| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| September 13, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
2 Samuel 8
David experienced several victories over the Philistines, Moabites, Hadadezer, king of Zobah. When Toi, king of Hamath, was told of David’s victory over Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to ask David about his health and came with articles of silver, gold and bronze. David dedicated these items to the LORD along with everything that was gathered from the nations he subdued. He also put garrisons (military posts) throughout Edom and the LORD gave David victory wherever he went. The chapter closes with a listing of David’s officials.
2 Samuel 9
David asked if there was anyone left of Saul’s house that he could show kindness. A servant of Saul, Ziba, was called to David and he told David about Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, who was lame in both of his feet. Mephibosheth came to David and fell on his feet ready to serve the king and David told him not to be afraid. As Jonathan’s son, “he likely thinks that he will be executed. Descendants of deposed kings and other rival claimants to the throne were often put to death.” (FSB). David assured him that he would restore his land and that he will eat at David’s table always. David then told Ziba that all of Saul’s house was to be given to his grandson, Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth had a son, Mica, and all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants. Mephibosheth ate always at David’s table and it is repeated that Mephibosheth was lame in both feet.
2 Corinthians 2
Paul had made up his mind that he would not make another painful visit to the Corinthian church. If he caused them pain, there would be no one to make him glad but those whom he had pained. Paul confirms his reason for writing to the Corinthians that he might test them and know whether they are obedient in everything. Anyone they forgave would be forgiven by him and they were not to worry about his being offended. Paul forgave for the sake of the church in the presence of Christ so that there would be no deception by Satan, for they were not ignorant of his designs.
When Paul came to Troas to preach the gospel, his spirit was not at rest because he did not find TItus there. “Paul left Ephesus and journeyed to Troas in hopes of meeting Titus there and receiving news from Corinth. When he got to Troas, some wonderful door of opportunity opened out before him by the Lord for preaching Christ’s gospel.” (BBC). Paul thanks God who through Christ always leads them in triumphal procession and spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. Believers are the aroma of Christ to God among both the saved and unsaved, however the “same scent produces different results. Those who receive the knowledge of Christ through the gospel message live. All others perish.” (CSB Notes). Unlike many, Paul was not a peddler of God’s word—accepting payment from the Corinthian church like the false apostles—but proceeded as men of sincerity as commissioned by God and in His sight to speak in Christ.
Ezekiel 16
The LORD came to Ezekiel to make known to Jerusalem all her abominations. Jerusalem’s birth was of the land of the Canaanites. Her father was an Amorite and their mother a Hittite. “The Amorites and Hittites were pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan.” (FSB). No eye pitied her but the LORD had compassion, vowing to enter into a covenant with her. Marriage language is used to describe the relationship between God and Jerusalem. However, Jerusalem trusted in her beauty and played the whore. She took the beautiful gold and jewels given to her and made images of man. She also took the bread given her by the LORD and set them before her idols for a pleasing aroma. Description is given of the many adulterous actions made by Jerusalem in playing the whore. She was unlike other prostitutes in that she scorned payment. She gave payment but no payment was given to her. This may seem unthinkable “And yet many who say they follow the Lord give up their precious rewards and inheritance above, spend their money and time on worldly pleasures instead of laying up treasures in heaven.” (BBC).
For all her wickedness, the LORD would judge her. God would satisfy His wrath on her because she had not remembered the days of her youth. The LORD would return her deeds upon her head. She was even more corrupt that her sisters, Samaria and Sodom, making them seem righteous by comparison. God would restore the fortunes of Samaria and Sodom as well as their daughters and they would return to their former state but Jerusalem would bear the penalty of her lewdness.
God would deal with them as they had done, and yet, will remember the covenant He made with her. She would remember her ways and be ashamed. The LORD would graciously establish His covenant with her and she will know that He is the LORD. She will no longer open her mouth when He atones for her and all that she had done.
Psalm 58
David confronts the claimed righteous decree of the gods. “The mighty lords of the earth are put on the spot. Have they been fair in their decisions? Have they dispensed justice to the common people? The obvious answer is ‘No.’” (BBC). David describes the wicked who have gone astray, having venom like the venom of a serpent. He beseeches the LORD to break the teeth in their mouths and vanish like water that runs away. David declares that the righteous will rejoice when the wicked are punished and all will know that there is a God who judges on earth.
Psalm 59
David pleads with God to deliver him from his enemies and protect him from those who rise up against him. The evildoers lie in wait for him and stir up strife against him. Their pursuit of him is unrighteous as there is no fault in him to justify their actions. David asks the the LORD meet him and see, to rouse Himself and punish all the nations. David’s enemies come back each evening, howling as dogs, thinking that no one will hear them. But they are entirely known by the LORD who laughs at them and holds the nations in derision. God will meet David in His steadfast love and will let David look in triumph on his enemies. David asks the LORD “not to slay the enemy suddenly lest the people of Israel entertain light thoughts of the seriousness of sin. If the punishment is gradual, the severity of God will be more indelibly impressed on them.” David’s enemies come back each evening howling like dogs but David will sing of the strength of the LORD and sing aloud of His steadfast love in the morning. David sings praises to his Strength, that He is David’s fortress, the God who shows him steadfast love.