This is part of a year long reading of the Bible chronologically in a harmonized format.

2 Samuel 16:1 - 18:33

- As David flees Jerusalem, Ziba provides supplies and claims Mephibosheth's loyalty while Shimei curses David; Absalom enters the city and takes David's concubines on Ahithophel's advice.

- Hushai undermines Ahithophel's counsel, leading to Absalom's defeat in battle; Joab kills Absalom against orders, David mourns deeply, and the army returns victorious.

Acts 7:54 - 8:8

- Enraged by Stephen's words, the council drags him out and stones him as he sees Jesus and prays for his persecutors; Saul approves the killing.

- A great persecution scatters believers except the apostles; Philip preaches in Samaria with signs, healing, and exorcisms, bringing great joy as many believe.

This is part of a year long reading of the Bible chronologically in a harmonized format.

Psalms 3:1 - 4:8

- David cries to God amid many rising enemies and taunts that God will not deliver him, yet affirms the Lord as his shield and the one who lifts his head.

- He calls on God to arise and save him, then in Psalm 4 pleads for relief from distress, warns against sin, and rests securely in God's peace and protection.

Psalms 12:1 - 13:6

- The psalmist laments the vanishing of the godly and the prevalence of flattering, deceitful tongues among the wicked, but trusts God to arise and protect the oppressed.

- In Psalm 13, David questions how long God will hide his face and allow sorrow and enemy triumph, yet resolves to trust in God's steadfast love and rejoice in his salvation.

Psalms 28:1-9

- The psalmist pleads with God not to be silent lest he become like those going down to the pit, and asks for justice against the wicked who speak peace while plotting evil.

- He praises God for hearing his cry, being his strength and shield, and saving his people, blessing them as their shepherd and carrying them forever.

Psalms 55:1-23

- David pours out his complaint to God in anguish over the oppression and betrayal by a close friend who once worshiped with him, pleading for swift destruction of the wicked.

- He casts his burden on the Lord who sustains him, trusting that God will never let the righteous be shaken and will bring down the bloodthirsty and deceitful.

Acts 7:29-53

- Stephen continues recounting Moses' life: his call at the burning bush, leading the exodus, receiving the law, yet Israel's ancestors rejected him and turned to idolatry with the golden calf.

- He accuses the council of being stiff-necked like their fathers, resisting the Holy Spirit, persecuting prophets, and betraying and murdering the Righteous One, Jesus.

This is part of a year long reading of the Bible chronologically in a harmonized format.

2 Samuel 14:1 - 15:37

- Joab arranges for a wise woman from Tekoa to tell David a parable about a widow's sons, prompting David to allow Absalom's return from exile, though he initially refuses to see him.

- Absalom reconciles with David but then steals the hearts of Israel, declares himself king in Hebron, and forces David to flee Jerusalem as many follow the rebellion.

Acts 7:1-28

- Stephen defends himself before the high priest by recounting Israel's history from Abraham's call and covenant through Joseph in Egypt and Moses' early life.

- Moses is rejected by his own people when trying to deliver them, flees to Midian, and is later called by God at the burning bush, yet the ancestors resisted the Holy Spirit as their fathers did.