Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Samuel 6:18 (New Living Translation) The large rock at Beth-shemesh, where they set the Ark of the Lord, still stands in the field of Joshua as a witness to what happened there. This sentence comes at the end of a (hi)story about how the Ark of the LORD (a treasure chest that held the […]

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1 Samuel 7:10 (New Living Translation) Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. This verse was written during the time of […]

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1 Samuel 18:12 (New Living Translation) Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul. Saul feared David. How and why would Saul fear such a loyal servant as David. (1) God was with David. Saul’s life had moved Saul away from God. Yikes. Bad situation. […]

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1 Samuel 18:5 (New Living Translation) Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike. David was a good guy. David was good at what he did. Everyone liked David. God […]

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1 Samuel 25:24 (New Living Translation) She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. In the verse, she is Abigail—a woman married to a wicked and ill-tempered man named Nabal. He is David—one day to be king, but now […]

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1 Samuel 19:17 (New Living Translation) “Why have you betrayed me like this and let my enemy escape?” Saul demanded of Michal. “I had to,” Michal replied. “He threatened to kill me if I didn’t help him.” Michal is King Saul’s daughter. She is also David’s wife. She knew her father meant to kill her […]

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1 Samuel 25:8 (New Living Translation) …So would you be kind to us, since we have come at a time of celebration? Please share any provisions you might have on hand with us and with your friend David. Ten of David’s men visited Nabal. David’s men had shown kindness to the shepherd of Nabal in […]

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1 Samuel 15:22-23 (New Living Translation) 22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad […]

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1 Samuel 16:11 (New Living Translation) Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” The prophet Samuel was looking for the next king of God’s people. God sent Samuel to Jesse to look at Jesse’s […]

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1 Samuel 15:22-23 (New Living Translation) 22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad […]

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