality of those words-"full of
grace"-that would allow them to be a true encouragement to others.
The next time you have the opportunity to connect deeply in conversation-with
a friend, co-worker, or even a stranger seated next to you on a bus or in a
waiting room-look for ways your time together might bring blessing into
both of your lives.
By: Lisa M. Samra
Reflect & Pray
When have you experienced the blessing of grace-filled words?
How might you extend encouragement to someone today through what you say?
Heavenly Father, help me to be a blessing to everyone
I speak with today, filling these conversations with Your grace.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Romans 13:7-8
7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes
are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,
and honor to whom honor is due.
8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,
for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 117
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt Him, all you peoples!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
1 O praise the LORD,
All ye nations: Praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us:
And the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.
Praise ye the LORD.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
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
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/ministering-to-palestinians-in-our-midst/
Ministering to Palestinians in Our Midst
Many of the Palestinian Muslim migrants in North America live near churches.
But the people in these churches typically show little interest in making
meaningful connections with their new neighbors. Many sadly express outright
hatred for Muslims.
That's why Christians who show love to their Muslim neighbours
can be so surprising and inspiring.
"You are so weird to me," said Roau'a to Global Gates missionaries who
befriended her. Before, the Palestinian American woman had only
encountered self-interested, angry Christians.
"You are like aliens," said Roau'a, smiling. "You are the only Christians
I know who actually follow Jesus and the Bible."
Their warmth and spiritual commitment attracted her
and inspired her to read the Arabic Bible they gave her.
Her experience is similar to that of most Palestinian Muslims '
living in North America. Christian churches are plentiful,
but engagement with Muslim neighbors is limited or non-existent.
Most Palestinians live as people without a country, and they had to adapt
to changes that would crush many of us. They are among the most resilient
and well-assimilated Arab immigrants in North America.
Those who can escape Palestine's problems often succeed here,
enjoying economic mobility they would never know back home.
They're in the halls of Congress, medical offices, law offices, academia,
scientific labs, factories, and other workplaces throughout the continent,
with large concentrations in the metropolitan areas of Chicago, New York,
Toronto, and Los Angeles.
After much pain, they've gained more freedoms and opportunities abroad.
But they remain a largely unreached people group,
almost as if they had never left Palestine.
Pray that more believers in North America will engage
their Palestinian Muslim neighbors.
Pray that new believers in North America will be discipled
and trained to reach the Palestinian diaspora for Christ.
Pray more Christians can help Palestinians to understand
that allegiance to Jesus supersedes all things.
Pray for a great harvest among Palestinians in North America.
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
9th Day of the Month
a) Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout
the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,
faithfulness and provision.
(
Ps 100
A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before His presence with singing.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Know that the Lord, He is God;
it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise;
be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For the Lord is good; His mercy endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100
A Psalm of praise.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God:
It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise:
Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
And his truth endureth to all generations.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways
to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.
(
1 Chr 12:32
32 (Est 1:13) From the sons of Issachar,
those having understanding of times
and what Israel should do: two hundred of their captains
with all their brothers at their command.
32 And of the children of Issachar,
which were men that had understanding of the times,
to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred;
and all their brethren were at their commandment
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that the Lord knows our heart.
Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, help me to be a blessing to everyone
I speak with today, filling these conversations with Your grace."
Pray to the Lord and Ask Him to break up your fallow ground.
Pray to the Lord and pray to owe no one.
Pray to the Lord and pray a prayer of Thanksgiving.
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 that more believers in North America will engage
their Palestinian Muslim neighbors.
Pray that new believers in North America will be discipled
and trained to reach the Palestinian diaspora for Christ.
Pray more Christians can help Palestinians to understand
that allegiance to Jesus supersedes all things.
Pray for a great harvest among Palestinians in North America.
Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout
the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,
faithfulness and provision.
Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways
to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.
Pray for Christian families in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip
who face continual pressure.
1) 1 Samuel 9 - 12
1 SAMUEL 9
Samuel Anoints Saul
1 (1Sa 14:51; 1Ch 9:36-39) Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name
was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of
Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
2 He had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man,
and there was not a better looking man among the children of Israel.
From his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.
3 Now the donkeys of Kish, the father of Saul, were lost.
And Kish said to his son Saul, "Take now one of the servants with you,
and arise, go find the donkeys."
4 (2Ki 4:42; Jos 24:33) He passed through the mountains of Ephraim,
and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them.
And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there.
Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.
5 (1Sa 10:2; 1:1) When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant
that was with him, "Come, and let us return lest my father stop caring
about the donkeys and worry about us."
6 (Dt 33:1; 1Ki 13:1) He said to him, "Look, there is in this city a man
of God, and he is highly respected. All that he speaks surely comes about.
Now let us go there. Perhaps he can show us the way that we should go."
7 (1Ki 14:3; 2Ki 8:8) Then Saul said to his servant, "But listen, if we go,
what will we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our satchels,
and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"
8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, "Look, I have here in my
hand a quarter of a shekel [About 1/10 ounce, or 3 grams. ] of silver.
I will give it to the man of God, to tell us our way."
9(2Sa 24:11; 2Ki 17:13)(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire
of God, thus he said, "Come, and let us go to the seer." For he that is now
called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)
10 Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said. Come, let us go."
So they went to the city where the man of God was.
11 (Ge 24:11; Ex 2:16) As they went up the hill to the city, they found young
women going out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?"
12 (Ge 31:54; 1Sa 10:5) And they answered them and said, "He is. See,
he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for today he came to the city,
because there is a sacrifice for the people in the high place today.
13 (Jn 6:11) As soon as you come into the city, you will find him
before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat
until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice. Afterwards
those invited will eat. Now therefore, go up, for about this time of the day
you will find him there."
14 So they went up into the city. And when they entered, Samuel was coming
toward them to go up to the high place.
15 (1Sa 15:1; Ac 13:21) Now the Lord had revealed in the ear of Samuel
one day before Saul came, saying,
16 (1Sa 10:1; Ex 3:7-9) "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man
out of the land of Benjamin. And you will anoint him to be leader
over My people Israel, that he may save
My people out of the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked
upon My people, because their cry has come unto Me."
17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, "Here is the man of whom
I spoke to you! This one will rule over My people."
18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said,
"Tell me, please, where is the seer's house?"
19 Samuel answered Saul, and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me
to the high place, for you will eat with me today. And tomorrow
I will let you go, and will tell you then all that is in your heart.
20 (1Sa 8:5; 12:13) As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago,
do not your worry about them for they have been found. And on
whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and
on all your father's house?"
21 (1Sa 15:17; Jdg 20:46-48) And Saul answered and said,
"Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?
And my family the least of all the families of the tribe
of Benjamin? Why do you speak to me this way?"
22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the hall,
and gave them a place at the head of those invited,
which were about thirty men.
23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave you, of which
I said to you, 'Set it aside.' "
24 (Lev 7:3-33; Eze 24:4) Then the cook took up the thigh and what was on it
and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here is what was set aside.
Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until this time,
since I said I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
25 (Dt 22:8; Ac 10:9) When they had come down from the high place
into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul up on the roof.
26 They arose early, and it was at the rising of the dawn that Samuel
called to Saul on the roof, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away"
So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went to the street.
27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city,
Samuel said to Saul,"Tell the servant to pass on before us."
So he passed on. "But you stand still and I will proclaim
to you the word of God."
1 Samuel 9
[1] Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel,
the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a
mighty man of power.
[2] And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly:
and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he:
from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
[3] And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his
son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.
[4] And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of
Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of
Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the
Benjamites, but they found them not.
[5] And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant
that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for
the asses, and take thought for us.
[6] And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God,
and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now
let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.
[7] Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we
bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a
present to bring to the man of God: what have we?
[8] And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at
hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of
God, to tell us our way.
[9] (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake,
Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was
beforetime called a Seer.)
[10] Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went
unto the city where the man of God was.
[11] And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens
going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?
[12] And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make
haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the
people to day in the high place:
[13] As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him,
before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until
he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that
be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
[14] And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city,
behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
[15] Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
[16] To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of
Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel,
that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have
looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
[17] And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I
spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
[18] Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray
thee, where the seer's house is.
[19] And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto
the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let
thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
[20] And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind
on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it
not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
[21] And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of
the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the
tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
[22] And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the
parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were
bidden, which were about thirty persons.
[23] And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of
which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
[24] And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set
it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before
thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I
have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
[25] And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel
communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
[26] And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day,
that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send
thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel,
abroad.
[27] And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to
Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou
still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
1 SAMUEL 10
1 (1Sa 16:13; Dt 32:9; Ps 2:12) Then Samuel took a vial of oil
and poured it upon his head. And he kissed him and said,
"Has not the Lord anointed you over His inheritance as ruler?
2 (1Sa 9:3-5; Ge 35:19-20) When you have departed from me today,
you will find two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin
at Zelzah. And they will say to you "The donkeys which you went to look
for have been found. And now, your father has stopped caring
about the donkeys, and worries for you, saying, "What will I do for my son?"
3 (Ge 28:22; 35:1) "Then you will go forward from there, and you will come
to the plain of Tabor. And there you will meet three men going up to God
to Bethel: one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread,
and another carrying a bottle of wine.
4 And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will
receive from their hands.
5 (1Sa 13:3; 19:20) "After that you will come to the hill of God, where
the garrison of the Philistines is. And when you come there to the city,
you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place
with a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre before them.
And they will prophesy.
6 (1Sa 10:10; Nu 11:25; 1Sa 19:23-24) And the Spirit of the Lord will
come upon you, and you will prophesy with them. And you will
be turned into another man.
7 (Jdg 6:12; Ex 4:8) And it will be when these signs come to you,
do for yourself what the occasion requires; for God is with you.
8 (1Sa 11:14-15; 13:4) "Then you will go down before me to Gilgal.
And listen, I will be coming down to you, in order to offer burnt offerings,
and to offer sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you will wait, until I
come to you. Then I will make known to you what you will do."
9 And it happened, that when he turned his back to go from Samuel,
that God gave him another heart. And all those signs came to pass that day.
10 (1Sa 10:5-6) When they came to the hill, a group of prophets met him.
And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
11 (1Sa 19:24; Jn 7:15) So when all who previously knew him saw that
he prophesied among the prophets, the people said one to another,
"What is this that has come upon the son of Kish?
Is Saul also among the prophets?"
12 (Isa 54:13; Jn 6:45) And a man from there answered and said,
"But who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb,
"Is Saul also among the prophets?"
13 When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.
14 (1Sa 14:50) And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, "Where did you go?"
And he said, "To seek the donkeys. And when we saw that they were
nowhere around, we went to Samuel."
15 Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you."
16 (1Sa 9:20) Saul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly
that the donkeys were found." But the matter of the kingdom,
of which Samuel had spoken, he did not mention.
Saul Proclaimed King
17 (Jdg 20:1; 1Sa 7:5-6) Therefore Samuel called the people together
unto the Lord at Mizpah.
18 (Jdg 6:8-9) And he said to the children of Israel, "Thus says the Lord,
the God of Israel, 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you
out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms,
and of them that oppressed you.'
19 (1Sa 12:12; Jos 24:1) But you have today rejected your God,
who saves you from all your troubles and your distresses.
And you have said to Him, 'No, but set a king over us.'
Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord
by your tribes, and by your clans."
20 So Samuel brought near all the tribes of Israel
and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
21 Then he brought near the tribe of Benjamin by its families.
And the family of Matri was chosen. Then Saul the son of Kish was taken.
But when they sought him, he could not be found.
22 Therefore they inquired again of the Lord, "Has the man come here yet?"
And the Lord answered, "He has hidden himself among the equipment."
23 (1Sa 9:2) So they ran and took him from there. When he stood among
the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders
and upward.
24 (2Sa 21:6; 1Ki 1:25) Then Samuel said to all the people,
"Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen?
Truly there is none like him among all the people."
And all the people shouted and said, "Long live the king."
25 (Dt 17:14-20; 1Sa 8:11-18) Samuel told the people the ordinances
of the kingdom, and wrote them in a book, and laid them up
before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
26 (1Sa 11:4; 15:34) Saul also went home to Gibeah. And there went with him
a band of valiant men whose hearts God had touched.
27 (Dt 13:13; 1Ki 10:25) But some worthless men said, "How will this man
save us?" And they despised him, and did not bring him a present.
But he remained silent.
1 Samuel 10
[1] Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed
him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain
over his inheritance?
[2] When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by
Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say
unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy
father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What
shall I do for my son?
[3] Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the
plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to
Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread,
and another carrying a bottle of wine:
[4] And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou
shalt receive of their hands.
[5] After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of
the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to
the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the
high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before
them; and they shall prophesy:
[6] And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy
with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
[7] And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as
occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.
[8] And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come
down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of
peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew
thee what thou shalt do.
[9] And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God
gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
[10] And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets
met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
[11] And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that,
behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to
another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among
the prophets?
[12] And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father?
Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?
[13] And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.
[14] And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And
he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came
to Samuel.
[15] And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.
[16] And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were
found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him
not.
[17] And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;
[18] And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of
Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand
of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that
oppressed you:
[19] And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of
all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay,
but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by
your tribes, and by your thousands.
[20] And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the
tribe of Benjamin was taken.
[21] When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their
families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken:
and when they sought him, he could not be found.
[22] Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come
thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
[23] And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the
people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
[24] And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath
chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people
shouted, and said, God save the king.
[25] Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in
a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away,
every man to his house.
[26] And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of
men, whose hearts God had touched.
[27] But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they
despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
1 SAMUEL 11
Saul Rescues Jabesh Gilead
1 (Jdg 21:8; 1Sa 12:12) Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped
against Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash,
"Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you."
2 (1Sa 17:26; Ge 34:14) Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "On this condition
will I make a covenant with you, that I may pluck out all your right eyes.
So I will inflict it as a reproach upon all Israel."
3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days, that we may send
messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then if there is no one
to rescue us, we will come out to you."
4 (Jdg 2:4; 1Sa 10:26) So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, and spoke
the words in the ears of the people. And all the people lifted
up their voices, and wept.
5 (1Ki 19:19) Now Saul was coming out of the field after the cattle,
and Saul said, "Why are the people weeping?" And they reported to him
the words of the men of Jabesh.
6 (1Sa 10:10; Jdg 3:10) The Spirit of God came strongly upon Saul
when he heard these words, and he became very angry.
7 (Jdg 19:29; 20:1) He took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces.
And he sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands
of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come out after Saul
and after Samuel, so will it be done to his oxen." And the fear of the Lord
fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
8 (Jdg 1:4-5; 2Sa 24:9) When he numbered them in Bezek,
the children of Israel were three hundred thousand,
and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9 They said to the messengers that came, "Thus will you say to the
men of Jabesh Gilead, 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot,
you will have help.'" And the messengers came and reported it
to the men of Jabesh and they were glad.
10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you,
and you may do to us all that seems good to you."
11 (Jdg 7:16) On the next day Saul put the people in three companies.
And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning and struck down
the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those surviving were scattered,
so that even two of them were not left together.
Saul Confirmed as King
12 (1Sa 10:27; Lk 19:27) The people said to Samuel, "Who said,
'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, that we may put them to death."
13 (Ex 14:13; 1Sa 19:5) Saul said, "There will not be a man put to death
this day. For today the Lord has worked deliverance in Israel."
14 (1Sa 10:8; 7:16) Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, and let us go
to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there."
15 (1Sa 10:8; 10:17) All the people went to Gilgal and there they made Saul
king before the Lord in Gilgal. And there they made sacrifices of peace
offerings before the Lord. And there Saul and all Israel's fighting
men rejoiced greatly.
1 Samuel 11
[1] Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead:
and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we
will serve thee.
[2] And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a
covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for
a reproach upon all Israel.
[3] And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite,
that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if
there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
[4] Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the
ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.
[5] And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said,
What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the
men of Jabesh.
[6] And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and
his anger was kindled greatly.
[7] And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them
throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying,
Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done
unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came
out with one consent.
[8] And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three
hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
[9] And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the
men of Jabesh-gilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have
help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they
were glad.
[10] Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you,
and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.
[11] And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three
companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch,
and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that
they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left
together.
[12] And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign
over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
[13] And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to
day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
[14] Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and
renew the kingdom there.
[15] And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before
the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings
before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
1 SAMUEL 12
Samuel's Farewell Address
1 (1Sa 10:24; 11:14-15) Then Samuel said to all Israel: "I have listened to
your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.
2 (1Sa 8:5; 8:1; 8:20) And now, see, the king walks before you, but I am old
and gray-headed. As for my sons, they are with you. But I have walked
before you from my childhood to this day.
3 (Nu 16:15; 1Sa 10:1) Behold, here I am. Witness against me before the Lord
and before His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken?
Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have
I received any bribe to blind my eyes with? Indeed I will restore it you."
4 They said, "You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us. Neither have you
taken anything from any man's hand."
5Ex 22:4; Ac 23:9He said to them, "The Lord is witness against you,
and His anointed is witness this day, t
hat you have not found anything in my hand."
And they answered, "He is witness."
6 (Mic 6:4; Ex 6:26) Samuel said to the people: "It is the Lord that prepared
Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.
7 (Isa 1:18) Now therefore stand still that I may reason with you before
the Lord, concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord, which He did for you
and your fathers.
8 (Ex 4:14-16; 2:23-24) "When Jacob went into Egypt and your fathers cried
out to the Lord, the Lord sent Moses and Aaron who brought forth your fathers
out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place.
9 (Jdg 3:12; 4:2) "When they forgot the Lord their God, He sold them
into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor,
and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab.
And they fought against them.
10 (Jdg 2:13; 10:10) They cried to the Lord, and said,
'We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord and have served
the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us out of the hand of
our enemies, and we will serve You.'
11 (Jdg 6:32; 6:14) The Lord sent Jerub-Baal, Bedan,Perhaps Barak here
(see LXX). Jephthah, and Samuel. And He delivered you out of the hand
of your enemies on every side, and you dwelled in safety.
12 (Jdg 8:23; 1Sa 8:5-7) "When you saw that Nahash, king of the Ammonites,
came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king will reign over us,'
when the Lord your God was your king.
13 (1Sa 10:24; Hos 13:11) Now therefore, look at the king whom you have chosen
and for whom you have asked! And see that the Lord has set a king over you.
14 (Jos 24:14) If you will fear the Lord, and serve Him, and obey His voice,
and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king
that reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God.
15 (Jos 24:20; Isa 1:20) But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord,
but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then will the hand of the Lord
be against you, as it was against your fathers.
16 (Ex 14:13; 14:31) "Even now, take your stand and see this great thing
which the Lord is doing before your eyes.
17 (1Sa 7:9-10; 8:7) Is it not the wheat harvest today?
I will call to the Lord. And He will send thunder and rain, that you may know
and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done
in the sight of the Lord, by asking for yourselves a king."
18 (Ex 14:31; Ezr 10:9) So Samuel called to the Lord.
And the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly
feared the Lord and Samuel.
19 (Ex 9:28; 1Jn 5:16) All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants
to the Lord your God, that we will not die, for we have added to all our sins
this evil, to ask for ourselves a king."
20 (Dt 11:16) Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have done all this
wickedness, only do not turn aside from following the Lord,
and serve the Lord with all your heart.
21 (Hab 2:18; Jer 10:15) But do not turn aside, for then you would be going
after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.
22 (Jos 7:9; 1Ki 6:13) As befits His great name, the Lord will not abandon
His people. For it has pleased the Lord to make you His people.
23 (1Ki 8:36; Pr 4:11) Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin
against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. But I will teach you the good
and the right way.
24 (Dt 10:21; Isa 5:12) Fear the Lord; serve Him in truth with all your heart,
and consider what great things He has done for you.
25 (Jos 24:20; 1Sa 31:1-5) But if you still do wickedly, both you
and your king will be swept away."
1 Samuel 12
[1] And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your
voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.
[2] And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and
grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you
from my childhood unto this day.
[3] Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his
anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I
defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe
to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
[4] And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither
hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
[5] And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed
is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they
answered, He is witness.
[6] And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and
Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.
[7] Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of
all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.
[8] When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD,
then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of
Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.
[9] And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of
Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines,
and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
[10] And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have
forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us
out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.
[11] And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and
delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled
safe.
[12] And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came
against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the
LORD your God was your king.
[13] Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have
desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
[14] If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not
rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the
king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
[15] But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the
commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as
it was against your fathers.
[16] Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do
before your eyes.
[17] Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall
send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is
great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
[18] So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that
day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
[19] And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the
LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this
evil, to ask us a king.
[20] And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this
wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD
with all your heart;
[21] And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which
cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
[22] For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake:
because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
[23] Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in
ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
[24] Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for
consider how great things he hath done for you.
[25] But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and
your king.
2) Our Daily Bread for 9 April 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/04/09/chatty-bus
entitled Chatty Bus
Colossians 4:2-6
Exhortations
2 (Lk 18:1; Eph 6:18) Continue in prayer, and be watchful with thanksgiving,
3 (Eph 6:19-20; Ac 14:27) while praying also for us, that God would open
to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am
also in chains,
4 (Eph 6:20) that I may reveal it clearly, as I ought to speak.
5 (Mk 4:11; Eph 5:15-17) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside,
wisely using the opportunity.
6 (Mk 9:50; 1Pe 3:15) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned
with salt, that you may know how you should answer everyone.
[2] Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
[3] Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of
utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
[4] That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
[5] Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
[6] Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may
know how ye ought to answer every man.
In 2019, the Oxford Bus Company launched the instantly popular "Chatty Bus,"
a bus with designated people on board willing to talk with interested
passengers. The route was initiated in response to government research which
found that 30 percent of Britons go at least one day each week without a
meaningful conversation.
Many of us have likely experienced the loneliness that comes from not having
someone to talk to in a time of need. As I reflect on the value of important
conversations in my life, I'm especially reminded of discussions that were
full of grace. Those times brought me joy and encouragement, and they helped
to cultivate deeper relationships.
At the end of his letter to the Colossian church, Paul encouraged his readers
with principles of authentic living for believers in Jesus, including ways our
conversations can exhibit love to everyone we encounter. The apostle wrote,
"Let your speech always be with grace," (4:6), reminding his readers that it
is not simply the presence of words but the quality of those words-"full of
grace"-that would allow them to be a true encouragement to others.
The next time you have the opportunity to connect deeply in conversation-with
a friend, co-worker, or even a stranger seated next to you on a bus or in a
waiting room-look for ways your time together might bring blessing into
both of your lives.
By: Lisa M. Samra
Reflect & Pray
When have you experienced the blessing of grace-filled words?
How might you extend encouragement to someone today through what you say?
Heavenly Father, help me to be a blessing to everyone
I speak with today, filling these conversations with Your grace.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Romans 13:7-8
7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes
are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,
and honor to whom honor is due.
8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,
for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 117
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt Him, all you peoples!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
1 O praise the LORD,
All ye nations: Praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us:
And the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.
Praise ye the LORD.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
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
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/ministering-to-palestinians-in-our-midst/
Ministering to Palestinians in Our Midst
Many of the Palestinian Muslim migrants in North America live near churches.
But the people in these churches typically show little interest in making
meaningful connections with their new neighbors. Many sadly express outright
hatred for Muslims.
That's why Christians who show love to their Muslim neighbours
can be so surprising and inspiring.
"You are so weird to me," said Roau'a to Global Gates missionaries who
befriended her. Before, the Palestinian American woman had only
encountered self-interested, angry Christians.
"You are like aliens," said Roau'a, smiling. "You are the only Christians
I know who actually follow Jesus and the Bible."
Their warmth and spiritual commitment attracted her
and inspired her to read the Arabic Bible they gave her.
Her experience is similar to that of most Palestinian Muslims '
living in North America. Christian churches are plentiful,
but engagement with Muslim neighbors is limited or non-existent.
Most Palestinians live as people without a country, and they had to adapt
to changes that would crush many of us. They are among the most resilient
and well-assimilated Arab immigrants in North America.
Those who can escape Palestine's problems often succeed here,
enjoying economic mobility they would never know back home.
They're in the halls of Congress, medical offices, law offices, academia,
scientific labs, factories, and other workplaces throughout the continent,
with large concentrations in the metropolitan areas of Chicago, New York,
Toronto, and Los Angeles.
After much pain, they've gained more freedoms and opportunities abroad.
But they remain a largely unreached people group,
almost as if they had never left Palestine.
Pray that more believers in North America will engage
their Palestinian Muslim neighbors.
Pray that new believers in North America will be discipled
and trained to reach the Palestinian diaspora for Christ.
Pray more Christians can help Palestinians to understand
that allegiance to Jesus supersedes all things.
Pray for a great harvest among Palestinians in North America.
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
9th Day of the Month
a) Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout
the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,
faithfulness and provision.
(
Ps 100
A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before His presence with singing.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Know that the Lord, He is God;
it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise;
be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For the Lord is good; His mercy endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100
A Psalm of praise.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God:
It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise:
Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
And his truth endureth to all generations.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways
to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.
(
1 Chr 12:32
32 (Est 1:13) From the sons of Issachar,
those having understanding of times
and what Israel should do: two hundred of their captains
with all their brothers at their command.
32 And of the children of Issachar,
which were men that had understanding of the times,
to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred;
and all their brethren were at their commandment
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that the Lord knows our heart.
Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, help me to be a blessing to everyone
I speak with today, filling these conversations with Your grace."
Pray to the Lord and Ask Him to break up your fallow ground.
Pray to the Lord and pray to owe no one.
Pray to the Lord and pray a prayer of Thanksgiving.
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 that more believers in North America will engage
their Palestinian Muslim neighbors.
Pray that new believers in North America will be discipled
and trained to reach the Palestinian diaspora for Christ.
Pray more Christians can help Palestinians to understand
that allegiance to Jesus supersedes all things.
Pray for a great harvest among Palestinians in North America.
Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout
the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,
faithfulness and provision.
Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways
to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.
Pray for Christian families in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip
who face continual pressure.
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