Daily Bible Reading – May 2022 God’s Renewing Word of Promiseنموونە

May 23

Introduction

Today’s reading recounts the death of Saul and his sons. Saul was supposed to be the one who would rescue Israel from the Philistines (see 1 Samuel 9:16), but he is fatally wounded in battle. He kills himself in order to avoid being humiliated and tortured.

Scripture Reading

1 Samuel 31:1-13

Today’s Key Verse:1 Samuel 31:13

Then they took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in town, and fasted for seven days.

Reflect

Saul told his servant, his weapons carrier, to kill him, but the servant refused, perhaps because he knew that God would punish anyone who killed God’s chosen king (1 Samuel 26:9).The servant then killed himself in the same manner as Saul. It was common in the ancient world for a military leader’s servant to kill himself when his master died in battle. What had the Philistines done to Saul’s body? What did the people of Jabesh do?

Pray

Lord God, you are loving and merciful. Watch over and protect all who may be in harm’s way this day. Surround them with your steadfast love and care. Amen.

And now, join us in celebrating an oral translation project in Guatemala that is opening the door for true understanding of stories from the Bible. Sovereign God, we thank and praise you for experienced Bible Society staff who are working with small groups of community leaders to foster engagement with your Word. Thank you for the translators who listen to passages in Spanish and discuss the stories together and then translate and record them into the heart languages of the people. Because of their dedication, God’s living Word is now spreading through Ixil de Cotzal, Mam Todos Santos, and Sipakapense communities in languages each person can understand. Thank you, God, for the hope and unspeakable joy this project is bringing to those being impacted and nurtured by your Word. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

2 Samuel 1:1-27: David learns of Saul’s death.