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Synopsis

4/1/2026     Judges 4-6

4/2/2026    Judges 7-8

4/3/2026    Judges 9-10

4/4/2026   Judges  11-12

4/5/2026     Judges 13-15

4/6/2026    Judges 16-18

4/7/2026    Judges 19-20 

4/8/2026    Judges 21;  Ruth 1-2

4/9/2026    Ruth 3-4; I Samuel 1

4/10/2026  I Samuel 2-4

4/11/2026    I Samuel  5-8

4/12/2026     I Samuel 9-10

4/13/2026    I Samuel 11-13

4/14/2026    I Samuel 14-15 

4/15/2026    I Samuel 16-17

4/16/2026    I Samuel 18-19

4/17/2026    I Samuel 20-21; Psalms 11, 59

4/18/2026    I Samuel  22-24

4/19/2026     Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 120, 140

4/20/2026    Psalms 141-142; I Samuel 25

4/21/2026    I Samuel 26-27; Psalms 17, 35, 54, 63 

4/22/2026    I Samuel 28-30

4/23/2026    I Samuel 31; Psalms 18, 121, 123-125, 128-130

4/24/2026    II Samuel 1-3 

4/25/2026    II Samuel  4; Psalms 6, 8-10, 14

4/26/2026     Psalms 16, 19, 21;  I Chronicles 1-2

4/27/2026    Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87

4/28/2026    I Chronicles 3-5;  Psalm 73 

4/29/2026    Psalms 77-78

4/30/2026    I Chronicles 6-7;   Psalms 81, 88, 92-93

Day 91: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Judges 4:           Deborah served as the fourth judge over Israel. She commanded Barak, a man who might have been from the tribe of Naphtali, to march against the king of Canaan. They defeated the Canaanites and the commander of the Canaanite army, Sisera, was killed by a woman named Jael.

Judges 5:          This chapter records the song of Deborah and Barak. They recalled the LORD’s deliverances on their behalf.

Judges 6:         The Israelites returned to their idolatry and the LORD raised up the Midianites against them for seven years. Gideon, from the half-tribe of Manasseh that was settled inside of Canaan, became the fifth judge over Israel. He was a most unlikely candidate seeing that he was from a lowly tribe and the least of the families in that tribe. He was the youngest of his family. Figuratively speaking, Gideon would have been at the bottom of the list in the minds of most people. The LORD had Gideon tear down his father’s altar to Baal. The men of the city wanted to have Gideon executed for that, but his father spoke on behalf of Gideon. His father renamed Gideon to Jerubbaal. Gideon later asked the LORD for confirmation that He would give Israel victory over Midian. The signs of the fleece and the ground were detailed.

Judges 7:           The Israelite soldiers with Gideon were about thirty-two thousand in number. Although the Midianites were also many thousands in number, the LORD told Gideon that the troop count for Israel was too many. Had He given Israel victory with that many soldiers, they would have thought that it was by their own power that they defeated Midian. The LORD reduced the number to three-hundred men. He commanded Gideon to go down to the Midianite camp, and there Gideon heard one of the Midianites telling another of how the LORD was going to deliver Israel over Midian by the hand of Gideon. At that time, the Midianites had no idea who Gideon was. That was from the LORD and Gideon became encouraged for the battle. Gideon and the men with him defeated Midian because of the LORD’s favor on them.  The Ephraimites were given two Midianite leaders to pursue and kill and they accomplished their mission.

Judges 8:         The Ephraimites complained against Gideon because he had not called them at the first to help fight Midian. Remember that the LORD chose three-hundred men to fight for Gideon. The Ephraimites, rather than celebrating a victory over their oppressors, chose to complain instead. Gideon and the three-hundred men pursued and defeated more enemies. The men wanted him to be king over them, but Gideon told them that neither he, nor any son of his would be king.  In verse 31, however, Gideon named one of his sons “Abimelech” which means “my father is king” or “father of a king”. Gideon also took some of the spoils from battle and made an ephod with the gold. He had no business in doing that and the ephod was used for idolatry. Gideon died and the Israelites reverted again to idolatry.

Judges 9:         Abimelech was an ungodly man. He killed all but one of his seventy brothers and declared himself as king. The men of Shechem initially aligned with him, but the LORD put an evil spirit between them. Abimelech was treacherous and prideful. The LORD judged him and he died. The men of Shechem were also judged by the LORD. 

Judges 10:           Judges Tola and Jair lea Israel for a total of about forty-five years. After their deaths, the Israelites went back to idolatry and the LORD raised up the Philistines and Ammonites against them. For eighteen years the Israelites endured affliction brought on by their enemies. They cried to the LORD, but He was unwilling at the time to deliver them. The Israelites truly repented and cried out to the LORD again and He heard their cry. Their repentance was evident in that they put away their idols and served only the LORD.  

Judges 11:        Jephthah, a son of a harlot, would become the next judge over Israel. He had been forced out of his home by his half-brothers and the elders of Gilead because of who his mother was. Gilead was in the territory of Manasseh. He was noted to be a mighty warrior. When the Ammonites made war against Israel, the men of Gilead asked Jephthah to deliver them and be over them. Jephthah eventually agreed to lead them. He first sought a resolution with Ammon, but that was rejected and Jephthah led the campaign against Ammon.  Jephthah vowed to the LORD to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house if the LORD gave him victory. That proved to be disastrous in that Jephthah’s one and only child, a daughter, was the first thing out of his house to greet him after the victory. There is debate as to whether or not Jephthah sacrificed his daughter through a burnt offering or if he kept her from ever marrying, but we can easily see that making a vow is a most serious matter before the LORD. Before a vow is made, one should be wise in doing so.

Judges 12:         About half of the chapter dealt with a conflict between the Ephraimites and Jephthah. The sons of Ephraim, in Judges 8, had complained to Gideon after a great victory. Here, they complain against Jephthah after a great victory. Jephthah tried to resolve the matter, but Ephraim wanted war. Jephthah led the Gileadites over Ephraim and forty-two died as a result. After Jephthah’s death, three more judges are listed. They are Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon.

Judges 13:        A married couple from the tribe of Dan were visited by the angel of the LORD. It is very likely that this is another pre-incarnate form of Jesus. Verse 22 will help the reader to see this.  The man and his wife were promised a son who would be obligated to the Nazirite vow from the womb. The son was born and his name was Samson. He would become the next judge in Israel during the oppression of the Philistines (see Judges 15:20 & 16:31).

Judges 14:         Samson desired a wife who was a Philistine and his father reluctantly obliged in this. Later, during the wedding feast, Samson proposed a riddle to the men of Timnah.  The men could not figure out the riddle and it would have proven costly to them. They threatened Samson’s wife to reveal the answer. She did and Samson lost his bet. Samson went and killed thirty men from Ashkelon to obtain the clothes to cover the debt. Samson’s wife was then given to one of his friends. Samson was a man of passion, but this often brought about painful consequences.

Judges 15:        Samson was found and taken by some men from Judah to be delivered to the Philistines. The Spirit of the LORD empowered Samson and he killed one thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. Samson became thirsty to the point of death and sought the LORD. The LORD miraculously provided water and Samson was revived. Samson judged Israel for twenty years.

Day 96: Monday, April 6, 2026

Judges 16:        Samson’s appetite for women finally came to a sad conclusion. First, he went to a prostitute in Gaza. After the men of her city tried to capture Samson, he tore their city gates out of the ground and carried them out and to the top of a mountain. That was almost forty miles from where the gates had been set in place.  Afterwards, he met Deliah. She was offered a vast sum to find out the secret to his strength. Consider the perplexion of the people in regard to Samson’s strength. He likely looked very normal. His strength was not from his size, but from the LORD. Samson revealed where his strength came from and Deliah sold him out to the lords of the Philistines. They treated Samson with cruelty and blinded him. He was given a final measure of power wherein he killed over three thousand Philistines. Samson judged Israel for 20 years.

Judges 17:            The last chapters of Judges do not seem to fall chronologically in line, but rather indicate the deep spiritual decline in the professing people of the LORD. An idolatrous thief named Micah was written about. This is a different Micah than the one who will later prophesy to the Northern Kingdom during the 700’s B.C.  He made an idol and desired to be a priest even though he was not a descendant of Aaron. The main theme of the book is listed in verse 6 wherein we find that there wasn’t a king in Israel at that time. It was also a time wherein every man did what was right in his own eyes. A Levite is mentioned. He traveled to where Micah lived and Micah offered to take care of him if he would serve as a priest in his house. The Levite agreed to that dreadful proposition.

Judges 18:         A conflict occurred between some sons of Dan and the man named Micah. The Danite men stole Micah’s idols and talked the Levite into becoming a priest over them. Micah was powerless to stop them and the men went on with what they took from Micah. The Danites openly practiced idol worship at that time. 

Day 97: Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Judges 19:        The disastrous times in Canaan were evident. A Levite had a concubine who left him and returned home. He went to her and retrieved her, but on his journey home he stayed in an area where some Benjamites were living. An old man gave the Levite a lodging place for that evening. Some of the Benjamites wanted to rape the Levite, but his host gave the Levite’s concubine to them instead. They raped her all night and she died in the morning.  Those Benjamite men were like the men of Sodom in Genesis 19.  The Levite took the concubine back to his home and cut her body into twelve pieces. He sent her body parts throughout the land. It was a very sad description of the spiritual darkness of those days.

Judges 20:        The sons of Israel went to the people of Benjamin and asked for the Benjamite men responsible for the treachery described in chapter 19.  The people of Benjamin refused to honor that request. The other tribes of Israel went to battle against the sons of Benjamin. Initially, the Benjamites prevailed. Ultimately, the LORD severely judged the Benjamites and many of them died.

Day 98: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Judges 21:         There was sorrow in Israel concerning the tribe of Benjamin due to their decline as a result of the recent civil war. The other Israelite tribes made an unwise vow to keep their daughters from being given to the few remaining men of Benjamin. A way was made to preserve that tribe, but it included sanctioned kidnapping. The last verse of the chapter reminds the reader of the dark spiritual state Israel was in during the almost four centuries of the days of the Judges.

Ruth 1:       The events of this book took place during the days of the Judges. The Messianic Line would continue and it was a rather amazing story of how it continued. It involved a woman from the tribe of Judah and her daughter-in-law who was a Moabite. The woman was Naomi and her husband was Elimelech (meaning “My God is King”). There was famine in the land of Canaan. Therefore, Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons moved to Moab. Elimelech died in Moab and Naomi’s two sons took two Moabite women for wives. The sons of Naomi died and she felt that the LORD had dealt severely against her. She told her two daughters-in-law to return to their families. One did return, but the one named Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi. She would serve the God that Naomi served. The two women traveled to Canaan and arrived in Bethlehem (the one near to Jerusalem) around late March or early April, the beginning of the time of the barley harvest. 

Ruth 2: A man from the tribe of Judah whose name was Boaz entered the storyline. He was a relative of Elimelech, and thus, a relative of Naomi. The picture of a kinsman redeemer was brought into the story. The concept of kinsman redeemer was introduced by Moses in the Law, but the book of Ruth gave a beautiful and living picture of the concept. A kinsman redeemer was a relative who had the ability and willingness to redeem other family members in regard to their debts. The ultimate Kinsman Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ! For the poor of the land, they were permitted to glean parts of the fields owned by others. That system permitted the poor to have food to gather, but they also had the responsibility of going to gather the food. That was their work. Ruth went to glean for herself and Naomi and she gleaned in one of Boaz’s fields. Boaz had heard of Ruth and her loving attitude toward Naomi. He honored her and looked out for her. Ruth, although poor and in a foreign land, was generous in that she saved some of the bread from her early meal to give to Naomi. When Naomi heard about what had occurred, she honored the LORD as she considered Boaz and his status as a kinsman redeemer.

Day 99: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Ruth 3:       Naomi instructed Ruth in how to approach Boaz. There has been speculation in this matter as to the likelihood of something sexual in nature occurring between Ruth and Boaz. There is not an indication in the chapter that such a thing occurred. In fact, Boaz spoke of honoring the LORD and he referred to Ruth as a woman of excellence. Those things would not have accompanied a sinful encounter. Ruth mentioned to Boaz that he was a kinsman and could serve as a redeemer. Boaz knew that there was another relative who actually had first rights in being their kinsman redeemer. Boaz was an honorable man. He was willing to stay out of the matter if the other man was willing to redeem Naomi and Ruth. Before Ruth left him the following morning, Boaz gave over sixty pounds of barley for she and Naomi. That would have sustained them for several weeks. Even if he wasn’t given the opportunity to redeem Naomi and Ruth, he would still be very gracious to them. 

Ruth 4:          Boaz brought the matter before the town elders. The other relative, who had first right, chose not to be the kinsman redeemer and gave that right to Boaz. Boaz redeemed Naomi and Ruth and he married Ruth. She conceived a son and named him Obed. Verses 17-22 list the Messianic genealogy up to the person of David. In Matthew 1:5 we find that Boaz’s mother was Rahab. Although there is some debate, it is most likely that this was the same Rahab who was the prostitute in Jericho who was spared when the Israelites initially invaded Canaan.  Keep in mind that the events of this book took place during the days of the judges which were spiritually dark. Even in such dark times, the Messianic promise shined brightly!

I Samuel 1: A man named Elkanah, a Levite from the sons of Kohath (see I Chronicles 6:22-28), had two wives. This is descriptive, not prescriptive. Polygamy was never sanctioned by the LORD. One of his wives was Hannah. The LORD had closed her womb and Elkanah’s other wife taunted Hannah concerning this.  One of the years when they traveled to Shiloh, Hannah begged the LORD for a son.  The high priest at that time was a man named Eli. Eli saw Hannah praying and thought that she was drunk. He rebuked her, but Hannah explained why she was praying and that she was not drunk. Later, the LORD opened Hannah’s womb and she had a son named Samuel.  Hannah had dedicated him to the LORD when she prayed, but the time would soon come when she would keep that vow.

Day 100: Friday, April 10, 2026

I Samuel 2:        This chapter began with Hannah's prayer of exalting the LORD after Samuel’s birth. We find that Eli's sons, who serve as priests, were worthless men. Eli did little more than ask them about what they did. They abused the sacrificial system and they were sexually immoral men. They did not even try to hide their disdain for the LORD. Samuel was ministering before the LORD in those days. Hannah had three more sons and two daughters. The chapter concluded with an unnamed man of God who went to warn Eli. Eli’s two sons would both die on the same day. The LORD would raise up a faithful priest from someone other than Eli. Those were devastating words to the old high priest. 

I Samuel 3:        The word of the LORD was rare in those days; an indication of the sad spiritual state of the Israelites at that time. These events occur during the days of the Judges. The LORD called to Samuel, not Eli. The LORD told Samuel of what would soon befall Eli and his sons. Eli pressed Samuel to reveal to him what the LORD had said. Samuel was fearful, but he did tell Eli the word of the LORD. The people of the land came to know that Samuel was a true prophet of the LORD.

I Samuel 4:         The Philistines defeated Israel in two different battles and took the ark of the covenant. Eli's sons died and Eli died when he heard that the ark had been taken.  He fell and broke his neck. His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, died after giving birth to a son she called Ichabod.  That name meant: "The glory has departed from Israel."

Day 101: Saturday, April 11, 2026

I Samuel 5:        The Philistines brought the ark of the God into the temple of their false god, Dagon. Dagon was supposedly the father of Baal. The LORD worked to show the futility of worshipping man-made gods by having the idol fall prostrate before the Ark of the Covenant. The Philistines propped their false god up again. The next day, they found the idol fallen before the Ark of the Covenant again, but that time its head and hands were cut off. The people of the land would have understood the symbolism of the event. To show complete dominion over a foe, the head and hands were cut off. For Dagon to have this happen in its own temple was an utter embarrassment for the Philistines. The LORD proved that He alone was God! Wherever the Philistines moved the Ark, there was the judgment of God on the people.

I Samuel 6:       The Philistines were afflicted heavily by the LORD because they were in possession of the ark of God. They sent the ark back to Israel. Some of the people looked inside the ark and the LORD struck down over 50,000 of them for that sin.  

I Samuel 7:         The ark was kept for twenty years in a city about ten miles outside of Jerusalem. Samuel called the people to repent. Their repentance would be shown in their removing their foreign gods and serving only the LORD. The people were broken and they did repent.  The LORD delivered Israel over the Philistines. Cities that had been taken were given back to the Israelites. Samuel served as a judge over Israel all of his life. 

I Samuel 8:         Samuel’s two sons were ungodly men. Even godly parents do not always see their sons and daughters serve the LORD. The Israelites recognized Samuel’s age and that his sons were not godly men. They likely feared the future in that regard. Thus, they rejected the LORD from being King over them and they asked for a king to be appointed. They wanted a king like other nations had. Samuel warned them about what a fallen, human king would require of them, but they wanted a king like other nations had nonetheless. 

Day 102: Sunday, April 12, 2026

I Samuel 9:       Saul, a young Benjamite, was introduced into the storyline. Saul was sent by his father to recover some missing donkeys. He and his attendant approached the area where Samuel was staying and they sought to meet Samuel, the man of God. Samuel had been told by the LORD the day before that he would meet Saul and anoint him as king. When Samuel told Saul that news, Saul responded much like Gideon had to the angel of the LORD in Judges 6. By the time that Saul met Samuel, the tribe of Benjamin was very small. Remember, in Judges 20 they were almost wiped out for failing to bring some of their wicked men to justice. For Saul to hear that he, a man of Benjamin, would be king, he couldn’t believe it initially. 

I Samuel 10:        Samuel anointed Saul as king over Israel. Initially, Saul was very humble. When given an opportunity to tell one of his uncles about the matter, he kept silent. Samuel called the people together and there he showed the people that the LORD had chosen Saul to be their king. That happened after Samuel reminded the people that they had rejected the LORD as King over them.  The people rejoiced to have Saul as king over them. There were a couple of worthless men, however, who despised Saul and doubted that he could lead them victoriously. 

Day 103: Monday, April 13, 2026 

I Samuel 11:        The Ammonites besieged Jabesh-Gilead.  Saul was told what the Ammonites intended to do and the Spirit of the LORD came upon him. He delivered the people of Jabesh-Gilead. The people then wanted the men who originally resisted Saul as king to be executed. Saul, however, spared the men that day. We find that Saul was made king at Gilgal before the people.

I Samuel 12:         Samuel reminded the people why a king was being set over them. They wanted a king like the other nations had. In wanting a king like other nations, they had rejected the LORD as King. Still, Samuel told them that if they followed the LORD, He would give them His favor. If, however, they did not follow the LORD, He would deal severely with them.  

I Samuel 13:        Conflicts with the Philistines continued. Saul became more and more self-centered. He failed to trust the LORD by offering a sacrifice that Samuel was supposed to offer. Saul did that because the people were fleeing from him. Samuel told Saul that his kingdom would be short-lived and that the LORD had already sought out a man after His own heart. The Apostle Paul, in Acts 13:22, indicated that David was the man Samuel was referring to.

Day 104: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

I Samuel 14:         Saul’s son, Jonathan, gained a military victory over the Philistines while Saul’s decline became more evident. Saul had put the people under a vow that Jonathan hadn’t heard. Jonathan broke that vow by eating and was almost put to death by his father. One of Saul’s cousins, Abner, was introduced into the storyline. 

I Samuel 15:          The LORD was ready to judge Amalek. He commanded Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Saul did not fully obey the LORD. Samuel confronted Saul and Saul initially challenged Samuel. Samuel didn’t back down.  Saul ended up accidentally tearing Samuel’s robe. It was then that Samuel told Saul that the kingdom would be torn from him. Samuel put Agag to death.

Day 105: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

I Samuel 16:         Samuel was sent by the LORD to anoint David as king. David was from the tribe of Judah, the Messianic tribe. The Spirit of the LORD came upon David, but departed from Saul. In a strange twist, David was chosen to play music for Saul when Saul was troubled by an evil spirit. 

I Samuel 17:         The Philistine giant, Goliath, challenged Saul and Israel.  Jesse had sent David to see about his brothers who were with Saul and the Israelites across from the Philistine army. David heard Goliath taunt the army of God and he made it known that he was willing to face the giant.  Ultimately, David fought and defeated Goliath. Near the end of the chapter Saul inquired about who David’s father was. This might seem strange considering the fact that David had played music for Saul before this encounter with the Philistines. A couple of possible explanations are offered for this.  Perhaps Saul had forgotten who David was, especially as his mental state suffered. Or it could be that Saul was inquiring more about who David’s father was because he had promised to reward the victor with the lifting of required taxes and services for the man and his family.

Day 106: Thursday, April 16, 2026 

I Samuel 18:         Saul’s son, Jonathan, befriended David. Their relationship was like that of two brothers who loved one another dearly. After returning from the victory of the Philistines, the women greeted the men with singing. One of the lyrics inferred that David’s honor was greater than Saul’s honor. Saul, filled with jealousy, became paranoid concerning David.  David, the man who had delivered a decisive victory, thus saving Saul’s neck and crown, wanted to serve the king. Saul, however, saw David as a threat to his throne. He attempted to kill David two times early in the chapter. Saul later devised another plot to kill David, that time by the hand of the Philistines. That plot was not only foiled, but the LORD blessed David and he continued to be recognized as a man with the favor of the LORD. Saul was in dread of David rather than being thankful for what David had done for him and Israel. When the throne became about Saul’s glory, rather than that of the LORD, Saul’s downfall was inevitable. 

I Samuel 19:        This is a sad chapter in that Saul continued plotting to have David murdered. He was willing to use his son, Jonathan, and his daughter, Michal, to help him accomplish that. Psalm 59 was written with Saul’s plotting against David in mind. At every turn, Saul’s derangement grew more apparent and the LORD’s favor on David was undeniable. A somewhat strange thing happened near the end of the chapter wherein Saul had the Spirit of God come upon him and he prophesied. 

Day 107: Friday, April 17, 2026

I Samuel 20:        Although Saul had earlier vowed not to harm David, there was no denying that he wanted David dead. Jonathan devised a plan so as to fully determine whether Saul wanted David killed or not. Not only did Saul want David dead, but Saul attempted to kill Jonathan when he realized that Jonathan was loyal to David. The test proved that Saul wanted David dead.

I Samuel 21:         David fled and was helped by Ahimelech the priest. Jesus, in making the point that the sabbath was made for man, referred to that event in Matthew 12:4, Mark 2:23-28, and Luke 6:1-5.   One of Saul’s servants, Doeg the Edomite, witnessed Ahimelech assisting David.  David then fled to Achish, the king of Gath of the Philistines, where he pretended to be a madman. David then fled to Achish, the king of Gath of the Philistines where he pretended to be a madman.

Psalm 11:           David wrote this Psalm about the LORD being his refuge.  Much like in Psalm 5:5-6, we find that the LORD hates the sinner and the sin. This debunks the modern adage “God hates the sin, but loves the sinner”. David knew at that time that he was being sinfully pursued. He was right to pray in an imprecatory way.  

Psalm 59:          David wrote this Psalm when Saul had men watch his house so as to be able to kill him.  David sought the LORD in prayer and in song. He asked the LORD to deal with his enemies so that the people would know that God rules over them. David, although distressed, trusted in the LORD for deliverance. 

Day 108: Saturday, April 18, 2026

I Samuel 22:         Saul’s wickedness continued to be evident. A tragic scene took place when Doeg the Edomite told Saul about Ahimelech assisting David earlier. Saul went to Ahimelech and the priest explained that David was Saul’s son-in-law. How could he have known that Saul viewed David as an enemy? Saul commanded his guards to kill Ahimelech and the priests, but they were unwilling to do so. Saul then commanded Doeg the Edomite to kill them and he did. Doeg murdered a total of eighty-five priests as well as men, women, children, infants, and cattle in the city of Nob. One priest escaped. His name was Abiathar and he fled to David.

I Samuel 23:         David delivered the people of Keilah from the Philistines. Saul heard about it and pursued David in that place. David sought the LORD and was able to escape from Saul. Saul continued to pursue David after hearing about a potential location of David and his men. Saul almost captured David, but after hearing about an attack by the Philistines back home, Saul returned home and David was again able to escape. The LORD continued delivering David from Saul.

I Samuel 24:         Saul, while pursuing David, went into a cave to relieve himself. Saul was in a physically vulnerable position “using the restroom” and David could have easily killed Saul there. Instead, David  spared Saul, but did secretly cut off a portion of Saul’s robe. Afterwards, David proved his loyalty to Saul and Saul admitted that David was the more righteous and that he would one day be king. Saul asked David to swear to him that he would not utterly wipe out Saul’s descendants. David swore to Saul that he would honor that request. The two men and their armies separated. 

Day 109: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Psalm 7:        David asked the LORD to deliver him, unless he had acted with injustice. David was willing to suffer the consequences if he had acted sinfully toward his foes. He knew that the LORD would always act in righteousness and he rejoiced in the LORD because of that fact.

Psalm 27: David exulted in the LORD who delivered him, but David continued to ask the LORD to deliver him. David consistently sought the LORD in prayer. Even in distressful times, the LORD was David’s resolve and hope.

Psalm 31:           David speaks of the LORD’s deliverance, but also the many troubles he has faced. His words in verse 5 were quoted by Jesus in Luke 23:46 just before He died. David called the followers of the LORD to love Him and to continue hoping in Him.

Psalm 34:         This goes back to I Samuel 21 when David pretended to be a madman before the king of Gath. David thanked the LORD for delivering him. He wrote of what the righteous life would be like. In verse 20, David wrote what would be spoken of Jesus as fulfillment regarding none of Jesus’ bones being broken at His death.

Psalm 52:         David spoke against Doeg the Edomite in relation to what he told King Saul about David being help by Ahimelech the priest. Doeg, and all others who reject the LORD, will be brought to justice by the LORD.

Psalm 56:             David wrote this Psalm when the men of Gath took him in I Samuel 21:11.  David knew that when he trusted in the LORD, he had no reason to fear men. David was fully assured that the LORD was for him. 

Psalm 120:         This Psalm of praise for the LORD answering the cry of His child began the Songs of Ascents [Psalms 120-134], which were sung by the Jews during their travels to the annual Pilgrimage Feasts three times annually. 

Psalm 140:        David asked the LORD to work against his enemies and he rejoiced in that the LORD would work to deliver him and all those who take refuge in Him.

Day 115: Saturday, April 20, 2026

Psalm 141:        David asked the LORD for help in regard to the wicked plotting against him. He looked to the LORD for refuge.

Psalm 142:       This Psalm is likely connected to the time when David was hiding in a cave from King Saul (I Samuel 24). He was very distressed, yet He continued to hope in the LORD.

I Samuel 25:       Samuel died and the people mourned over him. An evil man from the tribe of Judah was introduced into the storyline. He was Nabal, a descendant of Caleb. His wife, Abigail, was intelligent and beautiful. David had protected Nabal’s shepherds and sent men to request assistance from him, but Nabal rejected David’s request. Abigail was told about her husband’s response to David and she prepared sustenance for David and his men. When Abigail later told Nabal what she had done, it broke him. The LORD killed Nabal about ten days later. Sadly, David took Abigail as a wife even though he was still married to Michal, one of Saul’s daughters. David also took a woman named Ahinoam as a wife. David was a man after God’s heart, but he sinned in taking multiple wives. The Bible described David’s actions in this. It never prescribed or condoned them. David suffered much in life after he violated God’s standard for marriage which was introduced in Genesis 2:24. 

Day 115: Saturday, April 21, 2026

I Samuel 26:        Saul was informed of David’s whereabouts and he pursued David again. Zeruiah, a sister of David (I Chronicles 2:16), was mentioned in verse 6. Her sons, Abishai and Joab, were aligned with their uncle, David. David and Abishai went into the camp of Saul and during the night and could have killed the king. Abishai wanted to kill Saul, but David wouldn’t permit it. David spared Saul again and later proved that he could have killed him. Saul admitted his sin and ceased pursuing David at that time.

I Samuel 27:         David sought and found refuge with the Philistines for sixteen months. He was given the city of Ziklag to live in. Achish, the Philistine king of those parts, thought that David would be his servant all the days of his life

Psalm 17:        David, in a season of trouble from enemies, sought the LORD and asked Him for protection. David trusted that the LORD would justly deal with his enemies.

Psalm 35:        David asked the LORD to fight for him against his enemies. In an earlier time, David had prayed for the very one who presently sought to harm him. David continued to make the LORD his refuge.

Psalm 54:        David wrote this Psalm when Saul had been told of his whereabouts and then pursued him.  David continued to look to the LORD as his Helper and Deliverer.

Psalm 63:        David wrote this Psalm in the wilderness of Judah while being pursued by King Saul. He spoke of his meditations on the LORD, no matter what time of day it was or where he was.

Day 115: Saturday, April 22, 2026

I Samuel 28:        David, still living amongst the Philistines, was prepared to fight against Israel. Saul’s downfall continued. Samuel was dead and the LORD no longer answered Saul. Desperately, he sought the counsel of a medium.  That had been forbidden, but Saul did it anyway. Whether or not it was the spirit of Samuel or some demonic presence, Saul was informed that Israel would lose the battle to the Philistines and that he and his sons would die in the battle. Saul was rightly distraught.

I Samuel 29:        David, who lived among the Philistines at the time, was spared from fighting with the Philistines against Israel.

I Samuel 30:        While David and his men were on their way back to Ziklag, the Amalekites had burned Ziklag to the ground and taken all of the women, children, cattle, and goods. David and his small army wept bitterly. His men wanted to kill David because of their wives and children being taken. David 

strengthened himself in the LORD and then led his army against those Amalekites. He recovered all of their wives, children, cattle, and spoils. He also averted disaster by leading some of the men to accept being generous toward the men who were not able to go to the fight.

Day 115: Saturday, April 23, 2026

I Samuel 31:         The Philistines defeated Israel. Saul and his sons were killed in battle. The Philistines took the bodies of Saul and his sons and fastened them to a city wall. The men of Jabesh-gilead went and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons. They burned the bodies as an act of reverence. Remember that Saul’s initial military victory came in I Samuel 11 wherein he delivered Jabesh-gilead over the Ammonites.

Psalm 18:        This Psalm was the same Text as II Samuel 22:2-51. David thanked the LORD for delivering him from the hand of Saul as well as other enemies. David praised the LORD and saw Him as his rock and his refuge.

Psalm 121:       This second Song of Ascent [Psalms 120-134], was a Psalm of praise for the LORD keeping of His people. The LORD is always watchful over His people.

Psalm 123:        This fourth Song of Ascent [Psalms 120-134], was a Psalm wherein the people asked for the LORD to be gracious to them. They were in distress over the arrogance of the proud.

Psalm 124:         This fifth Song of Ascent [Psalms 120-134] recognized the peoples’ need for the LORD to be their Deliverer! They knew that without Him delivering them, they would have been overtaken.

Psalm 125:          This sixth Song of Ascent [Psalms 120-134] was one of encouragement as the people remembered that the LORD protected them. They ask Him to do good to those who are good, but to deal justly with those who enjoy unrighteousness.

Psalm 128:         The ninth Song of Ascent [Psalms 120-134] was a reminder that those who fear the LORD will be blessed by Him.

Psalm 129:          This tenth Song of Ascent [Psalms 120-134] was a remembrance that the LORD delivered His people and cut down the wicked who persecuted them.

Psalm 130:          This eleventh Song of Ascent [Psalms 120-134] was partly one of agony. The follower of the LORD, who had transgressed, must wait on Him.  It was also a psalm of hope, however, because the LORD would show lovingkindness and redemption to His people.

Day 115: Saturday, April 24, 2026

II Samuel 1:        David learned of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. The young Amalekite who informed David of the deaths claimed to mercifully put King Saul to death. David ordered his men to kill that man and they did. The remainder of the chapter was a lament from David regarding the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. 

II Samuel 2:         David was made king over Judah. This was before the kingdom was divided. Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, was made king over Israel. Saul’s commander, Abner, challenged David’s nephew, Joab. Several Israelites died in that conflict. A nephew of David, Asahel, was killed by Abner.

II Samuel 3:        More sons were born to David. There was an ongoing conflict between David and those loyal to Saul.  Ish-bosheth acted foolishly. Abner assisted David in having the kingdom transferred from Ish-bosheth to David. David and Abner made peace, but David’s nephews, Joab and Abishai, lured Abner and put him to death. That was to avenge their brother, Asahel, whom Abner had to kill earlier because Asahel had pursued him.  David was furious with his nephews and he mourned Abner publicly. David pronounced a curse upon his nephews. 

II Samuel 4:         Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth, was mentioned in the story. After Abner’s death, two Benjamites, Baanah and Rechab, murdered Ishbosheth. They took Ish-bosheth’s head to David thinking that he would be pleased. Instead, David had the murderers executed.

Psalm 6:         David cried out to the LORD from a weary heart. He was discouraged, but he knew that the LORD would hear him. The psalm concluded with praise from David unto the LORD.

Psalm 8:       This Psalm of David was about mankind being entrusted to tend to God’s creation. The ultimate fulfillment, however, would come to fruition in Jesus (Hebrews 2:6-8).

Psalm 9:        David thanked the LORD and recognized His righteous judgments. He contrasted fallen, sinful men who perish against the LORD who reigns forever. The wicked would be judged and the needy would be remembered by the LORD.

Psalm 10:       David was distressed, but continued trusting in the LORD.  He wrote of the wicked and their schemes, but also of the LORD and how He would be faithful to deliver those whom the wicked sought to destroy.

Psalm 14:      This Psalm corresponds with Psalm 53, and is quoted by Paul in Romans 3. There are none who are good except the LORD. The wicked will be judged, but the LORD will rescue some sinners.

IPsalm 16:         This psalm is one of praise unto the LORD for being his refuge.  David also spoke of the future resurrection of the Messiah! Peter, in his sermon during Pentecost in Acts 2:25-28, referred to this Text as proof that David was looking ahead to Messiah’s resurrection.  Paul, in Acts 13:35, quoted this psalm also in connection to the resurrection of Jesus.

Psalm 19:         David wrote of the LORD as Creator.  David rejoiced in the LORD because of His laws, testimony, precepts, commandment, and judgments. David understood his need for the LORD and His word. He recognized God’s restorative work through the word.

Psalm 21:        David praised the LORD in view of His work to strengthen the king and His power to bring His enemies low.

I Chronicles 1:        The first nine chapters are largely lineages. Look for the Messianic Line in these chapters. The Chronicles were written after the books of Kings were written. The exiles returning from Babylon needed to be reminded of their history and Messianic hope. The first nine chapters help in doing that. There are also lineages from Abraham’s son, Ishmael and Isaac’s son, Esau.

I Chronicles 2:           The sons of Jacob (Israel) were listed. The Messianic Line through Judah was given more detail in this chapter. 

Day 117: Monday, April 27, 2026

Psalm 43:         The psalmist asked the LORD to deliver him, but questioned the LORD after he felt rejected by the LORD. The psalmist reminded himself to hope in God especially when his soul was in despair.

Psalm 44:        The LORD is praised for taking His people to the land He promised them. The psalmist knows that it was not by his own hand, but by that of the LORD. Also, the psalmist struggles as he thinks that the LORD has rejected the people. He doesn’t understand why.

Psalm 45:        This psalm of praise unto the LORD was one that would be used in the New Testament (Hebrews 1:8) to make the case that Jesus is God!

Psalm 49:         This sobering psalm warned unbelievers of the foolishness of pursuing riches, but not trusting the LORD. It sounded similar to a major theme in Ecclesiastes.

Psalm 84:         The psalmist reflected on going to the house of the LORD and concluded that one day in His courts is better than a thousand outside of them. The one who walks uprightly unto the LORD will enjoy His favor. There is great benefit for those who trust in the LORD!

Psalm 85:          The people had rebelled and the psalmist asked the LORD to forgive and restore them. The people looked to the LORD for salvation and trusted Him to give it.

Psalm 87:          This was a psalm of praise as the psalmist considered the LORD’s love for Zion. In this Psalm, when the psalmist uses the word “Rahab”, that was a reference to Egypt.

I Chronicles 3:        The Messianic lineage continues to be recognized in the genealogy. Using Matthew 1 can help in noting the lineage. The main lineage focus in this chapter goes from David to Zerubbabel.

I Chronicles 4:         Judah’s Messianic lineage is detailed, but the chapter covers other lineages as well.  The Messianic information generally goes from Judah to Hezekiah.

I Chronicles 5:         This chapter gave details about the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. Remember, they had asked for and received permission to settle outside of Canaan’s border to the east (Numbers 32). Jotham, another in the Messianic line, was mentioned as a King of Judah (the Southern Kingdom). Jeroboam I was mentioned as a King of Israel (the Northern Kingdom).  The fall of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. was referenced in verses 6 and 26.

Psalm 73:        The psalmist incorrectly assumed that the wicked prospered while the righteous suffered.  He finally concluded that the LORD would deal justly with the wicked and reward the righteous. 

Psalm 77:          This psalm began with despair because the psalmist felt rejected by the LORD.  As long as he focused on his present circumstances, his heart remained weary. When he remembered and meditated on the LORD and His past work, the psalmist went from despair to hope. 

Psalm 78:          Psalm 78:2 was quoted by Jesus regarding His speaking to the crowds in parables. There was an extensive remembrance by the psalmist of the LORD’s works regarding the Israelites and the Egyptians. The people had fallen mostly because they failed to remember the LORD and trust in Him. He brought judgments on them, but then restored them. The psalmist remembered how often Israel had failed and how consistently the LORD showed them mercy.

I Chronicles 6:         This chapter largely covers the land settlements that were given by the tribes to the Levites. We also find in this chapter that Samuel was a Levite from the sons of Kohath.

I Chronicles 7:          The genealogies of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher were given. We find in this chapter that Joshua, Moses’ servant, was an Ephraimite.

Psalm 81:         Most of this psalm is written from the perspective of the LORD.  He called out His disobedient people, but then reminded them that He would restore them if they came back to Him.

Psalm 88:       The psalmist was in deep despair and repeatedly prayed to the LORD.  He asked the LORD why He would not answer. The psalm ended without a resolution.  It pointed the one who was suffering to continue to look to and pray to the LORD, even when He is silent.

Psalm 92:       This was a psalm of praise unto the LORD that would be sung on the Sabbath. It referred to the LORD’s faithfulness and sovereignty.

Psalm 93:        Similar to Psalm 92, this was a psalm of praise emphasizing the LORD’s greatness and eternality.