Suggested Reading Schedule

To Catch Up with Our Summer Readers, Start with the Following:

The Rise of Saul – I Samuel 8-11

Questions to Ponder: When is it not a good thing to get what we want? Are the people rejecting God in wanting a king to fight their battles?

The Rejection of Saul – I Samuel 12-15

Questions to Ponder: Are Samuel’s charges against Saul fair? Can God change God’s mind?

The Rise of David – I Samuel 16-20

Questions to Ponder: What leadership qualities does David exercise in these chapters? Why is the LORD with him?

Saul Chases David – I Samuel 21-24, Psalms 34, 56, 57, 63

Questions to Ponder: Does the psalmist sound like the David we read about in these chapters? Why or why not?

Suggested Schedule for September and October

Week of 9/2:    The “Return” of Samuel – I Samuel 25-28

Questions to Ponder: How does one define the “enemy”? Who receives mercy in these passages, and who does not?

Week of 9/9:    The Death of Saul – I Samuel 29–II Samuel 1

Questions to Ponder: What do you make of Saul’s death and David’s grief? What is owed to the LORD’s anointed?

Week of 9/16: David Becomes King – II Samuel 2-6

Questions to Ponder: “Is the sword to keep devouring forever?” (2:26) Why does David bring the ark of God to Jerusalem? What do you think about his dancing before the LORD?

Week of 9/23: David Consolidates His Kingdom – II Samuel 7-10

Questions to Ponder: Is the LORD’s promise to David too good to be true? Why might the LORD not want a house?

Week of 9/30: David and His Sons – II Samuel 11-14, Psalm 51

Questions to Ponder: Do the “punishments” in these chapters fit the crimes committed? How do Nathan and the wise woman of Tekoa speak truth to David? Does God take away life?

Week of 10/7: David’s Friends and Enemies – II Samuel 15-19

Questions to Ponder: Can the LORD really be implicated in these palace intrigues and power reversals? Who exhibits loyalty in these chapters?

Week of 10/14: David’s Offering – II Samuel 20-24

Questions to Ponder: Was David rewarded according to his righteousness? (22:21) Does the poet of chapter 22 at all resemble the David depicted in the surrounding chapters – and, if so, how?

Week of 10/21: The Rise of Solomon – I Kings 1-3:15

Questions to Ponder: What do you make of David’s last words to Solomon? Who chose Solomon to be king? What has Solomon learned from his father about leadership?