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This Reading Guide has been designed for use during Part I of the “The Kings of Old” message series at South Ridge Church: September - October 2019

A Note from Pastor Justin: ThroughouttheOldTestament,thepeopleofGodweresetaparttobedifferent.God—whohadrescuedthemfrombeingenslavedinEgyptandledthemtoanew,frui?ulland—providedHispeoplewithguidelinesinwhichtolive.TheseguidelineswerenotintendedasrestricAonsonlife,butwereinsteadawayinwhichHispeoplecouldliveandexperiencelifetothefull.

However,someofGod’speoplerejectedHiswayofliving,leadingthemtobeenslaved.NotenslavedastheywereinEgypt.Butenslavedtotheirownself-centeredness.InsteadofGodbeingtheruleroftheirhearts,thepeopleaskedforaking.Andoverthenext500+years,variouskingsruledoverthepeopleofIsrael.SomeofthesekingsfollowedGodwiththeirhearts,soul,mind,andstrength.Manydidnot.

Today,thereismuchwecanlearnaboutthesekingsofold.Aswebeginthismessageseries,wewillseethatourlivesmaynotbesodifferentfromtheseancientkings.WewillseethatGodcanusepeoplewhoareseeminglyinsignificanttodoextraordinarythings.Andwewillseethatourlifedecisionsdon’tonlyimpactourownlives,butthelivesofcountlessothers.

Myhopeforthismessageseriesisthatyouwillread,journal,andprayaboutyourlifeandthedailydecisionsyoumake.Thatyouwillreflectonhowthesedecisionsimpactnotonlyyourownlife,butthelivesofcountlessothers.MayyoualsogrowinbecomingapersonwhotrulyfollowsGodwithyourheart,soul,mindandstrength.MayyouconAnuetogrowintothepersonGodhasmadeyoutobe.

Aswebeginthisnewmessageseries,weencourageyouto:

• Committojoininguseveryweekofthisseries.

• CommittoreadingthroughthisReadingGuide,reflecAngandjournalingthroughthequesAonsprovidedwithineachdailyreading.

• UseagoodStudyBibleand/orotherresourcesasyoureadthroughthisReadingGuide.RefertohZps://southridgeblog.com/study-bible-infoformoreinformaAononmanyexcellentStudyBiblesavailabletoday.

• WritedownquesAonsyouhaveaboutwhatyou’rereading,andtakeopportuniAestoseekoutanswerstothosequesAons.

DevoAonal&ScriptureReadingGuideSeptember-October2019

SouthRidgeChurch

https://southridgeblog.com/study-bible-info




MESSAGE SERIES OUTLINE:

SEPTEMBER 15: SAMUEL

SEPTEMBER 22: SAUL

SEPTEMBER 29: DAVID

OCTOBER 6: SOLOMON

OCTOBER 13: JEROBOAM & REHOBOAM

DAILY READING EXAMPLE:

DAY 1: LOOKING FORWARD

Thele`sideofeachdailyreadingwillcontainabriefdevoAonalandquesAonforreflecAon.

READING&JOURNALING:

TherightsideofeachdailyreadingwillcontainafewScriptureversestoread,andaddiAonalquesAonsforreflecAon.YouwillmostbenefitfromthisstudybywriAngoutanswerstoallofthequesAonsinanotebook.ThiswillhelpyoutopauseandreflectontheScripturesandtopicsforeachreading.

F260READING:

ThisisanaddiAonalScriptureReadingforthosewhowanttoreadthroughthefoundaAonalpassagesofScripturethroughouttheyear.ThisF260ReadingPlanpairedwiththe“7Arrows”methodforreflecAonisanexcellentwaytoRead,Reflect,andRespondtoGod’sWord.

PRAYER:Therightsideofeachdailyreadingwillalsocontainabriefprayertoreadandreflecton.

THE KINGS OF OLD

DAY 1: Promises Promises Haveyouevermadeapromiseyouweren’tsureyouwantedtokeep?Somethinglike,“God,ifyouwouldjustgetmeoutofthissituaAon,thenIpromiseI’llneverdoanythingthisstupideveragain?”

Guesswhat?You’renotalone.IntheOldTestamentbookof1Samuel,welearnaboutSamuel’smother,Hannah.Hannahwasunabletohavechildren,andshesodesperatelywantedachildthatsheprayedtoGod,saying,“…ifyouwillonlylookonyourservant’smiseryandrememberme,andnotforgetyourservantbutgiveherason,thenIwillgivehimtotheLordforallthedaysofhislife.”(1Samuel1:11NIV)

GodheardHannah’sprayer,andHeansweredit.Asaresult,shehadtogiveuptheonethingshemostwanted.Shedesiredason,andGodgaveherason.Buttofulfillherpromise,shehadtogivehersonbacktoGod.Thelessonforus:GodkeepsHispromises.Andwemustbepreparedtokeepoursaswell,nomaZerthecost.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Whatisapromiseyou’vemadetoGod(orsomeoneelse)thatyoudidn’twanttokeep?Didyouendupfulfillingyourendofthepromiseornot?

READING&JOURNALING:

1SAMUEL1:1-2:11

WhatisapromiseyoumadetoGod(orsomeoneelse)thatyoudidn’twanttokeep?Didyouendupfulfillingyourendofthepromiseornot?

IsthereeveraAmewhenbreakingapromisemaybeOK?Explain.

F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)

Read:Genesis1&2

Journal:Writeitout.FollowingthepaZernfrom“7Arrows”,(seebackpage)whatdidyoulearnfromtoday’sreading?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,todayIsimplywanttooffermythanksthatYouhavealways,andwillforever,keepYourpromises.IalsopraythatinthesamewayHannahwaswillingtosacrificesomethingshedearlylovedtoYou,thatIwillalsobewillingtosacrificethingsthatIloveforYou.MaymydevoAontoYougrowstrongerandstronger,sothatImaybeZerknowYou,andbeZerunderstandwhoYou’vemademetobe.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

DAY 2: Speak Lord, I’m Listening

Thinkaboutit:Onascaleof1-10,howwelldoyoulistentothevoiceofGod?Howwelldoyoulistentoothers?

Formostofus,wedon’tlistenverywell.Whenwelisten,weoèndosowhilethinkingabouthowwe’llrespond,nottounderstand.Welistentohearwhatothersarethinking,butnottounderstandtheirheart.Ifwewerebeing100%honest,wewouldalladmitthatwecangrowinourabilitytolisten.

In1SamuelChapter3,youngSamuelfindshimselfinaposiAoninwhichhehearsGod,butdoesn’trecognizeHisvoice.Samuelisyoungandinexperienced,andlikelyexpectedGodtocommunicatemoredirectlywithElithanwithhimself.

ButthisisoneofmanysituaAonsthroughouttheScripturesinwhichGodshowsHewillspeaktoand/orthroughunexpectedpeopleinunexpectedways.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:DoyoutakeintenAonalAmetolistenforthevoiceofGod?HowwellareyouabletorecognizeHisvoice?

READING:

1SAMUEL3:1-21

DoyoutakeintenAonalAmetolistenforthevoiceofGod?HowwellareyouabletorecognizeHisvoice?

HowmayGodbeinviAngyoutospeakintothelifeofafamilymember,colleague,orfriend?HaveyouconsideredGodmayuseyouinunexpectedwaystotellothersaboutHim?


Read:Genesis3&4


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IconfessthatIdon’talwaysspendAmebeingintenAonaltolistenforYourvoice.IcommitthisdaytoYourwill.AndIpraythatYouwilllead,guide,anddirectmeonthepathbeforeme.AsIlistentoYourvoicetoday,IinviteYoutouseme,God,tospeakintothelivesofothers.ProvidemewordsofencouragementandaffirmaAontosharewithothers,inthesamewayYouspeakwordsofaffirmaAontome.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Samuel’sstoryistoldin1Samuel1-28.HeisalsomenAonedinPsalm99:6;

Jeremiah15:1;Acts3:24;13:20;&Hebrews11:32.

The Kings of

Old

DAY 4: Saul Anointed as King

Haveyoueverhadadog(orotherpet)wanderawayfromhome,andyouhadtospendhoursroamingtheneighborhoodtofindit?SomethingsimilarhappenstoSaulin1Samuel9.Thedonkeysownedbythefamilywanderoff,andSaul’sfathersendshimouttolookforthem.

WecanimaginewhatSaulmayhavebeenthinking.Stupiddonkeys.Thisisthethird7methisyearthey’vewanderedoff!Andofcourse,hecoversmilesandmilesoflandlookingforthem,tonoavail.Asalastditcheffort,heandhisservantsgotoamanofGod,Samuel,toaskforhishelp.ButSamueldoesn’tjustgivetheminformaAonaboutthelostanimals.HetellsSaulthathe’sgoingtobethekingofIsrael!

TheLifeApplicaAonStudyBiblenotes,“Oènwethinkthatevents‘justhappen’tous,butaswelearnfromthisstoryaboutSaul,Godmayusecommonoccurrencestoleaduswherehewants.ItisimportanttoevaluateallsituaAonsaspotenAal‘divineappointments'designedtoshapeourlives.”

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:CanyouthinkofaAmewhensomething‘justhappened’butitturnedoutGodhadabiggerplan?

DAY 3: Israel Asks for a King

Haveyouevergonealongwiththechoicesofothers,eventhoughsomethingdeepwithinyouknewitwouldn’tbewisetodoso?

ThroughoutthestoryoftheOldTestament,it’sclearthatGodhadcalledIsraeltobedifferent.HisdesireforHispeoplewasthattheywouldrelyonHimandHimaloneastheirGod,Lord,andKing.In1Samuel8:5,thepeoplecametoSamuelandsaid,“Youareold,andyoursonsdonotfollowyourways;nowappointakingtoleadus,suchasalltheothernaAonshave.”

Allinall,theirdesiretohaveakingwasnotwrong,butthereasontheywantedakingwaswrong.TheywantedtobeliketheothernaAonssurroundingthem,eventhoughGodhadcalledthemtobedifferentfromallothernaAons.Inshort,thepeopleofGoddecideditwouldbebeZertobuildtheirnaAonundertheruleofakingthanitwouldbetobuildtheirnaAonundertheruleofGod.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Fromwheredoyourvaluesand/ordecisionscomefrom?(Isitpleasingothers?Workinghard?Physicalappearance?Somethingelse?)OrdoyourgreatestvaluestrulycomefromGod?

DAY 5: REVIEW WhatdidtheScripturereadingsthisweekrevealtoyouabouthowSaul,Samuel,and/orthepeopleofIsraelfollowedandtrustedHimandHisWord?Similarly,whatdidtheScripturereadingsrevealtoyouabouthowwellyoufollowandtrusttheWordofGod?


Read:Job1&2

Reflect:WhatdidyouH.E.A.R.fromGodtoday?(Seebackpage.)

READING:

1SAMUEL8:1-22

Fromwheredoyourvaluesand/ordecisionscomefrom?(Isitpleasingothers?Workinghard?Physicalappearance?Somethingelse?)OrdoyourgreatestvaluestrulycomefromGod?

WhydoyouthinkthepeopleofIsraelwantedtobelikeothernaAons?


Read:Genesis6&7


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,TodayIacknowledgethateventhoughtImaynotregularlythinkaboutwhatImostvalueinlife,IrecognizethatIliveandactbasedonwhatImostvalue.LikethepeopleofIsrael,I,toohavevaluedthingswhichareinsignificanttoYou.SotodayIsimplypraythatYouwillrevealtomethethingsthataremostimportanttoYou.Maythesealsobecomewhat’smostimportanttome.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

READING:

1SAMUEL9:1-10:8

CanyouthinkofaAmewhensomething‘justhappened’butitturnedoutGodhadabiggerplan?

LikeSaul,Godhasaplanforyourlife.Ifyoucouldwriteitoutinjustonesentence,whatwouldyousayGod’splanforyourlifeis?


Read:Genesis8&9


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthattoday’squesAonaboutYourplanformylifeisoneofthemostchallengingquesAonsIhavewrestledwiththroughoutmylife.AndeventhoughIcanwritewhatIthinkmaybeYourplanformylife,IsAllhavesomedoubtsorfearsaboutwhatexactlythatmeansandhowtoliveitout.Assuch,IpraytodayforYourtremendouswisdom.ThatYouwillconAnuetoleadandguidemetonotonlyknowYourwill,buttoliveYourwill.IpraythisinJesus’name.Amen.

DAY 1: Saul’s Inadequacy Shows

Imaginethatonedayyou’resentonaveryimportanterrand.Forexample,thePresidentoftheU.S.handsyouasealedenvelopeandentrustsyoutodeliverthisenvelopetoanotherworldleader.You’renottomailit,andthecontentsmustnotbeseenbyanybodyelse.YouandyoualonehavebeenentrustedwiththisinformaAon,andit’sessenAalthatyoudeliverit.Butuponyourarrival,thisotherworldleaderrefusestoseeyouandsendsyouaway.Thenextdayyou’resupposedtobemeeAngwiththePresidenttogivehimasummaryofeverythingthatoccurred.Whatdoyoudo?

WemayrespondtodifficultcircumstanceslikeSauldoesin1Samuel10,bygivingintofearorourownfeelingsofinadequacy.It’sherethatSaullearnsheissupposedtobethefirsteverkingofIsrael.ButwhentheAmecomes,hehides.Chancesare,hefeelscompletelyinadequateforwhathe’sbeencalledtodo,orhe’ssimplyafraidtofulfilltherole.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:WhatisonesituaAoninwhichyouwereafraidtohaveahardconversaAonorfulfillachallengingtask?Howdidyourespond?

READING&JOURNALING:

1SAMUEL10:17-27

WhatisonesituaAoninwhichyouwereafraidtohaveahardconversaAonorfulfillachallengingtask?Howdidyourespond?

Wheredoyouthinkthesefearsorthoughtsofinadequacycomefrom?


Read:Job38&39


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IacknowledgethatIliveinaperiodofAmeinwhichfearisn’tsomethingpeopleliketotalkabout.ButIknowIhavefears,andIrecognizethesefearsimpactmemuchmorethanIwouldlike.Thisweek,IpraythatYouwouldrevealtomethedepthsofthefearsIhave.Butinsteadofallowingthesefearstorulemylife,mayIinsteadrememberthatinChrist,Iamaccepted,significant,andsecure!IpraythesethingsinJesus’name.Amen.

DAY 2: Saul’s Military Might

What’soneofthefirstthingsthatcomestomindwhenyouthinkofancientkings?Formany,it’sthatkingswerewarriors.Theydidn’tjuststandtowardsthebackofthebaZlefieldanddirectthetroops.Instead,akingwasonthefrontlines.Hewasn’tjustwillingtogointobaZle,hewaswillingtoleadtherestofthesoldiersinbaZle.

DuringSaul’slifeAme,thenaAonofIsraelwassurroundedbyotherpeoplegroupswhocouldinvadetheirlands.Saulknewthatasaking,hewouldberequiredtoshowthathewasmorethanasoldier.Hewouldneedtoshowthosewhosupportedhim,andthosewhodidn’t,thatthenaAoncouldhavesuperiormilitarystrength.In1SamuelChapter11,Sauldoesso,andprovesthathehasthemilitaryprowesstobeking.Asaresult,all12ofIsrael’stribesagreedtosupporthim,andthepeopleofferGodapeaceoffering(1Samuel11:15).Fornow,they’resAllfollowingGod.Butthiswillnotlast.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Whatisthelarge‘baZle’you’recurrentlyfacinginlife?What’sholdingyoubackfromturningyourfearsinconfidence?

READING:

1SAMUEL11:1-15

Peelbackthelayers:Whatwouldyousayisthelarge‘baZle’you’recurrentlyfacinginlife?

What’sholdingyoubackfromturningyourfearsinconfidence?


Read:Job40,41,&42


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IrecognizetherearemanyAmesinmylifeinwhichIdon’twanttoappearconfident,becauseconfidencecanalsohavetheappearanceofarrogance.Today’sreadinghasbeenagreatreminderthatit’sOKtobeconfidentaslongasitdoesn’tleadtobecockyorarrogant.

Assuch,IsimplypraytodaythatYouwillturnmyfearsintoconfidence,andthatImayrestinknowingthelargestbaZlehasalreadybeenwon.IthankYouinJesus’name.Amen.

Saul’sstoryistoldin1Samuel9-31.HeisalsomenAonedinActs13:21.

The Kings of

Old

DAY 4: God Rejects Saul as King God’sWordisclearinsayingthatoneday,eachandeveryoneofuswillgiveanaccountforouracAons(seeRomans14:12,RevelaAon22:12).Thisisn’tbecauseGodwantstoshameus,butismoresothatGodcanrevealtousjusthowmuchourownungodlychoicesimpactedourrelaAonshipwithHimandothers.

In1Samuel15:22,wereadalinethatisquotedmany,manyotherAmesthroughouttheBible:“ObedienceisbeZerthansacrifice.”GodismoreinterestedinustrusAngandobeyingHimthanHeisinterestedinsacrifices.Hedoesn’tneedanythingwecanoffer.Wemakesacrificesasanactofloveandobedience.Butwhenthosesacrificesarehollow,they’remeaninglesstoGod.They’renothingmorethanlipservicewithoutrealtrust.

ForSaul’sdisobedience,hewilllosetheAtleof‘king.’TheLASBnotes,“Godwasn’trejecAngSaulasaperson;thekingcouldsAllseekforgivenessandrestorehisrelaAonshipwithGod,butitwastoolatetogethiskingdomback.”

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Behonest:isthereanareaofyourlifeinwhichyou’repayinglipservicetoGod?

DAY 3: Saul Oversteps

ThinkaboutaAmewhenyouwereachildandyourparentstoldyouthatyouneededtofinishsomething(perhapsyourhomeworkorsomehouseholdchores)beforeyoucoulddosomethingelseyoureallywantedtodo.ButastheAmedraggedon,youreallystruggledtofollowthrough.YourfavoriteTVshowwascomingon,andeventhoughyourhomeworkwasn’tcompletelyfinished,youfeltlikeitwasfinishedenoughthatyoucouldjusAfyturningtheTVon.

Whathappened?Chancesare,yougotcaught.AndthepunishmentwasfarmoreseverethanyouanAcipated.

In1Samuel13,SaulfindshimselfandhistroopsinabadsituaAon.TheprophetSamuelhadgivenSaulspecificinstrucAonsonwhatnottodo(1Samuel10:8),butSauldisobeyed.Hefeltunderpressuretodowhatneededtobedone,sohetrustedinhimselfinsteadoftheinstrucAonsGodhadalreadyprovided.Thelessonhelearnedisclear:HowweaccomplishagoalortaskismoreimportantthancompleAngthetask.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Read1Samuel13.WouldyouhaverespondedanydifferentlytothesituaAonthanSaul?

DAY 5: REVIEW WhatdidtheScripturereadingsthisweekrevealtoyouabouthowthepeopleofGodfollowedandtrustedHimandHisWord?Similarly,whatdidtheScripturereadingsrevealtoyouabouthowwellyoufollowandtrusttheWordofGod?


Read:Genesis16&17


READING:

1SAMUEL14:1-15:35

SaulsaidthathewantedwhatGodwanted,buthisacAonsshowedotherwise.Behonest:Isthereanareaofyourlifeinwhichyou’repayinglipservicetoGod?Anareainwhichyoumaysayyou’refullytrusAngGod,butyouracAonsshowdifferently?

TaketheopportunitytowriteoutapersonalprayertoGod,acknowledgingyourlackoftrustinthisarea.AskGod’sforgiveness,andprayforwisdominhowyoucanbeintenAonaltogrowinthisareaofyourlife.


Read:Genesis15


PRAYER:

Today’sprayeristobewriZenonyourown(seeabove).

READING:

1SAMUEL13:1-23,DEUTERONOMY12:4-14

WouldyouhaverespondedanydifferentlytothesituaAonthanSaul?

WhydoyouthinkSamuelwassodispleasedwithSaul’sdecision?(Seealso,Deuteronomy12:4-14)


Read:Genesis11&12


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IconfesstherearemanyAmesinwhichIwanttoseesomethinggetdone,andthatI'mmoreconcernedaboutitbeingdonethanIamconcernedabouthowitwasaccomplished.Saul'sstoryisareminderthathowsomethingisdoneismuchmoreimportant.Father,mydesireistocompletetheprojectsandtasksbeforemewithcharacterandintegrity.Revealtomemycharacterdefects,andbreakmeandmakemeintothepersonYoumostdesiremetobe.IpraythesethingsinJesus’name.Amen.

DAY 1: David’s Inner Life

Takeamomenttothinkoverjustthepasttwoorthreedaysofyourlife.HowmuchAmedidyouspendbathing,dressing,andpreparingtheoutsideofyourbodytolookgoodforothers?Anhouraday?Perhapsmore?

Now,alsothinkingoverjustthepasttwoorthreedays,howmuchAmehaveyouintenAonallyfocusedonyourinternallife?Forexample,anythingthatmaybehinderingyourgrowthintheareasofintegrityandpersonalcharacter.DoeshowyouspendyourAmereflectmoreconcernonyouroutwardappearance,oryourinnercharacter?

AèrkingSaullostfavorwithGod,theprophetSamuelgoesofftodiscoverthenextkingofIsrael.ButGodgivesSamuelsomeveryspecificinstrucAons.In1Samuel16:7,GodtellsSamuel,“Don’tjudgebyhisappearanceorheight,forIhaverejectedhim.TheLORDdoesn’tseethingsthewayyouseethem.Peoplejudgebyoutwardappearance,buttheLORDlooksattheheart.”

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Isthereanybodyinyourlife,includingyourself,youregularlyjudgebytheiroutwardappearance?

READING&JOURNALING:

1SAMUEL16

Isthereanybodyinyourlife,includingyourself,youregularlyjudgebytheiroutwardappearance?

HowdoyouthinkGodseesthisperson(thinkofatleast3ways)?


Read:Genesis18&19


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,weliveinacultureinwhichoutwardappearanceiswhatmaZersmost.Thehouseswelivein,thecarswedrive,theclotheswewear,andeventhefoodweeat…itregularlypointstoclassandstatus.Thereareliterallydozens,ifnothundredsofthingsIseeorheareachdaythatfocusonoutwardappearance.God,helpmetoseethewayYousee.Helpmetoseethat’swhat’swithinapersonisofmuchmorevaluethanwhat’sontheoutside.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

DAY 2: David the Warrior

What’sthefirstthingthatcomestomindwhenyouthinkofashepherd?Formany,theAtleofShepherdcausesthemtothinkabouttheChristmasNaAvityscene,withpeacefulshepherdsstandingaroundamanger.BabyJesusisthere,alongwithJosephandMary.Abrightstarfromaclearskyisshiningdown,andangelsaresingingalovelymelody.

Butthisviewofashepherdisfarfromreality.Asashepherd,Davidwasconstantlyonalert.WhenalionorbeartriedtoaZacktheflockofsheep,DavidaZackedback.Hedidn’thavearifleorevenabowandarrow.Hehadtohuntthehunter,anditrequiredanextremeamountofskillandcourage.

SowhenasoldierfromtheopposingmilitarymockedthepeopleofIsraelandtheirGod,DavidwasunafraidtostepforwardandmeethiminbaZle.ThestoryofDavidandGoliathisn’tamerefairlytaletoencouragechildren.It’sthestoryofamanwhomaynothavehadthebuildofawarriorking,buthadtheheartofone.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:ReadthestoryofDavid&Goliathas-ifyou’rereadingitforthefirstAme.Whatresonateswithyoumostfromthestory?

READING:

1SAMUEL17

WhatresonateswithyoumostfromthestoryofDavid&Goliath?

Thinkaboutit:WhatkindsoflifechoiceshadDavidmadethathelpedhimtobeunafraidinhisbaZleagainstGoliath?Whatkindsofchoicescanyoumaketodaytoputyouonapathofbeingunafraidtofacelife’sbaZles?


Read:Genesis20&21


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,TodayIamrecognizingthatthestoryofDavid&Goliathisn’tjustastory,butisatruelifeexampleofhowtrusAngandfollowingYoucanleadmetoovercomeanyobstacle.MaymytrustinYougroweverstronger.IpraiseYoutodayinJesus’name.Amen.

David’sstoryistoldin1Samuel16-1Kings2.HeisalsomenAonedinAmos6:5;MaZhew1:1-6;22:43-45;

Luke1:32;Acts13:22;Romans1:3;&Hebrews11:32

The Kings of

Old

DAY 4: David the Murderer David'sstoryislotlikeanopera.Thereissomuchbeauty,yetsomuchdramaandtragedy.AèrhisrisetoprominenceandbecomingkingofIsrael,DavidgivesintothetemptaAonandbelieveshecandowhateverhewantsandnotsufferanymajorconsequences.HeseesabeauAfulwomanbathing,andcommitsadulterybysleepingwithher.Later,aèrlearningshehadbecomepregnant,hehasBathsheba’shusbandmurdered.

It’seasytoreadhisstoryandask,“Whatintheworldwereyouthinking?YouhaddonesomuchgoodandwereclearlyamanaèrGod’sownheart.Whathappened?”

ButperhapsthestoryofDavidshouldbethoughtofinadifferentway.Forexample,howconfidentareyouthatyouwould’verespondeddifferently?Howconfidentareyouthatifyouhadallthewealth,power,andinfluenceapersoncouldhave,youwouldn’tgiveintoasimilartemptaAon?

ThisonedecisioninDavid’sstorychangeshislife,andthelivesofhisfamilyformanygeneraAons.Butremarkably,GodwillsAlluseDavid’sfamilyforthegoodofallhumankind.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:WhathaveyoufoundmostinteresAngaboutthelifeofDavid?

DAY 3: David the King

Thinkbacktoyouroldhighschoolhistoryclassforaminute:Howdidsomebodybecomeaking?Theanswer,mostoftheAme,isthatsomebodysimplyinheritedtheAtle.Hisfatherwasaking.Hisfather’sfatherwasaking.Andsoon.

Asyou’vereadthroughsomeofDavid’sstory,you’velikelydiscoveredhispathtobecomingkingofIsraelwasmuchdifferent.Hewasn’trelatedtothepreviousking,Saul.Hisfamilydidn’thavealotofpoliAcalinfluenceinhisday.Hewasn’tthefirstbornson,butwasinsteadtheyoungestson.Fromtheoutside,heseemedlikeafairlyregularguy.Seemingly,therewasn’tanythingthatsethimapartthatwould’vemadepeoplethink,“Thatmanisgoingplaces!”

Touseastrongerterm,Davidseemedinsignificantinthegrandschemeofthings.ButGodsawsomethingdifferent.AndGodwasgoingtoworkthroughDavidtoaccomplishsomethingsofgreatsignificanceforthepeopleofIsrael.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Doyouseeyourownlifeasinsignificantinthegrandschemeofthings?WhataresomethingsofgreatsignificanceHemaybeaccomplishinginyourightnow?



Read:Genesis25:1-34,&26


READING:

2SAMUEL11:1-27;PSALM51:1-19

WhathaveyoufoundmostinteresAngaboutthelifeofDavid?

CanyouthinkofaAmewhenyouweretemptedtodosomethingandthoughtyoushouldbeabletodowhateveryouwantandnotfaceanyconsequences?

WhatdoyoufindmostinteresAngaboutDavid’sprayerinPsalm51?


Read:Genesis24


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Idon’twanttobeapersonwhothinksIcandowhateverIwantandnotfaceanyconsequences.IwanttobeapersonwhotrustsYou,andrecognizesYouhavemybestinterestsatheart.ConAnuetohelpmetoseethatwisdomcomesfirstfromlovingandtrusAngYou.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

READING:

2SAMUEL2:1-3:1&2SAMUEL5:1-5:5

Doyouseeyourownlifeasinsignificantinthegrandschemeofthings?

WhataresomethingsofgreatsignificanceHemaybeaccomplishinginyourightnow?

Similarly,whataresomethingsofgreatsignificanceHealreadyhasaccomplishedwithinyouandthroughyou?


Read:Genesis22


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IconfessthatthereareAmesinwhichIseemylifeasinsignificant.Buttoday,Irememberthateventhoughtthereareover7Billionpeopleintheworld,YousAllcreatedme.Youmusthaveawonderfulpurposeformylife,otherwiseIwouldn’tbehere.ThankYouforcreaAngme,andgivingmylifemeaning.InJesus’name.Amen.

DAY 1: Solomon Becomes King

IfyouweredyingandhadonefinalconversaAonwithyourchildren,whatwouldyousay?Similarly,ifoneofyourparentswasabouttodieandtheywereabletohaveonefinalconversaAonwithyou,whatwouldexpectthemtosay?

ThisisthesituaAoninwhichDavidfindshimselflateinlife.Ashe’soldanddying,helearnsthatoneofhissons,Adonijah,hasclaimedthethroneanddeclaredhimselfking.PoliAcallyspeaking,itmadesenseforAdonijahtotakethisstep.Buthetookitwithouttalkingwithhisfather,David.Whilewemaynotknowforcertain,it’squitepossibleDavidhadalreadytoldhissonswhowouldbekingaèrhisdeath.

AssoonasDavidhearsthenews,hecallsforhissonSolomon.Hetellshissonin1Kings:2-3,“ObservetherequirementsoftheLORDyourGod,andfollowallhisways.Keepthedecrees,commands,regulaAons,andlawswriZenintheLawofMosessothatyouwillbesuccessfulinallyoudoandwhereveryougo.”

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Inwhatwayswouldyourfinalwordstoyourchild/childrenbesimilar?Inwhatwayswouldtheybedifferent?

READING&JOURNALING:

1KINGS1:1-2:12

Inwhatwayswouldyourfinalwordstoyourchild/childrenbesimilartoDavid’sfinalwordstoSolomon?Inwhatwayswouldtheybedifferent?

Davidalsosharedsomeharshwordsabouthisenemies.ThiswastoensurethoseopposingGodandthekingofIsraelwouldnotinterferewithGod’splan(seealsoExodus22:28).WhataresomethingsthatmaybeinterferingwithGod’splansforyourlife?Whatstepscanyoutaketoeliminatethem?


Read:Genesis27&28


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IrecognizetherearemanythingsthattrytointerferewithYourplansformylife,andIconfessIsomeAmesallowthemtointerfere.Today,mayIrememberthatYourplansformylifearebeZerthananyplansImaymakemyself.IprayinJesus'name.Amen.

DAY 2: Solomon Asks for Wisdom

It'saquesAonoènaskedofchildren:Ifyouhadthreewishes,whatwouldyouwishfor?(Ofcourse,you’reweren’tpermiZedtoaskformorewishes.Thatwouldn’tbefair.)

Theanswerschildren(andmanyadults)giveforthisquesAonoènhavetodowithmoneyorfame.Wewishformoneysowewouldn’thavetowork,orwewishtobeextremelytalentedinasport,music,orotherart.

Asking,Solomonlikelywasn’texpecAngtobeasked,“Whatdoyouwant?Ask,andIwillgiveittoyou.”Butthat’sexactlywhathappened.Inwayswemaynotfullyunderstand,GodappearedtoSolomoninadream,andessenAallygavehimafreewish.Hecouldaskforanything,anythingatall.ButhisresponsetothisquesAonchangedthetrajectoryforhislifeandfortheenArenaAonofIsrael.

Solomonanswered,“GivemeanunderstandingheartsothatIcangovernyourpeoplewellandknowthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong.”Solomonaskedforwisdom.AndGodwouldprovideit.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Howregularlydoyouprayforwisdom?

READING:

1KINGS3:1-15

Howregularlydoyouprayforwisdom?

Behonest:Whenyoudoprayforwisdom,areyoutrulyprayingforwisdom,orareyouprayingforGodtogiveyousomethingelseyouwant?

WouldyouagreethatGodhasgrantedyouwisdominasituaAonwhenyourecognizethattherightthingtodoisharderthanyouhopeditwouldbe.Explainyouranswer.


Read:Genesis29:1-30:24


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IhaveoccasionallylearnedthatsomeAmesthewisethingtodoisoènmoredifficultthanIwantittobe.Thisshowsthatwhilelivinginwisdommaynotalwaysbeeasy,itissAllgood.IpraytodaythatYouwouldgivemethewisdomtoknowwhat’sright,andthecouragetodowhat'sright,evenwhenit'shard.InJesus’name.Amen.

Solomon’sstoryistoldin2Samuel12:24—1Kings11:43.HeisalsomenAonedin1Chronicles28–29;2Chronicles1–10;

Nehemiah13:26;Psalm72;&MaZhew6:29;12:42.

The Kings of

Old

DAY 4: Israel Becomes a Powerful Nation ThosewhoareinRealEstateknowthattherearesomeunwriZenrulesaboutbuyingandsellingproperty.OneofthemostcommonunwriZenrulesisthatit’sbeZertopurchasealesserhouseinanicerneighborhoodthanitistopurchaseanicerhouseinalesserneighborhood.Adecenthouseinaniceneighborhoodismorelikelytoincreaseinvaluelongterm.Whereasareallynicehouseinanot-as-niceneighborhoodislesslikelytoincreaseinvalueasmuch.

ThissameunwriZenruleappliedtotheancientworldaswell.GodhadgiventhepeopleofIsraelasecAonoflandthat,onthesurface,maynothavelookedlikemuch.ButthissmallsliveroflandhaddirectaccesstothreeconAnents(Africa,Asia,andEurope).Thismadeitexcellentforforeigntrade.

Asaresult,thenaAonbecameveryrich,butthiscameatacost.InAme,Solomon'swivesledhimtoworshipothergods.AndthewealthofthenaAonledthepeopleofIsraeltobegintotrustinwealthinsteadofGod.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:WhatsimilariAesaretherebetweenthelifeofSolomonandyourown?Whatdifferencesarethere?

DAY 3: Solomon Builds a Temple

Thekingsofoldwererealpeople.Theyhadrealthoughts,realstruggles,andrealexperiences…justlikewedo.ButthereweresAllsomepartsoftheirculturethatwerequitedifferentfromours.Oneofthosedifferences,wasregardingaplaceforGodtolive.

Intheancientworld,peopleofallnaAonsbelievedthatthegodstheyworshipedtrulylivedinandaroundthem.Theywouldbuildtemplesfortheirgods,sotheirgodscouldlivenearthem.Theywouldcarveidolsfortheirgods,believingthatasliverofthesegodslivedwithintheseidols.

Israelwastobedifferent.Infact,Godexplicitlycommandedthemnotmakeidols.ButGoddiddeclarethatifSolomonandHispeoplekeptHisdecreesandregulaAons,Hispresencewouldbewiththemalways,andtheywouldnotbeabandoned.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:GodpromisedtobeamongHispeopleforever.Today,Heisnotonlyamongus,butlivingwithinallwhohaveprofessedfaithinChrist.HowdoesthisrealitychangethewayyouseeGod?Howdoesitchangethewayyouseeyourself?



Read:Genesis37


READING:

1KINGS10:14-29

WhatsimilariAesaretherebetweenthelifeofSolomonandyourown?Whatdifferencesarethere?

WhatistheonethingGodhasmostrevealedtoyouthisweekasyou’vereadthroughthelifeofSolomon?


Read:Genesis33&35


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,AsI'vereadthroughthelivesofDavidandSolomon,I’vebeenstruckbyhowsimilarmylifeistotheirs.InthesamewayDavidexperiencedtremendoussuffering,I’veexperiencedsuffering.AndinthesamewaySolomonexperiencedtemptaAon,IhaveexperiencedtemptaAon.WhiletherearesAlldifferencesbetweenourlives,I’mdiscoveringthereismuchIcanlearnandapplyfrompeopleintheOldTestament.ConAnuetoleadme,guideme,andhelpmeasIengageinYourWord.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

READING:

1KINGS6:1-38,8:12-21,&1CORINTHIANS3:16

HowdoestherealitythatGodliveswithinyouchangethewayyouseeGod?Howdoesitchangethewayyouseeyourself?

ThepeopleofGodtooktremendouscareandconcerninbuildingandmaintainingGod’stemple.InwhatwaysdoesGoddesireustocareforourbodies(atemple)?Ifpossible,useScriptureversestosupportyouranswer.


Read:Genesis31&32


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IconfessthattherearemanydaysinwhichIfuncAononmyownstrength,neglecAngtorememberthatYouaren’tjustaroundme,butthatYoulivewithinme.Myprayertodayisthatthistruthwouldpenetratedeeplyintomyheart,sothatImaybeZerreflectYouineveryway.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

DAY 1: A Nation Divided

Imaginehavingasuccessfulbossatwork.Eventhoughhewasabitrougharoundtheedges,yourjobwassecureandthebusinesswasthriving.Butthenanewleaderappears,andpubliclydeclaresthathecandobeZer,andthatyouwon'tneedtoworkashardinordertoreceivethesameresults.Whatdoyoudo?

ThekingsofIsraelstartedwithSaul,David,andSolomon.AndforallthreegeneraAons,thenaAonofIsraelremainedwhole.Twelvetribeswereunitedunderonebanner,andthankstoGod,thenaAonasawholeprospered.ButbecauseSolomondidn’tfullyfollowGod’sways,thenaAonofIsraelwasabouttobedivided.

Earlyinhisrule,Solomon’sson,Rehoboam,wasaskedtolightentheburdenofthepeople.Hereceivedcounselfromhisfather'sadvisors,andcounselfromyoung,inexperiencedadvisors.UlAmately,hefollowedtheadviceofhisfriends,andtheenArenaAonsufferedforit.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:Wheredoyoumostoèngoforadvice?Arethoseyougotoexperiencedandwise,orinexperienced?

READING&JOURNALING:

1KINGS12:1-24

Wheredoyoumostoèngoforadvice?Arethoseyougotoexperiencedandwise,orinexperienced?

Whatisthebestpieceofadviceyou’veeverreceived?Whatistheworst?

Whatimpactdidthesedecisionshaveonyourlife?Yourfamily?Others?


Read:Genesis39&40


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IacknowledgethattherearealotofplacesIgoforadvice,andthattherehavebeenAmeswhenIhavesoughtadvicefrompeoplewhotoldmewhatIwantedtohear,insteadofseekingadvicefromthosewhowouldencouragemetodowhatisright.Helpmetofollowtheadviceofthewise,andthewisdomofYourWord.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

DAY 2: Jeroboam Makes it Easy

Imagineayoungboyhavingtocarryfirewoodfromthefrontofhishousetotheback.Hisfatherwarnedhimnottousethewheelbarrow,andinsteadgavespecificinstrucAonsthatthewoodneededtobecarriedinsmallbundles.Abouthalfwaythroughtheproject,theyoungboydecidestodisregardhisfather’sadvice,andstartstoloadthewheelbarrowwithwood.Tohischagrin,thewheelbarrowbreaksapartashe’shaulingthewood,makinghisjobevenmoredifficultthanbefore.

It’sasimpleillustraAon,butissimilartosomethingJeroboamfacesin1Kings12.ThepeopleofIsraelhadbeencommandedbyGodtoworshipHiminJerusalem.Jeroboamseesthisasaburdenforthepeople,andhecreatesalternaAveworshipcenterstomakeiteasieronthepeople.EventhoughthiswasapracAcalidea,itsAllwentagainstGod’sdesire.TheLifeApplicaAonStudyBiblenotesthatGoddesiresourobedienceinallthings.Hewantsustofollow-throughHisway,nomaZerthecost,Ame,energy,orresourcesinvolved.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:ThinkofaAmeyouhavetakentheeasywaytodoaprojectinsteadoftherightway.Whatdidyoulearnfromthisexperience?

READING:

1KINGS12:25-13:34

ThinkofaAmeyouhavetakentheeasywaytodoaprojectinsteadoftherightway.Whatdidyoulearnfromthisexperience?

Inthiscurrentseasoninyourlife,whatareatleastfivewaysyoubelieveGodisinviAngyoutobeobedienttoHimandHisWord?(Ifpossible,asksomebodytohelpkeepyouaccountabletofollowingthroughintheseareas.)


Read:Genesis41


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IknowthattrusAngandfollowingYouisbeZerthantrusAngandfollowingthewaysoftheworld.Today,IonceagainpraythatYourWordwouldpenetratedeepintomylife,andthatthewisdomofYourWordwouldconAnuetoshapemeintothepersonYou’vemademetobe.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Rehoboam’sstoryistoldin1Kings11:43-14:31and2Chronicles9:31-13:7

HeisalsomenAonedinMaZhew1:7.Jeroboam’sstoryistoldin1Kings11:26-14:20.

The Kings of

Old

DAY 4: Rehoboam Humbles Himself Yesterdaywesawthatthere’sadifferencebetweenshameandguilt.Shameisbestunderstoodas,“Iambad.”Whileguiltisbestunderstood,“Ididsomethingbad.”There’sasignificantdifferencebetweenthetwo.

Similarly,there’sadifferencebetweenaccepAngresponsibilityforwrongdoing,andsimplypayingthepriceforit.

Forexample,somebodywhocommitsacrimemaybepunishedfortheirwrongdoing,andeventhoughtheyfulfillaprisonsentence,theymaynevertrulyacceptresponsibilityfortheiracAons.However,somebodyelseinthesamescenariomay,uponjudgment,acceptresponsibilityandhumblethemselvesbeforethecourt.

ThisiswhathappenedinthelifeofRehoboamandotherleadersinhiscourt.GodsentanEgypAanarmytoplundertheirrichesandeventosubjugatethem.AndRehoboamandtheleadersrespondbyhumblingthemselves,andsaying,“TheLORDisrightindoingthistous(2Chronicles12:6).”

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:ThinkofaAmewhenyouhumbledyourself(eitherbeforeGodorsomebodyelse)?Howdifficultwasitforyoutodoso?

DAY 3: God Punishes Jeroboam

ThereareanumberofstoriesthroughouttheScripturesinwhichsomebodytriestohidefromGod.IntheGardenofEden,AdamandEvediscoveredtheywerenaked,andtohidetheirshametheytriedtohidefromGod.In1Kings14,Jeroboamhashiswifedisguiseherselfinordertotrytogetafavorablemessageabouthissonwhoissick.Thesimplefactthathehasherdisguiseherselfisasignthathewasdesperate.Heknewhehadn’tfollowedGodinthewayhewascommandedto,andinsteadofpleadingtoGodforhelp,hetriestomanipulatethesituaAontogetwhathewants.

SomemayreadthischapterofScriptureandthinkthatGod'sresponsetoJeroboam’ssinsistoostrong.Butthispassagemustbeunderstoodinitsappropriatecontext.Jeroboamhadbeencommandedonhowtolive(1Kings11:38)andinstead,ledtheenArenaAonawayfromGod.Similarly,thepeopleofGodhadreceivedspecificinstrucAons(Deuteronomy28:15-19,36-38;30:15-20)yetneglectedtofollowthem.

Asyoureadtoday,considerthis:DoyoufindyourselfhidingfromGod,oropenlyacknowledgingyoursinsandallowingGodtorefineandrenewyou?



Read:Genesis46&47


READING:

2CHRONICLES12:1-12

ThinkofaAmewhenyouhumbledyourself(eitherbeforeGodorsomebodyelse)?Howdifficultwasitforyoutodoso?

Whoisthemosthumblepersonyouknow?Whatwouldyousayarethreecharactertraitsthathavehelpedthemgrowinhumility?

Overthenextweek,howcanyoubeintenAonalinpursingalifeofhumility?


Read:Genesis44&45


PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,today,Isimplyprayforthesighttoseethefoolishnessoffollowingmyownpath,andthewisdomoffollowingYourpath.MayYouconAnuetoleadmeonthisjourney,onestepataAme.Iknowhumilitymaynotcomeeasily,butIknowitbeginsbysimplytrusAngYou.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

READING:

1KINGS14:1-18&DEUT28:15-19,36-68;30:15-20

DoyoufindyourselfhidingfromGod,oropenlyacknowledgingyoursinsandallowingGodtorefineandrenewyou?

ThosewhohidefromGodexperienceshame.ThosewhoconfesstoGodexperienceguilt.OneleadsusawayfromGod,whiletheotherdrawsuscloser.Whatissomethingyou’vebeenhidingfromGod?Taketheopportunitytodaytoconfessit,andallowGodtobegintorefineyou.


Read:Genesis42&43


PRAYER:

Today’sprayeristobewriZenonyourown(seeabove).

Readthepassagefortheday,andthenReflectandRespondtothepassagebyansweringthequesAonsprovidedbelow.