1 Samuel 20

1 - 42 David and Jonathan

David flees to Naioth and goes to Jonathan for advice about Saul. Jonathan explains that Saul tells him everything. David tells Jonathan that he's going to hide and that if Saul misses him, to tell him that he's gone to Bethlehem for a sacrifice with his clan. David knows that if Saul loses his temper he's not safe. Jonathan promises to send word of Saul's mood.

At dinner, Saul says nothing because he thinks David has done something to become ceremonially unclean. When Jonathan tells him he gave David permission to go to his family, Saul explodes with anger. He tells him to bring David to him for execution. When he asks his father why, his father hurls a spear at him.

The next day, Jonathan ditches the boy he was hunting with, finds David, and warns him of Saul's plans. They swear their friendship and part ways. (Not only that, but the allegience of their descendants - i.e. Saul's descendents - Remember that David has a Most Holy Descendent - Jesus Christ!)

1 Samuel 19

1 – 7 Jonathan Intercedes for David

Saul tries to get Jonathan and his servants to kill David, but Jonathan warns David. Jonathan tells Saul the good things Jonathan did. Saul listens and gives an oath not to kill David. Jonathan tells David what happened.

8 – 17 Michal Helps David Escape from Saul

David fights another war and another evil spirit enters Saul. He tries to pin David to the wall with a spear. David escapes. Saul sends messengers to kill David, and Michal warns David of his danger. David escapes through a window and Michal puts and idol in David’s bed and tells the messengers he is sick. Saul finds out, and asks his daughter why she deceived him, and she lies to him, claiming David threatened her life.

18 – 24 Saul Among the Prophets

David and Samuel go to Naioth in Ramah. Saul finds out and sends men to kill him. When they arrive, the spirit of God comes upon them and they prophesy. This happens three times. Finally, Saul goes himself. The spirit of God comes even on him and he strips his garments and prophesies naked all day and night. People ask, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

1 Samuel 18

1 – 9 Jonathan’s Covenant with David

After David kills Goliath, Jonathan becomes very close to him. Saul won’t let David return to his family and Jonathan makes a covenant with him, giving him all of his accessories. (This is remarkable, because as Saul's son, he stands to gain everything upon Saul's death.) Saul puts David in charge of the army. As they return the women come out and sing to them – mainly about how David killed more Philistines than Saul. Saul “eyed David from that day on.”

10 – 6 Saul Tries to Kill David

An evil spirit from God comes upon Saul the next day. While David is playing, Saul attacks him with a spear but misses. Saul is afraid of David because the Lord was with David but not Saul. He sends David away to battle, and because the Lord was with him, David was always victorious.

17 – 30 David Marries Michal

Saul gives David his elder daughter Merab. David knows that the marriage isn’t proper – so Merab is promised to someone else. Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and Saul plans to give him to David “so that she may be a snare to him and the Philistines may be against him.” He even enlists the help of David’s servants. David still says he’s not worthy to be a king’s son-in-law. When Saul hears this, Saul declares he wants 100 Philistine foreskins as a price for his daughter. (Saul expects he’ll die in battle). David agrees, goes to battle, and brings back 200 Philistine foreskins. Saul gave him his daughter. When he realizes that the Lord is with David and Michal loves him, he is even more afraid of David and becomes his enemy for life.

1 Samuel 17

1 - 58 David and Goliath

The Philistines and Isrealites assemble for war. The Philistine warrior Goliath is intimidating: he's 9 feet tall and wears scary armor. He's so confident, he berates the Isrealites and tells them if a soldier can kill him, the Philistines will serve Isreal (and vice versa). He came out and threatened the Isrealites every day for 40 days.

David, the youngest son of Jesse, has to tend the sheep instead of going back war with Saul like his brothers. One morning, Jesse tells him to take some food to them and bring back news. When he gets there, Goliath comes out and makes his threats. The soldiers explain to David what's going on, and David asks, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" His oldest brother gives him a hard time for leaving his sheep and coming to watch the battle. David tells Saul he will fight Goliath. When Saul tells him he's too young, David tells Saul how - with God's help - he killed a bear. He promises to do the same to Goliath, "because he has defied the armies of the living God." He refuses Saul's armor, and brings 5 stones.

Goliath is offended the the Isrealites would send a child. David gives a speech that begins, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied . . . for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." David slings a rock into Goliath's forehead, kills him with a sword, and cuts off his head. The Isrealites chase the Philistines away and plunder their cap. He brings Goliath's head back to Jerusalem. Saul wants to know whose son David is.

1 Samuel 16

1 - 13 Samuel Anoints David

The Lord sends Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem with a heifer to sacrifice (and to find a new king). Samuel sees Eliab and thinks he's the chosen one, but the Lord tells him Samuel not to go on appearances. It turns out that the youngest, David, who is tending sheep is the chosen one. Samuel anoints David with a horn of oil and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon the young shepherd.

14 - 23 David in Saul's Service

The Spirit of the Lord leaves Saul and an evil spirit of the Lord torments him. Saul's attendents see this happening and decide to get someone to play the harp to soothe him. When David would play, the evil spirit would leave Saul and relieve him.

1 Samuel 15

1 - 35 The Lord Rejects Saul as King

Samuel tells Saul that the Lord wants Saul to attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. The Lord tells Samuel what happened and that He regrets making Saul king. He basically tells Samuel to find Saul and tell him, "You're fired."

The next morning Samuel finds that Saul has set up a monument in his own honor. When he sees Samuel, he tells him that he carried out the Lord's instructions. Samuel asks about the sheep and cattle. Saul says he spared them to sacrifice them to the Lord, but destroyed the rest. Samuel also admits that he brought back Agag. Samuel says, " . . . To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." Then he tells him that the Lord has rejected Saul as king. Saul pleads with Samuel and tears his robe. Samuel says, "The Lord as torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors - to one better than you."

Samuel allows Samuel to worship the Lord with him. Then Saul calls for Agag. Agag said, "Surely this is the bitterness of death." But Samuel says "As your sword has made women childless, so you mother will be childless among women." And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the Lord in Gilgal." (NRSV). My notes say this is a ritual dismemberment associated with covenant violations.

1 Samuel 14

1 - 14 Jonathan Attacks the Philistines

Without Saul's permission, his son Jonathan and his armor-bearor attack and kill 20 Philistines.

15 - 23 Israel Routs the Philistines

Jonathan's attack causes a panic. Saul sees that Jonathan and his armor-bearer are gone and calls for the ark of God. The Philistines are in total confusion. "So on that day the Lord rescued Israel."

24 - 52 Jonathan Eats Honey

Saul binds the Israelites not to eat before he avenges himself. In the woods there is honey on the ground. Jonathan, who had not heard about the oath raises the honey to his mouth. A soldier tells him about the oath, and Jonathan says that if they had eaten they would have fought better. Saul finds out that the men are eating meat with blood still in it. He makes everyone bring their cattle and sheep to slaughter on an altar he built. Saul asks God what he should do, but God doesn't answer that day. Saul tries to find out who sinned against God and says that even if his son was guilty he should do. They cast lots, and it turns out that Jonathan should die. Saul is ready to sacrifice him, but the people save him. (Contrast to the story of Jesus' crucifixion). Saul stops pursuing the Philistines and has victories elsewhere. But the bitter war against the Philistine will continue for the rest of his days.

1 Samuel 13

1 - 7 Revolt Against the Philistines

Saul choses 3000 men from Israel. 2000 are with him at Micmash & 1000 are with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. Jonathan attacks a Philistine outpost at Geba, and Saul summons the people to Gilgal. The Philistines fight Isreal with 3000 chariots, 6000 charioteers and "soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore." The men of Israel hide.

7 - 15 Samuel Breaks with Saul

Saul waits 7 days to burn offerings (as Samuel requested), but he does not offer it at Gilgal. Samuel arrives and rebukes him, saying, "You have not kept the command of Lord. Now your kingdom will not endure." Then he leaves Saul, who now has only 600 men.

16 - 23 Preparations for War

Israel is definitely the underdog. Saul and Jonathan prepare for ware and they have to get a blacksmith to sharpen their plowshares into weapons. On the day of battle no soldier has weapons but Saul and Jonathan.

1 Samuel 12

1 - 25 Samuel's Farewell Speech

Samuel is now old and he gives a farewell speech, saying that he hasn't cheated or oppressed anyone (they agree). He reminds the Isrealites of their past (from Jacob to Moses to Samuel). Then he reminds them that it was they who demanded a king. He says, "If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God-good! But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers."

Samuel calls for thunder and rain and it comes. The people want Samuel to pray for them because they have done evil asking for a king. Samuel tells them not to be afraid even though they have done evil "For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own" just don't keep doing evil - if they do that, they will be swept away.

1 Samuel 11

1 - 15 Saul's Victory over the Ammonites

Nahash the Ammonite defeats Jabesh-gilead. He demands that he gouge out all of their right eyes. This is an outrage, and when Saul finds out about it, he cuts up his oxen, and says he will do the same to the Ammonites. He musters the Isrealites and "cut down the Ammonites until the heat of the day; and those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together."

The people want to put to death those who questioned Saul's appointment. Saul says no one will be put to death because the Lord has wrought deliverence to Israel. They go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom and Saul as the king. They rejoice.

1 Samuel 10

1 - 8 Samuel Anoints Saul

Samuel poured oil on Saul's head, saying, "Has not the Lord anointed you leader over his inheritance?"

Samuel tells Saul to leave and go to two men near Rachel's tomb who will tell Saul that the asses have been found and his father is worried about him. Then, at the great tree of Tabor 3 men will be traveling with 3 goats, bread, and wine. They will offer the bread and wine and Saul should accept them. At a Philistine outpost in Gibeah, Saul a procession of prophets. There, the spirit of the Lord will come upon Saul and he will prophesy with them. Then Samuel wants Saul to go to Gilgal and wait seven days for him. (This is all kind of complicated, but I would take Samuel's word for it).

9 - 27 Saul Made King

The signs were fulfilled; Saul's heart was changed. After prophesying, Saul went to a high place. His uncle uncle asked where he had been. Saul explained and told him what Samuel said.

Samuel summoned the people at Mizpah and told them Saul was the king the Lord had sent them. When the crowd comes for him, Saul hid in the baggage. the Lord tells them where he is hiding, and seeing how tall he is, they accept him. (Looks were as big a part of the political process back then as now . . . ). After Samuel explains the regulations of Saul's kingship Saul goes home and a few troublemakers grumble about him.

1 Samuel 9

1 - 27 Samuel Meets Saul

Saul was the son of Kish, a Benjaminite. He was the most handsome man in Israel (and tall!). Kish lost all of his asses, so he said to Saul, "Take a servant and find the asses." They traveled far without luck and Saul began to think about going back. The servant knew a man of God in Zuph who they should ask for advice. Saul wondered what they should bring the man. The servant had a fourth of a shekel of silver to give him.

As they arrived toward the city, they met some young maidens. He asked them if there was a seer. They advised that they find him before he went to the high place to eat. They went in and saw him going toward the high place to eat.

The day before Saul came, the Lord told Samuel that he would meet a man from the land of Benjamin and to anoint him prince over Israel. When Samuel saw Saul he knew who he was. He told Saul that he was to eat with him today and tomorrow he would tell him everything. As for the asses, they have been found. Saul was worried because he was a Benjaminite (the least house of Israel), but Samuel took Saul in, placed him at the head of the table. After dinner a bed was given to him on the room. The next day, Samuel said, "Tell the servant to pass on before us . . . and then I will make known to you the word of God."

1 Samuel 8

1 - 22 The People Ask for a King

Samuel becomes old and his sons (Joel and Abijah) become judges in Beer-sheba. It's the same problem Eli had - his sons "don't walk in his ways," take bribes, and pervert justice.

The elders of Israel gather and confront Samuel. Samuel is upset that they want a king to "govern them." He prays to the Lord and the Lord tells Samuel that they haven't abandoned Samuel but the Lord. The Lord tells them to warn them what having a king will really be like.

Samuel tells the people a king will take their sons and daughters and make them work. He will take a tenth of everything and make them slaves. The people don't listen to him and say again ask for a king to "govern us and go before us in battle." The Lord tells Samuel to do what they say and anoint a king.

1 Samuel 7

2 - 17 Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah

The ark stayed in Kiriath Jearim 20 years, and all Israel sought after the Lord. Samuel told them if they are returning to God, they must get rid of their foreign god. So the Israelites repented and put away their Baals and Ashtoreths.

Israel were afraid they would be defeated by the Philistines, so Samuel took a lamb and offered it up to the Lord. The Lord answered him. The Philistines arived and the Israelites were victorious. Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, naming it Ebenezer ("Thus far has the Lord helped us"). Throughout Samuel's life, the Israelites were victorious against the Philistines.

1 Samuel 6

1 - 7:1 The Philistines Return the Ark

The ark was in Philistine country for seven months. They don't want to return it empty, so they put a guilt offering of 5 golden tumors and 5 mice into it (according to the 5 Philistine lords - also my notes state that the reason for the mice might be that the Philistines may have believed them to be spreading the tumors.) They put the ark on a new cart carried by 2 unspoiled cows and sent it off to Beth-shemesh.

The people of Beth-shemesh were happy to see the ark. They split the wood and offered the cows as sacrifice. The Lord did slew some men who looked into the ark. The men of Kiriath-jearim came and took the ark to the house of Abinadab.

1 Samuel 5

1 - 12 The Ark among the Philistines

The Philistines carry the ark to Ashdod and put it in the house of Dagon. At night, Dagon had fallen face downward toward the ark. They set it up and the next morning it had fallen again, and its hands and head were cut off.

The people of Ashdod were terrified and afflicted with tumors. They decide to take the ark to Gath. There, the men were plagued with tumors. They move the ark to Ekron, whose leaders believe the ark was sent to kill them. They decide to return the ark to Israel, and many men die of tumors there as well.

1 Samuel 4

1 - 11 The Philistines Capture the Ark

Isreal goes to battle against the Philistines. Israel is defeated, losing 4,000 men. The elders of Israel decide to take the ark of the covenant before them. While the ark rouses the troops and strikes fear in the Philistines, Israel is defeated, losing 30,000 troops, including Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas. The Philistines capture the ark.

12 - 22 The Death of Eli

A man of Benjamin runs to tell Eli, now 98. He falls from his stoop and breaks his neck. When Phineas' pregnant wife hears the news, she goes into labor and names her son Ichabod, which means "The glory has departed from Israel."

1 Samuel 3

1 - 21 God Calls Samuel

Young Samuel is ministering to the Lord under Eli. One night he is sleeping under the Ark when he hears a voice crying, "Samuel! Samuel!" He goes to Eli, who tells him to go back to bed. When this happens three times, Eli realizes the Lord must be talking to Eli. He tells him, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears.'" (This is a good prayer . . . )

Samuel does this, and the Lord tells him that He will do everything that He has spoken against the House of Eli. The next morning, Eli asks Samuel what the Lord says, and Samuel tells him. Eli says, "It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him."

1 Samuel 2

1 - 11 The Song of Hannah

Hannah sings a song of praise and thanks to the Lord. My notes: "She praises God as the helper of the weak, who casts down the mighty and raises up the lowly, and who alone is the source of true strength; the hymn ends with a prayer for the king." Also compare to Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46).

12 - 26 The Sons of Eli

Hophni and Phineas, priests of the Shiloh shrine are "worthless men" They treated the offerings with contempt and "they were having relations with the women serving at the entry of the meeting tent" (although my notes state this passage "lacking in the oldest Greek translation, and in a Hebrew manuscript from Qumran"). Good quote: "If a man sins against a man, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?" (25)

27 - 36 Punishment of the Sons of Eli

An unnamed prophet comes to tell Eli that for their sins, his sons will die on the same day. And a faithful priest will rise up (Samuel).

1 Samuel 1

1 - 20 Birth of Samuel

Elkanah had two wives: Peninnah, who had children, and Hannah, who had no children (see right). He went regularly to Shiloh where the sons of Eli (Hophni and Phinehas) were priests. When he offered sacrifice, he gave a double portion to Hannah, which upset Peninnah, who would reproach her and Hannah would refuse to eat.

One time Hannah presented herself at Shiloh she prayed to the Lord, " . . . if you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives; neither wine nor liquor shall he drink, and no razor shall ever touch his head." Elkanah thoughtshwas drunk, but when she told him she was praying, he blessed her. She went back with her husband, and they conceived a child. They named him Samuel.

21 - 28 The Consecration of Samuel

Elkanah wanted to present Samuel at the temple, but Hannah wanted to wait until Samuel was weaned. When Samuel was weaned, they went up and sacrificed a bull. She thanked the Lord for Samuel and dedicated his life to the Lord.

Galatians 6

1 - 10 Fraternal Charity

I like how Paul advices correcting others. He says to "restore him to a spirit of gentleness." Also "Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted." Just because you see someone else sinning, that doesn't mean you are not a sinner. We all are and we are all tempted. He tells us to "bear one another's burdens." We must love another because we are in this together.

11 - 18 Conclusion

He concludes by again stating that it is not necessary to be circumcised. "For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation" (11) He says he bears the marks of Jesus (my notes say these are probably scars from being flogged, etc.)

Galatians 5

1 - 12 Christian Freedom

Paul states that Christ has set us free from freedom. Anyone who gets circumcised is bound to the whole law (and severed from Christ). For Christians, circumcision is not an issue because Christ is "faith working through love." My notes: "He reiterates his message of justification or righteousness by faith instead of law and circumcision. Faith, not circumcision, is what counts."

13 - 26 The Fruits of the Spirit and the Works of the Flesh

Paul warns against using freedom for the flesh. He says the whole law is fulfilled in the law, "You shall love your neigbor as yourself." Don't gratify the desires of the flesh - the desires of the spirit and the flesh are opposed to one another. He gives lists of works of the flesh and fruits of the spirit (my notes state that such lists were common in the writings of the time). Paul concludes the chapter with good advice: "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another."

Galatians 4

1 - 11 Divine Sonship

Christians are like heirs freed from control by others. Again, my notes say, "the proof that Christians are children of God is the gift of the Spirit of Christ relating them intimately to God."

Question: how can you turn back to the slavery of the law? The question is posed with reference to bondage to the elemental powers because the Galatians had originally been converted to Christianity from paganism, not Judaism. (my notes: while the term can refer to earth, air, fire, and water or to elementary forms of religion, the sense here is more likely that of celestial beings that were thought in pagan circles to control the world)

12 - 20 A Fatherly Appeal by Paul

Paul asks them to listen to him as they had in the past - as a father and pastor.

21 - 31 The Two Covenents - Hagar and Sarah

Paul supports the gospel by another argument from scripture. This time it's the relationship of Abraham to his wife, Sarah (freeborn) to Hagar (slave). He contrasts the sons born to each, Isaac, child of promise, and Ishmael, son of Hagar. Only through Isaac is the promise of God preserved.

Paul then quotes Genesis: "Drive out the slave woman and her son! For the son of the slave woman shall not share the inheritance with the son" of the freeborn. This gives a scriptural basis for the Galatians to expel those who are troubling them.

Galatians 3

1 - 14 Justification by Faith

Paul contends that justification comes not through the law or the works of the law but by faith in Christ and in his death. My notes: "The gift of God's Spirit to the Galatians came from the gospel received in faith, not from doing what the law enjoins. The story of Abraham shows that faith in God brings righteousness. The promise to Abraham extends to the Gentiles." It is faith that matters, rather than circumcision and observance of the law

Those who depend on works of the law instead of faith are under cursed because they do not persevere in doing all the things written in the book of the law in order to gain life. My notes: "But scripture teaches that no one is justified before God by the law. Salvation, then, depends on faith in Christ who died on the cross, taking upon himself a curse (about executed criminals hanged in public view), to free us from the curse of the law."

15 - 29 The Law and the Promise

My notes again: "A third argument to support Paul's position that salvation is not through the law but by promise comes from legal practice and scriptural history. A legal agreement or human will, duly ratified, is unalterable. God's covenant with Abraham and its repeated promises is not superseded by the law, which came much later, in the time of Moses. The inheritance (of the Spirit and the blessings) is by promise, not by law. Paul's argument hinges on the fact that the same Greek word, diatheke, can be rendered as will or testament and as covenant.

Paul digresses: "If the Mosaic law, then, does not save or bring life, why was it given? Elsewhere, Paul says the law served to show that sin is. Here the further implication is that the law in effect served to produce transgressions. Moreover, it was received at second hand by angels, through a mediator, not directly from God. The law does not, however, oppose God's purposes, for it carries out its function, so that righteousness comes by faith and promise, not by human works of the law."

Galatians 2

1 - 10 Visit to Jerusalem

Paul describes preaching in Jerusalem to the Gentiles. Titus did not want to be circumcised, and "false brethren" use this against them. Paul shows them that he was "entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised."

11 - 21 The Incident at Antioch

In Antioch, Paul confronts Cephas. He eats with them, but is afraid of the circumcision party (oxymoron?) My notes: "The decision reached in Jerusalem recognized the freedom of Gentile Christians from the Jewish law. But the problem of table fellowship between Jewish Christians, who possibly still kept kosher food regulations, and Gentile believers was not yet settled. When Cephas first came to the racially mixed community of Jewish and Gentile Christians in Antioch, he ate with non-Jews. Pressure from persons arriving later from Jerusalem caused him and Barnabas to draw back. Paul therefore publicly rebuked Peter's inconsistency toward the gospel."

Paul insists that "salvation is by faith in Christ, not by works of the law. His teaching on the gospel concerns justification by faith in relation to sin, law, life in Christ, and grace."

Galatians 1

1 - 10 A Greeting and a Warning

Paul writes to the Galatians who have deserted "him who called you in the grace of Christed and turn(ed) to a different gospel." My notes state that enemies of Paul appeared after his second visit and tried to undermine his authority - especially on the matter of circumcision. Paul states that anyone who goes against what he preached should be accursed. "If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed." Paul reiterates that he is not seeking to please men, but is "a servant (slave) of Christ."

11 - 24 Paul's Vocation

Paul asserts his authority by telling his story - how he persecuted the church and how he was called. He describes his travels to Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria, and Cilicia. In Judea they didn't know him by sight but had heard of him.

Mark 16

1 - 8 The Resurrection of Jesus - The Empty Tomb

After the Sabbath passes Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother of James come to anoint Jesus' body with spices. When they arrive, the stone at the tomb is rolled back and a young man in a white robe says "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you."

9 - 18 Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene - to Two Disciples - to the Eleven

19 - 20 Jesus Ascends to Heaven and the Apostles Go Forth

"And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen."

Mark 15

1 - 15 Jesus before Pilate

When Pilate asks Jesus if He's the King of the Jews, Jesus says, "You have said so" (but he doesn't deny it. Pilate offers to release a prisoner, "but the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead."

16 - 20 The Crowning of Thorns

The soldiers lead him away and mock him.

21 - 41 The Crucifiction and Death of Jesus

Simon of Cyrene carrys his cross. Mark specifies that Jesus was nailed to the cross at "the third hour" (between nine o'clock and noon). At the ninth hour, Jesus says, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" When Jesus dies, the centurion says, "Truly this man was the Son of God.

42 - 47 The Burial of Jesus

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw Jesus buried.

Mark 14

1 - 11 The Conspiracy against Jesus - Anointing at Bethany - Treachery of Judas

Two days before Passover, the Chief Priests and scribes wish to arrest Jesus and kill him (but not during the feast, lest there be a tumult of the people).

At Bethany in the house of Simon the leper a woman anoints Jesus with scented water. Some believe it wasted and it sold for money for the poor. Jesus tells the apostles will always have the poor, but not Jesus.

Judas slips out agrees to sell Jesus out to the priests for money.

12 - 21 Preparations for the Last Supper

Jesus finds a place for the Last Supper and that evening, when they are gathered, he announces that One of them will betray him.

22 - 31 The Last Supper

Christ offers himself as a sacrifice. My notes: (Jesus' words) show that the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were in fact a preparation for and anticipation of Christ's sacrifice. . . A cleare explanation of the sacrificial nature of the Last Supper are find in Hebrews 8 & 9. See also John Ch. 6. After supper, Jesus foretells how the disciples desert him.

32 - 52 Jesus' Prayer - the Agony in the Garden - the Arrest

In Gethsemane, Jesus prays to the Father "all things are possible with thee; yet not not what I will, but what thou wilt." Judas fingers him while the apostles sleep. (51 - 2 is interesting - found only in Mark: A young man follows with only a linen cloth. They seize him, but he runs away naked. My notes say this might be an allusion to Mark himself!)

53 - 65 Jesus before the Chief Priests

The priests try to corner Jesus into blasphemy. He admits to being the Son of Man (an allusion to Daniel 7:13 - 14). That's enough for the priests who condemn him to death.

66 - 72 Peter's Denial

Peter denies Jesus as predicts. "And he broke down and wept."

Mark 13

1 - 2 Announcement of the Destruction of the Temple

One of the disciples looks at wonder at the beauty of the stones and buildings in Jerusalem. Jesus states that there will not be one stone left upon another at will not be thrown down. (The Temple was destroyed by Titus in A.D. 70).

3 - 13 The Beginning of the Tribulation. Persecution on Account of the Gospel

Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask Jesus privately when the Tribulation will begin. Jesus warns of people who will come in his name to say the end is coming, of wars, and and natural disasters. There will be persecution. And the gospel must be preached to all nations.

14 - 23 The Great Tribulation

Jesus warns the four about the "desolating sacralige" (My notes: from Daniel 9:27 - normally used to designate any idolatrous and sacrilegous person, thing or act outrageious to the religious faith of the Jewish people)

24 - 27 The Coming of the Son of Man

28 - 31 The End Will Surely Come: the Lesson of the Fig Tree

32 - 37 The Time of Christ's Coming

Mark 12

1 - 12 Parable of the Wicked Tenants

My notes say this is a summary of the history of salvation.

13 - 17 Tribute to Caesar

My notes say this teaches that man belongs totally to his creator.

18 - 27 The Resurrection of the Dead

A scribe of the Sadducees asks whose wife a woman will be at the resurrection if she remarries. Jesus states that when they rise, they will neither marry nor remarry, but be like the angels.

28 - 34 The Greatest Commandment of All

A scribe asks which commandment is greatest of all. The first is "The Lord our God, the Lord is One, and you shall ove the Lord with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." The second is, "Love your neighbor as yourself. "

35 - 40 The Divinity of the Messiah and Jesus Censures the Scribes

Jesus bears witness to the fact that the Scripture is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. He says beware of scribes who go about in long robes and devour widows' houses.

41 - 44 The Widow's Mite

When a poor widow put in two coins, Jesus says that "this poor widow has put in far more than those who are contributing to the treasury." My notes say: "Give him what you can: the merit is not in whether it is big or small, but in the intention with which you give it." (Josemaria Escriva)

Mark 11

Part Three: Jesus’ Ministry in Jerusalem

1 – 11 The Messiah Enters the Holy City

As the disciples approach Jerusalem, Jesus sends two ahead to retrieve a colt on which no one has sat. They returned with it, threw their garments on it and Jesus mounted it. They spread their clothes and many spread leafy branches, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming! Hosanna in the highest!"

12 - 26 The Barren Fig Tree and the Expulsion of the Money Changers

The next day Jesus was hungry. He went to a fig tree, but it was barren. Then he cursed it, saying, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." My notes: "Jesus had come among his own people, the Jews, hungry to find fruit of holiness and good works, but all he found were external practices - leaves without fruit." At the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus overturns the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. Later they pass the fig tree, and it is withered.

The Power of Prayer: "Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

My notes say that verse 26 was added later (from Matthew 6:15: "but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses."

27 – 33 Jesus’ Authority

The chief priest ask Jesus under what authority he does theses things. Jesus responds with a question: "Was the baptism of John from heaven or men?" The priests try to figure out how Jesus is trying to trick them and finally settle on "We do not know." Jesus responds, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Mark 10

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Mark 9

1 -

Mark 8

1 - 10 Second Miracle of the Loaves

11 - 21 The Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

22 - 26 Curing of a Blind Man at Bethsaida

27 - 30 Peter's Profession of Faith

Part Two: Jesus's Ministry on the Way to Jerusalem

31 - 38 Jesus Foretells his Passion & Resurrection. Christian Renunciation

Mark 7

1 - 23 The Traditions of the Elders. What Defiles a Man

24 - 30 The Syrophoenician Woman

31 - 37 Caring of a Deaf Man

Mark 6

1 - 6 The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth - When Jesus preaches at the synagogue in his hometown, he is rejected. I just went to my 20th high school reunion, and I saw how hard it is for people (myself included) to break free of their preconceived notions of people.

6 - 13 The Mission of the Twelve - Jesus sends his disciples out two by two & gives them authority over unclean spirits. They should take nothing except for a staff (no bread, no bag, no money in their belts) Wear sandals & 2 tunics. If anyone refuses to see them, "shake the dust off your feet" as a testimony against them. They went out and cast out many demons and annointed the sick.

14 - 29 The Death of John the Baptist - King Herod hears of Jesus. He had imprisoned John because John had told him it was unlawful for Herod to have marry his sister-in-law Herodias. On Herod's birthday, he had given a party and Herodias's daughter (Salome, according to Josephus) danced. Herod tells the girl, "Ask me for whatever I want, and I will give it). She asks her mom, Herodias, who wants the Head of John the Baptist on a platter. This upsets Herod, but he is too weak to protest. He gives the girl the head and the girl gives it to her mother.

30 - 44 Feeding the Five Thousand - Jesus shares 5 loaves and 2 fish with 5000 people.

45 - 52 Jesus Walks on Water - That night they are crossing the sea to Bethsaida. In the evening his disciples see him walking on the sea in a bad wind. He tells them not to be afraid, gets in the boat and the wind ceases.

53 - 56 Healing the Sick in Gennesaret - He is recognized and many rush out to be healed. All who touch his cloak are healed.

Mark 5

1 - 20 - The Gerasene Demoniac - On the other side of the sea, an unclean man who had been dwelling in the tombs and tormented by spirits ran to Jesus and prostrated himself before him. Jesus demands the unclean spirit leave the man. He asks the spirits name, and the spirit replies, "Legion is my name. There are many of us." Jesus sends the spirits into a herd of swine who run into the sea and drown. The man wants to join Jesus, but Jesus tells him to go home and tell his family.

21 - 43 Jairus' Daughter & Woman with a Hemorrhage - They return to the other side of the sea and a synagogue official named Jairus pleads with Jesus to lay his hands on his daughter who is dying. On their way, a woman who had been suffering hemorrhages for 12 years, touches his clothes and is healed. Upon arriving at Jairus' house, it is discovered that his daughter had died. Jesus says that the 12 years old girl is only sleeping. (it's interesting that the number 12 is in this story twice) Jesus says "Talitha koum" - "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" She wakes up and walks around. Jesus tells them not to tell anyone and to get the girl something to eat.

Mark 4

1 - 20 The Parable of the Sower - Seeds that fall on the path are prey to birds, seeds on rocky ground will be scorched by the sun, and seeds among the thorns will be choked. Seeds on good soil will multiply. We should seek a good foundation to our faith for ourselves and our families.

21 - 25 Parables of the Lamp and the Measure - Don't put a lump under a bushel. Also the measure you give will be the measure you get.

26 - 34 Parables of the Seed and of the Mustard Seed - "The Kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how."

35 - 41 The Calming of the Storm - Jesus and the disciples begin to cross the sea, and a storm came. Jesus was asleep and the disciples awakened him in their panic. "Peace! Be still!" says Jesus, and he turns to the disciples, saying, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?"

Mark 3

1 - 6 The Curing of the Man with the Withered Hand - Again, in the synagogue, Jesus heals a man. It is the sabbath, and he heals him. The Prarisees begin to plot against him.

7 - 12 Curing Beside the Sea of Galilee - There are so many people, Jesus has to go on a boat. He heals many and when unclean spirits behold him, they cry out, "You are the Son of God."

13 - 19 Jesus Chooses the 12 Apostles - Roll Call!

1. Simon (surnamed Peter)
2. James (Son of Zebedee)
3. James (Brother of James; surname - Boanerges: sons of thunder)
4. Andrew
5. Philip
6. Bartholomew
7. Matthew
8. Thomas
9. James (son of Alphaeus)
10. Thaddaeus
11. Simon the Cananaean
12. Judas Iscariot

20 - 30 Allegations of the Scribes/Sin against the Holy Spirit - The scribes come from Jerusalem & state the Jesus is possessed by Beelzebul, Prince of demons. Jesus says, "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that Kingdom cannot stand." & later: "Truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin." My notes: Such a person will not be forgiven, not because God cannot forgive all sins, but because that person, in his blindness towards God, rejects Jesus Christ, his teaching and his miracles, and despises the graces of the Holy Spirit as if they were designed to trap him."

31 - 35 The True Kinsmen of Jesus - Jesus mother and brethren come (in aramaic brethren is broad term for kinship, including nephews, cousins, and relatives in general). They say, "Your mother and brethren are here," and Jesus says, "Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Mark 2

1 - 12 Curing of a Paralyzed Man - After Jesus returned from Capernaum, he forgave the sins of a parylitic. The scribes thought this was blasphemous, and Jesus healed the man. They were amazed and glorified God.

13 - 17 The Calling of the Tax Collector) - Levi the Son of Alpheus (My notes say Matthew calls him Matthew; Luke calls him Levi too - it's assumed they are the same person & he's Matthew) sits by tax office and rises and follows Jesus. When the scribes ask why he associates with sinners, Jesus says, "Those who aren't well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

18 - 22 A Discussion on Fasting - The Pharisees ask why Jesus' disciples don't fast, and Jesus says that wedding guests can't fast while the bridegroom is with them. Further, a new patch on an old garment won't work. Further, new wine doesn't work in old wineskins. My notes say he's talking about the relationship between the Old Law (Testament) and the New. Jesus has come to fulfill the Old Law.

23 - 28 The Law of the Sabbath - One sabbath Jesus is going through the grainfields and his disciples pick the grain. The Pharisees ask why he's allowing them to work on the sabbath. Jusus says, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath."

I've always assumed that Jesus was against going by the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law. I still think this, but my notes say further, "Christ teaches God's purpose in instituting the sabbath: God established it for man's good, to help him rest and devote himslef to divine worhip in joy and peace. The Pharisees, through their interpretation of the Law, had turned this day into a source of anguish and scruple to due to all the various prescriptions and prohibitions they introduced."

Mark 1

Wow, this gospel hits the ground running!

1 - 7 The ministry of John the Baptist - John the Baptizer appears in the
wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He speaks of Jesus' coming, saying, "I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

8 - 11 Jesus is Baptized - After Jesus is baptized by John, the heavens open up and the Spirit descends upon him like a dove. A voice says, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.

12 - 13 The Tempting of Jesus The Spirit leads him into the wilderness for 40 days, where he is tempted by Satan. He is with the wild beasts, and the angels minister to him.

14 - 20 Jesus Begins to Preach his Ministry in Galilee and Calls His First Disciples - After John is arrested, Jesus begins preaching in Galilee. Simon and Andrew drop their fishnets and follow him. Then James and and John leave their father Zebedee (and his hired servants) to follow him.

21 - 28 Jesus in the Synagogue of Capernaum - Jesus astonishes with his teachings on the sabbath, "for he taught them as one who had authority." Then Jesus removes an unclean spirit from a man. His fame spreads.

29 - 34 Curing of Peter's Mother-in-Law and Many Sick People - Jesus and the 4 apostles go to Simon's mother-in-law (and she serves them). Then at sundown many gather at the door and Jesus heals the sick and casts out demons.

35 - 39 Jesus Goes to a Lonely Place to Pray - Simon and the other apostles have to get him because "Every one is searching for you." He goes throughout Galilee preaching in synagogues and casting out demons

40 - 44 Curing of a Leper - A leper comes to Jesus and Jesus touches him and tells him that he is clean, and commands him to go see a priest (for the cleansing of what Moses commanded). One of the most interesting things about this is (and it's in Luke too), is that Jesus commands the man not to say anything to anyone, but he does anyway.

There's so much going on in this chapter that it's difficult to comment on. I'll focus on Jesus' authority in the synagogue. My favorite note in my Bible states, "First he does and then he preaches (Acts 1:1) - not like the scribes who teach and do not do (Mt 23: 1-5).

Ruth 4

Ruth Marries Boaz

When the closer relative approaches, Boaz (with 10 elders listening), tells him that he is able the redeem the land. He is willing to redeem the land, but when Boaz tells him that Ruth comes with the field, he is unable to acquire it.

Boaz marries Ruth, and Naomi rejoices. They bore a son named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David (and ancestor of Jesus).

Ruth 3

Good Notes, J.P.

Naomi tells Ruth that she needs to remarry and is interested that Boaz is a friend of the family.While Boaz sleeps, Ruth bathes and lies beside him. When he wakes up and finds her there, he is very impressed that she has been loyal to him and hasn't "gone after" the younger men. Boaz says that if the other man refuses to marry her, then he will. He gives her grain to to Naomi. Naomi says, "Wait here, my daughter, until you learn what happens, for the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today."

Ruth 2

Naomi had a prominent kinsman named Boaz, of the clan of her husband Elimelech. Ruth suggests she glean ears of grain in the fields of anyone who allows her to. Ruth enters Boaz's field. Because Boaz has heard what she did for her mother-in-law, and allows her to glean in his field and has commanded his young men to let her drink (and not to mess around with her). He lets her have food and to dip her bread in the sauce. When she gets back that evening she has gleaned about an ephah of barley (my notes say about 4 liters). Naomi is amazed when she sees the bounty and encourages Ruth to do as Boaz said, to stay with the servants and complete the harvest.

Ruth 1

During the time of the judges, there is a great famine. Ruth has a husband, Elimelech, who dies and she is left with her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, who married Moabite women, Orpah and Naomi. After 10 years, her sons die as well, and Ruth is stuck with her daughters-in-law.

Ruth gives them a chance to go back to their families. Orpah goes, but Naomi stays with Ruth. Thus it was that Naomi returned with the Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, who accompanied her back from the plateau of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

Judges 21

Benjaminites Saved from Extinction

At Mizpah, the Israelites swear that no daughter will marry a Benjaminite. Only 600 Benjamite soldiers are left alive. The Isrealites are are sorrowful over this situation.

The Israelites find a loophole: at the yearly festival at Shiloh, when the women dance in the vineyards, each Benjamite man will "carry off a wife for himself" - if the men don't complain, then they haven't "given their daughters up."

I think the last line sums this all up best: "In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes."

Judges 20

Assembly of Israelites and War with Benjamin

Israel mobilizes 400,000 soldiers versus the Benjamites' 27,000 men.
The Benjamites fight well, though, winning the first 2 battles. The Isrealites ask the Lord if they are doing his will. In response, the Benjamite army is annihilated and their towns burned.

Judges 19

The Levite from Ephraim

The Levite traveled from Ephraim to Bethlehem and convinced his concubine to come with him. They stopped for the night in Gibeah, a lawless town. The Levite was a coward, and when wildmen surrounded the house, rather than fighting, he offered his concubine. The next morning, they left. Then the Levite cut the woman into pieces and sent them throughout Israel.

Judges 18

Migration of the Danites

In order to enlarge their borders, the Danites overtake Laish. The 5 recon men know about Micah and the Levite and the idols, so they go to take them. They destroy Laish and name it after Dan. They maintain the carved idol Micah had made as long as the house of God was in Shiloh.

Judges 17

Micah and the Levite

Here comes another lapse into idolatry. Micah's mother makes an idol for him. He consecrates a young Levite within Judah to become a priest (and stay at his house and eat his food).

Judges 16

Samson begins seeing a harlot in Gaza. The men of Gaza want to ambush him, but he is too strong (tearing down gates, etc.). The men lords of the Philistines find out about Delilah and offer her money for the secret of his strength. Just like with his wife, he is able to hold to her pressure for so long (he tells her several lies - that 7 fresh bowstrings, new ropes, or weaving his hair into a web and fastened them with a pin). Finally, she wears him down by continually vexing him with complaints, and he tells her, "No razor has touched my head, for I have been consecrated to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I shall be as weak as any other man" (17). While he is sleeping, she cuts his hair off, mistreats him, and when he wakes up he is taken to prison where he is put to grinding which must have been miserable since his source of strength had been taken away).

The lords of the philistines make Samson play the buffoon for them for a sacrifice festival for the god Dagon. They station him between two columns and since his hair grew back in prison, he tears them down, killing himself and in one swoop, more than he had killed in his lifetime. He judged for 20 years.

Judges 15

Samson returns to his wife and discovers that she married another man. His father offers his (prettier) younger daughter. "This time I'm without blame," he thinks, and burns the Philistines' crops by tying torches to the tails of 500 foxes. When the Philistines find out that Samson did this, they blame his wife and her father and burn them up. Samson swears to to avenge them and hides in a cave.

The men from Judah find Samson and get him to agree to accompany them to turn himself in, and they tie him up. When they arrive at the Philistines, his bonds melt off like wax. He takes the jawbone of a donkey and slays a thousand men. He throws away the jawbone (ramath-lehi = the Hill of the Jawbone) and takes a drink at En-hakkore (The Spring of the one who called - he called out to God). Samson judges 20 years.

Judges 14

Samson asks his parents to arrange a marriage between him and a Philistine woman. They do this, even though the Philistine's have dominion over Israel.

On his way to Timnah a young lion approaches Samson and Samson tears him apart. Later, some bees have settled in the lion's carcass, and Samson scoops the honey for his parents without telling them anything about the lion.

Later at a banquet, Samson proposes a riddle to his 30 Philistine companions (groomsmen) for 30 linen tunics and 30 sets of garments.

Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.

This riddle causes stress for the marriage, and finally the wife pursuades Samson to tell the answer. She tells the companions, and he loses the bet. To pay his debt, Samson kills 30 men from Ahkelon and despoils them. He leaves in anger, and Samson's wife was married to the best man.

Judges 13

The Isrealites offend the Lord again and are forced under the power of the Philistines for 40 years.

An angel of the Lord appears before the barren wife of the Danite Manoah. He tells her to conceive, but she should abstain from alcohol, unclean food, the cutting of the hair. (My notes say this is a Nazarite vow). She tells Manoah, who prays for the angel's return so he might teach them what to do for the child.

The angel returns and repeats his instructions. Manoah asks him to stay, and the angel tells him to set up a sacrifice for the Lord. He refuses to tell Manoah his name. When the fire gets going pretty well, and Manoah offers his offering of goat and cereal as holocaust, the angel rises to the sky from the flames. The couple realize they definitely had an angel and Manoah thinks they will die because they have seen God, but Manoah's wife points out that if the Lord had wanted to kill them, he would have done so - indeed, the Lord has accepted their holocaust. She bears a son named Samson.

Judges 12

Shibboleth: Some men of Ephraim come to Jephthah and ask why he didn't invite them to fight the Ammonites with him. He says he offered, but when "he saw that they would not effect rescue" he did it himself. He calls in their enemies from Gilead and they explained that they took the ford and anyone who didn't pronounce "Shibboleth" right, would be killed, and so they killed 42,000 Ephraimites. That would definitely slow them down.

My notes: "Shibboleth means "an ear of grain." But this Hebrew word can also mean "flood water." Apparently the Gileadites engaged the Ephraimites in conversation about the "flood water" of the Jordan. Differences in enunciating the initial sibilant of the Hebrew word betrayed different tribal affinities."

After judging for 6 years, Jephthah dies.

After Jephthah, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. He has 30 sons and 30 daughters who marry outside the family (outside Israel?). After judging for 7 years, he dies.

After Ibzan, Elon judges Israel for ten years, and he dies.

After Elon, Abdon judges Israel for 8 years (he has 40 sons who rose on 70 saddle-asses!), and he dies.

Judges 11

Jephthah (This one breaks my heart.) Jephthah was born to Gilead of "a harlot." Gilead's wife who had borne him sons, drove Jephthah away without inheritance, and he joined a gang. When the Ammonites warred on Israel, the elders of Gilead persuade him to fight, saying if he goes, he'll become the leader. Jephthah sends several messaged to the leaders of the Ammonites asking to pass through, but they are all ignored.

The spirit of the Lord comes upon Jephthah and he vows to God that if the Lord delivers the Ammonites into his power, whoever comes out of the doors of his house to meet him upon his return shall belong to the Lord. I shall offer him up as a holocaust" (sacrifice).

When he returns after defeating the Ammonites, his only daughter comes forth. This really puts Jephthah in a bind. He tells his daughter what he must do, and she's willing to do as what his vow requires, but she wants to go to the mountains for 2 months to "mourn her virginity" (My notes: "to bear children was woman's greatest pride; to be childless was regarded as a greate misfortune. Hence Jephthah's daughter asks permission to mourn the fact that she will be put to death before she can bear children.")

She returns and accepts her fate. Celebrating her death becomes a custom.

Several things about this story. It reflects Abraham and Isaac. (But this time the father isn't stopped, but allowed to make the sacrifice). The daughter also prefigures Christ, who died for the salvation of all, and Mary, who is celebrated for her virginity.

Judges 10

Tola (an Issacharite) judged Israel after Abimelech for 24 years. Then he died.

Jair (a Gileadite) judged Israel for 22 years. He had 30 sons who rode 30 saddle-asses and possessed 30 cities (called Havvoth Jair). Then Jair died.

Then the Israelites offend the Lord and are oppressed for 18 years by the (Bobby?) Ammonites. They cry out to the Lord and cast out the foreign gods so that the Lord grieves for them.

The Ammonites gather for war and encamp in Gilead, and the princes of Gilead say, "The one who begins the war against the Ammonites shall be the leader of Gilead."

Judges 9

Abimelech is made king and was horrible ruler, often engaged in war with his own subjects.

My notes: "Just as the noble trees refused the honor of royalty and were made subject to a mean plant, so did Abimelech of less noble birth than the seventy sons of Gideon now tyrannize over the people."

He ransacked many towns, including Thebez, where a woman threw a millstone on his head. He ordered a soldier to kill him with his sword, so that it might not be said he had been killed by the hand of a woman.

Judges 8

Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites. Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon's army. Zebah and Zalmunna are taken. S & Penuel are destroyed. Gideon avenges his brethren's death on Zebah and Zalmunna. He refuses goverment and Midian is subdued.

The land has a rest of 40 years. Gideon has a son named Abimelech (among his 70 sons!), and again the Isrealites fall into idolatry and ingratitude.

Judges 7

God tells Gideon to take 300 out of 10,000 possible men to defeat the Mideanites.

Judges 6

After 40 years of rest in the land, the Isrealites offend the Lord again so that they are held by Midian for 7 years. They ask the Lord for help and they send Gideon of Manassah. An angel appears to him and tells him he must deliver the Isrealites. Gidean is humble and the Lord works some miracles to help him overcome his fear. When he placed the woolen fleece on the ground, he found it covered with dew the next morning, while the ground all around it was dry. Again he places the fleece on the ground; it is dry while the ground is wet with dew.

Judges 5

The Canticle of Deborah

This is the song that Deborah sings about the victory.

Judges 4

Deborah and Barak

After Ehud dies, the Isrealites again offend the Lord and the Lord sends a new judge, Deborah (wife of Lappidoth) to summon Barak to defeat Sisera. After the Isrealites defeat them, Sisera flees on foot to Jael who famously plants him to the ground with a tent-peg. My notes: "It is to be noted that the sacred author merely records the fact of the murder of Sisera. We must not construe this as approval of Jael's action."