Old Testament Readings & Devotionals: Volume 4

Volume 4 features portions of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles and Psalms. It describes the transition from Israel's rule by judges to the establishment and expansion of the monarchy. The major characters include the prophets Eli and Samuel, King Saul, and the early years of the future King David. Deepen your knowledge of God and grow your faith with bite-sized, chronological readings from the Bible, and guideposts from giants in the faith - Robert Hawker, Charles H. Spurgeon, and Octavius Winslow.

About the Author :
C.M.H. Koenig (a pen name) is an adult missionary kid (MK) and third culture kid (TCK) who grew up overseas and in the United States. Koenig's family had regular devotions since she was a child, and she was encouraged to continue the practice as she grew older. Koenig has read and re-read a number of devotionals and Bible reading plans over the last few decades. The selection and arrangement of these devotions were made with a crucial spiritual goal in mind. "Hawker, Spurgeon, and Winslow provide solid, tasty meat, a veritable feast I wish to share with others. They were abundantly gifted writers." Robert Hawker, a Royal Marine assistant surgeon, Anglican priest, and author, was born 1753 in Exeter, England. He was married aged 19 to Anna Rains, and they had eight children altogether. He was ordained as a minister in 1779. It was in the pulpit that "the Doctor" was best known and loved. Thousands flocked to hear the "Star of the West" preach when he was in London. An Evangelical, he preached the Bible and proclaimed the love of God. (Wikipedia: Robert Hawker 2020) Charles Haddon Spurgeon, an English Particular Baptist preacher and author, was born on 19 June 1834 in Kelvedon, Essex, England. He married Susannah Thompson in 1856 and had twin boys. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers." (Wikipedia: Charles Spurgeon 2020)

Review :
As C.M.H. Koenig moves through this Bible study, students receive the opportunity to savor and re-examine the scriptures and their underlying meaning and messages. It's easy to differentiate the key verses (from the Christian Standard Bible) from these associated writings-they appear in italics. It's also easy to link these to a daily pursuit, as each quote and piece appears in a daily format to encourage succinct, thought-provoking reading. One example is that presented on Day 38, with a reading from Psalm 54: "God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might! God, hear my prayer; listen to the words from my mouth. For strangers rise up against me, and violent men intend to kill me. They do not let God guide them. Selah. God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my life." Psalm 54:1-4. This pairs with an inspection by Winslow from his Evening Thoughts work: "Where was David now? "In the wilderness of Ziph, in a wood." With not a follower or companion, this favorite of the nation was a homeless wanderer, hunted like a partridge upon the mountain by the bloodthirsty king. But oh, the deep teaching of which he would now be the subject! The nothingness of earthly glory - the emptiness of human applause - the poverty of the creature - the treachery of his own heart - in a word, the vapid nature and utter insufficiency of all earthly good, would be among the many holy and costly lessons he would now learn. Nor this alone. Driven from man, he would now be more exclusively and entirely shut in with God. In his happy experience, that wilderness would be as a peopled world, and that wood as a blooming paradise." These linked passages offer newfound opportunities for reflection, interpretation, and debate. Koenig does readers a great service in making these pairings relevant to contemporary times and philosophical and spiritual reflection alike, creating bonds and methods of inquiry that support belief and Biblical relevance alike. Another note to this collection is that its links are easy to digest in length; yet designed for a contemplation that lends to day-long consideration. An example of this is Day 63's reading of Psalm 73: "It is good for me to draw near to God." Psalm 73:28 (AKJV). This seemingly clear one-liner assumes new meaning when paired with Winslow's Morning Thoughts: "Reader, are you a professing child of God? Content not yourself to live thus; it is a poor, lifeless existence, unworthy of your profession, unworthy of Him whose name you do bear, and unworthy of the glorious destiny towards which you are looking. Thus, may a believer test the character of his love. He in whose heart divine affection deepens, increases, and expands, finds God an object of increasing delight and desire..." More than a study of Biblical passages alone, Old Testament Readings & Devotionals offers key connections between Biblical words and modern living. As its predecessors do, this fourth volume allows readers the opportunity to slow down and take a reasoned look at the underlying meaning and impact of the Old Testament. Students can use this volume for either self-study or/and (ideally) discussion. Its powerful associations offer much food for thought, making Old Testament Readings & Devotionals Volume 4 an ideal choice for all kinds of Christian collections and readers. D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review