1 Kings 17:15
“And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.” She. She was a widow who was in the process of making the last meal for her and her son. 1 Kings 17:8-9 “And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” The Lord had commanded Elijah to come to Zarephath for one purpose…so a widow could be used of God to sustain him. When he saw her gathering sticks he asked her to fetch him some water. She obliged his request, which showed she was willing. He the asked for a morsel of bread, yet she had not a cake to feed him. 1 Kings 17:12 “And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” She was honest about her condition, and he responded with a hopeful promise of what would happen if she trusted what the Lord said. 1 Kings 17:13-14 “And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.” She went and did as he said, and saw the Lord sustain not only Elijah, but also her, her son, and everyone in her house. 1 Kings 17:16 “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.” The Widow of Zarephath serves as an example of the many promises God has made to us if we will simply obey and trust in Him. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 5-6 | Ephesians 3 | Psalm 62-63
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1 Kings 10:1
“And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.” She. She traveled a great distance to see Solomon arrayed in the greatness of his wisdom. 1 Kings 10:2 “And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.” She was curious whether what she heard was true or not. 1 Kings 10:3 “And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.” She heard all his answers to her questions and was astounded as the vastness of his wisdom and wealth. 1 Kings 10:4-5 “And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.” She came seeking wisdom, for she had heard Who gave Solomon his. She found what she was looking for indeed was true. 1 Kings 10:6 “And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.” She bestowed gifts to Solomon, and received even more in return. 1 Kings 10:13 “And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.” Jesus Christ even referred to her when certain of the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign from Him. Matthew 12:42 “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” The Queen Of Sheba serves as an example that when we seek the Lord, we are certain to find Him and much more…abounding Wisdom. James 1:5-6 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” Bible Reading: Ezekiel 3-4 | Ephesians 2 | Psalm 60-61 1 Kings 3:27
“Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.” She. She was one of two women who claimed to be the mother of the same child. 1 Kings 3:16 “Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.” They both appeared before King Solomon so that he in his wisdom could judge who was the true mother. 1 Kings 3:17-18 “And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.” She spoke of her need to be vindicated as the mother of the child. 1 Kings 3:19-21 “And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.” The other woman claimed that the child was hers. 1 Kings 3:22 “And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.” Solomon wisely suggested that the child be cut in half, revealing who was really the true mother. 1 Kings 3:26 “Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.” She was willing to lose her child in order to save his life. The true harlot mother serves as our example that we must be willing to suffer great loss in order for the greatest desire of our hearts to be used for God’s glory. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1-2 | Ephesians 1 | Psalm 58-59 2 Samuel 13:12
“And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.” She. She was seduced by her own brother. 2 Samuel 13:1 “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.” She was his half sister, yet he loved her. His friend suggested how he could have his way with her. 2 Samuel 13:3 “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.” She made him cakes as he requested, but he had an ulterior motive. 2 Samuel 13:10-11 “And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.” She was raped by her brother. 2 Samuel 13:14 “Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.” Her father, King David, was wroth about the situation, but did nothing. Absalom, her other brother, was vexed at Amnon’s actions toward her. 2 Samuel 13:21-22 “But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.” Years later, Absalom had his brother Amnon killed because of his disgrace toward their sister. Tamar serves as an example of how our choice to sin has consequences and can disrupt a family. Bible Reading: Lamentations 5 | Galatians 6 | Psalm 56-57 2 Samuel 12:24
“And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.” She. She had lost her son. 2 Samuel 12:15 “And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.” The child that was conceived through her adultery with David had died because of David’s sin. 2 Samuel 12:23 “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” She was comforted by her husband after the death of their child. Then God gave them another son, Solomon. David had repented from his sin with Bathsheba, and God blessed them with another child, a son of wisdom who would one day be king after his father. Psalm 51:1 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” She is mentioned in the geneology of Jesus. Matthew 1:6 “And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;” She was once known as strange, but afterward as virtuous and wise in the last chapter of Proverbs. Bathsheba also serves as an example that God offers us true forgiveness when we repent of our sins. Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Our mistakes do not have to ruin our entire life. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We can instead use the lessons we learn for teaching others to refrain from faults. Psalm 51:13 “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Bible Reading: Lamentations 3-4 | Galatians 5 | Psalm 54-55 2 Samuel 11:4
“And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.” She. She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. 2 Samuel 11:2 “And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.” King David saw her from his rooftop and the lust of his flesh took over. 2 Samuel 11:3 “And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” She was not David’s wife, yet he enquired after her. She submitted to the king’s request, and came to him. 2 Samuel 11:5 “And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.” She became pregnant by a man who was not her husband. After King David received the news, he decided the fate of Uriah and assigned him to a place of war where valiant men were. 2 Samuel 11:26 “And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.” She found out that her sin had cost her husband his life. 2 Samuel 11:27 “And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.” Bathsheba serves as an example of how sin can completely ruin our lives if we give in to temptation. Galatians 6:7-8 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Bible Reading: Lamentations 1-2 | Galatians 4 | Psalm 53 2 Samuel 6:16
“And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.” She. She was the daughter of Saul, the jealous archrival of King David. She was David’s first wife. She saw her husband praising the Lord as the Ark arrived. 2 Samuel 6:17 “And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.” She watched as he offered offerings. She watched as he blessed the people. 2 Samuel 6:18 “And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. She then reviled him for humbling himself before the Lord as he worshipped. 2 Samuel 6:20 “Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!” It is assumed that David removed only his royal apparel as he bowed before the Lord in His presence. 2 Samuel 6:21 “And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.” She mocked his humility as he honored the Lord by playing and dancing. 1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Michal serves as an example of those who persecute those who are sincere in their worship. Proverbs 14:2 “He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.“ Those that complain and criticize are often those that only watch rather than participating. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 51-52 | Galatians 3 | Psalm 51-52 1 Samuel 25:3
“Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.” She. She was known as a woman who had both beauty and brains. “she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance” She was married to Nabal, a man churlish and evil, whose lived up to his name of a fool. She lived under excruciating circumstances having him as a husband. She was beautiful, however her beauty did not stop there. She was not a lovely face hiding an empty mind. A beautiful woman with a beautiful mind was and is very uncommon. She was resourceful. 1 Samuel 25:18 “Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.” When her husband spoke rudely and was unkind to King David’s men, she took the initiative to ask David to have mercy upon her unruly husband. 1 Samuel 25:23-25 “And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.” She made an impression upon King David with both her beauty and her brains. 1 Samuel 25:32-33 “And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.” Abigail serves as an example of how we can be beautiful both before men and before the Lord. Proverbs 31:30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Bible Reading: Jeremiah 49-50 | Galatians 2 | Psalm 50 1 Samuel 2:21
“And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.” She. She was true to the vow she made to the Lord. She had prayed and vowed that if He gave her a man child she would give it back to Him, and the Lord gave her Samuel. She brought him to the house of the Lord to live and learn there with Eli the priest. She rejoiced in what the Lord had given. 1 Samuel 2:1-2 “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” She visited Samuel when her and her husband came to offer the yearly sacrifice, and always brought him a new coat as he outgrew the old ones. 1 Samuel 2:19 “Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.” Eli the priest blessed her and her husband, and the Lord gave them five more children. 1 Samuel 2:20 “And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.” The Lord blessed Hannah’s humility as He honored her request for a child; and years later because of her faithfulness, He gave her a picture of grace within her household. James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Hannah also serves as an example of the grace we are given by the Lord if we will simply humble ourselves before Him. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 47-48 | Galatians 1 | Psalm 49 1 Samuel 1:20
“Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.” She. She prayed sincerely, and the Lord gave her a son just as she asked. She vowed to give him back to the Lord, and Eli prophesied that He would grant that request. 1 Samuel 1:17 “Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.” She believed that God was able, and Eli encouraged her to wait patiently in faith. Her faith changed her countenance. 1 Samuel 1:18 “And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.” She had peace that God would provide in His time, so she began to worship the Lord for what He would do. 1 Samuel 1:19 “And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.” The Lord remembered her prayers, her affliction, and her vow. Her sincerity and faith allowed the Lord to do a work in and through her. Every time she spoke his name she remembered that he was the answer to her prayers. After he was weaned, she brought Samuel to Eli at the temple, just as she had promised the Lord she would do. She honored her word to the Lord, just as He honors His. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” Hannah also serves as an example that God will grant us the desires of our heart if only we will delight in Him to give them. Psalm 37:4-5 “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Bible Reading: Jeremiah 45-46 | Colossians 4 | Psalm 47-48 |
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