Chayei Sarah
"The life of Sarah"
November 23, 2024
Weekly Reading Portions from the Torah, Prophets and the Gospels.
Click on the chapter below to read, or click the play button to listen to the audio.
Torah
Prophets
Gospel
Outline Summary
Torah - Genesis 23:1-25:18 – The Death of Sarah, Isaac’s Marriage, and Abraham’s Death
The Death of Sarah and Abraham’s Grief (23:1-4): Sarah dies at the age of 127, and Abraham mourns her loss. He seeks to purchase a burial plot for her from the Hittites in Hebron.
The Negotiation for Sarah’s Tomb (23:5-16): Abraham negotiates with the Hittites to buy the cave of Machpelah, owned by Ephron the Hittite, as a family tomb. Ephron offers to give it to him for free, but Abraham insists on paying full price, so the transaction is completed.
Abraham’s Servant Sent to Find a Wife for Isaac (24:1-9): Abraham, now old, sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his relatives in Mesopotamia. The servant is entrusted with an oath to find a woman who will come willingly to marry Isaac.
The Servant’s Prayer and God’s Answer (24:10-27): The servant prays for God’s guidance, asking for a sign that the right woman for Isaac will offer him water and also water his camels. Rebekah, the daughter of Abraham’s relative Bethuel, fulfills this sign, and the servant praises God for answering his prayer.
Rebekah’s Agreement to Marry Isaac (24:28-51): The servant explains his mission to Rebekah’s family, and they agree to let her go with him to marry Isaac. Rebekah expresses her willingness, and they depart.
Rebekah Meets Isaac and Their Marriage (24:52-67): Rebekah meets Isaac, and they marry. Isaac loves Rebekah and is comforted after his mother’s death.
Abraham Remarries and Dies (25:1-11): After Sarah’s death, Abraham marries Keturah, and they have six children. Abraham dies at the age of 175 and is buried beside Sarah by Isaac and Ishmael.
The Descendants of Abraham (25:12-18): The genealogy of Abraham’s children through Keturah is provided, noting that his descendants spread out to the east, and they lived in the region of Edom.
Prophets - 1 Kings 1:1-31 – The Beginning of Solomon’s Reign
David’s Old Age and the Rise of Adonijah (1:1-10): King David, now old and weak, is unable to keep warm, so his servants bring him a young woman, Abishag, to care for him. Meanwhile, Adonijah, David’s son, declares himself king, gathering supporters including Joab and Abiathar the priest, but not including Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, or Solomon.
Nathan and Bathsheba Conspire (1:11-21): Nathan the prophet, realizing Adonijah’s plans, warns Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and they work together to ensure that Solomon becomes the rightful king, according to God’s will.
David’s Promise to Bathsheba (1:22-27): Bathsheba goes to David and reminds him of his promise that Solomon would succeed him as king. David confirms his commitment to making Solomon king.
Solomon Anointed as King (1:28-31): David calls for Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah to anoint Solomon as king. Solomon is made king in a public ceremony, and the people rejoice, acknowledging Solomon’s reign.
Gospels - John 4:3-14 – Yeshua and the Samaritan Woman at the Well
The Journey to Samaria (4:3-6): Yeshua leaves Judea and travels to Galilee, passing through Samaria. He arrives at Jacob’s well in the town of Sychar, tired from the journey, and sits by the well around noon.
The Samaritan Woman (4:7-9): A Samaritan woman comes to draw water, and Yeshua asks her for a drink. The woman is surprised, as Jews typically did not associate with Samaritans, and she questions why He is asking her for water.
Yeshua Offers Living Water (4:10-12): Yeshua responds that if she knew who He was, she would ask Him for “living water.” The woman is confused, wondering how He could give her water without a bucket, since the well is deep. She asks if He is greater than their ancestor Jacob.
The Promise of Eternal Life (4:13-14): Yeshua explains that whoever drinks from the well will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst. This water will become a spring of eternal life. The woman is intrigued but doesn’t fully understand.
"Highlighted Verses"
"Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah to bury Sarah, and it became a lasting inheritance, marking the covenant of God’s promises through generations."
Genesis 23:19
"Solomon is the chosen heir, anointed by God’s will, to carry the legacy of David's kingdom forward in righteousness."
1 Kings 1:39
"Whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:14
