IRTWBEY365 (I Read The Whole Bible Every Year Podcast)

The book of first Samuel begins with the story of a barren woman, named Hannah, who prays to God for a child. God answers her prayer, and she gives birth to a son named Samuel. Hannah, Dick dedicate Samuel to God, and he grows up in the temple under the care of the priest, Eli. Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas, our wicked, uncorrupt priest, who do not follow God‘s commands. Dotson is a prophet to warn Eli that his family will be punished for their sins. Meanwhile, Samuel hears a voice calling him in the night, and Eli teaches him to respond by saying, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. As Samuel grows older, he becomes a Prophet and Leads, the people of Israel God message to Samuel confirms that he will punish Eli’s family, and raise up a new priest to lead the nation. Samuel becomes a respected leader, and Prophet and God’s presence is with him throughout his life.

Bible Summary Ruth 1-4

Ruth Chapter 1: Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion find themselves in a season of judgment. The territory of Judah around Bethlehem is in such a severe famine the family flees to Moab. Elimelech and Naomi's time in Moab is no kinder; within ten years, Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion are dead, and Naomi is left with two Moabite daughters-in-law. Meanwhile, God has blessed Bethlehem again. Naomi hears the famine is over. She would rather live out her heartbroken and destitute days among her own people than in Moab, so she plans to return home. Her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, insist on coming with her, showing a level of love and faithfulness uncommon even in Israel. Naomi cannot bear it. She can give the two women nothing in Israel. In Moab, at least they have a chance to find new husbands and new lives. Orpah reluctantly agrees and returns home. Ruth refuses to leave Naomi's side, Naomi tries to persuade her stubborn daughter-in-law, but Ruth will have none of it. Naomi is her family, so the Israelites must be her people and the Israelite God must be her God. Despite Naomi's inconsolable bitterness, Ruth sees something in her that makes leaving everything behind an easy decision. Only their deaths will separate them.

Ruth Chapter 2: Ruth requests Naomi's permission to glean barley behind the harvesters. As Ruth seeks an owner who will show her favor in her work, she happens upon a field owned by Boaz, He sees Ruth and asks his foreman who she is. Word has gotten around the small town, and when the servant mentions that Ruth came with Naomi, Boaz realizes she is the Moabite woman who abandoned her country, people, and gods for an Israelite widow.

Ruth Chapter 3: As the harvest ends, Naomi decides that Boaz would make a good husband for Ruth. She gives bold instructions to her daughter-in-law: Ruth is to go to the threshing floor and wait until Boaz has celebrated the harvest and fallen asleep. When he awakens, he will be in a good mood, and they will have chaste privacy amidst the other threshers who sleep nearby to protect the grain. Ruth will then challenge Boaz to act. Ruth agrees to the plan. Boaz recognizes that Ruth is willing to marry him for Naomi's sake, not her own. That doesn't just mean buying Naomi's husband's land, it also means providing her with an heir to re-inherit the land when the boy comes of age. Boaz is overwhelmed by Ruth's selflessness and agrees to her plan. There's only one problem: Naomi's husband has a closer relative with a stronger claim

Ruth Chapter 4: The elders and the people gathered to watch the proceedings swear their witness. They then bless Boaz, Ruth, and their future children. They are impressed with Ruth's kind heart and Boaz's honorable behavior. The crowd compares them to the women and men of the past who made the nation of Israel and the tribe of Judah great. God blesses the honorable Boaz and Ruth. He allows Ruth to present Naomi with a son. The women of the city give praise to God and to Ruth. Naomi is content.

Judges 19-21. Chp 19 A Levite was married to a woman from Bethlehem. The woman got into an altercation with her husband and left him for 4 months to go stay with her father. The husband decided that it was time to go get his wife. The father-in-law welcomed the Levite to his home. The wife father-in-law asked the husband to stay the night. They sayed for 5 days. On the fifth days the wife husband decides that its time to go home. The husband,wife and servant traveled to Gibeah which belongs to the Bejaminites. An old man took them into his home so they could rest. The local men knocked on the old mans door so they could have sex with the Levite(husband). The old man tried to talk to the men but they wasn't listening. the husband decides to push his wife out the door and the local men raped her. The woman returned to the old man house. The next day her husband was ready for the journey back home so he lifted up his wife and put her on the donkey set off to go home. When they arrive home the husband grabbed a knife and cut his wife body into 12 pieces and spread them throughout Israel. - - Chp. 20 -The congregation met in Mizpah In The Presence of God. There were 400 divisions of sword wielding infantry. The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites were meeting at Mizpah. The congregation wanted to know what had happened. The husband (Levite) told them how the men of Gibeah came after him and had raped his wife nd she died. He also told them how he cut up her body into 12 pieces and spread her body parts throughout Isreal. Isreal decides to take action against the Benjaminites. All the men of Israel was gathered against the city of Gibeah. The Israel tribes told the tribeof the Benjamnites to send them the men that committed the crime but the Benjamnites refused to do so. Instead the tribe of Benjamnites got an army together to war against the tribe of Israel. The tribe of Israel did seek God in the war against the Benjamnites. The first war against the Benjamnites the Israelites lost. God gave Israel favor and they won the battle against Bemjamnites and kill some of them. - -Chp. 21 -The men of Israel had taken an oath at Mizpah (No man among us will give his daughters to a Benjamnite in marriage). The Benjamnites had lost a lot of menin the war. Some of the Benjamnites had escaped the war but didn't have wives because they died from the war. These men needed wives. Israel was upset that the tribe of Jabesh Gilead didn't send men to fight in the war against the Benjamnites. So Israel sent 12 divisions to kill everyone of jabesh Gilead. the division were to keep the virgin women alive. 400 virgins were found. Israel gave the Benjamnites the virgin women to make peace with them. There wasn't enough women for the Benjamnites so Israel told them to go Shiloh and take the women and go back home. -Summary: These 3 chapters focused on the unrighteousness of people.

Judges 16-18

Chp 16 Samson and Deliliah

After the death of Joshua, God raised up judges to lead and governor the Israelites. Samson was one of those judges and served for 20 years against the Philistines.  He was from the tribe of Dan and a Nazirite.

 

Nazarite --- one dedicated to the special service of God, usually through a vow of abstinence from strong drink, from shaving or cutting the hair, and from contact with a dead body.

 

Now, before Samson was conceived in the womb, his mother was visited by an angel who told her that her son was to be a Nazirite and that his head was never to be shaved.  For he possessed extraordinary physical strength which was due to his hair. 

One day Samson met a Philistine woman by the name of Delilah and fell in love.  As time goes on, eventually, Delilah is approached by local offices and accepts a bribe which in return she would reveal the secret of Samson’s strength.

 

 Delilah asked Samson on numerous occasions the source of his strength, and he gave her different answers. She continued to inquire of him daily and he finally told her that shaving his head would make him weak.  Upon one occasion as Samson was sleeping,

Delilah had his hair cut and betrayed him. He was captured, blinded, and imprisoned by the Philistines.

 

The ruler of the Philistines gathered to offer a sacrifice to Dagon their god rejoicing saying “our god has delivered Samson into our hands. While they were celebrating, they brought Samson out to perform for them.  As Samson stood among the crowd between the two pillars of the temple, he asked the Lord for strength one more time, which God granted.  As he pressed against the pillars, the entire temple collapsed and all those that were there including Samson died.

 

Ch 17 Micah

Micah, who was from the tribe of Ephraim, steals silver from his mother and after confessing to his mother what he had done, she returns a portion of the silver back to him. He in turns have an image made and displays it in his home along with other idols which turns into a shrine.  He decides to appoint one of his sons as priest --- because Israel had no kings at this time, so everyone did as they pleased. 

 

As a young Levite was traveling to a destined land, he encounters Micah and is invited to his home to reside and become his priest. Since the Levites was residing in his home, Micah felt that “the Lord was with him.”

 

In Chp 18, the tribe of Danites were seeking a place to settle because they had not yet received their inheritance.  They select five of their leading men to go and spy out the land. While on their journey, they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the Levite.  They asked why he was there.  He spoke of what Micah had done for him.  they asked him to go before the Lord and inquire whether they journey would be successful.  He affirmed that it would. They continued and come to the land of Laish.  Upon returning to their home, they give a report that the land is good to conquer. Armed with 600 warriors they proceed to conquer Laish.  As they pass near Micah’s house again, they five spies enters to visit with Levite and decide to steal Micah’s idols.  They convinced the Levite to go along with them and become their priest. They encounter Micah and a group of men who tries to overtake the Danites in order to get his idols back but the Danites were to0 powerful.  The Danites conquer Laish and settled there.  With no king or judges, they continued to do as they pleased.

Judges 13

The children of Israel did evil in the sight of God and God gave them up to the Philistines for forty years .

However , God had compassion on them by sending an angel to inform Manoah and his wife . The wife was baren but the Lord promised to give them a child that will deliver Israel.

The angel gave directives on what the woman should not eat and drink because the child will be a Nazirite.

Manoah was told by his wife and he requested that the angel visit them to give them the details on how to raise the promised child.

The angel of the Lord returned and Manoah made a sacrifice ,to their amazement the angel of the Lord ascended in the blazing flames . Manoah was so shocked thinking that would die for seeing 'God' . But the wife comforted him saying the Lord would have killed them if he wanted to.

Later Samson was born and the spirit of God was on him .

Lessons

God is merciful, He sent help to Israelites even though they had committed evil in His sight .

Also God chose a baren woman to bring the promised child that is a great thing and we should not give up because the Lord will always come through for us.

We should also continue to yearn for more of God's presence. Manoah requested for the visitation of the angel again .

Finally we should have the heart of Thanksgiving. Manoah and the wife offered a sacrifice to the Lord and that Lord showed them a miracle through His angel .

Judges 14

At Timnah Samson fell in love with a Philippine girl. Even though his parents were against the relationship he insisted on marrying her.

He then went back to Timnah with his parents on the way he encountered a lion . By the Power of God Samson killed it.

Meanwhile Samson is engaged to marry the Philistine girl. At his celebratory feast, he poses a riddle to thirty Philistine men. They cajole Samson’s wife into giving them the answer and Samson in order to pay for the wager he went ahead to kill the thirty men.

Lessons

By the spirit of God we can do great and miraculous things.

Judges 15

Samson burns the Philistine fields when he was denied access to his wife, thr father in law had given her to Samson's companion

In revenge for Samson's action of burning Philistines' field his wife and father were both burned to death . This made Samson veery furious and he killed many of the Philistines. Afterwards Samson was handed over to the Philistines because they brought soldiers who surrounded Judah.

Samson was tied with new ropes as he was being led away . As he approached Lehi , the spirit of God came over him he tore the rope in pieces and picked up a jawbone with which he killed 1,000 of them.

Abimelech’s conspiracy, the parable of the trees, the downfall of Abimelech, Israel, oppressed again,Jephthah conflict

Chapter 6

Israel is in bondage to the Midianites, An angel appears to Gideon and calls him to deliver He overthrows the altar of Baal, the Spirit of the Lord rests upon him, and the Lord gives him a sign to show he is called to deliver Israel.

lesson.

Ever since man has by sin exposed himself to God's wrath and curse, a message from heaven has been a terror to him, as he scarcely dares to expect good tidings thence. In this world, it is very awful to have any converse with that world of spirits to which we are so much strangers.

Chapter 7

it began with Gideon, known as Jerubbaal. He prepared to attack the Midianites with his army. God let's him know he has too many men in his army; they may believe they conquered Midian on their own strength and numbers. God orders Gideon to send some men home.

lesson

We are called, like Gideon, to let this light shine. The presence of God in our lives should not be hidden but should be allowed to shine forth through our character and actions. Jesus said 'You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Chapter 8

Gideon Ushers In A Golden Age. Gideon's army continues to pursue the fleeing Midianites, led by their kings Zebah and Zalmunna. They pass through

the towns of Succoth and Penuel, and both refuse to give food to Gideon's army. This is rude, and Gideon promises he'll make them pay when he's done with Zebah and Zalmunna.

lesson

We can suppose that Gideon was bold enough to do this because he saw God do great things in similar circumstances before. The previous work of God encouraged him to trust God for great things in the present.

In chapter 4 Deborah a Prophetess and judge arises as a leader in Israel. She summons Barack the son Abinoam, and tells him God command him to gather 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun to go to Mount Tabor. Chapter 5 the song of Deborah is song, celebrating the victory over Canaan. This song begins with praise to God for his victory, and then recount the oppression of Israel under Jabez rule.

Bible Summary Judges 1-3

Judges 1: During this period of the judges, there was no leadership. Israel had no king, only God in heaven. Yet at the necessary and appropriate times God brought forth a leader for the nation. For the most part these leaders would rise up, do his job. This required that the people of Israel maintain a real, abiding trust in God. Here they did the right thing – the thing Joshua would have wanted them to do. With Joshua gone, they were not left without a leader; they were simply called to a renewed trust in God. The leaders of the tribe of Judah acted wisely here. By partnering with another tribe, the work was much easier. Here, the tribes functioned; the tribe of Benjamin simply had to enter into what was already theirs. It would certainly take effort, but the critical battle was over. Jerusalem belonged to them.

Lesson learnt: God never failed to deliver and help His people when they sought Him.

Judges 2: In this Chapter the Angel of God appeared to the people of Israel warning them about worshipping idols and also reminded them that he brought them out of the land of Egypt. The Angel also reminded them of God's convenant with Israel that the Lord will bless those that obey Him and curse those that disobey Him.

Lesson learnt: God always keep his promise in our lives.

Judges 3: In this Chapter God left these Canaanite nations behind because Israel was not faithful in driving them out, the reason that God didn’t just eliminate these nations is again stated. It was to prove Israel’s commitment to God and His word. If they were obedient to the word of God the other nations would not hinder them and they would grow strong enough to drive them out completely. Part of the accommodation of Israel to the pagan peoples surrounding them was their sin of intermarriage with the pagan nations in their midst. Their ungodly romances led them to the worship of the pagan deities Baal and Ashtoreth. God gave Israel just what they wanted. They didn’t want to serve God, so He allowed them to be in bondage to a pagan king. Israel reaped exactly what they sowed. After the eight years of bondage Israel finally cried out in dependence on God. The LORD raised up a deliverer…Othniel: Othniel was the son-in-law of the great hero Caleb, After God brought deliverance through the work of Othniel, Israel eventually drifted away from their dependence and obedience towards God. Their victory did not automatically last forever; it had to be maintained. When the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer: Ehud asked the Israelites to follow him, because he was their leader. Yet he also encouraged them to look with faith to the LORD.

Lesson learnt: It often takes many years of bondage and calamity before man looks away from self and looks unto God.

Joshua 22-24 Joshua summons the Reubenies, the Gadites and the Manasseh. they had done all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. They were obedient. Now God has given rest to your ancestors as promised. Now you can go home to your inheritance. God has allowed them to take the items from there enemies that they had defeated. Joshua tells them to Love there God, Keep the commandments/laws and serve God with all there heart and soul. Summary: being obedient to God has its rewards. God puts leaders in place to follow His instructions and to lead the his people.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chp. 23 Joshua commands Israel to be courageous, keep Gods commandments and love God. Don't get mixed up with other nations and there god,don't worship or pray to them and don't marry into other nations. Joshua release them to go home to there inheritance.--Summary: Joshua and his leaders saw all that God had done. Keep God close and follow His commandments and laws.