The same battle, from a different angle.

How to read two passages about the same event.

You've probably read the story of David and Goliath. But have you read it twice—side by side, with the notes for both passages open? Many events in Scripture are recorded more than once, sometimes in separate books! Reading both accounts together shows you more than either one alone. Here's how:  1. Compare passages on the same event.  2 Samuel 21:15–22 and 1 Chronicles 20:4–8 both record David's battles with the Philistines. Same event. Different telling.   2. Read each passage in its own context.  Notice how each chapter is organized before you compare them. Chronicles isn't retelling Samuel. It's written for a different purpose.    3. Line up the two accounts.  Note where they differ—in detail, in wording, in what each one mentions. What does each account include, and what does it leave out?    4. Open the study resources on each passage.  Not just one. Each passage has its own notes, and they don't say the same thing.    The NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible, available with Bible Gateway Plus, on 2 Samuel 21:15–22:    21:15–22 These stories highlight the achievements of David’s mighty men and special forces. Many of them perform deeds that echo David’s own achievements. Great leaders always reproduce their best virtues in others. For instance, Abishai kills the Philistine giant Ishbi-Benob, and Sibbekai kills the giant Saph, just as David killed Goliath. Verse 19 asserts that Elhanan the son of Jair killed Goliath’s brother. First Chronicles 20:5 records Goliath’s brother’s name: Lahmi.    The same resource, on 1 Chronicles 20:1–8:    20:1–8 Chapter 20 reports the capture of Rabbah (vv. 1–3) and battles with the Philistines (vv. 4–8). The Chronicler’s account diverges from 1-2 Samuel at several points due to his retelling of the same history from a different vantage point and for different purposes (see Introduction to 1 Chronicles). But perhaps no divergence is quite so significant as the omission of David’s sin with Bathsheba in the present chapter (cf. 2Sa 11).     5. Read what each note adds.  One note points you to a name (Lahmi). The other points you to what is missing (David’s sin). Neither passage gives you both, and you'd never catch it reading one at a time.   This is one passage. You can do this with any passage of Scripture in Bible Gateway Plus.    Continue studying these passages >> Bible Gateway Plus opens study notes beside any passage—so you can read multiple accounts and notes together, instead of chasing them down one at a time.   Pick the plan that helps you go deeper  Yearly plan: $69.99/year (just $5.83/month)* Monthly plan: $6.99/month  *Choose yearly and get 2 months free.  Start My Free Trial 7 days free. Cancel anytime.  Have any questions? Please write to us at support@biblegateway.com. *All prices are USD. Additional sales tax may apply. The 7-day free trial is available to new subscribers only.   This email was sent to alitealbum.biblegateway@blogger.com by 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA. You received this email because you are signed up for communications from Bible Gateway. If you have questions or comments about this email, please contact us.   Manage all Bible Gateway communication | Opt Out of all Bible Gateway communication   VIEW THIS EMAIL IN YOUR BROWSER  ►