This Week
We are reading:
Judges 13-21
Ruth
1 Samuel 1-10
Psalms 32, 35, 14, 15, 36, 86, 52
Summary
This week we continue reading Judges and learn the story of Samson.
A complicated figure, Samson is set apart at birth to ultimately deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. He is easily distracted, however — breaking his Nazarite vows by touching a dead body (the lion), possibly ingesting grapes or wine (partaking in feasts), and ultimately meeting his downfall when he tells Delilah his strength would be lost by cutting his hair.
Then we pivot into Ruth, one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible, before embarking upon the beginning of Israel’s kingship with Samuel.
The question that comes up over and over again this week is: are we following God, or are we all just doing what seems right in our own eyes?
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Here is the daily breakdown from our annual plan:
Day 117 — Monday, 4/27 — Judges 13-15, Psalm 32
Day 118 — Tuesday, 4/28 — Judges 16-18, Psalm 35
Day 119 — Wednesday, 4/29 — Judges 19-21, Psalm 14
Day 120 — Thursday, 4/30 — Ruth 1-4, Psalm 15
Day 121 — Friday, 5/1 — 1 Samuel 1-3, Psalm 36
Day 122 — Saturday, 5/2 — 1 Samuel 4-7, Psalm 86
Day 123 — Sunday, 5/3 — 1 Samuel 8-10, Psalm 52
Day 117 — Monday, 4/27 — Judges 13-15, Psalm 32
An angel appears to a couple and tell them they are going to have a son who will be a Nazirite and deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. They name him Samson.
Samson kills a lion and later eats honey from its carcass — breaking the Nazirite vow never to touch a dead body.
Day 118 — Tuesday, 4/28 — Judges 16-18, Psalm 35
Samson becomes blinded with infatuation with Delilah, who keeps trying to figure out the source of his power to sell him out to the Philistines
After three false starts, Samson finally tells Delilah the source of his power is in his hair — she proceeds to cut it all off and turn him over to the Philistines
Samson gets the final word, as his hair begins to grow back and God blesses him with one last feat of strength that takes out the Philistine leaders
Israel continues to slide further into idolatry and confusion
Day 119 — Wednesday, 4/29 — Judges 19-21, Psalm 14
The Israelites have descended into utter depravity. The story of the Levite’s concubine is heartbreaking.
These chapters are marked by violence, civil war, and moral collapse, illustrating just what happens as humanity intermingles with the demonic offspring and drifts away from God.
In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
Judges 21:25
Day 120 — Thursday, 4/30 — Ruth 1-4, Psalm 15
The story of Ruth’s faithfulness and loyalty to her mother-in-law — and her dedication to fulfilling her late husband’s family line — results in Ruth ending up in the lineage of King David (and eventually Jesus).
Day 121 — Friday, 5/1 — 1 Samuel 1-3, Psalm 36
Hannah, unable to have children, prays earnestly at the tabernacle and promises to dedicate her son to God. God answers her prayer, and she gives birth to Samuel.
She fulfills her vow by bringing him to serve under the priest Eli, whose sons are corrupt and abuse their priestly role.
Samuel hears God calling him at night. With Eli’s guidance, he responds, and God reveals a shocking judgment against Eli’s household.
Day 122 — Saturday, 5/2 — 1 Samuel 4-7, Psalm 86
The Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant and treat it like a lucky charm, which backfires on them — destroying their Dagon idol, killing their townfolk — so they return it.
Eli’s sons die, and Eli himself dies upon hearing the news.
Samuel calls Israel to repentance. The people turn back to God, and Israel defeats the Philistines. Samuel becomes a recognized leader and judge.
Day 123 — Sunday, 5/3 — 1 Samuel 8-10, Psalm 52
As Samuel grows old, he appoints his sons as the judges of Israel, but they become corrupt.
The elders of Israel demand a king “like other nations.” God tells Samuel to grant their request but warns that a king will take advantage of them (taxes, labor, control).
Saul is identified by God as Israel’s first king
And next week we begin Israel’s transition into the Kingdom period — stay tuned!