1 Samuel 30-31; 1 Chronicles 10; Acts 20
The story of the Amalekites' attack on Ziklag is another testament to David's reliance on the Lord. The tragedy shocked his supporters to the point where they wanted to stone him (1 Samuel 30:6). However, it is said that David "strengthened himself in the Lord…" and sought the priest to inquire of the Lord about what to do next (1 Samuel 30:7-8).
Having received assurance from God that the Lord would deliver the Amalekites into his hands, David and his army pursued the enemy and defeated them. Yet, an incident again tested David's attitude towards the situation. Part of the army was unable to cross the Brook Besor. As a result, David had to attack the Amalekites with only two-thirds of his troops. After the victory, those who had fought demanded that the spoils be divided only among them, excluding those who had stayed behind the brook. David disagreed, acknowledging that this victory was more the Lord's doing than his and his soldiers' (1 Samuel 30:23-25).
The death of Saul at the hands of the Philistines was the logical end to his reign as king, chosen by the demand of the people and according to their tastes. The best men, without trust in God, prove weak and incapable. 1 Chronicles explains Saul's tragic end - "So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance" (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).
Acts 20 describes Paul's return from his third missionary journey, during which several important events occurred.
- Along the way, Paul stopped in places where there were believers to encourage and strengthen them in their faith.
- In Troas, while teaching for a long time, a young man fell from a window, and Paul restored him to life (Acts 20:8-12);
- Meeting with the Ephesian elders in Miletus helps to understand Paul's approach to his ministry in Ephesus and his understanding of ministry in the church;
- Paul knew that "chains and tribulations await" him (Acts 20:23) but still went to Jerusalem - "...only that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24);
- The role of pastors is of great importance, as "...savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock," and from among the disciples, men will rise speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves (Acts 20:29-30);
- Leaving his disciples responsible for the church, Paul entrusts them "...to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).
Having received assurance from God that the Lord would deliver the Amalekites into his hands, David and his army pursued the enemy and defeated them. Yet, an incident again tested David's attitude towards the situation. Part of the army was unable to cross the Brook Besor. As a result, David had to attack the Amalekites with only two-thirds of his troops. After the victory, those who had fought demanded that the spoils be divided only among them, excluding those who had stayed behind the brook. David disagreed, acknowledging that this victory was more the Lord's doing than his and his soldiers' (1 Samuel 30:23-25).
The death of Saul at the hands of the Philistines was the logical end to his reign as king, chosen by the demand of the people and according to their tastes. The best men, without trust in God, prove weak and incapable. 1 Chronicles explains Saul's tragic end - "So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance" (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).
Acts 20 describes Paul's return from his third missionary journey, during which several important events occurred.
- Along the way, Paul stopped in places where there were believers to encourage and strengthen them in their faith.
- In Troas, while teaching for a long time, a young man fell from a window, and Paul restored him to life (Acts 20:8-12);
- Meeting with the Ephesian elders in Miletus helps to understand Paul's approach to his ministry in Ephesus and his understanding of ministry in the church;
- Paul knew that "chains and tribulations await" him (Acts 20:23) but still went to Jerusalem - "...only that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24);
- The role of pastors is of great importance, as "...savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock," and from among the disciples, men will rise speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves (Acts 20:29-30);
- Leaving his disciples responsible for the church, Paul entrusts them "...to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).
Posted in Reading Bible Together