Previous Verses
February 2021
FEBRUARY 24
Matthew 25:41: "Then [on judgment day] shall he [the Lord Jesus Christ] say also unto them on the left hand [i.e., all unsaved people (everyone who has not been born again according to the Bible)--see note below*], Depart from me, ye cursed [people], into everlasting fire [referring to the lake of fire], [which was originally] prepared for the devil and his angels:"
"… A number of years ago, a flood carried away one of the bridges over the Brown River near Vicksburg, Mississippi. A salesman, taken unaware, was able to halt his car only on the last few feet of pavement that remained. In a state of shock, he got out of his car and stood a few moments transfixed by the boiling flood he had so narrowly escaped. Approaching headlights warned him of the danger to others, and he frantically tried to halt the drivers as several cars, one after another, ignored his desperate signals and plunged to destruction. A total of eight persons lost their lives before he could turn his car and blockade the road. Now was that salesman to be blamed for the death of those motorists who ignored his warnings and plunged into the river? No! And in exactly the same way, God cannot be blamed for the eternal punishment men shall certainly incur who ignore the divine warnings, reject the Saviour's sacrifice [referring to Jesus' death on the cross to pay for our sins], and plunge headlong into eternal death [i.e., hell and the lake of fire]. Let the Saviour's words be viewed in such a light, and men [and women and children] will avoid the temptation to "humanize" the gospel. There are dark and terrible realities confronting the race [descendants] of Adam [and Eve], and no blind and prejudiced rejection of the divine Saviour's admonitions [warnings] will remove them. 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!' …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/matthew/25-41.html, "Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible")
FEBRUARY 23
Psalm 51:10 [King David prayed to God]: "Create in me a clean heart [make my heart clean again; forgive my sins], O God; and renew [restore, bring back] a right spirit [obedient attitude] within me."
You can read the story of David and Bathsheba in your Bible (2 Samuel, Chapters 11 and 12) or online (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2011:1-12:24;&version=kjv). It also appears, with explanations from well-known Bible commentators, in the February 2021 "Previous Verses" section of my website (specifically, the 'FEBRUARY 8-22' entry, which is just below this one).
FEBRUARY 8-22
Consequences of Adultery: The Story of David and Bathsheba
2 Samuel 11:1: "And it came to pass, after the year was expired [had ended], at the time when kings go forth to battle, that [King] David sent Joab [commander of the king's armies], and his [David's] servants with him, and all [of the mighty men of] Israel; and they destroyed the children [descendants] of Ammon [i.e., the Ammonites], and besieged Rabbah [meaning they surrounded the city with armed forces]. But David tarried still [remained longer than intended] at Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 11:2, 3: "And it came to pass in an eveningtide [one afternoon], that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the [flat] 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. And David sent [a messenger] and inquired after [asked about] the woman. And one [person] said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
2 Samuel 11:4-5: "And David sent messengers [to invite Bathsheba to his apartment], and [they] took her [there]; and she came in unto him, and he lay [down and had sex] with her; for she was purified [cleansed] from her uncleanness [her monthly period]: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived [got pregnant], and sent [a messenger] and told David, and said, I am with child."
2 Samuel 11:6-7: "And David sent [a messenger] to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him [or 'asked Uriah'] how Joab did [was doing], and how the people did [were doing], and how the war prospered [was going]."
2 Samuel 11: 8, 9: "And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy [your] house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of [went away from, left] the king's house, and there followed [after] him a mess of meat [some food, a meal] from the king. But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants [bodyguards] of his lord [the king], and went not down [did not go] to his house."
2 Samuel 11:10, 11: "And when they [the servants] had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not [did you not come] from thy journey? why then didst thou not [why did you not] go down unto thine [your] house? And Uriah said unto David, The ark [of the covenant, which was a chest with the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments], and [the mighty men of] Israel, and Judah, abide [stay] in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord [Joab], are encamped [living in camps] in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie [in bed and have sex] with my wife? as thou livest [as you live], and as thy soul liveth [as your soul lives], I will not do this thing [or, in other words, 'not on your life would I do such a thing']."
2 Samuel 11:12, 13: "And David said to Uriah, Tarry [stay] here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee [you] depart [leave]. So Uriah abode [remained] in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow [the next day]. And when David had called him [Uriah], he did eat and drink before him; and he [David] made him [Uriah] drunk: and at even [in the evening] he [Uriah] went out [outside] to lie on his bed with the servants [bodyguards] of his lord [the king], but [he] went not [did not go] down to his house."
2 Samuel 11:14-15: "And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah [who acted as a messenger]. And he [David] wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye [you] Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle [i.e., put him on the front lines], and retire ye from him [leave him by himself], [so] that he may be smitten [hit or struck by a sword, arrow, stone, etc.], and die."
2 Samuel 11:16-17: "And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city [of Rammah], that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant [brave, courageous] men were. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell [were killed] some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also."
2 Samuel 11:18, 19, 20, 21: "Then Joab sent [a messenger] and told [King] David all the things concerning the war; And [Joab] charged [instructed] the messenger, saying, When thou hast [you have] made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, And if so be that the king's wrath arise [if the king gets angry], and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh [near] unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot [arrows and stones] from the wall? Who smote [killed] Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast [throw] a piece of a millstone [a large stone used to grind grain] upon him from the wall, [so] that he died in Thebez? why went ye [why did you go] nigh [near] the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also."
2 Samuel 11:22, 23, 24: "So the messenger went, and came and shewed [showed, told] David all that Joab had sent him for. And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed [were victorious] against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be [are] dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also."
2 Samuel 11:25: "Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth [kills] one [person] as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him [referring to Joab]."
2 Samuel 11:26-27: "And when the wife of Uriah [i.e., Bathsheba] heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned [grieved] for her husband. And when the mourning [period--seven days] was past, David sent and fetched her [had her brought] to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him [gave birth to] a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD."
2 Samuel 12:1-2, 3: "And the LORD [God] sent Nathan [a prophet] unto David. And he [Nathan] came unto him [David], and said unto him [told him the following story:], There were two men in one city; the one [was] rich, and the other [was] poor. The rich man had exceeding many [a large number of] flocks [of sheep] and herds [of cattle]: But the poor man had nothing, save [except] one little ewe [female] lamb, which he had bought and nourished up [fed]: and it grew up together [as a pet] with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom [i.e., he held it in his arms], and was unto him as a daughter."
2 Samuel 12:4: "And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he [the rich man] spared to [decided not to] take [any of the animals] of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress [prepare for cooking] for the wayfaring man [the traveler] that was come unto him; but [he--the rich man] took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it [prepared it for cooking] for the man [the traveler] that was come to him."
2 Samuel 12:5-6: "And David's anger was greatly kindled [stirred up] against the [rich] man; and he [David] said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he [the rich man] shall restore the lamb fourfold [give back to the owner four times as much as the lamb was worth], because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."
2 Samuel 12:7: "And Nathan said to David, Thou art [you are] the man [that the story was about]. Thus saith [this says] the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee [you, David] king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of [King] Saul;"
2 Samuel 12:8: "And I [God] gave thee thy master's [King Saul's] house, and thy master's [King Saul's] wives into thy bosom, and [I] gave thee the house [kingdoms] of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I [God] would moreover have given unto thee such and such things."
2 Samuel 12:9, 10: "Wherefore hast thou [why have you] despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast [have] taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon [or 'allowed him to be killed by the Ammonites']."
2 Samuel 12:11, 12: "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine [your] house; because thou hast despised me [God], and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it [you did it (committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband)] secretly: but I will do this thing [give David's wives to his neighbor] before all Israel, and before the sun."
2 Samuel 12:13, 14: "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin [God has forgiven you, David]; thou shalt not die. Howbeit [nevertheless], because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme [speak irreverently or disrespectfully about the one true God], the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die."
2 Samuel 12:15, 16-17: "And Nathan departed unto [left and went to] his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife [i.e., Bathsheba] bare [gave birth to] unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought [begged] God [in prayer] for the [life of the] child; and David fasted [temporarily stopped eating], and went in, and lay all night upon the earth [on the floor]. And the elders [older people] of his house arose [stood up], and went to him [David], to raise him up from the earth: but he would not [get up], neither did he eat bread [food] with them."
2 Samuel 12:18, 19: "And it came to pass on the seventh day [after its birth], that the child died. And the servants of David feared [were afraid] to tell him [David] that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto [spoke to] him [David], and he would not hearken unto [listen to] our voice: how will he then vex himself [what will he do, or how upset will he be], if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived [guessed or sensed] that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead."
2 Samuel 12:20: "Then David arose from the earth [got up], and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel [clothes], and came into the house of the LORD [or 'went to the temple'], and worshipped [God]: then he came to his own house; and when he required [asked for it], they set bread before him, and he did eat."
2 Samuel 12:21, 22-23: "Then said his servants unto him [David], What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst [you did] fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he [David] said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept [cried]: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, [so] that the child may live? But now [that] he [my son] is dead, wherefore [why] should I fast? can I bring him back [to life] again? I shall go to him [in heaven, when I die], but he shall not return to me."
2 Samuel 12:24: "And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay [down and had sex] with her: and she bare [gave birth to] a [second] son, and he [King David] called his [son's] name Solomon: and the LORD loved him [i.e., Solomon]."
FEBRUARY 7
Addressing the people of Israel, God's prophet Samuel said:
1 Samuel 12:23: "Moreover as for me [Samuel], God forbid [i.e., let it not be] that I should sin against the LORD [God] in ceasing to pray [by no longer praying] for you [Israel]: but I will teach you the good [things to do] and the right way [to go, or the right path to take or follow, in life]:"
"… After praying for your friends, do try as well as you can to answer your own prayer by using the means which God ordinarily blesses. Some persons make idle [useless] prayers, for they use no effort for obtaining their requests. If a husbandman [farmer] asks for a harvest, he also ploughs [plows] and sows, for else his supplications [prayer requests] would be hypocritical. If we wish to see our neighbours converted [saved, born again], we shall labour for it in all ways. A man who wishes to shoot birds will, after a while, become expert in the sport, because he will give his mind to it: he will after a little practice become a noted marksman and know all about guns and dogs. A man who wants to catch salmon has his heart set upon his angling [fishing], and becomes absorbed in the pursuit. He soon learns how to use his rod and how to manage his fish. So he who longs to win souls, and puts his heart into it, finds out the knack of it by some means, and the Lord gives him success. There is a power in your gifts; there is a power in your speech; use these powers …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/1-samuel/12-23.html, "The Biblical Illustrator," "Samuel: An example of intercession")
FEBRUARY 3-6
Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ [or the doctrine of Christ, referring to Jesus and the things that he did and taught, as recorded in the Bible] dwell in you [in your heart and mind] richly [abundantly] in all wisdom [or 'producing the spirit of true wisdom,' which happens, after salvation, when we memorize scripture and try to obey God's commands]; [and use this wisdom when] teaching [one another--about the Bible] and admonishing one another [as in Christian counseling; i.e., when warning, advising, or correcting fellow believers, in order to assure their spiritual well-being] [and] in [singing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace [thanks] in your hearts to the Lord."
"… Let the doctrine of Christ dwell richly among you; teaching and admonishing each other in all wisdom; singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord, in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/colossians/3-16.html, "Adam Clarke Commentary")
-- 3:16a - "Indwelt by the Word of Christ"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16a/
-- 3:16b - "Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You RICHLY"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16b/
-- 3:16c - "The First Effect of the Indwelling Word"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16c/
-- 3:16d - "Singing: Second Effect of the Indwelling Word"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16d/
-- 3:16e - "Music That Pleases the Lord"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16e/
-- 3:16f - "Music That Pleases the Lord" (Continued)
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16f/
-- 3:16g - "Music That Pleases the Lord" (Continued)
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16g/
-- 3:16h - "Music That Pleases the Lord" (Continued)
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16h/
FEBRUARY 2
Psalm 111:10: "The fear of the LORD [reverencing and fearing God, or having a deep respect and love for God and not wanting to offend him] is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [obey] his commandments: his [God's] praise endureth [endures, lasts, will remain in existence] for ever [which means that God will always deserve our praise]."
FEBRUARY 1
During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:
Matthew 7:6: "Give not [don't give] that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye [and don't throw] your pearls before swine [pigs], lest they trample them under their feet [otherwise, they (the swine) will stomp on and crush the pearls], and [the dogs will] turn again [turn around] and rend you [tear you to pieces, or tear you apart]."
Holy - Anything connected with religion--admonitions (warnings), precepts (rules of action), doctrine (set of beliefs)
Dogs - People who reject, oppose, and abuse the gospel
Pearls - Precious words; i.e., the truth of the gospel
Swine - People who don't know or understand the value of the gospel
Here's how Mr. Barnes explains Matthew 7:6:
"… The meaning of this proverb, then, is, do not offer your doctrine to those violent and abusive people who would growl and curse you; nor to those especially debased and profligate [careless and foolish] [people] who would not perceive [understand] its value, would trample it down, and would abuse you …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/matthew-7.html, "Verse 6")
"… You are not needlessly to provoke attack upon yourself, or upon the higher truths of the gospel. You are not to judge, but you are not to act without judgment. Count not men to be dogs or swine; but when they avow [declare] themselves to be such, or by their conduct act as if they were such, do not put occasions in their way for displaying their evil character. Saints [i.e., born-again Christians] are not to be simpletons; they are not to be judges, but, also, they are not to be fools. Great King [referring to the Lord Jesus Christ], how much wisdom thy precepts [rules of action or conduct] require! I need thee, not only to open my mouth, but also at times to keep it shut …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/spe/matthew-7.html, "Verses 1-8")
"… We are here [in Matthew 7:6] forbidden, then, to use any religious office, work, or ordinance, in such a manner as to degrade or profane it [i.e., treat it with irreverence or disrespect] … To give pearls to swine is to press the claims of the gospel upon those who despise it until they persecute you for annoying them with it …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/matthew/7-6.html, "The Fourfold Gospel")
Matthew 25:41: "Then [on judgment day] shall he [the Lord Jesus Christ] say also unto them on the left hand [i.e., all unsaved people (everyone who has not been born again according to the Bible)--see note below*], Depart from me, ye cursed [people], into everlasting fire [referring to the lake of fire], [which was originally] prepared for the devil and his angels:"
_______________
In his commentary on this verse, James Burton Coffman wrote:"… A number of years ago, a flood carried away one of the bridges over the Brown River near Vicksburg, Mississippi. A salesman, taken unaware, was able to halt his car only on the last few feet of pavement that remained. In a state of shock, he got out of his car and stood a few moments transfixed by the boiling flood he had so narrowly escaped. Approaching headlights warned him of the danger to others, and he frantically tried to halt the drivers as several cars, one after another, ignored his desperate signals and plunged to destruction. A total of eight persons lost their lives before he could turn his car and blockade the road. Now was that salesman to be blamed for the death of those motorists who ignored his warnings and plunged into the river? No! And in exactly the same way, God cannot be blamed for the eternal punishment men shall certainly incur who ignore the divine warnings, reject the Saviour's sacrifice [referring to Jesus' death on the cross to pay for our sins], and plunge headlong into eternal death [i.e., hell and the lake of fire]. Let the Saviour's words be viewed in such a light, and men [and women and children] will avoid the temptation to "humanize" the gospel. There are dark and terrible realities confronting the race [descendants] of Adam [and Eve], and no blind and prejudiced rejection of the divine Saviour's admonitions [warnings] will remove them. 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!' …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/matthew/25-41.html, "Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible")
* * * * *
*If you don't want to be on Jesus' left hand on judgment day, you must be born again. You'll find instructions on how to do this in any of the gospel tracts on the "Printable Gospel Tracts" page of my website. Here's the link: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.FEBRUARY 23
Psalm 51:10 [King David prayed to God]: "Create in me a clean heart [make my heart clean again; forgive my sins], O God; and renew [restore, bring back] a right spirit [obedient attitude] within me."
_______________
David prayed the above prayer after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and tried to cover up that sin by having her husband murdered in battle.You can read the story of David and Bathsheba in your Bible (2 Samuel, Chapters 11 and 12) or online (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2011:1-12:24;&version=kjv). It also appears, with explanations from well-known Bible commentators, in the February 2021 "Previous Verses" section of my website (specifically, the 'FEBRUARY 8-22' entry, which is just below this one).
FEBRUARY 8-22
Consequences of Adultery: The Story of David and Bathsheba
2 Samuel 11:1: "And it came to pass, after the year was expired [had ended], at the time when kings go forth to battle, that [King] David sent Joab [commander of the king's armies], and his [David's] servants with him, and all [of the mighty men of] Israel; and they destroyed the children [descendants] of Ammon [i.e., the Ammonites], and besieged Rabbah [meaning they surrounded the city with armed forces]. But David tarried still [remained longer than intended] at Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 11:2, 3: "And it came to pass in an eveningtide [one afternoon], that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the [flat] 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. And David sent [a messenger] and inquired after [asked about] the woman. And one [person] said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
2 Samuel 11:4-5: "And David sent messengers [to invite Bathsheba to his apartment], and [they] took her [there]; and she came in unto him, and he lay [down and had sex] with her; for she was purified [cleansed] from her uncleanness [her monthly period]: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived [got pregnant], and sent [a messenger] and told David, and said, I am with child."
2 Samuel 11:6-7: "And David sent [a messenger] to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him [or 'asked Uriah'] how Joab did [was doing], and how the people did [were doing], and how the war prospered [was going]."
2 Samuel 11: 8, 9: "And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy [your] house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of [went away from, left] the king's house, and there followed [after] him a mess of meat [some food, a meal] from the king. But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants [bodyguards] of his lord [the king], and went not down [did not go] to his house."
2 Samuel 11:10, 11: "And when they [the servants] had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not [did you not come] from thy journey? why then didst thou not [why did you not] go down unto thine [your] house? And Uriah said unto David, The ark [of the covenant, which was a chest with the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments], and [the mighty men of] Israel, and Judah, abide [stay] in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord [Joab], are encamped [living in camps] in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie [in bed and have sex] with my wife? as thou livest [as you live], and as thy soul liveth [as your soul lives], I will not do this thing [or, in other words, 'not on your life would I do such a thing']."
2 Samuel 11:12, 13: "And David said to Uriah, Tarry [stay] here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee [you] depart [leave]. So Uriah abode [remained] in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow [the next day]. And when David had called him [Uriah], he did eat and drink before him; and he [David] made him [Uriah] drunk: and at even [in the evening] he [Uriah] went out [outside] to lie on his bed with the servants [bodyguards] of his lord [the king], but [he] went not [did not go] down to his house."
2 Samuel 11:14-15: "And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah [who acted as a messenger]. And he [David] wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye [you] Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle [i.e., put him on the front lines], and retire ye from him [leave him by himself], [so] that he may be smitten [hit or struck by a sword, arrow, stone, etc.], and die."
2 Samuel 11:16-17: "And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city [of Rammah], that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant [brave, courageous] men were. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell [were killed] some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also."
2 Samuel 11:18, 19, 20, 21: "Then Joab sent [a messenger] and told [King] David all the things concerning the war; And [Joab] charged [instructed] the messenger, saying, When thou hast [you have] made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, And if so be that the king's wrath arise [if the king gets angry], and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh [near] unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot [arrows and stones] from the wall? Who smote [killed] Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast [throw] a piece of a millstone [a large stone used to grind grain] upon him from the wall, [so] that he died in Thebez? why went ye [why did you go] nigh [near] the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also."
2 Samuel 11:22, 23, 24: "So the messenger went, and came and shewed [showed, told] David all that Joab had sent him for. And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed [were victorious] against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be [are] dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also."
2 Samuel 11:25: "Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth [kills] one [person] as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him [referring to Joab]."
2 Samuel 11:26-27: "And when the wife of Uriah [i.e., Bathsheba] heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned [grieved] for her husband. And when the mourning [period--seven days] was past, David sent and fetched her [had her brought] to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him [gave birth to] a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD."
2 Samuel 12:1-2, 3: "And the LORD [God] sent Nathan [a prophet] unto David. And he [Nathan] came unto him [David], and said unto him [told him the following story:], There were two men in one city; the one [was] rich, and the other [was] poor. The rich man had exceeding many [a large number of] flocks [of sheep] and herds [of cattle]: But the poor man had nothing, save [except] one little ewe [female] lamb, which he had bought and nourished up [fed]: and it grew up together [as a pet] with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom [i.e., he held it in his arms], and was unto him as a daughter."
2 Samuel 12:4: "And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he [the rich man] spared to [decided not to] take [any of the animals] of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress [prepare for cooking] for the wayfaring man [the traveler] that was come unto him; but [he--the rich man] took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it [prepared it for cooking] for the man [the traveler] that was come to him."
2 Samuel 12:5-6: "And David's anger was greatly kindled [stirred up] against the [rich] man; and he [David] said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he [the rich man] shall restore the lamb fourfold [give back to the owner four times as much as the lamb was worth], because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."
2 Samuel 12:7: "And Nathan said to David, Thou art [you are] the man [that the story was about]. Thus saith [this says] the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee [you, David] king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of [King] Saul;"
2 Samuel 12:8: "And I [God] gave thee thy master's [King Saul's] house, and thy master's [King Saul's] wives into thy bosom, and [I] gave thee the house [kingdoms] of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I [God] would moreover have given unto thee such and such things."
2 Samuel 12:9, 10: "Wherefore hast thou [why have you] despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast [have] taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon [or 'allowed him to be killed by the Ammonites']."
2 Samuel 12:11, 12: "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine [your] house; because thou hast despised me [God], and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it [you did it (committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband)] secretly: but I will do this thing [give David's wives to his neighbor] before all Israel, and before the sun."
2 Samuel 12:13, 14: "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin [God has forgiven you, David]; thou shalt not die. Howbeit [nevertheless], because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme [speak irreverently or disrespectfully about the one true God], the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die."
2 Samuel 12:15, 16-17: "And Nathan departed unto [left and went to] his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife [i.e., Bathsheba] bare [gave birth to] unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought [begged] God [in prayer] for the [life of the] child; and David fasted [temporarily stopped eating], and went in, and lay all night upon the earth [on the floor]. And the elders [older people] of his house arose [stood up], and went to him [David], to raise him up from the earth: but he would not [get up], neither did he eat bread [food] with them."
2 Samuel 12:18, 19: "And it came to pass on the seventh day [after its birth], that the child died. And the servants of David feared [were afraid] to tell him [David] that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto [spoke to] him [David], and he would not hearken unto [listen to] our voice: how will he then vex himself [what will he do, or how upset will he be], if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived [guessed or sensed] that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead."
2 Samuel 12:20: "Then David arose from the earth [got up], and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel [clothes], and came into the house of the LORD [or 'went to the temple'], and worshipped [God]: then he came to his own house; and when he required [asked for it], they set bread before him, and he did eat."
2 Samuel 12:21, 22-23: "Then said his servants unto him [David], What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst [you did] fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he [David] said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept [cried]: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, [so] that the child may live? But now [that] he [my son] is dead, wherefore [why] should I fast? can I bring him back [to life] again? I shall go to him [in heaven, when I die], but he shall not return to me."
2 Samuel 12:24: "And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay [down and had sex] with her: and she bare [gave birth to] a [second] son, and he [King David] called his [son's] name Solomon: and the LORD loved him [i.e., Solomon]."
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GotQuestions.org has a good summary of this story in their article entitled "Who was Uriah the Hittite?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/Uriah-the-Hittite.html.FEBRUARY 7
Addressing the people of Israel, God's prophet Samuel said:
1 Samuel 12:23: "Moreover as for me [Samuel], God forbid [i.e., let it not be] that I should sin against the LORD [God] in ceasing to pray [by no longer praying] for you [Israel]: but I will teach you the good [things to do] and the right way [to go, or the right path to take or follow, in life]:"
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Christians should follow Samuel's example and pray for other people on an ongoing basis. This includes our family members, relatives, and friends; other Christians (those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation); and people not only in our country but also in Israel and other nations throughout the world.* * * * *
Concerning intercessory prayer, Charles Spurgeon said:"… After praying for your friends, do try as well as you can to answer your own prayer by using the means which God ordinarily blesses. Some persons make idle [useless] prayers, for they use no effort for obtaining their requests. If a husbandman [farmer] asks for a harvest, he also ploughs [plows] and sows, for else his supplications [prayer requests] would be hypocritical. If we wish to see our neighbours converted [saved, born again], we shall labour for it in all ways. A man who wishes to shoot birds will, after a while, become expert in the sport, because he will give his mind to it: he will after a little practice become a noted marksman and know all about guns and dogs. A man who wants to catch salmon has his heart set upon his angling [fishing], and becomes absorbed in the pursuit. He soon learns how to use his rod and how to manage his fish. So he who longs to win souls, and puts his heart into it, finds out the knack of it by some means, and the Lord gives him success. There is a power in your gifts; there is a power in your speech; use these powers …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/1-samuel/12-23.html, "The Biblical Illustrator," "Samuel: An example of intercession")
FEBRUARY 3-6
Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ [or the doctrine of Christ, referring to Jesus and the things that he did and taught, as recorded in the Bible] dwell in you [in your heart and mind] richly [abundantly] in all wisdom [or 'producing the spirit of true wisdom,' which happens, after salvation, when we memorize scripture and try to obey God's commands]; [and use this wisdom when] teaching [one another--about the Bible] and admonishing one another [as in Christian counseling; i.e., when warning, advising, or correcting fellow believers, in order to assure their spiritual well-being] [and] in [singing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace [thanks] in your hearts to the Lord."
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Perhaps this quote from Adam Clarke will help make the above verse easier to understand:"… Let the doctrine of Christ dwell richly among you; teaching and admonishing each other in all wisdom; singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord, in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/colossians/3-16.html, "Adam Clarke Commentary")
* * * * *
As you may know (since I've quoted him a lot in the "Verse of the Day" section of my website), Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church has done Bible studies on the entire book of Proverbs, but he also has done them for the book of Colossians. His commentary on the above verse is separated into eight parts (each of which, apparently, was taken from sermons that he preached to his congregation). If you want to read some or all of these excellent commentaries, here are the links: -- 3:16a - "Indwelt by the Word of Christ"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16a/
-- 3:16b - "Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You RICHLY"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16b/
-- 3:16c - "The First Effect of the Indwelling Word"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16c/
-- 3:16d - "Singing: Second Effect of the Indwelling Word"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16d/
-- 3:16e - "Music That Pleases the Lord"
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16e/
-- 3:16f - "Music That Pleases the Lord" (Continued)
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16f/
-- 3:16g - "Music That Pleases the Lord" (Continued)
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16g/
-- 3:16h - "Music That Pleases the Lord" (Continued)
https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16h/
FEBRUARY 2
Psalm 111:10: "The fear of the LORD [reverencing and fearing God, or having a deep respect and love for God and not wanting to offend him] is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [obey] his commandments: his [God's] praise endureth [endures, lasts, will remain in existence] for ever [which means that God will always deserve our praise]."
FEBRUARY 1
During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:
Matthew 7:6: "Give not [don't give] that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye [and don't throw] your pearls before swine [pigs], lest they trample them under their feet [otherwise, they (the swine) will stomp on and crush the pearls], and [the dogs will] turn again [turn around] and rend you [tear you to pieces, or tear you apart]."
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Meaning of the words in the above verse, according to Albert Barnes:Holy - Anything connected with religion--admonitions (warnings), precepts (rules of action), doctrine (set of beliefs)
Dogs - People who reject, oppose, and abuse the gospel
Pearls - Precious words; i.e., the truth of the gospel
Swine - People who don't know or understand the value of the gospel
Here's how Mr. Barnes explains Matthew 7:6:
"… The meaning of this proverb, then, is, do not offer your doctrine to those violent and abusive people who would growl and curse you; nor to those especially debased and profligate [careless and foolish] [people] who would not perceive [understand] its value, would trample it down, and would abuse you …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/matthew-7.html, "Verse 6")
* * * * *
Regarding the above verse, Charles Spurgeon said:"… You are not needlessly to provoke attack upon yourself, or upon the higher truths of the gospel. You are not to judge, but you are not to act without judgment. Count not men to be dogs or swine; but when they avow [declare] themselves to be such, or by their conduct act as if they were such, do not put occasions in their way for displaying their evil character. Saints [i.e., born-again Christians] are not to be simpletons; they are not to be judges, but, also, they are not to be fools. Great King [referring to the Lord Jesus Christ], how much wisdom thy precepts [rules of action or conduct] require! I need thee, not only to open my mouth, but also at times to keep it shut …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/spe/matthew-7.html, "Verses 1-8")
* * * * *
Another commentary states:"… We are here [in Matthew 7:6] forbidden, then, to use any religious office, work, or ordinance, in such a manner as to degrade or profane it [i.e., treat it with irreverence or disrespect] … To give pearls to swine is to press the claims of the gospel upon those who despise it until they persecute you for annoying them with it …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/matthew/7-6.html, "The Fourfold Gospel")
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