Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 27:33 (New Living Translation) Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend. This chapter of the Chronicles of the Kings lists the names of high-ranking officials who served the King and the kingdom. Down here near the bottom of the list is Hushai. His position was the king’s friend. […]

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2 Samuel 15:1-6 (New Living Translation) After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. 2 He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in […]

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2 Samuel 14:20 (New Living Translation) He did it to place the matter before you in a different light. But you are as wise as an angel of God, and you understand everything that happens among us! A woman says this to King David after she has pretended to be someone else with a story […]

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2 Kings 3:14-16a (New Living Translation) 14 Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I wouldn’t even bother with you except for my respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah. 15 Now bring me someone who can play the harp.” While the harp was being played, the power of the Lord […]

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1 Samuel 15:23 (New Living Translation) Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” Here is another one of those passages that must have lost something in translation, or there must be some other […]

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1 Samuel 14:52 (New Living Translation) The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul’s lifetime. So whenever Saul observed a young man who was brave and strong, he drafted him into his army. As predicted, if Israel had a King, the King would take the young men into war. I guess God knew what […]

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2 Kings 6:8-9 (New Living Translation) 8 When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, “We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.” 9 But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for […]

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1 Samuel 6:10-12 (New Living Translation) 10 So these instructions were carried out. Two cows were hitched to the cart, and their newborn calves were shut up in a pen. 11 Then the Ark of the Lord and the chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors were placed on the cart. 12 And sure […]

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1 Samuel 4:6-8 (New Living Translation) 6 “What’s going on?” the Philistines asked. “What’s all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?” When they were told it was because the Ark of the Lord had arrived, 7 they panicked. “The gods have come into their camp!” they cried. “This is a disaster! We have never […]

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Psalms 90:17 (New Living Translation) And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! This is part of a prayer of Moses. He asks the Lord God for success in his efforts. It is okay to ask God for success. Perhaps it is okay […]

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