She Laughs. She Prays.

When called by Saul to the King’s court, David began a new part of his pilgrimage guided by his heart. In the King’s court, David learned what we might call the art of spiritual warfare. Saul called upon David to play his harp and worship God in his presence. The need came when the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul. He then became troubled by an evil spirit. When David played his harp, “Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” (I Samuel 16:23, KJV) David’s preparation of the heart, his heart’s longing for God, prepared him for spiritual warfare that he stepped into.

When David went to the battlefield, he was sent. He didn’t make a way for himself. But once he arrived, he clearly obeyed God who opened the door providing the opportunity for David to become a giant slayer. His heart had been prepared for victory in this spiritual battle.

It’s not our place to necessarily decide alone what battles to approach, but through the yearnings of our heart God sends us on a pilgrimage. David’s pilgrimage began as a shepherd and came next to that of a warrior, both spiritually and physically.

In Psalm 84, David places the sights of his pilgrimage on Zion. He describes the journey as going from “strength to strength.” If slaying the giant had been the greatest task of David’s life then his journey would have been nearly ended, because God always provides a little more strength for the next task. In David’s journey, God took the task of slaying the giant that required strength and built on it. It prepared him for the next task that would require greater spiritual strength. In our journey we go from strength to strength.

On this day of victory over Goliath God changed the path of David’s pilgrimage. Now the journey took him permanently to Saul’s courts. “And Saul took him that day and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.” (I Samuel 18:2)

On this part of his pilgrimage David’s outward actions reflected his heart. David went out wherever Saul sent him, “and behaved himself wisely.” (I Samuel 18:5) A heart bent on following the precepts of God has the outward reflection of wise behavior.

As a result, he was set as a leader over the men of war. But the physical victories are always easier than the spiritual. Slaying the giant happened with a single stone, but the spiritual battle on the home front with the troubled spirit of Saul became the real battle for David. Often the battles in the world are light compared to the spiritual battles on the home front. Bills that need to be paid compare only relatively to souls not turned over to Christ. The accuser of the brethren sometimes drags a Christian down faster than the accident on the freeway. With a heart aimed on a homecoming with Christ, we can thwart the plans of the enemy whether they are through nagging accusations intended to lower our self-esteem or through problems that drain our physical energies. Our pilgrimage toward heaven can continue despite living as an alien, in this world that is not our home.

The heart of a warrior daily spends time praising and communicating with God. David says, “My soul is among lions, and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.” (Psalm 57:4)

David wrote this when he fled from Saul and hid in a cave. The poor boy of Jesse, exalted as a captain of thousands in the King’s court, flees for his life. And he still praises God.

“They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down. They have digged a pit before me . . . . My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.” (Psalm 57:6-7)

David describes his heart as fixed on God. In our pilgrimage our hearts must be fixed on God. Through the storms and the fire, through heartache and disappointment, when scandals come against us, as warriors for Christ we behave ourselves wisely and keep our heart fixed on God.

Our One Year Bibles finally arrived at Bristol Bay Church, Dillingham, AK. We have decided to start on March 17, 2024, which means it will take until next March 17, 2025, to finish reading all the way through. If you asked for a soft cover copy or would like one, please see me on anytime this week or on Sunday. I have about 10 of these. You can also purchase the electronic copy on Christianbook.com The One Year Chronological Bible NLT - eBook: 9781414361628 - Christianbook.com I will have a few journals and notebooks as well in case you want one to keep your answers in to the questions below in a notebook. And/or send them to me and we can stay in contact: pastorval@bristolbay.church

For those who want to read along in your own Bible, I will publish the passages for the week in a special column to check off. I look forward to reading with you. Each week I will also send some study questions to go with your reading if you choose to use them. Reply with questions and answers. I look forward to reading God's Word with you daily.

April 14

I Samuel 17:32-19:24

Psalm 59

April 15

1 Samuel 20:1-21:15

Psalm 34

April 16

I Samuel 22:1-23:12

Psalm 57

Psalm 142

Psalm 52

I Chronicles 12:8-18

April 17

I Samuel 23:13-25:44

April 18

I Samuel 26:1-29:11

Psalm 56

I Chronicles 12:1-7

April 19

I Chronicles 9:40-44

I Chronicles 10:1-14

I Chronicles 12:20-22

I Samuel 30:1-13

2 Samuel 1:1-27

April 20

2 Samuel 2:1-3:5

2 Samuel 23:8-39

I Chronicles 3:1-4

I Chronicles 11:10-47

April 21

2 Samuel 3:6-4:12

April 14

1) How did David gain the faith to kill Goliath? What can we learn from him?

2) What does it mean the "tormenting spirit from the Lord?" Consider this video.

3) About what event in his life did David write Psalm 59? How does this relate to the scripture we read in I Samuel today (I Samuel 17:32-19:24)?

April 15

1)Use words from 1 Samuel 20:1-42 to describe the relationship of Jonathan and David.

2) What did David write Psalm 34 about? Why did David act insane before Ablimelech?

April 16

1) According to I Samuel 22:1-2, who joined David living in a cave?

2) Psalm 57, Psalm 142, Psalm 52 all describe David's feelings during a specific time in his life. What were these three times?

3) I Chronicles 12:8-15 describes the warriors that joined David. Write down the details about those who joined him. What do you think their resume would look like?

April 17

1) I Samuel 23:13-26, What do David and Saul call each other?

2) I Samuel 25:39-42, Who does David marry and why? Who else does David marry?

April 18

1) I Samuel 26:1-29:11, What was important about a spear and a water jug?

2) In the reading from today, what happened at Endor?

April 19

1) In I Chronicles 10:1-14, how did Saul die?

2) In I Chronicles 12:20-22, how does this passage describe David's army?

3) In I Samuel 30:1-13 What was stolen from David?

4) Describe David's reaction, his mourning for Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:1-27.

April 20

1) In 2 Samuel 2:1-3:5, It describes David becoming King of what? What is the northern kingdom and the southern Kingdom of Israel?

2) In 2 Samuel 23:8-39, David explains two of his warrior teams. How would you describe the Three and the Thirty?

April 21

1) Read 2 Samuel 3:36. How does this sum up the attitude of the people for David. Give examples of why the Bible would say this.

2) 2 Samuel 4:4, use this verse to describe Saul's grandson.

April 7

1) Read Ruth 1:1-4:12 in one sitting like a short story to get the complete story line.

2) Ruth and Naomi journeyed 50 miles on foot from Moab around the top of the Dead Sea to Bethlehem through a rugged and mountainous terrain. This 7-10 day journey would have been tiring. How did Naomi feel when she arrived in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:20-21) versus how everyone else felt about her arrival (Ruth 1:19)? What can we learn from this? In Ruth 1:20-21, Naomi says, "Call me, Mara," meaning bitter. She says she went away full, but the has brought me home empty. She could only see her suffering. But in Ruth 1:19, the family and friends are so happy to see her. Sometimes, we need to listen to our friends and be happy.

3) Read Leviticus 19:9-10. How does this passage relate to the book of Ruth? Leviticus 9:9-10 says,

9 “When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. 10 It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God. Boaz left Ruth and her family the gleanings to collect.

4) Read Leviticus 25:25 and Ruth 3: 9. How do these passages explain a main cultural and legal point in the book of Ruth? 25 If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and is forced to sell some family land, then a close relative should buy it back for him. In Biblical languae this is known as the Kinsman Redeemer. We see this as a type of Christ's redemption of us who were lost. We are redeemed by our brother, our kin, Jesus Christ.

April 8

1) In Ruth 4:17, who was the son of Ruth and Boaz? Obed. How does this fall into Jesus' lineage? Obed was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. David was in the lineage of Jesus as was Obed.

2) I Chronicles 2:13, it gives the names of the seven sons of Jesse. Who was the youngest son of Jesse? David.

3) I Chronicles 2:24-35, what is the interesting details written about Sheshan and who he gave one of his daughters to in marriage? This marriage is how Sheshan's lineage continued. Sheshan married his daughter to his servant-an Egyptian. This Egyptian and his wife earned the land and possessions of Sheshan and is part of David's distant lineage.

4) I Chronicles 4:9-10 is about a now famous prayer. Write the story of this prayer. Can you apply the prayer to your own life? I Chronicles 4:9-10, "9 There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez[a] because his birth had been so painful. 10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all" God answered his prayer and expanded his borders-gave him more land.

5) I Samuel 1:3 gives a name for God. Write it here. The Lord of Heaven's Armies or Lord of Hosts

April 9

1) In I Samuel 1:11, who did Hanna pray to and what was her vow? Read the same verse in another version of the Bible and compare the two. Lord of Heaven's Armies in NLT and Lord of Hosts in KJV. She says, I will give him back to you (Lord) all the days of his life.

2) Compare Eli's sons in I Samuel 2:12-26 to Samuel. What did you learn? Eli's Sons: Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. and Samuel : 26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord, and also with men.

3) In I Samuel 3:1-14, describe what Samuel discovers about God for the first time. He discovers that God can speak to him directly. What is confirmed about Samuel in I Samuel 3:20? And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

4) How were God's words to Eli carried out (I Samuel 4:10-11)?

April 10

1) How did Eli die (I Samuel 4:18)? He leaned back in his chair and fell off the wall.

2) In I Samuel 5: 1-12, what happened to the towns of Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron? The people took in the Ark of The Covenant in thei city and many became ill with tumors.

3) I Samuel 7:3-4 tells the people how to be rescued from the Philistines? How does this compare to our value in Christ now? Get rid of your idols. God tells us to do the same thing. Our idols might be anything that takes up our time and leaves Jesus out-gaming, traveling, earning money

4) What is the significant request of the people in I Samuel 8:1-9? They requested a King to lead them like other countries.

April 11

1) Who was Saul's father and how is he described (1 Samuel 9:1)? There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin

Describe Saul in I Samuel 9:2.His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.

2) How does Saul describe himself in I Samuel 9:22 He says, "But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe!"

April 12

1) What do we learn about Saul in I Samuel 13:1? Saul was thirty[a] years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years.[b]

2) What happens in I Samuel 13:7-14 and what important foretelling message does Samuel give? He couldn't wait on Samuel so he burnt the sacrifice himself. This disobeyed God's laws. Samuel said, But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

3) I Samuel 14:7 says, "Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” Describe the job of an armor bearer and how important it is for the armor bearer to be one with Jonathon?

4) Fill in these blanks:

I Samuel 14:1. Jonathan ____escaped_________ out of camp without telling his father.

I Samuel 14:2. Saul and his army were _____directly__________ outside of the Philistine headquarters.

I Samuel 14:3. No one realized that ___he__________ had left the Israelite camp.

I Samuel 14:4. To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two _____cliffs______ ______________.

I Samuel 14:6. The confidence of Jonathan. “Let’s go across to the outpost of those ____warriors_____,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for ____nothing_______ can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”

I Samuel 14:13. So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell _______before___________ Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came ____behind______ them.

I Samuel 14:14. They killed some _______20__________ men in all.

i Samuel 14:15. Suddenly, ___confusion____________ broke out in the Philistine army. . . And just then an _____________earthquake________ struck, and everyone was terrified.

I Samuel 14:16 Saul’s lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin saw a strange sight—the vast army of Philistines began to __________scatter______________ in every direction.

I Samuel 14:17 “Call the roll and find out who’s missing,” ___Saul____ ordered.I Samuel 14:20 Then Saul and all his men rushed out to the battle and found the Philistines killing ____each_______ _other__________. There was terrible confusion everywhere.

I Samuel 14:23. So the _____________God of_____ saved Israel that day,

April 13

1) What is Saul accused of in I Samuel 15:23 and what does Samuel say about it? Rebellion, Stubbornness, Rejecting God. Saul said, "Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded."

2) In I Samuel 15:27-28, what symbolic event happens and what does it symbolize? Saul tears the hem of Samuel's garment. Samuel says his crown will be torn from him.

3) In I Samuel 16:5, what family does Samuel seek out? The family of Jesse.

4) What question does Samuel ask Jesse in I Samuel 16:11 and why? "Are these all the sons you have?" God had told him that Jesse had one more because none of those seen thus far were to be King. Where did they find David? In the field watching the sheep.

5) Describe the talents of David and how these talents are used to serve King Saul? Played the harp and sang. Wrote songs and poetry. Warrior.

But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

Manokotak is a small village that is a 10-miute plane flight away from Dillingham. Bristol Bay Church made a recent trip along with Pam and Trace Hodges to this village where we prayed salvation prayers with most of the children who attended the event. We continue to pray for the students by their first names. Manokotak has two parts to the city-the old village area and the new village area separated by a mountain. Our church was cheerfully greeted by the Manokotak Village Bus Company, helping us get students to the school for Spring Break Camp.