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MAY 17
1 Samuel 20-21
Tales of woe in the history of redemption.
1 Samuel 20
Vs. 1-11 I think David came back to Jonathan because Jonathan had
helped in the past, and also because David hoped, like we all would have, that
this broken situation could be fixed. This is something that we all need to
learn, and the quicker the better. The kind of objectivity to think clearly
only comes from being absolutely secure in the Lord. Also, sometimes the Lord
allows broken relationships to stay broken to separate us from harm (Joseph
from his brothers and Canaan) and to work in our hearts in hard circumstances
and isolation (again, Joseph at Potiphar's and in prison). David's curriculum
had already begun, but it would still be years of suffering and running before
he would graduate.
Vs. 12-17 The very powerful thing that comes out of this event is the
covenant they make. Jonathan initiates this and that is significant. He
realized that God was exalting David. It was common in kingdoms to kill all the
heirs of the throne from the previous ruler. Jonathan realized that God would
make David the king and therefore wanted to hear David say that he would
promise to protect his family.
V. 14 This seems to be Jonathan saying that if he is still alive when
David becomes king, that David would not harm him.
V. 16 Jonathan blessed David before the Lord. What an awesome spiritual
man and model of a disciple.
V. 17 These were two spiritual men who had a deep love and loyalty to
one another.
Vs. 18-23 The reason for the boy and the arrows, I think, was that if
Saul was really mad enough to kill David, he would have had Jonathan followed,
assuming that Jonathan was going to David. Going out for target practice would
be close to home and apparently it was something Jonathan did often, so, no
need to follow him.
Vs. 24-29 Apparently everything looked good for the first day.
Vs. 30-34 Saul lost his mind, and a mind is a terrible thing to lose.
He actually tried to kill Jonathan. It is interesting that Saul knew that God
wanted to make David king. What an awful way to live, fighting against God.
Vs. 35-42 Jonathan and David renewed their covenant and parted. We'll
see Jonathan again, being an encouragement to David. What a contrast between
father and son. Saul had the irrational hatred and Jonathan had the
supernatural love of God.
1 Samuel 21
Vs. 1-6 This is actually a famous situation in the NT. Jesus uses this
story to show that mercy and saving life are allowable reasons to
"break" the Sabbath.
V. 2 I see this as a very unfortunate "hole" in David's
character. I know he was afraid, but he lied and didn't need to. David will
continue to lie like a trooper. Without realizing it (God knew) he was putting
Ahimelech's entire family / clan in danger. Remember God's curse on Eli and his
branch of the priestly family? That branch is this family and it's about to get
broken.
V. 3 This doesn't mean anything, but I find it interesting that when
Jesus fed the 5000, he had five loaves.
V. 5 This appears to be another lie. It might have been David's
practice to get his men focused for a coming expedition, but this flight from
fear was no ordinary or planned mission.
V. 6 These loaves had already been replaced for the day with new
loaves. Normally only the priests could eat these. Also, this means that the
tabernacle and the Holy Place were at Nob. The ark was still in Kiriath-jearim.
Vs. 7-9 So why does it say that Doeg was there? Never trust a guy named
Doeg.
V. 8 Another lie, and one that made no sense.
V. 9 It's interesting that the ephod was there and David didn't think
to use the Urim and Thummim. David will learn to seek the Lord.
Vs. 10-15 Apparently David had the right idea, but the wrong timing.
Later he would live among the Philistines and this king will be his good buddy,
but at this point it was a bad idea. Just think: He had this "killer"
reputation and he was carrying the sword of Goliath, who was from Gath; and he
was standing before the king of Gath and surrounded by Philistines. What made
him think this was a good idea?
Notice in v. 11 that they refer to David as a king, because he was
given more honor in the song than Saul. Even the Philistines understood the
rebuke to Saul and the exalting of David. Remember, David had been given honor
for slaying Philistines.
This was a funny way to get himself out of this jam and Achish lands a
great line in v. 15. This not only shows David's desperation, but it shows his
lack of closeness to the Lord. He'll need time in the wilderness. We all need
time in the wilderness to become the kinds of disciples who seek only God and
follow Christ in the harvest through trials and suffering, making disciples who
will do the same.
John 9
Jesus is still in Jerusalem for the week of the Feast of Tabernacles,
which followed the week after the Day of Atonement. These symbols are rich in
what has happened here. During the feast, as the cleansing water was being
brought into the temple, Jesus had stopped the ceremony by crying out that He
was the living water. During the lighting of the great lanterns in the treasury
/ Court of Women, Jesus had disrupted this ceremony saying He was the Light of
the world. Six months before His crucifixion, Jesus was making His claim to be
Messiah.
Now, to prove that Jesus is the Light of the world, the Father leads
Jesus and the disciples to notice a man. The disciples ask a question and Jesus
realizes that the Father has put this man there to give proof that Jesus is
literally the light that gives light to men. And to boot, it was the Sabbath.
What was the Father thinking?
Vs. 1-7 In order for this man to have been punished for his own sin, he
would have had to have sinned in the womb since he was born blind. The people
were very confused about sin and the Pharisees helped the people feel sinful.
Jesus said this disability had been given in order to give God glory. That
ought to make us think too.
Notice what Jesus says about works and light. I think this applies to
us too. While it is still light in the harvest, we need to make hay.
So, why did Jesus make the clay? I think there were two reasons. First,
it was to challenge the leaders. This was a class "A" miracle and an
obvious sign that Jesus was the Christ, but making clay was forbidden on the
Sabbath and it was probably some violation of something to use spit. Second, it
was for the faith of the blind man. Jesus often tested faith in people He met.
Going to the pool and washing this off made the blind man have to show that he
believed Jesus.
Vs. 8-17 This is the first round of testimony given by the formerly
blind man. This all played out so naturally and innocently that it is actually
profound. The people didn't want to believe it, but they couldn't argue with the
man. I like what he said, "I am the man."
The point of what Jesus did is shown in the conflict among the
Pharisees in v. 16. The work that the Father had given Jesus to do was amazing
and they knew it. Some of them couldn't deny it.
Vs. 18-23 This is the testimony of the parents. Their fear is
understandable, but later John will mention this same threat of being put out
of the synagogue and fearing to confess Jesus by saying, "for they loved
the praise of men more than the praise of God."
Vs. 24-34 Even the blind man could see the blindness of the Pharisees.
What he says here is totally honest and inspired by the Spirit. Could anything
be more out of the mouth of God? This is sort of like what Jesus said to His
disciples in Matthew 10, when He sent them out, When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or
what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.
For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through
you.
Vs. 35-38 Finally, Jesus sought out this man to comfort him; the man,
desiring to see Jesus, worshiped Him.
Vs. 39-41 The Pharisees apparently didn't know the old saying,
"Never miss a good chance to shut up." Jesus declared judgment and
they stepped right into it.
As Jesus said to His disciples, if He was treated like this, and we
disciples are no better than He, we should expect the same treatment. Yet when
we acknowledge His name before men, He also acknowledges us before the Father
and sends the comfort we need. Also, this situation reminds us that we can't
neglect the harvest because of Pharisees or others who resist. Somewhere, there
is someone waiting in the darkness for the Word of light. And they will respond
to the light and follow.
Psalms 113
I know, you're wondering what to get out of The Psalms, if all The Psalms
are beginning to sound the same.
First, you have to gird up the loins of your mind; because believe it
or not, you'll finish The Psalms on July 2 and begin again.
Second, just observe repetitions and find the heart of the psalm; the
reason for the praise.
V. 1 This is calling the servants
of the Lord to praise Him. Every person was to see himself as a servant
living for the glory of the Lord on earth. This was the purpose of Israel.
Vs. 2-3 God's praise is for all of time and for all of the earth, all
generations and all peoples.
Vs. 4-6 God is over all nations
and looks over every person.
Vs. 7-8 He has His eye on the
poor.
V. 9 He also has His eye on those without hope, symbolized by a barren
woman. He cheers their hearts.
Get this stuff under your belt and you'll always have something for a
devotional. Not only that, as a disciple making disciples, if this stuff lights
a fire in you, you'll light a fire in those you are discipling. Discipleship is
more often "caught," than taught. And, you'll praise the Lord.
Psalm 114
Vs. 1-2 This summarized God's plan in bringing up Israel from Egypt.
God ruled over Israel through Judah. Not only did the king come from Judah, but
the ark and the temple were in Jerusalem.
Vs. 3-4 This is what happened as God came into the land.
Vs. 5-8 This is the call to the earth to submit to God's power.
If God can control all that and cause all powers to bend to Him, how
much more can we depend on God for all the cares and challenges of our lives as
we follow Christ in the harvest?
Proverbs 15:15-17
Can you think of three verses that hang together so well, that say so
much?
For us as disciples, what I think of when I read these is, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you (Luke 12:30-31).
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are interested in growing
deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the
growth of a discipleship culture in the church, that is, groups of 3-4
disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to
reach out and make disciples, who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most
universal and important discipleship manual we have and it is the key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here,
or what we are to be doing, or whom we are to be following. My comments are
only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of
God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are
designed to keep us, as disciples, focused on Christ and our role in His
harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be
willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their
growth as disciples, making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive
commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite often.
I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only note
where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these and
find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
Anyone reading along with us is
welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own
observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition
or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any
point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as
I understand it. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full presentation
of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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