Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code and things but enough about that…

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  • Daily Bible Study

    1 Chronicles 10, John 20

    DateVersionReading Plan
    December 14, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

    1 Chronicles 10

    Observation & Interpretation

    The Chronicler recounts the defeat of Saul and his family by the Philistines. The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons and Saul, wounded by the archers, requested to be run through by his armor-bearer (1 Chron. 10:4). Out of fear, the armor-bearer would not thrust Saul through with his sword, so Saul took action himself and fell on his own sword (1 Chron. 10:4). Upon seeing that Saul was dead, the armor-bearer also fell upon his own sword (1 Chron. 10:5). When all the men of Israel saw that Saul and his family were dead, they abandoned the cities and the Philistines lived in them (1 Chron. 10:7). “Having defeated Saul’s army, the Philistines moved into the abandoned houses of the nearby villages, enjoying a false sense of security. They did not realize that David and his followers were already on their way.” (CSB Notes)

    The next day, the Philistines came to strip the dead among the Israelites and found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa (1 Chron. 10:8). The Philistines took Saul’s head and armor and sent messengers in the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and people (1 Chron. 10:9). “The Philistines were more than willing to celebrate. They sent messengers out not only to inform the people but also to tell their idols about what had transpired.” (CSB Notes). Saul’s armor was placed in the temple of their gods and his head fastened in the temple of Dagon (1 Chron. 10:10). When the men of Jabesh-gilead heard all that had been done to Saul, the valiant men arose and took away the bodies of Saul and his sons and buried their bones under the oak of Jabesh (1 Chron. 10:11-12).

    The Chronicler provides reason for Saul’s death: breach of faith. Saul broke faith with the LORD, failing to keep the command of the LORD and for seeking guidance from a medium rather than the LORD. The LORD therefore put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David, the son of Jesse (1 Chron. 10:13-14).

    Application

    The death of Saul and his family is a stark reminder of the dire consequences of sin and transgression. Certainly from an eternal perspective (and often from a temporal one), there is no blessing to be found in proceeding outside of God’s command. Only destruction and death awaits those who rebel against ourb6 Creator and follow their own way.

    John 20

    Observation & Interpretation

    Following the burial of Jesus, John records that Mary came to the tomb early on the first day of the week (John 20:1). She saw that the stone had been rolled away, so she ran to tell Peter and John (John 20:1-2). She told the two that Jesus had been taken from the tomb and that she does not know where he had been laid (John 20:2). Peter and John ran to the tomb with John reaching the tomb first (John 20:4). John looked into the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there, but did not go in himself (John 20:5). When Peter reached the tomb, he went into the tomb and saw the linen cloths and Jesus’ face cloth folded up in a place by itself. “The reference to the head wrapping being folded up in a separate place by itself counters the notion of grave robbers, who in their haste would not have taken the time to fold up this cloth.” (CSB Notes). John then also went into the tomb and believed. At this point, they did not know that this was to fulfill Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead (John 20:9). The disciples then went back their homes (John 20:10).

    Mary stayed back at the tomb and looked into the tomb (John 20:11). She saw two angels sitting where the body of Jesus had been laid and they asked her why she was weeping (John 20:12). Mary responded by telling them that Jesus had been taken and she did not know where (John 20:13). She turned around and saw Jesus but did not know that it was Him (John 20:14). Jesus asked Mary why she was weeping and whom she was seeking (John 20:15). Perceiving Him to be the gardener, Mary asked that if he had taken the body to tell her where Jesus had been laid so she can take Him (John 20:15). Jesus then addressed her by her name and she turned to Him in recognition of who He was (John 20:16). Jesus told Mary not to cling to Him as He had not yet ascended to the Father. “She had seen miracles happen when He was bodily present. So she concluded that if He was not with her in a visible way, then she could have no hope of blessing. The Lord must correct her thinking.” (BBC). Mary then went and announced to the disciples that she had seen the Lord and told them all the things He had said to her (John 20:18).

    The same day, the first day of the week, the disciples were gathered behind closed doors out of the fear of the Jews. Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19). This greeting is repeated 3x in the chapter, twice in address to the disciples (John 20:19, 21) and once speaking to Thomas directly (John 20:26). Jesus showed the disciples His hands and side and the disciples were then glad to see the Lord. Jesus spoke to them about how the Father had sent Him and that He also was sending them (John 20:21). Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit” and then spoke of their forgiveness of others; forgiveness given to those whom they forgive and withheld from those it is withheld (John 20:23)

    John then describes how Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus came (John 20:24). The other disciples told him that they had seen the Lord, but Thomas responded in disbelief, saying that he would never believe unless he saw the mark of the nails, place his finger into the mark of the nails and place his hand into Jesus’ side (John 20:25). “Apparently Thomas thought the disciples had seen a ghost (Mt 14:26). Yet John was careful to affirm that Jesus’s resurrection body was not that of a phantom or spirit apparition but a genuine (although glorified) human body (Jn 20:27).” (CSB Notes).

    Eight days later, the full assembly of the disciples was together—again behind locked doors—and Jesus appeared to them (John 20:26). Jesus instructed Thomas to verify His physical Personage with all of the means of confirmation Thomas had previously required (John 20:27). Thomas responded by saying, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). “Thomas was convinced. Whether he ever did put his hand into the Lord’s side, we do not know. But he knew at last that Jesus was risen and that He was both Lord and God.” (BBC).

    John explains that Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples which are not written in his account (John 20:30). However, what has been written was provided in order that its readers would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, by believing, they may have life in His name (John 20:31)

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