Friday, November 7, 2014

1 Samuel, Day 5 Readings

The Desperate Final Days of Saul  

Today's first reading describes how truly desperate Saul became, consumed by paranoia and devastated by the loss of divine favor.  Afraid that he is about to lose a battle, the king seeks out advice wherever he can find it, including from a medium -- the witch of Endor -- who channels the prophet Samuel and a message of doom for the embattled king.

Read 1 Samuel 28:3-19  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second selection describes the end of the house of Saul.  After his sons are all killed in battle with the Philistines and he is wounded, Saul takes his own life by falling on his sword.

Read 1 Samuel 31:1-13  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Samuel 26-31 today.