Thoughts and Reflection
In today’s reading, we read that David mourns the deaths of his enemy Saul and his dear friend Jonathan but sings a song of lamentation. David entreats the people of Israel to learn this song and sing it. Rather than remembering Saul’s animosity and jealousy, David honors Saul. This is a reminder that the wounds of our pasts are real. With God’s grace, we can move forward like David.
In 1 Chronicles we begin with a listing of many prominent biblical figures. It is a reminder that God is directly involved in all their stories. These names alone mean something to us only because of what God has done through them.
About This Project
For the year 2022, I decided that my New Year’s Resolution was to read the whole Bible following the Bible in the Year plan presented by Fr. Mike Schmitz. It is a big and bold undertaking. You can follow along by subscribing. Feel free to look at previous day’s post and comment. It’s something we can all learn from together!
Daily Readings
2 Samuel 1
1 Saul was dead and David, returning after his victory over the Amalekites, had been at Ziklag for two days.
2 On the third day, a man arrived from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
3 David asked him, ‘Where have you come from?’ ‘I have escaped from the Israelite camp,’ he said.
4 David said, ‘What has happened? Tell me.’ He replied, ‘The people fled from the battle, and many of them have fallen and are dead. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too.’
5 Then David asked the young man who brought the news, ‘How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?’
6 The young man replied, ‘I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and the cavalry bearing down on him.
7 Glancing behind him and seeing me, he shouted to me. I replied, “Here I am!”
8 He said, “Who are you?” I replied, “I am an Amalekite.”
9 He then said, “Come here and kill me. My head is swimming, although I still have all my strength.”
10 So I went over to him and killed him, because I knew that once he fell he could not survive. I then took the crown which he had on his head and the bracelet on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.’
11 David then took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same.
12 They mourned and wept and fasted until the evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the people of Yahweh and for the House of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13 David said to the young man who had brought the news, ‘Where are you from?’ He replied, ‘I am the son of a resident foreigner, an Amalekite.’
14 David said, ‘How was it that you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy Yahweh’s anointed?’
15 Then David called one of the young men. ‘Come here,’ he said, ‘strike him down.’ The man struck him and he died.
16 David said, ‘Your blood be on your own head. You convicted yourself out of your own mouth by saying, “I killed Yahweh’s anointed.” ‘
17 David sang the following lament over Saul and his son Jonathan
18 (it is for teaching archery to the children of Judah; it is written in the Book of the Just):
19 Does the splendour of Israel lie dead on your heights? How did the heroes fall?
20 Do not speak of it in Gath, nor broadcast it in the streets of Ashkelon, for fear the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, for fear the daughters of the uncircumcised gloat.
21 You mountains of Gilboa, no dew, no rain fall on you, O treacherous fields where the heroes’ shield lies dishonoured! Not greased with oil, the shield of Saul,
22 but with the blood of wounded men, the fat of warriors! The bow of Jonathan never turned back, the sword of Saul never came home unsated!
23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and handsome, were divided neither in life, nor in death. Swifter than eagles were they, stronger than lions.
24 O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul who gave you scarlet and fine linen to wear, who pinned golden jewellery on your dresses!
25 How did the heroes fall in the thick of the battle? Jonathan, by your dying I too am stricken,
26 I am desolate for you, Jonathan my brother. Very dear you were to me, your love more wonderful to me than the love of a woman.
27 How did the heroes fall and the weapons of war succumb!
1 Chronicles 1
1 Adam, Seth, Enosh,
4 Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth.
5 Sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, the Medes, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, Tiras.
6 Sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, Togarmah.
7 Sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittim, the Dananites.
8 Sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, Canaan.
9 Sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabeteca. Sons of Raamah: Sheba, Dedan.
10 Cush fathered Nimrod, the first mighty warrior on earth.
11 Mizraim fathered the people of Lud, of Anam, of Lehab, of Naphtuh,
12 of Pathros, Casluh and Caphtor, from which the Philistines came.
13 Canaan fathered Sidon, his first-born, then Heth,
14 and the Jebusites, the Amorites, Girgashites,
16 Arvadites, Zemarites, Hamathites.
17 Sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram. Sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshech.
18 Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber.
19 To Eber were born two sons; the first was called Peleg, because it was in his time that the earth was divided into districts, and his brother was called Joktan.
20 Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
23 Ophir, Havilah, Jobab; all these are sons of Joktan.
28 Sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
29 These are their descendants: The first-born of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hada, Tema,
31 Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
32 Sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she gave birth to Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.
33 Sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, Eldaah. All these are sons of Keturah.
34 Abraham fathered Isaac. Sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
35 Sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah.
36 Sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, Amalek.
37 Sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah.
38 Sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, Dishan.
39 Sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam. Sister of Lotan: Timma.
40 Sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, Onam. Sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
41 Son of Anah: Dishon. Sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, Cheran.
42 Sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, Jaakan. Sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
43 These are the kings who ruled in Edom before an Israelite king ruled: Bela son of Beor; his city was called Dinhabah.
44 Bela died and Jobab son of Zerah, from Bozrah, succeeded.
45 Jobab died and Husham from the territory of the Temanites succeeded.
46 Husham died and Hada son of Bedad succeeded; he defeated the Midianites in Moab, and his city was called Avith.
47 Hadad died and Samlah of Masrekah succeeded.
48 Samlah died and Shaul of Rehoboth-ha-Nahar succeeded.
49 Shaul died and Baal-Hanan son of Achbor succeeded.
50 Baal-Hanan died and Hadad succeeded. His city was called Pai; his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.
51 Hadad died, and then there were chiefs in Edom: Chief Timna, Chief Aliah, Chief Jetheth,
52 Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon,
53 Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar,
54 Chief Magdiel, Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.
Psalm 13
1 [For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] How long, Yahweh, will you forget me? For ever? How long will you turn away your face from me?
2 How long must I nurse rebellion in my soul, sorrow in my heart day and night? How long is the enemy to domineer over me?
3 Look down, answer me, Yahweh my God! Give light to my eyes or I shall fall into the sleep of death.
4 Or my foe will boast, ‘I have overpowered him,’ and my enemy have the joy of seeing me stumble.
5 As for me, I trust in your faithful love, Yahweh. Let my heart delight in your saving help, let me sing to Yahweh for his generosity to me, let me sing to the name of Yahweh the Most High!
6 But I trust in your mercy, Grant my heart joy in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt bountifully with me!
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