Philippians 2

1 - 11 Plea for Unity and Humility

Be humble - regard others as more important than yourself. He describes Jesus as the example of humility.

12 - 18 Obedience and Service in the World

Be obedient (even when others aren't watching) without grumbling or questioning.

19 - 24 Timothy and Paul

Paul plans to send Timothy to Phillipi.

25 - 30 Epaphroditus

My note: Epaphroditus: sent by the Philippians as their messenger (literally, "apostle") to aid Paul in his imprisonment, he had fallen seriously ill; Paul commends him as he sends him back to Philippi.

Philippians 1

1 - 11 Introduction

Paul and Timothy address those in Philippi. He notes that gifts come from Christ the Lord (not just the God the Father.

12 - 26

Paul describes his present situation (his imprisonment) and that Christians still go on preaching the gospel (though some with hostility toward Paul and others out of personal ambition.

My notes: Paul earnestly debates his prospects of martyrdom or continued missionary labor. While he may long to depart this life and thus be with Christ, his overall and final expectation is that he will be delivered from this imprisonment and continue in the service of the Philippians and of others. In either case, Christ is central; if to live means Christ for Paul, death means to be united with Christ in a deeper sense.

27 - 30

My notes: Ethical admonition begins at this early point in the letter, emphasizing steadfastness and congregational unity in the face of possible suffering. The opponents are those in Philippi, probably pagans, who oppose the gospel cause. This is proof . . . may refer to the whole outlook and conduct of the Philippians, turning out for their salvation but to the judgment of the opponents, or possibly the sentence refers to the opinion of the opponents, who hold that the obstinacy of the Christians points to the destruction of such people as defy Roman authority (though in reality, Paul holds, such faithfulness leads to salvation).

Ephesians 6

1 - 9 How those in Authority and under Authority Should Relate

Children, obey your parents - since "that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth." In turn, fathers must not provoke children, but train and instruct children of the Lord. Slaves (employees included, I suppose) must be obedient "as to Christ." In turn, Masters (those in authority) must not bully those under them. (Even the masters have a Master in heaven).

10 - 20 Courage and Prayer

My notes: Paul describes the Christian in terms of the dress and equipment of Roman soldiers. He observes, however, that the Christian's readiness for combat is not directed against human beings but against the spiritual powers of evil Unique importance is placed upon prayer.

21 - 24 Postscript

If Ephesians is addressed to several Christian communities, it is understandable that no greetings to individual members of these communities should have been included in it.

Ephesians 5

1 - 5 Rules for a New Life

Continued from Ch. 4 - Imitate God as Children - live in love. Don't mention immorality among each other. No "silly or suggestive talk which is out of place, but instead thanksgiving." Avoid impurity.

6 - 20 Duty to Live in the Light

Avoid the disobedient. Live in the light instead of the darkness. Live as the wise, not foolish.

21 - 33 Wives and Husbands

My notes: The apostle exhorts married Christians to a strong mutual love. Marriage is a divine institution, and Paul sees Christian marriage as taking on a new meaning symbolic of the intimate relationship of love between Christ and the church. The wife sould serve her husband in the same spirit as that of the church's service to Christ, and the husband should care for his wife with the devotion of Christ to the church.

Ephesians 4

1 - 16 Unity in the Body

Paul urges the Ephesians to live in a manner worthy of the call (humility, gentleness, patience, bearing). Grace was given to each of us according to Christ's gifts. There's a diversity in everyone's call; evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc. We are to grow the knowledge of Christ from the head down (Christ is the head).

17 - 24 Renewal in Christ

We must put away our old selves and desires and put on the new self, "created in God's way in righteousness and holiness and truth."

25 - 32 Rules for the New Life

Put away falsehood, speak the truth. Be angry, but don't sin. Don't steal. No foul language, but only that which is needed for "edification". Forgive others.

Ephesians 3

1 - 13 Commission to Preach God's Plan

Paul describes himself as a "prisoner of Christ" - He emphasizes that Gentiles are" "coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promises in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Paul attributes his ministry to God's grace.


14 - 21 Prayer for the Readers

Paul prays for his readers' strength and for them to know Christ's love.

Ephesians 2

1 - 10 Generosity of God's Will

All Christians *were* dead in their transgressions and sins and were by nature "children of wrath." But God in his mercy - despite our transgressions, "raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens next to Jesus Christ (by grace you were saved) . . . for it is not by works, so none may boast.

11 - 22 One in Christ

Jesus, through his flesh, abolished the old law. No longer are there separate clans, but everyone is to be one through Christ - "members of the household of God."

1 Ephesians

My notes: Ephesians is Paul's great letter about the church. It deals with the worldwide church, the head of which is Christ, the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making God's plan of salvation known throughout the universe.

1 - 14 Greeting and Hymn of Praise

God chose us in him, "to be holy and without blemish before him." (remember the sacrificial lambs in Moses' day. Also remember that Jesus died in order to make us without blemish). God has chosen us - through his grace.

We have been redeemed through Jesus' blood - we were chosen - "so that we might exist for the prose of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ (12). Hearing the word and believing is the first installment (down-payment) "of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession."

15 - 23 The Church as God's Body

Paul reaffirms that God raised Jesus from the dead adn setated him at his right hand in the heavens - above "every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name this is named not only in this age but also in the one to come." He put everything beneath his feet and is the head of the church, which is his body, "the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way."

1 Samuel 31

The Philistines fight. They kill all of Saul's sons (including Jonathan). Saul commands his armor bearer to kill him. When the armor bearer refuses, Saul runs himself into his sword. The armor bearer kills himself too. Saul's body is desecrated by the Philistines at Beth Sham. The Isrealites recover his body and bury him at Jabesh.

1 Samuel 30

David returns from Ziklag to discover it destroyed and 2 of his wives taken captive. He asks God if he should pursue the raiding party and is given the go-ahead. David takes 600 men. An abandoned Egyptian slave revives him and leads David to the raiding party. David recovers everything and makes everyone share - even those who stayed behind.

1 Samuel 29

The Philistines are angry with Achish when they discover who David is. Achish dismisses David.

1 Samuel 28

1 - 25 Saul and the Witch of Endor

Achish makes David a bodyguard. The Philistine army scares Saul. He prays, but God doesn't answer. Saul disguises himself and visits the Witch of Endor. He asks her to bring up Samuel. he tells the spirit of his distress & asks what to do. Samuel tells him the Lord has departed from Saul and become his enemy and that David has been given the kingdom. Also, the next day Saul and his sons will die. He falls in fear and refuses to eat. The Witch of Endor eats in front of him.

1 Samuel 27

1 - 12 David among the Philistines

David realizes that one day he will be killed by Saul. David and 600 men go on the road. Achish gives him Ziklag. David raids the Geshurites, Girzites and Amalekites, completely razine each area. Achish believes that David's actions will make him his servant forever.

1 Samuel 26

(From J.P.) Well, once again Saul pursues David, David has an opportunity to kill him but spares him.Someone told Saul where David was camped so he went after him there with an army of 3000. David heard about it and sent scouts to investigate. When they confirmed it, David went himself and saw that Saul was going to sleep beside Abner, commander of the army and Saul's cousin. David went back to camp and asked Ahimelech and Abishai (his nephew) which one would go back to Saul's camp that night. Abishai volunteered.They went to the camp during the night and found Saul sleeping in the middle of the army with his spear and water jug near his head. God kept all the army in a "deep sleep" (vs 12) so no one heard them come or go. Abishai told David to kill him for " God has delivered your enemy into your hands" (vs 8). David again refused to kill the Lord's annointed but took his spear and water jug.They went to a nearby hill (far enough to call anyone in the army but not close enough for anyone to see who they were)and, the next morning, called Abner. David asked him why he didn't protect the king during the night and asked where the king's spear and water jug were.Saul recognized David's voice. David agian asked why he was persuing him and what he is guilty of. He appeals that if God has set Saul against him then allow him to make an offering and settle it with God and leave Saul out of it. He says that if men have done it, he curses them.

The thing that I notice about David is that he always diverts blame and accusation away from either one of them and implies that God or other men are creating this hostile relationship AND always implores for the Lord to resolve it.

Saul says, "I have sinned" (21) and asked David to return with him. David presents the spear and water jug and asks for a messenger to retrieve them but, since he spared the king's life, God will protect him from any trickery on the messenger's part.

They both parted ways again. I don't know what I'd do if I were in Saul's army. There's no evidence against David. I'd be interested to know what the army is told as a reason for their constant activation against him. Being in the Army, it's just as likely that they were told they were just "going on an exercise" or something harmless. Or they may know they are meeting David but not realize Saul's hostility toward him. We haven't heard any hostile reason why the army would be alerted though.

David keeps his focus on the Lord throughout. That's a good example for us.

1 Samuel 25

(From J.P.) Samuel died and the entire nation of Israel mourns. Notes indicate that this was because he helped reconstruct Israel's theocracy and establish the monarchy. He was mourned like Jacob, Aaron, and Moses.David continues moving into the Desert of Maon. A man named Nabal lived there who was very wealthy an owned thousands of herds of livestock. Notes indicate that Nabal means "fool" and he was widely knows as being a coarse, brutal man. His wife Abigail was, of course, the opposite; a kind, beautiful woman.David decides to ask Nabal to host he and his men for a while so he sends 10 messengers to make his request by first making clear that he protected Nabal's shepherds and flocks when they passed through their camp.Nabal tells the messengers that he doesn't know David and, for all he knows, they may all be runaway slaves.Well, when David gets this message, he tells 400 of his men to "put on their swords".Meanwhile, one of Abigail's servants told her about all this and asked her if there's anything she can do. Abigail prepares gifts of tons of food and wine and goes to meet them on their way.

24-31 Abigail makes an impressive plea to spare Nabal (her) household pointing out that he is the Lord's servant and the Lord blesses all he does. She also prays that his enemies fall as quickly as a "stone from a sling".

David praises her and agrees that God has sent her to spare needless bloodshed. He accepts her gifts and sends her home in peace.When Abigail gets home, Nabal is having a "king's feast" and is filthy drunk. She waits till the next moring to tell him everything (that David was about to wipe him out with an army of 400). When he heard this "his heart failed him and he became like a stone". Notes indicate that this was probably a stroke. He died 10 days later. This was because of Abigails "curse" on David's enemies.When David hears of his death he sends for Abigail to marry her which she gladly accepts. David also has another wife.

Notes indicate that Nabal is supposed to mirror Saul in that David was his faithful servant and he could care less, in fact, was willing to kill him. Nabal's death is supposed to foreshadow Saul's death, also from Abigail's curse.Personally this demonstrates that if we have "evil" employers or people above us in any way who mistreat us or ignore our contributions, God will deal with them. David keeps wanting to take matters into his own hands but God prevents this until He can do it Himself. We MUST stay in the Lord and focus on being God's faithful servant. Then we can KNOW from stories like this that the Lord will take care of us.

1 Samuel 24

1 - 22 David Spares Saul's Life

When Saul returns from fighting the Philistines, he is told David is hiding the desert near Engedi. He picks 3,000 men to search for him. David's servants tell him that this is the day the Lord said He would deliver his enemy within his grasp. David moves to Saul, but he only cuts the end off of his mantle (because Saul is God's anointed). He calls to Saul, asking why he thinks he will harm him, and he declares he will not touch him, and asks Saul to swear he will not destroy him or his descendents (a great speech). He gives Saul his oath. Saul returns home & David goes back into hiding.

1 Samuel 23

1 - 14 Saul Pursues David

David learns that the Philistines attacked Keilah. He asked the Lord what to do. The Lord told him to rescue Keilah. David's men are afraid, and David goes to the Lord who again tells him to go against them. David goes and rescues them. Saul finds out and calls his people to destroy Keilah. The Lord tells David that the people of Keilah would turn him in, so they leave.

15 - 18 Jonathan Visits David in the Wilderness of Ziph

In Ziph, Jonathan visits David and encourages David, telling him that David will become the King of Israel and that Saul knows this.

19 - 28 Saul again Pursues David

Saul finds out that David is hiding among the Ziphites, but David gets word of it and hids in a desert gorge, when a messenger tells Saul that the Philistines had invaded, so he calls off the hunt.

1 Samuel 22

1 - 5 David at Adullam and Mizpah

David leaves Gath and hides in a cave in Adullam. His father's household hears about it and goes to him. All of the discontent (about 400) had gathered there with him. David goes to Moab of Mizpah and gets him to agree to keep his family until he learns what to do. The prophet of Gad tells him to go to Judah.

6 - 23 Saul Kills the Priest of Nob

Saul heard about David and that Ahimelech helped him. He orders the death of the priests plus the whole town of Nob (including women, children, infants, donkeys, cattle and sheep). But Abiathar a son of Ahimelech escapes and joins David, telling him what happened. David takes responsibility, and tells the man (without irony?) "Stay with me; don't be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me."

1 Samuel 21

1 - 9 David at Nob

In Nob, David visits Ahimelech the priest, tells him that he's on a mission for the king and since there is no regular bread and the men have kept themselves from women, he gets consecrated bread. Doeg the Edomite, Saul's head shepherd is there. David asks for a sword, and Ahimelech give Goliath's sword.

10 - 15 David at Gath

Then David goes to Achish king of Gath. Because he knows the song that made Saul so angry, David fears Achish. He pretends to go crazy so Achish will dismiss him.

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!)